Method, access network equipment, terminal equipment and core network equipment for paging

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a method for paging, an access network device, a terminal device, and a core network device, the method comprising: a first access network device obtains a tracking area list of a terminal device; the first access network device determines, based on the tracking area list, a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device. The method, access network device, terminal device, and core network device of the embodiment of the present application are conducive to configuring a reasonable paging area for the access network device, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a paging method, access network equipment, terminal equipment, and core network equipment. Background Art

[0002] Paging is a signaling process performed when the network searches for a terminal. The called party in the network must respond through paging to ensure normal communication. In the fifth generation (5G) system, when downlink data from a terminal arrives, the Radio Access Network (RAN) can initiate paging to the terminal. Therefore, a method is urgently needed to enable the RAN to initiate paging to the terminal within a suitable paging area. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for paging, an access network device, a terminal device and a core network device, which are conducive to configuring a reasonable paging area for the access network device.

[0004] In a first aspect, a method for paging is provided, the method comprising: a first access network device obtains a tracking area list of a terminal device; the first access network device determines, based on the tracking area list, a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0005] The access network device determines a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging by referring to the TA list of the terminal device, which helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: when there is downlink data of the terminal device to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area.

[0007] Optionally, RAN paging may also be triggered by a cell system message change.

[0008] In one possible implementation, when the terminal device has downlink data to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area, including: when the terminal device is in a radio resource control RRC inactive state and has downlink data to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area.

[0009] Optionally, paging of the terminal device in the RRC idle state may also be initiated by the RAN.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the first access network device obtains the tracking area list of the terminal device, including: the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device and / or the core network device.

[0011] In a possible implementation, before the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device and / or the core network device, the method also includes: the first access network device sends a request to the terminal device and / or the core network device to obtain the tracking area list.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device, including: once the terminal device performs a tracking area update or attachment process, the first access network device receives the tracking area list acquired by the terminal device.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device, including: the first access network device receives the tracking area list acquired by the terminal device through RRC signaling.

[0014] Optionally, the terminal device may also send the TA list of the terminal device to the access network device through MAC signaling and DCI signaling.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first access network device obtains the tracking area list of the terminal device, including: when the access network device providing network services for the terminal device switches from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the second access network device.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the tracking area list is carried in the context information of the terminal device.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first access network device sending information of the target paging area to the terminal device, so as to trigger the first access network device to reconfigure the paging area for the terminal device when the terminal device determines to move out of the target paging area.

[0018] In a second aspect, a method for paging is provided, the method comprising: a terminal device obtains a tracking area list of the terminal device; the terminal device sends the tracking area list to a first access network device, so that the first access network device determines a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device obtains the tracking area list of the terminal device, including: the terminal device obtains the tracking area list during a tracking area update or attachment process.

[0020] In a possible implementation, before the terminal device sends the tracking area list of the terminal device to the first access network device, the method further includes: the terminal device receives a request for obtaining the tracking area list sent by the first access network device.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, including: once the terminal device obtains the tracking area list, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, including: the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device through radio resource control RRC signaling.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: when the terminal device is in an RRC inactive state, the terminal device receives a paging message sent by the first access network device, where the paging message is used to indicate that there is downlink data of the terminal device that needs to be sent.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receives the information of the target paging area sent by the first access network device; and the terminal device triggers the first access network device to reallocate the paging area for the terminal device according to the information of the target paging area.

[0025] According to a third aspect, a method for paging is provided, the method comprising: a core network device obtains a tracking area list of a terminal device; the core network device sends the tracking area list to a first access network device, so that the first access network device determines a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, before the core network device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, the method further includes: the core network device receiving information for acquiring the tracking area list sent by the first access network device.

[0027] In a fourth aspect, an access network device is provided, which is used to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Specifically, the access network device includes a unit for executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, a terminal device is provided, which is used to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Specifically, the terminal device includes a unit for executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0029] In a sixth aspect, a core network device is provided, which is used to execute the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. Specifically, the core network device includes a unit for executing the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0030] In a seventh aspect, an access network device is provided, the access network device comprising: a memory, a processor, an input interface, and an output interface. The memory, the processor, the input interface, and the output interface are connected via a bus system. The memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, so as to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0031] In an eighth aspect, a terminal device is provided, the terminal device comprising: a memory, a processor, an input interface, and an output interface. The memory, the processor, the input interface, and the output interface are connected via a bus system. The memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, so as to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0032] In a ninth aspect, a core network device is provided, the core network device comprising: a memory, a processor, an input interface, and an output interface. The memory, the processor, the input interface, and the output interface are connected via a bus system. The memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, and is used to execute the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0033] In the tenth aspect, a computer storage medium is provided for storing computer software instructions used to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, which includes programs designed for executing the above aspects.

[0034] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in the first aspect or any optional implementation of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect or any optional implementation of the second aspect, or the method in the third aspect or any optional implementation of the third aspect.

[0035] These and other aspects of the present application will become more clearly understood in the description of the following embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram of a paging method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of the EPS bearer service architecture is shown.

[0039] Figure 4 Another schematic block diagram of a paging method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0040] Figure 5 Another schematic block diagram of a paging method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0041] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0042] Figure 7 A schematic block diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0043] Figure 8 A schematic block diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0044] Fig. 9 Another schematic block diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0045] Fig.10 Another schematic block diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0046] Fig.11 Another schematic block diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0048] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application 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), LTE system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, New Radio (NR) or future 5G system, etc.

[0049] In particular, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems based on non-orthogonal multiple access technology, such as sparse code multiple access (SCMA) system, low density signature (LDS) system, etc. Of course, the SCMA system and the LDS system may also be called other names in the field of communication; further, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to multi-carrier transmission systems using non-orthogonal multiple access technology, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM), filtered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (F-OFDM) system, etc.

[0050] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, 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. The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a 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, a terminal device in a future 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0051] The access network device in the embodiment of the present application can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. The network device can be a base station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in GSM or CDMA, or a base station (NodeB, NB) in a WCDMA system, or an evolved base station (Evolutional NodeB, eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in a future 5G network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0052] The core network device in the embodiment of the present application can be a mobility management entity (Mobility Management Entity, MME), or a serving gateway (Serving Gateway, S-GW) or a packet data gateway (Packet Data Network Gateway, P-GW), etc., but the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0053] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an application scenario of the present application embodiment. Figure 1As shown in the figure, the LTE system architecture is divided into two parts, including MME / S-GW and eNodeB. The eNodeB is connected to the UE through the Uu interface, providing the protocol termination point for the control plane and user plane of the UE. The eNodeBs are connected to each other through the X2 interface, and there is always an X2 interface between two different eNodeBs that need to communicate. The LTE access network and the core network are connected through the S1 interface, which supports a one-to-many contact method.

[0054] Generally, the main purpose of paging is to establish a signaling connection between the UE and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) for subsequent signaling or data transmission. In the 5G system, when downlink data of a terminal device arrives, the terminal device can be paged through the Core Network (CN) or through the RAN.

[0055] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a method 100 for paging according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the method 100 includes some or all of the following contents:

[0056] S110, the first access network device obtains a tracking area list of the terminal device.

[0057] S120: The first access network device determines, based on the tracking area list, a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0058] The so-called Tracking Area (TA) is a concept established for the location management of terminals in the communication system. Multiple TAs form a TA list (TA list) and are assigned to a terminal at the same time. When the terminal moves within the TA List, it does not need to perform TA updates to reduce frequent interactions with the network; when the UE enters a new TA that is not in its registered TAList, it needs to perform TA updates, and the core network reallocates the TA list to the terminal. The newly allocated TA list may also include some TAs in the original TA list. When the terminal is in an idle state, the core network can know the tracking area where the terminal is located. At the same time, when the terminal in an idle state needs to be paged, the core network must page all cells in the tracking area registered by the terminal, that is, all cells in the TAlist of the terminal.

[0059] For RAN paging, the access network device must first determine a paging area for the terminal device. When the terminal device moves within the paging area, the terminal device does not need to notify the network side, and the terminal device can directly reselect the cell within the paging area. When the terminal device moves out of the paging area, the terminal device needs to trigger the access network device to reconfigure a new paging area for the terminal device. Specifically, the access network device can refer to the TA list of the terminal device, that is, it can select a suitable paging area for the terminal device within the control area of ​​the core network.

[0060] Therefore, in the paging method of the embodiment of the present application, the access network device can refer to the TA list of the terminal device to determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is conducive to reducing signaling overhead.

[0061] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the method further includes: when there is downlink data of the terminal device that needs to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area.

[0062] Those skilled in the art will understand that paging can be triggered by data or by changes in cell system messages, etc. However, the paging we usually refer to mainly refers to paging triggered by data. Specifically, when the access network device knows that there is downlink data to be transmitted, the access network device can directly initiate paging to the corresponding terminal device within the determined target paging area. For example, when downlink data arrives at the access network device, the access network device can send a paging message to the corresponding terminal device, and the identification of the terminal device can be carried in the paging message; for another example, when downlink data arrives at the core network device, the core network device does not temporarily send the downlink data to the access network device, but can send an indication message to the access network device, indicating that there is downlink data of the terminal device that needs to be transmitted. After receiving the indication message, the access network device can send a paging message to the terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the conditions for triggering the access network device to initiate paging.

[0063] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, when there is downlink data of the terminal device to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area, including: when the terminal device is in an inactive radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) state and there is downlink data to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area.

[0064] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first Figure 3This paper briefly describes some elements of the Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer service architecture. Figure 3 As shown, the network architecture mainly includes the Evolved-Universal MobileTelecommunication System Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). In the service architecture system of EPS bearer, the end-to-end service can be decomposed into two parts: EPS bearer and external bearer. Among them, an evolved radio access bearer (Evolved Radio Access Bearer, E-RAB) is used to transmit a packet of an EPS bearer between the UE and the evolved EPC, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the E-RAB and the EPS bearer. A radio bearer is used to transmit a packet of an E-RAB bearer between the UE and the eNodeB, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between the radio bearer and the E-RAB / EPS bearer. An S1 bearer is used to transmit a packet of an E-RAB bearer between the eNodeB and an S-GW. An S5 / S8 bearer is used to transmit a packet of an EPS bearer between the S-GW and the P-GW.

[0065] In the LTE system, the RRC state of the UE mainly includes the RRC idle state and the RRC connected state. Among them, the RRC idle state: there are S5 / S8 bearers, no radio bearers and S1 bearers, the core network side retains the UE context, the eNodeB and the UE do not retain each other's context, and the terminal retains the unique identifier in the time advance (TA) (usually the temporary mobile user identity (TMSI)). The UE in the RRC idle state cannot have data interaction with the network, non-access stratum (NAS) configured discontinuous reception (DRX) process, system information broadcast and paging, neighbor cell measurement, cell reselection mobility, no measurement report reporting and other behaviors. RRC connected state: there are S5 / S8 bearers, S1 bearers and radio bearers, the core network, eNodeB and UE all retain the corresponding context, and the eNodeB allocates the access stratum (AS) identifier (usually the cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI)). A UE in the RRC connected state can exchange data with the network and may have DRX configured by the AS, mobility of handover, and reporting of channel measurements to the network side.

[0066] In the 5G system, a third state, the RRC inactive state, is introduced. RRC inactive state: S5 / S8 bearers, S1 bearers and some radio bearers exist. The core network, eNodeB and UE retain the corresponding contexts. The eNodeB allocates the access layer AS identifier (usually the resume identifier (ID)). The UE in the RRC inactive state has the mobility of cell reselection, no measurement reporting, can send and receive small data, and may have DRX configured by the AS.

[0067] Typically, the paging of a terminal device in an RRC idle state may be initiated by the CN, and the paging area may also be configured by the CN, while the paging of a terminal device in an RRC inactive state may be initiated by the RAN, and the paging area may be configured by the RAN. However, the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto, for example, the paging of a terminal device in an RRC idle state may also be initiated by the RAN.

[0068] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device obtains the tracking area list of the terminal device, including: the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device and / or the core network device.

[0069] As mentioned above, the terminal device itself can store its own TA list, and the core network device can also know the TA list of the terminal device, so the terminal device and / or the core network device can send the TA list of the terminal device to the access network device. In other words, the access network device can obtain the TA list of the terminal device from the terminal device and / or the core network device.

[0070] Optionally, the terminal device may send the TA list of the terminal device to the access network device through at least one of the following signaling: RRC signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) signaling, and downlink control information (DCI), etc.

[0071] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, before the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device and / or the core network device, the method also includes: the first access network device sends a request to the terminal device and / or the core network device to obtain the tracking area list.

[0072] For example, the access network device may request the terminal device and / or the core network device to obtain the TA list of the terminal device when the terminal device is in the RRC connected state. The access network device may also request the core network device to obtain the TA list of the terminal device when the terminal device is in the RRC inactive state. For another example, the access network device may also request the terminal device and / or the core network device to obtain the TA list of the terminal device when it needs to page the terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit when the access network device requests the TA list of the terminal device from the terminal device and / or the core network device.

[0073] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device, including: once the terminal device performs a tracking area update or attachment process, the first access network device receives the tracking area list obtained by the terminal device.

[0074] Usually, the terminal device obtains the TA list of the terminal device through the attachment process or tracking area update (TA Update, TAU). When the terminal device obtains its TA list, it can actively send the TA list to the access network device. In other words, the terminal device can be triggered by the attachment process or TAU process to send the TA list to the access network device, and the access network device does not need to request the TA list from the terminal device.

[0075] Optionally, after obtaining its TA list through the attachment process or the TAU process, the terminal device may not actively send it, but send the obtained TA list to the access network device only after the access network device requests it.

[0076] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first access network device obtains the tracking area list of the terminal device, including: when the access network device providing network services for the terminal device switches from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the second access network device.

[0077] If the terminal device moves from the source cell to the target cell, the access network device of the source cell can send the TA list of the terminal device to the access network device of the target cell. The access network device of the target cell can also directly obtain the TA list of the terminal device from the terminal device or the core network device without obtaining it from the access network device of the source cell. Specifically, the access network device of the target cell can request the TA list of the terminal device from any device among the terminal device, the access network device of the source cell and the core network device.

[0078] Optionally, any device among the terminal device, the access network device of the source cell and the core network device may send the TA list of the terminal device as the context of the terminal device to the access network device of the target cell.

[0079] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the method also includes: the first access network device sends information of the target paging area to the terminal device, so as to trigger the first access network device to reconfigure the paging area for the terminal device when the terminal device determines that it has moved out of the target paging area.

[0080] As mentioned above, the terminal device can determine whether the terminal device is within the paging area based on the information of the paging area configured by the access network device. If so, the terminal device does not need to notify the access network device and can directly switch cells. If not, the terminal device needs to notify the access network device so that the access network device can reconfigure a new paging area for the terminal device.

[0081] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a method 200 for paging according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 As shown, the method 200 includes some or all of the following contents:

[0082] S210, the terminal device obtains a tracking area list of the terminal device.

[0083] S220, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, so that the first access network device determines the target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0084] Therefore, in the paging method of the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device reports the TA list, so that the access network device can determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0085] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device obtains the tracking area list of the terminal device, including: the terminal device obtains the tracking area list during the tracking area update or attachment process.

[0086] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, before the terminal device sends the tracking area list of the terminal device to the first access network device, the method also includes: the terminal device receives a request for obtaining the tracking area list sent by the first access network device.

[0087] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, including: once the terminal device obtains the tracking area list, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device.

[0088] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, including: the terminal device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device through radio resource control RRC signaling.

[0089] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the method further includes: when the terminal device is in an RRC inactive state, the terminal device receives a paging message sent by the first access network device, and the paging message is used to indicate that there is downlink data of the terminal device that needs to be sent.

[0090] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the method also includes: the terminal device receives the information of the target paging area sent by the first access network device; the terminal device triggers the first access network device to reallocate the paging area for the terminal device based on the information of the target paging area.

[0091] It should be understood that the interaction between the terminal device and the access network device and the related characteristics and functions described by the terminal device correspond to the related characteristics and functions of the access network device. In other words, the access network device will receive the information sent by the terminal device to the access network device. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0092] It should also be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0093] Figure 5 FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a method 300 for paging according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, the method 300 includes some or all of the following contents:

[0094] S310, the core network device obtains a tracking area list of the terminal device;

[0095] S320, the core network device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine the target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0096] Therefore, in the paging method of the embodiment of the present application, the core network device reports TAlist, so that the access network device can determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0097] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, before the core network device sends the tracking area list to the first access network device, the method further includes: the core network device receives information sent by the first access network device to obtain the tracking area list.

[0098] It should be understood that the interaction between the core network device and the access network device and the related characteristics and functions described by the core network device correspond to the related characteristics and functions of the access network device. In other words, the access network device will receive the same information as the core network device sends to the access network device. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0099] It should also be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0100] The above describes in detail the method for paging according to the embodiment of the present application. Figures 6 to 11 , describing a device for paging according to an embodiment of the present application, the technical features described in the method embodiment are applicable to the following device embodiments.

[0101] Figure 6 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an access network device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. The access network device is a first access network device, such as Figure 6 As shown, the access network device 400 includes:

[0102] An acquisition unit 410 is used to acquire a tracking area list of a terminal device;

[0103] The determination unit 420 is used to determine, according to the tracking area list, a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0104] Therefore, the access network device of the embodiment of the present application can refer to the TAlist of the terminal device to determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0105] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the access network device further includes: a paging unit, configured to initiate paging to the terminal device within the target paging area when there is downlink data of the terminal device to be sent.

[0106] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the paging unit is specifically used to: initiate paging to the terminal device within the target paging area when the terminal device is in a radio resource control RRC inactive state and has downlink data to be sent.

[0107] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the acquisition unit is specifically used to: receive the tracking area list sent by the terminal device and / or the core network device.

[0108] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the access network device also includes: a first sending unit, used to send a request for obtaining the tracking area list to the terminal device and / or the core network device.

[0109] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the acquisition unit is specifically used to: receive the tracking area list acquired by the terminal device once the terminal device performs a tracking area update or attachment process.

[0110] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the acquisition unit is specifically used to: receive the tracking area list acquired by the terminal device through RRC signaling.

[0111] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the acquisition unit is specifically used to: when the access network device providing network services to the terminal device switches from the second access network device to the first access network device, receive the tracking area list sent by the second access network device.

[0112] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the tracking area list is carried in the context information of the terminal device.

[0113] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the access network device also includes: a second sending unit, used to send information of the target paging area to the terminal device, so as to trigger the first access network device to reconfigure the paging area for the terminal device when the terminal device determines that it has moved out of the target paging area.

[0114] It should be understood that the access network device 400 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the first access network device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the access network device 400 are respectively to implement Figure 2 For the sake of brevity, the corresponding process of the first access network device in the method will not be repeated here.

[0115] Figure 7 FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the terminal device 500 includes:

[0116] An acquiring unit 510 is configured to acquire a tracking area list of the terminal device;

[0117] The sending unit 520 is used to send the tracking area list to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine the target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0118] Therefore, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application reports the TA list, so that the access network device can determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0119] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the acquisition unit is specifically used to: acquire the tracking area list during a tracking area update or attachment process.

[0120] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device further includes: a first receiving unit, configured to receive a request sent by the first access network device to obtain the tracking area list.

[0121] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the sending unit is specifically used to: once the terminal device obtains the tracking area list, send the tracking area list to the first access network device.

[0122] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the sending unit is specifically used to: send the tracking area list to the first access network device through radio resource control RRC signaling.

[0123] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device also includes: a second receiving unit, used to receive a paging message sent by the first access network device when the terminal device is in an RRC inactive state, and the paging message is used to indicate that there is downlink data of the terminal device that needs to be sent.

[0124] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device also includes: a third receiving unit, used to receive the information of the target paging area sent by the first access network device; and a triggering unit, used to trigger the first access network device to reallocate the paging area for the terminal device based on the information of the target paging area.

[0125] It should be understood that the terminal device 500 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the terminal device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the terminal device 500 are respectively to implement Figure 4 For the sake of brevity, the corresponding processes of the terminal device in the method are not repeated here.

[0126] Figure 8 FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a core network device 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the core network device 600 includes:

[0127] An acquisition unit 610 is used to acquire a tracking area list of a terminal device;

[0128] The sending unit 620 is used to send the tracking area list to the first access network device, so that the first access network device can determine the target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device.

[0129] Therefore, the core network device in the embodiment of the present application reports the TA list, so that the access network device can determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, thereby facilitating reduction of signaling overhead.

[0130] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the core network device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive information sent by the first access network device to obtain the tracking area list.

[0131] It should be understood that the core network device 600 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the core network device in the embodiment of the method of the present application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the core network device 600 are respectively to implement Figure 5 For the sake of brevity, the corresponding processes of the core network device in the method are not repeated here.

[0132] like Fig. 9 As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides an access network device 700, which can be Figure 6The access network device 400 in Figure 2 The content of the first access network device corresponding to the method 100. The access network device 700 includes: an input interface 710, an output interface 720, a processor 730 and a memory 740, and the input interface 710, the output interface 720, the processor 730 and the memory 740 can be connected through a bus system. The memory 740 is used to store programs, instructions or codes. The processor 730 is used to execute the programs, instructions or codes in the memory 740 to control the input interface 710 to receive signals, control the output interface 720 to send signals, and complete the operations in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0133] Therefore, the access network device of the embodiment of the present application can refer to the TA list of the terminal device to determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0134] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the processor 730 may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor 730 may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0135] The memory 740 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 730. A portion of the memory 740 may also include a nonvolatile random access memory. For example, the memory 740 may also store information on the device type.

[0136] In the implementation process, the contents of the above method can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor 730 or the instructions in the form of software. The contents of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution. 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 740, and the processor 730 reads the information in the memory 740 and completes the contents of the above method in combination with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here.

[0137] In a specific implementation manner, the paging unit, the first sending unit and the access network device 400 may be Fig. 9 The output interface 720 in the access network device 400 is implemented, and the acquisition unit and the determination unit can be composed of Fig. 9 The processor 730 in is implemented.

[0138] like Fig.10 As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal device 800, which can be Figure 7 The terminal device 500 in Figure 4 Contents of the terminal device corresponding to the method 200. The terminal device 800 includes: an input interface 810, an output interface 820, a processor 830 and a memory 840, and the input interface 810, the output interface 820, the processor 830 and the memory 840 can be connected through a bus system. The memory 840 is used to store programs, instructions or codes. The processor 830 is used to execute the programs, instructions or codes in the memory 840 to control the input interface 810 to receive signals, control the output interface 820 to send signals, and complete the operations in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0139] Therefore, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application reports the TA list, so that the access network device can determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, which is beneficial to reducing signaling overhead.

[0140] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the processor 830 may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor 830 may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0141] The memory 840 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 830. A portion of the memory 840 may also include a nonvolatile random access memory. For example, the memory 840 may also store information on the device type.

[0142] In the implementation process, the contents of the above method can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor 830 or the instructions in the form of software. The contents of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution. 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 840, and the processor 830 reads the information in the memory 840 and completes the contents of the above method in combination with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here.

[0143] In a specific implementation manner, the sending unit of the terminal device 500 may be composed of Fig.10 The output interface 820 in the terminal device 500 can be implemented by the first receiving unit to the third receiving unit. Fig.10 The acquisition unit and the trigger unit of the terminal device 500 can be implemented by Fig.10 The processor 830 in is implemented.

[0144] like Fig.11 As shown, the embodiment of the present application also provides a core network device 900, which can be Figure 8 The core network device 600 in the embodiment can be used to perform the Figure 5 The content of the core network device corresponding to the method 300 in the method 300. The core network device 900 includes: an input interface 910, an output interface 920, a processor 930 and a memory 940, and the input interface 910, the output interface 920, the processor 930 and the memory 940 can be connected through a bus system. The memory 940 is used to store programs, instructions or codes. The processor 930 is used to execute the programs, instructions or codes in the memory 940 to control the input interface 910 to receive signals, control the output interface 920 to send signals, and complete the operations in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0145] Therefore, the core network device in the embodiment of the present application reports the TA list, so that the access network device can determine a more appropriate paging area for RAN paging, thereby facilitating reduction of signaling overhead.

[0146] It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the processor 930 may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the processor 930 may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0147] The memory 940 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor 930. A portion of the memory 940 may also include a nonvolatile random access memory. For example, the memory 940 may also store information on the device type.

[0148] In the implementation process, the contents of the above method can be completed by the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor 930 or the instructions in the form of software. The contents of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution. 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 940, and the processor 930 reads the information in the memory 940 and completes the contents of the above method in combination with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here.

[0149] In a specific implementation manner, the sending unit in the core network device 600 may be composed of Fig.11 The output interface 920 in the core network device 600 can be implemented by Fig.11 The acquisition unit in the core network device 600 may be implemented by Fig.11 The processor 930 in is implemented.

[0150] 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 this application.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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 unit is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as 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.

[0153] 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 solution of this embodiment.

[0154] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application 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.

[0155] If this function is 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 present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. 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 each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk, etc., and other media that can store program codes.

[0156] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for paging, characterized in that: include: The first access network device obtains a tracking area list of the terminal device; The first access network device determines, according to the tracking area list, a target paging area for initiating paging by the first access network device to the terminal device; The first access network device acquires a tracking area list of the terminal device, including: The first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the core network device, where the tracking area list is carried in the context information of the terminal device; The method further comprises: When the terminal device is in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state and has downlink data to be sent, the first access network device initiates paging to the terminal device within the target paging area; Wherein, before the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the core network device, the method further includes: The first access network device sends a request for acquiring the tracking area list to the core network device; Among them, when the terminal device is in the RRC inactive state, it has the mobility of cell reselection and no measurement reporting.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device, including: Once the terminal device performs a tracking area update or an attachment process, the first access network device receives the tracking area list acquired by the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the terminal device, including: The first access network device receives the tracking area list obtained by the terminal device through RRC signaling.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first access network device obtains a tracking area list of the terminal device, further comprising: In a case where the access network device providing network services for the terminal device is switched from the second access network device to the first access network device, the first access network device receives the tracking area list sent by the second access network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first access network device sends the information of the target paging area to the terminal device, so as to trigger the first access network device to reconfigure the paging area for the terminal device when the terminal device determines to move out of the target paging area.

6. An access network device, characterized in that: The access network device is a first access network device, and the access network device includes: An acquisition unit, used to acquire a tracking area list of a terminal device; a determining unit, configured to determine, according to the tracking area list, a target paging area for the first access network device to initiate paging to the terminal device; A paging unit, configured to initiate paging to the terminal device in the target paging area when the terminal device is in a radio resource control RRC inactive state and has downlink data to be sent; The access network equipment also includes: A first sending unit, configured to send a request for obtaining the tracking area list to a core network device; The acquisition unit is specifically used to receive the tracking area list sent by the core network device, and the tracking area list is carried in the context information of the terminal device; Among them, when the terminal device is in the RRC inactive state, it has the mobility of cell reselection and no measurement reporting.

7. The access network device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The acquisition unit is further specifically used for: Once the terminal device performs a tracking area update or an attach process, the tracking area list acquired by the terminal device is received.

8. The access network device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The acquisition unit is specifically used for: The tracking area list obtained by the terminal device is received through RRC signaling.

9. The access network device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The acquisition unit is further specifically used for: In a case where an access network device providing network services for the terminal device is switched from a second access network device to the first access network device, the tracking area list sent by the second access network device is received.

10. The access network device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The access network equipment also includes: The second sending unit is used to send the information of the target paging area to the terminal device, so as to trigger the first access network device to reconfigure the paging area for the terminal device when the terminal device determines to move out of the target paging area.

11. An access network device, comprising: A memory, a processor, an input interface and an output interface, wherein the memory, the processor, the input interface and the output interface are connected via a bus system, the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, so as to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

12. A computer storage medium for storing computer software instructions for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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