Message transmission method and device

Abstract

A message transmission method and device, in the message transmission method, a first network device receives a first request message from a second network device, the first request message is used for requesting a context of a terminal device, the first request message comprises first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating that the terminal device has initiated an RRC inactive state SDT process; the first network device stores the context of the terminal device. And if the to-be-transmitted data volume of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value, the first network device sends an RRC release message to the second network device, the RRC release message being used for instructing the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state. According to the method, low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data can be avoided under the condition that the terminal equipment arrives at the large amount of data in the SDT process.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) network, the terminal device may be in a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state. The terminal device in the RRC inactive state can save energy. If the terminal device in the RRC inactive state has data arriving, the data can be transmitted through the small data transmission (SDT) process. During the SDT process, a large amount of data may arrive at the terminal device. How to avoid the low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a message transmission method and device, which can avoid low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data when a large amount of data arrives at a terminal device during the SDT process.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to a first network device, a chip in the first network device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first network device. The following description is taken as an example of the first network device. The method includes: the first network device receives a first request message from the second network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device. If the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value, an RRC release message is sent to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state.

[0005] It can be seen that when a large amount of data arrives at the terminal device during the SDT process, the large amount of data is still transmitted through the SDT process, which will result in low transmission efficiency of the large amount of data. The message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can promptly instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process, thereby avoiding low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data. In addition, the method is also conducive to the terminal device that has terminated the SDT process and maintained the RRC inactive state to initiate the RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits these large amounts of data in the RRC connected state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0006] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0007] It can be seen that when the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, the first network device instructs the terminal device to immediately initiate the RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits this large amount of data in the RRC connection state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0008] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the first network device receives second indication information from the second network device, the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value. Thus, the first network device determines that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value by receiving the second indication information.

[0009] Optionally, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message from the second network device.

[0010] In an optional implementation, before the first network device receives the second indication information from the second network device, the method further includes: the first network device sends a data volume threshold value to the second network device. This is beneficial for the second network device to determine the data volume threshold value, and then determine whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value.

[0011] Optionally, the data volume threshold value is carried in a first response message sent to the second network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0012] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the first network device sends a first response message to the second network device, the first response message includes address information, the address information corresponds to third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device. The first network device receives the third indication information from the second network device according to the address information. The first network device determines, according to the third indication information, that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold.

[0013] It can be seen that the first network device sends address information to the second network device, so that the first network device can determine the content and type of the third indication information based on the address information to determine the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device, and then determine whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value.

[0014] Optionally, the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0015] In the second aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to a second network device, a chip in the second network device, and a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network device. The second network device is described below as an example. The method includes: the second network device sends a first request message to the first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes a first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device. The second network device sends a second indication information to the first network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold. The second network device receives an RRC release message from the first network device, and the RRC release message is used to indicate that the terminal device terminates the SDT process and maintains the RRC inactive state.

[0016] The second network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0017] It can be seen that when the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value, the second network device notifies the first network device of this situation, which is conducive to the first network device to promptly instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state. When a large amount of data arrives at the terminal device during the SDT process, still transmitting a large amount of data through the SDT process will result in low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data, and the message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can promptly instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process, avoiding low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data. In addition, the method is also conducive to the terminal device that has terminated the SDT process and maintained the RRC inactive state to initiate the RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits these large amounts of data in the RRC connected state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0018] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0019] It can be seen that when the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, the terminal device is instructed to immediately initiate the RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits these large amounts of data in the RRC connection state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the second network device sends the second indication information to the first network device, including: the second network device determines a data volume threshold value; or the second network device receives the data volume threshold value from the first network device. If the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value, the second network device sends the second indication information to the first network device.

[0021] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the second network device receives third indication information from the terminal device, the third indication information being used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device. This is beneficial for the second network device to determine the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device according to the third indication information, and further determine whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value.

[0022] In an optional implementation, the data volume threshold value received by the second network device is carried in a first response message from the first network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message sent to the first network device.

[0024] In a third aspect, the present application provides a message transmission method, which can be applied to a second network device, a chip in the second network device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network device. The second network device is described below as an example. The method includes: the second network device sends a first request message to the first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device. The second network device receives a first response message from the first network device, the first response message includes address information, the address information corresponds to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device. The second network device sends the third indication information to the first network device according to the address information. The second network device receives an RRC release message from the first network device, and the RRC release message is used to indicate that the terminal device terminates the SDT process and maintains the RRC inactive state. The second network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0025] It can be seen that the second network device sends the third indication information to the first network device according to the address information; it is beneficial for the first network device to determine the content and type of the third indication information according to the address information to determine the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device, thereby determining whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value. It is further beneficial for the first network device to promptly instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state when the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value. In the case where a large amount of data arrives at the terminal device during the SDT process, a large amount of data is still transmitted through the SDT process, which will result in low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data. The message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can promptly instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process to avoid low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data. In addition, the method is also beneficial for the terminal device that has terminated the SDT process and maintained the RRC inactive state to initiate the RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits these large amounts of data in the RRC connected state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0026] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0027] It can be seen that when the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate the RRC recovery process is conducive to enabling the terminal device to transmit a large amount of data in the RRC connection state and improve transmission efficiency.

[0028] In an optional implementation, the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present application also provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first network device or a second network device, or a chip in the first network device or the second network device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network device or the second network device. The communication device has the function of implementing part or all of the implementation methods described in any one of the first to third aspects above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0030] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The communication unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is used to couple with the processing unit and the communication unit, and store the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. In addition, the processing unit can be used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0031] In one embodiment, a communication unit is used to receive a first request message from a second network device, the first request message is used to request the context of a terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the communication device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0032] The communication unit is also used to: if the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, send an RRC release message to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state.

[0033] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] In another embodiment, the communication unit is used to send a first request message to a first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0035] The communication unit is also used to send second indication information to the first network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold value.

[0036] The communication unit is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0037] The communication unit is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0038] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0039] In another embodiment, the communication unit is used to send a first request message to a first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0040] The communication unit is also used to receive a first response message from the first network device, the first response message includes address information, the address information corresponds to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0041] The communication unit is further used to send third indication information to the first network device according to the address information.

[0042] The communication unit is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0043] The communication unit is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0044] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] As an example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is used to store a program or an instruction processor, the processor may be used to enable the communication device to execute the method described in any one of the first to third aspects when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, and the transceiver or communication interface may be used to send and receive signals and / or data.

[0046] In one embodiment, a transceiver is used to receive a first request message from a second network device, the first request message is used to request the context of a terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the communication device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0047] The transceiver is also used to: if the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, send an RRC release message to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state.

[0048] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0049] In another embodiment, the transceiver is used to send a first request message to a first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0050] The transceiver is also used to send second indication information to the first network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold value.

[0051] The transceiver is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0052] The transceiver is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0053] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] In another embodiment, the transceiver is used to send a first request message to a first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0055] The transceiver is also used to receive a first response message from the first network device, the first response message includes address information, the address information corresponds to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0056] The transceiver is further used to send third indication information to the first network device according to the address information.

[0057] The transceiver is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0058] The transceiver is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0059] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0060] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. The processing unit may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit; the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip or the chip system.

[0061] During the implementation process, the processor can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband related processing, and the transceiver or communication interface can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The above-mentioned devices can be arranged on independent chips, or at least partially or completely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. Among them, the analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver (or communication interface) on the same chip, and the digital baseband processor can be arranged on an independent chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with a variety of application processors (such as but not limited to a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system on a chip (System on a Chip, SoC). Whether each device is independently arranged on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of product design. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0062] In a fifth aspect, the present application also provides a processor for executing the above-mentioned various methods. In the process of executing these methods, the process of sending the above-mentioned signal and receiving the above-mentioned signal in the above-mentioned method can be understood as the process of outputting the above-mentioned signal by the processor, and the process of the above-mentioned signal input by the processor. When outputting the above-mentioned signal, the processor outputs the above-mentioned signal to the transceiver so that it is transmitted by the transceiver (or communication interface). After the above-mentioned signal is output by the processor, it may also need to be processed otherwise before it reaches the transceiver (or communication interface). Similarly, when the processor receives the above-mentioned input signal, the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal, the above-mentioned signal may need to be processed otherwise before it is input into the processor.

[0063] For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be more generally understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, rather than sending and receiving operations performed directly by the RF circuit and antenna.

[0064] In the implementation process, the processor may be a processor specifically used to execute these methods, or a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or may be separately arranged on different chips. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor.

[0065] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, the system comprising at least one first network device and at least one second network device of the above aspects. In another possible design, the system may also include other devices that interact with the first network device and / or the second network device in the solution provided by the present application.

[0066] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first to third aspects above is executed.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, the computer program product comprising: a computer program code, when the computer program code is run, the method described in any one of the first to third aspects above is executed.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in any one of the first to third aspects. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system;

[0070] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture;

[0071] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of another 5G system architecture;

[0072] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a gNB;

[0073] Figure 5is a schematic diagram of a 5G protocol stack;

[0074] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of a message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Fig. 9 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Fig.10 It is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0079] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0080] First, in order to better understand the message transmission method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is described.

[0081] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the global mobile communication system, the long term evolution (LTE) system, the universal mobile communication system, the fourth generation mobile communication technology (4th generation, 4G) system, the fourth point five generation mobile communication technology (4.5th generation, 4.5G) system, the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5th generation mobile networks, 5G) system, and with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be used for subsequent evolution of communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication technology (6th generation mobile networks, 6G) system, the seventh generation mobile communication technology (7th generation mobile networks, 7G) system, and so on. Among them, the 5G system aims to increase data transmission speed, reduce latency, support more users, devices and services, and improve network efficiency. The three major application scenarios supported by the 5G system are: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) and massive machine type communication (mMTC).

[0082] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes a terminal device, a second network device and a first network device. The terminal device can communicate with the second network device, and the second network device can communicate with the first network device. For example, taking the network device as a next-generation NodeB (gNB), the second network device is a receiving gNB corresponding to the terminal device, and the first network device is the last serving gNB corresponding to the terminal device. In addition, Figure 1 The number and form of the devices shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0083] The following is an example description of the 5G system architecture. Figure 2The 5G system architecture is composed of a 5G core network (5th generation core, 5GC) and a 5G wireless access network (next-generation radio access network, NG-RAN), and network communication can be carried out between NG-RAN and 5GC. The wireless access network (wireless access network, RAN) nodes in NG-RAN include gNB and ng-eNB, wherein gNB provides the termination point of the user plane and control plane protocol of the new radio (NR) technology, and ng-eNB provides the termination point of the user plane and control plane protocol stack of the evolved universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (terrestrial radio access network) (abbreviated as: E-UTRAN). In addition, gNBs are connected to each other, gNBs are connected to ng-eNBs, and ng-eNBs are connected to ng-eNBs through Xn interfaces. The gNB and 5GC, as well as the ng-eNB and 5GC are connected through the NG interface. Specifically, the gNB and the access and mobility management function (AMF) module, as well as the ng-eNB and the AMF module are connected through the NG-C interface, and the gNB and the user plane management function (UPF) module, as well as the ng-eNB and the UPF module are connected through the NG-U interface.

[0084] In one possible deployment, Figure 3 As shown, a gNB includes a gNB-centralized unit (CU) and multiple gNB-distributed units (DU), wherein the gNB-CU and gNB-DU are connected via the F1 interface, and the gNB-CU and other gNBs are connected via the Xn-C interface. In a possible deployment, Figure 4 As shown, a gNB-CU includes a gNB-CU-control plane (CP) and multiple gNB-CU-user planes (UP), wherein the gNB-CU-CP is connected to each gNB-CU-UP through an E1 interface, the gNB-CU-CP is connected to the gNB-DU through an F1-C interface, and each gNB-CU-UP is connected to the gNB-DU through an F1-U interface.

[0085] like Figure 5 As shown in Figure 1, in the 5G system, the protocol stack includes the following protocol layers: RRC layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, and physical (PHY) layer. The functions of each protocol layer are briefly introduced below.

[0086] The functions of the RRC layer include but are not limited to: controlling the PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer, obtaining system messages, paging, mobility management, etc.

[0087] The SDAP layer directly carries the Internet protocol (IP) data packets of the user plane. The functions of the SDAP layer include but are not limited to: processing the mapping between quality of service (QoS) flows and data radio bearers (DRBs), and adding QoS flow indicators (QFIs) to data packets.

[0088] The functions of the PDCP layer include but are not limited to: user IP header compression, encryption / decryption (for control plane / user plane data), data integrity protection / verification, data packet sorting, data packet replication, and diversion.

[0089] The functions of the RLC layer include but are not limited to: transparent mode (TM) (broadcast messages), unacknowledged mode (UM) (voice services, with delay requirements), acknowledged mode (AM) (ordinary services, with high accuracy). The functions of the RLC layer also include: segmentation and reassembly, and error correction.

[0090] The functions of the MAC layer include, but are not limited to, resource scheduling, mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing / demultiplexing, and asynchronous uplink and downlink hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ).

[0091] The functions of the PHY layer include but are not limited to: error detection, forward error correction (FEC), rate matching, physical channel mapping, adjustment and demodulation, frequency synchronization and time synchronization, wireless measurement, and multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) processing.

[0092] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device is any device with a wireless transceiver function or a chip that can be set in the device. The network device includes but is not limited to: an evolved node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home network device (for example, a home evolved Node B, or a home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TRP or transmission point, TP), etc. It can also be a device used in a 4G, 5G or even 6G system, such as an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in LTE, a next-generation LTE base station (next-generation eNodeB, ng-eNB), and a next-generation base station (next-generation NR) in NR. NodeB, gNodeB or gNB), transceiver point or transmission point (TRP or TP), base station of subsequent evolution of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or network nodes constituting gNB or transmission point, such as baseband unit (BBU), or picocell, or femtocell, or road side unit (RSU) in intelligent driving scenarios. Among them, the base station can be: macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small station, relay station, or balloon station, etc. In addition, the network device can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle-mounted device, etc.

[0093] The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent or user device, and may be applied to 4G, 5G or even 6G systems. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem with a wireless communication function; the terminal device may be a terminal with a function of connecting to a cellular base station; the terminal device may also be a terminal in a WIFI system (i.e., a WIFI terminal), and the WIFI terminal has a function of connecting to a WIFI AP. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a computer with a wireless transceiver function, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device (handset), a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, etc. The terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a tactile terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wearable terminal device, and the like.

[0094] The central network (CN) has the functions of completing registration, connection, and session management. The core network elements include: authentication server function (AUSF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element, application function (AF) network element, AMF network element, session management function module (SMF) network element, and UPF network element.

[0095] Among them, the AUSF network element is mainly responsible for authenticating users to determine whether users or devices are allowed to access the network. The NEF network element is used to expose the services and capabilities of 3GPP network functions to the AF network element, and can also allow the AF network element to provide information to the 3GPP network function. The PCF network element can be used to manage the policy of charging policy and QoS policy. The UDM network element is mainly responsible for managing functions such as subscription data and user access authorization. The UDR network element is mainly responsible for the access function of subscription data, policy data, application data and other types of data. The NRF network element can be used to provide network element discovery functions, and provide network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the requests of other network elements; the NRF network element also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, deregistration, and network element status subscription and push. The AF network element mainly transmits the requirements of the application side to the network side. The AMF network element mainly performs functions such as mobility management, access authentication / authorization, etc. The AMF network element is also responsible for transmitting user policies between terminal devices and PCF network elements. The SMF network element can be used to complete session management functions such as IP address allocation, UPF selection, charging and QoS policy control of terminal devices. The UPF network element serves as the interface UPF with the data network, completing functions such as user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level billing statistics, and bandwidth limitation.

[0096] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The flowchart in the present application uses the terminal device, the second network device and the first network device as the execution subject of the interactive diagram as an example to illustrate the corresponding method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interactive diagram. For example, any device in the figure can also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the device to implement the corresponding method, and can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device.

[0097] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 It is a flow chart of a message transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the message transmission method includes the following steps.

[0098] S101, a second network device sends a first request message to a first network device, the first request message is used to request a context of a terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first request message from the second network device.

[0099] The first network device has saved the context of the terminal device. For example, the context of the terminal device includes the PDCP configuration and RLC configuration of the terminal device.

[0100] It is understandable that when data arrives, the terminal device in the RRC inactive state initiates the SDT process in the RRC inactive state to the second network device; then, the second network device sends a first request message to the first network device to request to obtain the context of the terminal device, thereby facilitating the data transmission of SDT. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the first request message is, for example, a Retrieve UE Context request message.

[0101] For example, in a 5G network, the terminal device is in an RRC inactive state and has the following characteristics:

[0102] 1. The terminal device remains in the connection management (CM)-connected (CM-CONNECTED) state.

[0103] 2. The RRC connection is suspended.

[0104] 3. The terminal device can move within the area configured by NG-RAN without notifying NG-RAN.

[0105] 4. When the terminal device moves outside the configured RAN-based notification area (RNA), the terminal device will notify the NG-RAN through RNA update.

[0106] 5. NG-RAN can use the inactive radio network temporary identify (I-RNTI) configured by NG-RAN to page the terminal device.

[0107] In an optional implementation, the terminal device initiates an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, including: the terminal device sends an RRC resume request message (i.e., RRC Resume Request) of SDT to the second network device, as well as uplink SDT data (i.e., UL SDT data) and / or uplink SDT signaling. The RRC resume request message of SDT includes an I-RNTI, which is used to identify the context of the terminal device. The second network device determines the first network device through the I-RNTI, and then the second network device executes step S101.

[0108] In an optional implementation, after the first network device receives the first request message from the second network device, the method further includes: the first network device sends a first response message to the second network device, the first response message being used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device; accordingly, the second network device receives the first response message from the first network device. For example, the partial context of the terminal device includes the RLC configuration of the terminal device. In addition, in an embodiment of the present application, the first response message is, for example, a partial context transfer (i.e., a Partial UE Context transfer) message.

[0109] Optionally, after the first network device determines that the anchor point of the SDT process remains unchanged (ie, SDT without anchor relocation), the first network device sends a first response message to the second network device. It is understandable that the message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the SDT process with unchanged anchor point.

[0110] Optionally, after the second network device receives the first response message from the first network device, the method further includes: the second network device sends a confirmation message to the first network device, the confirmation message is used to indicate that the second network device confirms receipt of the partial context of the terminal device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the confirmation message from the second network device. For example, the confirmation message is a partial context transfer confirmation (i.e., Partial UE Context transferacknowledgement) message.

[0111] S102: If the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, the first network device sends an RRC release message to the second network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and keep the RRC inactive. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the RRC release message from the first network device.

[0112] In the embodiment of the present application, "if..." can also be understood as "under the condition that..." For example, step S102 can also be understood as: the first network device sends an RRC release message to the second network device when the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold.

[0113] Optionally, the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device may be the amount of uplink data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device, such as the UL SDT data size to be transmitted by the terminal device or the amount of data in the buffer of the terminal device (for example, the amount of data indicated by a buffer status report (BSR)).

[0114] The following describes an optional method for the first network device to determine whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, as described in the following optional implementations 1.1 and 1.2.

[0115] Implementation method 1.1, the first network device determines that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value based on the second indication information. The second indication information is sent by the second network device to the first network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value. In addition, the second indication information can also be called an SDT data size threshold crossed message, for example.

[0116] Optionally, the method further includes: the second network device determines a data volume threshold value, or the second network device receives the data volume threshold value from the first network device. The second network device compares the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device with the data volume threshold value to determine whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value. When the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value, the second network device sends a second indication message to the first network device.

[0117] Optionally, before the second network device determines whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, the method further includes: the terminal device sends third indication information to the second network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device; accordingly, the second network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device. The second network device determines the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device based on the third indication information. For example, the third indication information is a BSR, and the BSR indicates data corresponding to one or more logical channel groups. The second network device sums the data of multiple logical channel groups to determine the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0118] Optionally, in the case where the data volume threshold value is sent by the first network device to the second network device, the data volume threshold value is carried in the first response message, and the first response message is used to indicate a part of the context of the terminal device. For the specific description of the first response message, please refer to the above-mentioned related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0119] In an optional manner, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message sent by the second network device to the first network device. For example, the control plane message is a Retrieve UE Context Confirm message, and the Retrieve UE Context Confirm message is used to request termination of the SDT process.

[0120] In another optional manner, the second indication information is carried in a user plane message sent by the second network device to the first network device. For example, the user plane message is assistance information data of protocol data unit (PDU) type 2 (i.e., PDU type 2). In addition, in the case where the first network device is a CU-CP and CU-UP separation architecture, the second network device sends a user plane message to the CU-UP in the first network device, and the user plane message carries the second indication information, and then the CU-UP in the first network device sends the user plane message to the CU-CP.

[0121] In implementation 1.2, the first network device determines whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value according to the third indication information, wherein the third indication information is sent by the second network device to the first network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0122] Specifically, the first network device determines the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device according to the third indication information. The first network device compares the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device with the data amount threshold value to determine whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value.

[0123] Optionally, the method also includes: the first network device sends a first response message to the second network device, the first response message includes address information, and the address information corresponds to the third indication information; accordingly, the second network device receives the first response message from the first network device. The second network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device, and sends the third indication information to the first network device according to the address information; accordingly, the first network device receives the third indication information from the second network device according to the address information. It can be understood that the address information is used to transmit the third indication information, but not for transmitting user data and non-access stratum (NAS) signaling. In addition, for the specific explanation of the third indication information, please refer to the relevant explanation in Implementation 1.1, which will not be repeated here.

[0124] In addition, in the case where the first network device is a CU-CP and CU-UP separation architecture, the second network device sends the third indication information to the CU-UP of the first network device according to the address information, and then the CU-UP of the first network device sends the third indication information to the CU-CP.

[0125] Optionally, the second network device sends the third indication information to the first network device according to the address information, including: the second network device sends the address information and the third indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the third indication information from the first network device according to the address information, including: the first network device receives the address information and the third indication information from the second network device. Since the address information and the third indication information correspond to each other, the first network device determines the content and type of the third indication information based on the received address information, and then the first network device can determine the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0126] Optionally, the address information is a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

[0127] Optionally, the data volume threshold is determined by the first network device itself or is predefined.

[0128] Optionally, the first response message is used to indicate a part of the context of the terminal device. For a detailed description of the first response message, please refer to the above-mentioned related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0129] S103. The second network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC release message from the second network device.

[0130] In an optional embodiment, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used for the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connection state and transmit data in the RRC connection state. It is understandable that the RRC recovery process is a non-SDT RRC recovery process. It can be seen that when the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value, the first network device instructs the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits these large amounts of data in the RRC connection state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0131] S104. The terminal device terminates the SDT process and keeps the RRC inactive.

[0132] In an optional implementation, after the terminal device receives the RRC release message from the first network device, the method further includes: the terminal device immediately initiating an RRC recovery process.

[0133] Specifically, the terminal device initiates an RRC recovery process, including: the terminal device sends an RRC recovery request (i.e., RRC resume request) message to the second network device (without sending uplink data), and the RRC recovery request message is used to request the restoration of the RRC connection; accordingly, the second network device receives the RRC recovery request message from the terminal device. The second network device sends an RRC recovery message to the terminal device, and the RRC recovery message is used to instruct the terminal device to restore the RRC connection; accordingly, the terminal device receives the RRC recovery message from the second network device. The terminal device restores the RRC connection to enter the RRC connection state, and the terminal device sends a large amount of data to the second network device in the RRC connection state.

[0134] To summarize, in the message transmission method, when the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, the first network device sends an RRC release message to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state. It can be seen that when a large amount of data arrives at the terminal device during the SDT process, a large amount of data is still transmitted through the SDT process, which will result in low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data. The message transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application can promptly instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process, thereby avoiding low transmission efficiency of a large amount of data. In addition, the terminal device that has terminated the SDT process and maintained the RRC inactive state initiates the RRC recovery process, so that the terminal device transmits these large amounts of data in the RRC connected state, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0135] The embodiments of the present application also provide exemplary explanations of the message transmission methods respectively using the above-mentioned implementation modes 1.1 and 1.2.

[0136] Example 1: The first network device described in Implementation 1.1 determines, based on the second indication information, that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value. The second indication information is sent by the second network device to the first network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value. Figure 7 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0137] S201, the terminal device sends an RRC recovery request message of SDT, and uplink SDT data and / or uplink SDT signaling to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the RRC recovery request message of SDT, and uplink SDT data and / or uplink SDT signaling from the terminal device. The RRC recovery request message of SDT includes an I-RNTI, which is used to identify the context of the terminal device.

[0138] S202, the second network device sends a first request message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the first request message from the second network device. The first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, and the first request message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state.

[0139] In addition, before the second network device sends the first request message to the first network device, the method further includes: the second network device determines the first network device according to the I-RNTI.

[0140] S203, the first network device sends a first response message to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the first response message from the first network device, wherein the first response message is used to indicate a part of the context of the terminal device.

[0141] S204: The second network device sends a confirmation message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the confirmation message from the second network device, wherein the confirmation message is used to indicate that the second network device confirms receipt of a portion of the context of the terminal device.

[0142] S205, the terminal device sends third indication information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the third indication information from the terminal device, wherein the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0143] S206: The second network device determines whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold. If the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, execute steps S207 to S211.

[0144] In an optional implementation, the data volume threshold is determined by the second network device itself. Alternatively, the data volume threshold is sent by the first network device to the second network device, for example, the data volume threshold is carried in the first response message in step S203.

[0145] S207, the second network device sends second indication information to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the second indication information from the second network device, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value.

[0146] S208, the first network device sends an RRC release message to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the RRC release message from the first network device. The RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and keep the RRC inactive state.

[0147] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0148] S209: The second network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the RRC release message from the second network device.

[0149] S210. The terminal device terminates the SDT process and keeps the RRC inactive.

[0150] S211. The terminal device initiates the RRC recovery process.

[0151] For details about steps S201 to S211, please refer to Figure 6 The relevant explanations in the message transmission method shown also have corresponding beneficial effects and will not be repeated here.

[0152] Example 2: The first network device described in Implementation 1.2 determines whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value according to the third indication information. The third indication information is sent by the second network device to the first network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device. Figure 8 shown.

[0153] like Figure 8 As shown in the dashed box in Figure 8 The message transmission method shown is similar to Figure 7 The message transmission method shown differs in that:

[0154] 1. In Figure 8 In the message transmission method shown, the first response message transmitted in step S203 includes address information, the address information corresponds to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0155] 2. Figure 8 The message transmission method shown does not include Figure 7 Steps S206 and S207 in .

[0156] 3. In Figure 8 In the message transmission method shown, after step S205, steps S301 and S302 are further included:

[0157] S301: The second network device sends third indication information to the first network device according to address information. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the third indication information from the second network device according to the address information.

[0158] S302: The first network device determines whether the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value according to the third indication information. If the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold value, execute steps S208 to S211.

[0159] In addition, about Figure 8 For a detailed description of each step, see Figure 6 The relevant explanations in the message transmission method shown also have corresponding beneficial effects and will not be repeated here.

[0160] In order to implement the functions of the method provided in the above embodiment of the present application, the first network device or the second network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0161] like Fig. 9 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 900. The communication device 900 may be a first network device or a second network device, or may be a component of the first network device (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or may be a component of the second network device (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 900 may also be other communication units for implementing the method in the method embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 may include a processing unit 901. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a communication unit 902, the processing unit 901 is used to control the communication unit 902 to send and receive data / signaling, and the communication unit 902 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit 902 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be used to send data / signaling, and the receiving unit may be used to receive data / signaling. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a storage unit 903, the storage unit 903 may be used to store information and / or data and / or instructions, etc., and the storage unit 903 may interact with the processing unit 901, or may interact with the communication unit 902.

[0162] In a possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the function of the first network device in the above method embodiment:

[0163] The communication unit 902 is used to receive a first request message from a second network device, where the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device. The first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the communication device 900 has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0164] The communication unit 902 is also used to: if the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, send an RRC release message to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state.

[0165] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0166] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 902 is further used to receive second indication information from a second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold.

[0167] Optionally, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message from the second network device.

[0168] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 902 is further configured to send a data volume threshold value to the second network device.

[0169] Optionally, the data volume threshold value is carried in a first response message sent to the second network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0170] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 902 is further used to send a first response message to the second network device, the first response message including address information, the address information corresponding to the third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device. The communication unit 902 is further used to receive the third indication information from the second network device according to the address information. The processing unit 901 is used to determine, according to the third indication information, that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold.

[0171] Optionally, the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0172] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the above method embodiment:

[0173] Communication unit 902 is used to send a first request message to the first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0174] The communication unit 902 is further used to send second indication information to the first network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold.

[0175] The communication unit 902 is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0176] The communication unit 902 is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0177] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0178] In an optional implementation, the processing unit 901 is used to determine the data volume threshold value; or the communication unit 902 is also used to receive the data volume threshold value from the first network device. The communication unit 902 is also used to: if the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value, send a second indication information to the first network device.

[0179] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 902 is further used to receive third indication information from the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of SDT data to be transmitted of the terminal device.

[0180] In an optional implementation, the data volume threshold value received by the communication unit 902 is carried in a first response message from the first network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0181] In an optional implementation, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message sent to the first network device.

[0182] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the above method embodiment:

[0183] Communication unit 902 is used to send a first request message to the first network device, the first request message is used to request the context of the terminal device, the first request message includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0184] The communication unit 902 is also used to receive a first response message from the first network device, the first response message includes address information, the address information corresponds to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0185] The communication unit 902 is further configured to send third indication information to the first network device according to the address information.

[0186] The communication unit is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0187] The communication unit 902 is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0188] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0189] In an optional implementation, the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0190] The embodiments of the present application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, and no further details will be given.

[0191] The present application also provides a communication device 1000, such as Fig.10 The communication device 1000 may be a first network device or a second network device, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first network device to implement the above method, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the second network device to implement the above method. The device 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.

[0192] The communication device 1000 may include one or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be used to implement part or all of the functions of the first network device or the second network device through a logic circuit or running a computer program. The processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a central processing unit (CPU). 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, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program, wherein the communication device is, for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a centralized unit (distributed unit, DU) or a distributed unit (centralized unit, CU), etc.

[0193] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1002, on which instructions 1004 may be stored, and the instructions may be executed on the processor 1001, so that the communication device 1000 performs the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 1002. The processor 1001 and the memory 1002 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0194] The memory 1002 may include, but is not limited to, a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), a ROM or a portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0195] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1005 and an antenna 1006. The transceiver 1005 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., for implementing a transceiver function. The transceiver 1005 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for implementing a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for implementing a transmitting function.

[0196] In a possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the function of the first network device in the above method embodiment:

[0197] Transceiver 1005 is used to receive a first request message from a second network device, where the first request message is used to request the context of a terminal device. The first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and that the communication device 1000 has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0198] The transceiver 1005 is also used to: if the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, send an RRC release message to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state.

[0199] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0200] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1005 is further used to receive second indication information from a second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold.

[0201] Optionally, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message from the second network device.

[0202] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1005 is further configured to send a data volume threshold value to the second network device.

[0203] Optionally, the data volume threshold value is carried in a first response message sent to the second network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0204] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1005 is further configured to send a first response message to the second network device, the first response message including address information, the address information corresponding to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device. The transceiver 1005 is further configured to receive the third indication information from the second network device according to the address information. The processor 1001 is configured to determine, according to the third indication information, that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold.

[0205] Optionally, the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0206] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the above method embodiment:

[0207] Transceiver 1005 is used to send a first request message to a first network device, where the first request message is used to request the context of a terminal device. The first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0208] The transceiver 1005 is further used to send second indication information to the first network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold.

[0209] The transceiver 1005 is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0210] The transceiver 1005 is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0211] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0212] In an optional implementation, the processor 1001 is used to determine a data volume threshold value; or the transceiver 1005 is further used to receive the data volume threshold value from the first network device. The transceiver 1005 is further used to: if the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data volume threshold value, send second indication information to the first network device.

[0213] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1005 is further used to receive third indication information from the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0214] In an optional implementation, the data volume threshold value received by the transceiver 1005 is carried in a first response message from the first network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0215] In an optional implementation, the second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message sent to the first network device.

[0216] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the second network device in the above method embodiment:

[0217] Transceiver 1005 is used to send a first request message to a first network device, where the first request message is used to request the context of a terminal device. The first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated an SDT process in an RRC inactive state, and the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device.

[0218] The transceiver 1005 is also used to receive a first response message from the first network device, the first response message includes address information, the address information corresponds to the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device.

[0219] The transceiver 1005 is further configured to send third indication information to the first network device according to the address information.

[0220] The communication unit is also used to receive an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state.

[0221] The transceiver 1005 is also used to send an RRC release message to the terminal device.

[0222] In an optional implementation, the RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connected state and transmit data in the RRC connected state.

[0223] In an optional implementation, the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

[0224] In another possible design, the processor 1001 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0225] In another possible design, optionally, the processor 1001 may store an instruction 1003, and the instruction 1003 runs on the processor 1001, so that the communication device 1000 can execute the method described in the above method embodiment. The instruction 1003 may be solidified in the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 may be implemented by hardware.

[0226] In another possible design, the communication device 1000 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0227] Those skilled in the art may also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0228] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0229] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0230] The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0231] The present application also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0232] In the above embodiments, it 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. When the computer instructions 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 may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may 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 may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (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 may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes 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 high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, an SSD), etc.

[0233] 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 message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a first network device, the method comprises: Receiving a first request message from a second network device, where the first request message is used to request a context of a terminal device, where the first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated a small data transmission SDT process in an inactive radio access control RRC state, and that the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device; If the amount of data to be transmitted in the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, an RRC release message is sent to the second network device, and the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain the RRC inactive state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connection state and transmit data in the RRC connection state.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive second indication information from the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message from the second network device.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: Before receiving the second indication information from the second network device, the method further includes: Send the data volume threshold to the second network device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The data volume threshold value is carried in a first response message sent to the second network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a first response message to the second network device, where the first response message includes address information, where the address information corresponds to third indication information, and where the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device; receiving the third indication information from the second network device according to the address information; According to the third indication information, it is determined that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

9. A message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied in the second network device, the method includes: Sending a first request message to a first network device, where the first request message is used to request a context of a terminal device, where the first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated a small data transmission SDT process in an inactive radio access control RRC state, and that the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device; Sending second indication information to the first network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a data amount threshold value; Receiving an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state; Send the RRC release message to the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connection state and transmit data in the RRC connection state.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The sending second indication information to the first network device includes: Determine the data volume threshold value; or, receive the data volume threshold value from the first network device; If the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the data amount threshold, the second indication information is sent to the first network device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive third indication information from the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate the amount of SDT data to be transmitted of the terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The received data volume threshold value is carried in a first response message from the first network device, and the first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: The second indication information is carried in a control plane message or a user plane message sent to the first network device.

15. A message transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to the second network device, the method comprises: Sending a first request message to a first network device, where the first request message is used to request a context of a terminal device, where the first request message includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device has initiated a small data transmission SDT process in an inactive radio resource control RRC state, and that the first network device has saved the context of the terminal device; receiving a first response message from the first network device, the first response message including address information, the address information corresponding to third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate the amount of data to be transmitted of the SDT of the terminal device; Sending the third indication information to the first network device according to the address information; Receiving an RRC release message from the first network device, where the RRC release message is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the SDT process and maintain an RRC inactive state; Send the RRC release message to the terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The RRC release message also includes information for instructing the terminal device to immediately initiate an RRC recovery process, where the RRC recovery process is used by the terminal device to request to enter an RRC connection state and transmit data in the RRC connection state.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The first response message is used to indicate a partial context of the terminal device.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or the device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or the device includes a module or unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: Including processors; The processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction in the memory so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of claims 9 to 14, or so that the communication device performs the method described in any one of claims 15 to 17.

20. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises at least one of the following devices: a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, and a device for executing the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or implements the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, or implements the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program code, which, when executed, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or implements the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, or implements the method according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

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