A communication method and communication device

Abstract

This application discloses a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: a first access network device receiving paging capability information from a core network device or a second access network device, determining a paging area based on the paging capability information, and sending a paging message to a terminal device through the determined paging area. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device. In other words, the paging capability information indicates multiple paging capabilities of the terminal device. Thus, the first access network device determines the paging area by comprehensively considering the multiple paging capabilities of the terminal device, which can exclude cells where the terminal device will not be active, thereby minimizing paging of the terminal device in cells where it will not be active, and conserving paging resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0002] Access network devices can use paging to notify terminal devices to receive data or signaling. Before sending a paging message, the access network device needs to determine a specific paging range, which is the area where the access network device sends the paging message (referred to as the paging area), and send the paging message within the determined paging area. Currently, before determining the paging area of ​​a terminal device, the access network device can obtain the frequency bands supported by the terminal device and page the terminal device in all cells corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. That is, currently, the cells corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device are used as the paging area.

[0003] However, in some scenarios, terminal devices may not reside in one or more cells corresponding to the frequency bands they support. In such cases, if the access network equipment still pagees the terminal device in all cells corresponding to the frequency bands it supports, paging resources will be wasted. Therefore, how to rationally determine the paging area of ​​a terminal device has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and communication device that enables access network equipment to reasonably determine the paging area for paging terminal equipment, thereby saving paging resources.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication equipment or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the method to be implemented, such as a chip system. The following description uses a first access network device as an example of the communication equipment. The method includes:

[0006] The first access network device receives paging capability information from the core network device or the second access network device, and determines the paging area based on the paging capability information, and sends a paging message to the terminal device through the determined paging area. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0007] Accordingly, in a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication equipment or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the method to be implemented, such as a chip system. The following description uses a core network device or a second access network device as an example. The method includes:

[0008] The core network device or the second access network device obtains the paging capability information of the terminal device and sends the paging capability information to the first access network device. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0009] In this embodiment, the core network device or the second access network device can provide the first access network device with more capability information of the terminal device, such as the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device, etc. Using the technical solution provided in this application, the first access network device can comprehensively determine the paging area by integrating multiple capability information of the terminal device, that is, determine which cells to paging the terminal device in, thereby minimizing paging of the terminal device in cells where it will not be active, and conserving paging resources.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first or second aspect, the paging capability information is a capability information identifier for the terminal device. This scheme indicates the paging capability information through capability identifier information, which can save the signaling overhead used to indicate the paging capability information.

[0011] In possible implementations of the first aspect, the paging area determined by the first access network device based on the paging capability information varies depending on the capabilities of the terminal devices. For example, based on the capabilities of the terminal devices, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell when any one of the following conditions 1 to 4 is met.

[0012] Condition 1 includes the following: the terminal device is not an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) mobile terminal (MT), and the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, which corresponds to the first cell. In this scheme, the core network device or the second access network device can report the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device to the first access network device. It should be understood that, considering interference between adjacent frequencies between networks, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device in additional frequency bands, such as the first frequency band, will be limited. If the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device indicated by the paging capability information does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, and the terminal device is not an IAB-MT, then the terminal device will not camp in the first cell. In this case, the first access network device can determine that it will not paging the terminal device in the first cell, i.e., the paging area does not include the first cell. Compared to the current method where the first access network device determines the paging area by obtaining the frequency band supported by the terminal device, this method can further narrow the scope of the paging area, thereby saving paging resources.

[0013] Condition 2 includes situations where the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell. It should be understood that the core network device or the second access network device can report the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device to the first access network device. In this scheme, the first access network device can compare the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device with the initial bandwidth or carrier bandwidth of each cell to determine which cells the terminal device will not camp on. For example, if the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell, then the first access network device should not page the terminal device in the first cell; that is, the paging area does not include the first cell.

[0014] Condition 3 includes the terminal device not supporting a 7.5kHz frequency offset, and the first cell having a 7.5kHz frequency offset. In this scheme, the core network device and the second access network device can report to the first access network device whether the terminal device supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, thereby enabling the first access network device to determine whether to page the terminal device in a cell with a 7.5kHz frequency offset. If the terminal device does not support a 7.5kHz frequency offset, but the first cell has a 7.5kHz frequency offset, then the terminal device will not camp in the first cell. The first access network device can determine that the paging area does not include the first cell, meaning the first access network device will not page the terminal device in the first cell, thus saving paging resources.

[0015] Condition 4 includes the terminal device supporting P radio frequency chains (Rx chains), and the first cell prohibits terminal devices with P Rx chains from accessing the network. The number of Rx chains supported by the same type of terminal device may differ. For example, a terminal device with low complexity or low capability (REDCAP) may support one Rx chain or two Rx chains. The number of Rx chains supported by a terminal device can be used to characterize a capability of that terminal device. Considering that each cell can prohibit or allow terminal devices supporting a certain number of Rx chains to access the network, this scheme allows the first access network device to page the terminal device on cells that allow terminal devices with P Rx chains to access the network, based on the number P Rx chains supported by the terminal device, thus conserving paging resources.

[0016] Understandably, if any one of conditions 1 to 4 is met, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell. When condition 1 is not met, the first access network device can further determine whether condition 2 is met to determine whether the paging area includes the first cell. With the evolution of technology, other judgment conditions can be added to conditions 1 to 4 above, and it is still possible to determine the paging area based on paging capability information.

[0017] It is understandable that even if conditions 1 to 4 above are not met, if none of the selected public land mobile network (PLMN), registered PLMN, and equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell provide a tracking area code, then the first access network device will determine that the paging area does not include the first cell. It should be understood that if none of the selected PLMN, registered PLMN, and equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell provide a tracking area code, then the first cell will not allow the terminal device to access it; in other words, the terminal device will consider the first cell as prohibited. In this case, the terminal device will not camp on the first cell. Through this solution, the first access network device can avoid paging the terminal device in the first cell, thereby saving paging resources.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first access network device includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In this case, the first access network device can determine the paging area through either the CU or the DU, offering greater flexibility. For example, the first access network device can receive paging capability information through the CU and determine the paging area through the CU. Alternatively, the first access network device can receive the paging capability information through the CU and send the paging capability information to the DU through the CU. In this way, the DU can determine the paging area based on the paging capability information from the CU.

[0019] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can have the functionality to implement the behavior in the method example of the first aspect described above. The beneficial effects can be found in the description of the first aspect and will not be repeated here. This communication device can be the first access network device in the first aspect, or it can be a device capable of supporting the first access network device in the first aspect to implement the functions required by the method provided in the first aspect, such as a chip or chip system.

[0020] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the method of the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). These units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the above-described example of the method of the first aspect. Exemplarily, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, the transceiver module being used to receive paging capability information from a core network device or a second access network device. The processing module can determine a paging area based on the paging capability information. The transceiver module can also be used to send a paging message to a terminal device through the determined paging area. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5 kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0021] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can have the functionality to implement the behavior in the method examples of the second aspect described above. The beneficial effects can be found in the description of the second aspect and will not be repeated here. This communication device can be the core network device or the second access network device in the second aspect, or it can be a device capable of supporting the core network device or the second access network device in the second aspect to implement the functions required by the method provided in the second aspect, such as a chip or chip system.

[0022] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the method of the second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). These units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the examples of the method of the second aspect described above. Exemplarily, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, the processing module being able to acquire paging capability information of the terminal device. The transceiver module can be used to send the paging capability information to a first access network device. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5 kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0023] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be the communication device described in the third or fourth aspect of the above embodiments, or a chip or chip system disposed in the communication device described in the third or fourth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, instructions, or data. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program, instructions, or data, it causes the communication device to execute the method performed by the first access network device, the core network device, or the second access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0024] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including an input / output interface and logic circuitry. The input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information. The logic circuitry is used to execute the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0025] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor, and may further include memory and / or a communication interface for implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes memory for storing program instructions and / or data. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0026] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system comprising the communication devices of the third aspect and the fourth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system comprises the communication devices of the third aspect and the communication devices for performing the second aspect method as described in the fifth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system comprises the communication devices of the fourth aspect and the communication devices for performing the second aspect method as described in the fifth aspect. The communication system can perform the corresponding functions in the above-described examples of the first and second aspects methods. For example, the communication system comprises a first access network device, a core network device, and a terminal device. The core network device can be used to obtain paging capability information of the terminal device and send the paging capability information to the first access network device. The first access network device is used to determine a paging area based on the paging capability information and send a paging message to the terminal device through the determined paging area. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5 kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0027] As an optional implementation, paging capability information serves as a capability information identifier for the terminal device.

[0028] As an optional implementation, the one or more capabilities include the type of terminal device and the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device on the first frequency band. The first access network device determines the paging area based on the paging capability information, including: when the type of the terminal device is not IAB-MT and the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device on the first frequency band does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell, wherein the first frequency band corresponds to the first cell.

[0029] As an optional implementation, the one or more capabilities include the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device. The first access network device determines the paging area based on the paging capability information, including: when the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or when the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell.

[0030] As an optional implementation, the one or more capabilities include whether the terminal device supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset. The first access network device determines the paging area based on the paging capability information, including: when the terminal device does not support a 7.5kHz frequency offset, but the first cell is set to a 7.5kHz frequency offset, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell.

[0031] As an optional implementation, the one or more capabilities include the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device. The first access network device determines the paging area based on the paging capability information, including: when the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device is P, and the first cell prohibits the access of terminal devices with P radio frequency chains, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell.

[0032] As an optional implementation, the first access network device is specifically used to determine that the paging area does not include the first cell if none of the selected PLMN, registered PLMN, and equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell provide a tracking area code.

[0033] As an optional implementation, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, wherein the first access network device receives paging capability information through the CU and determines the paging area through the CU.

[0034] As an optional implementation, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU, wherein the first access network device receives the paging capability information through the CU and sends the paging capability information to the DU through the CU, so that the DU can determine the paging area.

[0035] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, implements the methods described in the first or second aspect above.

[0036] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when executed, causes the methods in the first or second aspect described above to be performed.

[0037] The beneficial effects of the aforementioned third to tenth aspects and their implementation methods can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of any of the aforementioned first to second aspects and any possible implementation methods of the first to second aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating the first communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the second communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the third communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating the fourth communication method provided in this application embodiment;

[0043] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 7 Another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 8 This is an exemplary structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the various embodiments of this application, some technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained first.

[0047] 1) Terminal equipment, which can be user equipment (UE), is sometimes also called a terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc. A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from network devices. These terminal devices are used to connect people, things, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to: cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and other similar scenarios.

[0048] The terminal device described in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, VR terminal, AR terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, smart speaker in IoT network, wireless terminal device in telemedicine, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, or wireless terminal device in smart home, etc. As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, etc., and are a general term for devices that apply wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes.

[0049] Terminal devices may also include relays. Alternatively, any device capable of data communication with a base station can be considered a terminal device. The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can be considered vehicle-mounted terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). Furthermore, in this application embodiment, a terminal device can refer to a device for implementing terminal functions, or a device that supports the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, which can be installed within the terminal device. For example, a terminal device can also be a vehicle detector. In this application embodiment, the chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment are described using the example of a terminal device as the device for implementing terminal functions.

[0050] 2) Access network equipment refers to the access devices that enable terminal devices to wirelessly access the mobile communication system. This includes access network (AN) equipment, such as base stations. Network equipment can also refer to devices that communicate with terminal devices over the air interface. Network equipment can include evolved Node Bs (eNBs or e-NodeBs) in LTE systems or Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) systems. An eNB is a device deployed in the radio access network that meets the fourth-generation (4G) standard to provide wireless communication capabilities for terminal devices. Network equipment can also be a new radio controller (NR controller), a gNode B (gNB) in a 5G system, a centralized unit, a new wireless base station, a remote radio module, a micro base station (also known as a small cell), a relay, a distributed unit, various forms of macro base stations, a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission measurement function (TMF), a transmission point (TP), or any other wireless access device. The embodiments in this application are not limited to these. Network equipment can also include a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved Node B, or a home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the access network equipment. In a 4G system, the access network equipment may correspond to an eNB, and in a 5G system, it may correspond to a gNB.

[0051] Furthermore, the base station in this application embodiment may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), and multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by a single CU. The CU and DU can be divided according to their respective wireless network protocol layer functions. For example, the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above are located in the CU, while the functions of protocol layers below PDCP, such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer and the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, are located in the DU. It should be noted that this protocol layer division is merely an example, and other protocol layer divisions are also possible. The radio frequency device may be located remotely, not in the DU, or integrated into the DU, or partially remote and partially integrated into the DU; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations. Additionally, in some embodiments, the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) of the CU may be separated and implemented as different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (CU-CP entity) and the user plane CU entity (CU-UP entity). In this network architecture, signaling generated by the CU can be sent to the terminal device via the DU, or signaling generated by the UE can be sent to the CU via the DU. The DU can directly encapsulate the signaling through the protocol layer and pass it through to the UE or CU without parsing it. In this network architecture, the CU is classified as an access network device on the radio access network (RAN) side. Alternatively, the CU can also be classified as an access network device on the core network (CN) side; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0052] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the function of the access network device can be the access network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the access network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the access network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of the access network device being used to implement the function of the access network device is described.

[0053] 3) Core network equipment varies across different systems. For example, in a 4G system, core network equipment can be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and / or a Serving Gateway (S-GW). In a 5G system, core network equipment can be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0054] 4) "At least one" means one or more, while "more than" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these dozen or more items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0055] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, "first cell access denied indication" and "second cell access denied indication" are only used to distinguish different types, and do not indicate differences in the content, priority, transmission order, or importance of these two types.

[0056] The preceding text introduced some technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application. The following text introduces the technical features involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0057] Access network devices can use paging to notify terminal devices in the Radio Resources Control (RRC) idle state (RRC_IDLE) or the RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) to receive data or signaling. The basic paging process is as follows: the access network device can select a certain paging range, which is the area where the access network device sends the paging (referred to as the paging area). For example, for a terminal device in the RRC idle state, the access network device can use the registration area to which the terminal device belongs as the paging area. For a terminal device in the RRC inactive state, the access network device can use the RAN-based notification area (RNA) to which the terminal device belongs as the paging area. Before entering the paging area of ​​the terminal device, the access network device can obtain the frequency bands supported by the terminal device and paging the terminal device within the cells corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. However, in some scenarios, the terminal device may not camp in one or more cells corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. In this situation, if the access network equipment is still paging the terminal equipment within the cell corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal equipment, it will result in a waste of paging resources.

[0058] For example, based on the number of receiving antennas, REDCAP terminal devices can be categorized into those with one radio chain (1Rx chain) and those with two radio chains (2Rx chain). Currently, it is possible to define a network access ban for either 1Rx chain or 2Rx chain REDCAP terminal devices. Suppose an access network device needs to page a REDCAP terminal device with a 2Rx chain. If the access network device determines the paging area solely based on the frequency bands supported by the REDCAP terminal device, the determined paging area may include cells where access is prohibited for REDCAP terminal devices with a 2Rx chain, such as the first cell. Since REDCAP terminal devices with a 2Rx chain do not reside in the first cell, paging resources are wasted if the access network device pages a REDCAP terminal device with a 2Rx chain in the first cell. It should be noted that the above example of 1 or 2 radio chains is merely illustrative; this application does not limit the number of radio chains for the terminal device.

[0059] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method in which the core network device can provide more capability information of the terminal device to the access network, so that the access network device can determine the paging area by integrating multiple capability information of the terminal device, thereby avoiding paging the terminal device in cells where the terminal device will not reside, and saving paging resources.

[0060] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to 5G mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, or to long term evolution (LTE) systems, or to next-generation mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 1 This is an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system to which embodiments of this application are applicable. The communication system may include core network equipment, network equipment, and at least one terminal device. Figure 1 Taking at least one terminal device as an example, the terminal device connects to the network device wirelessly, and the network device connects to the core network device wirelessly or via a wired connection. The core network device and the network device can be independent physical devices; or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device can be integrated on the same physical device; or some functions of the core network device and some functions of the network device can be integrated on the same physical device. It should be noted that... Figure 1 This is merely illustrative; the embodiments of this application do not limit the number of core network devices, network devices, and terminal devices included in the mobile communication system. In some embodiments, the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices, wireless backhaul devices, etc. Additionally, the terminal devices in the embodiments of this application may include REDCAP terminal devices.

[0062] The solutions provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0063] Based on the network element that triggers the paging, paging can be divided into: core network-triggered paging (also known as CN paging) and radio access network-triggered paging (also known as RAN paging). The network can initiate CN paging for terminal devices in the RRC idle state, or it can initiate either CN paging or RAN paging for terminal devices in the RRC inactive state. During CN paging, the core network device instructs the access network device to initiate paging for terminal devices in the RRC idle state. After receiving the instruction from the core network device, the access network device initiates CN paging for the terminal devices in the RRC idle state.

[0064] The following describes the communication method, or new paging method, provided by embodiments of this application, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the communication method provided by embodiments of this application is applied to... Figure 1The network architecture shown is an example. Furthermore, this method can be executed by two communication devices, such as a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device can be a first access network device or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the first access network device to implement the method; it can also be other communication devices, such as a chip system. The second communication device can be a core network device (or a second access network device) or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the core network device (or the second access network device) to implement the method; it can also be other communication devices, such as a chip system. There are no restrictions on the implementation methods of the first and second communication devices. For example, the first communication device can be a first access network device, and the second communication device can be a core network device or a second access network device; or the first communication device can be a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the first access network device to implement the method, and the second communication device can be a core network device or a second access network device, and so on. The first access network device is the access network device of the currently serving terminal device, and the second access network device is the access network device of the last serving terminal device before the first access network device.

[0065] The following example illustrates the communication method provided in this application, executed by a first access network device and a core network device (or a second access network device). If this application embodiment is applied to... Figure 1 Given the network architecture shown, the first access network device mentioned below can be... Figure 1 The access network devices shown in the network architecture, and the core network devices mentioned below, can be... Figure 1 The core network equipment in the network architecture shown is illustrated. It should be noted that this embodiment only uses the first access network equipment and the core network equipment as an example. Furthermore, this embodiment does not limit the type of terminal device; for example, the terminal device can be a machine-type terminal device (e.g., a REDCAP terminal device) or a legacy terminal device (e.g., an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) terminal device). A terminal device may consider a cell as blocked, meaning that the cell does not allow the terminal device to access it, or that the terminal device will not camp on that cell.

[0066] First, for an introduction to CN paging, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the first communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the CN paging process is as follows.

[0067] S201. The first access network device sends a capability information indication message to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the capability information indication message from the first access network device. This capability information indication message is used to indicate the capability information of the terminal device.

[0068] Optionally, before step S201, the first access network device can obtain the capabilities of the terminal device from the terminal device. For example, the first access network device can request the terminal device to obtain its capabilities, and the terminal device responds to the request by sending capability information to the first access network device. This capability information is used to indicate the capabilities of the terminal device. It should be understood that the first access network device can obtain capability information from multiple terminal devices. Considering that the data volume of capability information from multiple terminal devices is large and will occupy a lot of storage resources of the first access network device, the first access network device can notify the core network device of the obtained terminal device capability information. The core network device can store the terminal device capability information, and can obtain it from the core network device when the first access network device needs the terminal device capability information. It should be noted that the terminal device capability information can indicate multiple capabilities of the terminal device. This application embodiment mainly involves the paging capability of the terminal device, so it mainly introduces the information related to the paging capability of the terminal device. The capabilities of other terminal devices are not introduced here. For example, the terminal device capability information may include the terminal device's paging capability information (UE radio paging information), which can be used to indicate the terminal device's paging capability.

[0069] After obtaining the terminal device's capability information, the first access network device can send a UE radio capability info indication message to the core network device. This message can indicate the terminal device's capabilities. For example, the message may include the terminal device's paging capability information. For instance, the paging capability information sent by the first access network device to the core network via the UE radio capability info indication message includes the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. During CN paging or RAN paging, the cell corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device can be selected as the paging area. However, since the cells corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device may include cells where the terminal device will not camp, paging resources are wasted. For example, if UE1 supports frequency bands corresponding to cells 1 and 2, and cell 1 prohibits access for terminal devices with one Rx chain, while UE1 has one Rx chain, then UE1 will not camp in cell 1. Therefore, paging UE1 by the first access network device in cell 1 is useless and wastes paging resources. For example, if cell 1 supports a frequency offset of 7.5kHz, then UE2, which does not support a frequency offset of 7.5kHz, will not camp in cell 1. It is also useless for the first access network device to page UE2 in cell 1, which will also result in a waste of paging resources.

[0070] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, the paging capability information carried in the terminal device capability information indication message may include not only the frequency bands supported by the terminal device, but also other paging capability information. For example, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device, etc., to assist the first access network device and the core network device in determining the paging area by comprehensively considering the multiple paging capabilities of the terminal device, so as to avoid paging the terminal device in cells where the terminal device will not be stationed, thus saving paging resources.

[0071] The paging capability information of a terminal device can be used to indicate one or more of the following capabilities.

[0072] Capability 1: The maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band. To reduce interference between adjacent frequencies in networks, it is necessary to further limit the transmit parameters of the terminal device in some frequency bands (also known as additional frequency bands), such as the maximum transmit power. The first frequency band can be considered as the additionally limited frequency band. In the embodiments of this application, the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band can be characterized by the parameter "additionalSpectrumEmission". It should be understood that the parameters "additionalSpectrumEmission" and "additionalPmax" are included in the "NR-NS-PmaxList" corresponding to each operating frequency band supported by the terminal device, that is, the list of maximum transmit powers corresponding to each operating frequency band. The parameter "additionalPmax" is used to indicate the maximum transmit power of each frequency band supported by the terminal device. The "NR-NS-PmaxList" includes at least one "additionalSpectrumEmission" and at least one "additionalPmax". "additionalSpectrumEmission" indicates the transmit power supported in the additional frequency band, and "additionalPmax" indicates the maximum transmit power of the additional frequency band. It should be understood that if the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device meets the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, then the terminal device can access the cell corresponding to the first frequency band (e.g., the first cell). Otherwise, the terminal device will consider the first cell to be prohibited, meaning that the terminal device is not allowed to access the first cell.

[0073] Capability 2, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, refers to the transmission bandwidth configuration of the uplink channel supported by the terminal device. For example, the terminal device supports bandwidths of 20 MHz and 50 MHz. It should be understood that when the bandwidth supported by the terminal device is greater than or equal to the initial bandwidth part (BWP) of a cell (e.g., the first cell), and less than or equal to the carrier bandwidth of the first cell, the terminal device can access the first cell; otherwise, the terminal device considers the first cell blocked. It should be noted that this capability information can be for uplink or downlink bandwidth. For example, if the initial uplink bandwidth part of the first cell is 60 MHz, and the uplink bandwidth supported by the terminal device (20 MHz and 50 MHz) is less than 60 MHz, then the terminal device is blocked from accessing the first cell. As another example, if the carrier bandwidth is 80 MHz, and the downlink bandwidth supported by the terminal device (100 MHz and 150 MHz) is greater than 80 MHz, then the terminal device considers the first cell blocked.

[0074] Capability 3: Does the terminal device support a 7.5kHz frequency offset? It should be understood that some cells support a 7.5kHz frequency offset, while others do not. Assuming the first cell supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, and the terminal device also supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset, then the terminal device can access the first cell; otherwise, the terminal device will consider the first cell blocked. Alternatively, if the first cell does not have a 7.5kHz frequency offset, then the terminal device can access the first cell.

[0075] Capability 4, Terminal Equipment Types. With the increasing variety of services, the types of terminal equipment are also increasing, such as eMBB terminal equipment, REDCAP terminal equipment, or IAB-MT. A cell may support one type of terminal equipment access or multiple types of terminal equipment access. For example, some cells support IAB-MT access, while others support eMBB or REDCAP terminal equipment access. Alternatively, a cell may support access for some terminal equipment of the same type. For example, if the first cell prohibits access for REDCAP terminal equipment with a 1Rx chain, then REDCAP terminal equipment with a 1Rx chain will consider the first cell as prohibited. Similarly, if the first cell prohibits access for REDCAP terminal equipment with a 2Rx chain, then REDCAP terminal equipment with a 2Rx chain will consider the first cell as prohibited. It should be understood that IAB-MT can notify the first access network device of its IAB-MT type via an RRC setup complete message (also known as Msg5). REDCAP terminal equipment can also indicate its type to the access network device via signaling.

[0076] Capability 5: The number of RF chains supported by the terminal device. As described in Capability 4, for REDCAP terminal devices, there are REDCAP terminal devices with 1 Rx chain, REDCAP terminal devices with 2 Rx chains, or other numbers of RF chains.

[0077] S202, the core network device sends the paging capability information of the terminal device to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the paging capability information from the core network device.

[0078] The core network equipment can obtain various capability information of the terminal equipment through capability information indication messages from the first access network equipment. When the core network equipment needs to page the terminal equipment, it can send paging capability information related to the paging of the terminal equipment to the first access network equipment. This paging capability information can indicate one or more capabilities such as capabilities 1 to 5 described above.

[0079] For example, the core network device can send a paging message to the first access network device. This paging message includes the paging capability information of the terminal device to indicate one or more of the capabilities 1 to 5 mentioned above. In this embodiment, the paging message indicating the paging capability of the terminal device includes the following two indication methods. The first indication method is that the paging message may include information indicating one or more of the capabilities 1 to 5 mentioned above, which is more direct. The second indication method is that the paging message may include the terminal device's capability information identifier (UE radio capability ID), which can be used to indicate one or more of the capabilities 1 to 5. Since the paging message uses the terminal device's capability identifier, the resource overhead is small, thus saving resource overhead. It is understood that the core network device can send the paging message to all access network nodes in the tracking area, including the first access network device, through the NG interface.

[0080] It should be noted that after obtaining the capability information of the terminal device, the core network device can store the correspondence between the terminal device's capability information and its capability identifier. Similarly, after obtaining the capability information of the terminal device, the first access network device can also store the correspondence between the terminal device's capability information and its capability identifier. If the access network device does not store the capability information corresponding to a certain capability identifier of the terminal device, the access network device can request the core network device to obtain the capability information corresponding to that capability identifier. After obtaining the capability information corresponding to that capability identifier, the access network device can store the correspondence between the capability identifier and the capability information.

[0081] S203. The first access network determines the paging area based on the paging capability information of the terminal equipment.

[0082] The first access network device can determine the paging capability information of the terminal device based on the paging message from the core network device. For example, if the paging message indicates the paging capability information of the terminal device through a second indication method, and if the first access network device stores the correspondence between the terminal device's capability identifier and the paging capability information, the first access network device can determine the terminal device's paging capability information based on the stored correspondence and the terminal device's capability identifier included in the paging message. If the first access network device does not store the correspondence between the terminal device's capability identifier and the paging capability information, the first access network device can request the core network device to obtain the correspondence between the terminal device's capability identifier and the paging capability information. For example, the first access network device can send a UE RADIO CAPABILITY ID MAPPING REQUEST message to the core network device. The UE RADIO CAPABILITY ID MAPPING REQUEST message may include the terminal device's capability identifier, used to request the capability information corresponding to the terminal device's capability identifier. Accordingly, in response to the UE RADIO CAPABILITY IDMAPPING REQUEST message, the core network device sends a UE RADIO CAPABILITY ID MAPPINGRESPONSE message to the first access network device. This message includes paging capability information (UE radiocapability for paging) corresponding to the capability identifier of the terminal device.

[0083] After determining the paging capability information of the terminal device, the first access network device can determine a reasonable paging area based on this information. This helps avoid paging the terminal device in cells where it is unlikely to be active, thus conserving paging resources. The paging area determined by the first access network device varies depending on the terminal device's paging capability information. The following describes how the first access network device determines the paging area based on the terminal device's paging capability information. For example, if any of the following conditions are met, the first access network device will determine that the paging area does not include the first cell; that is, the first access network device will determine not to paging the terminal device in the first cell.

[0084] Condition 1: The maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, which corresponds to the first cell, and the terminal device type is not IAB-MT. For example, UE1 has one or more capabilities including the type of UE1 and the maximum transmit power supported by UE1. If the maximum transmit power supported by UE1 does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, and the type of UE1 is not IAB-MT, UE1 will not camp in the first cell. Therefore, the first access network device can determine that the paging area does not include the first cell. It is understood that, considering the interference between adjacent frequencies in the network, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device in the first frequency band is limited. If the paging capability information indicates that the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, then the terminal device will not camp in the first cell corresponding to the first frequency band. In this case, the first access network device can determine that it will not paging the terminal device in the first cell, that is, the paging area does not include the first cell. Compared with the current method where the first access network device determines the paging area by obtaining the frequency band supported by the terminal device, this method can further narrow the scope of the paging area, thereby saving paging resources.

[0085] Condition 2: The bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell. For example, UE1 has one or more capabilities including its bandwidth configuration. If the bandwidth configuration supported by UE1 is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or the bandwidth configuration supported by UE1 is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell, then UE1 will not camp in the first cell. Therefore, the first access network device can determine that the paging area does not include the first cell. It should be understood that if the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell, then the first access network device should not page the terminal device in the first cell, i.e., the paging area does not include the first cell. Therefore, the first access network device can compare the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device with the initial bandwidth or carrier bandwidth of each cell to determine which cells the terminal device will not camp on, i.e., exclude these cells from the paging area, which can further narrow the scope of the paging area and save paging resources.

[0086] Condition 3: The terminal device does not support a 7.5kHz frequency offset, but the first cell is configured with a 7.5kHz frequency offset. For example, one or more capabilities of UE1 include whether UE1 supports a 7.5kHz frequency offset. If UE1 does not support a 7.5kHz frequency offset, but the first cell is configured with a 7.5kHz frequency offset, then UE1 will not camp in the first cell. In this case, the first access network device can determine that the paging area does not include the first cell, thus saving paging resources.

[0087] Condition 4: The terminal device supports P Rx chains, but the first cell prohibits terminal devices with P Rx chains from accessing the network. Since the number of Rx chains supported by the same type of terminal device may differ—for example, a low-complexity or low-capability (REDCAP) terminal device may support one or two Rx chains—each cell can prohibit or allow terminal devices supporting a certain number of Rx chains to access the network. The first access network device can determine whether a terminal device will camp in the first cell based on the number of Rx chains supported by the terminal device and the number of Rx chains allowed for access by terminal devices in the first cell. For example, if UE1 supports P Rx chains, and the first cell prohibits access by terminal devices with P Rx chains, UE1 will not camp in the first cell. Through this scheme, the first access network device can page the terminal device on cells that allow access by terminal devices with P Rx chains, based on the number of Rx chains supported by the terminal device (P), thus saving paging resources. In a possible implementation, a cell can prohibit terminal devices with a certain number of radio frequency chains (RF chains) from accessing the network. This range can be greater than or equal to P, or less than or equal to P. For example, if a terminal device supports P Rx chains, and the first cell prohibits terminal devices with more than P or fewer than P Rx chains from accessing the network, the first access network device can also determine that the paging area does not include the first cell.

[0088] If any one of conditions 1-4 is met, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell. When determining the paging area, the first access network device can sequentially check whether conditions 1-4 are met. For example, the first access network device can check whether condition 1 is met. If condition 1 is met, the paging area is determined to not include the first cell; if condition 1 is not met, the paging area is determined to include the first cell. Next, the first access network device can check whether condition 2 is met to determine whether the paging area includes the first cell. If condition 2 is met, the paging area does not include the first cell; if condition 2 is not met, the paging area may include the first cell. Next, the first access network device can check whether condition 3 is met to determine whether the paging area includes the first cell. If condition 3 is met, the paging area does not include the first cell; if condition 3 is not met, the paging area may include the first cell. Finally, the first access network device can check whether condition 4 is met to determine whether the paging area includes the first cell. If condition 4 is met, the paging area does not include the first cell; if condition 4 is not met, the paging area may include the first cell. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application do not limit the order in which the first access network device determines whether conditions 1 to 4 are met. For example, it can determine whether conditions 1 to 4 are met, or it can determine whether conditions 1, 3, 2, and 4 are met.

[0089] If conditions 1 through 4 above are not met, and none of the selected PLMN, registered PLMN, and equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell provide a tracking area code, the terminal device will be prohibited from accessing the first cell; that is, the terminal device will not camp on the first cell. In other words, condition 5 can be considered as the fact that none of the selected PLMN, registered PLMN, and equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell provide a tracking area code. If condition 5 is met, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell. If the first access network device determines that conditions 1 through 4 are not met, it will continue to determine whether condition 5 is met.

[0090] Specifically, if conditions 1 to 4 above are not met, and the terminal device is an IAB-MT, and the selected PLMN, registered PLMN, or equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell, or the selected stand-alone non-public network (SNPN) or registered SNPN, does not provide IAB-Support, then the terminal device will be prohibited from accessing the first cell; that is, the terminal device will not reside in the first cell. In this case, the first access network device will also exclude the first cell from its paging area determination, thus avoiding paging the terminal device in the first cell and saving paging resources.

[0091] S204. The first access network device sends a paging message to the terminal device in the paging area to page the terminal device.

[0092] After the first access network device determines the paging area, it can send a paging message within that area. Since the paging area determined by the first access network device does not include the first cell where the terminal device will not reside, paging resources can be saved.

[0093] In possible implementations, the first access network device includes a CU and a DU. In this embodiment, the first access network device can determine the paging area through either the CU or the DU, which offers greater flexibility.

[0094] For example, see Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the second communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 Taking the first access network device receiving paging capability information from the terminal device through the CU and determining the paging area through the CU as an example.

[0095] S301, DU sends a setup request message to CU to establish a connection with CU.

[0096] The setup request message can carry a system information block (SIB) 1. After receiving the setup request message, the CU can obtain the cell configuration information based on SIB1, thereby establishing a connection with the DU.

[0097] S302, CU sends a setup response message to DU, and DU receives the setup response message from CU accordingly.

[0098] The CU receives a setup request message from the DU and, in response to the setup request message, sends a setup response message to the DU.

[0099] S303. The core network equipment sends paging capability information to the CU, and the CU receives the paging capability information from the core network equipment accordingly.

[0100] The specific implementation of S303 is the same as the specific implementation of S202 mentioned above. For details, please refer to the relevant content of S202 mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0101] S304 and CU determine the paging area based on the paging capability information of the terminal equipment.

[0102] The specific implementation of S304 is the same as that of S203. For details, please refer to the relevant content of S203 mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0103] S305, CU sends a paging message to DU, and DU receives the paging message from CU, which includes a paging cell list.

[0104] The CU determines the paging area based on the paging capability information of the terminal device, and, in conjunction with the cell configuration information from the DU, determines the paging cell list. It should be understood that the paging cell list includes the paging area determined by the CU. After receiving the paging message, the DU initiates paging in the cells included in the paging cell list.

[0105] Please see Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the third communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 4 Taking the example of the first access network device receiving paging capability information from a terminal device via the CU and then sending the paging capability information to the DU via the CU, so that the DU can determine the paging area based on the paging capability information from the CU, the DU can determine the paging area based on the paging capability information of the terminal device. It can directly select the cells to be paging from the cell list sent by the CU based on the known cell configuration information (i.e., determine the paging cell list), without the need for further signaling interaction, thus simplifying the process.

[0106] S401. The core network equipment sends the paging capability information of the terminal equipment to the CU, and the CU receives the paging capability information from the core network equipment accordingly.

[0107] Paging capability information can be carried in paging messages sent by core network equipment. The CU determines the paging capability information of the terminal equipment from the received paging messages. Specifically, the implementation of S401 can be referred to the relevant content of S202 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] S402, the CU sends the paging capability information of the terminal device to the DU, and the DU receives the paging capability information from the CU accordingly.

[0109] After obtaining the paging capability information of the terminal device, the CU can forward the paging capability information to the DU so that the DU can determine the paging area. For example, the CU can send a paging message to the DU, which can be used to indicate the paging capability information. The method by which the paging message indicates the paging capability information can be referred to the relevant descriptions of the first and second indication methods in S202 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] S403 and DU determine the paging area based on the paging capability of the terminal equipment.

[0111] The specific implementation of S403 is the same as that of S203. For details, please refer to the relevant content of S203 mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0112] It should be noted that, Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The process shown is in Figure 2 The illustrated embodiments are implemented under different architectures of the first access network device. Figure 3 and Figure 4 All relevant content can be used as a reference. Figure 2 The relevant content of the illustrated embodiment.

[0113] The following section describes RAN paging; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the fourth communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the RAN paging process is as follows.

[0114] S501, the second access network device sends the paging capability information of the terminal device to the first access network device, and correspondingly, the first access network device receives the paging capability information of the terminal device from the second access network device.

[0115] The first access network device is the serving access network device of the terminal device, and the second access network device is the access network device that served the last terminal device before the first access network device. In this embodiment, the second access network device can initiate paging of the terminal device. The core network device can send the terminal device's paging capability information to the second access network device through RRC inactive core network assistance information. After obtaining the terminal device's paging capability information, the second access network device can send the terminal device's paging capability information back to the first access network device. For example, the second access network device can generate a paging message indicating the terminal device's paging capability information and send the paging message to the first access network device. It is understood that the paging capability information sent by the second access network device to the first access network device can be used to indicate one or more of the capability information 1-capability information 5 described above.

[0116] The specific implementation of paging capability information indicated by paging messages can be found in the relevant content of S202 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0117] S502. The first access network device determines the paging area based on the paging capability information of the terminal device.

[0118] The specific implementation of S502 is the same as the specific implementation of S203 mentioned above. For details, please refer to the relevant content of S203 mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0119] S503. The first access network device sends a paging message to the terminal device in the paging area to page the terminal device.

[0120] The specific implementation of S503 is the same as the specific implementation of S204 mentioned above. For details, please refer to the relevant content of S204 mentioned above. It will not be repeated here.

[0121] In the solution provided in this application embodiment, the core network device or the second access network device can provide the first access network device with more paging capability information of the terminal device. Thus, the first access network device can determine the paging area by comprehensively considering multiple paging capability information of the terminal device, which can avoid paging the terminal device in the cell where the terminal device will not reside, thereby saving paging resources.

[0122] Of the four communication methods provided in this application, the methods are described from the perspective of interaction between terminal devices, access network devices, and core network devices. The steps executed by the access network device can be implemented by different functional entities that make up the access network device; in other words, the functional entities that execute the steps of the access network device can be located in different physical entities. For example, a first functional entity is used to determine paging capability information. A second functional entity is used to send paging capability information. That is, the first and second functional entities jointly complete the steps executed by the network device in this application embodiment. This application does not limit the specific division of functional entities. For example, when the network architecture includes one or more DUs, one or more CUs, and one or more radio units (RUs), the steps executed by the access network device can be implemented by one or more of the DUs, CUs, and RUs. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the above-mentioned embodiments of this application, the terminal device and the access network device can include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0123] This application also provides a communication device. The communication device used to implement the above method in this application embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0124] like Figure 6The diagram shown is a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in this application. This communication device 300 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the core network device, the first access network device, or the second access network device in the various method embodiments described above. The communication device may include a transceiver module 601 and a processing module 602. Optionally, it may also include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The transceiver module 601 and the processing module 602 can be coupled to the storage module. For example, the processing module 602 can read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage module to implement the corresponding method. The various modules described above can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated.

[0125] It should be understood that the processing module 602 may be a processor or controller, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing unit (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc. The transceiver module 601 is an interface circuit of the device for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the transceiver module 601 is an interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or devices, or an interface circuit of the chip for sending signals to other chips or devices.

[0126] The communication device 600 can be a core network device, a first access network device, or a second access network device as described in the above embodiments, or it can be a chip used in a core network device, a first access network device, or a second access network device. For example, when the communication device 600 is a core network device, a first access network device, or a second access network device, the processing module 602 can be a processor, and the transceiver module 601 can be a transceiver. Optionally, the transceiver can include radio frequency circuitry, and the storage unit can be a memory, for example. For example, when the communication device 600 is a chip used in a core network device, a first access network device, or a second access network device, the processing module 602 can be a processor, and the transceiver module 601 can be an input / output interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The processing module 602 can execute computer execution instructions stored in the storage unit. Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit inside the chip, such as a register or cache. The storage unit can also be a storage unit located outside the chip in the network device, terminal device, or location management device, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0127] In some possible implementations, the communication device 600 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the first access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 600 can be the first access network device, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the first access network device. The transceiver module 601 can be used to support communication between the first access network device and other network entities, such as supporting communication between the first access network device and other network entities. Figure 2 The core network equipment shown or Figure 5 The communication between the second access network devices shown is illustrated. The processing module 602 is used to control and manage the actions of the first access network device; for example, the processing module 602 is used to support the first access network device in performing... Figure 2 or Figure 5 The first access network device performs all operations except for transmitting and receiving. For example, the transceiver module 601 can be used to perform... Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, all receive or transmit operations performed by the first access network device, for example... Figure 2 The embodiments shown include S201, S202, S204, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. The processing module 602 is used to perform, for example... Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations performed by the first access network device except for transmit and receive operations, such as... Figure 2 S203 in the illustrated embodiment, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. For example, transceiver module 601 can be used to perform... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, all receive or transmit operations performed by the first access network device, for example... Figure 5 The illustrated embodiments include S501, S503, and / or other processes used to support the technology described herein. The processing module 602 is used to perform, for example... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations performed by the first access network device except for transmit and receive operations, such as... Figure 5 S502 in the illustrated embodiment, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0128] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 601 is configured to receive paging capability information from a core network device or a second access network device. The processing module 602 is configured to determine a paging area based on the paging capability information. The transceiver module 601 is further configured to send a paging message to the terminal device through the paging area. The paging capability information indicates one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a 7.5 kHz frequency offset, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0129] As an optional implementation, paging capability information serves as a capability information identifier for the terminal device.

[0130] As an optional implementation, the processing module 602 is specifically used to: if any one of condition 1, condition 2, condition 3, or condition 4 is met, the first determined paging area does not include the first cell:

[0131] The one or more capabilities include the type of terminal device and the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device. Condition 1 includes that the type of terminal device is not IAB-MT, and the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device does not meet the transmit power requirements of the first frequency band, which corresponds to the first cell. The one or more capabilities include the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device. Condition 2 includes that the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is less than the initial bandwidth of the first cell, or the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device is greater than the carrier bandwidth of the first cell. The one or more capabilities include that the terminal device does not support a 7.5kHz frequency offset. Condition 3 includes that the terminal device does not support a 7.5kHz frequency offset, and the first cell is set with a 7.5kHz frequency offset. The one or more capabilities include that the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device is P. Condition 4 includes that the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device is P, and the first cell prohibits terminal devices with the P radio frequency chains from accessing.

[0132] As an optional implementation, the processing module 602 is specifically used to: determine that if none of the selected PLMN, registered PLMN and equivalent PLMN corresponding to the first cell provide a tracking area code, then determine that the paging area does not include the first cell.

[0133] As an optional implementation, the communication device 600 includes a CU and a DU, the transceiver module 601 receives the paging capability information through the CU, and the processing module 602 determines the paging area through the CU.

[0134] As an optional implementation, the communication device 600 includes a CU and a DU. The transceiver module 601 receives the paging capability information and sends the paging capability information to the DU through the CU. The processing module 602 determines the paging area through the DU.

[0135] In some possible implementations, the communication device 600 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the core network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 600 can be a core network device or a second access network device, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in a network device. The transceiver module 601 can be used to support communication between the core network device or the second access network device and other network entities, such as supporting communication between the core network device or the second access network device and other network entities. Figure 2 or Figure 5 The communication between the first access network devices is shown. Processing module 602 is used to control and manage the actions of the core network devices or the second access network devices; for example, processing module 602 is used to support the core network devices or the second access network devices in performing... Figure 2 or Figure 5 All operations except sending and receiving. For example, the send / receive module 601 can be used to perform... Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment represents all receive or transmit operations performed by the core network equipment. For example... Figure 2 S201, S202 and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein in the illustrated embodiments. Processing module 602 is used to perform, for example... Figure 2 The embodiments shown include all operations performed by the core network device other than transmit / receive operations, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. For example, the transceiver module 601 can be used to perform... Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, all receive or transmit operations performed by the second access network device, for example... Figure 5 S501 in the illustrated embodiment, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein. Processing module 602 is used to perform, for example... Figure 5 The embodiments shown include all operations performed by the second access network device other than the transmit / receive operations, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0136] In some embodiments, the processing module 602 is used to acquire paging capability information of the terminal device. The transceiver module 601 is used to send the paging capability information to the first access network device. The paging capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a frequency offset of 7.5 kHz, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0137] As an optional implementation, paging capability information serves as a capability information identifier for the terminal device.

[0138] It should be understood that the processing module 602 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and the transceiver module 601 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components.

[0139] like Figure 7 The diagram shows a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 700 can be a first access network device, a second access network device, or a core network device; alternatively, the communication device 700 can also be a device capable of supporting the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network device to implement the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 700 can be a chip system. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components.

[0140] In terms of hardware implementation, the aforementioned transceiver module 601 can be a transceiver, which is integrated into the communication device 700 to form the communication interface 710. The communication device 700 includes at least one processor 720, which can be a CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program in this application, for implementing or supporting the communication device 700 in implementing the functions of the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network device in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method examples; further elaboration is not provided here.

[0141] If the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions of the first access network device in this embodiment, then the communication interface 710 can be used to receive paging capability information from the core network device or the second access network device. The processor 720 is used to determine a paging area based on the paging capability information. The communication interface 710 is also used to send a paging message to the terminal device through the paging area. The paging capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a frequency offset of 7.5 kHz, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0142] If the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions of the second access network device or core network device in this embodiment, then the processor 720 can be used to obtain paging capability information of the terminal device. The communication interface 710 can be used to send the paging capability information to the first access network device. The paging capability information is used to indicate one or more of the following capabilities: the maximum transmit power supported by the terminal device in a first frequency band, the bandwidth configuration supported by the terminal device, whether the terminal device supports a frequency offset of 7.5 kHz, the type of the terminal device, or the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

[0143] The communication device 700 may further include at least one memory 730 for storing computer programs and / or data. The memory 730 is coupled to the processor 720. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 720 may operate in conjunction with the memory 730. The processor 720 may execute program instructions and / or data stored in the memory 730 to cause the communication device 700 to implement a corresponding method. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor 720.

[0144] The communication device 700 may further include a communication interface 710, using any transceiver-like device, for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as RAN, wireless local area networks (WLAN), wired access networks, etc. The communication interface 710 is used to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the devices in the communication device 700 to communicate with other devices. For example, when the communication device 700 is a first access network device, the other device is a second access network device or a core network device; or, when the communication device is a core network device, the other device is a first access network device. The processor 720 can use the communication interface 710 to send and receive data. Specifically, the communication interface 710 may be a transceiver.

[0145] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 710, processor 720, and memory 730. This application embodiment... Figure 7 The memory 730, processor 720, and communication interface 710 are connected via a bus 740. Figure 7 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 7 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0146] In the embodiments of this application, the processor 720 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0147] The memory 730 may be ROM or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via communication line 740. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0148] The memory 730 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 720. The processor 720 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 730, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the above embodiments of this application.

[0149] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0150] It should be noted that the communication device in the above embodiments can be a core network device, a first access network device, or a second access network device, or it can be a circuit, or it can be a chip or other combined device or component with the functions of the core network device, first access network device, or second access network device. When the communication device is a core network device, the transceiver module can be a transceiver, which may include a communication interface and wires, etc., and the processing module can be a processor, such as a CPU. When the communication device is a component with the functions of the core network device, the transceiver module can be a communication interface, and the processing module can be a processor. When the communication device is a chip system, the communication device can be an FPGA, a dedicated ASIC, a system-on-chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a DSP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips. The processing module 602 can be the processor of the chip system. The transceiver module 601 or the communication interface can be the input / output interface or interface circuit of the chip system. For example, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit. This interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (stored in memory, which can be read directly from memory or via other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can then execute the code instructions to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. As another example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver.

[0151] For example, the communication device in the above embodiments can be a chip, which includes logic circuits and input / output interfaces, and may also include a memory. The input / output interface can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in the memory and can be read directly from the memory, or can be read from the memory through other devices) and transmit them to the logic circuit; the logic circuit can be used to execute the code instructions to perform the methods in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the input / output interface can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between the logic circuit and the transceiver.

[0152] Figure 8 A simplified schematic diagram of a communication device is shown. This is for ease of understanding and illustration. Figure 8 In this example, a base station is used as a communication device. This base station can be applied to applications such as... Figure 1 In the system shown, it is possible to Figure 1The access network device in the above method embodiment performs the functions of the first access network device or the second access network device.

[0153] The communication device 800 may include a transceiver 810, a memory 821, and a processor 822. The transceiver 810 can be used for communication, such as sending or receiving paging capability information. The memory 821, coupled to the processor 822, can be used to store the programs and data necessary for the communication device 800 to perform its various functions. The processor 822 is configured to support the communication device 800 in performing the corresponding functions described above, which can be implemented by calling the programs stored in the memory 821.

[0154] Specifically, the transceiver 810 can be a wireless transceiver, used to support the communication device 800 in receiving and transmitting signaling and / or data via a wireless air interface. The transceiver 810 can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or communication unit. The transceiver 810 may include one or more radio frequency (RF) units 812 and one or more antennas 811. The RF units, such as remote radio units (RRUs) or active antenna units (AAUs), are specifically used for transmitting RF signals and converting RF signals to baseband signals. The one or more antennas are specifically used for radiating and receiving RF signals. Optionally, the transceiver 810 may only include the above-mentioned RF units. In this case, the communication device 800 may include the transceiver 810, a memory 821, a processor 822, and antennas.

[0155] The memory 821 and the processor 822 can be integrated into one unit or operate independently. For example... Figure 8As shown, the memory 821 and processor 822 can be integrated into the control unit 820 of the communication device 800. For example, the control unit 820 may include the BBU of an LTE base station, also known as a digital unit (DU), or the control unit 820 may include a DU and / or a centralized unit (CU) in a base station for 8G and future wireless access technologies. The control unit 820 may be composed of one or more antenna panels, wherein multiple antenna panels can collectively support a single access standard wireless access network (such as an LTE network), or multiple antenna panels can individually support different access standards wireless access networks (such as LTE networks, 5G networks, or other networks). The memory 821 and processor 822 can serve one or more antenna panels. That is, the memory 821 and processor 822 can be separately configured on each antenna panel. Alternatively, multiple antenna panels can share the same memory 821 and processor 822. Furthermore, each antenna panel may be provided with necessary circuitry, such as circuitry used to couple the memory 821 and processor 822. The transceiver 810, processor 822 and memory 821 can be connected via a bus structure and / or other connection media.

[0156] based on Figure 8 As shown in the structure, when the communication device 800 needs to send data, the processor 822 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) unit. The RF unit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device 800, the RF unit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 822. The processor 822 converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0157] Based on such Figure 8 As shown in the diagram, transceiver 810 can be used to perform the steps executed by transceiver module 601. And / or, processor 822 can be used to call instructions in memory 821 to execute the steps executed by processing module 602.

[0158] This application also provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes access network devices (e.g., a first access network device, and even a second access network device) and core network devices, or may further include multiple access network devices and terminal devices. Exemplarily, the communication system includes components for implementing the above. Figures 2 to 5 Network devices and terminal devices with related functions in any of the embodiments shown.

[0159] The access network devices are respectively used to implement the functions of the first access network device or the second access network device in the embodiments of this application, for example, to implement the above. Figure 2 or Figure 5 The illustrated embodiments describe the functions of the first or second access network device. The core network device is used to implement the functions of the core network device portions related to the embodiments of this application, for example, to implement the above-described functions. Figures 2 to 5 The functions of the core network devices in any of the illustrated embodiments are described. Please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0160] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform... Figures 2 to 5 The method executed by the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network device in any flowchart.

[0161] This application also provides a computer program product, including instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform... Figures 2 to 5 The method executed by the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network device in any flowchart.

[0162] This application provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the functions of the first access network device, the second access network device, or the core network device in the aforementioned methods. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0163] The methods provided in this application can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, they can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., digital video disc (DVD)), or semiconductor media (e.g., SSD), etc.

[0164] Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first access network device receives paging capability information from a core network device or a second access network device; The first access network device determines a paging area according to the paging capability information, and sends a paging message to a terminal device through the paging area; wherein the paging capability information is used to indicate the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The paging capability information is an identifier of the capability information of the terminal device.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first access network device determines a paging area according to the paging capability information, comprising: When the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device is P, and the first cell prohibits the terminal device with P radio frequency chains from accessing, the first access network device determines that the paging area does not include the first cell.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first access network device comprises a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the first access network device receives the paging capability information through the CU, and determines the paging area through the CU.

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first access network device comprises a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the first access network device receives the paging capability information through the CU, and sends the paging capability information of the terminal device to the DU through the CU, for the DU to determine the paging area.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: The CU determines the paging capability of the terminal device according to the paging capability information.

7. A paging method, characterized by, The method comprises: Obtaining paging capability information of a terminal device; Sending the paging capability information to a first access network device, wherein the paging capability information is used to indicate the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The paging capability information is an identifier of the capability information of the terminal device.

9. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processing module and a transceiver module, wherein The transceiver module is configured to receive paging capability information from a core network device or a second access network device; The processing module is configured to determine a paging area according to the paging capability information; The transceiver module is further configured to send a paging message to a terminal device through the paging area; wherein the paging capability information is used to indicate the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The paging capability information is an identifier of the capability information of the terminal device.

11. The communication apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The processing module is specifically configured to: When the number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device is P, and the first cell prohibits the terminal device with P radio frequency chains from accessing, determine that the paging area does not include the first cell.

12. The communication apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The communication device comprises a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the transceiver module receives the paging capability information through the CU, and the processing module determines the paging area through the CU.

13. The communication apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein The communication device comprises a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the transceiver module receives the paging capability information through the CU, and sends the paging capability information to the DU through the CU, for the DU to determine the paging area.

14. The communication apparatus of claim 12, wherein, The CU is further configured to: Determine the paging capability of the terminal device according to the paging capability information.

15. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processing module and a transceiver module, wherein The processing module is configured to obtain paging capability information of a terminal device; The transceiving module is configured to send the paging capability information to the first access network device, wherein the paging capability information is used to indicate a number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

16. The communication apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The paging capability information is an identifier of the capability information of the terminal device.

17. A communication system, characterized by The communication system comprises a first access network device, a core network device and a terminal device, wherein, The core network device is configured to acquire paging capability information of the terminal device and send the paging capability information to the first access network device; The first access network device is configured to determine a paging area according to the paging capability information and send a paging message to the terminal device through the paging area, wherein the paging capability information is used to indicate a number of radio frequency chains supported by the terminal device.

18. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor coupled with a memory, and is configured to invoke computer instructions in the memory to enable the communication device to perform the method in any one of claims 1-6.

19. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor coupled with a memory, and is configured to invoke computer instructions in the memory to enable the communication device to perform the method in any one of claims 7-8.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed, the computer performs the method in any one of claims 1-6, or performs the method in any one of claims 7-8.

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