A communication method, device and system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, apparatus and system, including: receiving indication information from an SMF network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of a first terminal device arrives at the core network side; when the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending eDRX parameters to a first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area TA list of the first terminal device. In the embodiments of the present invention, when the downlink data of the terminal device arrives at the core network side and the period of eDRX of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, eDRX parameters are sent to the access network device according to the capability information of the terminal device and the access network device, which can ensure that the access network device can determine the correct paging opportunity, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, device, and system. Background Art

[0002] The Internet of Things (IoT) in the 5th generation (5G) communication system introduces reduced capability new radio (REDCAP), which is mainly applied to three application scenarios: video surveillance, industrial sensor networks, and wearable devices. To reduce the power consumption of IoT terminal devices, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mechanism in the 4th generation (4G) IoT can be introduced into REDCAP.

[0003] In 4G IoT, eDRX supports a paging time window (PTW). However, since the eDRX period of REDCAP is smaller than that of 4G IoT, in order to reduce the complexity of terminal devices, eDRX does not support PTW. Therefore, in the case where the 5G core network supports both 4G and 5G accesses, how to ensure the correct paging of terminal devices has become a technical problem to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, device, and system for ensuring the normal paging of terminal devices.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is disclosed. The communication method can be applied to an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, or can be applied to a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF network element. Hereinafter, an example of applying it to the AMF network element will be described. The communication method may include: receiving indication information from a session management function (SMF) network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of a first terminal device arrives at the core network side; when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending eDRX parameters to a first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of a first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in a tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data of a terminal device in the idle state arrives at the core network side, the AMF network element may first determine whether the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the eDRX parameters may be sent to the access network device in the TA list of the terminal device according to the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device in the TA list of the terminal device. Considering the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device, it can be ensured that the eDRX parameters sent to the access network device are appropriate eDRX parameters, and then it can be ensured that the access network device can determine the correct paging opportunity according to the received eDRX parameters, so that the access network device can page the terminal device within the paging opportunity, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0007] As a possible implementation manner, the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a radio access type (RAT) for accessing the access network device, and the capability information of the first access network device includes information of a first RAT for the terminal device to access the first access network device. The type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; the sending the eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device includes: when the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, sending first eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters; when the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, sending second eDRX parameters to the first access network device, and the second eDRX parameters do not include PTW parameters.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data arrives at a terminal device in the idle state, the AMF network element may first determine whether the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device's supported first type of RAT and second type of RAT may be determined according to the terminal device's capability information. When the access network device within the TA area of the terminal device supports the first type of RAT, the eDRX parameter including the PTW parameter may be sent to the access network device. When the access network device within the TA area of the terminal device supports the second type of RAT, the eDRX parameter not including the PTW parameter may be sent to the access network device. It can be seen that when downlink data arrives at a terminal device in the idle state, the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element may send different eDRX parameters to the access network devices supporting different types of RAT according to the RAT types corresponding to all the access network devices within the TA area of the terminal device, so that the access network device can determine the correct paging opportunity according to the received eDRX parameter, and then can page the terminal device within the paging opportunity, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0009] As a possible implementation manner, the communication method may further include: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device; when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, sending the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element may obtain the capability information of the terminal device, and may determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device. Furthermore, it can be ensured that during the negotiation process of the eDRX parameter of the terminal device by the AMF network element, when the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the type of RAT currently used by the terminal device may be ignored, and the eDRX parameter including the PTW parameter may be directly configured for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine whether to use the PTW parameter included in the eDRX parameter to determine the paging opportunity according to the configured parameter and the type of RAT currently used. It can be ensured that regardless of whether the type of RAT used by the terminal device is the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the terminal device can determine the correct paging opportunity, and then can wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging opportunity, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0011] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can directly receive the capability information from the terminal device, enabling the AMF network element to correctly send down paging parameters based on the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device, ensuring energy conservation of the terminal device while ensuring that the terminal device can be correctly paged.

[0013] As a possible implementation, the receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the characteristic that the access network device can parse the wireless capability information of the terminal device, the AMF network element can indirectly receive the capability information from the terminal device from the access network device side, enabling the AMF network element to correctly send down paging parameters according to the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device, ensuring energy conservation of the terminal device while ensuring that it can be correctly paged.

[0015] In a second aspect, a communication method is disclosed. The communication method can be applied to an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. Hereinafter, an example of applying it to the AMF network element will be described. The method may include: receiving the capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, and the type information includes the information of a first type of RAT and the information of a second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, determine that the terminal device supports a first type of RAT and a second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, and further ensure that when the period of the eDRX of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold during the negotiation of the eDRX parameters of the terminal device, the AMF network element can directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type to which the RAT currently used by the terminal device belongs, so that the terminal device can determine whether to use the PTW parameters included in the eDRX parameters to determine the paging occasion according to the configured eDRX parameters and the type to which the RAT currently used belongs, which can ensure that regardless of whether the type to which the RAT used by the terminal device belongs is the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the terminal device can determine the correct paging occasion, and further wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging occasion, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0017] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can directly receive the capability information from the terminal device, enabling the AMF network element to perform complete eDRX parameter distribution according to the capability information of the terminal device, ensuring that when the terminal device undergoes an idle state handover, there is no need to negotiate the eDRX parameters with the core network again, and directly using the eDRX parameters corresponding to the RAT of the currently attached cell, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device at the same time.

[0019] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is attached when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the characteristic that the access network device can analyze the wireless capability information of the terminal device, the AMF network element can indirectly receive the capability information from the terminal device from the access network device side, enabling the AMF network element to perform complete eDRX parameter distribution according to the capability information of the terminal device, ensuring that when the terminal device undergoes an idle state handover, there is no need to negotiate the eDRX parameters with the core network again, and directly using the eDRX parameters corresponding to the RAT of the currently attached cell, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device at the same time.

[0021] As a possible implementation manner, the communication method may further include: receiving indication information from a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; and sending the first eDRX parameter to each access network device in a Tracking Area (TA) list corresponding to the first terminal device respectively.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data arrives at a terminal device in an idle state, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element may determine whether the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and may determine whether the terminal device supports a first Radio Access Technology (RAT) and a second RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first RAT and the second RAT, the AMF network element may ignore the type of the RAT currently used by the access network device, and may directly send the same eDRX parameter including the PTW parameter to all access network devices in the TA area of the terminal device, so that the access network device may determine whether to use the PTW parameter included in the eDRX parameter to determine the paging occasion according to the received eDRX parameter and the type of the RAT currently used (i.e., its own capability), which can ensure that regardless of whether the type of the RAT used by the access network device is the first RAT or the second RAT, the access network device can determine the correct paging occasion, and then can page the terminal device within the paging occasion, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0023] A third aspect discloses a communication method, which may be applied to a first terminal device or a module (such as a chip) in the first terminal device. The following describes it by taking the application to the first terminal device as an example. The communication method may include: sending capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, and the type information includes information of a first RAT and information of a second RAT, where the eDRX corresponding to the first RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second RAT does not support PTW; receiving a first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter; and when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first RAT, and the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining a PO according to the first eDRX parameter.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device may send the capability information of the terminal device to an AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can determine that the terminal device supports a first type of RAT and a second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device. Furthermore, it can be ensured that during the process of negotiating the eDRX parameters of the terminal device by the AMF network element, when the period of the eDRX of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the AMF network element can directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type to which the RAT currently used by the terminal device belongs. After receiving the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters, the terminal device may first determine whether the currently used RAT belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When it is determined that the currently used RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, the paging occasion may be determined according to the eDRX parameters, that is, the PTW may be determined according to the PTW parameters, and then the paging occasion may be determined according to the PTW, which can ensure that the terminal device can determine the correct paging occasion, and further wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging occasion, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0025] As a possible implementation manner, the communication method may further include: when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, but the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT, determining a PO according to the parameters other than the PTW parameter in the first eDRX parameter.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device may send the capability information of the terminal device to an AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can determine that the terminal device supports a first type of RAT and a second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device. Furthermore, it can be ensured that during the process of negotiating the eDRX parameters of the terminal device by the AMF network element, when the period of the eDRX of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the AMF network element can directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type to which the RAT currently used by the terminal device belongs. After receiving the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters, the terminal device may first determine whether the currently used RAT belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When it is determined that the currently used RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, the paging occasion may be determined according to the parameters other than the PTW parameter in the eDRX parameters, that is, there is no need to determine the PTW, which can ensure that the terminal device can determine the correct paging occasion, and further wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging occasion, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0027] A fourth aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. The following description is given by taking the application to the AMF network element as an example. The communication method may include: receiving capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of an access technology type RAT for accessing an access network device, the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the enhanced discontinuous reception eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports a paging time window PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; sending first information to the first terminal device, where the first information includes information of a first tracking area TA list, the first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, can determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device, and then can allocate a first TA list for the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), and then can send the information of the first TA list to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device performs cell reselection, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list.

[0029] As a possible implementation manner, the AMF network element sending the first information to the first terminal device includes: when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending the first information to the first terminal device.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, can determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device, can determine whether the period of the eDRX of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and when it is determined that the period of the eDRX of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a first TA list can be allocated for the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), and then the information of the first TA list can be sent to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device performs cell reselection, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list.

[0031] As a possible implementation manner, the AMF network element receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can directly receive the capability information from the terminal device, thereby determining that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and allocating a first TA list for the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), so that when the terminal device performs cell reselection, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list, thereby triggering a mobile registration update process to re-negotiate and determine the eDRX parameters.

[0033] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the characteristic that the access network device can parse the wireless capability information of the terminal device, the AMF network element can indirectly receive the capability information from the terminal device from the access network device side, thereby determining that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and allocating a first TA list for the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), so that when the terminal device performs cell reselection, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list, thereby triggering a mobile registration update process to re-negotiate and determine the eDRX parameters.

[0035] As a possible implementation manner, the sending the first information to the first terminal device includes: sending the first information and the third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device; the communication method may further include: receiving a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, where the mobile registration update request is used to indicate that the first terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; sending the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device, where the second information includes information about a second TA list, and the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter; when the third eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, determine that the terminal device supports a first type of RAT and a second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, and then determine whether the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a first TA list and an eDRX parameter can be allocated to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device). Then, the information of the first TA list and this eDRX parameter can be sent to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device is in the area corresponding to the first TA list, this eDRX parameter can be used to determine the paging occasion. When the terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, the AMF network element can re-allocate a second TA list and another eDRX parameter to the terminal device, and then send the information of the second TA list and another eDRX parameter to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device is in the area corresponding to the second TA list, this other eDRX parameter can be used to determine the paging occasion. It can be seen that in order to avoid conflicts in the eDRX parameters supported by the idle terminal device due to cell reselection, when configuring the TA list, it is considered whether the terminal device supports the multi-RAT capability and the eDRX period of the terminal device, and different TA lists are allocated to it within different types of RATs, ensuring that when the idle terminal device performs cell reselection across different types of RATs, the mobility registration update process will be triggered, so that the core network can perceive the change in the RAT used by the terminal device, and thus configure the eDRX parameter corresponding to the RAT type, which can ensure the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0037] A fifth aspect discloses a communication method. The communication method can be applied to a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the first terminal device. The following describes it by taking the application to the first terminal device as an example. The communication method may include: sending the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, and the type information includes the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; receiving the first information from the AMF network element, where the first information includes the information of the first TA list, and the first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device may send its own capability information to the access network device, so that the AMF network element can determine that the terminal device supports a first type of RAT and a second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device. Then, a first TA list may be allocated to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device). After receiving the information of the first TA list from the AMF network element, when cell reselection occurs, the terminal device may determine whether it has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list.

[0039] As a possible implementation manner, the sending the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element includes: sending the radio capability information of the first terminal device to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when sending the radio capability information.

[0040] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving the first information from the AMF network element includes: receiving the first information and a third eDRX parameter from the AMF network element; the communication method may further include: when the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, sending a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element, where the mobile registration update request is used to indicate that the first terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; receiving a second information and a fourth eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, where the second information includes information of a second TA list, and the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device may send its own capability information to the access network device, so that the AMF network element can determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the terminal device. Then, it can be determined whether the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a first TA list and an eDRX parameter may be allocated to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (i.e., the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device). After receiving the information of the first TA list and this eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the terminal device can use this eDRX parameter to determine the paging occasion within the area corresponding to the first TA list. When the terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, it may send a mobility registration update request to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can re-allocate a second TA list and another eDRX parameter for the terminal device. After receiving the information of the second TA list and another eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the terminal device can use this another eDRX parameter to determine the paging occasion within the area corresponding to the second TA list. It can be seen that in order to avoid conflicts in the eDRX parameters supported by the idle terminal device due to cell reselection, when configuring the TA list, it is considered whether the terminal device supports multi-type RAT capabilities and the eDRX period of the terminal device, and different TA lists are allocated for it within different types of RATs, ensuring that when the idle terminal device performs cell reselection across different types of RATs, an update process will be triggered, so that the core network can perceive the change in the RAT used by the terminal device, and thus configure the eDRX parameter corresponding to the RAT type, which can ensure the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0042] A sixth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit, configured to receive indication information from the SMF network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; a sending unit, configured to, when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send an eDRX parameter to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in the TA list of the first terminal device.

[0043] As a possible implementation manner, the capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, the capability information of the first access network device includes the information of the first RAT for the terminal device to access the first access network device, the type information includes the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; specifically, the sending unit is configured to: when the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, send first eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters; when the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, send second eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the second eDRX parameters do not include PTW parameters.

[0044] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device; the sending unit is further configured to, when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, send the first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0045] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0046] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0047] A seventh aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit, configured to receive the capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing an access network device, the type information includes the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a sending unit, configured to, when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters.

[0048] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0049] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0050] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive indication information from a session management function (SMF) network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; the sending unit is further configured to separately send the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices within a TA list corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0051] A communication device is disclosed in an eighth aspect. The communication device may be the first terminal device or a module (for example, a chip) in the first terminal device. The communication device may include: a sending unit, configured to send the capability information of the first terminal device to an AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a radio access technology (RAT) for accessing an access network device, the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a receiving unit, configured to receive a first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter; and a determining unit, configured to determine a PO according to the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT and the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0052] As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit is further configured to determine a PO according to a parameter other than the PTW parameter in the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT but the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT.

[0053] A ninth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit, configured to receive capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, and the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, and eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a sending unit, configured to send first information to the first terminal device, where the first information includes information of a first TA list, and the first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0054] As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the first information to the first terminal device when a period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0055] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0056] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0057] As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit sending the first information to the first terminal device includes: sending the first information and third eDRX parameters to the first terminal device; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, where the mobile registration update request is used to indicate that the first terminal device moves out of an area corresponding to the first TA list; the sending unit is further configured to send second information and fourth eDRX parameters to the first terminal device, where the second information includes information of a second TA list, and the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0058] A tenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the first terminal device. The communication device may include: a sending unit, configured to send the capability information of the first terminal device to an AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, and the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, where eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; and a receiving unit, configured to receive first information from the AMF network element, where the first information includes information of a first TA list, and the first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0059] As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to send the radio capability information of the first terminal device to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when sending the radio capability information.

[0060] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the first information and a third eDRX parameter from the AMF network element; the sending unit is further configured to, when the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, send a mobility registration update request to the AMF network element, where the mobility registration update request is used to indicate that the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; the receiving unit is further configured to receive second information and a fourth eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, where the second information includes information of a second TA list, and the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0061] An eleventh aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is configured to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is configured to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory, the processor is caused to execute the communication method disclosed in any implementation manner of the first aspect or the first aspect (or the second aspect or the second aspect).

[0062] The twelfth aspect discloses a communication device, which can be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor is caused to execute the communication method disclosed in the third aspect or any implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0063] The thirteenth aspect discloses a communication device, which can be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the AMF network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor is caused to execute the communication method disclosed in the fourth aspect or any implementation manner of the fourth aspect.

[0064] The fourteenth aspect discloses a communication device, which can be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor is caused to execute the communication method disclosed in the fifth aspect or any implementation manner of the fifth aspect.

[0065] The fifteenth aspect discloses a communication system, which includes the communication device of the eleventh aspect and the communication device of the twelfth aspect, or the communication system includes the communication device of the thirteenth aspect and the communication device of the fourteenth aspect.

[0066] The sixteenth aspect discloses a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program or computer instructions are stored. When the computer program or computer instructions run, the communication methods disclosed in the above aspects are implemented.

[0067] The seventeenth aspect discloses a chip, including a processor for executing a program stored in a memory. When the program is executed, the chip is caused to execute the above method.

[0068] As a possible implementation manner, the memory is located outside the chip.

[0069] The eighteenth aspect discloses a computer program product, which includes computer program code that, when run, causes the above-mentioned communication method to be executed. Description of the Drawings

[0070] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0071] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an H-SFN frame disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0072] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0074] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of yet another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0078] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0079] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0081] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0082] Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, device, and system for ensuring normal paging of a terminal device. The following will be described in detail respectively.

[0083] To better understand a communication method, device, and system disclosed in embodiments of the present invention, the network architecture used in embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Please refer toFigure 1 , Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1As shown, the network architecture may include a user equipment (UE), a (radio) access network ((R)AN) device, a user plane function (UPF) network element, a data network (DN), an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network repository function (NRF) network element, and a service communications proxy (SCP) network element. Communication may be directly carried out between the UE and the (R)AN device. Communication may be carried out between the UE and the AMF network element through the N1 interface. Communication may be carried out between the (R)AN device and the AMF network element through the N2 interface. Communication may be carried out between the (R)AN device and the UPF network element through the N3 interface. Communication may be carried out between the UPF network element and the SMF network element through the N4 interface. Communication may be carried out between the UPF network element and the DN through the N6 interface. Communication may be carried out between UPF network elements through the N9 interface. The AMF network element may provide a service-based interface Namf, the SMF network element may provide a service-based interface Nsmf, the AUSF network element may provide a service-based interface Nausf, the UDM network element may provide a service-based interface Nudm, the PCF network element may provide a service-based interface Npcf, the AF network element may provide a service-based interface Naf, the NWDAF network element may provide a service-based interface Nnwdaf, the NEF network element may provide a service-based interface Nnef, the NRF network element may provide a service-based interface Nnrf, and the SCP network element may provide a service-based interface Nscp.The AMF network element, SMF network element, UDM network element, PCF network element, AF network element, AUSF network element, NWDAF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element and SCP network element can communicate with each other through service-based interfaces.

[0084] The UE, also known as a terminal device, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. The terminal device can be a handheld terminal, laptop computer, subscriber unit, cellular phone, smart phone, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, tablet computer, wireless modem, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone or wireless local loop (WLL) station, machine type communication (MTC) terminal, wearable device (such as a smart watch, smart bracelet, pedometer, etc.), vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, bicycle, electric vehicle, airplane, ship, train, high-speed train, etc.), virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, smart home device (such as a refrigerator, TV, air conditioner, electric meter, etc.), smart robot, workshop device, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, or wireless terminal in smart home, flying device (such as a smart robot, hot air balloon, drone, airplane, etc.) or other devices that can access the network. Figure 1 In the figure, the terminal device is shown as a UE, only as an example, and does not limit the terminal device. The UE can access the DN by establishing a session between the UE-(R)AN device-UPF network element-DN, that is, a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0085] (R)AN devices are devices that provide wireless access for UEs, mainly responsible for functions such as radio resource management on the air interface side, quality of service (QoS) flow management, data compression, and encryption. (R)AN devices can include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. (R)AN devices can also include wireless fidelity (WiFi) access points (APs). (R)AN devices can also include worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) base stations (BSs).

[0086] The UPF network element is mainly responsible for user plane-related content, such as packet routing and transmission, mobility anchor points, uplink classifiers to support routing service flows to data networks, branch points to support multi-homed protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, packet detection, traffic usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing, lawful interception, downlink packet storage, etc.

[0087] The DN can be the Internet, an Internet protocol (IP) multimedia service (IMS) network, a regional network, i.e., a local network, such as a multi-access edge computing (MEC) network, etc. The DN is the destination accessed by the UE's PDU session. The DN includes or deploys application servers, and the application servers can transmit data with the UE and provide service for the UE.

[0088] The AMF network element can complete access and mobility-related functions such as connection management, registration process, mobility management, access authentication and authorization management, reachability management, security context management, and selection of the SMF network element.

[0089] The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session-related functions in the mobile network, such as session management, selection and control of the UPF network element, selection of the service and session continuity (SSC) mode, roaming, etc. Session management can include session establishment, modification, release, update, etc. Session management can also include tunnel maintenance between the UPF network element and the access network (AN) device.

[0090] The PCF network element can be responsible for unified policy formulation, providing policy control, and obtaining subscription information related to policy decisions from the unified data repository (UDR) network element, etc., which are policy-related functions. The provision of policy control can include providing services such as business data flow and application detection, gating, QoS, and flow-based charging control.

[0091] The AF network element mainly supports interacting with the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) core network to provide services, which can affect service flow routing, access network capability opening, policy control, etc., and can interact with the NEF network element, etc.

[0092] The UDM network element is responsible for user key management, user identity processing, access authorization for subscription data, network function entity management of the UE, session and service continuity management, short message push, lawful interception, access authorization, registration and mobility management, subscription management, short message management, and managing user data such as subscription information.

[0093] The AUSF network element can be responsible for authenticating and authorizing the access of the UE, such as generating intermediate keys, etc.

[0094] The NWDAF network element provides network data collection and analysis functions based on technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence.

[0095] The NRF network element is mainly responsible for the service discovery function, maintaining the NF profiles of available network function (NF) instances and the services they support.

[0096] The NEF network element is mainly responsible for securely providing services and capabilities opened by 3GPP network functions, including internal opening or opening to third parties, etc. Transforming or translating information interacting with the AF network element and information interacting with internal network functions, such as AF network element service identifiers and internal 5G core network information, such as data network name (DNN), single NSSAI (S-NSSAI), etc.

[0097] The SCP network element is used to be responsible for indirect communication between network elements.

[0098] Each of the above network elements in the core network can also be called a functional entity, which can be either a network component implemented on dedicated hardware, a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or an instance of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the above virtualization platform can be a cloud platform.

[0099] It should be noted that Figure 1The system architecture shown is not limited to only including the network elements and devices shown in the figure, and may also include other network elements or devices not shown in the figure. Specifically, the present invention will not list them one by one here.

[0100] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the distribution form of each network element in the core network. Figure 1 The distribution form shown is only exemplary, and the present invention is not limited.

[0101] It should be understood that the names of all network elements in the present invention are only examples. In future communications, such as in the 6th generation mobile networks (6G), they may also be called other names, or in future communications, such as in 6G, the network elements involved in the present invention may also be replaced by other entities or devices with the same functions, etc. The present invention is not limited thereto. A unified explanation is made here and will not be repeated hereinafter.

[0102] It should be noted that Figure 1 The 5th generation mobile networks (5G) network architecture shown does not constitute a limitation to the 5G network. Optionally, the methods of the embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G or other communication networks, etc.

[0103] To better understand the embodiments of the present invention, the related technologies of the embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0104] Massive machine type communications (mMTC) is one of the important application scenarios of the 5G network, mainly facing various Internet of Things (IoT) service applications based on the cellular network. To support the low-power requirements of IoT devices, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) has started research on energy-saving technologies for IoT devices since R10. Through energy-saving modes, discontinuous reception (DRX) technologies, and idle-state DRX technologies, etc., the transceiver antennas of IoT devices are turned off during periods without communication service requirements to make them enter the sleep state, thereby greatly reducing the power consumption of IoT devices, improving the battery life of IoT devices, and ensuring that a single device can be used for 5 - 10 years.

[0105] In the fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4th generation mobile networks, 4G) IoT (Long Term Evolution Machine to Machine, LTE-M and Narrowband IoT, NB-IoT), in order to further reduce the power consumption of IoT devices, Extended DRX (eDRX) is introduced. For idle-state eDRX, the UE can send the required eDRX parameters to the Mobility Management Entity (MME) during the attachment process. After receiving the required eDRX parameters from the UE, the MME can determine the UE's eDRX parameters and send them to the UE. After the UE enters the idle state, when downlink data arrives, the MME can send the UE's eDRX parameters to the access network device to ensure that the access network device can page the UE at the correct time. Among them, the required eDRX parameters sent by the UE to the MME and the UE's eDRX parameters sent by the MME to the UE can be the same or different. The UE's eDRX parameters are determined by the MME based on the required eDRX parameters sent by the UE, the UE's subscription information, etc.

[0106] Different from Low Power Wide Area (LPWA), the application scenarios of New Radio (NR) Machine Type Communications (MTC) can include video surveillance (such as surveillance cameras, etc.), industrial sensor networks (Industrial Wireless Sensor Network, IWSN) (such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), wearable devices (such as smart bracelets, smart watches, smart glasses, etc.). In the R17 study, lightweight NR technology is introduced as a 5G NR air interface technology for IoT, namely Reduced Capability NR (REDCAP) technology, aiming at high-end IoT application scenarios such as video surveillance, industrial sensing networks, and wearables to make up for the legacy scenarios of 4G IoT (LTE-M and NB-IoT).

[0107] The energy-saving technology for REDCAP is also under discussion in the standard, especially the discussion about Extended DRX (eDRX) in the idle state. Since the original 5G NR access technology does not support eDRX, during the discussion of REDCAP eDRX technology, it mainly relies on the eDRX mechanisms of traditional IoT technologies such as NB-IoT and eMTC in the original 4G.

[0108] For idle eDRX, the UE can send the required eDRX parameters to the AMF network element during the registration process. After receiving the required eDRX parameters from the UE, the AMF network element can determine the eDRX parameters and send the determined eDRX parameters to the UE. After the UE enters the idle state, when downlink data arrives, the AMF network element can send the determined eDRX parameters to the access network device to ensure that the access network device can page the UE at the correct moment.

[0109] For UEs of traditional Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), the value range of the idle eDRX period is 5.12 s to 2621.44 s (about 44 minutes). For NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) UEs, the value range of the idle eDRX period is 20.48 s to 10485.76 s (about 3 hours). For UEs with a period exceeding 10.24 s, whether they are NB-IoT, eMTC or traditional LTE UEs, the hyper system frame number (H-SFN) and paging time window (PTW) mechanisms are used during the paging process.

[0110] H-SFN is a concept on top of the traditional system frame number (SFN) frame. The length of a hyperframe is approximately 10.24 s, which is the length of 1024 SFN frames. H-SFN is mainly used to enable loose time synchronization at the hyperframe granularity between the access network device and the AMF network element, which can ensure that when the AMF network element discovers that the UE is in the eDRX state, it can send a paging request to the access network device before the corresponding paging hyperframe time arrives, triggering the access network device to page the target UE within the next hyperframe time. In addition, the AMF network element can also configure the PTW in the eDRX parameters, that is, the UE is only reachable (i.e., the network can page it) within the PTW, and outside this time, the network cannot page.

[0111] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a schematic diagram of an H-SFN frame disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 2 shown, there are 14 H-SFN frames. A paging H-SFN (PH) includes 4 frames each 2.56 s long, that is, 4 frames each with 256 SFN frames. The UE is paged at the paging occasion (PO) within the PTW of this hyperframe.

[0112] When the UE is in the idle eDRX state and the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24 s, when downlink data arrives at the network, the AMF network element can send the eDRX parameters to the access network device, and the access network device can first calculate the PTW according to the eDRX parameters, and then calculate the PO within the PTW.

[0113] In 4G IoT, the eDRX cycle is long, while in REDCAP, the eDRX cycle is short. Therefore, in REDCAP, in order to reduce the complexity of the UE, PH and PTW are no longer used in eDRX, that is, eDRX does not support PH and PTW, which also means that when the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24 s, PH and PTW are no longer used.

[0114] In the case where the 5G core network supports both 4G and REDCAP, the following problems may exist:

[0115] 1. After a UE registered to the 5G core network (5GC) via LTE / LTE-M enters the idle state, if idle state cell reselection occurs and the UE reselects to a REDCAP cell:

[0116] When downlink data arrives, if the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24 s, the AMF network element will consider that the UE still supports PTW and PH and will send the PTW parameters to the access network device. The access network device calculates the PTW using the PTW parameters, and then can calculate the PO using the PTW, while the UE will calculate the PO through the traditional method and wait for paging within the corresponding PO, so that the PO calculated by the access network device and the PO calculated by the UE may be different, resulting in the access network device being unable to page the UE within the calculated PO.

[0117] 2. After a UE registered to the 5GC from REDCAP enters the idle state, if idle state cell reselection occurs and the UE reselects to an LTE / LTE-M cell:

[0118] When downlink data arrives, if the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24 s, the AMF network element will send the eDRX parameters without PTW parameters to all access network devices. The LTE / LTE-M access network device will calculate the PO through the traditional method, while the UE will calculate the PO according to the PTW and wait for paging within the calculated PO. It can be seen that not only will the access network device be unable to page the UE due to the difference between the PO calculated by the access network device and the PO calculated by the UE, but also because the UE first needs to calculate the PTW and then calculate the PO according to the PTW, the power consumption is relatively large.

[0119] Therefore, in the case where 5GC supports both LTE access and REDCAP access, how to ensure eDRX paging when the UE switches between different radio access types (RATs) has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0120] It should be understood that in addition to REDCAP and LTE mentioned above, RAT can also be other access technologies, and the number of access technologies is not limited. Therefore, in order to cover all possibilities, the present invention can divide access technologies into two types of access technologies, namely the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW. Both the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT can include one or more RATs. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, which can be understood as when the period of eDRX is greater than or equal to 10.24s, the PO is calculated according to PTW, and when the period of eDRX is less than 10.24s, the traditional method is used to calculate the PO.

[0121] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 3 shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0122] 301. The SMF network element sends indication information to the AMF network element.

[0123] After the UPF network element receives the downlink data from the DN, it indicates that there is downlink data sent to the first terminal device, and can send a data notification message to the SMF network element to notify the SMF network element that the downlink data of the first terminal device has reached the UPF network element. After the SMF network element receives the data notification message from the UPF network element, it can send indication information to the AMF network element to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device has reached the core network side, that is, the UPF network element. The downlink data may include or carry the IP address of the first terminal device, indicating that the downlink data is the downlink data sent to the first terminal device. The data arrival notification message may include or carry the identifier of the first terminal device, such as the PDU session identifier or the N4 session identifier, to indicate that the data arrival notification message is a data arrival notification message for the first terminal device. The indication information may include or carry the identifier of the first terminal device to indicate that the indication information is an indication information for the first terminal device.

[0124] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the indication information from the SMF network element.

[0125] 302. When the cycle of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device.

[0126] After receiving the indication information from the SMF network element, the AMF network element can determine that there is downlink data of the first terminal device arriving at the core network side, that is, the UPF network element, according to the indication information. Then the AMF network element can first determine whether the cycle of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the cycle of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element can send eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device. The AMF network element can first determine whether the first terminal device is in the idle state. When it is determined that the first terminal device is in the idle state, it can continue to determine whether the cycle of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the cycle of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element can send eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, that is, send a paging message to the first access network device, and the paging message can include eDRX parameters. The first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device.

[0127] The capability information of the first terminal device may include the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device. It can be understood as including the type information of the RAT for the first terminal device to access the access network device, or it can be understood as including the type information of the RAT supported by the first terminal device. The type information may include the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, which can be understood as when the cycle of eDRX is less than the first threshold, the terminal device and the access network device can use the traditional method to calculate the PO (that is, do not use PTW), and when the cycle of eDRX is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device and the access network device can use PTW to calculate the PO. The eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW, which can be understood as regardless of the cycle of eDRX, that is, regardless of whether the cycle of eDRX is less than the first threshold or greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device and the access network device can use the traditional method to calculate the PO and will not use PTW to calculate the PO. The first threshold can be 10.24 s or other values, which can be set as needed and are not limited here.

[0128] In one case, the information of the first type of RAT can be the name of the first type of RAT, the index number of the first type of RAT, the identifier of the first type of RAT, or other information that can uniquely identify the first type of RAT. Similarly, the information of the second type of RAT can be the name of the second type of RAT, the index number of the second type of RAT, the identifier of the second type of RAT, or other information that can uniquely identify the second type of RAT. It can be seen that the capability information of the first terminal device can directly include the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT. The AMF network element can directly determine the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the first terminal device, that is, determine that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT.

[0129] In another case, the information of the first type of RAT can include the information of at least one (i.e., one or more) RATs belonging to the first type of RAT. These at least one RATs can be all the RATs belonging to the first type of RAT supported by the first terminal device, or some of the RATs belonging to the first type of RAT supported by the first terminal device. Similarly, the information of the second type of RAT can include the information of at least one RAT belonging to the second type of RAT. These at least one RATs can be all the RATs belonging to the second type of RAT supported by the first terminal device, or some of the RATs belonging to the second type of RAT supported by the first terminal device. It can be seen that the capability information of the first terminal device can include the information of multiple RATs, that is, include the information of two or more RATs, that is, include the information of at least two RATs. At least one (i.e., one or more) of these multiple RATs belongs to the first type of RAT, and at least one of these multiple RATs belongs to the second type of RAT. The AMF network element can first determine the types of RATs to which the information of the multiple RATs included in the capability information of the first terminal device corresponds, that is, determine the types to which these multiple RATs belong, and then can count that the types to which the multiple RATs belong include the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and further can determine that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT.

[0130] The capability information of the first access network device can include the information of the first RAT through which the terminal device accesses the first access network device.

[0131] The AMF network element sends eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device. First, it can determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can determine the first RAT according to the information of the first RAT, and then can determine whether the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When it is determined that the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, it indicates that the first access network device supports the first type of RAT, and the AMF network element can send the first eDRX parameter to the first access network device, that is, send the first paging message to the first access network device, and the first paging message can include the first eDRX parameter. The first eDRX parameter can include the PTW parameter. When it is determined that the first RAT does not belong to the first type of RAT, that is, the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, it indicates that the first access network device supports the second type of RAT, and the second eDRX parameter can be sent to the first access network device, that is, send the second paging message to the first access network device, and the second paging message can include the second eDRX parameter. The second eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter. Both the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter can include the length of the eDRX period. The PTW parameter can include the length of PTW. It can be seen that when the first access network device supports the first type of RAT, the AMF network element can send the eDRX parameter with the PTW parameter to the first access network device; when the first access network device supports the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can send the eDRX parameter without the PTW parameter to the first access network device.

[0132] In summary, when there is downlink data arriving for the first terminal device in the idle state, the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can send different eDRX parameters to the access network devices supporting different types of RAT according to the type of RAT to which the RATs corresponding to all access network devices in the TA area of the first terminal device belong.

[0133] Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the eDRX parameters from the AMF network element.

[0134] For example, the first type of RAT can include at least one of LTE, LTE-M, NB-IoT, etc. The second type of RAT can include REDCAP, etc. It should be understood that the above is an exemplary description of the RATs belonging to the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and does not constitute a limitation on the RATs included in the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT.

[0135] 303. The first access network device determines the PO according to the eDRX parameter.

[0136] After the first access network device receives the eDRX parameters from the AMF network element, it can determine the PO according to the eDRX parameters, and then can page the first terminal device within the PO. When the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, that is, the first access network device supports the first type of RAT, the first access network device receives the first eDRX parameters. The first RAT is the RAT through which the terminal device accesses the first access network device. The first access network device can first calculate the PTW according to the PTW parameters included in the first eDRX parameters, and then can calculate the PO according to the PTW. The first access network device can first calculate the SFN, and the formula for calculating the SFN can be as follows:

[0137] SFN = 256 * i eDRX (1)

[0138]

[0139] where UE_ID_H is the identifier of the terminal device, and T eDRX_H is the length of the eDRX period of the terminal device, is rounding down, and mod is the modulo operation. Then the first access network device can calculate the start time of the PTW according to the SFN, and the formula for calculating the start time of the PTW can be as follows:

[0140] SFN = (PTW_start + L * 100 - 1) mod 1024 (3)

[0141] where PTW_start is the start time of the PTW, and L is the length of the PTW. Then the PO can be calculated according to the PTW, and the formula for calculating the PO can be as follows:

[0142]

[0143] where i_H is the index number of the PO, N_H is the number of paging frames (PFs) included in the PTW, and Ns is the number of POs included in one PF.

[0144] When the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, that is, the first access network device supports the second type of RAT, the first access network device receives the second eDRX parameters. The first access network device can calculate the PO according to the second eDRX parameters, and the formula for calculating the PO can be as follows:

[0145]

[0146] where i_s is the index number of the PO, and N is the number of PFs included in the eDRX period of the terminal device.

[0147] Optionally, before receiving the indication information from the SMF network element, the AMF network element may receive the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0148] In one case, the first terminal device may determine whether it supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the supported RAT. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the first terminal device may send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device. The first terminal device may send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element during the registration process. For example, the first terminal device may send a registration request message to the AMF network element, and the registration request message may include or carry the capability information of the first terminal device. The first terminal device may also send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element during other processes, which is not limited herein. When it is determined that the first terminal device only supports the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the first terminal device may not send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0149] In another case, the second access network device can obtain the radio capability information of the first terminal device, and can determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the radio capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the second access network device can send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the second access network device. When it is determined that the first terminal device only supports the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the second access network device may not send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. The second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the AMF network element receives the radio capability information of the first terminal device. The radio capability information of the first terminal device may be obtained by the second access network device from the first terminal device. The radio capability information of the first terminal device may be actively sent by the first terminal device to the second access network device; or the second access network device may first send a retrieval request to the first terminal device, and after the first terminal device receives the retrieval request, it sends the information to the second access network device according to the retrieval request. The radio capability information of the first terminal device may also be obtained by the second access network device from other devices or network elements, such as the AMF network element, which is not limited here. The above process may be completed during the registration process of the first terminal device. For example, the second access network device may send an N2 message to the AMF network element, and the N2 message may include or carry the capability information of the first terminal device. The above process may also be completed during other processes, which is not limited here. The radio capability information of the first terminal device is the information of the access network device supported by the first terminal device, and may include frequency band, transmit power, etc.

[0150] After receiving the capability information of the first terminal device, the AMF network element can determine that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the first terminal device. Then, it can store the capability information of the first terminal device for subsequent invocation. The AMF network element can determine the eDRX period of the first terminal device, and then can determine whether the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it can send the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element. It can be seen that when the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, regardless of whether the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, that is, without considering the type to which the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs, the AMF network element can send the eDRX parameter including the PTW parameter to the first terminal device. When the above is completed during the registration process, the AMF network element can send a registration acceptance message to the first terminal device, and the registration acceptance message can include or carry the first eDRX parameter.

[0151] After receiving the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the first terminal device can determine the PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter. The first terminal device can first determine whether the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, and then can determine the calculation method of the PO according to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, the first terminal device can first calculate the PTW according to the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and then can calculate the PO according to the PTW. When the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT, the first terminal device does not need to calculate the PTW according to the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter and can directly calculate the PO. For a detailed description, reference can be made to the relevant description corresponding to the first access network device. It can be seen that when the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, the first terminal device first calculates the PTW and then calculates the PO according to the PTW; when the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT, the first terminal device directly calculates the PO using the traditional method.

[0152] It can be seen that during the registration process of the first terminal device, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the first terminal device, and then determine that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the first terminal device. Therefore, it can be ensured that during the negotiation of the eDRX parameters of the first terminal device, when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element can directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the first terminal device regardless of the type to which the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs. The first terminal device can decide whether to use the PTW parameter in the eDRX parameters according to the type to which the RAT currently used by itself belongs.

[0153] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 4 shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0154] 401. The AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0155] The AMF network element can receive the capability information from the first terminal device. For a detailed description of the capability information of the first terminal device, reference can be made to step 302.

[0156] In one case, the first terminal device can determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the supported RAT. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the first terminal device can send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device. For a detailed description, reference can be made to the relevant description below step 303.

[0157] In another case, the second access network device can obtain the radio capability information of the first terminal device, and can determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the radio capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the second access network device can send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the second access network device. For a detailed description, reference can be made to the relevant description below step 303.

[0158] 402. When the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0159] After the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device, when the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it may send the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0160] After the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device, it may first determine the period of eDRX of the first terminal device. Then the AMF network element may determine whether the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it may send the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device. The AMF network element may first determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports both the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, it may send the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device.

[0161] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element.

[0162] 403. The first terminal device determines the PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0163] After the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, it may determine the PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter. For a detailed description, reference may be made to the relevant description below step 303.

[0164] Optionally, after the UPF network element receives the downlink data from the DN, it may send a data arrival notification message to the SMF network element. After the SMF network element receives the data arrival notification message from the UPF network element, it may send indication information to the AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the indication information from the SMF network element. For a detailed description, reference may be made to step 301.

[0165] After receiving the indication information from the SMF network element, the AMF network element may first determine whether the first terminal device is in the idle state. When it is determined that the first terminal device is in the idle state, it may continue to determine whether the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and whether the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element may send the first eDRX parameter to each access network device in the TA list respectively, that is, send the first paging message to each access network device in the TA list respectively, and the first paging message may include the eDRX parameter. It can be seen that the AMF network element can send the same eDRX parameter to different access network devices.

[0166] After receiving the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the access network device in the TA list may determine the PO according to the capability information of the access network device and the first eDRX parameter. The access network device may first determine whether the currently used RAT belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the access network device. Then the access network device may determine whether the eDRX period is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When the eDRX period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the access network device may determine the calculation method of the PO according to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When the currently used RAT of the access network device belongs to the first type of RAT, the access network device may first calculate the PTW according to the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and then may calculate the PO according to the PTW. When the currently used RAT of the access network device belongs to the second type of RAT, the access network device does not need to calculate the PTW according to the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter and may directly calculate the PO. For the detailed description, reference may be made to the relevant description below step 303.

[0167] It can be seen that when there is downlink data arriving at the first terminal device in the idle state, the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element may send the same eDRX parameter including the PTW parameter to all access network devices in the TA area. After receiving the eDRX parameter, the access network device may determine whether to use the PTW parameter in the eDRX parameter according to its own capability.

[0168] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 5 shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0169] 501. The first terminal device sends the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0170] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information from the first terminal device.

[0171] Among them, for the detailed description of step 501, reference can be made to step 401 in one case.

[0172] 502. When the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0173] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element.

[0174] Among them, for the detailed description of step 502, reference can be made to step 402.

[0175] 503. The first terminal device determines the PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0176] Among them, for the detailed description of step 503, reference can be made to step 403.

[0177] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 6 shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0178] 601. The AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0179] In one case, that is, 601a, when the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, it sends the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. In another case, that is, 601b, when the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the access network device may send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0180] Among them, for the detailed description of step 601, reference can be made to the description of step 401.

[0181] 602. The AMF network element stores the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0182] After the AMF network element receives the capability information from the first terminal device, it may store the capability information of the first terminal device for subsequent invocation.

[0183] 603. When the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0184] Among them, for the detailed description of step 603, reference can be made to step 402.

[0185] 604. The first terminal device determines the PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0186] Among them, for the detailed description of step 604, reference can be made to step 403.

[0187] 605. The UPF network element sends a data notification message to the SMF network element.

[0188] Among them, for the detailed description of step 605, reference can be made to step 301.

[0189] 606. The SMF network element sends indication information to the AMF network element.

[0190] Among them, for the detailed description of step 606, reference can be made to step 301.

[0191] 607. When the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends the eDRX parameter to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device.

[0192] Among them, for the detailed description of step 607, reference can be made to step 302.

[0193] 608. The access network device determines the PO according to the eDRX parameter.

[0194] Among them, for the detailed description of step 608, reference can be made to step 303.

[0195] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 7 shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0196] 701. The AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0197] In one case, that is, 701a, when the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, it sends the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. In another case, that is, 701b, when the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the access network device may send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0198] Among them, for the detailed description of step 701, reference can be made to the description of step 401.

[0199] 702. The AMF network element stores the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0200] After receiving the capability information from the first terminal device, the AMF network element can store the capability information of the first terminal device for subsequent invocation.

[0201] 703. When the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0202] Among them, for the detailed description of step 703, reference can be made to step 402.

[0203] 704. The first terminal device determines the PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0204] Among them, for the detailed description of step 704, reference can be made to step 403.

[0205] 705. The UPF network element sends a data notification message to the SMF network element.

[0206] Among them, for the detailed description of step 705, reference can be made to step 301.

[0207] 706. The SMF network element sends indication information to the AMF network element.

[0208] Among them, for the detailed description of step 706, reference can be made to step 301.

[0209] 707. The AMF network element sends the first eDRX parameter to each access network device within the tracking area TA list corresponding to the first terminal device respectively.

[0210] Among them, for the detailed description of step 707, reference can be made to the relevant description below step 403.

[0211] 708. The access network device determines the PO according to the capability information of the access network device and the first eDRX parameter.

[0212] Among them, for the detailed description of step 708, reference can be made to the relevant description below step 403.

[0213] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 which is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 8 shown, this communication method may include the following steps.

[0214] 801. The AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0215] Among them, for the detailed description of step 801, reference can be made to the description of step 401. For the detailed description of the capability information of the first terminal device, reference can be made to step 302.

[0216] 802. The AMF network element sends the first information to the first terminal device.

[0217] After the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device, it can determine that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT according to the capability information of the first terminal device. For the detailed description, reference can be made to the relevant description in step 302.

[0218] In one case, when it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can directly determine the first information and send the first information to the first terminal device. In another case, when it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can first determine whether the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first information can be determined and the first information can be sent to the first terminal device.

[0219] The first information may include information on a first TA list. The first TA list may be composed of RATs of a first type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device may include the first TA list. The RAT through which the first terminal device accesses the access network device may be understood as the RAT used by the first terminal device to access the access network device, may also be understood as the RAT that the first terminal device can use to access the access network device, and may further be understood as the RAT supported by the first terminal device. The first TA list is composed of cells (or regions) corresponding to the RATs of the first type of RAT. It may be understood that the first TA list is composed of cells (or regions) corresponding to the RATs that belong to the first type of RAT among all the RATs supported by the first terminal device, or may also be composed of cells (or regions) corresponding to all the RATs that belong to the first type of RAT. All the RATs that belong to the first type of RAT may include the RATs that belong to the first type of RAT among all the RATs supported by the first terminal device. In the case where the first TA list is composed of cells (or regions) corresponding to the RATs that belong to the first type of RAT among all the RATs supported by the first terminal device, when the capability information of the first terminal device includes information on all the RATs supported by the first terminal device, the first terminal device does not need to additionally send the information on the RATs in the first list to the AMF network element. When the information of the first terminal device does not include information on all the RATs supported by the first terminal device, the first terminal device also needs to send the information on the RATs that the first terminal device supports and belong to the first type of RAT to the AMF network element. It should be understood that the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT. It can be seen that the first terminal device needs to send the information on all the RATs that the first terminal device supports and have the same RAT type as the currently used RAT to the AMF network element. The information on these RATs may be included in the capability information of the first terminal device, may also be sent to the AMF network element together with the capability information of the first terminal device, or may be sent to the AMF network element by other means.

[0220] The AMF network element may first determine that the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, and then may determine the first information based on all the RATs that the first terminal device supports and belong to the first type of RAT, or may also determine the first information based on all the RATs that belong to the first type of RAT. The first terminal device may send the information on the RAT currently used by the first terminal device to the AMF network element so that the AMF network element can determine that the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT based on the information on the RAT currently used by the first terminal device.

[0221] In addition, the AMF network element may also determine a third eDRX parameter. The third eDRX parameter may include a PTW parameter. The AMF may send the first information and the third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device.

[0222] The AMF network element can send a registration completion message to the first terminal device, and the registration completion message can include first information (and third eDRX parameters).

[0223] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first information (and third eDRX parameters) from the AMF network element.

[0224] 803. When the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, the first terminal device sends a mobility registration update request to the AMF network element.

[0225] After the first terminal device receives the first information from the AMF network element, when the first terminal device is in the idle state and the RAT used by the first terminal device to attach (or camp) to the cell / access network device changes, the first terminal device can determine whether the changed RAT belongs to the first TA list. When it is determined that the changed RAT does not belong to the first TA list, it indicates that the first terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, and the first terminal device sends a mobility registration update request to the AMF network element. The mobility registration update request can indicate that the first terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list. When it is determined that the changed RAT belongs to the first TA list, it indicates that the first terminal device has not moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, and the first terminal device may not send a mobility registration update request to the AMF network element.

[0226] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the mobility registration update request from the first terminal device.

[0227] 804. The AMF network element sends second information to the first terminal device.

[0228] After the AMF network element receives the mobility registration update request from the first terminal device, it can determine the second information and send the second information to the first terminal device. The second information can include information about the second TA list, and the second TA list can be composed of cells (or areas) corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device can include the second TA list. At this time, the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT. For a detailed description of the second TA list, reference can be made to the relevant description of the first TA list.

[0229] The first terminal device can also send information about all RATs supported by the first terminal device and belonging to the second type of RAT to the AMF network element, that is, the first terminal device also needs to send information about all RATs supported by the first terminal device and of the same RAT type as the currently used RAT to the AMF network element. The information about these RATs can be included in the capability information of the first terminal device, or sent to the AMF network element together with the capability information of the first terminal device, or included in the mobility registration update request, or sent to the AMF network element by other means.

[0230] In addition, the AMF network element can also determine the fourth eDRX parameter. The fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter. The AMF network element can send the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device. The AMF network element can send the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device through a registration acceptance message.

[0231] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second information (and the fourth eDRX parameter) from the AMF network element.

[0232] It should be understood that the above is described by taking the RAT used by the first terminal device during registration belonging to the first type of RAT as an example, and it is also applicable to the RAT used by the first terminal device during registration belonging to the second type of RAT. At this time, during the registration process (i.e., step 802), the AMF network element sends the second information (and the fourth eDRX parameter) to the first terminal device. During the mobility update registration (i.e., step 804) process, the AMF network element sends the first information (and the third eDRX parameter) to the first terminal device.

[0233] It can be seen that in order to avoid conflicts in the eDRX parameters supported by the idle terminal device due to cell reselection, when configuring the TA list, consider whether the terminal device supports multi-class RAT capabilities and the eDRX period of the terminal device, and allocate different TA lists for it within different types of RATs to ensure that when the terminal device performs cell reselection across different types of RATs in the idle state, it will trigger a mobility update registration process, so that the core network can perceive the change in the RAT used by the terminal device, and thus configure the eDRX parameters corresponding to the RAT type for it.

[0234] It should be understood that the functions performed by the UPF network element in the above communication method can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the UPF network element, the functions performed by the AMF network element can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the AMF network element, the functions performed by the SMF network element can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the SMF network element, the functions performed by the access network device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the access network device, and the functions performed by the first terminal device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the first terminal device.

[0235] It should be understood that the relevant information (i.e., the same information or similar information) in the above different embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0236] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 9As shown, the communication device may include a receiving unit 901 and a transmitting unit 902.

[0237] In one case, the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. Among them:

[0238] The receiving unit 901 is configured to receive indication information from the SMF network element, and the indication information is used to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side;

[0239] The transmitting unit 902 is configured to, when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in the TA list of the first terminal device.

[0240] In one embodiment, the capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, and the capability information of the first access network device includes the information of the first RAT for the terminal device to access the first access network device. The above type information includes the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW;

[0241] The transmitting unit 902 is specifically configured to:

[0242] When the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, send the first eDRX parameter to the first access network device, and the first eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter;

[0243] When the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, send the second eDRX parameter to the first access network device, and the second eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter.

[0244] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device;

[0245] The transmitting unit 902 is further configured to, when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0246] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes:

[0247] Receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0248] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes:

[0249] Receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0250] For a more detailed description of the above receiving unit 901 and sending unit 902, reference can be directly made to the relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown above. Figure 3 The relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown above can be directly obtained and will not be elaborated here.

[0251] In another case, the communication device can be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. Among them:

[0252] A receiving unit 901, configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, and the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW;

[0253] A sending unit 902, configured to send first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters.

[0254] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0255] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0256] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive indication information from the SMF network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device reaches the core network side;

[0257] The sending unit 902 is further configured to send the first eDRX parameters to all access network devices within the TA list corresponding to the first terminal device respectively.

[0258] For a more detailed description of the above receiving unit 901 and sending unit 902, reference can be directly made to the relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown above. Figure 4 The relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown above can be directly obtained and will not be elaborated here.

[0259] In another case, the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. Wherein:

[0260] A receiving unit 901, configured to receive capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, and the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW;

[0261] A sending unit 902, configured to send a first message to the first terminal device, where the first message includes information of a first TA list, and the first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0262] In one embodiment, the sending unit 902 is specifically configured to send the first message to the first terminal device when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0263] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0264] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0265] In one embodiment, the sending unit 902 sending the first message to the first terminal device includes:

[0266] Sending a first message and a third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device;

[0267] The receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, where the mobile registration update request is used to indicate that the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list;

[0268] The sending unit 902 is further configured to send a second message and a fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device, where the second message includes information of a second TA list, and the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list;

[0269] When the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0270] For a more detailed description of the above receiving unit 901 and transmitting unit 902, reference can be directly made to the relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown above, which will not be elaborated here. Figure 8 shown above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0271] In another case, the communication device may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the first terminal device.

[0272] The transmitting unit 902 is configured to send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. The capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device. The above type information includes the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW.

[0273] The receiving unit 901 is configured to receive the first information from the AMF network element. The first information includes the information of the first TA list. The first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0274] In one embodiment, the transmitting unit 902 is specifically configured to send the radio capability information of the first terminal device to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when sending the radio capability information of the first terminal device.

[0275] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the first information and the third eDRX parameter from the AMF network element.

[0276] The transmitting unit 902 is further configured to send a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element when the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list. The mobile registration update request is used to indicate that the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list.

[0277] The receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter from the AMF network element. The second information includes the information of the second TA list. The second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list.

[0278] When the third eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter. When the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0279] For a more detailed description of the above receiving unit 901 and transmitting unit 902, reference can be directly made to the relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown above, which will not be elaborated here. Figure 8The relevant description of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be elaborated here.

[0280] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 which is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 10 shown, the communication device may include:

[0281] A sending unit 1001, configured to send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, and the above type information includes the information of the first type of RAT and the information of the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW;

[0282] A receiving unit 1002, configured to receive the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter;

[0283] A determining unit 1003, configured to determine a PO according to the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT and the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0284] In one embodiment, the determining unit 1003 is further configured to determine a PO according to the parameters other than the PTW parameter in the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT but the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT.

[0285] For a more detailed description of the above sending unit 1001, receiving unit 1002, and determining unit 1003, reference can be directly made to the relevant description of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown above Figure 5 The relevant description of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be elaborated here.

[0286] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 which is a schematic structural diagram of yet another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 11 shown, the communication device may include a processor 1101, a memory 1102, an input interface 1103, an output interface 1104, and a bus 1105. The memory 1102 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1101 through the bus 1105. The memory 1102 may also be integrated with the processor 1101. Among them, the bus 1105 is used to implement the connection between these components.

[0287] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the AMF network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1102 are executed, the processor 1101 is used to control the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902 to perform the operations executed in the above embodiments. The input interface 1103 is used to perform the operations executed by the receiving unit 901 in the above embodiments, and the output interface 1104 is used to perform the operations executed by the sending unit 902 in the above embodiments. The above AMF network element or the module within the AMF network element may also be used to perform the various methods executed by the AMF network element in the above Figures 3 - 4 and Figure 8 method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0288] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1102 are executed, the processor 1101 is used to control the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902 to perform the operations executed in the above embodiments. The input interface 1103 is used to perform the operations executed by the receiving unit 901 in the above embodiments, and the output interface 1104 is used to perform the operations executed by the sending unit 902 in the above embodiments. The above first terminal device or the module within the first terminal device may also be used to perform the various methods executed by the first terminal device network element in the above Figure 8 method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0289] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1102 are executed, the processor 1101 is used to control the sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002 to perform the operations executed in the above embodiments. The processor 1101 is also used to perform the operations executed by the determining unit 1103 in the above embodiments. The input interface 1103 is used to perform the operations executed by the receiving unit 1002 in the above embodiments, and the output interface 1104 is used to perform the operations executed by the sending unit 1001 in the above embodiments. The above first terminal device or the module within the first terminal device may also be used to perform the various methods executed by the first terminal device in the above Figure 5 method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0290] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 which is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 12As shown, the communication device may include an input interface 1201, a logic circuit 1202, and an output interface 1203. The input interface 1201 is connected to the output interface 1203 through the logic circuit 1202. Among them, the input interface 1201 is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface 1203 is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit 1202 is used to perform operations other than those of the input interface 1201 and the output interface 1203, such as implementing the functions implemented by the processor 1101 in the above embodiments. Among them, the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module within the AMF network element, or may be a first terminal device or a module within the first terminal device. Among them, a more detailed description of the input interface 1201, the logic circuit 1202, and the output interface 1203 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant descriptions of the AMF network element or the first terminal device in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0291] An embodiment of the present invention also discloses a computer-readable storage medium, on which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are executed, the methods in the above method embodiments are executed.

[0292] An embodiment of the present invention also discloses a computer program product including instructions, and when the instructions are executed, the methods in the above method embodiments are executed.

[0293] An embodiment of the present invention also discloses a communication system, which may include an AMF network element, etc., and the specific description can be referred to Figures 3 - 8 the communication method shown.

[0294] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above is only the specific embodiment of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made on the basis of the technical solution of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the access and mobility management function network element, including: Receiving indication information from the session management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; When the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device; The capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the radio access technology (RAT) for accessing the access network device, and the capability information of the first access network device includes the information of the first RAT for the terminal device to access the first access network device; when the type information is the first type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information supports the paging time window (PTW), or when the type information is the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support PTW; The sending eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device includes: When the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, sending first eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters; or When the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, sending second eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the second eDRX parameters do not include PTW parameters.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The capability information of the first terminal device includes the type information of the radio access technology (RAT), when the type information is the first type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information supports the paging time window (PTW), or when the type information is the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support PTW; The sending eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device includes: When the first access network device supports the first type of RAT, sending first eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters; Or When the first access network device supports the second type of RAT, sending second eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the second eDRX parameters do not include PTW parameters.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the capability information of the first terminal device; When the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, sending the first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein The receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to an access and mobility management function network element or a module in the access and mobility management function network element, including: Receive the capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of an access technology type (RAT) for accessing an access network device. When the type information is a first type of RAT, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) corresponding to the type information supports a paging time window (PTW); or when the type information is a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support PTW. When the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein The receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 - 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive indication information from a session management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side. Send the first eDRX parameters to all access network devices within the tracking area (TA) list corresponding to the first terminal device respectively.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first terminal device or a module in the first terminal device, including: Send the capability information of the first terminal device to an access and mobility management function network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of an access technology type (RAT) for accessing an access network device. When the type information is a first type of RAT, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) corresponding to the type information supports a paging time window (PTW); or when the type information is a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support PTW. Receive first eDRX parameters from the access and mobility management function network element, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters. When the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, and the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, determine a paging occasion (PO) according to the first eDRX parameters.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The method further includes: When the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, but the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT, determine PO according to the parameters other than the PTW parameters in the first eDRX parameters.

12. A communication device, which is an access and mobility management function network element or a module in the access and mobility management function network element, characterized in that, Including: A receiving unit, configured to receive indication information from a session management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of a first terminal device arrives at the core network side; A sending unit, configured to, when a period of extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send eDRX parameters to a first access network device according to capability information of the first terminal device and capability information of the first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in a tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device; The capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a radio access technology (RAT) for accessing an access network device. When the type information is a first type of RAT, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) corresponding to the type information supports a paging time window (PTW); or when the type information is a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support a PTW; The sending unit is specifically configured to: When the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, send first eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters; When the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, send second eDRX parameters to the first access network device, where the second eDRX parameters do not include PTW parameters.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The receiving unit is further configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device; The sending unit is further configured to, when the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, send the first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein The receiving unit receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

15. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The receiving unit receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, Including: A receiving unit, configured to receive the capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a radio access technology (RAT) for accessing an access network device. When the type information is a first type of RAT, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) corresponding to the type information supports a paging time window (PTW); or when the type information is a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support a PTW; A sending unit, configured to, when the period of eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device, where the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

18. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that, The receiving unit is specifically configured to receive the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the second access network device receives the capability information of the first terminal device.

19. The device according to any one of claims 16 - 18, characterized in that, The receiving unit is further configured to receive indication information from a session management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; The sending unit is further configured to separately send the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices within a tracking area (TA) list corresponding to the first terminal device.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising: A sending unit, configured to send the capability information of a first terminal device to an access and mobility management function network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of an access technology type (RAT) for accessing an access network device. When the type information is a first type of RAT, the type information corresponding extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) supports a paging time window (PTW); or when the type information is a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the type information does not support PTW; A receiving unit, configured to receive a first eDRX parameter from the access and mobility management function network element, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter; A determining unit, configured to determine a paging occasion (PO) according to the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, and the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The determining unit is further configured to determine the PO according to a parameter other than the PTW parameter in the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT, but the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, where the input interface is configured to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, the output interface is configured to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor calls a computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-5, or any one of claims 6-9.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, where the input interface is configured to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, the output interface is configured to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor calls a computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 10-11.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, Comprising: The device according to claim 22 and the device according to claim 23.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or computer instruction is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or computer instruction is run, the method according to any one of claims 1-11 is implemented.

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