Network energy saving method, device and system

Abstract

Provided are a network energy saving method, device and system, the method being applied to a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: sending a heartbeat request message to a network device through a wireless base station to enable the network device to start a heartbeat proxy function, the UE having established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat request message being sent to the network device through the wireless base station to enable the network device to start the heartbeat proxy function. The heartbeat proxy function comprises that the network device sends a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device sends the heartbeat request message to a data network DN at regular time so as to maintain service connection; receiving the heartbeat response message; according to the indication of the heartbeat response message, the heartbeat request message is not sent any more, or the heartbeat request message is not sent within a preset time period; and responding to a radio resource control (RRC) release process triggered by the wireless base station, and entering an inactive state or an idle state. And network energy saving can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method, device and system for network energy saving. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation mobile communication technology (New Radio, NR) adds an inactive state of radio resource control (RRC) for user equipment (UE), which is simply recorded as the inactive state. Therefore, there are three states in total, including connected state, inactive state and idle state. Among them, the inactive state and idle state can save network resources and reduce UE power consumption.

[0003] However, in 5G networks, UEs are often in a connected state due to paging, sending messages, etc., which consumes a lot of energy for both the UE and the network. How to achieve network energy saving has become a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a network energy saving method, device and system, which can achieve network energy saving.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a network energy-saving method, which is applied in a UE, and includes: sending a heartbeat request message to a first network device through a wireless base station, so that the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending the heartbeat request message to a data network (Data Network, DN) to maintain a service connection; receiving the heartbeat response message; according to the indication of the heartbeat response message, no longer sending a heartbeat request message, or not sending a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; responding to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station to enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0006] Since the UE needs to send a heartbeat request message to the server of the DN at regular intervals to keep the service alive, the network needs to transmit the heartbeat request message sent by the UE and the heartbeat response message replied by the DN side. In this case, the UE is in a connected state, which consumes a lot of power. In this application, the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function and sends a heartbeat response message to the UE, instructing the UE to stop sending a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period. The heartbeat request message received by the DN side is sent by the network device on behalf of the DN to maintain the service connection and keep the UE service alive. After starting the heartbeat proxy function, the interaction between the UE and the network device through the wireless base station is significantly reduced. If the wireless base station triggers the RRC release process, the UE responds to the process, which is equivalent to the UE entering a low-power inactive state or idle state, which can save energy and power. After that, because the UE does not send a heartbeat request message, or does not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period, then, in the absence of other data transmission requirements, the UE can be maintained in an inactive state or idle state for a long time, that is, maintain a low-power state, and achieve network energy saving.

[0007] The network energy saving method provided in this application is applicable to a scenario that may include a UE, which establishes a connection with a 5GC network device through a wireless base station of a radio access network (RAN), and the data (including messages, packets, etc.) transmission between the UE and the network device can be forwarded through the wireless base station. At the same time, the network device can be connected to the server of the DN to transmit uplink data and downlink data.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or the heartbeat response message includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0009] The first specific identifier can inform the wireless base station that the message is a heartbeat response message and needs to be forwarded to the UE, and the wireless base station does not need to identify the message again. The second specific identifier can inform the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period. The first specific identifier and the second specific identifier can be pre-agreed between the network device and the wireless base station, which can make it more convenient for the network device to start the heartbeat proxy function. And indicating through specific identifiers can reduce network overhead.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a delay-sensitive message, wherein the delay-sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE via the wireless base station, and the delay-sensitive message is determined by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library. Optionally, the message received by the network device may be a downlink message sent by a server of the DN.

[0011] In one possible implementation, at least one non-delay sensitive message is received, and the at least one non-delay sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station if the timer expires. The non-delay sensitive message is determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0012] Because the network device sends at least one of the cached non-delay-sensitive messages to the UE through the wireless base station when the timer expires. Before the timer expires, the non-delay-sensitive message is not transmitted in the network, which greatly reduces the probability of message transmission between the network device and the UE. Based on the characteristics of the 5G network, if there is no message transmission for a long time, the possibility of the wireless base station triggering RRC release will increase, thereby increasing the possibility of the UE entering an idle state or an inactive state, thereby saving energy for the network.

[0013] In the second aspect, the present application provides a network energy-saving method, which is applied to a network device, and the network device is a device on the 5G core network (5th Generation Core, 5GC) side. The method includes: receiving a heartbeat request message sent by the UE through a wireless base station, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; starting a heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message, and the heartbeat proxy function includes sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and sending a heartbeat request message to the DN on behalf of the UE at regular intervals to maintain a service connection, and the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; responding to an RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station.

[0014] The network energy saving method provided in this application is applicable to a scenario that may include a UE, which establishes a connection with a 5GC network device through a RAN wireless base station, and the data (including messages and packets) between the UE and the network device can be forwarded through the wireless base station. At the same time, the network device can be connected to the server of the DN to transmit uplink data and downlink data.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0016] In one possible implementation method, it also includes: receiving a message; detecting the message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library to determine whether the message is a delay-sensitive message or a non-delay-sensitive message; if the message is determined to be a delay-sensitive message, sending the delay-sensitive message to the UE through a wireless base station; if the message is determined to be a non-delay-sensitive message, caching the non-delay-sensitive message.

[0017] Optionally, the message is a downlink message sent by the server of DN. It is judged whether the downlink message is a delay-sensitive message, and the delay-sensitive message can be sent in time, and the non-delay-sensitive message can be cached. In this way, the possibility of message transmission can be reduced, and the probability of UE entering an inactive state or an idle state can be increased, so as to achieve the purpose of energy saving and power saving. For example, in the above scenario, the network device receives a downlink message sent by the server of DN. If the downlink message is a delay-sensitive message, it is immediately forwarded to the UE through the wireless base station.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the detection of the message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library includes: identifying the service type of the message, and determining the message as the delay-sensitive message or the non-delay-sensitive message according to a configured or learned classification method.

[0019] In one possible implementation, it also includes: starting a timer, and if the timer times out, sending at least one cached non-delay-sensitive message to the UE through the wireless base station. Before the timer times out, all non-delay-sensitive messages received by the network device can be cached, and when the timer expires or times out, the cached non-delay-sensitive messages are sent to the UE together, which greatly reduces the probability of message transmission between the network device and the UE. Before the timer times out, the cache does not send such non-delay-sensitive messages, which can increase the possibility of no message transmission between the UE and the wireless base station and the network device for a long time. Based on the characteristics of the 5G network, if there is no message transmission for a long time, the possibility of the wireless base station triggering RRC release will increase, thereby increasing the possibility of keeping the UE in an idle state. If the UE can remain in an idle state for a longer time, it can save power and energy, and can also send messages uniformly after caching to improve the utilization rate of wireless resources and save energy for the network.

[0020] In a third aspect, the present application provides a network energy-saving method, which is applied to a wireless base station, and the wireless base station is a base station of a RAN. The method includes: receiving a heartbeat request message sent by a UE, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; sending the heartbeat request message to the network device; receiving a heartbeat response message sent by the network device, wherein the heartbeat response message is sent to the UE after the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, and the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; sending the heartbeat response message to the UE; triggering an RRC release process to cause the UE to enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0021] The network energy saving method provided in this application is applicable to a scenario that may include a UE, which establishes a connection with a 5GC network device through a RAN wireless base station, and the data (including messages and packets) between the UE and the network device can be forwarded through the wireless base station. At the same time, the network device can be connected to the server of the DN to transmit uplink data and downlink data.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the forwarded heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or the forwarded heartbeat response message includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0023] In one possible implementation, it also includes: receiving a delay-sensitive message sent by the network device and forwarding it to the UE, wherein the delay-sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station, and the delay-sensitive message is determined by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0024] In one possible implementation, at least one of the non-delay-sensitive messages sent by the network device is received and forwarded to the UE. If the timer expires, the at least one non-delay-sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station. The non-delay-sensitive message is determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0025] Optionally, if the UE can enter an idle state or an inactive state, such as the time when the UE has no data transmission reaches a standard, the wireless base station triggers the release of the RRC connection to allow the UE to enter an idle state or an inactive state.

[0026] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a UE, comprising: a sending module, used to send a heartbeat request message to a network device through a wireless base station, so that the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending the heartbeat request message to the data network DN to maintain the service connection; a receiving module, used to receive the heartbeat response message; the sending module is also used to no longer send a heartbeat request message according to the indication of the heartbeat response message, or not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; a processing module, used to respond to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or the heartbeat response message includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the receiving module is also used to receive delay-sensitive messages, which are sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station. The delay-sensitive messages are determined by the network device after detecting the received messages based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the receiving module is also used to receive at least one non-delay sensitive message, and the at least one non-delay sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station if the timer times out. The non-delay sensitive message is determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0030] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a network device, comprising: a receiving module, used to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a UE through a wireless base station, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; a sending module, used to start a heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message, the heartbeat proxy function comprising sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and sending a heartbeat request message to a data network DN on behalf of the UE at regular intervals to maintain a service connection, the heartbeat response message being used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; a processing module, used to respond to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station, and to cause the UE to enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the receiving module is also used to receive messages; based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library, the message is detected to determine whether the message is a delay-sensitive message or a non-delay-sensitive message; if the message is determined to be a delay-sensitive message, it is sent to the UE through a wireless base station; if the message is determined to be a non-delay-sensitive message, the non-delay-sensitive message is cached.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to identify the service type of the message, and determine the message as the delay-sensitive message or the non-delay-sensitive message according to a configured or learned classification method.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the sending module is further used to start a timer, and if the timer times out, at least one cached non-delay sensitive message is sent to the UE via the wireless base station.

[0035] In the sixth aspect, the present application provides a wireless base station, comprising: a receiving module, used to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a UE, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; a sending module, used to send the heartbeat request message to the network device; the receiving module is also used to receive a heartbeat response message sent by the network device, the heartbeat response message is sent to the UE after the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, and the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; the sending module is also used to send the heartbeat response message to the UE; a processing module, used to trigger a wireless resource control RRC release process to cause the UE to enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message forwarded by the sending module includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or the heartbeat response message forwarded by the sending module includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the receiving module is also used to receive delay-sensitive messages sent by the network device, and the sending module is also used to forward the delay-sensitive messages to the UE. The delay-sensitive messages are sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station, and the delay-sensitive messages are determined by the network device after detecting the received messages based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the receiving module is also used to receive at least one of the non-delay sensitive messages sent by the network device, and the sending module is also used to forward the at least one non-delay sensitive message to the UE. If the timer expires, the at least one non-delay sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station. The non-delay sensitive message is determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0039] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a network system, including: a UE, a network device and a wireless base station, wherein the UE is used to implement part or all of the operations of any possible implementation method of the first aspect; the network device is used to implement part or all of the operations of any possible implementation method of the second aspect; the wireless base station is used to implement part or all of the operations of any possible implementation method of the third aspect.

[0040] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising at least one processor and a communication port, such as a transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to the transceiver, and when the at least one transceiver executes a program or instruction, the communication device implements part or all of the operations of any possible implementation method of the first aspect; or, is used to implement part or all of the operations of any possible implementation method of the second aspect; or, is used to implement part or all of the operations of any possible implementation method of the third aspect.

[0041] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements part or all of the operations included in the method described in any of the preceding aspects and any possible implementation method of any of the preceding aspects.

[0042] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes instructions that, when executed on a processor, implement part or all of the operations included in the method described in any of the preceding aspects and any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0043] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip, comprising: a port circuit and a processor. The port circuit is connected to the processor, and the processor is used to enable the chip to execute part or all of the operations included in the method described in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0044] It should be understood that the second to eleventh aspects of the present application are consistent with or corresponding to the technical solutions of the first aspect of the present application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation methods are similar, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0046] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of a network energy saving method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of another network energy saving method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of another network energy saving method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of a UE provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of a wireless base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device 40 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 50 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 60 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device 80 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Fig.13 It is a structural diagram of a network system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solutions in the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments.

[0060] The term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone.

[0061] The terms "first" and "second" in the description and claims of the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order of objects. For example, a first target object and a second target object are used to distinguish different target objects rather than to describe a specific order of target objects.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0063] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "multiple" refers to two or more than two. For example, multiple processing units refer to two or more processing units; multiple systems refer to two or more systems.

[0064] For ease of understanding, the following first explains the relevant nouns or terms used in the embodiments of the present application:

[0065] 1. 5GC

[0066] 5GC includes multiple network elements for implementing different functions, such as authentication management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), and user plane function (UPF). Among them, AMF is mainly used for access and mobility management, etc.; SMF is mainly responsible for interacting with the decoupled data plane, creating, updating and deleting protocols; UPF is mainly used for routing and forwarding related functions of user plane data packets.

[0067] 2. Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session

[0068] A PDU session is a logical connection between a UE and a specific DN. During the establishment of a PDU session, the corresponding user plane connection between the UE and the DN will be activated. The user plane connection provides transmission of PDUs, including transmission of IP packets or Ethernet frames.

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 5G network provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the 5G network includes UE, access network (RAN), 5G core network (5GC) and data network (DN). Three UE connection states are defined in the 5G network, including connected state (CM-CONNECTED State), inactive state (CM-CONNECTED with RRC Inactive state) and idle state (CM-IDLE state). Figure 1, UE is in connected state, the wireless connection between UE and RAN is maintained, UE maintains signaling connection between RAN and 5GC, and the connection is used to transmit management data messages (such as mobility management messages) and service data messages (such as WeChat, video messages) between UE and DN. UE is in inactive state, the RRC connection between UE and RAN is released, and it is in idle state, and the signaling connection between RAN and 5GC is maintained, that is, it is in connected state. In this state, when the DN side has data to be sent to the UE or there is a voice call, the RAN re-establishes the wireless connection between the UE and RAN through the paging process. If the UE has data to transmit, it can initiate a service request (Server Request) to restore the wireless connection with the RAN. When the UE is in idle state, the wireless connection between the UE and RAN is deleted, and the signaling connection between the UE and 5GC through RAN is also deleted, but the UE still maintains the registration status in 5GC, that is, 5GC still saves the context of the UE (including user identification, location information, user IP and session information, etc.). When the DN side has data to be sent to the user or there is a voice call, the DN server can initiate a paging process through RAN to re-establish the wireless connection between the UE and RAN and the signaling connection between RAN and 5GC. If the UE side has data to transmit, it can initiate a service request (Server Request) to re-establish the wireless connection between the UE and RAN and the signaling connection between RAN and 5GC. Figure 1 In the scenario, the devices in the 5G network architecture may include a UE, which establishes a connection with the 5GC network device through a RAN wireless base station, and the data (including messages and packets) between the UE and the network device can be transmitted through the wireless base station forwarding. At the same time, the network device can be connected to the DN server to transmit uplink data (such as packets) and downlink data (such as packets).

[0070] For example, for UE, it usually includes two states: idle state and connected state. For RAN, it usually includes idle state, inactive state and connected state. When RAN is in idle state or connected state, from the perspective of 5GC, UE corresponds to idle state or connected state. When RAN is in inactive state, UE has released RRC, but from the perspective of 5GC, UE is in connected state. Therefore, for the entire network, when UE is in inactive or idle state, part or all of the connection is released, less data is transmitted, and more energy-saving and power-saving.

[0071] In some instances, the power consumption of the 5G network in different states is measured. The embodiment of the present application provides a set of exemplary data. In the connected state, the power consumption caused by data transmission is about 400 mA per hour. When there is no data transmission, the power consumption is about 70 mA per hour. The idle state consumes only about 15 mA per hour. Through data comparison, it can be concluded that keeping the idle state as much as possible can achieve the effect of power saving. Similarly, the inactive state is more energy-saving than the connected state. The data will not be listed for illustration. However, in actual applications, due to the need to keep the business alive, the UE will send a heartbeat request message to the DN server through the RAN wireless base station and the 5GC network equipment at regular intervals. Once the UE sends a message, it is equivalent to initiating a service request (Server Request) to request to re-establish the connection, that is, the UE enters a power-consuming connection state.

[0072] In order to reduce the time that the UE is in the connected state as much as possible and achieve the goal of energy saving and power saving, the embodiment of the present application provides a network energy saving method. Figure 2 is a flow chart of a network energy saving method provided by an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 2 As shown, the method is applicable to a UE, including but not limited to steps S101 and S104.

[0073] S101. The UE sends a heartbeat request message to the network device through the wireless base station, so that the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending a heartbeat request message to the DN to maintain the service connection.

[0074] For example, refer to Figure 1 The network device is the base station of 5GC, and the wireless base station is the base station of RAN. The UE resides in the 5G network through the registration process, and establishes a PDU session with the network device of 5GC through the wireless base station. At this time, the UE is in a connected state. Exemplarily, the established PDU session may include two, one for carrying data services and the other for voice services. When the wireless link fails, the UE is inactive for a long time, the system is relocated, or the UE releases the connection, the UE enters an inactive state or an idle state.

[0075] For example, if the UE is a mobile phone, and multiple apps are installed and used in the mobile phone, the mobile phone will periodically send heartbeat messages for these apps, thereby ensuring that the DN can sense that these apps in the mobile phone are online, thereby maintaining an uninterrupted service connection. Since the PDU session established with the network device is interrupted after the UE enters an inactive or idle state, each time a heartbeat request message is sent, it is equivalent to sending a request to restore the connection, restoring the UE's connection state from an inactive or idle state to a connected state, and the connected state is more power-consuming. If the UE is in a connected state, the heartbeat request message sent regularly or irregularly will cause the UE to maintain a connected state for a longer period of time, which is also more power-consuming. In order to solve this problem, in an embodiment of the present application, the UE sends a heartbeat request message to the network device through a wireless base station, which can start the heartbeat proxy function of the network device. The heartbeat proxy function means that the network device replies to a heartbeat response message to the wireless base station on behalf of the DN server, so as to inform the UE through the wireless base station that it does not need to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period, or to inform the UE that it does not need to send a heartbeat request message. The network device sends heartbeat request information to the DN server on behalf of the UE at regular intervals to keep it alive.

[0076] S102. UE receives a heartbeat response message.

[0077] The heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message and a second specific identifier. The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE that the heartbeat request message will no longer be sent, or that the heartbeat request message will not be sent within a preset time period. The wireless base station can forward the heartbeat response message generated by the network device to the UE, and the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier. Since the first specific identifier is used to indicate the message type to the wireless base station and has no effect on the UE, the wireless base station can also delete the first specific identifier in the heartbeat response message when forwarding it to the UE, and send a heartbeat response message including the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier to the UE to reduce transmission overhead.

[0078] S103. The UE no longer sends a heartbeat request message according to the instruction of the heartbeat response message, or does not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0079] For example, the preset period may be a relatively long time window, such as 24 hours, 48 ​​hours, etc., which can keep the UE from sending a heartbeat request for a relatively long period of time, thereby reducing the possibility of the UE entering a connected state due to sending a heartbeat request.

[0080] S104. The UE responds to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and enters an inactive state or an idle state.

[0081] According to the instructions of the heartbeat response message, the UE no longer forwards the heartbeat request to the network device through the wireless base station, so that the network device forwards the heartbeat request to the server of the DN; or, the heartbeat request message is not sent within a preset time period, so that the network device forwards the heartbeat request to the server of the DN. Instead, the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function, replaces the UE, and sends the heartbeat request message to the server of the DN at regular intervals to maintain the service connection, that is, to keep the UE service alive. In this case, if the wireless base station triggers the RRC release process, the UE responds to the process, which is equivalent to the UE entering a low-power inactive state or idle state, which can save energy and power. The RRC release process refers to the above example and will not be repeated. After that, because the UE does not send a heartbeat request, then, in the absence of other data transmission requirements, the UE can maintain an inactive state or idle state for a long time, maintain a low-power state, and achieve network energy saving.

[0082] Reference Figure 1 The architecture, Figure 3 is a flow chart of another network energy saving method provided by an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method is applicable to UE, network equipment and wireless base station, including but not limited to steps S201 and S206.

[0083] S201. UE establishes a connection with a network device through a wireless base station.

[0084] S202. The UE sends a heartbeat request message to the network device through the wireless base station.

[0085] S203: The network device receives a heartbeat request message.

[0086] S204. The network device starts a heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message. The heartbeat proxy function includes sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station and sending a heartbeat request message to the DN at a fixed time to maintain the service connection.

[0087] The network device starts the heartbeat proxy function. In addition to sending the heartbeat response message to the UE on behalf of the DN, that is, sending the heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, the network device also sends the heartbeat request message to the server of the DN on behalf of the UE. In other words, after the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function, the UE no longer needs to send the heartbeat request message regularly or irregularly to maintain the service with the DN side. Instead, the network device sends the heartbeat request message to the DN on behalf of the UE to maintain the service with the DN side.

[0088] Exemplarily, the network device includes network elements with functions such as AMF, SMF and UPF. When the network device receives a message from a UE forwarded from a wireless base station, the UPF can detect whether the received message is a heartbeat request message based on algorithms such as the "service awareness" algorithm. For example, the "service awareness" algorithm can be implemented based on three- and four-layer parsing methods and protocol identification methods. The three- and four-layer parsing methods include identifying the service type by obtaining the "source IP address", destination IP address, IP protocol type, source port and destination port of the message; the protocol identification method includes identifying the protocol through well-known ports and features, and then determining whether the received message is a heartbeat request message based on the service type or protocol.

[0089] Optionally, since the "service awareness algorithm" is not run in the wireless base station of the RAN to determine the content of the message, the heartbeat response message sent by the network device may carry a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier, and a second specific identifier. The first specific identifier is used to indicate that the message is a heartbeat response message. For example, the wireless base station and the network device may pre-agree on a first specific identifier. If the wireless base station and the network device pre-agree that a message carries the first specific identifier, then the message carried by the message is a heartbeat message, and the message is a heartbeat response message. The second specific identifier is used to notify the UE that it is not necessary to send a heartbeat request message again, or that it is not necessary to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0090] S205. The wireless base station receives the heartbeat response message and forwards it to the UE.

[0091] Optionally, the wireless base station receives a heartbeat response message and determines that the message in the message is a heartbeat message based on the first specific identifier. If it is a heartbeat response message, the wireless base station forwards the heartbeat response message to the UE. The forwarded heartbeat response message carries the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, or the forwarded heartbeat response message carries the heartbeat message, the first specific identifier, and the second specific identifier.

[0092] S206: The wireless base station triggers an RRC release process according to the heartbeat response message.

[0093] After the wireless base station receives the heartbeat response message and identifies that the message is a heartbeat response message according to the first specific identifier, the RRC release process can be triggered.

[0094] Exemplarily, the RRC release process includes the wireless base station sending a UE connection release request (UE CONTEXTRELEASE REQUEST) to the AMF of the network device, requesting to delete the wireless connection resources of the UE. The AMF sends a UE connection release response (UE CONTEXT RELEASE COMMAND) to the wireless base station, and the wireless base station sends a request message (such as ANConnection Release) to request the UE to release the connection, and after receiving the confirmation of the UE releasing the connection, the wireless base station deletes the UE context. After the NG interface logical connection of the UE is released, the wireless base station sends a notification (such as the UE connection release completion notification UECONTEXT RELEASE COMPLETE) to the network device, and the network device deletes the relevant information of the UE. For example, the AMF of the network device requires the SMF to notify the UPF to delete the tunnel information of the N3 interface allocated to the UE, and the SMF instructs the UPF to delete the AN tunnel information or the UPF tunnel information, etc.

[0095] S207. The UE no longer sends a heartbeat request message according to the instruction of the heartbeat response message, or does not send a heartbeat request message within a preset period of time, and enters an inactive state or an idle state.

[0096] Exemplarily, the heartbeat response message received by the UE carries at least a heartbeat message and a second specific identifier. According to the instruction of the second specific identifier, the UE no longer sends a heartbeat request message, or does not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0097] Since the wireless base station triggers the RRC release process, the UE enters the inactive state or idle state. If referring to the release process example of S206, the UE enters the idle state. If the network device does not delete the UE context in the release process, the UE enters the inactive state.

[0098] The network energy-saving method provided in the embodiment of the present application realizes the heartbeat proxy function through the UPF in the network device, reduces the number of times the UE needs to establish an RRC connection due to the need to periodically send heartbeat messages, and enables the UE to maintain an idle or inactive state for a longer period of time, thereby achieving energy saving and power saving and reducing power consumption.

[0099] Reference Figure 1 The architecture, Figure 4 is a flow chart of another network energy saving method provided by an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the method is executed by UE, network equipment and wireless base station, including but not limited to steps S301 and S306.

[0100] S301. UE establishes a connection with a network device through a wireless base station.

[0101] Reference Figure 1 In the architecture, the UE resides in the 5G network through the registration process, and establishes a PDU session with the network equipment of the 5GC through the wireless base station. At this time, the UE is in a connected state. Exemplarily, the established PDU session may include two, one for carrying data services and the other for voice services. When the wireless link fails, the UE is inactive for a long time, the system is relocated, or the UE releases the connection, the UE enters an inactive state or an idle state.

[0102] S302: The network device receives a message.

[0103] The embodiment of the present application is mainly explained by taking the example that the message received by the network device is a downlink message sent from the DN side. The message received by the network device is an uplink message sent by the UE through the wireless base station. With reference to this example, no further details are given.

[0104] S303: The network device detects the message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library to determine whether the message is a delay-sensitive message or a delay-insensitive message.

[0105] The "data packet detection algorithm library" can be preset by the network device based on the frequently sent and received packets and the algorithm for detecting the frequently sent and received packets. The "data packet detection algorithm library" can first identify the service type of the packet, and then determine the packet as a delay-sensitive packet or a non-delay-sensitive packet according to the configured or learned classification method.

[0106] Optionally, the "data packet detection algorithm library" can be stored in the UPF of the network device. For example, the UPF obtains and stores the "data packet detection algorithm library" through static configuration or dynamic learning. Furthermore, the algorithm of the "data packet detection algorithm library" can be implemented based on three- and four-layer parsing methods and protocol identification methods. The three- and four-layer parsing methods include identifying the service type by obtaining the "source IP address", destination IP address, IP protocol type, source port and destination port of the message, and determining the message as a delay-sensitive message or a non-delay-sensitive message according to the service type; the protocol identification method includes identifying the protocol through well-known ports and features. The "data packet detection algorithm library" can also classify messages of different service categories into delay-sensitive messages or non-delay-sensitive messages accordingly. For example, services with high real-time requirements, such as videos and real-time operation games, are delay-sensitive services. The messages of such services are calculated by the "data message detection algorithm library" and determined to be delay-sensitive messages. Services with lower real-time requirements, such as emails and various APP notification information, are non-delay-sensitive services. The messages of such services are calculated by the "data message detection algorithm library" and determined to be non-delay-sensitive messages.

[0107] For example, if the "data message detection algorithm library" determines that the message belongs to the message corresponding to the HTTP protocol for web browsing based on the source port of the message being port 8080, that is, it is classified as various types of APP notification information, then it can be determined as a non-delay-sensitive message. If the "data message detection algorithm library" determines the mail protocol type of the message based on the Post Office Protocol-Version 3 (POP3), Internet Information Access Protocol (IMAP) or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) corresponding to the message, and the message is an email, then it is determined to be a non-delay-sensitive message. If the "data message detection algorithm library" determines that the message is a video or voice message, then it can be determined to be a delay-sensitive message.

[0108] Normally, there is a lot of junk data in the network, such as some advertising emails, etc. The messages encapsulated by this data do not have high requirements for transmission delay. The embodiment of the present application identifies these messages through network devices, caches them until the timer expires or times out, and then sends them uniformly, which can maximize the UE's idle state and achieve the purpose of terminal power saving.

[0109] S304: If the network device determines that the message is a delay-sensitive message, it sends it to the UE through the wireless base station; if the network device determines that the message is a non-delay-sensitive message, it caches the non-delay-sensitive message and starts a timer.

[0110] Optionally, the timer may be configured according to actual usage scenarios of the network device and the UE, such as the timer may be configured at the second level.

[0111] S305: If the timer times out, the network device sends at least one buffered non-delay-sensitive message to the UE via the wireless base station.

[0112] Optionally, the network device may send at least one cached non-delay sensitive message to the UE through the wireless base station when the timer expires; or, the network device may send at least one cached non-delay sensitive message to the UE through the wireless base station after the timer expires.

[0113] S306: The wireless base station receives a message and forwards it to the UE. The message is a delay-sensitive message or at least one non-delay-sensitive message.

[0114] Since the UPF will forward the message to the wireless base station after determining that the message is a delay-sensitive message, in this case, the message received by the wireless base station is a delay-sensitive message. After the UPF determines that the message is a non-delay-sensitive message, it will cache it and send at least one cached non-delay-sensitive message to the wireless base station when the timer expires. In this case, the message received by the wireless base station is at least one non-delay-sensitive message. This method of sending non-delay-sensitive messages effectively reduces the possibility of data transmission by caching such messages before the timer expires, that is, it can increase the time when the UE has no data transmission, so as to increase the possibility of the wireless base station releasing the RRC connection in advance, so that the UE enters the inactive state or idle state for a longer time and consumes less power.

[0115] S307. The UE receives the message forwarded by the wireless base station.

[0116] If the wireless base station forwards a delay-sensitive message, the UE receives a delay-sensitive message; if the wireless base station forwards at least one non-delay-sensitive message, the UE receives at least one non-delay-sensitive message.

[0117] In one example, if the UE has no data transmission time that meets the standard, the wireless base station triggers the release of the RRC connection. For example, if the time reaches 1 minute, the UE has no data transmission in the network, including no uplink message sent and no downlink message received, it means that the UE does not need to maintain the connection state at this time, and the wireless base station can trigger the release of the RRC connection to put the UE into an idle state or an inactive state.

[0118] The embodiment of the present application identifies non-delay-sensitive messages through network equipment, and caches such non-delay-sensitive messages before the timer expires, so that the possibility of UE not transmitting data for a long time is increased. Based on the characteristics of the 5G network, the wireless base station will trigger the RRC release earlier, or the possibility of triggering will be higher, so as to keep the UE in the idle state with the maximum probability. Since wireless resources are limited, if the UE can remain in the idle state for a longer time, it can not only achieve the effect of UE power saving, but also improve the utilization rate of wireless resources and achieve network energy saving.

[0119] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a UE provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 5 As shown, UE 10 includes: a sending module 101 , a receiving module 102 and a processing module 103 .

[0120] The sending module 101 is used to send a heartbeat request message to the network device through the wireless base station so that the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending a heartbeat request message to the DN to maintain the service connection.

[0121] The receiving module 102 is used to receive a heartbeat response message.

[0122] The sending module 101 is further configured to stop sending the heartbeat request message or not send the heartbeat request message within a preset time period according to the instruction of the heartbeat response message.

[0123] The processing module 103 is used to respond to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0124] Exemplarily, the processing module 103 may include an RRC module, which is mainly responsible for storing and processing the network's sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration, responsible for cell reselection, protocol state transition, etc. The processing module 103 responds to the RRC release process and can use the above example as a parameter, which will not be repeated.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message and a second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0126] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 102 is also used to receive delay-sensitive messages, which are sent by the network device to the UE via the wireless base station. The delay-sensitive messages are determined by the network device after detecting the received messages based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 102 is also used to receive at least one non-delay sensitive message, and the at least one non-delay sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station if the timer expires. The non-delay sensitive message is determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0128] It should be understood that Figure 5 The modules shown are only examples. The sending module 101, the receiving module 102 and the processing module 103 can refer to the method part in the embodiment of the present application to perform their operations, or perform variations of their operations, which can be applied in Figures 2 to 4In the provided method, the operation is performed as a module of the UE, or a variation of the operation is performed.

[0129] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The network device in the embodiment of the present application refers to a base station of 5GC, such as Figure 6 As shown, the network device 20 includes: a receiving module 201 , a sending module 202 and a processing module 203 .

[0130] The receiving module 201 is used to receive a heartbeat request message sent by the UE through a wireless base station, wherein the UE has established a connection with a network device through the wireless base station.

[0131] The sending module 202 is used to start the heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message. The heartbeat proxy function includes sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station and sending a heartbeat request message to the DN at a fixed time to maintain the service connection. The heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0132] The processing module 203 is used to respond to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and make the UE enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier. The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 201 is also used to receive messages; based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library, the message is detected to determine whether the message is a delay-sensitive message or a non-delay-sensitive message; if the message is determined to be a delay-sensitive message, it is sent to the UE through the wireless base station; if the message is determined to be a non-delay-sensitive message, the non-delay-sensitive message is cached.

[0135] In a possible implementation, the processing module 203 is specifically configured to identify the service type of the message, and determine the message as a delay-sensitive message or a non-delay-sensitive message according to a configured or learned classification method.

[0136] In a possible implementation, the sending module 202 is further configured to start a timer, and if the timer times out, send at least one cached non-delay sensitive message to the UE via the wireless base station.

[0137] Exemplarily, the processing module 203 may include an RRC module, which is mainly responsible for allocating SRS resources, processing UE protocol state transition, etc.

[0138] It should be understood that Figure 6 The modules shown are only examples. The receiving module 201, the sending module 202 and the processing module 203 can refer to the method part in the embodiment of the present application to perform their operations, or perform variations of their operations, which can be applied in Figures 2 to 4 In the provided method, the operation is performed as a module of a network device, or a variation of the operation is performed.

[0139] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless base station provided in an embodiment of the present application. The wireless base station in the embodiment of the present application refers to a base station of a RAN, such as Figure 7 As shown, the wireless base station 30 includes: a receiving module 301 , a sending module 302 and a processing module 303 .

[0140] The receiving module 301 is used to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a UE, wherein the UE has established a connection with a network device through a wireless base station.

[0141] The sending module 302 is further configured to send a heartbeat request message to the network device.

[0142] The receiving module 301 is also used to receive a heartbeat response message sent by a network device. The heartbeat response message is sent to the UE after the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function. The heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0143] The sending module 302 is further configured to send a heartbeat response message to the UE.

[0144] The processing module 303 is used to trigger the RRC release process so that the UE enters an inactive state or an idle state.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the heartbeat response message forwarded by the sending module 302 includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier, and a second specific identifier, or the heartbeat response message forwarded by the sending module includes a heartbeat message and a second specific identifier, the first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

[0146] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 301 is also used to receive delay-sensitive messages sent by the network device, and the sending module 302 is also used to forward the delay-sensitive messages to the UE. The delay-sensitive messages are sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station. The delay-sensitive messages are determined by the network device after detecting the received messages based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0147] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 301 is also used to receive at least one non-delay sensitive message sent by the network device, and the sending module 302 is also used to forward at least one non-delay sensitive message to the UE. If the timer expires, the at least one non-delay sensitive message is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station. The non-delay sensitive message is determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received message based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0148] It should be understood that Figure 7 The modules shown are only examples. The receiving module 301, the sending module 302 and the processing module 203 can refer to the method part in the embodiment of the present application to perform their operations, or perform variations of their operations, which can be applied in Figures 2 to 4 In the provided method, the module performs its operation as a wireless base station, or performs a variation of its operation.

[0149] In addition, if Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device 40 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 The device 40 shown includes a transceiver unit 401 and a processing unit 402. The device 40 can be used to execute the methods S101 to S103 or S201 to S203 in the above embodiments. When the device 20 is used to execute the methods S101 to S104, S201 to S207, or S301 to S307 in the above embodiments, the device 40 is equivalent to the devices exemplified in the method, such as UE, network equipment, and wireless base station.

[0150] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The functional units in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. For example, in the above embodiment, the transceiver unit 401 and the processing unit 402 can be the same unit or different units; the transceiver unit 401 and the processing unit 402 can be the same unit or different units. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware, such as a chip, or in the form of software functional units.

[0151] In addition, the present application embodiment also provides a communication device 50, see Fig. 9 As shown, Fig. 95 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 50 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 50 includes a communication interface 501 and a processor 502 connected to the communication interface 501. The communication interface 501 may be a device such as a transceiver. The communication interface 501 may be used to perform the transceiver part of the method in the above embodiment, and the processor 502 may be used for operations other than transceiver. For example, the communication interface 501 may be used to send a heartbeat request message to a network device through a wireless base station so that the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending a heartbeat request message to the DN to maintain a service connection; receiving a heartbeat response message; the processor 502 is used to no longer send a heartbeat request message according to the indication of the heartbeat response message, or not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; respond to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0152] Optionally, the communication interface 501 is also used to receive delay-sensitive messages, which are sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station. The delay-sensitive messages are determined by the network device after detecting the received messages based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library, or to receive at least one non-delay-sensitive message, which is sent by the network device to the UE through the wireless base station if the timer expires. The non-delay-sensitive messages are determined and cached by the network device after detecting the received messages based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library.

[0153] The present application embodiment also provides a communication device 60, see Fig.10 As shown, Fig.10 6 is a structural diagram of a communication device 60 of an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 60 includes a communication interface 601 and a processor 602 connected to the communication interface 601. The communication interface 601 may be a device such as a transceiver. The communication interface 601 may be used to perform the transceiver part of the method in the above embodiment, and the processor 602 may be used for operations other than transceiver. For example, the communication interface 601 may be used to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a UE through a wireless base station, wherein the UE has established a connection with a network device through a wireless base station; the processor 602 is used to start a heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message, and the heartbeat proxy function includes sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and sending a heartbeat request message to the DN at a fixed time to maintain a service connection, and the heartbeat response message is used to indicate that the UE no longer sends a heartbeat request message, or does not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; respond to the RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station, and make the UE enter an inactive state or an idle state.

[0154] Optionally, the communication interface 601 is also used to receive messages; based on a pre-stored data message detection algorithm library, the processor 602 is also used to detect the message to determine whether the message is a delay-sensitive message or a non-delay-sensitive message; if the message is determined to be a delay-sensitive message, it is sent to the UE through the wireless base station; if the message is determined to be a non-delay-sensitive message, the non-delay-sensitive message is cached.

[0155] The present application embodiment also provides a communication device 70, see Fig.11 As shown, Fig.11 It is a structural diagram of a communication device 70 in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 70 includes a communication interface 701 and a processor 702 connected to the communication interface 701. The communication interface 701 can be a device such as a transceiver. The communication interface 701 can be used to perform the sending and receiving part of the method in the above embodiment, and the processor 702 can be used for operations other than sending and receiving. For example, the communication interface 701 can be used to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a user equipment UE, wherein the UE has established a connection with a network device through a wireless base station; send a heartbeat request message to the network device; receive a heartbeat response message sent by the network device, the heartbeat response message is sent to the UE after the network device starts the heartbeat proxy function, and the heartbeat response message is used to indicate that the UE no longer sends a heartbeat request message, or does not send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; send a heartbeat response message to the UE. The processor 702 is used to trigger the RRC release process so that the UE enters an inactive state or an idle state.

[0156] Optionally, the communication interface 701 is further used to receive a delay-sensitive message sent by a network device and forward it to a UE, or to receive at least one delay-insensitive message sent by a network device and forward it to a UE.

[0157] In addition, the present application embodiment also provides a device 80, see Fig.12 As shown, Fig.12 80 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device 80 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Fig.12As shown, the device 80 may include a processor 801, a memory 802 coupled to the processor 801, and a transceiver 803. The transceiver 803 may be a communication interface, an optical module, etc., for receiving messages or data information, etc. The processor 801 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP) or a combination of a CPU and a NP, for executing the forwarding processing related steps in the device exemplified in the above embodiment. The processor may also be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The above PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. The processor 801 may refer to one processor or may include multiple processors. The memory 802 may include a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM); the memory may also include a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); the memory 802 may also include a combination of the above-mentioned types of memories. The memory 802 may refer to a memory, or may include multiple memories for storing program instructions. In one embodiment, the memory 802 stores computer-readable instructions, and the computer-readable instructions include multiple software modules, such as a sending module, a processing module and a receiving module. After executing each software module, the processor 801 may perform corresponding operations according to the instructions of each software module. In this embodiment, the operation performed by a software module actually refers to the operation performed by the processor 801 according to the instructions of the software module. Optionally, the processor 801 may also store program codes or instructions for executing the embodiments of the present application. In this case, the processor 801 does not need to read the program codes or instructions from the memory 802.

[0158] The device 80 can be used to execute the method in the above embodiment. Specifically, the device 80 can execute the methods S101 to S103, S101 to S104, or execute S201 to S207, or execute the operations of the UE in S301 to S307; or the device 80 can execute the methods S201 to S207, or execute the operations performed by the network device in the operations of S301 to S307; or the device 80 can execute the methods S201 to S207, or execute the operations performed by the base station in the operations of S301 to S307.

[0159] The present application also provides a network system. Fig.13 As shown, Fig.13 1 is a schematic diagram of a network system structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. The network system 100 may include a UE 10, a network device 20 and a wireless base station 30. The network system may also include a DN server. Figure 5 , Fig. 9 and Fig.12 , the structure of the network device 20 refers to Figure 6 , Fig.10 and Fig.12 , the structure of the wireless base station 30 refers to Figure 7 , Fig.11 and Fig.12 The system 100 may refer to the method part in the embodiment of the present application to perform its operation, or perform a variation of its operation, such as being applicable to Figure 2-Figure 4 A method is provided, performing its operations, or performing a variation of its operations.

[0160] An embodiment of the present application also provides another network system, including at least one memory and at least one processor, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions, and the at least one processor executes the instructions so that the network system implements part or all of the operations of any of the methods of any of the embodiments described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0161] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed on a processor, part or all of the operations in any of the methods in any of the aforementioned embodiments are implemented.

[0162] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which, when executed on a processor, implements part or all of the operations in any of the methods in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0163] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, including: an interface circuit and a processor. The interface circuit and the processor are connected, and the processor is used to enable the chip to perform part or all of the operations in any method of any of the above embodiments.

[0164] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, including: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store programs or instructions, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the chip system implements part or all of the operations of any one of the methods of any one of the embodiments described above.

[0165] Optionally, the processor in the chip system may be one or more. The processor may be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor implemented by reading software code stored in a memory.

[0166] Optionally, the memory in the chip system may also be one or more. The memory may be integrated with the processor or may be separately arranged with the processor, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Exemplarily, the memory may be a non-transient processor, such as a read-only memory ROM, which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or may be arranged on different chips respectively. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the type of memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor.

[0167] Exemplarily, the chip system can be an FPGA, an ASIC, a system on chip (SoC), a CPU, an NP, a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a microcontroller (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chips.

[0168] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0169] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0170] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of units is only a logical business division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0171] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0172] In addition, each business unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software business units.

[0173] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software business unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the technical solution of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, Random Access Memory, disk or CD-ROM and other media that can store program codes.

[0174] Those skilled in the art should be aware that in one or more of the above examples, the services described in this application can be implemented with hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these services can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any media that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. Storage media can be any available media that a general or special-purpose computer can access.

[0175] The above specific implementation methods further describe in detail the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above are only specific implementation methods of the present application.

[0176] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features thereof may be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A network energy saving method, characterized in that: The method is applied in a user equipment UE, and includes: Sending a heartbeat request message to a network device through a wireless base station so that the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending the heartbeat request message to the data network DN to maintain a service connection; Receiving the heartbeat response message; According to the instruction of the heartbeat response message, no longer send the heartbeat request message, or do not send the heartbeat request message within a preset time period; In response to the radio resource control RRC release process triggered by the radio base station, enter an inactive state or an idle state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or, The heartbeat response message includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

3. A network energy saving method, characterized in that: The method is applied in a network device, and includes: Receiving a heartbeat request message sent by a user equipment UE through a wireless base station, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; Starting a heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message, the heartbeat proxy function including sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and regularly sending a heartbeat request message to the data network DN to maintain a service connection, the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; Respond to the radio resource control RRC release process triggered by the radio base station.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier. The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

5. A network energy saving method, characterized in that: The method is applied in a wireless base station, comprising: Receiving a heartbeat request message sent by a user equipment UE, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; Sending the heartbeat request message to the network device; Receiving a heartbeat response message sent by the network device, where the heartbeat response message is sent by the network device to the UE after starting a heartbeat proxy function, and the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; Sending the heartbeat response message to the UE; A radio resource control (RRC) release process is triggered to make the UE enter an inactive state or an idle state.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The forwarded heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or, The forwarded heartbeat response message includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

7. A user equipment UE, characterized in that: include: A sending module, configured to send a heartbeat request message to a network device through a wireless base station, so that the network device starts a heartbeat proxy function, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station, and the heartbeat proxy function includes the network device sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and the network device periodically sending the heartbeat request message to the data network DN to maintain a service connection; A receiving module, used for receiving the heartbeat response message; The sending module is further used to no longer send the heartbeat request message or not send the heartbeat request message within a preset time period according to the instruction of the heartbeat response message; The processing module is used to respond to the radio resource control RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and enter an inactive state or an idle state.

8. The UE according to claim 7, characterized in that: The heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or, The heartbeat response message includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

9. A network device, characterized in that: include: A receiving module, configured to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a user equipment UE through a wireless base station, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; A sending module, configured to start a heartbeat proxy function according to the heartbeat request message, wherein the heartbeat proxy function includes sending a heartbeat response message to the UE through the wireless base station, and regularly sending a heartbeat request message to the data network DN to maintain a service connection, wherein the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; The processing module is used to respond to the radio resource control RRC release process triggered by the wireless base station and make the UE enter an inactive state or an idle state.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The heartbeat response message includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier. The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

11. A wireless base station, characterized in that: include: A receiving module, configured to receive a heartbeat request message sent by a user equipment UE, wherein the UE has established a connection with the network device through the wireless base station; A sending module, used for sending the heartbeat request message to the network device; The receiving module is further used to receive a heartbeat response message sent by the network device, where the heartbeat response message is sent by the network device to the UE after starting the heartbeat proxy function, and the heartbeat response message is used to instruct the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period; The sending module is further used to send the heartbeat response message to the UE; The processing module is used to trigger a radio resource control RRC release process so that the UE enters an inactive state or an idle state.

12. The base station according to claim 11, characterized in that The heartbeat response message forwarded by the sending module includes a heartbeat message, a first specific identifier and a second specific identifier, or, The heartbeat response message forwarded by the sending module includes the heartbeat message and the second specific identifier, The first specific identifier is used to notify the wireless base station that this message is a heartbeat response message, and the second specific identifier is used to notify the UE not to send a heartbeat request message anymore, or not to send a heartbeat request message within a preset time period.

13. A network system, characterized in that: include: The user equipment UE according to claim 7 or 8; The network device according to claim 9 or 10; A wireless base station as claimed in claim 11 or 12.

14. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes at least one processor and a communication port, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to the communication port, and when the at least one transceiver and the at least one processor execute a program or instruction, the method according to claim 1 or 2 is implemented, or the method according to claim 3 or 4 is implemented, or the method according to claim 5 or 6 is implemented.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions, which, when executed by a processor, enable the method according to claim 1 or 2 to be implemented, or enable the method according to claim 3 or 4 to be implemented, or enable the method according to claim 5 or 6 to be implemented.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, which, when executed by a processor, enable the method according to claim 1 or 2 to be implemented, or enable the method according to claim 3 or 4 to be implemented, or enable the method according to claim 5 or 6 to be implemented.

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