Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device, and relates to the field of communication. In the method, when a second access network device releases a terminal to an inactive state, a first inactive eDRX with a period greater than a preset threshold and a second inactive eDRX with a period less than or equal to the preset threshold are configured for the terminal. And when the terminal moves to the coverage range of the first access network equipment which only supports the second inactive eDRX, the first access network equipment indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration to carry out paging detection to the second access network equipment. And then, the second access network equipment indicates the mobile management network element that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration to carry out paging detection. In the embodiment of the invention, the mobile management network element suspends the MT communication processing and the caching of the downlink data of the terminal according to the indication of the second access network equipment, so that the downlink signaling and the downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in time.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Paging can be used to notify a terminal in an inactive state to establish a service (i.e., be called). In order to save power consumption for paging message detection, discontinuous reception (DRX) technology is applied to the non-connected state. In the non-connected DRX, the terminal wakes itself up in a set time unit according to a certain non-connected DRX cycle to detect whether the base station has paged itself. In order to further save power consumption, the extended DRX (eDRX) technology can be used to extend the DRX cycle so that the terminal can enter the sleep state for a longer time. The inactive eDRX configuration only discusses the case where the eDRX cycle is not greater than 10.24s. If you want to further save power consumption, the inactive eDRX cycle can be further extended to more than 10.24s. At this time, in order to avoid the excessive amount of data that needs to be cached at the base station due to excessive sleep time, it can be considered to cache the data at the user plane network element, and at the same time introduce a mobile terminated (MT) communication processing mechanism based on the core network (CN). CN-based MT communication processing means that when the mobile management network element in the core network receives downlink signaling from other core network elements, it will reject the downlink signaling and indicate to the other core network elements that the terminal is currently unreachable.

[0003] However, in certain scenarios, such as when a terminal moves from the coverage of a base station that supports a longer period of inactive eDRX to the coverage of a base station that does not support a longer period of inactive eDRX, the core network always performs MT communication processing and data caching, which will result in the terminal's signaling and data not being processed and transmitted in a timely manner. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can enable the signaling and data of a terminal to be processed and transmitted in a timely manner.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device, or by a component of the first access network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access network device.

[0006] The method includes: sending first system information, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive (inactive / INACTIVE) extended eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving first indication information from a terminal, the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the first indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; according to the first indication information, sending second indication information to the second access network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0007] It should be understood that in any aspect, the first non-activated eDRX and the second non-activated eDRX are two different types of non-activated eDRX. The first non-activated eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the first non-activated eDRX, and similarly, the second non-activated eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the second non-activated eDRX.

[0008] Optionally, in any aspect, the preset threshold is 10.24 seconds.

[0009] Optionally, in any aspect, the first indication information and the second indication information are the same.

[0010] Optionally, in any aspect, the first indication information may be a medium access control control element (MAC CE), such as a special logical channel identification (LCID). Alternatively, the first indication information may be uplink control information (UCI). Alternatively, the first indication information may be a newly added cause value.

[0011] According to the above communication method provided by the present application, after the inactive eDRX of the terminal changes from the first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle to the second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the second inactive eDRX. The access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, so that the downlink signaling and downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in time.

[0012] In a possible implementation, sending the second indication information to the second access network device includes: sending a terminal context acquisition request message to the second access network device, the terminal context acquisition request message including the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an RRC release message from a first access network device, the RRC release message including the first inactive eDRX configuration and the second inactive eDRX configuration, or the RRC release message including indication information, the indication information instructing the terminal to continue using the previous eDRX configuration.

[0014] This step can be performed after the small data transmission (SDT) is completed. By configuring the first inactive eDRX configuration and the second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal when the terminal is released to enter the inactive state, the terminal will not be changed to support only the second inactive eDRX configuration, so that when the terminal enters the coverage of other access network devices supporting the first inactive eDRX, the first inactive eDRX configuration can be used for paging detection, thereby improving energy saving performance.

[0015] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a mobile management network element, or by a component of the mobile management network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the mobile management network element.

[0016] The method includes: receiving first communication processing request information from a second access network device, the second access network device is the last service access network device of a terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; according to the first communication processing request information, suspending mobile station termination MT communication processing, and sending third indication information to a user plane network element, the third indication information instructing the user plane network element to suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal.

[0017] According to the above communication method provided by the present application, after the inactive eDRX of the terminal changes from the first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle to the second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the second inactive eDRX. The access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, so that the downlink signaling and downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in time.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: starting a timer according to the first communication processing request information; after the timer expires, performing the MT communication processing, and sending fourth indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a fifth indication message from the second access network device, the fifth indication message instructing the mobile management network element to re-perform the MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal; performing the MT communication processing according to the fifth indication message, and sending a fourth indication message to the user plane network element, the fourth indication message instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a second communication processing request information from the second access network device, the second communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of a third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; performing the MT communication processing according to the second communication processing request information, and sending a sixth indication information to the user plane network element, the sixth indication information instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0021] Based on this solution, after the terminal's inactive eDRX changes from a second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle to a first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the first inactive eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the terminal's indication; the core network device will resume / restore MT communication processing and cache the terminal's downlink data according to the indication information, thereby improving the terminal's energy-saving performance.

[0022] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal, or by a component of the terminal (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions.

[0023] The method includes: receiving first system information from a first access network device, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal; and sending first indication information to the first access network device according to the first system information, the first indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0024] According to the above communication method provided by the present application, after the inactive eDRX of the terminal changes from the first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle to the second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the second inactive eDRX. The access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, so that the downlink signaling and downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in time.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the sending of the first indication information to the first access network device includes: sending a radio resource control (RRC) recovery request message to the first access network device, the RRC recovery request message including the first indication information, and the RRC recovery request message is used to request restoration of the RRC connection.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: when the terminal moves to the coverage of a third access network device, receiving second system information from the third access network device, the second system information indicating that the third access network device supports the first non-activated eDRX; sending seventh indication information to the third access network device, the seventh indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0027] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second access network device, or by a component of the second access network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second access network device. The second access network device is the last service access network device of the terminal.

[0028] The method includes: receiving second indication information from a first access network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using a second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration for paging detection, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first access network device does not support the first inactive eDRX but supports the second inactive eDRX; according to the second indication information, sending first communication processing request information to a mobile management network element, the first communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0029] According to the above communication method provided by the present application, after the inactive eDRX of the terminal changes from the first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle to the second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the second inactive eDRX. The access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, so that the downlink signaling and downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in time.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: starting a timer according to the second indication information; after the timer expires, sending a fifth indication information to the mobile management network element, the fifth indication information instructing the mobile management network element to re-perform the mobile station termination MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving an eighth indication information from a third access network device, the eighth indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of the third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; and sending a second communication processing request information to the mobile management network element according to the eighth indication information, the second communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0032] Based on this solution, after the terminal's inactive eDRX changes from a second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle to a first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the first inactive eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the terminal's indication; the core network device will resume / restore MT communication processing and cache the terminal's downlink data according to the indication information, thereby improving the terminal's energy-saving performance.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the receiving the second indication information from the first access network device includes: receiving a terminal context acquisition request message from the first access network device, the terminal context acquisition request message including the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0034] In the fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a third access network device, or by a component of the third access network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the third access network device.

[0035] The method includes: sending second system information, wherein the second system information indicates that the third access network device supports a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and a second inactive eDRX, wherein a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving seventh indication information from a terminal, wherein the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, wherein the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, wherein the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; and sending eighth indication information to the second access network device, wherein the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0036] Based on this solution, after the terminal's inactive eDRX changes from a second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle to a first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the first inactive eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the terminal's indication; the core network device will resume / restore MT communication processing and cache the terminal's downlink data according to the indication information, thereby improving the terminal's energy-saving performance.

[0037] In the sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a mobile management network element, or by a component of the mobile management network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the mobile management network element.

[0038] The method includes: receiving first indication information from a second access network device, the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device is configured with a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second inactive eDRX in a wireless access network notification area RNA; according to the first indication information, upon receiving a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling, sending second indication information to the second access network device, the second indication information indicating that the access network device that only supports the second inactive eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal.

[0039] According to the communication method provided in the present application, the second access network device indicates to the mobile management network element that there is an access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RAN notification area (RAN notification area, RNA), and the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving the notification of the arrival of downlink data or downlink signaling according to the instruction of the second access network device; the second access network device notifies the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA to page the terminal according to the instruction of the mobile management network element. Compared with the method in the current technology in which the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable according to the first non-activated eDRX configuration, this method uses the second non-activated eDRX with a shorter cycle to paging the terminal in time when the data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, it can respond to the paging in time and enter the connection state in time or receive the downlink data / downlink signaling through the SDT method, so as to realize the timely transmission / processing of the downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0040] In a possible implementation manner, the second indication information includes data volume information, where the data volume information indicates the data volume size of a downlink signal, and the downlink signal is the downlink data or the downlink signaling.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second access network device, or by a component of the second access network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the second access network device. The second access network device is the last service access network device of the terminal.

[0042] The method includes: sending first indication information to a mobile management network element, the first indication information indicating that there is an access network device that only supports the second non-activated extended discontinuous reception eDRX in a wireless access network notification area RNA, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device is configured with a first non-activated eDRX configuration and a second non-activated eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first non-activated eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second non-activated eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving second indication information from the mobile management network element, the second indication information indicating that the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal; according to the second indication information, sending a paging message only to the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA, the paging message is used to instruct the access network device to page the terminal, or, according to the second indication information, sending a paging message to the access network device in the RNA, the paging message indicating that the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX pages the terminal.

[0043] According to the communication method provided in the present application, the second access network device indicates to the mobile management network element that there is an access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RAN notification area (RAN notification area, RNA), and the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving the notification of the arrival of downlink data or downlink signaling according to the instruction of the second access network device; the second access network device notifies the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA to page the terminal according to the instruction of the mobile management network element. Compared with the method in the current technology in which the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable according to the first non-activated eDRX configuration, this method uses the second non-activated eDRX with a shorter cycle to paging the terminal in time when the data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, it can respond to the paging in time and enter the connection state in time or receive the downlink data / downlink signaling through the SDT method, so as to realize the timely transmission / processing of the downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the paging message includes the second inactive eDRX configuration.

[0045] Based on this solution, if the RNA includes an access network device that cannot recognize the indication in the RAN paging message but supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, such as an R17 base station, the paging terminal can be configured according to the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RAN paging message.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a module or unit for executing the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner of any of the aspects.

[0047] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store computer programs or instructions, and the processor being used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to implement a module or unit of a method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner, the device further includes a memory coupled to the processor.

[0049] In a possible implementation, there are one or more processors and / or one or more memories.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be separately provided with the processor.

[0051] In a possible implementation manner, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0052] Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0053] In a tenth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0054] In the specific implementation process, the above-mentioned processor can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0055] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one of the communication devices for executing the methods provided in the first to fifth aspects.

[0056] In the twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one of the communication devices of the methods provided in the sixth and seventh aspects.

[0057] In the thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any one of the above aspects or any one of the possible implementations of any one of the aspects.

[0058] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction). When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes a method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0059] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes a method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0060] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes an interface and a processor, wherein the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 2 A DRX reception schematic diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a network paging an inactive terminal when data arrives provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a CN-based MT communication process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 5 It is a flow chart of triggering connection recovery when a terminal is in an inactive state in a CN-based MT communication process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal movement scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Fig.10 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Fig.11 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Fig.12 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Fig.13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Fig.14 It is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0076] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a kind of association relationship describing the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, in the embodiment of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second", etc. do not necessarily limit the differences.

[0077] In the various method embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial number does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0078] It is understood that in this application, "under the circumstances of...", "if...", "when...", "if..." and similar descriptions can be used interchangeably. Moreover, these descriptions all refer to corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, but do not limit the time, nor require judgment actions when implementing, nor do they mean the existence of other limitations.

[0079] It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0080] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in this application, and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0081] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, new radio (NR) and other mobile communication systems that may appear in the future.

[0082] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the present application is shown. Each network element involved in the network architecture is described below.

[0083] 1. Terminal 101: The terminal is sometimes also referred to as user equipment (UE). The terminal may be a station, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device. The terminal may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a large screen, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0084] 2. (Radio) access network ((R)AN) equipment 102: equipment that provides wireless access for terminals.

[0085] The access network device may be a base station. The base station may be a 3G / 4G base station, an evolved nodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation nodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a new base station that appears with the evolution of technology, or an access node in a WiFi system. The access network device may also be a module or unit that completes some functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and may also complete the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and may also complete the functions of part of the physical layer or all of the physical layer. For a detailed description of each of the above-mentioned protocol layers, reference may be made to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device. The access network equipment and terminals can be fixed or movable. The access network equipment and terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network equipment and terminals.

[0086] 3. User plane network element 103: used for packet routing and forwarding and quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data.

[0087] like Figure 1 As shown, in the 5G communication system, the user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0088] 4. Data network (DN) 104: a network for providing data transmission.

[0089] In future communication systems, the data network may still be a DN, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0090] In the 5G communication system, after the terminal accesses the network, it can establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session, access the DN through the PDU session, and interact with the application function network elements deployed in the DN (application function network elements such as application servers).

[0091] 5. Mobility management network element 105: Mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) except session management, such as lawful interception and access authorization / authentication.

[0092] like Figure 1 As shown, in the 5G communication system, the mobility management network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the mobility management network element may still be an AMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0093] 6. Session management network element 106: mainly used for session management, terminal Internet protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection of manageable terminal plane functions, termination points of policy control and charging function interfaces, and downlink data notification, etc.

[0094] like Figure 1 As shown, in the 5G communication system, the session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0095] 7. Policy control network element 107: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior and provide policy rule information to control plane functional network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).

[0096] In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. Figure 1 As shown, in the 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0097] 8. Application function network element 108: The application function network element can interact with the 5G system through the application function network element to access the network open function network element or interact with the policy framework for policy control, etc.

[0098] like Figure 1 As shown, in the 5G communication system, the application function network element can be an application function, AF network element. In future communication systems, the application function network element can still be an AF network element, or it can have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0099] 9. Data management network element 109: used to process terminal identification, access authentication, registration and mobility management, etc.

[0100] like Figure 1 As shown, in the 5G communication system, the data management network element may be a unified data management (UDM) network element or a unified data repository (UDR) network element. In future communication systems, unified data management may still be a UDM, UDR network element, or it may have other names, which are not limited in this application. The UDM or UDR network element in the embodiment of the present application may refer to a user database, which may exist as a single logical repository for storing user data.

[0101] It is understandable that the above-mentioned network elements can also be referred to as network functions (NF) or functions. The above-mentioned network elements can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). The above-mentioned network elements or functions can be divided into one or more services. Furthermore, services that exist independently of network functions may also appear. In the present application, instances of the above-mentioned functions, or instances of services included in the above-mentioned functions, or service instances that exist independently of network functions can be referred to as service instances. The communication interfaces between the above-mentioned network elements are only examples, and the present application does not exclude the use of other interfaces for communication between network elements.

[0102] In addition, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the above system architecture. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other future communication systems, such as the 6th generation (6G) system architecture. Moreover, the names of the various network elements used in the embodiments of the present application may remain the same in future communication systems, but the names may be changed.

[0103] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technology is first given.

[0104] 1. Discontinuous reception (DRX)

[0105] The state of the terminal may include an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state, and an RRC connected state. Among them, the RRC idle state may be referred to as the idle state, the RRC inactive state may be referred to as the inactive state, or may be referred to as the third state, and the RRC connected state may be referred to as the connected state.

[0106] Paging is used to notify a terminal in an idle or inactive state to establish a service (i.e., be called), or to notify the terminal that a system message has changed and the terminal needs to re-read the changed system broadcast message, or to notify the terminal to receive earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS) information. According to the initiator of the paging message, paging is divided into core network (CN) paging and RAN paging, which are initiated by the core network and access network equipment respectively. CN paging is mainly used to paging idle terminals, and RAN paging is used to paging inactive terminals.

[0107] In order to save power consumption for paging message detection, discontinuous reception (DRX) technology is applied to the non-connected state. Non-connected DRX is different from connected DRX. In connected DRX, each DRX cycle consists of two time periods: "On Duration" and "Opportunity for DRX". "On Duration" can be called duration, and "Opportunity for DRX" can be called DRX opportunity. In "On Duration", the terminal detects and receives the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In "Opportunity for DRX", the terminal is in sleep mode and does not detect PDCCH to reduce power consumption. In non-connected DRX, there is no definition of duration (On Duration) and DRX opportunity (Opportunity for DRX). The terminal wakes itself up in a set time unit according to a certain non-connected DRX cycle to detect whether the network device has paged itself. Since it is a time unit agreed upon by both the network and the terminal, there is no need to set a time length in imitation of On Duration to deal with potential data reception. If it is detected that the network device is paging itself, the terminal responds to the paging message, for example, by initiating connection recovery, otherwise, it continues to maintain the current state. The time unit for the above-mentioned terminal to detect paging can be called a paging occasion (PO). For example, in LTE, a paging frame (PF) includes 10 subframes, indexed from 0 to 9. The time domain position of PO can be the subframe with index 7 in PF; in NR, PO is a set of PDCCH monitoring occasions, which is obtained according to the corresponding search space, and PO is located in the paging frame or the starting position of PO is located in the paging frame. Regarding how to determine the PF and PO within the DRX cycle, please refer to the existing related technologies for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0108] 2. Extended DRX (eDRX)

[0109] In order to further save power consumption, an extended DRX (eDRX) technology may be used to extend the DRX cycle so that the terminal can enter the sleep state for a longer period of time.

[0110] The idle state eDRX cycle can be extended to more than 3 hours. Considering the long sleep time, errors may be introduced. Figure 2In the eDRX reception diagram shown in the figure, in order to improve the reliability of paging, the concept of paging time window (PTW) is introduced. A PTW can cover one or more POs (only the scenario of covering multiple POs is shown in the figure). The terminal needs to detect paging messages according to the DRX cycle T within the PTW. Figure 2 T eDRX It is the idle state eDRX cycle.

[0111] The inactive (INACTIVE / inactive) eDRX configuration only discusses the case where the eDRX cycle is no longer than 10.24s. For INACTIVE eDRX, the use of the eDRX cycle is the same as the use of the DRX cycle. The terminal wakes up at the PO time of the INACTIVE eDRX cycle and detects the paging message. For how to determine the PO and PF in the INACTIVE eDRX cycle, please refer to the existing related technologies, which will not be repeated here.

[0112] For example, Figure 3 The figure shows a flow chart of a network paging an inactive terminal when data arrives. Figure 3 The last serving access network device is involved in the present application. The last serving access network device is the access network device that releases the terminal to the inactive state and stores the terminal context. The last serving access network device may also be referred to as an anchor access network device or an anchor base station. Figure 3 , S301 to S303, after a RAN paging trigger event occurs (downlink data or downlink signaling is received, etc.), the terminal's last serving access network device notifies other access network devices in the terminal's RAN notification area (RAN notificationarea, RNA) to initiate RAN paging at the PO time, and also initiates paging at the PO time. Figure 3 In the example, if the terminal receives a paging message from the access network device #1 (for which the terminal is access network device #1), the terminal responds to the paging message and initiates an RRC connection recovery process, which may specifically include S304 to S311. From S304 to S307, the terminal sends an RRC recovery request message to the access network device #1, and the access network device #1 obtains the terminal context from the last serving access network device and sends a recovery RRC recovery message to the terminal. S308, if the loss of downlink user data buffered in the last serving access network device is to be prevented, the access network device #1 provides the downlink data forwarding address to the last serving access network device. From S309 to S310, the access network device #1 requests to perform a path switch by sending a path switch request message to the mobile management network element, and the mobile management network element replies with a path switch response message. S311, the access network device #1 notifies the last serving access network to release the terminal context.

[0113] If you want to further save power consumption, you can extend the INACTIVE eDRX cycle to more than 10.24s, and introduce PTW in the same way as the idle eDRX method, so that the terminal can stay in sleep mode for a longer time. At this time, in order to avoid the excessive amount of data that needs to be cached at the access network device due to the long sleep time, you can consider caching the data at the user plane network element (for example, UPF), and introduce a mobile terminated (MT) communication processing mechanism based on the core network (CN). For the specific process, please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 .

[0114] In this article, CN-based MT communication processing means that when the mobile management network element in the core network receives downlink signaling from other core network elements (such as SMF), it will reject the downlink signaling and indicate to the other core network elements that the terminal is currently unreachable. Subsequently, the other core network elements will not send new signaling to the mobile management network element until the mobile management network element notifies the other core network elements that the terminal is reachable. In addition, MT communication processing based on CN is sometimes referred to as MT communication processing below.

[0115] In addition, it should be noted that, for ease of understanding, in some descriptions below, the extended INACTIVE eDRX cycle is referred to as a long INACTIVE eDRX cycle (i.e., a long INACTIVE eDRX cycle), and the non-extended INACTIVE eDRX cycle is referred to as a short INACTIVE eDRX cycle (i.e., a short INACTIVE eDRX cycle). For example, the long INACTIVE eDRX cycle may be greater than 10.24s, and the short INACTIVE eDRX cycle may be less than or equal to 10.24s.

[0116] Figure 4A flowchart of CN-based MT communication processing is shown. First, in S401, the access network device determines the longINACTIVE eDRX configuration, and determines to initiate CN-based MT communication processing. Afterwards, the access network device sends an RRC release message including RRC suspend to the terminal, which is used to release the terminal to the RRC inactive state, and the message includes the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration. This operation can be implemented in S402 or in S407. In S403, the access network device indicates that the terminal is transitioning to an inactive state and the core network needs to process MT communication by sending an N2 message (for example, MT Communication handling request message) to the mobile management network element. In the N2 message, the access network device also provides the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration to the mobile management network element. S404, the mobile management network element determines to perform MT communication processing based on the N2 message, and executes S405. In step S405, the mobile management network element instructs the user plane network element to enable data caching through the session management network element instead of sending the data directly to the terminal. S406, the user plane network element enables / opens data caching according to the instruction of the mobility management network element. After the user plane network element opens the data cache, it caches the downlink data arriving during the unreachable period of the terminal. Optionally, after the user plane network element enables the data cache, it can also return a corresponding response message in S407 to indicate that it has opened the data cache. The mobility management network element can return a corresponding N2 response message in S408.

[0117] Figure 5 The flowchart of the terminal triggering connection recovery in the inactive state in the CN-based MT communication processing is shown. Referring to S501, when receiving downlink data, the user plane network element caches it and indicates to the mobility management network element through the session management network element that data has arrived. The mobility management network element determines whether the terminal is reachable according to the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration provided by the stored access network device. If the terminal is not reachable, the mobility management network element provides an estimated maximum waiting time in the response message according to the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration (skipping steps S502 to S505). If the terminal is considered reachable, S502 is triggered. In S502, the mobility management network element sends an N2 message (such as a downlink data notification message) to the access network device to notify that there is data or signaling arrival of the terminal. The access network device sends a paging message in S503 according to the N2 message to page the terminal. In S504, the terminal responds to the paging to restore the RRC connection, and the user plane network element releases the cache to transmit data (see S505a) or signaling (see S505b).

[0118] For an inactive terminal, there is Figure 6 The terminal movement scenario and processing flow shown. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a scenario in which a terminal moves is shown. Figure 6 , the terminal 610 is released to the inactive state by the access network device 620, and then moves into the coverage of the access network device 630. Among them, the access network device 620 supports long INACTIVE eDRX, for example, the supported long INACTIVE eDRX period is 40.96s. The access network device 630 does not support long INACTIVE eDRX, and only supports short INACTIVE eDRX (for example, 10.24s) or DRX. When the access network device 620 releases the terminal to the inactive state, the terminal is configured with long INACTIVE eDRX and short INACTIVE eDRX. Based on the above description, it can be seen that when the access network device 620 serves the terminal 610, the core network device performs MT processing, caches the downlink data of the terminal, and pages the terminal based on long INACTIVE eDRX, and the terminal 610 performs paging detection based on long INACTIVE eDRX. After the terminal 610 moves to the coverage of the access network device 630, since the core network does not perceive the movement of the terminal, it still performs MT processing, caches the downlink data of the terminal, and performs paging based on longINACTIVE eDRX. At the same time, since the access network device 630 does not support long INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal 610 performs paging detection in the cell supported by the access network device 630 based on short INACTIVE eDRX or DRX.

[0119] In the above scenario, after the terminal 610 moves to the coverage of the access network device 620, although the terminal 610 performs paging detection based on short INACTIVE eDRX or DRX, due to the MT communication processing and data caching operation of the core network device and paging based on long INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal energy-saving performance is sacrificed while still failing to process / transmit downlink signaling and downlink data in a timely manner.

[0120] In view of this, the present application provides two communication methods, which can realize timely processing / transmission of downlink signaling and downlink data after an inactive terminal moves from a cell supporting longINACTIVE eDRX to a cell supporting short INACTIVE eDRX or DRX. The method is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0121] It should be understood that the terminal, the first access network device, and the second access network device in the following description may be respectively Figure 6 The terminal 610, access network device 630 and access network device 620 are shown. In addition, the INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the present application may also be referred to as a paging cycle or an inactive state paging cycle.

[0122] Figure 7 700 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 700 may include S701 to S705, and the method 700 is described below in combination with each step.

[0123] S701, a first access network device broadcasts system information. The system information is recorded as: first system information, for example.

[0124] The terminal is located within the coverage of the first access network device and can receive the first system information.

[0125] Among them, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device. When the second access network device releases the terminal to an inactive state, a first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and a second INACTIVE eDRX configuration are configured for the terminal. The first INACTIVE eDRX and the second INACTIVE eDRX are two different types of INACTIVE eDRX, the period of the first INACTIVE eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second INACTIVE eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold. Optionally, the preset threshold is 10.24s. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX is long INACTIVE eDRX, and the second INACTIVE eDRX is shortINACTIVE eDRX. It should be understood that the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the first INACTIVE eDRX, and similarly, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the second INACTIVE eDRX. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX period and PTW information. The second INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX period. The INACTIVE eDRX period in the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 40.96s, and the INACTIVE eDRX period in the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 10.24s. It should be understood that the second access network device can be referred to as the last serving access network device of the terminal, that is, the anchor access network device or the anchor base station. The first access network device can be referred to as the receiving access network device or the receiving base station of the terminal.

[0126] For the core network, before the following step S705, the mobility management network element performs MT communication processing, and the user plane network element caches the downlink data arriving during the terminal unreachable period. It should be understood that the user plane network element can determine whether the terminal is reachable based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, and how to determine whether the terminal is reachable can refer to the prior art.

[0127] The first access network device does not support the first INACTIVE eDRX and only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX. In the first system information, the first access network device indicates that it does not support the first INACTIVE eDRX and supports the second INACTIVE eDRX. According to the first system information, within the coverage of the first access network device, the terminal performs paging detection based on the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration configured by the second access network device.

[0128] S702: The terminal sends a message #1 to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the message #1.

[0129] The message #1 is used to request to restore the RRC connection. In addition, the message #1 includes first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal currently adopts / uses the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0130] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be a MAC CE, such as a special logical channel identification (LCID). Alternatively, the first indication information may be a UCI. Alternatively, the first indication information may be included in an RRC resume request message, for example, the first indication information may be a newly added cause value. That is, the first indication information may be used as part of the RRC resume request message, and the terminal may send the first indication information by sending the RRC resume request message.

[0131] Exemplarily, message #1 may be an RRC recovery request message, or message #1 may include an RRC recovery request message.

[0132] S703: The first access network device sends a message #2 to the second access network device according to the first indication information, where the message #2 includes the second indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the message #2.

[0133] The first access network device may use an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) to identify the second access network device and send a message #2 to the second access network device, wherein the message #2 is used to obtain the terminal context and indicate that the terminal currently uses the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection. Exemplarily, the message #2 may be a retrieve UE context request message.

[0134] Exemplarily, the second indication information is the first indication information. That is, after receiving the first indication information, the first access network device does not recognize the first indication information, and sends the first indication information to the second access network device in the form of transparent transmission (container). Alternatively, after recognizing the first indication information, for example, when recognizing the above-mentioned LCID, the first access network device may send the second indication information with the same meaning as the first indication information to the second access network device.

[0135] S704: The second access network device sends first communication processing request information to the mobility management network element according to the second indication information. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first communication processing request information.

[0136] The first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration to perform paging detection, or the first communication processing request information indicates to suspend MT communication processing and suspend buffering of downlink data of the terminal.

[0137] Exemplarily, the first communication processing request information is an MT communication processing request (MT Communicationhandling request) message. Alternatively, the first communication processing request information may be the second indication information.

[0138] S705, the mobility management network element determines to suspend / not perform / pause MT communication handling according to the first communication processing request information, and sends third indication information to the user plane network element through the session management network element. Accordingly, the session management network element receives the third indication information. The third indication information indicates to suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal.

[0139] As mentioned above, MT communication processing means that when the mobile management network element receives downlink signaling from other core network elements (such as session management network elements), it will reject the downlink signaling and indicate to the other core network elements that the terminal is currently unreachable. Subsequently, the other core network elements will not send new signaling to the mobile management network element until the mobile management network element notifies the other core network elements that the terminal is reachable. Correspondingly, suspending / not performing / pausing MT communication processing means that when the mobile management network element receives downlink signaling from other core network elements, it processes the downlink signaling.

[0140] S706: The user plane network element suspends caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the third indication information.

[0141] Specifically, the user plane network element will send the downlink data instead of buffering the downlink data when receiving the downlink data of the terminal according to the third indication information.

[0142] According to the above-mentioned communication method provided by the present application, after the INACTIVE eDRX of the terminal changes from a first INACTIVE eDRX with a longer cycle to a second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current INACTIVE eDRX is the second INACTIVE eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, so that the downlink signaling and downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in a timely manner.

[0143] In a possible implementation, after S706, the Figure 3 The method shown performs downlink signal transmission, and the downlink signal is downlink data or downlink signaling. That is, when the second access network device receives the downlink data or downlink signaling of the terminal, it sends its downlink data or downlink signaling to the terminal after paging the terminal to put the terminal into a connected state.

[0144] It should be understood that in this method, Figure 3 The last service access network device in the Figure 7 The second access network device in Figure 3 Access network device #1 in is equivalent to Figure 7 The first access network device in.

[0145] In another possible implementation, when the downlink signal of the terminal received by the second access network device is small data, the downlink signal is transmitted by small data transmission (SDT). The downlink signal is downlink data or downlink signaling. This method transmits the downlink signal by using SDT to achieve timely transmission / processing of the downlink signal.

[0146] Furthermore, if the downlink signal is not small data, the terminal may be paged to put the terminal into a connected state, and then the downlink signal may be sent to the terminal.

[0147] It should be understood that small data refers to a signal containing data that is less than a certain threshold, which can be determined based on experience, or can be a common industry threshold. For example, if the downlink signal is less than 100 bytes, the downlink signal is considered small data, otherwise the downlink signal is considered not small data.

[0148] For example, the specific process of transmitting downlink signals by SDT is shown in Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Optionally, when executing Figure 8 or Fig. 9 Before the process shown in the figure, the second access network device may first determine whether to relocate the anchor point. If it is determined not to relocate the anchor point, the second access network device may execute Figure 8 Otherwise, execute Fig. 9 As for the situations in which anchor point relocation is not performed / performed, the prior art can be referred to for details, and this application will not elaborate on them.

[0149] Figure 8 800 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 800 transmits a downlink signal by means of SDT without performing anchor point relocation. The method 800 may include S801 to S807, and the method 800 is described below in combination with each step.

[0150] S801: The second access network device sends part of the terminal context to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives part of the terminal context.

[0151] In this step, the second access network device may send a portion of the terminal context (ie, a portion of the context of the terminal) to the first access network device, wherein the portion of the terminal context includes a radio link control (RLC) context related to the SDT.

[0152] Exemplarily, the second access network device may send a partial UE context to the first access network device via a partial UE context transfer message.

[0153] This step may be executed after S703 and before S704, or after S704, or simultaneously with S704.

[0154] S802: The first access network device establishes an RLC entity according to a partial terminal context.

[0155] S803: If the downlink data / downlink signaling of the terminal received by the second access network device is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling is sent to the terminal through the first access network device.

[0156] It should be understood that if the downlink data / downlink signaling is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling can be called downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling.

[0157] It should be understood that after S802, the first access network device can also send uplink SDT data to the second access network device, and the second access network device forwards it to the user plane network element. The uplink SDT data can be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it can be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. Similarly, the first access network device can also send uplink SDT signaling to the second access network device, and the second access network device forwards it to the mobility management network element. The uplink SDT signaling can be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it can be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. It should be understood that uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling refers to small uplink data.

[0158] S804: After detecting that the SDT ends, the first access network device indicates the end of the SDT to the second access network device.

[0159] When indicating the end of the SDT, the reason for the end of the SDT may also be indicated. For example, the reason may be that this is a "normal" end of the SDT transaction or a radio link problem.

[0160] S805: The second access network device instructs the first access network device to release part of the established terminal context.

[0161] After receiving the instruction from the second access network device, the first access network device releases the established part of the terminal context. Exemplarily, the second access network device may instruct the first access network device to release the established part of the terminal context through a retrieve UE context failure message.

[0162] Optionally, in S805, the second access network device may also send a first INACTIVE eDRX configuration to the first access network device.

[0163] S806: The first access network device instructs the terminal to be released to the inactive state.

[0164] For example, the first access network device may send an RRC release message to the terminal.

[0165] Optionally, the RRC release message may include a suspend indication.

[0166] Optionally, the RRC release message may include the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. Alternatively, the RRC release message may include indication information, and the indication information may instruct the terminal to continue to use the previous INACTIVE eDRX configuration, that is, continue to use the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0167] By configuring the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for the terminal when the terminal is released to enter an inactive state, the terminal will not be changed to support only the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. In this way, when the terminal enters the coverage of other access network devices that support the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration can be used for paging detection to improve energy saving performance.

[0168] S807: The terminal enters an inactive state according to an instruction of the first access network device.

[0169] In summary, according to Figure 8 The provided communication method transmits downlink data and / or downlink signaling in an SDT manner, so that the downlink data and downlink signaling can be transmitted / processed in a timely manner.

[0170] Fig. 9 900 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 900 transmits downlink data by means of SDT when performing anchor point relocation. The method 900 may include some or all of the steps from S901 to S907, and the method 900 is described below in combination with each step.

[0171] S901: The second access network device sends a terminal context to the first access network device.

[0172] This step may be executed after S703 and before S704, or after S704, or simultaneously with S704.

[0173] S902: After receiving the terminal context, the first access network device determines to perform small data transmission in an inactive state.

[0174] S903: If the downlink data / downlink signaling of the terminal received by the second access network device is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling is sent to the terminal through the first access network device.

[0175] It should be understood that if the downlink data / downlink signaling is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling can be called downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling.

[0176] It should be understood that after S902, the first access network device can also send uplink SDT data to the second access network device, and the second access network device will forward it to the user plane network element. The uplink SDT data can be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it can be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. Similarly, the first access network device can also send uplink SDT signaling to the second access network device, and the second access network device will forward it to the mobile management network element. The uplink SDT signaling can be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it can be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. In the above process, if the loss of downlink data buffered in the second access network device is to be prevented, the first access network device can provide a forwarding address to the second access network device, for example, the forwarding address can be provided through an Xn-U address indication message. It should be understood that uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling refers to small uplink data.

[0177] S904: The first access network device performs path switching.

[0178] The first access network device initiates path switching to establish a signaling connection with the mobile management network element. Exemplarily, the first access network device can send a path switching request message to the mobile management network element, and after receiving the path switching request message, the mobile management network element can send a path switching response message to the first access network device. After the path switching, uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling / downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling are transmitted between the terminal and the core network through the first access network device. It should be understood that downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling refers to downlink small data.

[0179] S905: The first access network device instructs the terminal to release to the inactive state.

[0180] For example, the first access network device may send an RRC release message to the terminal.

[0181] Optionally, the RRC release message may include a suspend indication.

[0182] Optionally, the RRC release message may include the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. Alternatively, the RRC release message may include indication information, and the indication information may instruct the terminal to continue to use the previous INACTIVE eDRX configuration, that is, continue to use the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0183] By configuring the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for the terminal when the terminal is released to enter an inactive state, the terminal will not be changed to support only the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. In this way, when the terminal enters the coverage of other access network devices that support the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration can be used for paging detection to improve energy saving performance.

[0184] S906: The terminal enters an inactive state according to an instruction of the first access network device.

[0185] S907: The first access network device instructs the second access network device to release the terminal context.

[0186] For example, the first access network device may send a terminal context release message to the second access network device, instructing the second access network device to release the terminal context.

[0187] This step is optional. The present application does not limit the order between S905 and S907.

[0188] In summary, according to Fig. 9 The provided communication method transmits downlink data and / or downlink signaling in an SDT manner, so that the downlink data and downlink signaling can be transmitted / processed in a timely manner.

[0189] It should be understood that Figure 8 and Fig. 9 For the specific contents involved in the process shown, reference can also be made to the prior art.

[0190] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, the mobility management network element may start / open a timer (for example, recorded as timer #1) when receiving the second indication information. When the timer #1 times out / expires, the mobility management network element resumes / re-performs MT communication processing and sends a fourth indication information to the user plane network element, instructing the user plane network element to resume caching of downlink data of the terminal. Accordingly, after receiving the fourth indication information, the user plane network element resumes caching of downlink data of the terminal.

[0191] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, the second access network device may start a timer (for example, recorded as timer #2) when receiving the second indication information, and when the timer #2 times out / expires, the second access network device may send a fifth indication information to the mobility management network element. The fifth indication information instructs the mobility management network element to re-perform MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal. Accordingly, after receiving the fifth indication information, the mobility management network element resumes / re-performs MT communication processing and sends a fourth indication information to the user plane network element, instructing the user plane network element to resume caching of the downlink data of the terminal. Accordingly, after receiving the fourth indication information, the user plane network element resumes caching of the downlink data of the terminal.

[0192] It should be understood that the mobile management network element resuming / resuming MT communication processing in the present application means that if the MT communication processing was previously suspended, the MT communication processing is now started again.

[0193] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, when the terminal moves from the range covered by the first access network device to the range covered by the third access network device supporting the first INACTIVE eDRX, the following steps may be performed: Fig.10 The process shown.

[0194] Fig.10 1 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 1000 may include S1001 to S1006, and the steps are described below.

[0195] S1001, the third access network device broadcasts system information. The system information is recorded as: second system information, for example.

[0196] The terminal is located within the coverage of the third access network device and can receive the second system information. The second system information indicates that the terminal supports the first INACTIVE eDRX. According to the second system information, the terminal performs paging detection based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration configured based on the second access network device within the coverage of the third access network device.

[0197] S1002, the terminal sends a message #3 to the third access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the message #3.

[0198] The message #3 requests to restore the RRC connection. And the message #3 includes seventh indication information. The seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0199] Exemplarily, the form of the seventh indication information may be similar to the first indication information. For example, the seventh indication information may be a MAC CE, such as a special logical channel identification (LCID). Alternatively, the seventh indication information may be a UCI. Alternatively, the seventh indication information may be included in an RRC resume request message, for example, the seventh indication information may be a newly added cause value. That is, the seventh indication information may be used as part of the RRC resume request message, and the terminal may send the seventh indication information by sending an RRC resume request message.

[0200] Exemplarily, the seventh indication information may be an RRC recovery request message, or message #3 may include an RRC recovery request message.

[0201] S1003: The third access network device sends a message #4 to the second access network device according to the seventh indication information, where the message #4 includes the eighth indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the message #4.

[0202] The third access network device can use the I-RNTI to identify the second access network device and send a message #4 to the second access network device, wherein the message #4 is used to obtain the terminal context and indicate that the terminal currently uses the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection. Exemplarily, the message #4 can be a retrieve UE context request message.

[0203] Exemplarily, the eighth indication information is the seventh indication information. That is, after receiving the seventh indication information, the third access network device does not recognize the seventh indication information, and sends the seventh indication information to the second access network device in the form of transparent transmission (container). Alternatively, after recognizing the seventh indication information, for example, when recognizing the above-mentioned LCID, the first access network device may send the eighth indication information having the same meaning as the seventh indication information to the second access network device.

[0204] S1004: The second access network device sends second communication processing request information to the mobility management network element according to the eighth instruction information. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the second communication processing request information.

[0205] The second communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently adopts the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration to perform paging detection, or the second communication processing request information indicates to perform MT communication processing and cache downlink data of the terminal.

[0206] Exemplarily, the second communication processing request information is an MT communication processing request (MT Communicationhandling request) message. Alternatively, the second communication processing request information is the second indication information.

[0207] S1005, the mobility management network element determines to resume / restore MT communication processing according to the second communication processing request information, and sends sixth indication information to the user plane network element through the session management network element. Accordingly, the session management network element receives the sixth indication information. The sixth indication information indicates to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0208] S1006: The user plane network element determines to cache the downlink data of the terminal according to the sixth indication information.

[0209] Specifically, the user plane network element caches the downlink data if it receives the downlink data of the terminal during the unreachable period of the terminal according to the sixth indication information.

[0210] According to the above-mentioned communication method provided by the present application, after the INACTIVE eDRX of the terminal changes from the second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle to the first INACTIVE eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current INACTIVE eDRX is the first INACTIVE eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will resume / restore MT communication processing and cache the downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, thereby improving the energy-saving performance of the terminal.

[0211] The present application also provides another communication method, which can also realize the timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling of the terminal. Fig.11 and Fig.12 Provide explanation.

[0212] Fig.11 1100 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided by the present application. The method 1100 may include one or more steps from S1101 to S1106, and the steps are described below.

[0213] S1101: A second access network device sends first indication information to a mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first indication information.

[0214] The second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, that is, the anchor access network device or the anchor base station. When the second access network device releases the terminal to the inactive state, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration are configured for the terminal. The first INACTIVE eDRX and the second INACTIVE eDRX are two different types of INACTIVE eDRX, the period of the first INACTIVE eDRX is greater than the preset threshold, and the period of the second INACTIVE eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold. Optionally, the preset threshold is 10.24s. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX is long INACTIVE eDRX, and the second INACTIVE eDRX is short INACTIVE eDRX. It should be understood that the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration of the first INACTIVE eDRX, and similarly, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration of the second INACTIVE eDRX. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX period and PTW information. The second INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX cycle. The INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 40.96 s, and the INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 10.24 s.

[0215] For the core network, the session management network element performs MT communication processing, and the user plane network element caches the downlink data that arrives during the terminal unreachable period.

[0216] The first indication information indicates that there is an access network device in the RNA that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX. That is, the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device in the RNA that does not support the first INACTIVE eDRX.

[0217] It can be understood that the second access network device can learn whether other access network devices support the first INACTIVE eDRX by interacting with other access network devices.

[0218] S1102: When receiving a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling, the mobility management network element sends second indication information to the second access network device according to the first indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second indication information.

[0219] The second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal. That is, the second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal, and the access network device supporting the first INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA does not page the terminal.

[0220] Optionally, the second indication information may also indicate the data volume of a downlink signal, where the downlink signal is downlink data or downlink signaling. The data volume of the downlink signal may refer to the size or data volume of a single quality of service (QoS) flow or a single non-access stratum protocol data unit (NAS PDU) in the downlink signal.

[0221] S1104: The second access network device sends a paging message to the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA.

[0222] The second access network device sends a paging message only to the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA according to the second indication message, and does not send a paging message to other access network devices in the RNA. It should be understood that the paging message is a RAN paging message.

[0223] In addition, for the second access network device, on the basis of executing S1104, the terminal can also be paged according to the first INACTIVE eDRX. For example, the second access network device can determine the PO time according to the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, and send a RAN paging message to all access network devices in the RNA at the PO time, so that all access network devices in the RNA page the terminal.

[0224] Optionally, before S1104, the method may further include:

[0225] S1103: The second access network device determines whether to perform SDT.

[0226] The second access network device may determine whether to perform SDT according to the data volume of the downlink signal indicated by the second indication information.

[0227] S1105, the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA sends a paging message to the terminal.

[0228] After the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA receives the paging message of the second access network device, it determines the PO time according to the INACTIVE eDRX configuration it supports, and sends the paging message at the PO time. Accordingly, if the terminal is located within the coverage of the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection. If the terminal is located within the coverage of the access network device that supports the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection.

[0229] In the present application, it is assumed that the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA includes the first access network device, so that the first access network device will send a paging message to page the terminal according to the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0230] Optionally, the paging message may instruct the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner. For example, the paging message may include an SDT indication.

[0231] S1106: If the terminal moves into the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal will respond to the paging message.

[0232] For example, in the present application, the first access network device will respond to the paging message.

[0233] In a possible implementation, after receiving the paging message, the terminal may initiate RRC connection recovery, thereby receiving downlink data and / or downlink signaling by entering the connected state. Figure 3 Steps S304 to S311 shown, at this time Figure 3 The access network device #1 and the last service access network device in are equivalent to Fig.11 The first access network device and the second access network device in.

[0234] In another possible implementation manner, the paging message received by the terminal instructs the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner, and then initiates an SDT process based on RACH. Downlink data or downlink signaling can be transmitted in this process.

[0235] The SDT process based on random access (RACH) may generally include: first, the terminal sends an RRC recovery request message to the first access network device, and the RRC recovery request message may include uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling; after receiving the RRC recovery request message, the first access network device requests the context of the terminal from the second access network device, and the request may also include an SDT indication; according to whether anchor point relocation is performed, method 800 or method 900 may be performed, so as to realize transmission of downlink data / downlink signaling by means of SDT. It should be understood that for more detailed contents of the SDT process based on RACH, reference may be made to the prior art.

[0236] according to Fig.11 In the communication method provided, the second access network device indicates to the mobile management network element that there is an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA, and the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving a notification of the arrival of downlink data or downlink signaling based on the instruction of the second access network device; the second access network device notifies the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA to page the terminal based on the instruction of the mobile management network element. Compared with the current technology in which the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, the method provided in the present application timely adopts the second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle to paging the terminal when the data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, it can respond to the paging in time and enter the connected state in time or receive downlink data / downlink signaling through SDT, thereby realizing timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0237] Fig.12 12 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided by the present application. The method 1200 may include one or more steps from S1201 to S1206, and the steps are described below.

[0238] S1201: A second access network device sends first indication information to a mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first indication information.

[0239] This step is the same as S1101 in method 1100, and reference may be made to S1101.

[0240] S1202: When receiving a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling, the mobility management network element sends second indication information to the second access network device according to the first indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second indication information.

[0241] This step is the same as S1102 in method 1100, and reference may be made to S1102.

[0242] S1204: The second access network device sends a paging message to the access network devices in the RNA according to the second indication information.

[0243] After receiving the second indication message, the second access network device sends a paging message to the access network device of RNA, the paging message including third indication information, the third indication information indicating that only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX pages the terminal. It should be understood that the paging message is a RAN paging message.

[0244] Optionally, the paging message may further include a second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0245] In addition, for the second access network device, on the basis of executing S1204, the terminal can also be paged according to the first INACTIVE eDRX. For example, the second access network device can determine the PO time according to the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, and send a RAN paging message to all access network devices in the RNA at the PO time, so that all access network devices in the RNA page the terminal.

[0246] Optionally, before S1104, the method may further include:

[0247] S1203: The second access network device determines whether to perform SDT.

[0248] This step is the same as S1103 in method 1100, and reference may be made to S1101.

[0249] S1205: The access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA sends a paging message to the terminal.

[0250] If the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA can identify the third indication information in the RAN paging message, the PO time is determined according to the INACTIVE eDRX configuration it supports, and the paging message is sent at the PO time. For example, for an R18 base station, it can identify the third indication information, then for an R18 base station that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA, the terminal is paged according to the INACTIVE eDRX configuration it supports.

[0251] If the RNA includes an access network device that cannot recognize the third indication information in the RAN paging message but supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, such as an R17 base station, the terminal is paged according to the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration in the RAN paging message.

[0252] Accordingly, if the terminal is located within the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection. If the terminal is located within the coverage of an access network device that supports the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection.

[0253] In the present application, it is assumed that the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA includes the first access network device, so that the first access network device will send a paging message to page the terminal according to the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0254] Optionally, the paging message may instruct the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner. For example, the paging message may include an SDT indication.

[0255] S1206: If the terminal moves into the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal will respond to the paging message.

[0256] For example, in the present application, the first access network device will respond to the paging message.

[0257] In a possible implementation, after receiving the paging message, the terminal may initiate RRC connection recovery, thereby receiving downlink data and / or downlink signaling by entering the connected state. Figure 3 Steps S304 to S311 shown, at this time Figure 3 The access network device #1 and the last service access network device in are equivalent to Fig.11 The first access network device and the second access network device in.

[0258] In another possible implementation manner, the paging message received by the terminal instructs the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner, and then initiates an SDT process based on RACH. Downlink data or downlink signaling can be transmitted in this process.

[0259] The RACH-based SDT process can be roughly referred to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] according to Fig.12In the provided communication method, the second access network device indicates to the mobile management network element that there is an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA, and the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving downlink data or downlink signaling arrival notification based on the instruction of the second access network device; the second access network device sends a RAN paging message to the access network devices in the RNA based on the instruction of the mobile management network element, and indicates in the RAN paging message that the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX pages the terminal. The access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX pages the terminal based on the RAN paging message, and other access network devices do not page the terminal. Compared with the current technology in which the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, the method provided in the present application promptly adopts a second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle to paging the terminal when data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, it can respond to paging in time and enter the connected state in time or receive downlink data / downlink signaling through SDT, thereby realizing timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0261] It should be noted that, for any of the above embodiments, the second INACTIVE DRX may also be replaced by INACTIVE DRX, and the period of INACTIVE DRX is less than the preset duration. For example, the period of INACTIVE DRX may be 2.56s, 1.28s, 0.64s or 0.32s.

[0262] Alternatively, for any of the above embodiments, the first access network device does not support the first INACTIVE DRX and supports the second INACTIVE DRX, and can also be replaced by the first access network device not supporting the first INACTIVE DRX and the second INACTIVE DRX, and only supporting INACTIVE DRX. Accordingly, within the coverage of the first access network device, the terminal will perform paging detection based on INACTIVE DRX.

[0263] The above describes the method embodiment provided by the present application, and the following describes the device embodiment provided by the present application. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment, so the content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiment above, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0264] Fig.13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.13As shown, the communication device 2000 may include a communication unit 2100 and a processing unit 2200. The communication unit 2100 may implement a corresponding communication function, and the communication may be internal communication of the communication device 2000 or communication between the communication device 2000 and other devices; the processing unit 2200 may implement a corresponding processing function. The communication unit 2100 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may also include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 2200 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0265] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the first access network device in the above method 700, method 800 or method 900, or may be a module or chip applied to the first access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the first access network device in the above method 700, method 800 or method 900.

[0266] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: send first system information, wherein the first system information indicates that the communication device 2000 does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, wherein a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receive first indication information from a terminal, wherein the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, wherein the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, wherein the first indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; and according to the first indication information, send second indication information to the second access network device, wherein the second indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0267] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically configured to send a terminal context acquisition request message to the second access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0268] Optionally, the preset threshold is 10.24 seconds.

[0269] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the mobility management network element in the above method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the mobility management network element. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the mobility management network element in the above method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000.

[0270] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to receive a first communication processing request message from a second access network device, the second access network device is the last service access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first communication processing request message indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection. The processing unit 2200 is used to suspend the mobile station terminating MT communication processing according to the first communication processing request message, and send a third indication message to the user plane network element, the third indication message instructing the user plane network element to suspend the caching of the downlink data of the terminal.

[0271] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 is also used to start a timer according to the first communication processing request information; after the timer expires, the processing unit 2200 is also used to perform the MT communication processing, and the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a fourth indication information to the user plane network element, and the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0272] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically used to receive a fifth indication message from the second access network device, the fifth indication message instructing the mobile management network element to re-perform the MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal; the processing unit 2200 is also used to perform the MT communication processing according to the fifth indication message, and the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a fourth indication message to the user plane network element, the fourth indication message instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0273] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically used to receive a second communication processing request information from the second access network device, the second communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of a third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; the processing unit 2200 is also used to perform the MT communication processing according to the second communication processing request information, and the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a sixth indication information to the user plane network element, the sixth indication information instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0274] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be a terminal in the above method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to a terminal. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the terminal in the above method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000.

[0275] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: receive first system information from a first access network device, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the communication device 2000 is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the communication device 2000; and sends first indication information to the first access network device according to the first system information, the first indication information indicating that the communication device 2000 is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0276] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically used to: send a radio resource control RRC recovery request message to the first access network device, the RRC recovery request message includes the first indication information, and the RRC recovery request message is used to request restoration of the RRC connection.

[0277] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is also used to: when the communication device 2000 moves to the coverage of a third access network device, receive second system information from the third access network device, the second system information indicating that the third access network device supports the first non-activated eDRX; and send seventh indication information to the third access network device, the seventh indication information indicating that the communication device 2000 is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0278] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the second access network device in the above method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the second access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the second access network device in the above method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000.

[0279] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: receive second indication information from a first access network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using a second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration for paging detection, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the communication device 2000, the communication device 2000 configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first access network device does not support the first inactive eDRX but supports the second inactive eDRX; according to the second indication information, send a first communication processing request information to a mobile management network element, the first communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection of the second indication information.

[0280] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 is used to start a timer according to the second indication information; the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a fifth indication information to the mobile management network element after the timer expires, and the fifth indication information instructs the mobile management network element to re-perform the mobile station termination MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0281] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is also used to receive an eighth indication information from a third access network device, the eighth indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of the third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; and according to the eighth indication information, send a second communication processing request information to the mobile management network element, the second communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0282] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically configured to receive a terminal context acquisition request message from the first access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0283] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the third access network device in the method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the third access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the third access network device in the method 1000.

[0284] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to send second system information, wherein the second system information indicates that the communication device 2000 supports a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and a second inactive eDRX, wherein the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receive seventh indication information from the terminal, wherein the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, and the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; and send eighth indication information to the second access network device, wherein the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0285] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the mobility management network element in the above method 1100 or method 1200, or may be a module or chip applied to the mobility management network element. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the mobility management network element in the above method 1100 or method 1200.

[0286] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: receive first indication information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, and the second access network device is configured with a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second inactive eDRX in the wireless access network notification area RNA; according to the first indication information, when a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling is received, a second indication information is sent to the second access network device, and the second indication information indicates that the access network device that only supports the second inactive eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal.

[0287] Optionally, the second indication information includes data volume information, where the data volume information indicates the data volume of a downlink signal, and the downlink signal is the downlink data or the downlink signaling.

[0288] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the second access network device in the above method 1100 or method 1200, or may be a module or chip applied to the second access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the second access network device in the above method 1100 or method 1200. The communication device 2000 is the last service access network device of the terminal.

[0289] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: send a first indication message to a mobile management network element, the first indication message indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second non-activated extended discontinuous reception eDRX in the wireless access network notification area RNA, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, and the communication device 2000 is configured with a first non-activated eDRX configuration and a second non-activated eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first non-activated eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second non-activated eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receive a second indication message from the mobile management network element, the second indication message indicates that the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal; according to the second indication information, send a paging message only to the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA, the paging message is used to instruct the access network device to page the terminal, or, according to the second indication information, send a paging message to the access network device in the RNA, the paging message indicating that the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX pages the terminal.

[0290] Optionally, the paging message includes the second inactive eDRX configuration.

[0291] For the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 2000, please refer to the description in the corresponding method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0292] It should be understood that the "unit" in the communication device 2000 can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, and can also be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. For example, the "unit" can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. For another example, the communication unit 2100 can be replaced by a transceiver transceiver circuit (for example, it can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 2200 can be replaced by a processor or a processing circuit.

[0293] Fig.14 A schematic block diagram of another communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication device 3000 may be a terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a third access network device, a mobility management network element, or a user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobility management network element, or the user plane network element to implement the above method. The communication device 3000 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0294] The communication device 3000 may include one or more processors 3100, which may also be referred to as a processing unit, and may implement certain control functions. The processor 3100 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and the communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a user chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute the software program, and process the data of the software program.

[0295] In an optional design, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data, which can be executed by the processor 3100 so that the communication device 3000 executes the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0296] In another optional design, the communication device 3000 may include a communication interface 3200 for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the communication interface 3200 may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, an interface circuit, or a transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0297] Optionally, the communication device 3000 may include one or more memories 3300, on which instructions may be stored, and the instructions may be executed on the processor 3100, so that the communication device 3000 performs the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 3300. Optionally, instructions and / or data may also be stored in the processor 3100. The processor 3100 and the memory 3300 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0298] It should be understood that in a possible design, each step in the method embodiment provided by the present application can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor or an instruction in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor for execution. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here.

[0299] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or an instruction in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware decoding processor to perform, or the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor can be combined and performed. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0300] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0301] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a computer, enables the computer to execute each step or process executed by the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobile management network element or the user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0302] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores program code. When the program code runs on a computer, the computer executes each step or process executed by the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobile management network element or the user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0303] The present application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes each step or process executed by the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobile management network element or the user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0304] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of a first access network device, a second access network device, a third access network device, a mobility management network element, and a user plane network element.

[0305] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of a terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a third access network device, a mobility management network element, and a user plane network element.

[0306] The above-mentioned various device embodiments and method embodiments completely correspond to each other, and the corresponding steps are executed by the corresponding modules or units. For example, the communication unit or communication interface executes the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment, and the other steps except sending and receiving can be executed by the processing unit or processor.

[0307] In the embodiments of the present application, each term and English abbreviation is provided for the convenience of description and shall not constitute any limitation to the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0308] The terms "component", "module", "system", etc. used in this specification are used to represent computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both applications running on a computing device and a computing device can be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and a component may be located on a computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components may be executed from various computer-readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon. Components may, for example, communicate through local and / or remote processes according to signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems through signals).

[0309] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0310] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can be based on the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0311] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0312] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0313] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0314] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0315] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0316] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first access network device, the method includes: Sending first system information, where the first system information indicates that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX but supports a second inactive eDRX, where a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving first indication information from a terminal, the terminal being released to an inactive state by a second access network device, the second access network device configuring a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the first indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; According to the first indication information, second indication information is sent to the second access network device, where the second indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending the second indication information to the second access network device includes: Sending a terminal context acquisition request message to the second access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The preset threshold is 10.24 seconds.

4. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a mobility management network element, the method comprises: receiving first communication processing request information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; According to the first communication processing request information, the mobile station terminates the MT communication processing, and sends third indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the third indication information instructs the user plane network element to suspend the buffering of the downlink data of the terminal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Starting a timer according to the first communication processing request information; After the timer expires, the MT communication processing is performed, and fourth indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving fifth indication information from the second access network device, wherein the fifth indication information instructs the mobility management network element to re-perform the MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal; According to the fifth indication information, the MT communication processing is performed, and fourth indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second communication processing request information from the second access network device, where the second communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of a third access network device that supports the first inactive eDRX; The MT communication processing is performed according to the second communication processing request information, and sixth indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the sixth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal, the method comprises: receiving first system information from a first access network device, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal; Send first indication information to the first access network device according to the first system information, where the first indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The sending first indication information to the first access network device includes: A radio resource control (RRC) recovery request message is sent to the first access network device, where the RRC recovery request message includes the first indication information, and the RRC recovery request message is used to request recovery of the RRC connection.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the terminal moves to a coverage area of ​​a third access network device, receiving second system information from the third access network device, where the second system information indicates that the third access network device supports the first inactive eDRX; Send seventh indication information to the third access network device, where the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the method includes: receiving second indication information from a first access network device, where the second indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses a second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration for paging detection, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first access network device does not support the first inactive eDRX but supports the second inactive eDRX; According to the second indication information, first communication processing request information is sent to a mobility management network element, where the first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Starting a timer according to the second indication information; After the timer expires, fifth indication information is sent to the mobility management network element, where the fifth indication information instructs the mobility management network element to re-perform the mobile station termination MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving eighth indication information from a third access network device, where the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of the third access network device that supports the first inactive eDRX; According to the eighth indication information, second communication processing request information is sent to the mobility management network element, where the second communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The receiving second indication information from the first access network device includes: A terminal context acquisition request message is received from the first access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a third access network device, the method includes: Sending second system information, where the second system information indicates that the third access network device supports a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and a second inactive eDRX, where a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving seventh indication information from a terminal, where the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, where the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, and where the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; Sending eighth indication information to the second access network device, where the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a mobility management network element, the method comprises: receiving first indication information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second inactive eDRX in a notification area RNA of the radio access network; According to the first indication information, when a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling is received, a second indication information is sent to the second access network device, wherein the second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The second indication information includes data volume information, where the data volume information indicates the data volume of a downlink signal, and the downlink signal is the downlink data or the downlink signaling.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the method includes: Sending first indication information to a mobility management network element, where the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX in the radio access network notification area RNA, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving second indication information from the mobility management network element, where the second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal; According to the second indication information, a paging message is sent only to the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, where the paging message is used to instruct the access network device to page the terminal, or, According to the second indication information, a paging message is sent to the access network device in the RNA, and the paging message indicates that only the access network device that supports the second non-activated eDRX can page the terminal.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The paging message includes the second inactive eDRX configuration.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: A unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to claim 15, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to claim 16 or 17, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to claim 18 or 19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store programs or instructions, and when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: It comprises a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

23. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program or instructions are executed, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that Comprising computer program instructions, the computer program instructions causing the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

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