CN117641251A

CN117641251A - Communication method and device

Info

Publication number: CN117641251A
Application number: CN202210952450.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张海森; 李濛; 李秉肇; 王燕
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-08-09
Filing date: 2022-08-09
Publication date: 2024-03-01

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for ensuring that terminal equipment in a non-connection state can receive multicast service in a mobile process. The method comprises the following steps: the first access network equipment determines first area information indicating at least one cell according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network equipment, information of a first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network equipment or establishment condition of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network equipment; the first access network device sends a first release request comprising first area information to a first terminal device corresponding to a first multicast service.

Description

Communication method and device

Technical Field

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

Background

Multicast services are services directed to a plurality of terminal devices. For example, live services, public safety services, bulk software update services, and the like may be provided.

In general, the access network device may send multicast traffic (also referred to as multicast traffic, multicast data) to at least one terminal device in a connected state. Due to the limited load of the access network device, it may not be possible to support the multiple terminal device resident connection state. Thus, the access network device may release the terminal device to receive the multicast service in a non-connected state. However, if the access network device releases the terminal device to the non-connected state, how to ensure that the terminal device in the non-connected state can receive the multicast service in the moving process.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for ensuring that terminal equipment in a non-connection state can receive multicast service in a mobile process.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, a communication method is provided, where the method may be performed by a first access network device, or a component of the first access network device, for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first access network device, or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access network device. The method is described below as being performed by the first access network device. The communication method comprises the following steps: the first access network device determines first area information indicating at least one cell according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device, or establishment condition of the first multicast service of at least one second access network device. The first access network device sends a first release request comprising first area information to a first terminal device corresponding to a first multicast service.

That is, in the present application, the first access network device may determine the first area information according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of the provided first multicast service, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service, and send a first release request including the first area information to the first terminal device. In this way, the first terminal device that receives the first release request may enter the non-connected state from the connected state, and receive the first multicast service in the at least one cell indicated by the first area information. After the terminal equipment in the non-connection state moves to the coverage area of at least one cell indicated by the first area information, the first multicast service can be received, and the connectivity of the terminal equipment for receiving the multicast service is ensured.

In a possible implementation manner, the first area information indicates that the access network device where the at least one cell is located includes an access network device supporting provision of the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state in the at least one second access network device.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device obtains information of at least one second access network device, which indicates that the second access network device supports or does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state.

For example, the first access network device sends information to at least one second access network device requesting to obtain capability information of the second access network device. And receives a response message from the second access network device indicating the capability information of the second access network device, or the first access network device may be preconfigured with the capability information of the at least one second access network device.

Based on the implementation manner, the first access network device may accurately use the cell of the access network device supporting the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state as the at least one cell indicated by the first area information according to the capability of the at least one second access network device supporting or not supporting the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state.

In a possible implementation manner, the first area information indicates that the access network device where the at least one cell is located includes an access network device that provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the terminal device in the non-connected state in the at least one second access network device.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device obtains information of the first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state or information of the first multicast service not provided to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state. In this way, the first access network device may determine the first area information according to all or part of the cells of the access network device that provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the terminal device in the unconnected state in the at least one second access network device.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device sends a message to at least one second access network device requesting to establish the first multicast service. The first access network equipment determines first area information according to the establishment condition of the first multicast service established by at least one second access network equipment. Thus, the first access network device can accurately acquire the establishment condition of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network device through interaction with the at least one second access network device.

In one possible implementation manner, the setting up condition of the first multicast service of the second access network device includes success of the setting up of the first multicast service and failure of the setting up of the first multicast service.

In one possible implementation, the second access network device fails to establish the first multicast service, and the at least one cell indicated by the first area information does not include a cell of the second access network device.

Based on the possible implementation manner, since the at least one cell indicated by the first area information determined by the first access network device does not include a cell of the access network device that fails to establish the first multicast, the terminal device can accurately receive the first multicast service according to the first area information.

In one possible implementation manner, before the first access network device sends the first release request to the first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service, the method further includes: the first access network device sends a second release request for triggering the first terminal device to be in a non-connected state to the first terminal device. Thus, the first access network device can release the first terminal device as early as possible, and the load of the first access network device is reduced.

In one possible implementation manner, before the first access network device sends the first release request to the first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service, the first terminal device is in a connected state. Thus, the first access network device can release the first terminal device after determining the first area information, so as to avoid the first access network device from frequently updating the area information corresponding to the first multicast service.

In one possible implementation manner, the first release request is further used to indicate configuration information corresponding to the serving cell and/or at least one cell of the first terminal device, or whether the configuration information of the serving cell and the configuration information of the at least one cell of the first terminal device are consistent. In this way, the first terminal device in the non-connection state may obtain the configuration information corresponding to the first multicast service in at least one cell according to the configuration information corresponding to the first multicast service, or may obtain the configuration information corresponding to the first multicast service in at least one cell when the service cell of the first terminal device is inconsistent with the configuration information corresponding to the at least one cell, and receive the first multicast service according to the configuration information

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network equipment determines to activate the first multicast service, and sends information indicating to activate the first multicast service to the access network equipment where at least one cell is located. Or the first access network equipment determines to deactivate the first multicast service, and sends information indicating to deactivate the first multicast service to the access network equipment where the at least one cell is located. In this way, it can be avoided that in some situations, for example, the first access network device determines to activate or deactivate the first multicast service according to the notification information of the core network or other devices, where the access network device where the at least one cell is located does not receive the notification information (for example, a transmission channel is not established with the core network or other devices, or the core network establishes a transmission channel, but the context of the multicast service included in the core network does not include the access network device where the at least one cell is located), which results in a problem that the at least one cell cannot sense to activate or deactivate the first multicast service.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the second access network device fails to activate the first multicast service, and the first access network device pages the first terminal device and/or the first access device triggers the access network device where at least one cell is located to page the first terminal device.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the access network equipment where at least one cell is located fails to activate the first multicast service, and the first access network equipment updates the first area information. Thus, the access network device where at least one cell is located fails to establish the first multicast service, and the first access network device may update the first area information. For example, the first access network device may page the first terminal device and/or trigger the access network device where the at least one cell is located to page the first terminal device, and send updated first area information to the connected first terminal device. And when the first terminal equipment in the non-connection state moves to the coverage area of the access network equipment which fails to establish the first multicast service, the first multicast service cannot be received.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, where the method may be performed by the first access network device, or may be performed by a component of the first access network device, for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first access network device, or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access network device. The method is described below as being performed by the first access network device. The communication method comprises the following steps: the first access network device sends a first release request comprising first area information to a first terminal device corresponding to a first multicast service. The first region information indicates at least one cell. The first access network device determines to perform a first operation on the first multicast service including activating the first multicast service or deactivating the first multicast service. The first access network device sends information indicating to the access network device where the at least one cell is located that the first operation is performed on the first multicast service.

In this way, after the access network device sends the first release request including the first area information to the first terminal device, if the first access network device determines to activate or deactivate the first multicast service, the access network device where the at least one cell is located may send information indicating to activate or deactivate the first multicast service. It is avoided that the access network device in which the at least one cell is located cannot determine when to activate or deactivate the first multicast service.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the access network equipment where the at least one cell is located fails to activate the first multicast service, the first access network equipment pages the first terminal equipment and/or the first access network equipment triggers the at least one cell indicated by the first area information to page the first terminal equipment.

Based on the possible implementation manner, the access network device where at least one cell is located fails to activate the first multicast service, and the first access network device may page the first terminal device, and trigger the first terminal device to enter a connection state. The coverage area of access network equipment which is in a non-connection state and is moved to the failure of activating the first multicast service is avoided, so that the first multicast service cannot be received.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which may be performed by the first terminal device, or a component of the first terminal device, for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first terminal device. The following description will be made on the case where the method is executed by the first terminal apparatus. The communication method comprises the following steps: the first terminal device receives a first release request from the first access network device comprising first area information for indicating at least one cell. The first terminal equipment receives the first multicast service according to the first area information.

In this way, the terminal device receives the first release request including the first area information indicating at least one cell, may enter the non-connected state, and accurately receives the first multicast service according to the first area information.

In one possible implementation, before the first terminal device receives the first release request from the first access network device, the method further includes: the first terminal device receives a second release request from the first access network device, the second release request being used for triggering the first terminal device to be in a non-connected state.

Based on the possible implementation manner, the first access network device may release the first terminal device first, so as to reduce the load of the first access network device.

In one possible implementation, the first terminal device is in a connected state before the first terminal device receives the first release request from the first access network device.

Based on the possible implementation manner, the first terminal device can receive the first area information in a connection state, so that the first terminal device is prevented from being paged again when the area information corresponding to the first multicast service is changed.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, where the method may be performed by the second access network device, or may be performed by a component of the second access network device, for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the second access network device, or may be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functionality of the second access network device. The method is described below as being performed by the second access network device. The communication method comprises the following steps: the second access network device sends at least one of capability information of the second access network device, information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network device to the first access network device.

Based on the technical scheme, the first access network device can accurately determine the area information capable of sending the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state according to at least one of the capability information of the second access network device, the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device or the establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network device.

In one possible implementation, the second access network device receives a message from the first access network device requesting establishment of the first multicast service. The second access network device sends a first multicast service response message to the first access network device.

Based on the possible implementation manner, the first access network device accurately determines the situation that the second access network device establishes the first multicast service by interacting with the second access network device.

In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: the second access network device sends at least one of capability information of the second access network device, information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or a setting up condition of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network device to the first access network device. The first access network device receives at least one of capability information from the at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network device, or a setup situation of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network device. The first access network device determines first area information indicating at least one cell according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device, or establishment condition of the first multicast service of at least one second access network device. The first access network device sends a first release request comprising first area information to a first terminal device corresponding to a first multicast service. The first terminal device receives a first release request from the first access network device.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device obtains information of the first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state or information of the first multicast service not provided to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state.

In one possible implementation, the first access network device sends a message to the at least one second access network device requesting establishment of the first multicast service. The second access network device sends a response message for establishing the first multicast service to the first access network device. The first access network equipment receives a first multicast service establishment response message from at least one second access network equipment, and determines first area information according to the establishment condition of the first multicast service establishment of the at least one second access network equipment.

In one possible implementation manner, before the first access network device sends the first release request to the first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service, the method further includes: the first access network device sends a second release request for triggering the first terminal device to be in a non-connected state to the first terminal device. The first terminal device receives a second release request from the first access network device.

In one possible implementation manner, before the first access network device sends the first release request to the first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service, the first terminal device is in a connected state.

In one possible implementation manner, the first release request is further used to indicate configuration information corresponding to the serving cell and/or at least one cell of the first terminal device, or whether the configuration information of the serving cell and the configuration information of the at least one cell of the first terminal device are consistent.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device determines to perform a first operation including activation or deactivation on the first multicast service, and the first access network device sends information indicating to the access network device where the at least one cell is located to perform the first operation on the first multicast service. The second access network device receives information from the first access network device indicating to perform a first operation on the first multicast service.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the access network equipment where at least one cell is located fails to activate the first multicast service, and the first access network equipment pages the first terminal equipment and/or the first access network equipment triggers the access network equipment where at least one cell is located to page the first terminal equipment.

In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, and advantageous effects may be seen in the description of the first aspect and are not repeated here. The communication device has the functionality to implement the actions in the method example of the first aspect described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes: a processing module, configured to determine first area information indicating at least one cell according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service of at least one second access network device; the transceiver module is configured to send a first release request including first area information to a first terminal device corresponding to a first multicast service. These modules may perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the first aspect, which are specifically referred to in the detailed description of the method examples and are not described herein.

In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, and advantageous effects may be found in the second aspect and are not described herein. The communication device has the functionality to implement the behavior in the method example of the second aspect described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes: and the receiving and transmitting module is used for transmitting a first release request comprising the first area information to the first terminal equipment corresponding to the first multicast service. The first region information indicates at least one cell; the processing module is used for determining a first operation comprising activating the first multicast service or deactivating the first multicast service to the first multicast service; and the receiving and transmitting module is also used for transmitting information indicating to execute a first operation on the first multicast service to the access network equipment where at least one cell is located. These modules may perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the second aspect, which are specifically referred to in the method examples and are not described herein.

In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, and advantageous effects may be seen in the description of the third aspect and are not repeated here. The communication device has the functionality to implement the behavior in the method example of the third aspect described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes: a transceiver module for receiving a first release request from a first access network device comprising first area information for indicating at least one cell; and the receiving and transmitting module is also used for receiving the first multicast service according to the first area information. These modules may perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the third aspect, which are specifically referred to in the method examples and are not described herein.

In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, and advantageous effects may be found in the fourth aspect and are not described here. The communication device has the functionality to implement the behavior in the method example of the fourth aspect described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes: and the transceiver module is used for sending at least one of the capability information of the second access network equipment, the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network equipment or the establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network equipment to the first access network equipment. These modules may perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the third aspect, which are specifically referred to in the method examples and are not described herein.

In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the first access network device in the above method embodiment, or a chip disposed in the first access network device. The communication device includes: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, to cause the communication device to perform the communication method according to the first aspect. The memory may be coupled to the processor or may be separate from the processor. The communication means may be the first access network device of the first aspect or the second aspect, or a device, such as a chip, comprised in the first access network device.

In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes the memory.

In one possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a communication interface.

In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication device may be the first terminal device in the above embodiment of the method, or a chip provided in the first terminal device. The communication device includes: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method according to the third aspect. The memory may be coupled to the processor or may be separate from the processor. The communication means may be the first terminal device of the third aspect or a device, such as a chip, comprised in the first terminal device.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the second access network device in the above method embodiment, or a chip disposed in the second access network device. The communication device includes: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method according to the fourth aspect. The memory may be coupled to the processor or may be separate from the processor. The communication means may be the second access network device of the fourth aspect or a device, such as a chip, comprised in the second access network device.

In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory.

In one possible implementation, the communication device further comprises a transceiver.

In a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the method of the first or second or third or fourth or fifth aspects described above.

In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a communications apparatus, cause the communications apparatus to perform the method of the first or second or third or fourth or fifth aspects described above.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, and the processor is configured to implement the functions of the first terminal device in the methods in the foregoing aspects. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for holding program instructions and/or data. The chip system can be composed of chips, and can also comprise chips and other discrete devices.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor configured to implement the functions of the first access network device or the second access network device in the methods of the above aspects. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for holding program instructions and/or data. The chip system can be composed of chips, and can also comprise chips and other discrete devices.

In a seventeenth aspect, a communication system is provided, and advantageous effects may participate in the description of the fifth aspect, which is not repeated here. The communication system may comprise a first access network device and at least one second access network device.

The second access network device is configured to send at least one of capability information of the second access network device, information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network device to the first access network device.

And the first access network equipment is used for receiving at least one of the capability information of the at least one second access network equipment, the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network equipment or the establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network equipment.

The first access network device is further configured to determine first area information indicating at least one cell according to at least one of capability information of the at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network device.

The first access network device is further configured to send a first release request including the first area information to a first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service.

Further, the communication system comprises a first terminal device for receiving a first release request from the first access network device.

An eighteenth aspect provides a communication system which may include a communication device or a chip system as claimed in any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, and a communication device or a chip system as claimed in any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a transmission method of a multicast service according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic architecture diagram of a multicast service according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

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

fig. 5 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic architecture diagram of a core network according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic architecture diagram of another core network according to an embodiment of the present application;

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

fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a flow chart of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic architecture diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 18 is a schematic architecture diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Prior to introducing the embodiments of the present application, related technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are explained. It should be noted that these descriptions are for easier understanding of the embodiments of the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection claimed by the embodiments of the present application.

Multicast services, which may also be referred to as multicast broadcast services (Multicast and Broadcast Service, MBS), are services directed to a plurality of terminal equipments (UEs). Such as live services, public safety services, batch software update services, etc.

In one example, as shown in fig. 1, a data server sends multicast traffic to a core network. After receiving the multicast service, the core network may send the multicast service to the access network device. After receiving the multicast service, the access network device sends the multicast service to at least one terminal device receiving the multicast service.

When the core network sends the multicast service to the access network device, the multicast service can be transmitted through a common transmission channel multicast session. Each multicast session may contain at least one multicast quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flow. When the access network device sends the multicast service to the terminal, the multicast service can be transmitted through a multicast radio bearer.

Among them, the transmission mode of one multicast radio bearer may include a point-to-multipoint (PTM) transmission mode and a point-to-point (PTP) transmission mode.

The PTM transmission mode means that the access network device may send the multicast service to a plurality of terminal devices. The PTP transmission mode may refer to that the access network device sends a multicast service to one terminal device.

In yet another example, the multicast service may also be a high QoS requirement service, where the network needs to manage the multicast and to provide the same QoS level for the multicast service as for the unicast service.

Specifically, for multicast services, the core network needs to manage the terminal device, for example, the terminal device can be managed to join a multicast group and exit the multicast group. A protocol data unit (protocal data unit, PDU) session of a transmission between the core network and the access network device requires the addition of a new MBS QoS flow. The access network device may send the multicast service to the terminal device in PTP transmission mode or PTM transmission mode. The access network device supports dynamic switching between PTP transmission modes and PTM transmission modes. In general, the access network device can only send multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state. The access network device and the core network need to maintain the information of the terminal device corresponding to the multicast service.

In this embodiment of the present application, the sending multicast service may also be described as sending data of the multicast service, sending multicast data, and so on. The multicast service corresponds to the multicast service and the multicast session one by one, and the embodiments of the present application may alternatively replace each other.

For example, as shown in fig. 2, a multicast service architecture is disclosed herein. The data server (or content provider) sends the multicast traffic to the core network. The core network may send the multicast service to the access network device through the PDU session, MBS QoS flow. The access network device may send the multicast service to at least one terminal device in a connected state through a PTM transmission mode or a PTP transmission mode.

The connection state described herein may include a radio access control (radio resource control, RRC) connected state and a connection management (connection management, CM) connected state for the core network, or the connection state may include an inactive state and a CM connected state. For access network devices, the connection state may include an RRC connection state.

The RRC connection state may refer to an RRC connection between the terminal device and the access network device, and the CM connection state may refer to a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connection between the terminal device and the core network (e.g., a mobility management network element), and an N2 connection between the access network device and the core network. In the RRC connected state and the CM connected state, the access network device and the core network both store the context of the terminal device. The access network device knows that the terminal device is within the coverage area of the access network device or within the management area of the access network device. The core network knows through which access network device the terminal device can be located or found. In the connected state, the terminal device can perform downlink data and/or uplink data transmission with the access network device.

In the embodiment of the present application, the RRC state of the terminal device may include an RRC connected (RRC-connected) state, an RRC idle (RRC-idle) state, and an RRC inactive (RRC-inactive) state. The RRC non-connected state in the following embodiments may include at least one of an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state. Here, the RRC non-connected state may be simply referred to as a non-connected state. The RRC connected state may be simply referred to as a connected state. The RRC idle state may be simply referred to as an idle state. The RRC inactive state may be simply referred to as an inactive state. In embodiments of the present application, at least one may be one or more. The plurality may be 2, 3 or more, without limitation.

In the embodiment of the present application, the state of the terminal device may include an idle state and an inactive state in addition to the connection state.

The idle state may refer to no RRC connection between the terminal device and the access network device. The idle state may be referred to as RRC idle state. When in idle state, the access network device does not store the context of the terminal device, no NAS signaling connection exists between the terminal device and the core network (such as a mobility management network element), no N2 connection exists between the access network device and the core network (such as a mobility management network element), and the core network stores the context of the terminal device. The access network device does not know whether the terminal device is within the coverage area of the access network device. The core network does not know which access network device the terminal device is within the coverage or management range of, and the access network device does not know through which access network device the terminal device can be located or found.

The inactive state may be referred to as an rrc_inactive state, and the inactive state may refer to no RRC connection between the terminal device and the access network device. In the inactive state, no NAS signaling connection exists between the terminal equipment and the core network (such as a mobility management network element), and N2 interface connection exists between the access network equipment and the core network (such as the mobility management network element). The access network device stores the context of the terminal device, and the core network may store the context of the terminal device.

The three states of rrc_ connected, RRC _idle and rrc_inactive can be mutually switched. After the terminal equipment selects a cell to be accessed and before the terminal equipment does not access the access network equipment corresponding to the cell, the terminal equipment can successfully establish RRC connection with the access network equipment through an RRC establishment process, access the cell, enter an RRC_connected state, and trigger the access network equipment to establish CM connection with the mobility management network element. In the rrc_connected state, if the terminal device does not have a data transmission requirement for a long time, the terminal device obtains notification of the terminal device that receives the indication of the release connection state of other network elements (such as an application function network element (application function, AF) and a network open function network element (network exposure function, NEF)), and the access network device can make the state of the terminal device change from the rrc_connected state to the rrc_idle state or the rrc_inactive state through the RRC release process.

For example, the access network device does not receive uplink or downlink data of the terminal device within a period of time, in this case, the access network device determines to release the context of the terminal device, the access network device sends a User Equipment (UE) context release request for requesting to release the context of the terminal device to the mobility management network element, the mobility management network element receives the UE context release request, sends a UE context release command to the access network device, the access network device receives the UE context release command, sends an RRC release (RRC release) message for requesting to release the RRC connection of the terminal device to the terminal device, after receiving the RRC release message, disconnects the RRC connection with the access network device, enters an rrc_idle state from an rrc_connected state or an rrc_inactive state, and sends a UE context release complete message to the mobility management network element, and further optionally, if the terminal device has a currently active user plane context, the mobility management network element notifies the corresponding session management network element to deactivate the user plane transmission resources. After the above procedure is performed, the mobility management element considers that the terminal device is in CM idle state.

When the access network equipment needs to send downlink data or signaling to the terminal equipment in a non-connected state, the access network equipment can page the terminal equipment in the RNA area corresponding to the terminal equipment so as to trigger the terminal equipment to establish RRC connection with the access network equipment in the RNA area. In this way, the access network device may send downlink data/signaling to the terminal device in the connected state or to the terminal device in the connected state through other access network devices in the RNA region. For example, the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the access network device a, and the access network device is an access network device to which the terminal device has access before entering the non-connected state. The access network device a establishes an RRC connection with the terminal device, so that the terminal device can send downlink data/signaling. For another example, the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the access network device B in the RNA region, and the access network device B is not the access network device to which the terminal device was accessed before entering the non-connected state. The access network device B may send context information of the terminal device to the access network device a. After receiving the context information of the terminal device, the access network device a may trigger the terminal device to perform cell handover to the access network device B. After the terminal equipment finishes switching the access network equipment B, the access network equipment B can acquire downlink data/signaling from the access network equipment A or the core network and send the downlink data/signaling to the terminal equipment. The cell switching process of the terminal device may refer to the prior art, and will not be described in detail.

The wireless notification area (radio notification area, RNA) refers to an area set for a terminal device in an inactive state. Within the RNA region, the terminal device can move and need not interact with the access network device. If the access network device in the RNA region receives downlink data/signaling to be issued to the terminal device, the access network device in the RNA region may page the terminal device.

A multicast (multicast) session may provide a transmission service for a multicast service, and the multicast session may be a transmission path for transmitting the multicast service to a plurality of terminals in a multicast group by a multicast manner, and a plurality of terminal devices joining the multicast group may share the multicast session. The multicast session may include a transmission path from the data network to the core network (e.g., a user plane function network element), a multicast session tunnel from the user plane function network element to the device for transmitting the multicast service, and an air interface resource allocated by the access network device for transmitting the multicast service. After receiving the service data transmitted on the multicast session, the access network device can send a service data to a plurality of terminal devices corresponding to the multicast session through a multicast mode of a PTM transmission mode on an air interface, and bear the service data on air interface resources allocated to the plurality of terminal devices by the access network device and send the service data to the plurality of terminal devices. One multicast session is towards a plurality of terminal devices joining the multicast session, one multicast group corresponds to one multicast session, the multicast session is at a service level, and one multicast service may correspond to one multicast session.

It should be noted that "multicast" in the present application is a broad concept, and may include multicast (multicast) or broadcast (broadcast), that is, the embodiments of the present application may be applied to multicast service transmission, broadcast service transmission, or other services, and are not limited. The term "multicast" referred to in this application may be replaced with "multicast or broadcast". In addition, the multicast session (multicast session) in the present application may be replaced by a multicast service session (multicast service session) or a multicast broadcast service session (multicast broadcast service session, MBS session) or multicast, which is not limited.

In one possible implementation, the terminal device may join the multicast group corresponding to the multicast session through one PDU session established by the terminal device, for example, the terminal device may join the multicast group through a control plane message (for example, PDU session establishment/modification request (PDU session establishment/modification request)) of the PDU session, where the control plane message carries identification information of the multicast service and/or indication information of joining the multicast group, etc.

It should be understood that the joining multicast group described herein may alternatively be described as joining a multicast session, or joining a multicast service, or joining a multicast broadcast service (multicast broadcast service, MBS), or joining a multicast session (multicast session) corresponding to a multicast service, or joining a multicast broadcast service session (multicast broadcast service session, MBS session) corresponding to a multicast service, and the like, without limitation.

In general, when the access network device sends a multicast service to the terminal device, the terminal device needs to be in a connected state. But in some scenarios, for example, the access network device cannot support the connection with the terminal device indefinitely due to the limited load of the access network device. The access network device may release the terminal device in the connected state to receive the multicast service in a non-connected state (e.g., RRC non-connected state). However, how to ensure that a terminal device in a non-connected state can receive a multicast service when moving, and ensuring the continuity of the service becomes a problem to be solved.

One possible implementation manner is to ensure that the terminal device can obtain configuration information of the multicast service in the non-connection state, so that the subsequent terminal device can receive the multicast service based on the configuration information when in the non-connection state. The terminal device can obtain the configuration information of the non-connection multicast service in the connection state. Thus, after receiving the RRC release message, the terminal device may receive the multicast service in a non-connected state based on the configuration information.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the access network device may send configuration information of the non-connected multicast service through a multicast control channel (multicast control channel, MCCH). Thus, after receiving the configuration information of the non-connected multicast service, the terminal equipment in the non-connected state can receive the multicast service according to the configuration information of the non-connected multicast service.

In one example, the access network device determines to release the terminal device to a non-connected state, and the access network device needs to determine that the access network device in the RNA region corresponding to the terminal device can send the multicast service.

For example, as shown in fig. 3, an access network device (such as the access network device 1) determines that all the access network devices (including the access network device 1, the access network device 2 and the access network device 3) in the RNA area corresponding to the terminal device can send the multicast service. In this way, the core network (e.g. 5 GC) may send multicast traffic to the access network device 1, the access network device 2 and the access network device 3. The access network device 1, the access network device 2, and the access network device 3 may send the multicast service after receiving the multicast service. The terminal equipment in the non-connection state can receive the multicast service.

In one example, as shown in fig. 4, the method may include:

s401, the terminal equipment joins the multicast group.

Specifically, the terminal device sends a PDU session modification request message or a PDU session establishment request message to the core network. The request message contains identification information of the multicast session that the terminal device requests to join. The core network sends the relevant information of the multicast session received by the terminal equipment to the access network equipment.

S402, the terminal equipment receives the multicast service in the RRC connection state.

Wherein, the multicast service may be an MBS service.

S403, the access network device 1 determines to release the terminal device to the non-connected state.

In one example, the access network device 1 may send an RRC release message to the terminal device. The release message may carry a plurality of information. For example, one or more of suspension indication (suspend indication) information, information of an RNA region, or an inactive radio network temporary identity (inactive radio network temporary identifier, I-RNTI), etc. may be carried. The terminal device receives the RRC release message and may enter a non-connected state.

S404, the access network device 1 sends information for requesting to process the multicast service to the access network device 2.

Wherein, processing the multicast service may include establishing a transmission channel, transmitting the multicast service, and the like.

For access network devices (e.g. access network device 2) that do not establish a transmission channel, the access network device 2 may perform the following steps.

S405, the access network device 2 establishes a shared transmission channel.

Alternatively, the access network device 2 may establish the shared transmission channel by interacting with the core network.

The following steps may be performed by establishing a shared transmission channel in all access network devices in the RNA area corresponding to the terminal device.

S406, the access network equipment 1 and the access network equipment 2 send multicast service to the terminal equipment in the RNA area.

In the solution of fig. 4, the scenario of failure in setting up the service shared transmission channel by the access network device 2 after the terminal device is released is not considered. When the access network device 2 fails to establish the service sharing channel, it cannot be guaranteed that the multicast service can be sent to the terminal device in the non-connected state. For example, the terminal device moves to the coverage area of the access network device 2, but the access network device 2 fails to establish a service sharing channel.

In view of this, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method for ensuring that a device in a disconnected state can be: the first access network device determines first area information according to at least one of capability information of at least one access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service indicating one second access network device. Then, the first access network device sends a release request including the first area information to the terminal device. Thus, when the terminal equipment receives the release request, the multicast service can be accurately received according to the first area information.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

The communication method provided by the embodiment of the application may be applied to a communication system shown in fig. 5, and AS shown in fig. 5, the communication system may include a plurality of terminal devices, a plurality of access network devices (such AS access network device 1, access network device 2, and access network device 3), a core network, and a Data Network (DN), where the DN may include an application server (application server, AS), and so on. Wherein, the core network and DN are optional network elements in the application.

Wherein, a plurality of terminal devices can form a multicast group, and a plurality of terminal devices can receive the same data, namely multicast service, at the same time. Multicast traffic may be data sent to one multicast group.

The network elements or devices involved in the architecture shown in fig. 5 are described below.

A terminal device may be referred to as a terminal (terminal) or a User Equipment (UE) or a Mobile Station (MS) or a Mobile Terminal (MT), etc. Specifically, the terminal device in fig. 6 may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer, or a computer with a wireless transceiver function, and may also be a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (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 smart grid, a wireless terminal in smart city (smart home), a vehicle-mounted terminal, and so on.

The access network equipment is mainly used for realizing the functions of physical layer functions, resource scheduling and management, access control of terminal equipment, mobility management and the like. The access network device may be a device supporting wired access, or may be a device supporting wireless access. The access network device may be AN Access Network (AN)/radio access network (radio access network, RAN) consisting of a plurality of 5G-AN/5G-RAN nodes, for example. The 5G-AN/5G-RAN node may be: an Access Point (AP), a base station (NB), an enhanced nodeB (eNB), a next generation base station (NR nodeB, gNB), a transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a transmission point (transmission point, TP), a wireless-fidelity (WiFi) AP, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access base station (world interoperability for microwave access base station, wiMAX BS), or some other access node, etc.

In one example, the access network device may also be a Centralized Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU) split architecture.

Wherein an access network device may package a CU and a plurality of DUs. A CU is communicatively connected to a plurality of DUs.

Wherein the CU may implement part of the functionality of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for handling non-real time protocols and services, implementing the functions of the radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC), packet data convergence layer protocol (packet data convergence protocol, PDCP) layer.

Wherein the DU may implement part of the functionality of the gNB. For example, the DU is responsible for handling physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing the functions of a radio link control (radio link control, RLC), medium access control (media access control, MAC) and Physical (PHY) layers.

In yet another example, the functionality of a CU may be implemented by one or more entities. For example, the functionality of the CU may be further split, e.g. the functionality of the Control Plane (CP) and the functionality of the User Plane (UP) may be separated, i.e. the CU comprises the control plane (CU-CP) and the CU user plane (CU-UP) of the CU, which may be coupled to the DU, together completing the functionality of the access network device.

Wherein CU-CP and CU-UP are connected by an interface (e.g., E1 interface). CU-CP is connected to DU through F1-C (control plane). The CU-UP entity is connected with the DU entity through F1-U (user plane). Furthermore, the CU-CP may be connected to a mobility management entity (mobility managemententity, MME) of the 4G core network or to an access mobility management function (access and mobilitymanagement function, AMF) network element of the 5G core network. The CU-UP may be connected to a Serving Gateway (SGW) of the 4G core network or to a user plane function (user planefunction, UPF) network element of the 5G core network.

The CU-CP is mainly responsible for the control plane function and mainly comprises an RRC protocol layer and a PDCP control plane (PDCP control plane, PDCP-C) protocol layer.

The CU-UP is mainly responsible for the function of a user plane and mainly comprises an SDAP protocol layer and a PDCP user plane (PDCP-U) protocol layer.

In this embodiment of the present application, the access network device may be a DU, a CU-CP, or a CU-UP.

It should be appreciated that fig. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram that is merely exemplary for ease of understanding, and that other devices may be included in the communication system, e.g., as shown in fig. 5, and that a core network may also be included. The core network may be a 5G core network (5G core,5 gc). The gNB may be communicatively coupled to the 5GC via a NG interface.

In one example, as shown in fig. 6, the core network mainly includes the following key logical network elements: access and mobility management functions, session management functions (session management function, SMF), user plane functions (user plane function, UPF), policy control functions (Policy Control Function), unified data management (Unified Data Management, UDM) network elements.

The network elements with access and mobility management functions are mainly responsible for the operations of access authentication, mobility management, signaling interaction among the network elements with various functions of the terminal equipment, such as: the registration state of the user, the connection state of the user, the user registration network access, the tracking area update, the cell switching user authentication, the key security and the like are managed.

The session management function network element is mainly used for realizing a user plane transmission logic channel, such as: session management functions such as establishment, release, and modification of PDU sessions or multicast sessions.

The user plane functional network element can be used as an anchor point on a user plane transmission logic channel for completing functions of routing forwarding of user plane data, such as: and establishing a channel (namely a user plane transmission logic channel) with the terminal equipment, forwarding the data packet between the terminal equipment and the DN on the channel, and being responsible for filtering the data message of the terminal equipment, forwarding the data, controlling the rate and generating charging information.

Policy control network elements, which may be used to provide policies to access and mobility management function network elements, session management function network elements, such as: quality of service (quality of service) policies, slice selection policies, and so forth.

A network storage network element, which may be used to store user data, such as: subscription information, authentication or authorization data, etc. of the user. In particular, the network storage network element may be a unified data management network element or a network storage function (network repository function, NRF) or a unified database (unified data repository, UDR), etc.

DN, an operator network that can provide data transmission services to users, such as: an operator network that provides IP Multimedia Services (IMS) to users, etc. An application server may be deployed in the DN, which may provide data transfer services to users.

It should be noted that fig. 6 is only an exemplary architecture, and the system may further include other functional network elements besides the functional units shown in fig. 6, for example: operation and management (operation and management, O & M) network elements, etc., to which embodiments of the present application are not limited. In addition, the names of the respective devices in fig. 6 are not limited, and the respective devices may be named other names than those shown in fig. 6, for example, names of network elements having the same or similar functions are replaced, without limitation.

The system shown in fig. 6 may be a third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) communication system, such as a 4G communication system, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, a 5G communication system, a New Radio (NR) system, a next generation communication system, or a non-3 GPP communication system, which is not limited.

Taking the communication system shown in fig. 6 as a 5G communication system as an example, the network element or entity corresponding to the session management function network element may be a multicast/broadcast session management function (multicast broadcast session management function, MB-SMF) in the 5G communication system, and the network element or entity corresponding to the user plane function network element may be a user plane function (multicast broadcast user plane function, MB-UPF) in the 5G communication system. The network element or entity corresponding to the access network device may be a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) in the 5G communication system, the network element or entity accessing the network element corresponding to the mobility management function may be an AMF in the 5G communication system, and the policy control function may be a policy control function (policy control function, PCF) in the 5G communication system.

In this application, the SMF and the MB-SMF may be combined or may be disposed independently, and are not limited. In the present application, the UPF and the MB-UPF may be combined, or may be deployed independently, without limitation.

Taking the communication system shown in fig. 6 as a 5G communication system as an example, as shown in a in fig. 7, the communication system may further include a multicast broadcast service transmission function (multicast/broadcast service transport function, MBSTF) and a multicast broadcast service function (multicast broadcast MBSF). The MBSTF may have a UPF function for transmitting multicast traffic data. The MBSF may have the function of MB-SMF, such as establishing/managing a multicast session corresponding to a multicast service, etc.; MBSF may also support interworking with MBMS of LTE, etc.

In the embodiment of the present application, when the access network device does not support the multicast function, multicast service data may be transmitted between the access network device and the user plane network element in a manner of 5G core network independent multicast/broadcast service traffic transmission (5 GC Individual MBS traffic delivery). In case that the access network device supports the multicast function, the multicast/broadcast service data can be transmitted in a manner of sharing multicast/broadcast service traffic transmission (5 GC shared MBS traffic delivery) by the 5G core network. For example, as shown in b of fig. 7, in the 5GC shared MBS traffic delivery mode, multicast/broadcast service data directly arrives at the RAN through the MB-UPF and the N3 tunnel between the MB-UPF and the RAN, and the RAN may send the multicast service-joining terminal device in the PTP transmission mode or the PTM transmission mode. The 5G core network is used for independently multicasting/broadcasting service flow transmission mode, the multicasting/broadcasting service data reaches the RAN through MB-UPF to UPF, then reaches the RAN through an N3 tunnel (such as PDU session of the terminal equipment) between the UPF and the RAN, and the RAN transmits the data to the terminal equipment in a point-to-point mode.

The fact that the access network device does not support the multicast function is understood that the access network device does not support the transmission of multicast/broadcast service data in a manner of sharing multicast/broadcast service traffic transmission by the 5G core network, that is, only supports the transmission of multicast/broadcast service data in a manner of single multicast/broadcast service traffic transmission by the 5G core network, that is, the multicast/broadcast service data is sent to the terminal device through an associated PDU session of the terminal device joining the multicast service.

It should be understood that after the multicast/broadcast service data arrives at an access network device (e.g., RAN), it is transmitted to each terminal device receiving the multicast/broadcast service data through processing of a service data adaptation protocol (service data adaptation protocol, SDAP) layer, PDCP layer, radio link control (radio link control, RLC) layer, medium access control (media access control, MAC) layer, and Physical (PHY) layer of the RAN.

Alternatively, the session management function network element, the access network device, and the access and mobility management function network element in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a communication device, which may be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the session management function element, the user plane function element, the access network device, and the related functions of the access and mobility management function element in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by one device, or may be implemented by multiple devices together, or may be implemented by one or more functional modules in one device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that the functions described above may be either network elements in a hardware device, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

In a specific implementation, each device shown in fig. 5, such as an access network device, a terminal device, etc., may adopt the constituent structure shown in fig. 8, or include the components shown in fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application, where the communication device 800 may include a processor 801 and a memory 804. Further, the communication device 800 may further include a communication line 802 and a communication interface 803. The processor 801, the memory 804, and the communication interface 803 may be connected by a communication line 802.

The processor 801 may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), general purpose processor, network processor (network processor, NP), digital signal processor (digital signal processing, DSP), microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 801 may also be any other device with processing functions, such as, without limitation, a circuit, a device, or a software module.

Communication line 802 is used to transfer information between the components included in communication device 800.

A communication interface 803 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a radio access network (radio access network, RAN), a wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN), etc. The communication interface 803 may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communications.

Memory 804 is used to store instructions. Wherein the instructions may be computer programs.

The memory 804 may be, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and/or instructions, a random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and/or instructions, and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM), a compact disc (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), magnetic disc storage medium, or other magnetic storage device.

It should be noted that the memory 804 may exist separately from the processor 801 or may be integrated with the processor 801. The memory 804 may be used to store instructions or program code or some data, etc. The memory 804 may be located within the communication device 800 or may be located outside the communication device 800, without limitation.

The processor 801 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 804 to implement a communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application. For example, when the communication device 800 is a first session management function network element or a chip or a system on a chip in the first session management function network element, the processor 801 executes instructions stored in the memory 804 to implement the steps performed by the first session management function network element in the embodiments described below in the present application. For another example, when the communication apparatus 800 is an access network device or a chip or a system on a chip in an access network device, the processor 801 may execute instructions stored in the memory 804 to implement steps performed by the access network device in the embodiments described below in the present application.

In one example, processor 801 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 8.

As an alternative implementation, communication device 800 includes multiple processors, e.g., processor 807 in addition to processor 801 in fig. 8.

As an alternative implementation, the communication apparatus 800 further comprises an output device 805 and an input device 806. Illustratively, the input device 806 is a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick device, and the output device 805 is a display screen, speaker (spaker), or the like.

It should be noted that the communication apparatus 800 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 having a similar structure in fig. 8. Further, the constituent structure shown in fig. 8 does not constitute a limitation of the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 8, or may combine some components, or may be arranged in different components, in addition to those shown in fig. 8.

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

Further, the actions, terms, etc. referred to between the embodiments of the present application are not limited to each other. In the embodiment of the present application, the name of the message or the name of the parameter in the message, etc. interacted between the devices are only an example, and other names may also be adopted in the specific implementation, and are not limited.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Wherein, in the description of the present application, "/" means that the related objects are in a "or" relationship, unless otherwise specified, for example, a/B may mean a or B; the term "and/or" in this application is merely an association relation describing an association object, and means that three kinds of relations 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. Also, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise indicated, "a plurality" means two or more than two. "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. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same item or similar items having substantially the same function and effect. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the words "first," "second," and the like do not limit the amount and order of execution, and that the words "first," "second," and the like do not necessarily differ.

In addition, 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 as a person of ordinary skill in the art can know, with evolution of the network architecture and appearance of a new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

The technical solution of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, such as a universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS), a code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) system, a wireless local area network (wireless local area network, WLAN), a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, wi-Fi) system, a wired network, a vehicle-to-arbitrary object (vehicle to everything, V2X) communication system, an inter-device (D2D) communication system, a car networking communication system, a 4G mobile communication system, such as an LTE system, an evolved LTE (LTE), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX) communication system, a 5G mobile communication system, such as an NR system, a new radio access technology (new radio access technology, NRAT), and future communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6th generation,6G) mobile communication system, etc. The access network device of the eLTE can be connected to the core network of the LTE and the core network of the future 5G at the same time.

The present application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features about a system that may include multiple devices, components, or 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 embodiments of the present application, "of", "corresponding" and "corresponding" may be sometimes used in combination, and it should be noted that the meaning to be expressed is consistent when the distinction is not emphasized.

Each network element in the following embodiments may be provided with the components shown in fig. 8, which are not described in detail. It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the name of the message or the name of the parameter in the message that is interacted between the devices is only an example, and other names may be adopted in the specific implementation. For example, the determination in the embodiment of the present application may be understood as creation or generation, the "including" in the embodiment of the present application may be understood as "carrying" or the like, and the "indication" in the embodiment of the present application may be understood as "trigger" or "notification" or "request" or the like, which is not limited in particular.

Fig. 9 is a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 9, the method may include:

s901, a first access network device determines first area information according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device or establishment condition of the first multicast service of at least one second access network device.

The first access network device may be an access network device that manages the first multicast service. For example, the first access network device may be the access network device 1, the access network device 2 or the access network device 3 in fig. 5, or may be a component of the access network device 1, the access network device 2 or the access network device 3, such as a chip or a system on a chip. The at least one second access network device may be an access network device preconfigured by the first access network device, or may also be an access network device adjacent to the first access network device, or may also be an access network device communicatively connected (Xn connected) to the first access network device, or may also be an access network device located in the same area as the first access network device, or may also include the first access network device, without limitation.

The capability information of the second access network device may indicate that the second access network device supports or does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, or may indicate whether the second access network device has the capability of providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state.

The information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device may also be information describing the first multicast service being provided by the second access network device or information provided by the second access network device. The information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device may include that the second access network device provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state, or does not provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state.

The establishment of the first multicast service of the second access network device may include success of the second access network device in establishing the first ancestral service and failure in establishing the first multicast service.

In a possible implementation manner, the first access network device may acquire capability information of at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device, or a situation that the at least one second access network device establishes the first multicast service through interaction with the at least one second access network device. In particular, reference may be made to the following description of embodiments, which are not repeated here.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the first access network device may also obtain, from another device (such as a core network), at least one of capability information of the at least one second access network device, information of the first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network device, or a case where the at least one second access network device establishes the first multicast service. Or the second access network device may also actively send at least one of the capability information of the second access network device, the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or the situation that the second access network device establishes the first multicast service to the first access network device.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the first access network device may pre-configure at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or a case where the second access network device establishes the first multicast service.

Wherein the first region information, which may also be referred to as first RNA, may be used to indicate at least one cell. For example, the first area information may include identification information of at least one cell, or the first area information may include at least one character, one character indicating one cell. The at least one cell may comprise all or part of the cells of the access network device in the at least one second access network device supporting the first multicast service and/or providing the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the terminal device in the unconnected state and/or the first multicast service is successfully established. The method for determining the first area information by the first access network device may specifically refer to the following description of the embodiments, which is not repeated herein.

S902, the first access network device sends a first release request to a first terminal device corresponding to a first multicast service.

Wherein the first release request may be used to trigger the terminal device to be in a non-connected state (to receive the first multicast service). The first release request may include first area information. The first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service may refer to a terminal device that needs to receive the first multicast service. For example, the first terminal device may be a terminal device joining the first multicast service.

Based on the technical solution of fig. 9, the first access network device may determine the first area information according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of the provided first multicast service, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service, and send a first release request including the first area information to the first terminal device. In this way, the first terminal device that receives the first release request may enter the non-connected state from the connected state, and receive the first multicast service in the at least one cell indicated by the first area information.

In an embodiment, in S901, the first access network device obtains, through interaction with at least one second access network device, at least one of capability information of the second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or a case where the second access network device establishes the first multicast service may specifically include the following cases.

In case 1, the first access network device acquires capability information of at least one second access network device.

In one example, a first access network device may send information to at least one second access network device requesting acquisition of capability information of the second access network device. The second access network device receives information from the first access network device for requesting to acquire capability information of the second access network device, and sends a response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device to the first access network device.

For example, the above information for requesting to acquire capability information of the second access network device is used to request to acquire whether the second access network device supports or does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state. The second access network device supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, and the response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device may mean that the second access network device supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state. The second access network device does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, and the response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device may mean that the second access network device does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state.

For another example, the information for requesting to obtain the capability information of the second access network device is used to request to obtain the multicast service provided by the terminal device in the non-connected state supported by the second access network device. The response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device may indicate that the second access network device supports the multicast service provided for the terminal device in the non-connected state.

And 2, the first access network equipment acquires information of the first multicast service provided by at least one second access equipment.

In one example, a first access network device may send first request information to at least one second access network device. The first request information is used for requesting to acquire information that the second access network device provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or a non-connected state (such as current/about to be provided), or does not provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state. The second access network device receives the first request information from the first access network device and sends a first response message to the first access network device. The first response message is used to instruct the second access network device (such as current/being/about to) to provide the information of the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the non-connected state, or not to provide the information of the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the non-connected state.

For example, the second access network device receives the first request information from the first access network device, where the second access network device is providing the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the unconnected state, or the second access network device provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the unconnected state, and the first response message may be used to instruct the second access network device to provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the unconnected state.

And 3, the first access network equipment acquires the condition that at least one second access network equipment establishes the first multicast service.

In one example, the first access network device may send the second request information to at least one second access network device. The second request information is used for requesting to acquire the condition that the second access network equipment establishes the first multicast service. The second access network device receives the second request information from the first access network device, and may send a second response message to the first access network device. The second response message may be used to instruct the second access network device to establish the first multicast service successfully or the second access network device to fail to establish the first multicast service.

For example, the second access network device receives the second request information from the first access network device, and the second access network device has successfully established the first multicast service. The second response message may be used to indicate that the second access network device successfully established the first multicast service.

For another example, the second access network device receives a second request message from the first access network device, and the second access network device does not establish the first multicast service. The second access network device may establish the first multicast service. If the second access network device is successful in establishing the first multicast service, the second response message may be used to instruct the second access network device that the first multicast service is successful. If the second access network device fails to establish the first multicast service, the second response message may be used to instruct the second access network device to fail to establish the first multicast service.

The second access network device may interact with the core network or the access network device associated with the first access network device or the first access network device to establish the first multicast service.

For example, the second access network device sends a message to the core network requesting to establish a transmission channel for the first multicast service. The core network establishes a transmission channel of the first multicast service for the second access network device, and sends a transmission channel response message indicating the first multicast service to the second access network device.

For another example, in one scenario, the first access network device is a CU-CP. The second access network device may send a message to the CU-UP corresponding to the first access network device requesting to establish the radio bearer of the first multicast service.

For another example, the first access network device requests data of the first multicast service to be delivered over the Xn interface from the other access network device.

The above examples are only exemplary, and the second access network device may also establish the first multicast service by other means, without limitation.

And 4, the first access network equipment acquires the capability information of at least one second access network equipment and the information of the first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network equipment.

In one example, a first access network device may send information requesting to obtain capability information of a second access network device and first request information, respectively, to at least one second access network device. Accordingly, the first access network device may receive a response message indicating capability information of the second access network device and the first response message, respectively.

In yet another example, the information for requesting to obtain the capability information of the second access network device may carry the first request information, or the information for requesting to obtain the capability information of the second access network device may be carried in the first request information. Accordingly, the capability information indicating the second access network device may carry a first response message, or the first response message may carry a response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device.

In yet another example, the above-mentioned capability information for requesting to obtain the second access network device and the first request information may be carried in other information (such as RRC message). Accordingly, the response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device and the first response message may be carried in response messages corresponding to other information.

In case 3, the second access network device may also send a response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device and the first response message to the second access network device, respectively.

And 5, the first access network equipment acquires the capability information of at least one second access network equipment and the condition that the at least one second access network equipment establishes the first multicast service.

Wherein case 5 can be referred to the description of case 4 above. Unlike case 4, for case 5, the first request information in case 4 may be replaced with the second request information and the first response message may be replaced with the second response message.

And 6, the first access network equipment acquires information of the first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network equipment, and the first access network equipment establishes the first multicast service.

Wherein case 6 can be referred to the description of case 4 above. Unlike case 4, for case 5, the information for requesting acquisition of the capability information of the second access network device in case 4 may be replaced with the second request information, and the response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device may be replaced with the second response message.

And 7, the first access network equipment acquires the capability information of the first at least one second access network equipment, the first multicast service establishment of the at least one second access network equipment and the first multicast service establishment of the at least one second access network equipment.

In one example, the first access network device may send information requesting to obtain capability information of the second access network device, first request information, and second request information, respectively, to the at least one second access network device. Accordingly, the first access network device may receive a response message, a first response message, and a second response message, respectively, indicating the capability information of the second access network device.

In still another example, the information for requesting to obtain the capability information of the second access network device may carry the first request information and the second request information, or the information for requesting to obtain the capability information of the second access network device and the first request information may be carried in the second request information, or the information for requesting to obtain the capability information of the second access network device and the second request information may be carried in the first request information. Accordingly, the capability information indicating the second access network device may carry a first response message and a second response message, or the first response message may carry a response message and a second response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device, or the second response message may carry a response message and a first response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device.

In yet another example, the capability information, the first request information, and the second request information for requesting to obtain the second access network device may be carried in other information. Accordingly, the response message indicating the capability information of the second access network device, the first response message and the second response message may be carried in response messages corresponding to other information.

It should be noted that in the above cases 1 to 7, the first access network device does not receive the response message from the second access network device, and the first access network device may determine that the second access network device does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, that the second access network device does not provide the first multicast service for the terminal device in the connected state or the non-connected state, and/or that the second access network device fails to establish the first multicast service. Optionally, the first access network device may determine that the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located does not include the second access network device.

In an embodiment, in S901, the determining, by the first access network device, the first area information may specifically include the following multiple manners according to at least one of capability information of the second access network device, information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or a situation that the second access network device establishes the first multicast service.

In the first mode, the first access network device determines first area information according to the capability information of the second access network device.

The access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located includes at least one access network device supporting provision of a first multicast service for a terminal device in a non-connected state in at least one second access network device.

In one example, the first access network device may determine the first area information according to coverage of all or part of cells of the access network device supporting provision of the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state in the at least one second access network device.

For example, in connection with fig. 5, the first access network device is an access network device 1, and the at least one second access network device comprises an access network device 2 and an access network device 3. The access network device 1 may obtain capability information of the access network device 2 and the access network device 3, and determine the first area information according to coverage areas of cells of the access network devices supporting the access network device providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state in the access network device 2 and the access network device 3. For example, the access network device 2 supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, and the at least one cell indicated by the first area information may include all cells or part of cells of the access network device 2.

And the second mode is that the first access network equipment determines first area information according to the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network equipment.

The access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located includes at least one access network device in the second access network device that provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the terminal device in the non-connected state.

In one example, the first access network device may determine the first area information according to coverage of all or part of cells of the access network device that provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state in the at least one second access network device.

For example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 is providing or has provided the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state or the terminal device in the disconnected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information may comprise all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

It should be noted that, if the second access network device provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state, the second access network device may start the non-connected state mode. In the non-connected mode, the second access network device may provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected mode. If the second access network device sends the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connection state through the PTM transmission mode, the second access network device does not need to start a non-connection state mode.

And the third mode is that the first access network equipment determines the first area information according to the establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network equipment.

The access network equipment where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located comprises access network equipment where the first multicast service is successfully established in at least one second access network equipment.

In an example, in combination with the example of fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 succeeds in establishing the first multicast service, and the access network device fails in establishing the first multicast service. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information may comprise all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

In a fourth mode, the first access network device determines first area information according to capability information of at least one second access network device and information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device.

The access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located includes at least one access network device supporting providing a first multicast service for a terminal device in a non-connected state and providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in the non-connected state in at least one second access network device.

For example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state and the access network device 2 provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information may comprise all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

For another example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state and the access network device 2 provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information may comprise all or part of the cells of the access network device 2. The access network device 1 supports providing a first multicast service for a terminal device in a non-connected state and provides the first multicast service for the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state, and the at least one cell indicated by the first area information may further include all or part of the cells of the access network device 1.

In a fifth mode, the first access network device determines the first area information according to the capability information of at least one second access network device and the condition that the at least one second access network device establishes the first multicast service.

The access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located includes at least one access network device supporting providing a first multicast service for a terminal device in a non-connected state and establishing the first multicast service successfully in at least one second access network device.

For example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state and the establishment of the first multicast service is successful, and the access network device 3 supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state and fails to establish the first multicast service. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information comprises all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

In a sixth mode, the first access network device determines the first area information according to the information of the first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network device and the condition that the second access network device establishes the first multicast service.

The access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located includes an access network device that establishes the first multicast service successfully and provides the first multicast service to a terminal device in a non-connected state or a terminal device in a connected state.

For example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 and the access network device 3 establish the first multicast service successfully, the access network device 2 is providing the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state, and the access network device 3 does not provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state or the terminal device in the connected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information comprises all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

For another example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 and the access network device 3 establish the first multicast service successfully, the access network device 2 provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state, and the access network device 3 does not provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state or the terminal device in the connected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information comprises all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

The seventh mode is that the first access network device determines the first area information according to the capability information of at least one second access network device, the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device, and the condition that the second access network device establishes the first multicast service.

The access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located includes at least one access network device supporting providing a first multicast service for a terminal device in a non-connection state, providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the connection state or the terminal device in the non-connection state, and establishing the first multicast service successfully.

For example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 and the access network device 3 succeed in establishing the first multicast service, the access network device 2 provides the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state (which illustrates that the access network device supports providing the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state), and the access network device 3 does not provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the non-connected state or the terminal device in the connected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information comprises all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

For another example, in connection with fig. 5 and the example of the first mode, the access network device 2 and the access network device 3 succeed in establishing the first multicast service, the access network device 2 and the access network device 2 provide the first multicast service to the terminal device in the connected state, but the access network device 2 supports providing the first multicast service to the terminal device in the unconnected state, and the access network device 3 does not support providing the first multicast service to the terminal device in the unconnected state. The at least one cell indicated by the first area information comprises all or part of the cells of the access network device 2.

It should be noted that, in the first to seventh modes, if the first access network device supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, and/or provides the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state or the terminal device in the connected state, and/or the first multicast service is successfully established, the at least one cell indicated by the first area information may further include all or part of the cells of the access network device 1.

In some embodiments, configuration information for different access network devices or cells may be different for the same multicast service. Wherein the configuration information may be PTM configuration information. The method provided by the embodiment of the application can further comprise the following steps:

The first access network device sends first indication information to the first terminal device.

The first indication information may indicate configuration information of a serving cell and/or at least one cell of the first multicast service in the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first indication information may further indicate whether the configuration information of the serving cell of the first terminal device is consistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell.

The serving cell of the first terminal device may be a cell of the first access network device.

In one example, the first indication information includes configuration information of a serving cell and/or at least one cell of the first multicast service at the first terminal device. In this way, the first terminal device receives the configuration information of the first multicast service in the serving cell of the first terminal device and/or the configuration information of the at least one cell, and may receive the first multicast service in the serving cell or the at least one cell according to the configuration information.

In yet another example, the first indication information indicates whether the configuration information of the serving cell of the first terminal device is consistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell.

For example, the first access network device may send configuration information of a serving cell of the first terminal device to the access network device where the at least one cell is located. The access network equipment of the at least one cell determines whether the configuration information of the serving cell is consistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell according to the received configuration information of the serving cell of the first terminal equipment, and sends a first comparison result to the first access network equipment, wherein the first comparison result comprises that the configuration information of the serving cell is consistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell or the configuration information of the serving cell is inconsistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell. For example, the first comparison result may include the first character or the second character. The first character identifies that the configuration information of the serving cell is consistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell. The second character identifies that the configuration information of the serving cell is inconsistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell. The first character and the second character may be numbers, letters, or a combination of numbers and letters. For example, the first character is 1 and the second character is 0.

In this way, the first access network device may send the first indication information to the first terminal device according to the first comparison result.

For another example, the first access network device may obtain configuration information of at least one cell, and compare the configuration information of the serving cell of the first terminal device with the configuration information of the at least one cell to obtain a first comparison result.

In one example, the first indication information may be carried in the first release request, or the first indication information may be separate signaling, or the first indication information may be carried in other signaling. The other signaling may be periodic new interaction signaling or event interaction signaling (e.g., in signaling of multicast service setup information or area information update/cell configuration update).

In yet another example, the configuration information of the at least one cell indicated by the first area information may be the same.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 10, before S902, the method may further include:

s1001, the first access network device sends a second release request to the first terminal device.

Wherein the second release request may also be referred to as a second release message, a second release request message, etc. The second release request may be used to trigger the first terminal device to be in a non-connected state, or may trigger the first terminal device to enter the non-connected state from the connected state.

In one example, the second release request may also include second region information. The second region information may indicate at least one candidate cell. The second area information may be preconfigured for the first access network device, or may be obtained by the first access network device from other devices (such as a core network or other access network devices), or may be determined by the first access network device according to the movement condition of the first terminal device, which is not limited.

Wherein the at least one cell indicated by the first area information and the at least one candidate cell indicated by the second area information are partially identical or are all different.

In an example, the at least one second access network device in S901 may include an access network device where at least one candidate cell indicated by the second area information is located.

In a possible implementation manner, the first access network device may send a second release request to the first terminal device when determining to release the first terminal device to the non-connected state. In this way, the load of the first access network device may be reduced.

The determining, by the first access network device, to release the first terminal device to the non-connected state may refer to the above description, which is not repeated.

In another possible implementation manner, after the first access network device determines the first area information, the first access network device may page the terminal device (such as the first terminal device) corresponding to the first multicast service or page the first terminal device through the access network device where at least one candidate cell indicated by the second area information is located. When the first terminal device establishes a connection with the first access network device, or the first terminal device is in a connection state, the first access network device may send a first release request or send first area information to the first terminal device.

Based on the technical solution of fig. 10, the first access network device may release the terminal device first, then determine the first area information, and send a release request including the first area information to the terminal device again. The problem that the terminal equipment in a non-connection state cannot be released in time and abnormality such as radio link failure (radio link failure, RLF) can occur is avoided.

In some embodiments, prior to S902, the first terminal device is in a connected state.

In this way, the first access network device may send the first release request to the first terminal device after determining the first area information. Frequent updating of the area information by the first access network device is avoided.

In some embodiments, before sending the multicast service to the terminal device, the first access network device needs to activate a multicast session corresponding to the multicast service.

In an example, as shown in fig. 11, a method for activating a multicast session according to an embodiment of the present application may include:

s1101, the session management function network element pages the terminal equipment in an idle state.

Wherein the session management function network element may be the MB-SMF in a of fig. 7.

For example, if there is a terminal device in a connection management (connection management, CM) -idle (idle) state, the MB-SMF may page the terminal device in idle and inactive states joining the multicast session when receiving a notification from the MB-UPF indicating to transmit the multicast service, or receiving request information from the AF or NEF to transmit the multicast service.

S1102, the terminal equipment sends a service request to a session management function network element. Correspondingly, the session management function network element receives a service request from the terminal device.

S1103, the session management function network element sends a PDU session activation request to the first access network device.

S1104, under the triggering of the core network, the first access network device establishes the wireless resource of the bearing multicast session with the core network.

S1105, the first access network device establishes RRC connection with the terminal device.

S1106, the first access network device sends a response message for PDU session activation to the session management function network element.

S1107, the session management function network element sends a multicast session activation request to the first access network device.

S1108, the first access network device sends a response message for activating the multicast session to the session management function network element.

In some embodiments, the first access network device may deactivate the multicast service when the first access network device has sent the multicast service or received a multicast session corresponding to the multicast service.

In an example, as shown in fig. 12, a method for deactivating a multicast session according to an embodiment of the present application may include:

s1201, the session management function network element sends request information for deactivating the multicast session to the first access network device.

In one example, the MB-SMF may send request information to the access network device to deactivate the multicast session when the MB-SMF does not send downlink data to the terminal device for a preset period of time, or receives a message from other network elements (e.g., MB-UPF, AF, or NEF) indicating to deactivate the multicast service.

S1202, the first access network equipment releases the wireless resource carrying the multicast session and stops sending the multicast service to the terminal equipment after receiving the request information of the session for deactivating the multicast session.

S1203, the first access network device sends a response message for deactivating the multicast session to the session management network element.

S1204, the first access network device performs RRC connection release or non-release on the terminal device.

As can be seen from the above two embodiments, when the first access network determines that the multicast session needs to be activated or deactivated, the access network device where at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located may not establish a control plane connection. Resulting in the access network device in which the at least one cell is located being unable to activate or deactivate the first multicast service.

In some embodiments, in order to avoid that an access network device where at least one cell is located cannot activate or deactivate a first multicast service, as shown in fig. 13, after the first access network device sends a first release request to a first terminal device, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, where the method includes:

s1301, the first access network device determines to perform a first operation on the first multicast service.

Wherein the first operation may be to include activating the first multicast service or deactivating the first multicast service.

The method for determining to activate the first multicast service or deactivate the first multicast service by the first access network device may refer to the descriptions of fig. 11 and fig. 12, which are not repeated.

S1302, the first access network device sends information indicating to execute a first operation on the first multicast service to the third access network device.

The third access network device may be an access network device where at least one cell is located.

In one example, a first access network device may send information indicating to perform a first operation on a first multicast service to a third access network device over an Xn interface.

Accordingly, the third access network device may perform the first operation on the first multicast service upon receiving the information from the indication to perform the first operation on the first multicast service. For example, the third access network device performs a first operation on the first multicast service or on a multicast session corresponding to the first multicast service. For example, the third access network device may activate or deactivate the first multicast service,

based on the technical solution of fig. 13, the first access network device determines to activate or deactivate the first multicast service, and the first access network device may send information indicating to activate or deactivate the first multicast service to the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located. In this way, the access network device in which the at least one cell is located may activate or deactivate the first multicast service.

In some embodiments, based on the technical solution of fig. 13, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application may further include:

the third access network device sends an indication to the first access network device of the execution of the first multicast service.

Wherein, the indication of the execution of the first multicast service includes activating the first multicast service or activating the first multicast service, or deactivating the first multicast service.

In one example, the first operation indicates that a first multicast service is activated. The third access network device activates the first multicast service successfully, and the indication of the execution of the first multicast service includes activating the first multicast service successfully. The third access network device fails to activate the first multicast service, and the indication of the execution of the first multicast service includes the failure to activate the first multicast service.

For example, the third access network device may fail to activate the first multicast service due to insufficient resources, limited load, and the like of the third access network device.

In yet another example, the first operation indicates that the first multicast service is to be deactivated. The third access network device deactivates the first multicast service successfully, and the indication of the execution of the first multicast service includes that the deactivation of the first multicast service is successful. The third year the access network device fails to deactivate the first multicast service, and the indication of the execution of the first multicast service includes a failure to deactivate the first multicast service.

Based on the embodiment, the third access network device may send the execution condition of the first multicast service to the first access network device, so that the first access network device may accurately determine the condition that the third access network device activates or deactivates the first multicast service.

the first access network device pages the first terminal device and/or triggers the access network device where at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located to page the first terminal device.

Wherein paging the first terminal device may be used to trigger the first terminal device to enter the connected state from the unconnected state/idle state. In particular, reference is made to the prior art.

In one example, the first access network device sends information indicating paging of the first terminal device to the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located. In this way, the access network device where the at least one cell is located receives the information indicating to page the first terminal device from the first access network device, and may page the first terminal device.

In yet another example, the first access network device may also update the first region information. The at least one cell indicated by the updated first area information does not include a cell in which activating the first multicast service fails and a cell of the third access network device.

Further, the first terminal device responds to the paging to perform the connection state. The first terminal device establishes a connection with the first access network device, and the first access network device may update the first area information to the first terminal device. The first terminal device establishes connection with an access network device (such as a fourth access network device) where at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located, and the first access network device may send updated first area information to the fourth access network device. The fourth access network device may send the updated first area information to the first terminal device. For example, after the fourth access network device establishes a connection with the first terminal device, the fourth access network device may send a message to the first access network device indicating that a connection is established with the first terminal device. For another example, the first access network device may send the updated first area information to the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located.

Based on the embodiment, the first access network device determines that the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information fails to activate the first multicast service, or does not receive the situation that the access network device where the at least one cell is activates the first multicast service. The first access network device can page the first terminal device, so that the situation that the first access network device in a non-connection state cannot receive the first multicast service in the first area information is avoided.

It should be noted that the technical solution of fig. 13 may be combined with the technical solutions shown in fig. 9 and/or fig. 10, or the technical solution of fig. 13 may be an independent technical solution.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 14, a method provided in an embodiment of the present application may include:

s1401, the first terminal device receives a first release request from the first access network device.

S1402, the first terminal device receives a first multicast service according to the first area information.

Based on the technical solution of fig. 14, the first terminal device receives a first release request for indicating the first area information, may enter a non-connected state, and accurately receives the first multicast service through at least one cell indicated by the first area information in the non-connected state.

In some embodiments, prior to S1401, the method may further comprise: the first terminal device receives the second release request.

Based on the embodiment, the first access network device may trigger the terminal device to enter a non-connected state, and update the first area information corresponding to the first multicast service. In this way, the first access network device may reduce the load.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 15, a method provided in an embodiment of the present application may include:

s1501, the first access network device determines first area information according to capability information of at least one second access network device.

The implementation manner of S1501 may refer to the first implementation manner of S901, which is not described herein.

S1502, the first access network device sends a first release request to the first device.

The implementation of S1502 may refer to the description of S902, which is not repeated.

S1503, the first access network device determines second area information according to the establishment condition of the first multicast service of at least one third access network device.

The implementation manner of S1503 may refer to the third manner of S901, which is not described herein.

The at least one third access network device may be an access network device supporting provision of the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state in S1501 (i.e. the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located).

The access network equipment where the at least one cell indicated by the second area information is located is access network equipment which establishes the first multicast service successfully in at least one third access network equipment. The at least one cell indicated by the second area information and the at least one cell indicated by the first area information may be the same or different. For example, the at least one second access network device supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, and the first multicast service is successfully established, and the at least one cell indicated by the second area information is the same as the at least one cell indicated by the first area information. For another example, the at least one second access network device supports providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in the non-connected state, but a third access network device in the at least one second access network device fails to establish the first multicast service, and at least one cell indicated by the second area information is different from at least one cell indicated by the first area information.

Alternatively, at least one cell indicated by the second area information and at least one cell indicated by the first area information are different, and S1504 described below may be performed.

S1504, the first access network device updates the first area information.

Wherein updating the first area information by the first access network device may include: the first access network equipment pages the first terminal equipment and/or triggers the access network equipment where at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located to page the first terminal equipment; the first access network device sends the second area information to the first terminal device, and/or sends the second area information to the first terminal device through the access network device where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information is located. Correspondingly, the first terminal equipment receives the first area information. The access network device in which the at least one cell is located comprises an access network device that establishes a connection state with the first terminal device.

Alternatively, the second area information may be carried in the release request. Alternatively, the second region information may be separate signaling.

Based on the technical solution of fig. 15, the first access network device may first determine the first area information according to the capability information of at least one second access network device, and send, as early as possible, a first release request including the first area information to the first terminal device. Then, the first access network device may update the first area information according to the establishment condition of the access network device in the first area information. Therefore, the situation that the first multicast service cannot be received when the first terminal equipment in the non-connection state moves to the coverage area of the access network equipment in which the first multicast service is failed to be established in the first area information can be avoided.

In some embodiments, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, including:

the first access network is provided with a second indication information for sending to the first terminal equipment.

The second indication information indicates whether the first access network device provides at least one of a first multicast service for the terminal device in a non-connected state, a first multicast service is activated, or whether the terminal device needs to enter a connected state.

For example, the second indication information may be a separate signaling, or may be carried in a paging message, an MCCH message, a system message, or the like.

In one example, after the first terminal device receives the first release request in step S902, a listening message is required to determine that the first multicast service is activated or needs to enter a connected state. In some scenarios (for example, when the first terminal device determines that the corresponding multicast service is activated or the access network device indicates that the terminal device in the non-connected state provides the corresponding multicast service), the terminal device may keep in the non-connected state to continue to receive the corresponding multicast service, and does not execute the RRC connection establishment/restoration procedure to enter the connected state.

Since there may be some terminal devices with higher priority, it is not appropriate to keep all terminal devices in a non-connected state to receive multicast service. Therefore, the terminal device can determine whether to enter the connected state based on the priority or the importance degree. When the priority of the terminal equipment is higher or the terminal equipment is important, the terminal equipment enters a connection state. When the priority of the terminal device is low or is not an important terminal device, the terminal device may remain in a non-connected state.

Alternatively, the priority may be at the level of the terminal device (i.e. the priority of one terminal device for different multicast services is the same), or at the level of the multicast service (i.e. one terminal device may have different priorities for different multicast services). For example, for multicast service 1, terminal device 1 is high priority and terminal device 2 is low priority; for multicast service 2, terminal device 1 is of low priority and terminal device 2 is of high priority.

Optionally, the priority of the terminal device may be sent to the terminal device by the access network device (e.g., a base station). Correspondingly, the terminal equipment receives the priority sent by the access network equipment. The first release request may also indicate the priority of the first terminal device, e.g. in step S902. For example, the first release request may include information indicating a priority of the first terminal device.

For access network devices, the priority of the terminal device may be determined based on the priority corresponding to the multicast service or based on the priority of the terminal device from the core network. For example, when the terminal device joins the multicast service, the core network requests information carried when the multicast service is established. The information may be based on existing cells (i.e. existing network elements are also used to indicate the priority of the terminal device) or newly introduced cells indicating the priority of the terminal device.

Alternatively, the priority of the terminal device may be indicated to the terminal device by the core network (e.g., AMF/SMF/AF, etc.). Correspondingly, the terminal device receives an indication of the core network. For example, the core network includes the information of the priority in a reply of the terminal device joining the establishment request of the corresponding multicast service. The core network indicates the priority of the terminal device to the terminal device, for example, through an N1 container (the N1 SM container) PDU session modification acknowledgement (PDU Session Modification Command). For another example, the core network includes information of the priority of the terminal device in the initial context establishment procedure.

In one possible implementation, the priority of the terminal device may be indicated by a numerical value. Alternatively, a higher value indicates a higher priority of the terminal device (i.e., important terminal device), or a lower value indicates a higher priority of the terminal device. Alternatively, the priority of the terminal device may be one of positive integers of 1,2,3, etc. Alternatively, the priority of the terminal device may indicate the importance of the terminal device. For example, the priority is 1 and is indicated as an important terminal device, or the priority is less than or equal to 2 and is indicated as an important terminal device, or the priority is greater than or equal to 2 and is indicated as an important terminal device. Of course, it is also possible to indicate with other forms (e.g., binary) of numerical values (e.g., 00, 01, 11) or more (e.g., 11, 12, 13), without limitation.

In another possible implementation, the priority of the terminal device may be indicated by a field or cell that enumerates the value { important, non-important }, or enumerates the value { preferred, non-preferred }, or enumerates the value { yes, no }. For example, the priority of the terminal device is indicated by an enumeration value { important }, which indicates that the terminal device is an important terminal device, or the priority of the terminal device is indicated by an enumeration value { unimportant }, which indicates that the terminal device is a unimportant terminal device.

In yet another possible implementation, the priority of the terminal device may be indicated by an enumerated value { important } or { priority } or { yes }. When the enumerated value exists, the corresponding terminal equipment is represented as important terminal equipment. And when the enumerated value does not exist, indicating that the corresponding terminal equipment is unimportant terminal equipment.

Based on the embodiment, when the terminal device determines that the first multicast service is activated and pages the terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service or the terminal device needs to enter a connection state, the terminal device can accurately determine to enter the connection state or keep a non-connection state according to the priority of the terminal device.

In some embodiments, for a terminal device that receives multicast service in a non-connected state, the terminal device may stop monitoring a physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) corresponding to a multicast broadcast service channel (MBS traffic channel, MTCH) using the first wireless network temporary identifier according to the state of the multicast service. Wherein the state of the multicast service includes a deactivated state. The first radio network temporary identity may be a G-RNTI, which is used for the terminal to descramble the data content of the multicast broadcast service carried by the MTCH channel.

For example, the terminal device may determine the state of the multicast service based on information indicating the state of the multicast service. The information indicating the multicast service status may be generated and transmitted by the access network device based on signaling transmitted by the core network.

For the access network device, one multicast service corresponds to one G-RNTI. One G-RNTI may also be shared by multiple multicast services. When the terminal equipment receives the multiple multicast services, the access network equipment configures the corresponding multiple G-RNTI of all the multicast services to the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment does not distinguish which G-RNTI corresponds to which multicast service, and the terminal equipment only needs to monitor the PDCCH with all the G-RNTI at the corresponding monitoring time respectively.

However, in the scenario that the terminal device needs to receive the multicast service in the non-connection state, if a certain multicast service (such as the first multicast service) is deactivated, the access network device may instruct the service states corresponding to the multicast services received by the terminal device, so as to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device for monitoring the PDCCH through the G-RNTI corresponding to different multicast services. However, if the terminal device receives a plurality of multicast services, when the multicast services are deactivated, the terminal device cannot determine which G-RNTI is stopped, and further stops using the G-RNTI corresponding to the deactivated multicast service to monitor the PDCCH. Therefore, the terminal equipment cannot stop monitoring the physical downlink control channel corresponding to the multicast service by stopping using the first wireless network temporary identifier, and can only continue to use all G-RNTI configured to the terminal equipment to monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the multicast service.

In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which may include:

the first access network device sends the corresponding relation between the first multicast service and the first wireless network temporary identifier to the first terminal device.

In one example, the correspondence may be carried/included in an RRC release message (such as the first release message in S902 described above) or in a paging message.

Therefore, when the terminal equipment needs to receive a plurality of multicast services, the G-RNTI corresponding to the deactivated first multicast service can be determined according to the corresponding relation, and the G-RNTI is stopped to monitor the PDCCH. For example, when the access network device releases the terminal device, the access network device indicates that the radio network temporary identifier corresponding to the multicast service 1 is G-RNTI 1, and the radio network temporary identifier corresponding to the multicast service 2 is G-RNTI2. When the terminal equipment confirms that the multicast service 1 is deactivated in a non-connection state, the terminal equipment only needs to stop using the G-RNTI 1 to monitor the PDCCH.

In the embodiments of the present application, the same or similar parts between the embodiments may be referred to each other unless specifically described otherwise. In the various embodiments and the various implementation/implementation methods in the various embodiments in this application, if no special description and logic conflict exist, terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation/implementation methods in the various embodiments may be consistent and may be mutually referred to, technical features in the different embodiments and the various implementation/implementation methods in the various embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments, implementations, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logic relationships. The above-described embodiments of the present application are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. In each of the embodiment steps, it may be partially performed (for example, the terminal device may not perform the steps performed by the terminal device in the above embodiments). The order of execution of the different steps may be altered. The embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments, and the steps of the different embodiments herein may also be combined.

Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

It will be appreciated that in the various embodiments above, the methods and/or steps implemented by the first terminal device may also be implemented by means (e.g., a processor, chip, system on chip, circuit, logic module, or software) available to the first terminal device. The methods and/or steps implemented by the first access network device may also be implemented by means (e.g., a processor, chip, system-on-chip, circuit, logic module, or software) available to the first access network device. The methods and/or steps implemented by the second access network device may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, system on a chip, circuit, logic module, or software) that is available to the second access network device.

The foregoing has mainly described the solutions provided in this application. Correspondingly, the application also provides a communication device, which is used for realizing the various methods in the method embodiment. The communication means may be the terminal device in the above-described method embodiments, or an apparatus comprising the terminal device, or a component usable with the terminal device, such as a chip or a chip system. The communication means may be the first access network device in the above-described method embodiments, or an apparatus comprising the first access network device, or a component, such as a chip or a chip system, that may be used in the first access network device. The communication means may be the second access network device in the above-described method embodiments, or an apparatus comprising the second access network device, or a component, such as a chip or a chip system, that may be used in the second access network device.

It will be appreciated that the communication device, in order to achieve the above-described functions, comprises corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of the examples described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented as hardware or computer software driven 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 present application.

The embodiment of the application may divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the embodiment of the method, 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 modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the modules is schematic, which is merely a logic function division, and other division manners may be implemented in actual implementation.

Fig. 16 and 17 are schematic structural diagrams of possible communication devices according to embodiments of the present application. The communication devices can realize the functions of the first terminal equipment or the first access network equipment or the second access network equipment in the method embodiment, so that the beneficial effects of the method embodiment can be realized. In this embodiment of the present application, the communication device may be a terminal device as shown in fig. 5, or may be an access network device as shown in fig. 5, or may be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal device or the access network device.

As shown in fig. 16, the communication device 1600 includes a transceiver module 1601 and a processing module 1602. The communication apparatus 1600 may be configured to implement the functions of the first terminal device or the first access network device or the second access network device in the method embodiments shown in fig. 9, fig. 10, fig. 13, fig. 14, or fig. 15.

When the communication apparatus 1600 is configured to implement the function of the first access network device in the embodiment of the method described in fig. 8: a processing module 1602, configured to determine first area information according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by at least one second access network device, or an establishment condition of the first multicast service of at least one second access network device. The first region information indicates at least one cell. And the transceiver module 1601 is configured to send a first release request to a first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service.

When the communication apparatus 1600 is configured to implement the function of the first access network device in the embodiment of the method illustrated in fig. 10: the transceiver module 1601 is further configured to send a second release request to the first terminal device.

When the communication apparatus 1600 is configured to implement the function of the first access network device in the embodiment of the method illustrated in fig. 13: a transceiver module 1601, configured to send a first release request to a first terminal device. A processing module 1602 is configured to determine to perform a first operation on a first multicast service. The transceiver module 1601 is further configured to send information indicating to perform a first operation on the first multicast service to the third access network device.

When the communication apparatus 1600 is used to implement the functionality of the first terminal device in the embodiment of the method illustrated in fig. 14: a transceiver module 1601, configured to receive a first release request from a first access network device. The transceiver module 1601 is further configured to receive a first multicast service according to the first area information.

When the communication apparatus 1600 is configured to implement the function of the first access network device in the embodiment of the method illustrated in fig. 16: a processing module 1602 is configured to determine first area information according to capability information of at least one second access network device. A transceiver module 1601, configured to send a first release request to a first terminal device. The processing module 1602 is further configured to determine second area information according to an establishment condition of the first multicast service of the at least one third access network device. The processing module 1602 is further configured to update the first area information.

For a more detailed description of the transceiver module 1601 and the processing module 1602, reference may be made to the related description in the method embodiments described above, which are not further described herein.

As shown in fig. 17, the communication device 1700 includes a processor 1710 and an interface circuit 1720. The processor 1710 and the interface circuit 1720 are coupled to each other. It is to be appreciated that interface circuit 1720 can be a transceiver or an input-output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1700 may further comprise a memory 1730 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1710 or for storing input data required by the processor 1710 to execute instructions or for storing data generated after the processor 1710 executes instructions.

When the communication apparatus 1700 is used to implement the method in the above-described method embodiment, the processor 1710 is used to perform the functions of the above-described processing module 1602, and the interface circuit 1720 is used to perform the functions of the above-described transceiver module 1601.

When the apparatus in the embodiment of the present application is an access network device, the apparatus may be shown in fig. 18. The apparatus may include one or more radio frequency units, such as a remote radio frequency unit (remote radio unit, RRU) 1810 and one or more baseband units (BBU) (also referred to as Digital Units (DUs)) 1820. The RRU 1810 may be referred to as a transceiver module, which may include a transmitting module and a receiving module, or the transceiver module may be a module capable of implementing transmitting and receiving functions. The transceiver module may correspond to the transceiver module 1601 in fig. 16, i.e., the actions performed by the transceiver module 1601 may be performed by the transceiver module. Alternatively, the transceiver module may also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver circuitry, or transceiver, etc., which may include at least one antenna 1811 and a radio frequency unit 1812. The RRU 1810 is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals and baseband signals. The BBU 1810 is mainly used for baseband processing, control of a base station, and the like. The RRU 1810 and BBU 1820 may be physically located together or physically separate, i.e., distributed base stations.

The BBU 2420 is a control center of the base station, and may also be referred to as a processing module, and corresponds to the transceiver module 1601 in fig. 16, that is, the processing module may execute the actions executed by the processing module 1602. Mainly for performing baseband processing functions, such as channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, spreading, etc., and, in addition, the actions performed by the processing module 1602 may be performed by the processing module. For example, the BBU (processing module) may be configured to control the base station to perform the operation procedures described in the above method embodiments with respect to the network device.

In one example, the BBU 1820 may be formed of one or more boards, where the boards may support a single access radio access network (e.g., an LTE network) together, or may support different access radio access networks (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks) respectively. The BBU 1820 also includes a memory 1821 and a processor 1822. The memory 1821 is used to store necessary instructions and data. The processor 1822 is configured to control the base station to perform necessary actions, for example, to control the base station to perform the operational procedures described above with respect to the network device in the method embodiments. The memory 1821 and processor 1822 may serve one or more boards. That is, the memory and the processor may be separately provided on each board. It is also possible that multiple boards share the same memory and processor. In addition, each single board can be provided with necessary circuits.

When the communication device is a chip applied to the terminal equipment, the terminal equipment chip realizes the functions of the terminal equipment in the embodiment of the method. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and the information is sent to the terminal device by the access network device; alternatively, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (e.g., radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, which is sent by the terminal device to the access network device.

When the communication device is a chip applied to the first access network device, the first access network device chip realizes the function of the access network device in the method embodiment. The first access network device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first access network device, wherein the information is sent to the first access network device by the terminal device; alternatively, the first access network device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the first access network device, where the information is sent by the first access network device to the terminal device.

When the communication device is a chip applied to the second access network device, the second access network device chip realizes the function of the access network device in the method embodiment. The first access network device chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the second access network device, and the information is sent to the second access network device by the first access network device; or the second access network device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the second access network device, where the information is sent by the second access network device to the terminal device.

It is to be appreciated that the processor in embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), but may also be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, it may be any conventional processor.

The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions may be comprised of corresponding software modules that may be stored in random access Memory (random access Memory, RAM), flash Memory, read-Only Memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known 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. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may reside in an access network device or a terminal device. The processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in an access network device or terminal device.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer program or instructions may be stored in or transmitted across a computer-readable storage medium. 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 that integrates one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium, e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, tape; but also optical media such as DVD; but also semiconductor media such as Solid State Disks (SSDs).

In the various embodiments of the application, if there is no specific description or logical conflict, terms and/or descriptions between the various embodiments are consistent and may reference each other, and features of the various embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or", describes an association relationship of an association object, and indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate: a alone, a and B together, and B alone, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. In the text description of the present application, the character "/", generally indicates that the associated object is an or relationship; in the formulas of the present application, the character "/" indicates that the front and rear associated objects are a "division" relationship.

It will be appreciated that the various numerical numbers referred to in the embodiments of the present application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The sequence number of each process does not mean the sequence of the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined according to the function and the internal logic.

Claims

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

the first access network equipment determines first area information according to at least one of capability information of at least one second access network equipment, information of a first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network equipment or establishment conditions of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network equipment, wherein the first area information indicates at least one cell;

The first access network device sends a first release request to a first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service, wherein the first release request comprises the first region information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first area information indicates that the access network device in which the at least one cell is located includes access network devices of the at least one second access network device that support provision of the first multicast service for non-connected terminal devices.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the first access network device obtains capability information of the at least one second access network device, wherein the capability information indicates that the second access network device supports or does not support providing the first multicast service for the terminal device in a non-connected state.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first area information indicates that the access network device in which the at least one cell is located includes an access network device in the at least one second access network device that provides the first multicast service to a terminal device in a connected state or a terminal device in a non-connected state.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the first access network device obtains information of the first multicast service provided by the at least one second access network device to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state or information of the first multicast service not provided to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the first access network device determining first area information according to the establishment of the first multicast service of at least one second access network device comprises:

the first access network device sends a message requesting to establish the first multicast service to the at least one second access network device;

the first access network equipment acquires a response message for establishing the first multicast service from the at least one second access network equipment;

the first access network device determines the first area information according to the establishment condition of the first multicast service of the at least one second access network device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first multicast service establishment condition includes the first multicast service establishment success and the first multicast service establishment failure.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second access network device fails to establish the first multicast service, and wherein the at least one cell indicated by the first area information does not include a cell of the second access network device.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein before the first access network device sends a first release request to a first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service, the method further comprises:

the first access network device sends a second release request to the first terminal device, wherein the second release request is used for triggering the first terminal device to be in a non-connection state.

10. The method according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the first access network device is in a connected state before sending a first release request to a first terminal device corresponding to the first multicast service.

11. The method according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the first release request is further used to indicate configuration information corresponding to the first multicast service in the serving cell of the first terminal device and/or the at least one cell, or whether the configuration information of the serving cell of the first terminal device is consistent with the configuration information of the at least one cell.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, further comprising:

the first access network device determines to perform a first operation on the first multicast service, wherein the first operation comprises activating the first multicast service or deactivating the first multicast service;

and the first access network equipment sends information indicating the first operation to the first multicast service to the access network equipment where the at least one cell is located.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

the access network equipment where the at least one cell is located fails to activate the first multicast service, the first access network equipment pages the first terminal equipment and/or the first access network equipment triggers the access network equipment where the at least one cell is located to page the first terminal equipment.

14. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that first access network equipment sends a first release request to first terminal equipment corresponding to a first multicast service, wherein the first release request comprises first area information, and the first area information indicates at least one cell;

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:

the access network equipment where the at least one cell is located fails to activate the first multicast service, the first access network equipment pages the first terminal equipment and/or the first access network equipment triggers the access network equipment where the at least one cell indicated by the first area information to page the first terminal equipment.

16. A method of communication, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a first terminal device receives a first release request from first access network equipment, wherein the first release request comprises first area information, and the first area information is used for indicating at least one cell;

and the first terminal receives a first multicast service according to the first region information.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein prior to the first terminal device receiving the first release request from the first access network device, further comprising:

The first terminal equipment receives a second release request from the first access network equipment, wherein the second release request is used for triggering the first terminal equipment to be in a non-connection state.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first terminal device is in a connected state before the first terminal device receives the first release request from the first access network device.

19. A method of communication, the method comprising:

the second access network equipment determines at least one of capability information of the second access network equipment, information of a first multicast service of the second access network equipment, or establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network equipment;

the second access network device sends at least one of capability information of the second access network device, information of a first multicast service provided by the second access network device, or establishment condition of the first multicast service of the second access network device to the first access network device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:

the second access network equipment receives a message from the first access network equipment requesting to establish the first multicast service;

And the second access network equipment sends a response message for establishing the first multicast service to the first access network equipment.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the capability information of the second access network device indicates whether the second access network device supports or does not support providing the first multicast service for a non-connected terminal device.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the information of the first multicast service provided by the second access network device comprises: the second access network device provides the information of the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state or does not provide the information of the first multicast service to the terminal device in a connected state or the terminal device in a non-connected state.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-22, further comprising:

the second access network device receives information from the first access network device indicating to perform a first operation on the first multicast service, the first operation including activating the first multicast service or deactivating the first multicast service.

24. A communication device comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1 to 13 or 14-15 or 16 to 18 or 19-23.

25. A communication device comprising a processor and a communication interface for receiving signals from other communication devices than the communication device and transmitting to the processor or sending signals from the processor to other communication devices than the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 13 or 14-15 or 16 to 18 or 19-23 by logic circuitry or executing code instructions.

26. A communication system comprising a first access network device for performing the method of any of claims 1-13 or 14 or 15, and at least one second access network device for performing the method of any of claims 19-23, a first terminal device for indicating the method of any of claims 16-18.

27. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer readable storage medium stores a computer program which, when run, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 13 or 14-15 or 16 to 18 or 19-23.

28. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: computer program code which, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 13 or 14-15 or 16 to 18 or 19-23.