Data transmission method and network device

Abstract

A method and network device for transmitting data are provided. Applicable to a terminal device in an inactive state, the inactive state means that the terminal device and the first network device both retain the context information of the terminal device, and the communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device; the method includes: the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different. The method of the embodiment of the present invention, sending the downlink data through the second network device, can effectively improve the success rate of data transmission and improve user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and network device for transmitting data. Background Art

[0002] With people's pursuit of speed, latency, high-speed mobility, energy efficiency and the diversity and complexity of business in future life.

[0003] To this end, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) international standards organization began to develop the fifth generation of mobile communication technology (5-Generation, 5G). The main application scenarios of 5G are: Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and massive machine type of communication (mMTC).

[0004] Typical application scenarios of URLLC include industrial automation, power automation, remote medical operation (surgery), traffic safety, etc. URLLC services have high latency requirements and need to quickly establish an RRC connection to send service data, which is of great significance.

[0005] In order to reduce air interface signaling and quickly restore wireless connections and data services in the 5G network environment, a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) state is defined, namely the Radio Resource Control Inactive (RRC_INACTIVE) state. In other words, when the terminal device is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, if downlink data arrives, the core network will send the data to a network device (for example, a base station), which will trigger a paging message to the terminal device, waking up the terminal device to enter the connected state to receive data.

[0006] However, when the paging message of the network device fails to be sent, it will fall back to the core network to send the paging message. At this time, the terminal device will re-initiate the connection to receive the service. This transmission mechanism will cause the data left in the original network device to be lost, reducing the success rate of data transmission and user experience. Summary of the invention

[0007] Provided are a data transmission method and a network device, which can effectively improve the success rate of data transmission and user experience.

[0008] In a first aspect, a method for transmitting data is provided, which is applied to a terminal device in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and a core network device;

[0009] The method comprises:

[0010] The first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different.

[0011] The method of the embodiment of the present invention can effectively improve the success rate of data transmission and user experience.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the first network device sending downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device includes:

[0013] When the first network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device and fails to send a first paging message to the terminal device, the first network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the second network device.

[0014] In some possible implementations, before the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, the method further includes:

[0015] The first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through a first tunnel; wherein the first tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the first network device to the second network device.

[0016] The method of the embodiment of the present invention can effectively improve the success rate of data transmission and user experience by establishing the first tunnel.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the first tunnel is established by the second network device according to identification information of the first network device and first indication information sent by the core network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

[0018] In some possible implementations, before the first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel, the method further includes:

[0019] The first network device sends second indication information to the core network device, and the second indication information is used by the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0020] In some possible implementations, the first network device sending the second indication information to the core network device includes:

[0021] The first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the first network device sending downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device includes:

[0023] The first network device forwards the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel; wherein the second tunnel is a tunnel established by the core network device from the first network device to the core network device, and the third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the core network device to the second network device.

[0024] The method of the embodiment of the present invention can effectively improve the success rate of data transmission and user experience by establishing the second tunnel and the third tunnel.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the second tunnel is established by the core network device according to third indication information sent by the first network device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the third indication information is further used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0027] In some possible implementations, before the first network device forwards the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, the method further includes:

[0028] The first network device sends the third indication information to the core network device

[0029] In some possible implementations, the first network device sending the third indication information to the core network device includes:

[0030] The first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

[0031] In some possible implementations, the third tunnel is established by the second network device according to fourth indication information sent by the core network device, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0032] In some possible implementations, the first network device sending downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device includes:

[0033] When the first network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device and receives the fifth indication information sent by the second network device, the first network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the second network device, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0034] In some possible implementations, before the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, the method further includes:

[0035] The first network device receives a context request message sent by the second network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

[0036] In some possible implementations, the method further includes:

[0037] The first network device receives notification information sent by the core network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0038] In a second aspect, a method for transmitting data is provided, which is applied to a terminal device in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and a core network device;

[0039] The method comprises:

[0040] The second network device receives downlink data of the terminal device, and the first network device and the second network device are different; the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device.

[0041] In some possible implementations, before the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0042] The second network device establishes a first tunnel, where the first tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the second network device; wherein the second network device receives downlink data from the terminal device, including:

[0043] The second network device receives downlink data sent by the first network device through the first tunnel.

[0044] In some possible implementations, before the second network device establishes the first tunnel, the method further includes:

[0045] The second network device receives first indication information sent by the core network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

[0046] In some possible implementations, the second network device receiving the first indication information sent by the core network device includes:

[0047] The second network device receives a context establishment request message sent by the core network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the first indication information.

[0048] In some possible implementations, before the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0049] The second network device establishes a third tunnel, where the third tunnel is a tunnel from the core network device to the second network device; wherein the second network device receives downlink data from the terminal device, including:

[0050] The second network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device through the third tunnel.

[0051] In some possible implementations, before the second network device establishes the third tunnel, the method further includes:

[0052] The second network device receives fourth indication information sent by the core network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0053] In some possible implementations, the second network device receiving the fourth indication information sent by the core network device includes:

[0054] The second network device receives a context establishment request message sent by the core network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

[0055] In some possible implementations, before the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0056] The second network device sends fifth indication information to the first network device, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0057] In some possible implementations, the second network device sending fifth indication information to the first network device includes:

[0058] The second network device sends a context request message to the first network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

[0059] In some possible implementations, the method further includes:

[0060] The second network device and the terminal device establish a radio resource control RRC connection between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0061] In a third aspect, a method for transmitting data is provided, which is applied to a terminal device in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and a core network device;

[0062] The method comprises:

[0063] The core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, so that the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device, and the first network device and the second network device are different.

[0064] In some possible implementations, before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the method further includes:

[0065] The core network device sends first indication information to the second network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel, and the first tunnel is used for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0066] In some possible implementations, before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the method further includes:

[0067] The core network device receives second indication information sent by the first network device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0068] In some possible implementations, the core network device receiving the second indication information sent by the first network device includes:

[0069] The core network device receives a paging request message sent by the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

[0070] In some possible implementations, before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the method further includes:

[0071] The core network device establishes a second tunnel, where the second tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the core network device; wherein the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, including:

[0072] The core network device receives the downlink data sent by the first network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device sends the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel. The third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the core network device to the second network device.

[0073] In some possible implementations, before the core network device establishes the second tunnel, the method further includes:

[0074] The core network device receives third indication information sent by the first network device, where the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel.

[0075] In some possible implementations, the third indication information is further used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0076] In some possible implementations, the core network device receiving the third indication information sent by the first network device includes:

[0077] The core network device receives a paging request message sent by the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

[0078] In some possible implementations, before the core network device establishes the third tunnel, the method further includes:

[0079] The core network device sends fourth indication information to the second network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0080] In some possible implementations, the core network device sending fourth indication information to the second network device includes:

[0081] The core network device sends a context establishment request message to the second network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

[0082] In some possible implementations, the method further includes:

[0083] The core network device sends notification information to the first network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0084] In a fourth aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0085] A transceiver unit is used to send downlink data of a terminal device to a terminal device via a second network device, wherein the terminal device is in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the network device retain the context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the network device and the core network device, and the network device is different from the second network device.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0087] A transceiver is used to send downlink data of a terminal device to a terminal device via a second network device, wherein the terminal device is in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the network device retain the context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the network device and the core network device, and the network device is different from the second network device.

[0088] In a sixth aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0089] A transceiver unit, configured to receive downlink data from a terminal device and send the downlink data to the terminal device;

[0090] Among them, the terminal device is in an inactivated state, and the inactivated state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, the communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device, and the first network device is different from the network device.

[0091] In a seventh aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0092] A transceiver, configured to receive downlink data from a terminal device and send the downlink data to the terminal device;

[0093] Among them, the terminal device is in an inactivated state, and the inactivated state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, the communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device, and the first network device is different from the network device.

[0094] In an eighth aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0095] A transceiver unit, a transceiver unit, is used to forward downlink data of a terminal device to a second network device through a first network device, so that the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device, the terminal device is in an inactive state, and the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different.

[0096] In a ninth aspect, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0097] A transceiver, used for forwarding downlink data of a terminal device to a second network device via a first network device, so that the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device, the terminal device is in an inactive state, the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different.

[0098] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided for storing a computer program, wherein the computer program includes instructions for executing the method embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0099] In the eleventh aspect, a computer chip is provided, comprising: an input interface, an output interface, at least one processor, and a memory, wherein the processor is used to execute the code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor can implement each process performed by the network device in the method of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect mentioned above.

[0100] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the network device described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] Figure 1 This is an example of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Figure 2 The figure is a flow chart of a method for transmitting data in the prior art.

[0103] Figure 3 The figure is a flow chart of a method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Figure 4 is another flow chart of the method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Figure 5is another flow chart of the method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] Figure 6 is another flow chart of the method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Figure 7 It is a schematic block diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Figure 8 is another schematic block diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 may include a terminal device 110 and a network device 120. The network device 120 may communicate with the terminal device 110 via an air interface. Multi-service transmission is supported between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120. The terminal device 110 may be in an RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0111] The RRC_INACTIVE state is different from the RRC_IDLE state and the RRC_ACTIVE state. To facilitate understanding of the solution, a brief introduction to the terminal device in the RRC_INACTIVE state is given below.

[0112] Specifically, for the RRC_IDLE state, there is no RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device, and the network device does not store the context information of the terminal device. When the terminal device needs to be paged, the core network initiates the paging, and the core network configures the paging area. Its mobility is based on the cell selection or cell reselection of the terminal device. For the RRC_ACTIVE state, there is an RRC connection between the terminal device and the network device, and the network device and the terminal device store the context information of the terminal device. The location of the terminal device obtained by the network device is at a specific cell level. Its mobility is the mobility controlled by the network device.

[0113] However, for the RRC_INACTIVE state, there is a connection between the core network (CN) and the network device, the context information of the terminal device is stored on a certain network device, the paging is triggered by the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the paging area of ​​the RAN is managed by the RAN, that is, the terminal device location obtained by the network device is at the paging area level of the RAN. Its mobility is based on the cell selection or cell reselection of the terminal device. In other words, the connection between the terminal device in the RRC_INACTIVE state and the network device is disconnected, and the network device retains the context information of the terminal device, which is used to quickly establish a connection between the terminal device and the network device.

[0114] For example, assuming that the terminal device is in the RRC_INACTIVE state, the network device configures a RAN paging area for the terminal device, and the RAN paging area may include multiple cells. That is, when the terminal device performs cell reselection, the terminal device may be triggered to restore the RRC connection based on the RAN paging area.

[0115] Specifically, when the terminal device performs cell reselection, if the terminal device moves within the paging area of ​​the RAN, the network device is not notified. More specifically, the terminal device can follow the mobility behavior under RRC_IDLE, that is, follow the cell selection and reselection principle under RRC_IDLE to perform cell reselection. If the terminal device moves out of the paging area of ​​the RAN, the terminal device can be triggered to restore the RRC connection and reacquire the paging area configured by the network device.

[0116] In other words, when downlink data arrives at the terminal device, the network device that maintains the connection between RAN and CN for the terminal device will trigger all cells in the RAN paging area to send a paging message to the terminal device, so that the terminal device in the RRC_INACTIVE state can restore the RRC connection and receive data. When uplink data arrives, the terminal device triggers a random access process and accesses the network to send data.

[0117] However, when the first network device fails to send the first paging message, it will fall back to sending the second paging message to the terminal device by the core network.

[0118] Specifically, if Figure 2 As shown, the process includes:

[0119] 210. The core network sends downlink data to the first network device.

[0120] 220. The first network device fails to send the first paging message.

[0121] 230. The first network device requests the core network to release the context information of the terminal device.

[0122] 240. The core network sends a second paging message to the terminal device.

[0123] At this point, the terminal device will re-initiate the connection to receive the service. This transmission mechanism will cause the data left in the original network device to be lost, reducing the success rate of data transmission and user experience.

[0124] The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting data, which can prevent data loss, maintain service integrity, and improve user experience by instructing the network side to establish a tunnel for forwarding downlink data to forward the downlink data.

[0125] It should be understood that the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to any communication system including a terminal device in the RRC_INACTIVE state. That is to say, the embodiment of the present invention is only exemplified by the communication system 100, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), etc.

[0126] The present invention describes various embodiments in conjunction with network devices and terminal devices.

[0127] The network device 120 may refer to any entity on the network side that is used to send or receive signals, for example, a user equipment of machine type communication (MTC), a base station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in GSM or CDMA, a base station (NodeB) in WCDMA, an evolutionary base station (Evolutional Node B, eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, a base station device in a 5G network, etc.

[0128] In addition, the terminal device 110 can be any terminal device. Specifically, the terminal device 110 can communicate with one or more core networks (Core Network) via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN), and can also be called an access terminal, a user equipment (User Equipment, UE), a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device. For example, it can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (Session Initiation Protocol, SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (Wireless Local Loop, WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a terminal device in a 5G network, etc.

[0129] The implementation of the cell reselection method according to the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below.

[0130] Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a method 300 for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] like Figure 3 Said method comprises:

[0132] 310. The core network device sends downlink data of the terminal device to the first network device.

[0133] 320. The first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device.

[0134] 330. The second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device.

[0135] It should be understood that the method for transmitting data in an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a terminal device in an inactive state, where the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, and the communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device.

[0136] Specifically, the method includes:

[0137] The first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different. In other words, the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device; the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device.

[0138] It should be noted that the terms "first network device" and "second network device" used in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to distinguish network devices from each other. They should not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the first network device and the second network device may be different, which means that they are not the same network device.

[0139] As an embodiment, when the first network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device and fails to send the first paging message to the terminal device, the first network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the second network device.

[0140] Optionally, before the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, the first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel; wherein the first tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the first network device to the second network device.

[0141] In other words, before the second network device receives the downlink data from the terminal device, the second network device establishes a first tunnel, and the second network device receives the downlink data sent by the first network device through the first tunnel.

[0142] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first tunnel is established by the second network device according to the identification information of the first network device and the first indication information sent by the core network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

[0143] In other words, before the second network device establishes the first tunnel, the second network device receives the first indication information sent by the core network device. For example, the second network device receives a context establishment request message sent by the core network device, the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish the second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the first indication information.

[0144] That is, before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the core network device sends the first indication information to the second network device.

[0145] Furthermore, before the first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel, the first network device sends a second indication message to the core network device, and the second indication message is used for the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device. In other words, before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, it can receive the second indication message sent by the first network device.

[0146] For example, the first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

[0147] Figure 4 is another schematic flow chart of a method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0148] Specifically, if Figure 4 As shown, the method includes:

[0149] 401: The terminal device is in the activated state.

[0150] 402. The core network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the first network device.

[0151] 403. The first network device fails to send the first paging message to the terminal device.

[0152] 404. The first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, including second indication information, where the second indication information is used for the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0153] 405. The core network device sends a second paging message to the terminal device.

[0154] 406. The terminal device releases the access layer (AS) context and initiates a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment process.

[0155] 407. The terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the second network device.

[0156] 408. The terminal device sends an RRC connection establishment completion message to the second network device.

[0157] 409. The second network device sends an initial user equipment (UE) message to the core network device.

[0158] 410. The core network device determines that the terminal device of the initial UE message is a terminal device that has failed paging.

[0159] 411. The core network device sends a context establishment request message (INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST) to the second network device, including the identification information of the first network device and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

[0160] 412. The second network device establishes an initial context for the terminal device.

[0161] 413. The second network device establishes a first tunnel, and notifies the first network device of an identifier of the first tunnel.

[0162] 414. The first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device on the first tunnel.

[0163] 415. The first network device releases the access layer (AS) context and the connection toward the terminal device.

[0164] 416. Data is transmitted between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0165] 417, data transmission is performed between the core network device and the terminal device.

[0166] In summary, when the terminal device in an inactive state has downlink data reaching the first network device, the first network device is triggered to initiate a RAN-initialized paging message. When the RAN-initialized paging message fails to page the UE, the first network device initiates a core network device-initialized paging message request for the UE to the core network device, and at the same time instructs the core network device to temporarily save the UE's connection in NG / S1 and the request for the AS context. The core network device initiates a paging message to the UE. When the terminal device receives the core network device-initialized paging message, it releases the UE AS context previously stored by the UE and initiates an RRC connection establishment process. When the core network device receives the initial UE message and identifies that the current UE is the UE for which the RAN requests to initiate a core network device-initialized paging message, it instructs the second network device in the initial context message about the first network device ID information and to initiate a tunneling protocol (GTP) tunnel establishment to the base station corresponding to the given first network device ID, so as to initiate a data forwarding process from the first network device to the second network device. The second network device initiates a GTP tunnel establishment process to the base station corresponding to the given first network device ID and performs data forwarding. After the data forwarding is completed, the first network device ID initiates the UE connection release and context release process to the core network device. The second network device first sends the data forwarded from the first network device ID, and then sends the data transmitted from the core network device.

[0167] Optionally, the first network device forwards the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel; wherein the second tunnel is a tunnel established by the core network device from the first network device to the core network device, and the third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the core network device to the second network device.

[0168] In other words, before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the core network device establishes a second tunnel; the core network device receives the downlink data sent by the first network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device sends the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel.

[0169] Similarly, before the second network device receives the downlink data from the terminal device, the second network device establishes a third tunnel, and the second network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device through the third tunnel.

[0170] Thus, the downlink data is sent to the terminal device through the second network device.

[0171] The second tunnel in the embodiment of the present invention is established by the core network device according to the third indication information sent by the first network device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel. In other words, before the core network device establishes the second tunnel, it receives the third indication information sent by the first network device and establishes the second tunnel according to the third indication information.

[0172] Furthermore, the third indication information may also be used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0173] In actual implementation, before the first network device forwards the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, the first network device sends the third indication information to the core network device.

[0174] For example, the first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

[0175] The third tunnel in the embodiment of the present invention is established by the second network device according to fourth indication information sent by the core network device, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0176] In other words, before the core network device establishes the third tunnel, it sends the fourth indication information to the second network device, so that before the second network device establishes the third tunnel, it can receive the fourth indication information sent by the core network device and establish the third tunnel according to the fourth indication information.

[0177] For example, the second network device receives a context establishment request message sent by the core network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

[0178] Figure 5 is another schematic flow chart of a method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0179] Specifically, if Figure 5 As shown, the method includes:

[0180] 501, the terminal device is in the activated state.

[0181] 502. The core network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the first network device.

[0182] 503. The first network device fails to send the first paging message to the terminal device.

[0183] 504, the first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, including third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel. Further, the third indication information can also be used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0184] 505. The core network device establishes a second tunnel.

[0185] 506. The first network device sends the downlink data to the core network device on the second tunnel.

[0186] 507. The core network device sends a second paging message to the terminal device.

[0187] 508. The core network device notifies the first network device to release the access layer (AS) context of the terminal device and the connection of the terminal device.

[0188] 509, the terminal device releases the context information and initiates the RRC connection establishment process.

[0189] 510. Establish an RRC connection between the terminal device and the second network device.

[0190] 511. The terminal device sends an RRC connection establishment completion message to the second network device.

[0191] 512. The second network device sends an initial UE message to the core network device.

[0192] 513. The core network device determines that the terminal device of the initial UE message is a terminal device that has failed paging.

[0193] 514. The core network device sends a context establishment request message to the second network device, including fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0194] 515. The second network device establishes a third tunnel.

[0195] 516. The core network device sends the downlink data to the second network device on the third tunnel.

[0196] 517, the second network device establishes an initial context of the terminal device.

[0197] 518, data is transmitted between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0198] 519, data is transmitted between the core network device and the terminal device.

[0199] In other words, when the INACTIVE UE has downlink data reaching the first network device, the first network device is triggered to initiate a RAN-initialized paging message. When the RAN-initialized paging message fails to page the UE, the first network device initiates a core network device-initialized paging message request for the UE to the core network device, and at the same time instructs the core network device to temporarily save the UE's connection and AS context request in NG / S1, and requests the core network device to establish a GTP tunnel to the core network device for forwarding the downlink data of the UE at the first network device to the core network device side. The core network device establishes a GTP tunnel to the core network device for forwarding the downlink data of the UE at the first network device to the core network device side. At the same time, the core network device also initiates a paging message to the UE. The first network device forwards data, and when the data forwarding is completed, the core network device notifies the first network device to release the UE's connection and context information. When the INACTIVE UE receives the core network device-initialized paging message, it releases the UE AS context previously stored by the UE and initiates an RRC connection establishment process. When the core network device receives the initial UE message and identifies that the current UE is the UE that the RAN requests to initiate the core network device initial paging message, it initiates the establishment of a GTP tunnel to the second network device in the initial context message, and is used to forward the downlink data of the UE to the second network device. The core network device first forwards the data forwarded from the first network device, and then sends new data.

[0200] As another embodiment, when the first network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device and receives the fifth indication information sent by the second network device, the first network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the second network device, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0201] In other words, before the second network device receives the downlink data from the terminal device, the second network device sends the fifth indication information to the first network device.

[0202] For example, the second network device sends a context request message to the first network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

[0203] Optionally, the first network device receives notification information sent by the core network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

[0204] Figure 6 is another schematic flow chart of a method for transmitting data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0205] Specifically, if Figure 6 As shown, the method includes:

[0206] 601, the terminal device enters the activation state.

[0207] 602. The core network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the first network device.

[0208] 603. The first network device sends a first paging message to the terminal device.

[0209] 604. The second network device sends a third paging message to the terminal device.

[0210] 605. The terminal device releases the context information and initiates the RRC connection establishment process.

[0211] 606. The terminal device randomly accesses the second network device.

[0212] 607. The terminal device sends an RRC connection establishment request to the second network device.

[0213] 608. The second network device sends a request message to the first network device, including fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0214] 609. The second network device establishes a first tunnel.

[0215] 610. The first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device on the first tunnel.

[0216] 611. The second network device responds to the RRC connection establishment request sent by the terminal device.

[0217] 612. The terminal device sends an RRC connection establishment completion message to the second network device.

[0218] 613, Change the tunnel path on the core network side.

[0219] 614. The core network device notifies the first network device to release the access layer (AS) context and the connection with the terminal device.

[0220] 615, data is transmitted between the second network device and the terminal device.

[0221] 616, data transmission is performed between the core network device and the terminal device.

[0222] In other words, when the INACTIVE UE has downlink data reaching the first network device, the first network device is triggered to initiate a RAN-initiated paging message. After receiving the RAN-initiated paging, the UE initiates the RRC connection recovery process. After receiving the UE's RRC recovery request, the second network device requests context information from the first network device, and establishes a GTP tunnel in the context request message for the first network device to forward the UE's downlink data to the second network device. The second network device changes the GTP cableway path on the core network device side. The second network device first sends the data forwarded from the first network device, and then sends new data.

[0223] Combine the following Figure 7 and Figure 8 The network device according to the embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0224] Figure 7 It is a schematic block diagram of a network device 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0225] Specifically, if Figure 7 As shown, the network device 700 includes a transceiver unit 710, which can be used to receive information sent by other network devices and terminal devices, and can also send information to other network devices and terminal devices.

[0226] In the embodiments of the present invention, by way of example and not limitation, Figure 7 The network device shown may be the first network device in the above method embodiment, that is, the network device that retains the context information of the terminal device when the terminal device is in an inactive state.

[0227] Specifically, the transceiver unit 710 is used to send downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device. The terminal device is in an inactivated state. The inactivated state means that both the terminal device and the network device retain the context information of the terminal device, and the communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the network device and the core network device. The network device is different from the second network device.

[0228] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0229] When the downlink data sent by the core network device is received and sending the first paging message to the terminal device fails, the downlink data is sent to the terminal device through the second network device.

[0230] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0231] Before sending the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, the downlink data is forwarded to the second network device through the first tunnel; wherein the first tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the network device to the second network device.

[0232] Optionally, the first tunnel is established by the second network device according to the identification information of the network device and first indication information sent by the above-mentioned core network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

[0233] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0234] Before forwarding the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel, second indication information is sent to the above-mentioned core network device, and the second indication information is used for the above-mentioned core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the network device and the above-mentioned core network device.

[0235] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0236] A paging request message is sent to the above-mentioned core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the above-mentioned core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

[0237] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0238] The downlink data is forwarded to the above-mentioned core network device through the second tunnel, so that the above-mentioned core network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel; wherein the second tunnel is a tunnel established by the above-mentioned core network device from the network device to the above-mentioned core network device, and the third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the above-mentioned core network device to the second network device.

[0239] Optionally, the second tunnel is established by the core network device according to third indication information sent by the network device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel.

[0240] Optionally, the third indication information is also used to instruct the above-mentioned core network device to retain the first context information, and the communication connection of the terminal device between the network device and the above-mentioned core network device.

[0241] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0242] Before forwarding the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, sending the third indication information to the core network device

[0243] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0244] A paging request message is sent to the above-mentioned core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the above-mentioned core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

[0245] Optionally, the third tunnel is established by the second network device according to fourth indication information sent by the above-mentioned core network device, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0246] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0247] When the downlink data sent by the above-mentioned core network device is received and the fifth indication information sent by the second network device is received, the downlink data is sent to the terminal device through the second network device, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0248] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0249] Before sending the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, a context request message sent by the second network device is received, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

[0250] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0251] Receive notification information sent by the above-mentioned core network device, where the notification information is used to notify the network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the network device and the above-mentioned core network device.

[0252] In the embodiments of the present invention, by way of example and not limitation, Figure 7 The network device shown may also be the second network device in the above method embodiment, that is, a network device used to send downlink data to the terminal device when the terminal device is in an inactive state.

[0253] Specifically, the transceiver unit 710 is used to receive downlink data of a terminal device and send the downlink data to the terminal device; wherein the terminal device is in an inactivated state, and the inactivated state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device, and the first network device is different from the network device.

[0254] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0255] Before receiving the downlink data from the terminal device, a first tunnel is established, where the first tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the network device; and the downlink data sent by the first network device is received through the first tunnel.

[0256] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is more specifically configured to:

[0257] Receive first indication information sent by the core network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish the first tunnel.

[0258] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is more specifically configured to:

[0259] A context establishment request message sent by the core network device is received, where the context establishment request message is used to request the network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the first indication information.

[0260] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0261] Before receiving the downlink data from the terminal device, a third tunnel is established, where the third tunnel is a tunnel from the core network device to the network device; the downlink data sent by the core network device is received through the third tunnel.

[0262] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0263] Before establishing the third tunnel, fourth indication information sent by the above-mentioned core network device is received, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0264] The transceiver unit 710 is more specifically used for:

[0265] A context establishment request message sent by the core network device is received, where the context establishment request message is used to request the network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

[0266] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0267] Before receiving the downlink data from the terminal device, fifth indication information is sent to the first network device, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the network device.

[0268] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is more specifically configured to:

[0269] A context request message is sent to the first network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

[0270] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0271] Establish a radio resource control RRC connection between the network device and the terminal device.

[0272] In the embodiments of the present invention, by way of example and not limitation, Figure 7 The network device shown may also be the core network device in the above method embodiment.

[0273] Specifically, the transceiver unit 710 is used to forward downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, so that the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device. The terminal device is in an inactive state, and the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different.

[0274] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0275] Before forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, first indication information is sent to the second network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel, and the first tunnel is used for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

[0276] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0277] Before forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, second indication information sent by the first network device is received, and the second indication information is used to instruct the network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the network device.

[0278] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0279] The network device receives a paging request message sent by the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

[0280] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0281] Before forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, a second tunnel is established, where the second tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the network device;

[0282] The downlink data sent by the first network device is received through the second tunnel, so that the network device sends the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel. The third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the network device to the second network device.

[0283] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0284] Before establishing the second tunnel, third indication information sent by the first network device is received, where the third indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish the second tunnel.

[0285] Optionally, the third indication information is also used to instruct the network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the network device.

[0286] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically configured to:

[0287] A paging request message sent by the first network device is received, where the paging request message is used to request the network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0289] Before establishing the third tunnel, fourth indication information is sent to the second network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

[0290] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is specifically used for: the network device sends a context establishment request message to the second network device, the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

[0291] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to:

[0292] Notification information is sent to the first network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the network device.

[0293] It should be noted that the transceiver unit 710 may be implemented by a transceiver. Figure 8As shown, the network device 800 may include a processor 810, a transceiver 820, and a memory 830. The memory 830 may be used to store indication information, and may also be used to store codes and instructions executed by the processor 810. The various components in the network device 800 are connected via a bus system, wherein the bus system includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus.

[0294] Figure 8 The network device 800 shown can implement the aforementioned Figures 2 to 6 To avoid repetition, the various processes implemented by the network device in the method embodiment are not described here. That is to say, the method embodiment in the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a processor or implemented by a processor.

[0295] In the implementation process, each step of the method embodiment in the embodiment of the present invention can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor or the instruction in the form of software. More specifically, the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can be directly embodied as a hardware decoding processor, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0296] The processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability, and may implement or execute the methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. In addition, the general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0297] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the memory may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. It should be understood that the above-mentioned memory is exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memory in the embodiment of the present invention may also be static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM), etc. That is, the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0298] Finally, it should be noted that the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0299] For example, as used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0300] For another example, the terms first network device and second network device may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, but these network devices should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish network devices from each other.

[0301] As another example, the phrase "when..." as used herein may be interpreted as "if" or "if" or "when..." or "in response to determining" or "in response to detecting," depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined" or "if (stated condition or event) is detected" may be interpreted as "when it is determined" or "in response to determining" or "when detecting (stated condition or event)" or "in response to detecting (stated condition or event)," depending on the context.

[0302] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0303] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0304] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0305] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0306] In addition, each functional unit in the embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0307] If implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0308] The above contents are only specific implementations of the embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of the present invention shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data, characterized in that: Applicable to a terminal device in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device; The method comprises: When the first network device fails to send the first paging message to the terminal device, the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different. The first network device sends second indication information to the core network device, where the second indication information is used for the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, including: When the first network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device and fails to send the first paging message to the terminal device, the first network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the second network device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Before the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, the method further includes: The first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel; The first tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the first network device to the second network device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first tunnel is established by the second network device according to the identification information of the first network device and first indication information sent by the core network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Before the first network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel, the first network device sends the second indication information to the core network device.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network device sending second indication information to the core network device includes: The first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, including: The first network device forwards the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel; The second tunnel is a tunnel established by the core network device from the first network device to the core network device, and the third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the core network device to the second network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second tunnel is established by the core network device according to third indication information sent by the first network device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The third indication information is also used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: Before the first network device forwards the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, the method further includes: The first network device sends the third indication information to the core network device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first network device sending the third indication information to the core network device includes: The first network device sends a paging request message to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

12. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The third tunnel is established by the second network device according to fourth indication information sent by the core network device, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, including: When the first network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device and receives the fifth indication information sent by the second network device, the first network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the second network device, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Before the first network device sends the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, the method further includes: The first network device receives a context request message sent by the second network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network device receives notification information sent by the core network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

16. A method for transmitting data, characterized in that: Applicable to a terminal device in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device; The method comprises: When the first network device fails to send a first paging message to the terminal device, a second network device receives downlink data of the terminal device sent by the first network device, and the first network device and the second network device are different; The second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device, The first network device sends second indication information to the core network device, and the second indication information is used for the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Before the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device, the method further includes: The second network device establishes a first tunnel, where the first tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the second network device; The second network device receiving the downlink data of the terminal device includes: The second network device receives downlink data sent by the first network device through the first tunnel.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that Before the second network device establishes the first tunnel, the method further includes: The second network device receives first indication information sent by the core network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second network device receives the first indication information sent by the core network device, including: The second network device receives a context establishment request message sent by the core network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the first indication information.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Before the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device, the method further includes: The second network device establishes a third tunnel, where the third tunnel is a tunnel from the core network device to the second network device; The second network device receiving the downlink data of the terminal device includes: The second network device receives the downlink data sent by the core network device through the third tunnel.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that Before the second network device establishes the third tunnel, the method further includes: The second network device receives fourth indication information sent by the core network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The second network device receives fourth indication information sent by the core network device, including: The second network device receives a context establishment request message sent by the core network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

23. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Before the second network device receives the downlink data of the terminal device, the method further includes: The second network device sends fifth indication information to the first network device, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The second network device sending fifth indication information to the first network device includes: The second network device sends a context request message to the first network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: The second network device and the terminal device establish a radio resource control RRC connection between the second network device and the terminal device.

26. A method for transmitting data, characterized in that: Applicable to a terminal device in an inactive state, wherein the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, and a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the core network device; The method comprises: When the first network device fails to send a first paging message to the terminal device, the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, so that the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device, the first network device and the second network device are different, The core network device receives second indication information sent by the first network device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that Before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the method further includes: The core network device sends first indication information to the second network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel, and the first tunnel is used for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that Before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the core network device receives the second indication information sent by the first network device.

29. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The core network device receives second indication information sent by the first network device, including: The core network device receives a paging request message sent by the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

30. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that Before the core network device forwards the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the method further includes: The core network device establishes a second tunnel, where the second tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the core network device; The core network device forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device includes: The core network device receives the downlink data sent by the first network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device sends the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel. The third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the core network device to the second network device.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that Before the core network device establishes the second tunnel, the method further includes: The core network device receives third indication information sent by the first network device, where the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The third indication information is also used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that The core network device receives the third indication information sent by the first network device, including: The core network device receives a paging request message sent by the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

34. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that Before the core network device establishes the third tunnel, the method further includes: The core network device sends fourth indication information to the second network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The core network device sending fourth indication information to the second network device includes: The core network device sends a context establishment request message to the second network device, where the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

36. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: The core network device sends notification information to the first network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

37. A network device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to, when sending a first paging message to a terminal device fails, send downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through a second network device, the terminal device is in an inactive state, the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the network device retain context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the network device and a core network device, the network device and the second network device are different, The transceiver unit is also used to send second indication information to the core network device, and the second indication information is used for the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the network device and the core network device.

38. The network device according to claim 37, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is specifically used for: When the downlink data sent by the core network device is received and sending the first paging message to the terminal device fails, the downlink data is sent to the terminal device through the second network device.

39. The network device according to claim 38, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Before sending the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, forwarding the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel; The first tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the network device to the second network device.

40. The network device according to claim 39, characterized in that: The first tunnel is established by the second network device according to the identification information of the network device and first indication information sent by the core network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the first tunnel.

41. The network device according to claim 39 or 40, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Before forwarding the downlink data to the second network device through the first tunnel, the second indication information is sent to the core network device.

42. The network device according to claim 37, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is specifically used for: A paging request message is sent to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

43. The network device according to claim 38, characterized in that The transceiver unit is specifically used for: forwarding the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, so that the core network device forwards the downlink data to the second network device through the third tunnel; The second tunnel is a tunnel established by the core network device from the network device to the core network device, and the third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the core network device to the second network device.

44. The network device according to claim 43, characterized in that The second tunnel is established by the core network device according to third indication information sent by the network device, and the third indication information is used to instruct the core network device to establish the second tunnel.

45. The network device according to claim 44, characterized in that The third indication information is also used to instruct the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the network device and the core network device.

46. ​​The network device according to claim 44 or 45, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Before forwarding the downlink data to the core network device through the second tunnel, the third indication information is sent to the core network device.

47. The network device according to claim 46, characterized in that The transceiver unit is specifically used for: A paging request message is sent to the core network device, where the paging request message is used to request the core network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

48. The network device according to claim 43, characterized in that The third tunnel is established by the second network device according to fourth indication information sent by the core network device, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

49. The network device according to claim 37, characterized in that The transceiver unit is specifically used for: When the downlink data sent by the core network device is received and the fifth indication information sent by the second network device is received, the downlink data is sent to the terminal device through the second network device, and the fifth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel for the network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

50. The network device according to claim 49, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before sending the downlink data of the terminal device to the terminal device through the second network device, a context request message sent by the second network device is received, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

51. The network device according to any one of claims 47 to 50, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Receive notification information sent by the core network device, where the notification information is used to notify the network device to release the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the network device and the core network device.

52. A network device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit, configured to receive downlink data of the terminal device sent by the first network device and send the downlink data to the terminal device when the first network device fails to send the first paging message to the terminal device; The terminal device is in an inactive state, and the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain the context information of the terminal device, the first network device and the core network device retain the communication connection of the terminal device, and the first network device is different from the network device. The first network device sends second indication information to the core network device, and the second indication information is used for the core network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection of the terminal device between the first network device and the core network device.

53. The network device according to claim 52, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is specifically used for: Before receiving the downlink data from the terminal device, establish a first tunnel, where the first tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the network device; The downlink data sent by the first network device is received through the first tunnel.

54. The network device according to claim 53, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is more specifically used for: Receive first indication information sent by the core network device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish the first tunnel.

55. The network device according to claim 54, characterized in that The transceiver unit is more specifically used for: A context establishment request message sent by the core network device is received, where the context establishment request message is used to request the network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the first indication information.

56. The network device according to claim 52, characterized in that The transceiver unit is specifically used for: Before receiving the downlink data of the terminal device, a third tunnel is established, where the third tunnel is a tunnel from the core network device to the network device; The downlink data sent by the core network device is received through the third tunnel.

57. The network device according to claim 56, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before establishing the third tunnel, fourth indication information sent by the core network device is received, and the fourth indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish the third tunnel.

58. The network device according to claim 57, characterized in that The transceiver unit is more specifically used for: A context establishment request message sent by the core network device is received, where the context establishment request message is used to request the network device to establish second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

59. The network device according to claim 52, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before receiving the downlink data from the terminal device, fifth indication information is sent to the first network device, where the fifth indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish a first tunnel for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the network device.

60. The network device according to claim 59, characterized in that The transceiver unit is more specifically used for: A context request message is sent to the first network device, where the context request message is used to request the first context information, and the context request message includes the fifth indication information.

61. The network device according to any one of claims 52 to 60, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Establish a radio resource control RRC connection between the network device and the terminal device.

62. A network device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver unit, configured to forward downlink data of the terminal device to a second network device via the first network device when the first network device fails to send a first paging message to the terminal device, so that the second network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device, the terminal device is in an inactive state, the inactive state means that both the terminal device and the first network device retain context information of the terminal device, a communication connection of the terminal device is retained between the first network device and the network device, the first network device and the second network device are different, The transceiver unit is further used to receive second indication information sent by the first network device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection between the first network device and the terminal device.

63. The network device according to claim 62, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, first indication information is sent to the second network device, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish a first tunnel, and the first tunnel is used for the first network device to forward the downlink data to the second network device.

64. The network device according to claim 62 or 63, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Before forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, the second indication information sent by the first network device is received.

65. The network device according to claim 62, characterized in that The transceiver unit is specifically used for: The network device receives a paging request message sent by the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the second indication information.

66. The network device according to claim 62, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before forwarding the downlink data of the terminal device to the second network device through the first network device, establishing a second tunnel, where the second tunnel is a tunnel from the first network device to the network device; The downlink data sent by the first network device is received through the second tunnel, so that the network device sends the downlink data to the second network device through a third tunnel, and the third tunnel is a tunnel established by the second network device from the network device to the second network device.

67. The network device according to claim 66, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before establishing the second tunnel, third indication information sent by the first network device is received, where the third indication information is used to instruct the network device to establish the second tunnel.

68. The network device according to claim 67, characterized in that The third indication information is also used to instruct the network device to retain the first context information and the communication connection between the first network device and the terminal device.

69. The network device according to claim 67 or 68, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is specifically used for: A paging request message is received from the first network device, where the paging request message is used to request the network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, and the paging request message includes the third indication information.

70. The network device according to claim 66, characterized in that The transceiver unit is also used for: Before establishing the third tunnel, fourth indication information is sent to the second network device, where the fourth indication information is used to instruct the second network device to establish the third tunnel.

71. The network device according to claim 70, characterized in that The transceiver unit is specifically used for: the network device sends a context establishment request message to the second network device, the context establishment request message is used to request the second network device to establish the second context information of the terminal device, and the context establishment request message includes the fourth indication information.

72. The network device according to claim 62 or 63, characterized in that: The transceiver unit is also used for: Notification information is sent to the first network device, where the notification information is used to notify the first network device to release the first context information and the communication connection between the first network device and the terminal device.

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