Communication method and device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and discloses a communication method and apparatus. The method includes: after a first network device receives downlink information of a terminal device from a core network device, it can send a first message to a second network device, the first message including the SUL capability information of the terminal device, the SUL capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier and the terminal device is in an inactive state. With this method, since the first network device sends the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the second network device, the second network device can obtain the SUL capability of the terminal device; further, the second network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device, thereby providing the possibility for an inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] In current communication systems, such as the long term evolution (LTE) communication system or the fifth generation (5G) communication system, after a terminal device accesses a network device, the network device can establish a corresponding context for the terminal device. When the terminal device switches from the radio resource control (RRC) connected state to the RRC idle state, the network device releases the context of the terminal device. In addition, in the 5G communication system, an inactive state is introduced for the RRC state of the terminal device. A terminal device in an inactive state can remain connected to the core network, but releases the RRC connection with the access network and does not perform operations such as cell switching and wireless link monitoring.

[0003] Furthermore, to improve the insufficient uplink coverage caused by the use of normal uplink (NUL) carriers in fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, supplementary uplink (SUL) carriers were introduced. Since SUL carriers are typically configured in lower frequency bands, they offer a wider coverage area.

[0004] However, when network equipment needs to interact with terminal equipment, how inactive terminal equipment performs uplink transmission on the SUL carrier still requires further research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for enabling an inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a SUL carrier.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be applied to a first network device or a chip within the first network device. Taking the method applied to the first network device as an example, in the method, after receiving downlink data from a terminal device from a core network device, the first network device can send a first message to a second network device, where the first message includes SUL capability information of the terminal device, where the SUL capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports a SUL carrier; wherein the first network device and the second network device are located in a RAN notification area of ​​the terminal device.

[0007] With this method, since the first network device sends the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the second network device, the second network device can obtain the SUL capability of the terminal device; further, the second network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device, thereby providing the possibility for an inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier.

[0008] In one possible design, the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, where the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, the SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, where each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a NUL-associated SUL frequency band.

[0009] In one possible design, the first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

[0010] In one possible design, the first message is used to notify the second network device to page the terminal device.

[0011] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second network device, or can also be applied to a chip within the second network device. Taking the application of this method to the second network device as an example, in this method, the second network device receives a first message from a first network device, the first message including SUL capability information of a terminal device, the SUL capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports a SUL carrier; further, the second network device can send a second message based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device, the second message being used to page the terminal device; wherein the first network device and the second network device are located in a RAN notification area of ​​the terminal device.

[0012] In one possible design, the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, where the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, the SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, where each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a SUL frequency band supported by the NUL.

[0013] In one possible design, the first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

[0014] In one possible design, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier; wherein the first carrier is a SUL carrier or a NUL carrier.

[0015] In this manner, the second network device determines whether the terminal device performs uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or on the NUL carrier, thereby making the network device control more flexible.

[0016] In one possible design, the second message also includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0017] By adopting this method, the second indication information is carried in the second message, and there is no need to send the second indication information additionally, which can effectively save signaling overhead.

[0018] In one possible design, the method also includes: the second network device sends a third message to the terminal device, the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0019] In one possible design, the second message also includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the third message.

[0020] In one possible design, the second indication information includes an index of resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0021] In one possible design, the second message includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier.

[0022] Using this method, the second network device indicates to the terminal device both the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier, and the terminal device can then determine whether to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or the NUL carrier.

[0023] In one possible design, the resources used for uplink transmission include any of the following: random access resources, the random access resources including a random access preamble, or the random access resources including a random access preamble and a PUSCH resource; and configuration authorization resources.

[0024] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device or a chip within the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, the terminal device releases the RRC connection between the terminal device and a first network device and enters an inactive state; and the terminal device receives a second message from a second network device, the second message being used to page the terminal device; wherein the second message is sent based on a first message from the first network device, the first message including SUL capability information of the terminal device, the SUL capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports SUL carriers; and the first network device and the second network device are located in a RAN notification area of ​​the terminal device.

[0025] In one possible design, the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, where the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, the SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, where each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a SUL frequency band supported by the NUL.

[0026] In one possible design, the first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

[0027] In one possible design, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier; the method also includes: the terminal device determines the resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier, and uses the resources for uplink transmission; wherein the first carrier is a SUL carrier or a NUL carrier.

[0028] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier, including: the second message also includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier; the terminal device determines the resources for uplink transmission based on the second indication information.

[0029] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier, including: the terminal device receives a third message from the second network device, the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier; the terminal device determines the resources for uplink transmission based on the second indication information.

[0030] In one possible design, the second message also includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the third message.

[0031] In one possible design, the second indication information includes an index of resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0032] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the resources for uplink transmission based on the second indication information, including: the terminal device receives a fourth message from the second network device, the fourth message including configuration information of multiple sets of candidate resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier and indexes of the multiple sets of candidate resources; the terminal device selects a candidate resource with the same index as the resource from the multiple sets of candidate resources based on the second indication information, and determines the resources for uplink transmission based on the configuration information of the selected candidate resources.

[0033] In one possible design, the second message includes fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier; the method also includes: the terminal device obtains a downlink measurement value, and the downlink measurement value is a measurement value in the downlink direction between the terminal device and the second network device; if the downlink measurement value is less than a preset threshold, the terminal device uses the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier for uplink transmission.

[0034] In one possible design, the method further includes: if the downlink measurement value is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the terminal device uses resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier for uplink transmission.

[0035] In one possible design, the resources used for uplink transmission include any of the following: random access resources, the random access resources including a random access preamble, or the random access resources including a random access preamble and a PUSCH resource; and configuration authorization resources.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be applied to a first network device, or can also be applied to a chip within the first network device. Taking the application of this method to the first network device as an example, in this method, the first network device obtains information about a cell of the second network device from a second network device, where the information includes uplink carrier information of the cell; based on the uplink carrier information and the SUL capability information of the terminal device, the first network device adds the cell to the RNA of the terminal device, or sends indication information to the second network device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell.

[0037] Using this method, when configuring RNA for a terminal device, the first network device fully considers the terminal device's SUL capabilities. For example, if the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, the first network device can add the cell that supports the SUL carrier to the terminal device's RNA, thereby enabling the terminal device to subsequently perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of that cell. Furthermore, using this method, the first network device determines whether to send indication information to the second network device based on the uplink carrier information of the second network device's cell and the terminal device's SUL capability information. For example, if the first network device determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of that cell, it can send indication information to the second network device, so that the second network device learns that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of that cell, thereby enabling the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of that cell.

[0038] In one possible design, the method further includes: the first network device sending a request message to the second network device, where the request message is used to request information about a cell of the second network device.

[0039] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second network device, or can also be applied to a chip within the second network device. Taking the application of this method to the second network device as an example, in this method, the second network device receives a request message from the first network device, where the request message is used to request information about the cell of the second network device; based on the request message, the second network device sends the cell information to the first network device, where the cell information includes uplink carrier information of the cell.

[0040] In one possible design, the method also includes: the second network device receives a RAN paging message from the first network device, the RAN paging message is used to notify the second network device to page the terminal device, the paging message includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell; the second network device sends a paging message to the terminal device according to the RAN paging message.

[0041] In one possible design, the paging message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier; wherein the first carrier is the SUL carrier of the cell or the NUL carrier of the cell.

[0042] In one possible design, the paging message also includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0043] In one possible design, the paging message includes third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier.

[0044] In one possible design, the resources used for uplink transmission include any of the following: random access resources, the random access resources including a random access preamble, or the random access resources including a random access preamble and a PUSCH resource; and configuration authorization resources.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a network device, or can also be applied to a chip within the network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, in this method, the network device determines that a terminal device supports the SUL carrier of a cell of the network device, and the terminal device is in an inactive state; the network device allocates first resources to the terminal device, the first resources including: resources for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the cell, and / or resources for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the cell; and the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used to indicate the first resources.

[0046] By adopting this solution, the first resource is indicated to the terminal device in the inactive state through the network device, so that the terminal device can realize uplink transmission in a timely manner according to the first resource.

[0047] In one possible design, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, including: the network device sends a paging message, and the paging message includes the first indication information.

[0048] In one possible design, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, including:

[0049] The network device sends a first message to the terminal device, where the first message includes first indication information.

[0050] In one possible design, the method also includes: the network device sends a paging message, the paging message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the first message.

[0051] In one possible design, the first indication information includes an index of the first resource.

[0052] In one possible design, the network device determines the SUL carrier of the cell supported by the terminal device, including: the network device obtains SUL capability information of the terminal device; and the network device determines the SUL carrier of the cell supported by the terminal device based on the SUL capability information.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device, or can also be applied to a chip inside the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method, the terminal device receives first indication information from a network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first resource, and the first resource includes: resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of a cell of the network device, and / or resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the cell; the terminal device is in an inactive state; and the terminal device uses the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier for uplink transmission for uplink transmission.

[0054] In one possible design, the terminal device receives first indication information from the network device, including:

[0055] The terminal device receives a paging message from the network device, where the paging message includes first indication information.

[0056] In one possible design, the terminal device receives first indication information from the network device, including:

[0057] The terminal device receives a first message from the network device, where the first message includes first indication information.

[0058] In one possible design, the method further includes:

[0059] The terminal device receives a paging message from the network device, where the paging message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the first message.

[0060] In one possible design, the first indication information includes an index of the first resource.

[0061] In one possible design, the first resources include: resources for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and resources for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier; the terminal device uses the first resources for uplink transmission, including: the terminal device obtains a downlink measurement value, the downlink measurement value is a measurement value in the downlink direction between the terminal device and the network device; if the downlink measurement value is less than a preset threshold, the terminal device uses the resources for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier for uplink transmission.

[0062] In one possible design, the method further includes: if the downlink measurement value is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the terminal device uses resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier for uplink transmission.

[0063] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a chip disposed inside a terminal device. The communication device has the functions of implementing the third aspect or the seventh aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the steps involved in the third aspect or the seventh aspect above. The functions, units, or means may be implemented by software or by hardware, or the corresponding software implementation may be executed by hardware.

[0064] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices, for example, the communication unit is used to receive configuration information from a network device; and the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit can correspond to the steps involved in the third or seventh aspect described above.

[0065] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and may also include a transceiver, the transceiver is used to send and receive signals, and the processor executes program instructions to complete the method in any possible design or implementation of the third aspect or seventh aspect above. The communication device may also include one or more memories, and the memory is used to couple with the processor. The one or more memories may be integrated with the processor or may be set separately from the processor, which is not limited in this application. The memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the third aspect or seventh aspect above. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design or implementation of the third aspect or seventh aspect above.

[0066] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions of the third or seventh aspect. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method of any possible design or implementation of the third or seventh aspect.

[0067] In one possible design, the communication device includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein at least one processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the third aspect or seventh aspect above.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a network device or a chip disposed inside a network device. The communication device is capable of implementing the functions involved in the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the steps involved in the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects above. The functions, units, or means may be implemented through software or hardware, or may be implemented through hardware executing the corresponding software implementation.

[0069] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices, for example, the communication unit is used to send system information to a terminal device; and the processing unit can be used to perform certain internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit can correspond to the steps involved in the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects described above.

[0070] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and may also include a transceiver, the transceiver is used to send and receive signals, and the processor executes program instructions to complete the method in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect, fifth aspect, and sixth aspect above. The communication device may also include one or more memories, and the memory is used to couple with the processor. The one or more memories may be integrated with the processor or may be set separately from the processor, which is not limited in this application. The memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect, fifth aspect, and sixth aspect above. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect, fifth aspect, and sixth aspect above.

[0071] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects described above. The processor may execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design or implementation of the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth aspects described above.

[0072] In one possible design, the communication device includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein at least one processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the above-mentioned first aspect, second aspect, fourth aspect, fifth aspect, and sixth aspect.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a first network device and a second network device. The first network device may be used to execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect, and the second network device may be used to execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the third aspect; or the first network device may be used to execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the fourth aspect, and the second network device may be used to execute the method in any possible design or implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0074] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer executes the method in any possible design of the first to seventh aspects above.

[0075] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which, when read and executed by a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in any possible design of the above-mentioned first to seventh aspects.

[0076] In the thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor, and the processor is coupled to a memory, and is used to read and execute a software program stored in the memory to implement the method in any possible design of the first to seventh aspects above.

[0077] These and other aspects of the present application will become more readily apparent from the description of the following embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a possible system architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0079] Figure 2 This is another network architecture diagram applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0080] Figure 3 This is another network architecture diagram applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0081] Figure 4a A schematic diagram of a four-step random access process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 4bA schematic diagram of a two-step random access process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 4c A schematic diagram of a four-step random access process based on non-contention provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 5 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 1 of the present application;

[0085] Figure 6 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 2 of the present application;

[0086] Figure 7 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 3 of the present application;

[0087] Figure 8 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 4 of the present application;

[0088] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of determining PRACH time domain resources based on time offset provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 10 A possible exemplary block diagram of the apparatus involved in the embodiments of the present application;

[0090] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments.

[0093] First, some of the terms used in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0094] (1) Terminal device: It can be a wireless terminal device that can receive network device scheduling and instruction information. The wireless terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing equipment connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone, mobile phone), a computer and a data card. For example, it can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, and other devices. A wireless terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station (remotestation), an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a subscriber station (SS), a customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile terminal (MT), etc. A terminal device may also be a wearable device or a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 5G communication system or a terminal device in a future-evolved public land mobile network (PLMN).

[0095] (2) Network equipment: It can be a device in a wireless network. For example, the network equipment can be a RAN node (or device) that connects a terminal device to a wireless network, which can also be called a base station. At present, some examples of RAN equipment are: a new generation base station (gNodeB) in a 5G communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or homeNode B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP). In addition, in a network structure, the network equipment can include a centralized unit (CU) node, a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, in other possible cases, the network device may be another device that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the network device. For ease of description, in the embodiments of this application, the device that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device is referred to as the network device.

[0096] (3) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0097] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the terminal device 130 can access the wireless network to obtain services of the external network (such as the Internet) through the wireless network, or communicate with other devices through the wireless network, such as communicating with other terminal devices. The wireless network includes a RAN and a core network (CN), wherein the RAN is used to access the terminal device (such as the terminal device 1301 or the terminal device 1302) to the wireless network, and the CN is used to manage the terminal device and provide a gateway for communicating with the external network. The RAN may include one or more RAN devices, such as the RAN device 1101 and the RAN device 1102, and the CN may include one or more CN devices, such as the CN device 120.

[0098] A CN may include multiple CN devices 120. Figure 1 When the network architecture shown is applicable to a 5G communication system, the CN device 120 may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity or a user plane function (UPF) entity, etc.

[0099] It should be understood that Figure 1 The number of devices in the communication system shown is for illustration only, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. In actual applications, the communication system may further include more terminal devices, more RAN devices, and other devices.

[0100] Figure 2 This is another network architecture diagram applicable to the embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the network architecture includes CN equipment, RAN equipment, and terminal equipment. The RAN equipment includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device, wherein the baseband device can be implemented by one node or multiple nodes, and the radio frequency device can be implemented independently from the baseband device, or integrated into the baseband device, or some functions can be integrated independently and some functions can be integrated into the baseband device. For example, in an LTE communication system, the RAN equipment (eNB) includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device, wherein the radio frequency device can be arranged remotely from the baseband device, for example, a remote radio unit (RRU) is a remote radio unit arranged relative to the BBU.

[0101] The communication between RAN equipment and terminal devices follows a certain protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of the RRC layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer. The user plane protocol layer structure may include the functions of the PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer. In one possible implementation, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer may also be included above the PDCP layer.

[0102] The RAN device can implement the functions of the protocol layers such as RRC, PDCP, RLC and MAC by one node, or can implement the functions of these protocol layers by multiple nodes. For example, in an evolutionary structure, the RAN device may include a CU) and a DU, and multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by one CU. Figure 2 As shown, CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network, for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and above protocol layers are set in CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below PDCP, such as the RLC layer and MAC layer, are set in DU.

[0103] This protocol layer division is merely an example. Division can also be performed at other protocol layers, such as the RLC layer, where functions at and above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while functions at layers below the RLC layer are located in the DU. Alternatively, division can be performed within a specific protocol layer, such as where some functions at the RLC layer and functions at layers above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions at the RLC layer and functions at layers below the RLC layer are located in the DU. Furthermore, division can be performed in other ways, such as by latency, where functions that require processing time to meet latency requirements are located in the DU, while functions that do not require latency requirements are located in the CU.

[0104] In addition, the radio frequency device can be independently integrated and not placed in the DU, or it can be integrated in the DU, or part of it can be remotely located and part of it can be integrated in the DU. There is no limitation here.

[0105] Figure 3 This is another network architecture diagram applicable to the embodiment of this application. Figure 2 The network architecture shown, Figure 3The control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) of the CU can also be separated and implemented into different entities, namely the control plane (CP) CU entity (i.e., CU-CP entity) and the user plane (UP) CU entity (i.e., CU-UP entity).

[0106] In the above network architecture, the signaling generated by the CU can be sent to the terminal device through the DU, or the signaling generated by the terminal device can be sent to the CU through the DU. The DU can directly encapsulate the signaling through the protocol layer and transparently transmit it to the terminal device or CU without parsing it. In the following embodiments, if the transmission of such signaling between the DU and the terminal device is involved, then the sending or receiving of the signaling by the DU includes this scenario. For example, the signaling of the RRC or PDCP layer will eventually be processed as the signaling of the PHY layer and sent to the terminal device, or converted from the received signaling of the PHY layer. Under this architecture, the signaling of the RRC or PDCP layer can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or sent by the DU and the RF loader.

[0107] above Figure 1 、 Figure 2 or Figure 3 The network architecture shown can be applicable to communication systems of various radio access technologies (RAT), for example, a 4G (or LTE) communication system, a 5G (or new radio, NR) communication system, or a transition system between an LTE communication system and a 5G communication system, which can also be called a 4.5G communication system, and of course, a future communication system. The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the communication network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems. The devices in the following embodiments of the present application can be located in a terminal device or a network device according to the functions they implement. When the above CU-DU structure is adopted, the network device can be a CU, or a DU, or a RAN device including a CU and a DU.

[0108] by Figure 1 Taking the network architecture shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the following explains the relevant technical features involved in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1The RAN device 1101 is referred to as the first network device, the RAN device 1102 is referred to as the second network device, and the terminal device 1301 is referred to as the terminal device. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0109] 1. Inactive state

[0110] The states of the terminal device may include an RRC idle (RRC_IDLE) state, an RRC inactive (Inactive) state, and an RRC connected (RRC_CONNECTED) state. Among them, the RRC idle state may be referred to as the idle state, the RRC inactive state may be referred to as the inactive state or the third state, and the RRC connected state may be referred to as the connected state.

[0111] The coverage area of ​​the network device (the first network device or the second network device) may include one or more cells. Figure 1 The figure simply illustrates the cell a1 within the coverage of the first network device and the cell b1 within the coverage of the second network device. After the terminal device accesses the cell a1 of the first network device and enters the connected state, the first network device may instruct the terminal device to enter the inactive state. For example, the first network device may send an RRC release message to the terminal device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to enter the inactive state; accordingly, after receiving the RRC release message, the terminal device may enter the inactive state. The RRC connection between the inactive terminal device and the first network device is disconnected, but the network connection corresponding to the terminal device still exists between the first network device and the core network.

[0112] 2. Access Network Notification Area and RAN Paging Area

[0113] (1) RAN-based notification area (RNA)

[0114] The first network device may configure RNA for the terminal device and send RNA configuration information to the terminal device. For example, the RRC release message sent by the first network device to the terminal device may include RNA configuration information. RNA may include one or more cells, and the RNA configuration information includes at least one of the following: 1) identifiers of one or more cells, where multiple cells may belong to one network device or multiple network devices. For example, if RNA includes cell a1 and cell b1, the RNA configuration information may include identifiers of cell a1 and cell b1; 2) at least one RAN tracking area code. A RAN tracking area may include one or more cells. When a RAN tracking area includes multiple cells, these multiple cells may belong to one network device or multiple network devices.

[0115] When the terminal device moves within the RNA range, it does not need to update the RNA with the network device; when the RNA timer of the terminal device times out or the terminal device moves out of the RNA range, the terminal device needs to initiate the access network notification area update (RANU) process.

[0116] After the terminal device enters the inactive state, since the network connection corresponding to the terminal device still exists between the first network device and the core network, when the core network device receives the downlink information of the terminal device, it will directly send the downlink information to the first network device to which the terminal device was last connected. Since the first network device cannot determine whether the terminal device is within its coverage area, when paging the terminal device, the first network device can perform paging within the RNA (i.e., the cell a1 of the first network device and the cell b1 of the second network device) according to the RNA configured for the terminal device. Specifically, the first network device can send a paging message within the cell a1, and send a RAN paging (XnAP RAN Paging) message to the second network device corresponding to the cell b1 through the Xn interface.

[0117] (2) RAN paging area

[0118] Continuing with the above example, the first network device can send a RAN paging message to the second network device. Accordingly, upon receiving the RAN paging message, the second network device can determine a RAN paging area based on the RAN paging message and then page the terminal device within the RAN paging area. The RAN paging area determined by the second network device can include one or more cells, which are cells of the second network device and belong to the RNA of the terminal device.

[0119] Exemplarily, when the RNA of the terminal device includes cells of multiple network devices, each of the multiple network devices may page the terminal device in its own RAN paging area.

[0120] 3. RAN Paging Message and Paging Message

[0121] (1)RAN paging message

[0122] A RAN paging message can be used to notify a network device to page a terminal device. The RAN paging message can include an identifier of the terminal device. For example, taking a RAN paging message sent by a first network device to a second network device as an example, the RAN paging message can also include RAN paging area information, and the second network device can then determine the RAN paging area based on the RAN paging area information.

[0123] In one example, the RAN paging area information may include identifiers of one or more cells, where the one or more cells are cells of the second network device and belong to the RNA of the terminal device. For example, the RAN paging area information may include an identifier of cell b1. The second network device then determines, based on the RAN paging area information, that the RAN paging area includes cell b1 and may send a paging message within cell b1 to page the terminal device.

[0124] In another example, the RAN paging area information may include at least one RAN tracking area code. For example, the at least one RAN tracking area code may be the RAN tracking area code corresponding to the RNA cell of the second network device. Taking cell b1 as an example, cell b1 is the cell of the second network device, and cell b1 belongs to the RNA of the terminal device. Therefore, cell b1 is the RNA cell of the second network device. For example, the RAN paging message may include RAN tracking area code 1, where the cells corresponding to RAN tracking area code 1 include cell a1 and cell b1. Cell a1 is the cell of the first network device, and cell b1 is the cell of the second network device. The second network device then determines that the RAN paging area includes cell b1 based on RAN tracking area code 1, and sends a paging message within cell b1 to page the terminal device.

[0125] (2) Paging message

[0126] Paging messages can be used to page terminal devices. The network device can send paging messages on periodic paging resources. There can be multiple paging frames in a paging cycle, and there can be multiple paging occasions (paging occasion, PO) under each paging frame. Both the network device and the terminal device can determine the paging occasion corresponding to the terminal device based on the identifier of the terminal device, and then the network device can send downlink control information (downlink control information, DCI) on the paging occasion corresponding to the terminal device. The DCI is used to schedule paging messages. The DCI is scrambled using a paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI), and the network device sends a paging message on the time-frequency resources indicated by the DCI; accordingly, the terminal device can use P-RNTI to monitor DCI on the paging occasion, and receive the paging message based on the received DCI to obtain the specific content of the paging message. The paging message may include a paging record list (PagingRecordlist), and the paging record list includes the identifiers of one or more terminal devices that need to be paged. After an inactive terminal device receives a paging message, if it determines that the paging record list includes the terminal device's identifier, it can initiate a random access process to the network device; if it determines that the paging record list does not include the terminal device's identifier, it can continue to receive paging messages in the next paging cycle.

[0127] 4. Random Access Process

[0128] After the first network device instructs the terminal device to enter the inactive state, information interaction may be required between the first network device and the terminal device. For example, the first network device receives downlink information of the terminal device from the core network device and needs to send the downlink information to the terminal device.

[0129] Taking the example of a first network device receiving downlink information from a terminal device from a core network device and needing to send the downlink information to the terminal device, as can be seen from the previous description, the first network device can page the terminal device within the RNA configured for the terminal device. After the terminal device receives the paging message in a cell within the RNA, it can initiate a random access process through the cell, and then the first network device can know which cell the terminal device is within the coverage area; if the terminal device is within the coverage area of ​​the cell of the second network device, the first network device can send the downlink information to the second network device, which will be sent to the terminal device by the second network device. Since the terminal device may be within the coverage area of ​​the cell a1 of the first network device, or may also be within the coverage area of ​​the cell b1 of the second network device, the terminal device may initiate a random access process to the first network device, or may also initiate a random access process to the second network device.

[0130] The following describes some steps included in the random access process initiated by the terminal device. Exemplarily, the embodiment of the present application provides two random access processes, namely a four-step random access process and a two-step random access process.

[0131] Figure 4a A schematic diagram of a four-step random access process provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4a As shown, the following steps are included:

[0132] Step a1: The terminal device sends a random access request to the network device (the first network device or the second network device). The random access request may include a random access preamble, and the network device receives the random access preamble from the terminal device. The random access request is also called the first message or message 1 (Msg1) in the random access process.

[0133] Step a2: After detecting the random access preamble sent by the terminal device, the network device sends a random access response (RAR) to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the random access response from the network device. The random access response is also called the second message or message 2 (Msg2) in the random access process.

[0134] Step a3: The terminal device sends an uplink signaling to the network device, and the network device receives the uplink signaling from the terminal device. The uplink signaling is also called the third message or message 3 (Msg3) in the random access process.

[0135] Exemplarily, Msg3 may be an RRC connection recovery request message. Optionally, Msg3 may also include uplink data.

[0136] Step a4: The network device receives Msg3 and sends a contention resolution message to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the contention resolution message from the network device. If the terminal device determines, based on the contention resolution message, that it has won the random access conflict, it can determine that the random access is successful. Otherwise, the terminal device determines that the random access has failed and can perform the random access procedure again. The contention resolution message is also referred to as the fourth message or message 4 (Mg4).

[0137] Exemplarily, Msg4 may be a resume RRC connection message or an RRC release message.

[0138] Figure 4b A schematic diagram of a two-step random access process provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4b As shown, the following steps are included:

[0139] Step b1: The terminal device sends a random access request to the network device.

[0140] Here, the random access request may also be referred to as message A (MsgA), including the random access preamble and uplink signaling, which is equivalent to the above Figure 4a Msg1 and Msg3 in the four-step random access process can also be understood as "sending Msg1 and Msg3 together".

[0141] Step b2: The network device sends MsgB to the terminal device.

[0142] Here, MsgB is response information for the random access request, and may also be referred to as message B, including at least one of response information for the random access preamble and response information for uplink signaling.

[0143] 5. Contention-based random access procedure and non-contention-based random access procedure

[0144] Depending on whether the random access preamble sent by the terminal device is selected by the terminal device itself, the random access process can be divided into a contention-based random access process and a non-contention-based random access process.

[0145] Among them, (1) in the random access process based on competition, the network device can configure multiple random access preambles for the terminal device, and the terminal device can select one of the random access preambles. Figure 4a and Figure 4b The steps shown are those included in the contention-based random access procedure.

[0146] (2) Based on the non-contention random access process, the network device can indicate the random access preamble to the terminal device, and then the terminal device can send the indicated random access preamble. Taking the four-step random access process as an example, Figure 4c is a schematic diagram of the four-step random access process based on non-contention, as shown in Figure 4c Shown, including:

[0147] In step c1, the network device allocates a random access preamble code to the terminal device.

[0148] Step c2: The terminal device sends a random access request to the network device, where the random access request includes the allocated random access preamble.

[0149] In step c3, the network device sends a random access response to the terminal device. Accordingly, after receiving the random access response, the terminal device can determine that the random access is successful.

[0150] According to the above Figure 4a and Figure 4cAs can be seen from the illustrated process, the non-competition-based random access process uses a random access process dedicated to the terminal device for random access. Compared with the competition-based random access process, no random access conflict will occur, so that the terminal device can access the network device in a timely manner, effectively shortening the time to resume service transmission.

[0151] 6. SUL frequency band and SUL carrier

[0152] The 5G communication system includes multiple frequency bands, such as n1, n2, n41, etc. Furthermore, the 5G communication system also introduces SUL frequency bands, such as n80, n81, n82, n83, n84, n85, and n86. Among them, n1, n2, n41, n80, n81, n82, n83, n84, n85, and n86 can be understood as frequency band numbers. Each frequency band number is used to identify a preset frequency range. For example, the frequency range identified by n41 is 2496MHz-2690 MHz (the frequency range described here refers to the uplink frequency range), and the frequency range identified by n80 is 1710MHz-1785 MHz.

[0153] Furthermore, with the introduction of the SUL frequency band, network equipment can configure one downlink carrier and two uplink carriers for a cell to improve the system's uplink coverage. The two uplink carriers are: a SUL carrier and a NUL carrier. The SUL carrier can belong to the SUL frequency band, or in other words, be located within the SUL frequency band. For example, if the frequency range of SUL carrier 1 is 1710 MHz-1740 MHz, then SUL carrier 1 is located within the SUL frequency band corresponding to n80. Typically, within a cell, the coverage of the SUL carrier is greater than that of the NUL carrier.

[0154] Based on the above introduction to the relevant technical features, the embodiments of the present application will study some possible implementations of uplink transmission of an inactive terminal device on a SUL carrier from different perspectives.

[0155] Exemplarily, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may include four possible schemes, which are referred to as Scheme 1, Scheme 2, Scheme 3 and Scheme 4 for the convenience of description.

[0156] (1) For an inactive terminal device, when the first network device pages the terminal device within the RNA of the terminal device, other network devices within the RNA (such as the second network device) do not know whether the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, resulting in the inability to perform uplink transmission through the SUL carrier when the inactive terminal device is within the coverage area of ​​the second network device.

[0157] Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide schemes 1, 2 and 3. In scheme 1, after the first network device receives the downlink information of the terminal device from the core network device, it can send a first message to the second network device. The first message includes the SUL capability information of the terminal device. The SUL capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier and the terminal device is in an inactive state. With this method, since the first network device sends the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the second network device, the second network device can obtain the SUL capability of the terminal device; further, the second network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device, thereby providing the possibility for the inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier; in addition, since the coverage range of the SUL carrier is large, when the terminal device performs uplink transmission on the SUL carrier, it can effectively ensure that the uplink transmission reaches the second network device in time.

[0158] In solution two, the first network device obtains information about the second network device's cell from the second network device, including the cell's uplink carrier information. Furthermore, based on the uplink carrier information and the terminal device's SUL capability information, the first network device adds the cell to the terminal device's RNA. With this approach, the first network device fully considers the terminal device's SUL capabilities when configuring the RNA for the terminal device. For example, if the terminal device supports SUL carriers, the first network device can add cells supporting SUL carriers to the terminal device's RNA, enabling subsequent uplink transmissions by the terminal device on the SUL carrier of that cell.

[0159] In solution three, a first network device obtains information about the second network device's cell from a second network device, the information including the cell's uplink carrier information. Furthermore, based on the uplink carrier information and the terminal device's SUL capability information, the first network device sends indication information to the second network device, indicating that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell. Both the first network device and the second network device are located within the terminal device's RNA. In this approach, the first network device determines whether to send indication information to the second network device based on the uplink carrier information of the second network device's cell and the terminal device's SUL capability information. For example, if the first network device determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell, it may send indication information to the second network device, informing the second network device that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell, thereby enabling the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the cell. For another example, if the first network device determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, but the second network device's cell does not support the SUL carrier, it may no longer send indication information to the second network, effectively saving signaling overhead and transmission resources. In addition, by adopting this method, the second network device can directly learn that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell based on the indication information, thereby reducing the processing burden of the second network device.

[0160] (2) For an inactive terminal device, when downlink information of the terminal device arrives, if the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, how does the terminal device obtain resources for uplink transmission?

[0161] An embodiment of the present application provides a fourth solution. In this solution, after the network device determines that the inactive terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell of the network device, it sends indication information to the terminal device. The indication information is used to indicate the first resource allocated by the network device to the terminal device. The first resource includes resources for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the cell and / or resources for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the cell. With this solution, the network device indicates the first resource to the inactive terminal device, so that the terminal device can promptly implement uplink transmission based on the first resource.

[0162] The following is a detailed introduction to Schemes 1 to 4 provided in the embodiments of the present application in combination with Examples 1 to 4.

[0163] It should be noted that in the following embodiments, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is applied to Figure 1 The communication method may involve a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device may be Figure 1The RAN device 1101 in the embodiment or a communication device capable of supporting the RAN device 1101 to implement the functions required by the method, of course, can also be other communication devices, such as a chip or a chip system. The second communication device can be Figure 1 The RAN device 1102 in the embodiment or a communication device capable of supporting the RAN device 1102 to implement the functions required by the method may also be other communication devices, such as a chip or a chip system. For example, the communication method may also involve a third communication device, which may be Figure 1 The terminal device 1301 in the embodiment or a communication device capable of supporting the terminal device 1301 to implement the functions required by the method may also be other communication devices, such as a chip or a chip system.

[0164] For ease of introduction, in the following, it is taken as an example that the first communication device is RAN equipment 1101 (ie, the first network device), the second communication device is RAN equipment 1102 (ie, the second network device), and the third communication device is a terminal device.

[0165] Example 1

[0166] In the first embodiment, a possible implementation of the communication method will be described based on the above-mentioned solution one.

[0167] Figure 5 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 1 of this application, such as Figure 5 As shown, including:

[0168] Step 501: The core network device sends downlink information of the terminal device to the first network device, and the terminal device is in an inactive state.

[0169] Correspondingly, in step 502, the first network device receives downlink information from the terminal device.

[0170] Here, the first network device may be a network device that retains the context information of the terminal device, or the network device to which the terminal device was last connected, or the network device that last served the terminal device. Exemplarily, the context information of the terminal device may include at least one of the following: a cell identifier of a source primary cell, a physical cell identifier of the source primary cell, a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of the source primary cell, and a robust header compression (ROHC) status.

[0171] The downlink information of the terminal device may include downlink data (DL data) of the terminal device. In this case, the core network device may be a UPF entity. Alternatively, the downlink information of the terminal device may include signaling associated with the terminal device (DL UE-associated signaling). In this case, the core network device may be an AMF entity. Exemplarily, when the downlink information of the terminal device includes signaling associated with the terminal device, the signaling may refer to signaling other than a context release command (UE Context Release Command) of the terminal device.

[0172] In step 503, in response to receiving the downlink information, the first network device sends a first message to the second network device. The first message includes SUL capability information of the terminal device. The SUL capability information can be used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier.

[0173] In an embodiment of the present application, after receiving the downlink information, the first network device can page the terminal device within the RNA configured by the first network device for the terminal device. For example, the RNA configured by the first network device for the terminal device includes the cell a1 of the first network device and the cell b1 of the second network device, then the first network device can send a first message to the second network device. It should be noted that a network device may include one or more cells. When the network device includes multiple cells, the multiple cells may belong to the same RNA, or may also belong to different RNAs. In an embodiment of the present application, for the sake of convenience of description, for a network device, if at least one cell in the network device belongs to RNA1, the network device can be said to be located in RNA1. Therefore, when the RNA configured by the first network device for the terminal device includes the cell a1 of the first network device and the cell b1 of the second network device, it can be described as the first network device and the second network device being located in the same RNA. Among them, if a certain cell belongs to RNA1, it can also be described as the cell being located in RNA1.

[0174] The first message may be used to notify the second network device to page the terminal device, that is, the first message may be a RAN paging message. In this case, the RAN paging message may include the terminal device's identifier, the terminal device's SUL capability information, and may also include RAN paging area information, such as the RAN paging area information including the cell b1 identifier or the RAN tracking area code; wherein the terminal device's identifier may be an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI). Alternatively, the first message may be a message dedicated to carrying the terminal device's SUL capability information. In this case, the RAN paging message may include the terminal device's identifier and may also include RAN paging area information. The first network device may send the RAN paging message and the first message to the second network device.

[0175] Step 504: The second network device receives the first message and sends a second message according to the SUL capability information of the terminal device. The second message is used to page the terminal device, that is, the second message can be a paging message.

[0176] Exemplarily, taking the first message as a RAN paging message as an example, the second network device can send a paging message to the terminal device on cell b1 based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device and the uplink carrier information of cell b1. For example, if the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device (that is, the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of cell b1), the second network device can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of cell b1. If the uplink carrier information of cell b1 does not match the SUL capability information of the terminal device, it can be implemented according to the existing solution. Here, since cell b1 is the cell of the second network device, the second network device obtains the uplink carrier information of cell b1, which is an internal implementation. It can also be understood that the second network device obtains or determines the uplink carrier information of cell b1.

[0177] It should be noted here that the above description is based on the example of the second network device determining that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device, and instructing the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of cell b1. After the second network device determines that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device, the specific operation to be performed is not limited in Example 1.

[0178] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present application will describe the situation where the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, and will not limit the implementation when the terminal device does not support the SUL carrier; and will describe the situation where the cell b1 supports the SUL carrier, and will not limit the implementation when the cell b1 does not support the SUL carrier.

[0179] The following is an introduction to the SUL capability information of the terminal device.

[0180] (1) Implementation method 1

[0181] In implementation 1, the SUL capability information of the terminal device may include indication information 1, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier. In this case, if the terminal device does not support the SUL carrier, the first network device may no longer send the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the second network device. In other possible cases, indication information 1 may also be used to indicate whether the terminal device supports the SUL carrier. For example, indication information 1 includes one bit. If the value of this bit is 1, it indicates that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier. If the value of this bit is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not support the SUL carrier. In this case, regardless of whether the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, the first network device may send the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the second network device.

[0182] In this way, after receiving the SUL capability information, the second network device determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier based on indication information 1, and the second network device determines that cell b1 also supports the SUL carrier based on the uplink carrier information of cell b1. Then, the second network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device. Otherwise, for example, if cell b1 does not support the SUL carrier, the second network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 does not match the SUL capability information of the terminal device.

[0183] (2) Implementation method 2

[0184] In an example of implementation method 2, the SUL capability information may include a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, and the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands, such as n80 and n81. Optionally, the SUL capability information may also include subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by each SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list. For example, the subcarrier spacing supported by n80 includes 15kHz, and its supported bandwidths include 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz, 25MHz, and 30MHz; the subcarrier spacing supported by n80 includes 15kHz, and its supported bandwidths include 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz, 25MHz, and 30MHz; the subcarrier spacing supported by n81 includes 15kHz, and its supported bandwidths include 5MHz, 10MHz, 15MHz, 20MHz, 25MHz, and 30MHz.

[0185] In this way, after receiving the SUL capability information, if the second network device determines that the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, etc., it can be known that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier.

[0186] Furthermore, the second network device can determine whether the SUL carrier supported by cell b1 belongs to the frequency band in the SUL frequency band list based on the SUL frequency band list supported by the terminal device and the uplink carrier information of cell b1. For example, the frequency range of the SUL carrier of cell b1 is 1710MHz to 1740MHz, the SUL frequency band list includes n80 and n81, and the SUL carrier belongs to n80 (1710MHz-1785 MHz), then the second network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device. Otherwise, for example, if the SUL carrier supported by cell b1 does not belong to the frequency band in the SUL frequency band list, then the second network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 does not match the SUL capability information of the terminal device.

[0187] In another example of implementation method 2, the SUL capability information may include at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, each SUL frequency band combination including an identifier of a NUL frequency band and an identifier of a SUL frequency band associated with the NUL; for example, the SUL frequency band combinations are n41-n80. Furthermore, the SUL capability information may also include subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency bands in each SUL frequency band combination. It is understandable that the NUL-associated SUL frequency band may also be described as a SUL frequency band bound to or supported by the NUL.

[0188] In this way, after receiving the SUL capability information, if the second network device determines that the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, etc., it can be known that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier.

[0189] Furthermore, the second network device can determine whether the SUL carrier supported by the cell of the second network device belongs to the SUL frequency band in the at least one SUL frequency band combination based on the at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device. For example, the frequency range of the NUL carrier of the cell b1 of the second network device is 2510MHz to 2540MHz, the frequency range of the SUL carrier is 1710MHz to 1740MHz, and the terminal device supports a SUL frequency band combination of n41-n80. The NUL carrier of the cell b1 belongs to n41 (2496MHz to 2690MHz), and the SUL carrier of the cell b1 belongs to n80 (1710MHz-1785MHz). Then, the second network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of the cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device. Otherwise, for example, if the SUL carrier of the cell b1 does not belong to the SUL frequency band in the at least one SUL frequency band combination, the second network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of the cell b1 does not match the SUL capability information of the terminal device.

[0190] It should be noted that: (1) the above-mentioned implementation method 1 and implementation method 2 are two possible examples. In other embodiments, there may be other possible implementation methods. For example, the SUL capability information may include indication information 1 and a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, or the SUL capability information may include indication information 1 and at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device.

[0191] (2) When the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, the embodiment of the present application is described as follows: the SUL capability information may also include subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by each SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list. In other possible examples, the subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by each SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list may also be carried in other information elements of the first message. That is, in one possible implementation, the first message includes information element 1, which is used to carry the SUL capability information (including the list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, and the subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by each SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list); in another possible implementation, the first message includes information element 1 and information element 2, which is used to carry the SUL capability information (including the list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device), and information element 2 is used to carry the subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by each SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation form of the first message carrying the above information.

[0192] (3) The above describes some possible examples of the second network device determining whether the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device. Depending on the content included in the SUL capability information obtained by the second network device, there may be other possible situations, which are not listed here one by one.

[0193] Using the above method, since the first network device sends the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the second network device, the second network device can obtain the SUL capability of the terminal device, and then the second network device can determine whether the uplink carrier information of the cell of the second network device matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device. If they match, the terminal device can be instructed to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier, thereby enabling the inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier.

[0194] Example 2

[0195] In the second embodiment, a possible implementation of the communication method will be described based on the above-mentioned solution 2.

[0196] Figure 6 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 2 of this application, such as Figure 6 As shown, including:

[0197] Step 601: A first network device sends a request message to a second network device, where the request message is used to request information about a cell of the second network device.

[0198] Accordingly, in step 602, the second network device receives the request message.

[0199] For example, for a terminal device that supports the SUL carrier, after the first network device determines that RNA needs to be configured for the terminal device, it can send a request message to one or more network devices, including the second network device. In one example, the request message may include the identifiers of one or more cells; for example, if the cells of the second network device include cell b1 and cell b2, and the first network device needs to request information about cell b1, the request message may include the identifier of cell b1. The embodiments of the present application do not limit how the first network device determines which cells' information needs to be requested.

[0200] It should be noted that the above steps 601 and 602 are optional steps and can be selectively performed according to actual needs.

[0201] Step 603: The second network device sends information about the cell b1 of the second network device to the first network device.

[0202] Accordingly, in step 604 , the first network device receives information about the cell b1 of the second network device.

[0203] Here, the information of cell b1 may include uplink carrier information of cell b1, and the uplink carrier information of cell b1 may include indication information 2, where indication information 2 is used to indicate that cell b1 supports the SUL carrier. Optionally, the uplink carrier information of cell b1 may further include at least one of the following: frequency information of the SUL carrier of cell b1, bandwidth information of the SUL carrier of cell b1, subcarrier spacing information of the SUL carrier of cell b1, CG capability information of cell b1, and two-step random access capability information of cell b1.

[0204] The frequency information of the SUL carrier may be the frequency of the center frequency of the SUL carrier or the frequency number of the SUL carrier; the frequency range of the SUL carrier may be determined based on the frequency information of the SUL carrier and the bandwidth information of the SUL carrier. For example, the frequency information of the SUL carrier may be the frequency information of the first uplink bandwidth part (BWP) of the SUL carrier, and the bandwidth or subcarrier spacing of the SUL carrier refers to the bandwidth or subcarrier spacing of the first uplink BWP of the SUL carrier. The first uplink BWP may be used for a terminal device to send a small amount of data in an inactive state. The first uplink BWP may be an initial uplink BWP or another BWP.

[0205] Step 605: The first network device adds the cell b1 to the RNA of the terminal device according to the uplink carrier information of the cell b1 and the SUL capability information of the terminal device.

[0206] Exemplarily, if the first network device determines that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device (i.e., the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of cell b1), the cell b1 can be added to the RNA of the terminal device; if they do not match, the cell b1 can be excluded from the RNA of the terminal device. That is to say, if cell b1 includes a SUL carrier, when cell b1 is added to the RNA of one or more terminal devices, these one or more terminal devices all support the SUL carrier of cell b1. The first network device adding cell b1 to the RNA of the terminal device can also be described as the first network device determining that the RNA of the terminal device includes cell b1; the first network device excluding cell b1 from the RNA of the terminal device can also be described as the first network device determining that the RNA of the terminal device does not include cell b1.

[0207] In one example, the SUL capability information of the terminal device may include indication information 1, which indicates that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier. The uplink carrier information of cell b1 includes indication information 2, which is used to indicate that cell b1 supports the SUL carrier. In this case, the first network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device, and can add cell b1 to the RNA of the terminal device. Otherwise, for example, if the terminal device supports the SUL carrier but the cell b1 does not support the SUL carrier, or if the terminal device does not support the SUL carrier but the cell b1 supports the SUL carrier, it can be determined that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 does not match the SUL capability information of the terminal device, and the cell b1 can be excluded from the RNA of the terminal device.

[0208] In another example, the SUL capability information of the terminal device includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device and subcarrier spacing information and bandwidth information supported by each SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list. The uplink carrier information of cell b1 includes the frequency information of the SUL carrier of cell b1, the bandwidth information of the SUL carrier, and the subcarrier spacing information of the SUL carrier. In this case, if the first network device determines that the SUL carrier of cell b1 is located in one of the SUL frequency bands in the SUL frequency band list (such as SUL frequency band 1), the bandwidth of the SUL carrier is less than or equal to the bandwidth supported by SUL frequency band 1, and the subcarrier spacing of the SUL carrier is the subcarrier spacing supported by SUL frequency band 1, then cell b1 can be added to the RNA of the terminal device. Otherwise (for example, the SUL carrier of cell b1 is not in any SUL frequency band in the SUL frequency band list; or, the frequency of the SUL carrier is in SUL frequency band 1, but the bandwidth of the SUL carrier is greater than the bandwidth supported by SUL frequency band 1; or, the frequency of the SUL carrier is in SUL frequency band 1, the bandwidth of the SUL carrier is less than or equal to the bandwidth supported by SUL frequency band 1, but the subcarrier spacing of the SUL carrier is not the subcarrier spacing supported by SUL frequency band 1), the first network device can determine that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 and the SUL capability information of the terminal device do not match, and can exclude cell b1 from the RNA of the terminal device.

[0209] It should be noted that the above describes two examples of the first network device determining whether the uplink carrier information of cell b1 and the SUL capability information of the terminal device match. Other possible scenarios may exist and are not listed here one by one. Furthermore, the method in Example 2 for the first network device to determine whether the uplink carrier information of cell b1 and the SUL capability information of the terminal device match and the method in Example 1 for the second network device to determine whether the uplink carrier information of cell b1 and the SUL capability information of the terminal device match can refer to each other.

[0210] Step 606: The first network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal device. The RRC release message may include RNA configuration information.

[0211] For example, the RNA configured by the first network device for the terminal device includes cell a1 and cell b1, and the RNA configuration information may include an identifier of cell a1 and an identifier of cell b1.

[0212] Accordingly, in step 607, the terminal device receives the RRC release message and enters an inactive state.

[0213] Step 608: The core network device sends downlink information of the terminal device to the first network device.

[0214] Correspondingly, in step 609, the first network device receives downlink information from the terminal device.

[0215] In step 610 , the first network device pages the terminal device in the RNA of the terminal device, for example, by sending a RAN paging message to the second network device.

[0216] In step 611, the second network device receives the RAN paging message and pages the terminal device according to the RAN paging message.

[0217] Exemplarily, the RAN paging message may include the identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of cell b1. The second network device may learn from the RAN paging message that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device, and may further instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of cell b1.

[0218] It should be noted here that the above description is based on an example in which the second network device instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of cell b1 after receiving the RAN paging message. The second network device determines that the specific operation to be performed after receiving the RAN paging message (i.e., learning that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device) is not limited to this in Example 2.

[0219] Using the above method, the first network device determines whether to add the cell to the terminal device's RNA based on the uplink carrier information of the second network device's cell, and adds the cell to the terminal device's RNA when the cell's uplink carrier information matches the terminal device's SUL capability information. Furthermore, if the second network device subsequently receives a RAN paging message from the first network device, it can learn that the uplink carrier information of the second network device's cell matches the terminal device's SUL capability information, and can thus instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier, enabling an inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier.

[0220] Example 3

[0221] In the third embodiment, a possible implementation of the communication method will be described based on the third solution above.

[0222] Figure 7 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 3 of this application, such as Figure 7 As shown, including:

[0223] Step 701: A first network device sends a request message to a second network device, where the request message is used to request information about a cell (eg, cell b1) of the second network device.

[0224] Here, the first network device may obtain the SUL capability information of the terminal device. For example, before the first network device instructs the terminal device to enter an inactive state, the terminal device may report the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the first network device.

[0225] After the first network device configures an RNA for the terminal device, if it determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier, when the RNA includes cell a1 of the first network device and cell b1 of the second network device, a request message can be sent to the second network device. In one example, the request message can include the identifier of the cell; for example, if the cells of the second network device include cell b1 and cell b2, and the first network device needs to request information about cell b1, the request message can include the identifier of cell b1. The cell that the first network device needs to request in the request message sent to the second network device is the cell included in the RNA of the second network device.

[0226] Accordingly, in step 702, the second network device receives the request message.

[0227] It should be noted that the above steps 701 and 702 are optional steps and can be selectively performed according to actual needs.

[0228] Step 703: The second network device sends information about the cell b1 to the first network device. The information about the cell b1 includes uplink carrier information of the cell b1.

[0229] Accordingly, in step 704 , the first network device receives information of the cell b1 .

[0230] Step 705: The core network device sends downlink information of the terminal device to the first network device, and the terminal device is in an inactive state.

[0231] Correspondingly, in step 706, the first network device receives downlink information from the terminal device.

[0232] Here, step 705 can be executed after step 701, or can also be executed before step 701. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of each step.

[0233] In step 707 , the first network device determines whether the uplink carrier information of the cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device. If so, step 708 is executed; if not, step 710 is executed.

[0234] In step 708, the first network device sends a RAN paging message 1 to the second network device. The RAN paging message 1 includes indication information 3. Indication information 3 is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of cell b1, or that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device. Furthermore, the RAN paging message 1 may also include an identifier of the terminal device and RAN paging area information.

[0235] Step 709 : The second network device receives the RAN paging message 1 , and pages the terminal device according to the RAN paging message 1 .

[0236] Exemplarily, after receiving the RAN paging message 1 and determining that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the cell b1, the second network device may instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the cell b1.

[0237] It should be noted here that the above description is based on an example in which the second network device instructs the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of cell b1 after receiving the RAN paging message 1. The second network device determines that the specific operation performed after receiving the RAN paging message 1 (i.e., learning that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device) is not limited in Example 3.

[0238] Step 710: The first network device sends a RAN paging message 2 to the second network device. The RAN paging message 2 includes an identifier of the terminal device and RAN paging area information.

[0239] Step 711 : The second network device receives the RAN paging message 2 , and pages the terminal device according to the RAN paging message 2 .

[0240] Here, the second network device receives the RAN paging message 2 and may page the terminal device according to the existing solution.

[0241] Using the above method, after the first network device determines that the RNA configured for the terminal device includes the cell of the second network device, it can obtain the uplink carrier information of the cell of the second network device. If it is determined that the uplink carrier information of the cell matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device, it can send a RAN paging message 1 to the second network device; further, when the second network device receives the RAN paging message 1 sent by the first network device, it can be learned that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier in the cell of the second network device, and thus the terminal device can be instructed to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier, thereby enabling the inactive terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier.

[0242] Example 4

[0243] In the fourth embodiment, a possible implementation of the communication method will be described based on the fourth solution above.

[0244] Figure 8 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in Example 1 of this application, such as Figure 8 As shown, including:

[0245] Step 801: The network device determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the first cell, the terminal device is in an inactive state, and the first cell is a cell included in the network device.

[0246] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the first cell, which can also be described as the terminal device supporting the SUL carrier in the first cell.

[0247] Exemplarily, the RNA of the terminal device includes a first cell. When the network device determines that it needs to page the terminal device in the first cell, it can determine whether the terminal device supports the SUL carrier in the first cell based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device and the uplink carrier information of the first cell. If the SUL capability information of the terminal device matches the uplink carrier information of the first cell, the network device can determine that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier in the first cell; if the SUL capability information of the terminal device does not match the uplink carrier information of the first cell, the network device can determine that the terminal device does not support the SUL carrier in the first cell. There can be multiple ways for the network device to determine whether the SUL capability information of the terminal device matches the uplink carrier information of the first cell. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above-mentioned embodiments one and two.

[0248] The network device may be a first network device or a second network device. The first network device is the network device that retains the context of the terminal device, or the network device to which the terminal device was last connected, or the network device that last served the terminal device. The second network device is different from the first network device and is located within the RNA configured by the first network device for the terminal device.

[0249] There are various ways for a network device to determine that a terminal device needs to be paged in the first cell. For example, when the network device is a first network device, if the first network device receives downlink information from the terminal device from the core network device, it can determine that the terminal device needs to be paged in the first cell. When the network device is a second network device, if the second network device receives a RAN paging message from the first network device, the RAN paging message includes an identifier of the terminal device and RAN paging area information, and the RAN paging area information includes an identifier of the first cell or a RAN tracking area code corresponding to the first cell, it can determine that the terminal device needs to be paged in the first cell.

[0250] There are many ways for a network device to obtain the SUL capability information of a terminal device. For example, when the network device is a first network device, the terminal device can report the SUL capability information of the terminal device to the first network device through an RRC connection between the terminal device and the first network device; for another example, when the network device is a second network device, the second network device can obtain the SUL capability information of the terminal device from the first network device.

[0251] Step 802: The network device sends indication information 4 to the terminal device, wherein the indication information 4 may be carried in a paging message or other possible messages.

[0252] Step 803: The terminal device receives indication information 4, and uses the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell or the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the first cell for uplink transmission according to indication information 4.

[0253] In an embodiment of the present application, indication information 4 can be used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or to perform uplink transmission on the NUL. For example, the network device can use the resource usage of the SUL carrier of the first cell to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or to perform uplink transmission on the NUL. For example, if the network device determines that there are sufficient resources on the SUL carrier of the first cell for the terminal device to use, it can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier. If it is determined that there are not enough resources on the SUL carrier of the first cell for the terminal device to use, it can instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the NUL carrier. There may be multiple criteria for judging whether there are sufficient resources on the SUL carrier of the first cell for the terminal device to use, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. In this way, the network device determines whether the terminal device performs uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or performs uplink transmission on the NUL carrier, thereby making the network device more flexible in regulation. Alternatively, the indication information can be used to indicate the first resource allocated by the network device to the terminal, and the first resource includes resources for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and resources for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier. The following describes scenarios 1 to 3 respectively.

[0254] Scenario 1:

[0255] Indication information 4 is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell. Exemplarily, the network device may also send indication information 5 to the terminal device, where indication information 5 is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell. In this case, after receiving indication information 4 and indication information 5, the terminal device may use the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell for uplink transmission.

[0256] Exemplarily, there may be multiple ways for a network device to send indication information 4 and indication information 5 to a terminal device. For example, the network device sends a paging message to the terminal device, and the paging message includes indication information 4 and indication information 5. For another example, the network device sends a paging message to the terminal device, and the paging message includes indication information 4; and the network device sends a third message to the terminal device, and the third message includes indication information 5. Optionally, the paging message may further include indication information 6, and indication information 6 is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the third message. For another example, the network device sends a third message to the terminal device, and the third message includes indication information 4 and indication information 5; and the network device sends a paging message to the terminal device, and optionally, the paging message may include indication information 6, and indication information 6 is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the third message.

[0257] In one example, the network device sends a third message to the terminal device, which may mean that the network device sends a DCI for scheduling the third message to the terminal device (the DCI may also be encrypted with P-RNTI), and sends the third message on the time-frequency resources indicated by the DCI.

[0258] In the embodiment of the present application, the resources used for uplink transmission may include random access resources, or may also include configuration authorization resources, which are introduced below respectively.

[0259] (1) Resources used for uplink transmission may include random access resources.

[0260] In this case, indication information 5 may be used to indicate random access resources. The random access resources may be random access resources in a contention-based four-step or two-step random access procedure, or may be random access resources in a non-contention-based four-step or two-step random access procedure. The following description mainly uses the example of random access resources in a non-contention-based four-step or two-step random access procedure as an example for uplink transmission.

[0261] In a non-contention-based four-step random access process, random access resources may include a random access preamble and a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, and indication information 5 may be used to indicate the random access preamble and the PRACH resource. The terminal device using the random access resource for uplink transmission may mean that the terminal device sends the random access preamble on the PRACH resource.

[0262] There are multiple ways in which the indication information 5 indicates the random access preamble and the PRACH resources. In one example, the indication information 5 can indicate the random access preamble and the PRACH resources respectively. (1) For the random access preamble, the indication information 5 can include the index of the random access preamble, thereby indicating the random access preamble. (2) PRACH resources include PRACH time domain resources and PRACH frequency domain resources. For the PRACH time domain resources, the indication information 5 can include a time offset. The time offset can be understood as a time length. The unit of the time offset can be a time slot, a symbol, or a subframe, etc.; or, it can also be other possible time units, which are not specifically limited. The reference position corresponding to the time offset can be the end position of the time domain resource carrying message 1, or it can be the end position of the time domain resource carrying the DCI used to schedule message 1. When the indication information 5 is carried in a paging message, message 1 can refer to the paging message; when the indication information 5 is carried in a third message, message 1 can refer to the third message. See Figure 9As shown, the time offset is 1 time slot, and the reference position is the end position of the time domain resource carrying the paging message, that is, the reference position is the end position of time slot 0. According to the reference position and the time offset, it can be obtained that the PRACH time domain resource is located in time slot 2. For the PRACH frequency domain resource, there can be multiple specific indication methods, which are not limited to this.

[0263] It should be noted that the above is an example in which the indication information 5 includes the time offset. In other possible examples, the time offset may also be pre-defined by the protocol. In this case, the indication information 5 may no longer include the time offset.

[0264] In another example, the indication information 5 may include an index of a random access resource. For example, the network device may broadcast multiple sets of candidate random access resources and an index of each set of candidate random access resources via a system message. Upon receiving the indication information 5, the terminal device may determine a random access resource from the multiple sets of candidate random access resources based on the index included in the indication information 5. For example, the index of the random access resource may be an index of a random access preamble.

[0265] In a non-contention-based two-step random access process, random access resources may include a random access preamble, PRACH resources, and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources. In this case, the terminal device uses random access resources for uplink transmission, which may mean that the terminal device sends a random access preamble on the PRACH resources and sends uplink signaling (such as an RRC recovery request message) on the PUSCH resources.

[0266] The manner in which indication information 5 indicates random access resources can be described above. Optionally, indication information 5 can also indicate PUSCH time domain resources by indicating a time offset, for details, see the description of indication information 5 indicating PRACH time domain resources above.

[0267] (2) Resources used for uplink transmission include configuration authorization resources.

[0268] In one example, indication information 5 may indicate configuration of authorized time domain resources and configuration of authorized frequency domain resources. For example, indication information 5 may also indicate configuration of authorized time domain resources by indicating a time offset. For details, see the description of indication information 5 indicating PRACH time domain resources above.

[0269] In another example, the indication information 5 may include an index of the configuration authorization resource. For example, the network device may broadcast multiple sets of candidate configuration authorization resources and an index of each set of configuration authorization resources via a system message. After receiving the indication information 5, the terminal device may determine the configuration authorization resource from the multiple sets of candidate configuration authorization resources based on the index included in the indication information 5.

[0270] It is understandable that the subcarrier spacing of the configured authorized resources on the SUL carrier (or NUL carrier) allocated by the network device to the terminal device is the subcarrier spacing supported by the terminal device on the SUL carrier (or NUL carrier). The configured authorized resources may be resources dedicated to the terminal device.

[0271] Scenario 2:

[0272] Indication information 4 is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the first cell. Exemplarily, the network device may also send indication information 5 to the terminal device, where indication information 5 is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the first cell. In this case, after receiving indication information 4 and indication information 5, the terminal device may use the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the first cell for uplink transmission.

[0273] Scenario 3:

[0274] The indication information 4 is used to indicate the first resources allocated by the network device to the terminal. The first resources may include resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell and resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the first cell.

[0275] In this case, after receiving indication information 4, the terminal device can determine whether to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell or on the NUL carrier of the first cell based on the downlink measurement value. For example, if the downlink measurement value is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the terminal device can perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier of the first cell; otherwise, the terminal device can perform uplink transmission on the NUL carrier of the first cell.

[0276] Among them, the downlink measurement value can be a measurement value in the downlink direction between the terminal device and the network device; the terminal device can obtain the downlink measurement value through downlink measurement. The downlink measurement value may include one or more of reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), or reference signal signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Accordingly, the preset threshold may include a threshold corresponding to one or more of RSRP, RSRQ, or SINR. For example, when the downlink measurement value includes RSRP, the terminal device may compare RSRP with the threshold corresponding to RSRP; when the downlink measurement value includes RSRQ, the terminal device may compare RSRQ with the threshold corresponding to RSRQ; when the downlink measurement value includes SINR, the terminal device may compare SINR with the threshold corresponding to SINR. For example, the downlink measurement value includes RSRP and RSRQ. When RSRP is less than or equal to the threshold corresponding to RSRP, and RSRQ is less than or equal to the threshold corresponding to RSRQ, the terminal device can determine that the downlink measurement value is less than or equal to the preset threshold.

[0277] In the above scenario 3, the terminal device can determine whether to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier or the NUL carrier based on the downlink measurement value. Since the size of the downlink measurement value can reflect the distance between the terminal device and the network device, for example, if the downlink measurement value is small, it means that the distance between the terminal device and the network device is far, and the terminal device may not be within the coverage range of the NUL carrier. Therefore, the terminal device can perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier to ensure that the uplink transmission can reach the network device in time; for example, if the downlink measurement value is large, it means that the distance between the terminal device and the network device is close, and the terminal device is within the coverage range of the NUL carrier. Therefore, the terminal device can perform uplink transmission on the NUL carrier.

[0278] By adopting the above method, on the one hand, after the network device determines that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier of the first cell, it can allocate resources for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier to the terminal device, thereby facilitating the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the SUL carrier. On the other hand, taking the resources for uplink transmission as random access resources as an example, in the current scheme, there may be multiple events that trigger the random access process, such as the arrival of downlink data in an inactive state. Under normal circumstances, when the event that triggers the random access process is the arrival of downlink information in an inactive state, the terminal device initiates random access using a contention-based random access process. In the embodiment of the present application, the network device indicates random access resources to the terminal device, so that when the event that triggers the random access process is the arrival of downlink information in an inactive state, the terminal device can initiate random access using a non-contention-based random access process, thereby shortening the time for the terminal device to access the network device and enabling the network device to send downlink information to the terminal device in a timely manner.

[0279] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4, it should be noted that:

[0280] (1) The above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 4 can be implemented separately or in combination. For example, embodiment 1, embodiment 2, and embodiment 3 can all be implemented in combination with embodiment 4.

[0281] For example, if embodiment one is implemented in combination with embodiment four, then in step 504 of embodiment one, after the second network device determines, based on the first message, that the uplink carrier information of cell b1 matches the SUL capability information of the terminal device, it can adopt the solution in embodiment four, that is, execute step 802 and send indication information 4 to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device can execute step 803.

[0282] For another example, if the second embodiment is implemented in combination with the fourth embodiment, then in step 611 of the second embodiment, after receiving the RAN paging message, the second network device may adopt the solution in the fourth embodiment, that is, execute step 802 to send indication information 4 to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device may execute step 803.

[0283] For another example, if the third embodiment is implemented in combination with the fourth embodiment, then in step 709 of the third embodiment, after the second network device receives the RAN paging message 1, it can adopt the solution in the fourth embodiment, that is, execute step 802 to send indication information 4 to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device can execute step 803.

[0284] (2) The above description focuses on the differences between the different embodiments in Example 1 to Example 4. Except for the other contents of the differences, Example 1 to Example 4 can refer to each other. For example, in Example 3 and Example 4, the implementation of the matching of the uplink carrier information of the relevant cell and the SUL capability information of the terminal device can refer to Example 1 and Example 2. Furthermore, the contents of different implementation methods or different situations in each embodiment can also refer to each other. For example, in Scenario 2 of Example 4, the way in which the network device terminal device sends indication information 4 and indication information 5 can refer to the description of Scenario 1.

[0285] (3) The various flow charts described in Examples 1 to 4 (e.g. Figures 5 to 8 The step numbers in the flowcharts are merely examples of the execution process and do not limit the order in which the steps are executed. In the embodiments of the present application, there is no strict order in which steps that do not have a temporal dependency on each other are executed. Furthermore, not all steps shown in the flowcharts are mandatory, and steps may be added or deleted based on actual needs.

[0286] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between the network device and the terminal device. It is understandable that in order to implement the above functions, the network device or the terminal device may include a hardware structure and / or software module that performs the corresponding functions. Those skilled in the art should easily appreciate that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software driven hardware manner 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.

[0287] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device and the network device can be divided into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0288] In the case of an integrated unit, Figure 10 FIG. 1 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the device involved in the embodiments of the present application. Figure 10As shown, apparatus 1000 may include a processing unit 1002 and a communication unit 1003. Processing unit 1002 is used to control and manage the operations of apparatus 1000. Communication unit 1003 is used to support communication between apparatus 1000 and other devices. Optionally, communication unit 1003 is also referred to as a transceiver unit and may include a receiving unit and / or a transmitting unit, each configured to perform receiving and transmitting operations. Apparatus 1000 may also include a storage unit 1001 for storing program code and / or data of apparatus 1000.

[0289] The apparatus 1000 may be a terminal device in any of the above embodiments, or may be a chip provided in the terminal device. The processing unit 1002 may support the apparatus 1000 in executing the actions of the terminal device in each of the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 1002 mainly executes the internal actions of the terminal device in the method examples, and the communication unit 1003 may support the communication between the apparatus 1000 and the network device. For example, the communication unit 1003 may be used to execute Figure 6 Step 607, Figure 8 Step 803 in .

[0290] Specifically, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1002 is used to release the RRC connection between the first network device and enter an inactive state; the communication unit 1003 is used to receive a second message from the second network device, and the second message is used to page the terminal device; wherein the second message is sent based on the first message from the first network device, and the first message includes SUL capability information of the terminal device, and the SUL capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier; the first network device and the second network device are located in the RAN notification area of ​​the terminal device.

[0291] In one possible design, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on the first carrier; the processing unit 1002 is also used to determine the resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier; the communication unit 1003 is also used to use the resources for uplink transmission; wherein the first carrier is a SUL carrier or a NUL carrier.

[0292] In one possible design, the communication unit 1003 is also used to receive second indication information from the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate resources for uplink transmission on the first carrier; the processing unit 1002 is specifically used to determine resources based on the second indication information.

[0293] In one possible design, the second message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and the resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier; the processing unit 1002 is also used to obtain a downlink measurement value, which is a measurement value in the downlink direction between the terminal device and the second network device; the communication unit 1003 is also used to use the resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier for uplink transmission if the downlink measurement value is less than a preset threshold.

[0294] The apparatus 1000 may be the first network device in any of the above embodiments, or may be a chip provided in the first network device. The processing unit 1002 may support the apparatus 1000 in executing the actions of the first network device in each of the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 1002 mainly executes the internal actions of the first network device in the method example, and the communication unit 1003 may support the communication between the apparatus 1000 and other devices. For example, the communication unit 1003 may be used to execute Figure 5 Step 502, step 503, Figure 6 Step 601, step 604, step 606, step 609, step 610, Figure 7 Steps 701, 706, 708, and 710 in Figure 8 Step 802 in the processing unit 1002 is used to perform Figure 6 Step 605, Figure 7 Step 707, Figure 8 Step 801 in .

[0295] Specifically, in one embodiment, the communication unit 1003 is used to receive downlink data of the terminal device from the core network device; and to send a first message to the second network device, the first message including supplementary uplink SUL capability information of the terminal device, the SUL capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier; wherein the first network device and the second network device are located in the radio access network RAN ​​notification area of ​​the terminal device.

[0296] In one possible design, the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, where the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, the SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, where each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a NUL-associated SUL frequency band.

[0297] In one possible design, the first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

[0298] The apparatus 1000 may be the second network device in any of the above embodiments, or may be a chip provided in the second network device. The processing unit 1002 may support the apparatus 1000 in executing the actions of the second network device in each of the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 1002 mainly executes the internal actions of the second network device in the method examples, and the communication unit 1003 may support the communication between the apparatus 1000 and other devices. For example, the communication unit 1003 may be used to execute Figure 5 Step 504, Figure 6 Step 603, step 611, Figure 7 Steps 702, 703, 709, and 711 in Figure 8 Step 802 in the processing unit 1002 is used to perform Figure 8 Step 801 in .

[0299] Specifically, in one embodiment, the communication unit 1003 is used to receive a first message from a first network device, the first message including SUL capability information of the terminal device, the SUL capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier; and to send a second message based on the SUL capability information of the terminal device, the second message being used to page the terminal device; wherein the first network device and the second network device are located in a radio access network RAN ​​notification area of ​​the terminal device.

[0300] In one possible design, the SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, where the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, the SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, where each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a SUL frequency band supported by the NUL.

[0301] In one possible design, the first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

[0302] In one possible design, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier; wherein the first carrier is a SUL carrier or a NUL carrier.

[0303] In one possible design, the second message also includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0304] In one possible design, the communication unit 1003 is further used to send a third message to the terminal device, where the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the first carrier.

[0305] In one possible design, the second message also includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the third message.

[0306] In one possible design, the second message includes fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier and resources used for uplink transmission on the NUL carrier.

[0307] In one possible design, the resources used for uplink transmission include any of the following: random access resources, the random access resources including a random access preamble, or the random access resources including a random access preamble and a PUSCH resource; and configuration authorization resources.

[0308] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Moreover, the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software called through processing elements; or they can all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units can be implemented in the form of software called through processing elements, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or it can be integrated into a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program, called by a certain processing element of the device and perform the function of the unit. In addition, all or part of these units can be integrated together, or they can be implemented independently. The processing element described here can also be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each unit above can be implemented by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor element or in the form of software called through the processing element.

[0309] In one example, the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital singnal processors (DSPs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. For another example, when the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor that can call a program. For another example, these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0310] The above-mentioned receiving unit is an interface circuit of the device, which is used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the receiving unit is the interface circuit of the chip used to receive signals from other chips or devices. The above-mentioned sending unit is an interface circuit of the device, which is used to send signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the sending unit is the interface circuit of the chip used to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0311] Please refer to Figure 11 , which is a structural diagram of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application. It can be the terminal device in the above embodiment, used to implement the operations of the terminal device in the above embodiment. Figure 11 As shown, the terminal device includes an antenna 1110, a radio frequency (RF) section 1120, and a signal processing section 1130. Antenna 1110 is connected to RF section 1120. In the downlink direction, RF section 1120 receives information sent by a network device via antenna 1110 and sends the information to signal processing section 1130 for processing. In the uplink direction, signal processing section 1130 processes the terminal device information and sends it to RF section 1120. RF section 1120 then processes the terminal device information and sends it to the network device via antenna 1110.

[0312] The signal processing unit 1130 may include a modem subsystem for processing data at various communication protocol layers; a central processing unit for processing the terminal device's operating system and application layers; and other subsystems, such as a multimedia subsystem for controlling the terminal device's camera and screen display, and a peripheral subsystem for connecting to other devices. The modem subsystem may be a separate chip.

[0313] The modem subsystem may include one or more processing elements 1131, such as a main control CPU and other integrated circuits. Furthermore, the modem subsystem may include a storage element 1132 and an interface circuit 1133. Storage element 1132 is used to store data and programs. However, the program used to execute the method performed by the terminal device in the above method may not be stored in storage element 1132 but rather in a memory external to the modem subsystem, and loaded by the modem subsystem when in use. Interface circuit 1133 is used to communicate with other subsystems.

[0314] The modem subsystem can be implemented using a chip comprising at least one processing element and an interface circuit, wherein the processing element is configured to execute each step of any of the methods performed by the terminal device described above, and the interface circuit is configured to communicate with other devices. In one implementation, the unit for implementing each step of the method described above can be implemented as a processing element scheduler. For example, the terminal device may include a processing element and a storage element, with the processing element invoking a program stored in the storage element to execute the method performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The storage element can be a storage element located on the same chip as the processing element, i.e., an on-chip storage element.

[0315] In another implementation, the program for executing the method executed by the terminal device in the above method can be stored in a memory element on a different chip from the processing element, i.e., an off-chip memory element. In this case, the processing element calls or loads the program from the off-chip memory element to the on-chip memory element to call and execute the method executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0316] In another implementation, the unit of the terminal device that implements each step of the above method may be configured as one or more processing elements, which are provided in the modem subsystem. The processing elements here may be integrated circuits, such as one or more ASICs, one or more DSPs, one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be integrated together to form a chip.

[0317] The units that implement the various steps of the above method in the terminal device can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a SOC chip, which is used to implement the above method. The chip can integrate at least one processing element and a storage element, and the method performed by the terminal device can be implemented by the processing element calling the program stored in the storage element; alternatively, the chip can integrate at least one integrated circuit to implement the method performed by the terminal device; alternatively, the above implementation methods can be combined, with the functions of some units being implemented by the processing element calling the program, and the functions of some units being implemented by the integrated circuit.

[0318] As can be seen, the above-mentioned apparatus for a terminal device may include at least one processing element and an interface circuit, wherein the at least one processing element is used to execute any of the methods provided in the above method embodiments. The processing element may execute some or all of the steps executed by the terminal device in a first manner: by calling a program stored in a storage element; or in a second manner: by executing some or all of the steps executed by the terminal device through the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor element in combination with instructions. Of course, the first and second manners may also be combined to execute some or all of the steps executed by the terminal device.

[0319] The processing element here is the same as described above and can be implemented by a processor. The function of the processing element can be Figure 10 The processing unit described in the preceding claims has the same function. For example, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more microprocessors DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. The storage element may be implemented by a memory, and the function of the storage element may be the same as Figure 10 The function of the storage unit described in the above is the same. The storage element can be realized by a memory, and the function of the storage element can be the same as Figure 10 The storage element can be a single memory or a collective term for multiple memories.

[0320] Figure 11 The terminal equipment shown is capable of Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 The illustrated method embodiment involves various processes of a terminal device. Figure 11 The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the terminal device shown are for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0321] Please refer to Figure 12 , which is a structural diagram of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. It is used to implement the operation of the network device in the above embodiment (such as the first network device or the second network device in embodiment 1 to embodiment 4). Figure 12 As shown, the network device includes an antenna 1201, a radio frequency device 1202, and a baseband device 1203. Antenna 1201 is connected to radio frequency device 1202. In the uplink direction, radio frequency device 1202 receives information sent by terminal devices via antenna 1201 and sends the information to baseband device 1203 for processing. In the downlink direction, baseband device 1203 processes the information from the terminal devices and sends it to radio frequency device 1202. Radio frequency device 1202 then processes the information and sends it to the terminal devices via antenna 1201.

[0322] The baseband device 1203 may include one or more processing elements 12031, such as a main control CPU and other integrated circuits. Furthermore, the baseband device 1203 may also include a storage element 12032 and an interface 12033. The storage element 12032 is used to store programs and data; the interface 12033 is used to exchange information with the radio frequency device 1202. The interface 12033 may be, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI). The above-mentioned apparatus for a network device may be located in the baseband device 1203. For example, the above-mentioned apparatus for a network device may be a chip on the baseband device 1203, the chip including at least one processing element and an interface circuit, wherein the processing element is used to execute each step of any of the methods performed by the above-mentioned network device, and the interface circuit is used to communicate with other devices. In one implementation, the unit for implementing each step of the above-mentioned method in the network device may be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the apparatus for a network device includes a processing element and a storage element, and the processing element calls a program stored in the storage element to execute the method performed by the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The storage element may be a storage element on the same chip as the processing element, ie, an on-chip storage element, or a storage element on a different chip from the processing element, ie, an off-chip storage element.

[0323] In another implementation, the unit of the network device that implements each step of the above method may be configured as one or more processing elements, which are provided on the baseband device. The processing elements here may be integrated circuits, such as one or more ASICs, one or more DSPs, one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be integrated together to form a chip.

[0324] The units implementing the various steps of the above method in the network device can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC). For example, the baseband device includes the SOC chip to implement the above method. The chip can integrate at least one processing element and a storage element, and the processing element can call the program stored in the storage element to implement the above method performed by the network device; alternatively, the chip can integrate at least one integrated circuit to implement the above method performed by the network device; or, a combination of the above implementation methods can be used, with the functions of some units implemented by the processing element calling the program, and the functions of some units implemented by the integrated circuit.

[0325] As can be seen, the above-mentioned apparatus for a network device may include at least one processing element and an interface circuit, wherein the at least one processing element is used to execute any of the methods performed by the network device provided in the above method embodiments. The processing element may execute some or all of the steps performed by the network device in a first manner: by calling a program stored in a storage element; or in a second manner: by executing some or all of the steps performed by the network device through the hardware integrated logic circuit in the processor element in combination with instructions. Of course, the first and second manners may also be combined to execute some or all of the steps performed by the above-mentioned network device.

[0326] The processing element here is the same as described above and can be implemented by a processor. The function of the processing element can be Figure 10 The processing unit described in the preceding claims has the same function. For example, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more microprocessors DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. The storage element may be implemented by a memory, and the function of the storage element may be the same as Figure 10 The function of the storage unit described in the above is the same. The storage element can be realized by a memory, and the function of the storage element can be the same as Figure 10 The storage element can be a single memory or a collective term for multiple memories.

[0327] Figure 12 The network equipment shown is capable of Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 The illustrated method embodiment involves various processes of a network device. Figure 12The operations and / or functions of the modules in the network device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0328] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0329] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0330] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0331] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0332] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first network device or a chip in the first network device, and the method includes: Receive downlink data from the terminal device from the core network device; Sending a first message to the second network device, where the first message includes supplementary uplink (SUL) capability information of the terminal device, where the SUL capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports a SUL carrier; The SUL capability information is further used to trigger the second network device to send a second message, where the second message is used to page the terminal device, and the second message includes first indication information or fourth indication information; the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier, where the first carrier is a SUL carrier, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier; The first network device and the second network device are located in a radio access network RAN ​​notification area of ​​the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, and the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, The SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a SUL frequency band associated with the NUL.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

4. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a second network device or a chip in the second network device, and the method includes: receiving a first message from a first network device, where the first message includes SUL capability information of a terminal device, where the SUL capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports a SUL carrier; sending a second message according to the SUL capability information of the terminal device, where the second message is used to page the terminal device; The second message includes first indication information or fourth indication information, the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier, the first carrier is a SUL carrier, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier; The first network device and the second network device are located in a radio access network RAN ​​notification area of ​​the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The SUL capability information includes a list of SUL frequency bands supported by the terminal device, and the SUL frequency band list includes identifiers of one or more SUL frequency bands; or, The SUL capability information includes at least one SUL frequency band combination supported by the terminal device, and each SUL frequency band combination includes an identifier of a normal uplink NUL frequency band and an identifier of a SUL frequency band supported by the NUL.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first message also includes: bandwidth information supported by the SUL frequency band; and / or subcarrier spacing supported by the SUL frequency band.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The second message further includes second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate resources on the first carrier used for the uplink transmission.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: A third message is sent to the terminal device, where the third message includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the resources on the first carrier used for the uplink transmission.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The second message also includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the third message.

10. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The fourth indication information is further used to indicate resources on the NUL carrier used for the uplink transmission.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that The resources used for the uplink transmission include any one of the following: Random access resources, the random access resources including a random access preamble, or the random access resources including the random access preamble and a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource; Configure authorization resources.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device, and the method includes: Release the radio resource control RRC connection with the first network device and enter an inactive state; receiving a second message from a second network device, where the second message is used to page the terminal device; The second message is sent according to the first message from the first network device, the first message includes the SUL capability information of the terminal device, and the SUL capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the SUL carrier; The second message includes first indication information or fourth indication information, the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to perform uplink transmission on a first carrier, the first carrier is a SUL carrier, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate resources used for uplink transmission on the SUL carrier; The first network device and the second network device are located in a RAN notification area of ​​the terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that In a case where the second message includes the first indication information, the method further includes: determining resources on the first carrier for the uplink transmission; The uplink transmission is performed using the resource.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that Determining resources on the first carrier for the uplink transmission includes: receiving second indication information from the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate resources on the first carrier for the uplink transmission; Determine the resource according to the second indication information.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The fourth indication information is further used to indicate resources on the NUL carrier for the uplink transmission; In a case where the second message includes the fourth indication information, the method further includes: Obtain a downlink measurement value, where the downlink measurement value is a measurement value in the downlink direction between the terminal device and the second network device; If the downlink measurement value is less than a preset threshold, uplink transmission is performed using the resources on the SUL carrier used for the uplink transmission.

16. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises means for performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: The system comprises at least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor configured to call a program stored in a memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The device comprises a program, and when the program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is executed.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is performed.

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