Information indication method and apparatus, network device, user equipment, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an information indication method and device, a network device, a user equipment and a storage medium. The information indication method comprises: sending indication information to a UE; the indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition. The present disclosure determines the paging message listening mode according to the network device, and does not have to perform paging message listening in the indication period, thereby achieving a better power saving effect.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information indication method and apparatus, a network device, a user equipment (UE) and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to save power of the terminal, the network configures parameters such as discontinuous reception (DRX), eDRX, power saving mode (PSM) for the UE, so as to achieve the purpose of saving power of the UE.

[0003] For a non-terrestrial network (NTN) network, if the satellite moves (for example, a non-synchronous satellite), the service time of the satellite to each UE is limited. When the orbital height of the satellite is 600km, according to different cell coverage radii and UE moving speeds, the service time provided by one NTN cell to the terminal is limited. This means that the UE needs to perform handover and cell reselection after a certain time.

[0004] For an NTN-IOT (Internet of Thing) network, there is a scenario of discontinuous coverage, so the UE in the IoT-NTN faces a scenario without network coverage. Due to the movement of the satellite in the NTN, even if the UE does not move, due to the change of the satellite cell coverage, the UE needs to search for a target cell to complete synchronization. In order to save the power consumption of the terminal, the network device configures a corresponding power saving mode for the UE, such as listening to a paging message when the UE wakes up from DRX / eDRX, or performing TAU when the UE wakes up from PSM. Due to the discontinuous coverage of the network and the fast movement of the satellite, the UE needs to search for the network in each frequency band supported by the UE, which undoubtedly increases the power consumption of the UE. At present, there is no related technical solution for this scenario. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information indication method and apparatus, a network device, a user equipment and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an information indication method is provided, comprising:

[0007] sending indication information to the UE; the indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition.

[0008] In one embodiment, the indication that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition comprises at least one of the following:

[0009] indicating the UE not to monitor paging message under a given time condition;

[0010] indicating the UE not to perform Tracking Area Update (TAU) under a given time condition;

[0011] indicating the UE not to perform cell search under a given time condition, in a dormant state.

[0012] In one embodiment, the given time condition comprises a set time period or a set time instant.

[0013] The set time period or set time instant is determined by a core network device and / or an access network device.

[0014] In one embodiment, the indication of the UE not to monitor paging message under a given time condition comprises:

[0015] if the UE is configured with DRX, indicating the UE not to monitor paging message at one or more Paging Occasion (PO) of a DRX cycle;

[0016] if the UE is configured with eDRX, indicating the UE not to monitor paging message within one or more Paging Time Window (PTW), or indicating the UE not to monitor paging message at one or more PO within at least one eDRX cycle of at least one PTW.

[0017] In one embodiment, the indication of the UE not to monitor paging message under a given time condition comprises:

[0018] if the UE is configured with PSM, indicating the UE not to monitor paging message during running of an active timer, or indicating the UE not to monitor paging message at one or more PO within at least one eDRX cycle during running of the active timer.

[0019] In one embodiment, the indication of the UE not to perform TAU under a given time condition comprises:

[0020] not performing TAU after a TAU timer expires.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sending of the indication information to the UE comprises:

[0022] sending the indication information through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message in a process of the UE transitioning from an RRC connected state to an RRC idle state.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sending of the indication information to the UE comprises:

[0024] The indication information is sent when the eDRX parameter and / or the PSM parameter is configured for the UE.

[0025] In one embodiment, the sending of the indication information when the eDRX parameter and / or the PSM parameter is configured for the UE comprises:

[0026] The indication information is sent in the process of TAU and / or attach of the UE.

[0027] In one embodiment, when the time period or the time point is determined by the access network device, the access network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the time period or before the time point.

[0028] In one embodiment, the access network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the time period or before the time point, comprising:

[0029] The access network device predicts that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE at T1, and the next time when the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the time period T2-T1.

[0030] In one embodiment, when the time period or the time point is determined by the core network device, the core network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the time period or before the time point if entering the RRC non-connected state.

[0031] In one embodiment, the core network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the time period or before the time point if entering the RRC non-connected state, comprising:

[0032] The core network device sends the indication information at T3, the deadline for the UE to be provided with network coverage is T4, and the next time of network coverage is T5, and if the core network device indicates the UE to enter the RRC non-connected state before T4, the UE is indicated not to perform cell search within the time period T5-T4.

[0033] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for information indication comprises:

[0034] Receiving the indication information sent by the network device, and determining not to perform cell search under a given time condition based on the indication information.

[0035] In one embodiment, the not performing cell search under the given time condition comprises at least one of:

[0036] not listening to paging message under given time condition;

[0037] not performing TAU under given time condition;

[0038] not performing cell search under given time condition, in sleep state.

[0039] In an embodiment, the given time condition comprises before a set time period or a set time instant.

[0040] The set time period or set time instant is determined by the core network device and / or the access network device.

[0041] In an embodiment, the not listening to paging message under given time condition comprises:

[0042] The UE determines to be configured with DRX, and not listening to paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle;

[0043] The UE determines to be configured with eDRX, and not listening to paging message in one or more PTWs, or in one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle within at least one PTW.

[0044] In an embodiment, the not listening to paging message under given time condition comprises:

[0045] The UE determines to be configured with PSM, and not listening to paging message during running of an active timer, or not listening to paging message in one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during running of the active timer.

[0046] In an embodiment, the indicating the UE not to perform TAU under given time condition comprises:

[0047] Not performing TAU after TAU timer expires.

[0048] In an embodiment, the receiving the indication information sent by the network device comprises:

[0049] The UE receives the indication information sent by the access network device through RRC message in a process of switching from RRC connected state to RRC non-connected state.

[0050] In an embodiment, the receiving the indication information sent by the network device comprises:

[0051] The UE receives the indication information sent by the core network device in a process of performing TAU and / or attach.

[0052] In an embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0053] According to the indication information, it is determined to enter an RRC non-connected state without performing cell search under the given time condition.

[0054] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an energy saving indication apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0055] A sending unit configured to send indication information to a UE; the indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition.

[0056] In one embodiment, the indication information is used for at least one of the following:

[0057] The UE is indicated not to listen to a paging message under a given time condition;

[0058] The UE is indicated not to perform TAU under a given time condition;

[0059] The UE is indicated not to perform cell search under a given time condition, and to be in a dormant state.

[0060] In one embodiment, the indication information is also used for at least one of the following:

[0061] If the UE is configured with DRX, the UE is indicated not to listen to a paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle;

[0062] If the UE is configured with eDRX, the UE is indicated not to listen to a paging message in one or more paging time windows (PTWs), or the UE is indicated not to listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle in at least one PTW.

[0063] In one embodiment, the indication information is also used for:

[0064] If the UE is configured with PSM, the UE is indicated not to listen to a paging message during the running of an activation timer, or the UE is indicated not to listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle during the running of the activation timer.

[0065] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, an information indication apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0066] A receiving unit configured to receive indication information sent by a network device;

[0067] A determining unit configured to determine not to perform cell search under a given time condition based on the indication information.

[0068] In one embodiment, the not performing cell search under a given time condition includes at least one of the following:

[0069] the UE does not listen to a paging message under a given time condition;

[0070] the UE does not perform a tracking area update (TAU) under a given time condition;

[0071] the UE does not perform a cell search under a given time condition, and is in a dormant state.

[0072] In one embodiment, the determining unit is further configured to:

[0073] determine, according to the indication information, that the UE enters an unconnected state and does not perform a cell search under the given time condition.

[0074] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being executed by the processor, wherein the processor executes the executable program to perform the steps of the information indication method of the first aspect.

[0075] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is provided, comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being executed by the processor, wherein the processor executes the executable program to perform the steps of the information indication method of the second aspect.

[0076] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores an executable program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the information indication method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0077] The information indication method and device, network device, user equipment, and storage medium of the embodiments of the present disclosure achieve the purpose of power saving by setting indication information for the UE to indicate that the UE does not perform a cell search under a given time condition. The network device of the embodiments of the present disclosure, based on the cell coverage rule, when determining that a cell cannot provide services for the UE, indicates the UE not to search for the cell and not to listen to the corresponding paging message under a given time condition according to the power saving mode configuration of the UE. The embodiments of the present disclosure, in view of the current network coverage characteristics and based on the power saving mode supported by the UE, can determine a more accurate power saving mode for the UE to indicate the UE to listen to the paging message based on the determined mode. The UE of the embodiments of the present disclosure, according to the paging message listening mode determined by the network device, does not have to listen to the paging message in the indicated period, thereby achieving a better power saving effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0078] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles behind the embodiments of the present application.

[0079] Figure 1 is a structure diagram of a wireless communication system according to an example embodiment;

[0080] Figure 2 is a flow diagram of an information indication method according to an example embodiment;

[0081] Figure 3 is a flow diagram of an information indication method according to an example embodiment;

[0082] Figure 4 is a DRX diagram according to an example embodiment;

[0083] Figure 5 is an eDRX diagram according to an example embodiment;

[0084] Figure 6 is a PSM diagram according to an example embodiment;

[0085] Figure 7 is a PSM diagram according to an example embodiment;

[0086] Figure 8 is a structure diagram of an information indication apparatus according to an example embodiment;

[0087] Figure 9 is a structure diagram of an information indication apparatus according to an example embodiment;

[0088] Figure 10 is a structure diagram of a user equipment according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] The example embodiments will be described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, the same numbers are used to designate the same elements, and the description of the same elements will not be repeated unless otherwise noted. The embodiments described in the following example embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0090] The terminology used in the disclosure embodiments is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure embodiments. As used in the description of the disclosure embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0091] It is to be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various information, the information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one piece of information from another. For example, a first information can also be termed a second information, and, similarly, a second information can also be termed a first information, without departing from the scope of the disclosure embodiments. The word "if' as used herein means "when" or "upon" or "in response to the determination" depending on the context.

[0092] Reference is made to Figure 1 which shows a structure diagram of a wireless communication system provided by the disclosure embodiments. As shown in Figure 1 , the wireless communication system is a communication system based on cellular mobile communication technology, and the wireless communication system can include a plurality of terminals 11 and a plurality of base stations 12.

[0093] The terminal 11 can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. The terminal 11 can communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN), and the terminal 11 can be an Internet of Things terminal, such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone), and a computer with an Internet of Things terminal, for example, which can be a fixed, portable, pocket, handheld, built-in, or vehicle-mounted device. For example, a Station (STA), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a terminal, or a user equipment (UE). Alternatively, the terminal 11 can also be a device of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Alternatively, the terminal 11 can also be a vehicle-mounted device, for example, it can be a vehicle-mounted computer with wireless communication function, or a wireless communication device externally connected to the vehicle-mounted computer. Alternatively, the terminal 11 can also be a roadside device, for example, it can be a street lamp, a signal lamp, or other roadside devices with wireless communication function, etc.

[0094] The base station 12 can be a network-side device in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system can be a 4th generation mobile communication (4G) system, also known as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or the wireless communication system can also be a 5G system, also known as a new radio (NR) system or a 5G NR system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system can also be any generation system. In the 5G system, the access network can be referred to as a New Generation-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). Alternatively, it can be an MTC system.

[0095] The base station 12 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 4G system. Alternatively, the base station 12 can be a base station (gNB) in a 5G system using a centralized and distributed architecture. When the base station 12 uses a centralized and distributed architecture, it generally includes a central unit (CU) and at least two distributed units (DUs). The central unit is provided with a protocol stack of a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, and a media access control (MAC) layer; and the distributed unit is provided with a protocol stack of a physical (PHY) layer. The specific implementation of the base station 12 is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0096] The base station 12 and the terminal 11 can establish a wireless connection through a wireless air interface. In different embodiments, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on a fourth generation mobile communication network technology (4G) standard; or the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on a fifth generation mobile communication network technology (5G) standard, such as a new radio (NR) air interface; or the wireless air interface can also be a wireless air interface based on a more next generation mobile communication network technology standard of 5G.

[0097] In some embodiments, the terminals 11 can also establish an E2E (End to End) connection. For example, V2V (vehicle to vehicle) communication, V2I (vehicle to infrastructure) communication, and V2P (vehicle to pedestrian) communication in vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, and the like.

[0098] In some embodiments, the wireless communication system can also include a network management device 13.

[0099] A plurality of base stations 12 are connected to a network management device 13. The network management device 13 can be a core network device in a wireless communication system, for example, the network management device 13 can be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Alternatively, the network management device can also be other core network devices, such as a Serving GateWay (SGW), a Public Data Network GateWay (PGW), a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), etc. The implementation form of the network management device 13 is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0100] The execution subject involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes but is not limited to: a terminal (UE, User Equipment) in a cellular mobile communication system, and a base station of cellular mobile communication, etc.

[0101] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an information indication method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information indication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a network device side, and the network device includes a core network, a base station, a relay station, a radio remote unit, etc. The information indication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure includes the following processing steps: Figure 2

[0102] Step 201, sending indication information to a UE.

[0103] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition.

[0104] The indication information indicates that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition, including at least one of:

[0105] indicating that the UE does not listen to a paging message under a given time condition;

[0106] indicating that the UE does not perform TAU under a given time condition; wherein the TAU under the given time condition can be that the UE does not perform TAU after a TAU timer expires;

[0107] indicating that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition, and is in a dormant state.

[0108] ​In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the given time condition comprises a set time period or a set time point, wherein the set time period or the set time point is determined by the core network device and / or the access network device. The access network device comprises a base station, a relay station, a radio frequency remote unit, and the like.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the not listening to the paging message under the given time condition comprises at least one of the following cases:

[0110] If the UE is configured with DRX, the UE is instructed to not listen to the paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle;

[0111] If the UE is configured with eDRX, the UE is instructed to not listen to the paging message in one or more PTWs, or the UE is instructed to not listen to the paging message in one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle in a PTW;

[0112] If the UE is configured with PSM, the UE is instructed to not listen to the paging message during the running of an activation timer, or the UE is instructed to not listen to the paging message in one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during the running of the activation timer.

[0113] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the indication information is sent to the UE, comprising: sending the indication information through an RRC message in the process that the UE is transferred from an RRC connected state to an RRC non-connected state. For example, the base station can send the indication information through an RRC release-NB message or through an RRC EarlyDataComplete-NB message in the process that the UE is transferred from the connected state to the non-connected state.

[0114] The indication information is also sent to the UE, which can comprise: sending the indication information when the UE is configured with eDRX parameters and / or PSM parameters. For example, the core network device can also send the indication information to the UE. The core network device can send the indication information to the UE when the UE is configured with eDRX parameters and / or PSM parameters. For example, the core network device can send the indication information to the UE in the process that the UE performs TAU and / or attach.

[0115] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the set time period or the set time point is determined by the access network device, the access network device instructs the UE to not perform cell search in the set time period or before the set time point. For example, the access network device predicts that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE for T1, and the next time when the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and instructs the UE to not perform cell search in T2-T1.

[0116] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the core network device determines the set time period or set time point, and instructs the UE not to perform cell search in the set time period or before the set time point if entering the RRC non-connected state. For example, the core network device sends the indication information at T3, provides the UE with a network coverage deadline at T4, and a next network coverage time at T5. If the core network device instructs the UE to enter the RRC non-connected state before T4, the UE is instructed not to perform cell search in the time period T5-T4.

[0117] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an information indication method according to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the information indication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a user equipment side, and the information indication method of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following processing steps: Figure 3

[0118] Step 301, receiving indication information sent by a network device.

[0119] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the not performing cell search under the given time condition includes at least one of the following:

[0120] The UE does not listen to a paging message under the given time condition;

[0121] The UE does not perform TAU under the given time condition; wherein the not performing TAU under the given time condition can be that the UE does not perform TAU after a TAU timer expires;

[0122] The UE does not perform cell search under the given time condition and is in a sleep state.

[0123] The given time condition includes within a set time period or before a set time point; the set time period or set time point is determined by a core network device and / or an access network device.

[0124] Step 302, determining not to perform cell search under the given time condition based on the indication information.

[0125] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the not listening to a paging message under the given time condition includes at least one of the following:

[0126] The UE determines to be configured with DRX, and does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle;

[0127] The UE determines to be configured with eDRX, and does not listen to a paging message in one or more PTWs, or in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle in at least one PTW;

[0128] ​The UE determines that PSM is configured, does not listen to a paging message during running of the active timer, or indicates that the UE does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle during running of the active timer.

[0129] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the receiving of the indication information sent by the network device comprises: receiving, by the UE in the process of switching from the RRC connected state to the RRC idle state, the indication information sent by the access network device through an RRC message.

[0130] Alternatively, the indication information sent by the core network device is received in the process of TAU and / or attach of the UE.

[0131] On the basis of the processing flow of the foregoing embodiments, the information indication method of the embodiments of the present disclosure further comprises:

[0132] The UE determines, according to the indication information, to enter the RRC idle state under the time condition and not to perform cell search.

[0133] For example, according to the received indication information sent by the network, the UE does not listen to a paging message; or the UE does not perform TAU, or the UE does not perform cell search, and is in a sleep state.

[0134] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the UE can include NB-IoT terminals, eMTC terminals, and the like. In order to save power for this type of terminal, the network device can configure the UE with DRX, eDRX, PSM, and the like, so as to achieve the purpose of saving power of the UE.

[0135] Figure 4 is a DRX schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 4 As shown in the figure, for DRX related parameters, the UE is configured by the gNB, and the DRX related parameters mainly include parameters such as the period of DRX. The UE determines to listen to a network paging message according to the DRX parameters.

[0136] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, to make the UE more power saving, the base station further sends indication information to the UE through an RRC message, the indication information indicating that the UE does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle. For example, the base station predicts that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE for T1, and the next time the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and then the base station indicates the UE not to listen to the paging message and / or not to perform cell search in the T2-T1 time. The indication information includes time period information T2-T1 of not performing cell search, and indicates the UE not to listen to the paging message and / or not to perform cell search from the T1 starting moment. The base station can send the indication information through an RRC release-NB message in the process of the UE switching from the connected state to the non-connected state, or send the indication information through an RRC EarlyDataComplete-NB message. After the UE receives the indication information, the UE no longer listens to the paging information in the DRX mode.

[0137] Figure 5 is an eDRX schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 5 , in each eDRX cycle, the UE can only receive downlink data in a set paging time window (PTW), and the UE is in a sleep state in the remaining time and does not receive downlink data, and the cycle range of eDRX is between 20.48s and 2.92h. In each eDRX cycle, there is a PTW. The terminal listens to the paging channel according to the DRX cycle (the DRX cycle time is short, and it can be considered that the UE does not sleep and can reach) in the PTW, so as to receive downlink data, and the terminal is in a sleep state in the remaining time.

[0138] In the eDRX parameter, the core network device and the UE negotiate the following parameters: eDRX cycle (T eDRX,H ) and PTW window length.

[0139] The core network device configures the eDRX parameter to the UE in the process of UE attaching to the network or the process of TAU. In addition, the core network device can also send the eDRX parameter to the gNB through the paging message of the S1 interface, that is, when the core network device initiates paging to the UE, the eDRX parameter is also sent to the gNB. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the core network device needs to send the indication information to the UE, the time of sending the indication information is T3, the time limit for the network to provide coverage to the UE is T4, and the next network coverage time is T5. The core network device indicates that if the UE enters the RRC non-connected state before T4, no cell search is performed in the time T5-T4. The indication of not performing cell search is included in the indication information, and the indication information is sent to the UE when the eDRX parameter is configured to the UE. After the UE receives the eDRX parameter and the indication information, the time period information T5-T4 is parsed from the indication information. In the eDRX, if the UE enters the RRC non-connected state before T4, no cell search is performed from T4, no paging message is listened to, and the UE enters the sleep state, that is, the UE does not listen to the paging message in one or more PTWs.

[0140] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 is a PSM schematic diagram according to an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 6 、 Figure 7 shown, in order to further save power, PSM is introduced, in the PSM state, downlink data is unreachable, and the UE is in a sleep state. At this time, there are two ways to wake up the UE, the first is that the UE needs to send uplink data, and the second is that the TAU timer expires. When entering PSM, the UE no longer receives paging messages and downlink data. The two timers T3321 and T3412 are configured by the core network device for the UE. Generally, when the UE attaches to the network and performs TAU, the core network device configures the PSM parameter and / or eDRX parameter, and the T3321 and T3412 time length parameter to the UE.

[0141] For eDRX, the UE will be in a sleep state outside the PTW, at this time the UE will not receive downlink data and will not perform any measurements on the serving cell and the neighbor cell. If the UE enters the PSM state, it will also not receive downlink data and will not perform any measurements on the serving cell and the neighbor cell.

[0142] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the core network device configures the PSM parameter and the indication information to the UE in the process of UE attaching to the network or the process of TAU. When the core network device needs to send the indication information to the UE, the time of sending the indication information is T3, the deadline of the network providing coverage to the UE is T4, and the next network coverage time is T5. If the UE enters the RRC non-connected state before T4, the core network device indicates that the UE does not perform cell search in the time T5-T4, and the indication of not performing cell search is included in the indication information. When the UE is configured with the PSM parameter, the indication information is sent to the UE. After the UE receives the eDRX parameter and the indication information, the time period information T5-T4 is parsed from the indication information. In the PSM, if the UE enters the RRC non-connected state before T4, the UE does not perform cell search and does not listen to the paging message from T4, and enters the sleep state. In the eDRX mode, the UE is instructed to not listen to the paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle during the running of the activation timer.

[0143] Figure 8 The information indication device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in the component structure diagram of the information indication device, as shown in Figure 8 The information indication device of the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a network side device. The information indication device of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

[0144] The sending unit 80 is configured to send the indication information to the UE. The indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform cell search under a given time condition.

[0145] The indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not listen to the paging message under the given time condition.

[0146] The indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform TAU under the given time condition. Specifically, the UE does not perform TAU after the TAU timer expires.

[0147] The indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not perform cell search under the given time condition, and the UE is in a sleep state.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the given time condition includes a set time period or before a set time. The set time period or the set time is determined by the core network device and / or the access network device. The access network device includes a base station, a relay station, a radio frequency remote unit, and the like.

[0149] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, if the UE is configured with DRX, the indication information is used to indicate that the UE does not listen to the paging message in one or more POs of the DRX cycle.

[0150] If the UE is configured with eDRX, the UE is instructed to not monitor paging messages within one or more PTWs, or to not monitor paging messages within one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during the active timer.

[0151] Alternatively, if the UE is configured with PSM, the UE is instructed to not monitor paging messages during the running of the active timer, or to not monitor paging messages within one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during the running of the active timer.

[0152] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending unit 80 is further configured to send the indication information through an RRC message in the process of the UE switching from the RRC connected state to the RRC non-connected state. For example, the base station can send the indication information through an RRC release-NB message or through an RRC EarlyDataComplete-NB message in the process of the UE switching from the connected state to the non-connected state.

[0153] The sending unit 80 is further configured to send the indication information when the eDRX parameter and / or the PSM parameter is configured for the UE. For example, the core network device can also send the indication information to the UE. The core network device can send the indication information to the UE when the eDRX parameter and / or the PSM parameter is configured for the UE. For example, the core network device can send the indication information to the UE in the process of the UE performing TAU and / or attach.

[0154] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the set time period or the set time point is determined by the access network device, the access network device instructs the UE not to perform cell search within the set time period or before the set time point. For example, the access network device predicts that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE at time T1, and the next time when the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and instructs the UE not to perform cell search within the time period T2-T1.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, when the set time period or the set time point is determined by the core network device, the core network device instructs the UE not to perform cell search within the set time period or before the set time point if the UE enters the RRC non-connected state. For example, the core network device sends the indication information at time T3, the deadline for the UE to be provided with network coverage is T4, and the next time of network coverage is T5. If the core network device instructs the UE to enter the RRC non-connected state before time T4, the UE is instructed not to perform cell search within the time period T5-T4.

[0156] In the example embodiment, the sending unit 80 and the like can be implemented by one or more central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), base processors (BPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, micro controller units (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic elements, and can be implemented in combination with one or more radio frequency (RF) antennas, to perform the steps of the information indication method of the foregoing embodiments.

[0157] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 8 The specific manners in which the various units of the information indication apparatus perform operations are described in detail in the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0158] Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structural components of an information indication apparatus according to an example embodiment, as shown in Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1, the information indication apparatus of the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a UE, and the information indication apparatus includes:

[0159] The receiving unit 90 is configured to receive indication information sent by a network device.

[0160] The determining unit 91 is configured to determine, based on the indication information, that no cell search is to be performed under a given time condition.

[0161] In one embodiment, the no cell search to be performed under the given time condition includes at least one of the following:

[0162] The UE does not listen to a paging message under the given time condition;

[0163] The UE does not perform a TAU under the given time condition; wherein the no TAU to be performed under the given time condition specifically means that the UE does not perform a TAU after a TAU timer expires.

[0164] The UE does not perform cell search under the given time condition, and is in a dormant state.

[0165] In an embodiment, the determining unit 91 is further configured to:

[0166] According to the indication information, it is determined that the UE enters an RRC idle state under the given time condition and does not perform cell search.

[0167] The given time condition includes a set time period or a set time point before the set time period; the set time period or the set time point is determined by the core network device and / or the access network device.

[0168] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the determining unit 91 is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0169] It is determined that the UE is configured with DRX, and does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs in a DRX cycle;

[0170] It is determined that the UE is configured with eDRX, and does not listen to a paging message in one or more PTWs, or does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle in at least one PTW.

[0171] It is determined that the UE is configured with PSM, and does not listen to a paging message during the running of an activation timer, or does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle during the running of the activation timer.

[0172] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving unit 90 is further configured to: receive the indication information sent by the access network device through an RRC message in the process of the UE switching from an RRC connected state to an RRC idle state;

[0173] Or, receive the indication information sent by the core network device in the process of the UE performing TAU and / or attach.

[0174] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE determines, according to the indication information, that the UE enters an RRC idle state under the given time condition and does not perform cell search.

[0175] For example, according to the received indication information sent by the network, it is indicated that the UE does not listen to a paging message, or the UE does not perform TAU, or the UE does not perform cell search, and is in a dormant state.

[0176] In an example embodiment, the receiving unit 90, the determining unit 91, etc. can be implemented by one or more Central Processing Units (CPU), Graphics Processing Units (GPU), Base Processors (BP), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Digital Signal Processors (DSP), Programmable Logic Devices (PLD), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLD), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers (MCU), microprocessors (Microprocessor), or other electronic elements, and can be implemented in combination with one or more Radio Frequency (RF) antennas for performing the steps of the information indication method of the foregoing embodiments.

[0177] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 9 The specific manners in which the various units of the information indication apparatus perform operations have been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0178] Figure 10 is a block diagram of a user equipment 8000 according to an example embodiment. The user equipment 8000 can be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging equipment, a game console, a tablet equipment, a medical equipment, a fitness equipment, a personal digital assistant, etc.

[0179] Referring to Figure 10 The user equipment 8000 can include one or more of the following components: a processing component 8002, a memory 8004, a power supply component 8006, a multimedia component 8008, an audio component 8010, an input / output (I / O) interface 8012, a sensor component 8014, and a communication component 8016.

[0180] The processing component 8002 generally controls the overall operations of the user equipment 8000, such as operations associated with display, telephony, data communication, camera, and recording operations. The processing component 8002 can include one or more processors 8020 to execute instructions to complete the steps of the methods described above, in whole or in part. Further, the processing component 8002 can include one or more modules to facilitate the interaction between the processing component 8002 and other components. For example, the processing component 8002 can include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component 8008 and the processing component 8002.

[0181] The memory 8004 is configured to store various types of data to support the operations of the user equipment 8000. Examples of these data include instructions for any application or method operating on the user equipment 8000, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and so on. The memory 8004 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage devices or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0182] The power component 8006 supplies the various components of the user equipment 8000 with power. The power component 8006 can include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the user equipment 8000.

[0183] The multimedia component 8008 includes a screen providing an output interface between the user equipment 8000 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen can include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes the touch panel, the screen can be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input signal from a user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense a touch, swiping, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor can not only sense a boundary of a touching or swiping action, but also detect duration and pressure related to the touching or swiping action. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 8008 includes a front camera and / or a rear camera. The front and / or rear camera can receive external multimedia data when the user equipment 8000 is in an operation mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode. Each of the front and rear camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

[0184] The audio component 8010 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 8010 includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive an external audio signal when the user device 8000 is in an operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal can be further stored in the memory 8004 or transmitted via the communication component 8016. In some embodiments, the audio component 8010 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0185] The I / O interface 8012 provides an interface between the processing component 8002 and peripheral interface modules, which can be a keypad, a click wheel, buttons, and the like. The buttons can include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.

[0186] The sensor component 8014 includes one or more sensors for providing various state assessments for the user device 8000. For example, the sensor component 8014 can detect an open / closed state of the user device 8000, relative positioning of components, such as a display and a keypad of the user device 8000, a change in position of the user device 8000 or a component of the user device 8000, presence or absence of user contact with the user device 8000, orientation or acceleration / deceleration / g-force and temperature of the user device 8000. The sensor component 8014 can include an orientation sensor, a proximity sensor configured to detect presence of an object in proximity to the user device 8000, an acceleration sensor, a

[0187] The communication component 8016 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the user device 8000 and another device. The user device 8000 can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, or 3G, or a combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the communication component 8016 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an example embodiment, the communication component 8016 also includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) techniques, infrared data association (IrDA) techniques, ultra-wideband (UWB) techniques, Bluetooth (BT) techniques, and other techniques.

[0188] In exemplary embodiments, the user equipment 8000 can be implemented with one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic components, for performing the steps of the information indication method described above.

[0189] In exemplary embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the memory 8004 including instructions, is also provided, which can be executed by the processor 8020 of the user equipment 8000 to complete the steps of the information indication method described above. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, and an optical data storage device, etc.

[0190] The embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a network device, which comprises a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being executed by the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the information indication method of the foregoing embodiments when executing the executable program.

[0191] The embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a user equipment, which comprises a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being executed by the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the information indication method of the foregoing embodiments when executing the executable program.

[0192] The embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a storage medium, which stores an executable program executed by a processor to complete the steps of the information indication method of the foregoing embodiments.

[0193] Other embodiments of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. It is intended that the present application cover any and all variations of the application that come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the application indicated by the following claims.

[0194] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the precise construction that has been described above and shown in the accompanying drawings and that various modifications and changes can be effected therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application. The scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure is to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for information indication, performed by a network device, the method comprising: sending, to a user equipment (UE), indication information; the indication information being used to indicate a time during which the UE does not perform cell search; wherein the time during which the UE does not perform cell search comprises a time period; wherein the time period is determined by an access network device, and the access network device indicates the UE to not perform cell search during the time period; wherein the access network device indicates the UE to not perform cell search during the time period comprises: the access network device predicts that a current network cannot provide coverage for the UE for a time T1, and the next time that the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and then indicates the UE to not perform cell search during T2-T1. The UE does not perform cell search during the time comprises at least one of the following: The UE does not listen to paging messages during the time; The UE does not perform tracking area update (TAU) during the time; The UE is in a sleep state during the time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The time during which the UE does not perform cell search comprises a time period or a time point; The time period or the time point is determined by a core network device and / or an access network device. The UE does not listen to paging messages during the time comprises: If the UE is configured with discontinuous reception (DRX), the UE is indicated to not listen to paging messages during one or more paging occasions (POs) of a DRX cycle; 3. The method of claim 2, wherein, If the UE is configured with eDRX, the UE is indicated to not listen to paging messages during one or more paging time windows (PTWs), or to not listen to paging messages during one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during the running of an active timer. The UE does not listen to paging messages during the time comprises:

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, If the UE is configured with power saving mode (PSM), the UE is indicated to not listen to paging messages during the running of an active timer, or to not listen to paging messages during one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during the running of an active timer. The UE is indicated to not perform TAU during the time comprises: Not performing TAU after a TAU timer expires.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, The indication information is sent to the UE comprises: The indication information is sent to the UE through an RRC message in a process in which the UE switches from an RRC connected state to an RRC idle state.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein, The indication information is sent to the UE comprises: The indication information is sent when eDRX parameters and / or PSM parameters are configured for the UE.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, The indication information is sent when eDRX parameters and / or PSM parameters are configured for the UE comprises: The indication information is sent in a process in which the UE performs TAU and / or attach.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, The time point is determined by an access network device, and the access network device indicates the UE to not perform cell search before the time point. The access network device indicates the UE to not perform cell search before the time point comprises:

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, ​ ​ 10. The method of claim 3, wherein, ​ 11. The method of claim 10, wherein, ​ The access network device predicts that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE for a time T1, and can provide network coverage for the UE for a next time T2, and indicates the UE not to perform cell search for a time T2-T1.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, The core network device determines the set time period or set time point, and indicates the UE not to perform cell search if entering the RRC non-connected state within the set time period or before the set time point.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The core network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search if entering the RRC non-connected state within the set time period or before the set time point, including: The core network device sends the indication information at a time T3, provides network coverage for the UE until a time T4, and provides network coverage for the UE for a next time T5, and indicates the UE not to perform cell search for a time T5-T4 if the core network device indicates the UE to enter the RRC non-connected state before the time T4.

14. An information indication method, performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving indication information sent by a network device, the indication information indicating a time; determining not to perform cell search at a given time based on the indication information; wherein the given time includes a set time period; wherein the set time period is determined by an access network device, and the access network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the set time period; wherein the access network device indicates the UE not to perform cell search within the set time period, including that the access network device predicts that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE for a time T1, and can provide network coverage for the UE for a next time T2, and indicates the UE not to perform cell search for a time T2-T1.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The not performing cell search at the given time includes at least one of the following: not listening to a paging message at the given time; not performing TAU at the given time; not performing cell search at the given time, and being in a sleep state.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The given time includes a set time period or before a set time point; The set time period or set time point is determined by a core network device and / or an access network device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The not listening to a paging message at the given time includes: The UE determines that a DRX is configured, and does not listen to a paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle; The UE determines that an eDRX is configured, and does not listen to a paging message in one or more PTWs, or in one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle within at least one PTW.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein, The not listening to a paging message at the given time includes: The UE determines that a PSM is configured, and does not listen to a paging message during running of an activation timer, or is indicated to not listen to a paging message in one or more POs of at least one eDRX cycle during running of the activation timer.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein, The indicating the UE not to perform TAU at the given time includes: not performing TAU after a TAU timer expires.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein, The receiving indication information sent by the network device includes: The UE receives the indication information sent by the access network device through an RRC message in a process of switching from an RRC connected state to an RRC non-connected state.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein, The receiving of the indication information sent by the network device comprises: The UE receives the indication information sent by the core network device in a TAU and / or attach process.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: According to the indication information, it is determined that the UE does not perform cell search in the given time when entering the RRC non-connected state.

23. An energy saving indication apparatus, arranged in a network device, the apparatus comprising: a sending unit, configured to send indication information to a UE; the indication information is used to indicate time, and the UE does not perform cell search in the given time; wherein the given time comprises a set time period; wherein the set time period is determined by an access network device, and the access network device indicates that the UE does not perform cell search in the set time period; wherein the access network device indicates that the UE does not perform cell search in the set time period comprises: the access network device predicts that a time when the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE is T1, and a next time when the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and then indicates that the UE does not perform cell search in the time of T2-T1.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, The UE does not perform cell search in the given time, which comprises at least one of the following: The UE does not listen to a paging message in the given time; The UE does not perform TAU in the given time; The UE does not perform cell search in the given time, and is in a sleep state.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, The indication information is further used to: if the UE is configured with DRX, the UE is indicated to not listen to a paging message in one or more POs of a DRX cycle; if the UE is configured with eDRX, the UE is indicated to not listen to a paging message in one or more paging time windows PTWs, or the UE is indicated to not listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle in at least one PTW.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, The indication information is further used to: if the UE is configured with PSM, the UE is indicated to not listen to a paging message during running of an activation timer, or the UE is indicated to not listen to a paging message in one or more POs in at least one eDRX cycle during running of the activation timer.

27. An information indication apparatus, arranged in a user equipment UE, the apparatus comprising: a receiving unit, configured to receive indication information sent by a network device, the indication information indicating time; a determining unit, configured to determine, based on the indication information, that the UE does not perform cell search in the given time; wherein the given time comprises a set time period; wherein the set time period is determined by an access network device, and the access network device indicates that the UE does not perform cell search in the set time period; The access network device instructing the UE not to perform cell search in a given time period comprises: the access network device predicting that the current network cannot provide coverage for the UE for a time T1, and the next time that the network can provide coverage for the UE is T2, and instructing the UE not to perform cell search in the time T2-T1.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein, The not performing cell search in a given time comprises at least one of: The UE not listening to a paging message in a given time; The UE not performing tracking area update (TAU) in a given time; The UE not performing cell search in a given time, and being in a sleep state.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein, The determining unit is further configured to: According to the instruction information, determine to enter a non-connected state and not perform cell search in the given time. 30.A network device comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein the processor runs the executable program to perform the steps of the information instruction method according to any one of claims 1 to 13. 31.A user equipment comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein the processor runs the executable program to perform the steps of the information instruction method according to any one of claims 14 to 22. 32.A storage medium having stored thereon an executable program which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the information instruction method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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