Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, the method comprising: a core network device sending a first paging message to an access network device, the access network device sending a first message to the core network device, and the core network device sending a second paging message to the access network device. The first message comprises a reason value, and the reason value is used for indicating a reason that the access network equipment does not send the first paging message. The second paging message is sent according to the reason value. In the method, the access network device can inform the core network device of the reason that the first paging message is not sent, so that the core network device decides how to send the paging message subsequently according to the reason provided by the access network device, the paging load of the access network device can be reduced, and the influence on the service of the terminal device is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In core network paging, the core network device sends a paging message to the access network device, which then forwards the paging message to the terminal device. In possible scenarios, there may be a paging message overload on the access network device (referred to as paging overload). For example, when a radio access network (RAN) is shared, multiple core network devices send paging messages to the shared access network device, which may cause paging overload on the access network device.

[0003] When the access network device is overloaded, it will discard some paging messages, resulting in the inability to page one or some terminal devices, causing the core network device to page these terminal devices again. This will cause the access network device to be overloaded, resulting in some terminal devices not being able to be paged, affecting the normal services of the terminal devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the overload of paging messages of access network equipment and reducing the impact on normal services of terminal equipment.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a first communication device. The first communication device may be an access network device, or the first communication device may be a component for implementing the functions of the access network device. For example, the first communication device may be a unit / module, a circuit or a chip inside the access network device. The method provided in the first aspect is described below by taking the first communication device as the access network device itself as an example.

[0007] The communication method includes: the access network device receives a first paging message, sends a first message to the core network device, and receives a second paging message. The first message includes a cause value, and the cause value is used to indicate the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message.

[0008] It is understandable that in core network paging, the access network device receives a paging message from the core network device and sends the received paging message to the terminal device. However, the access network device may be overloaded with paging. In this case, the access network device may notify the core network device of the reason for not sending a paging message (such as the first paging message). For example, the cause value indicates that the access network device is in a paging overload state. This solution can assist the core network device in clarifying how to send the second paging message to reduce the paging load of the access network device and reduce the impact on the normal business of the terminal device.

[0009] In one implementation, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

[0010] In this method, the access network device may also notify the core network device of the duration of the access network device being in a paging message overload state, so as to assist the core network device in adopting an appropriate strategy to send a second paging message, and to reduce the paging load of the access network device as quickly as possible, so that the terminal device can perform normal services more quickly. In addition, the first time information is used to indicate the first duration of the access network device being in a paging message overload state, and may implicitly indicate that the access network device is in a paging overload state. Therefore, the first message includes the first time information, but may not include a cause value.

[0011] In one implementation, the second paging message is sent at a second time interval from the first paging message, the second time interval is greater than the third time interval, and the third time interval is the time interval corresponding to the paging message sent by the core network device before the access network device is overloaded. Alternatively, the second paging message is received at a second time interval from the first paging message, the second time interval is greater than the third time interval, and the third time interval is the time interval corresponding to the paging message received by the access network device before the paging overload occurs.

[0012] As a strategy for the core network device to send the second paging message, the core network device sends the paging message at a longer interval. Accordingly, the access network device receives the paging message at a longer interval, thereby leaving more time for the access network device to send the received paging message, thereby reducing the paging load of the access network device.

[0013] Optionally, the first duration may be determined according to the first time information to more quickly reduce the paging load of the access network device.

[0014] In one implementation, the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

[0015] As another strategy for the core network device to send the second paging message, the core network device continues paging in the original paging area. Compared with expanding the paging area, it can avoid increasing the paging message load of other access network devices in the tracking area (TA) list.

[0016] In one implementation, the second paging message includes second time information, and the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0017] In this method, the second time information carried by the second paging message can assist the access network device in sending the second paging message to the terminal device, for example, delaying the sending of the received second paging message. In this way, the access network device can give priority to sending the paging message received earlier. Compared with the access network device indiscriminately discarding the received paging message, while reducing the paging load of the access network device, the service impact on some terminal devices can also be reduced.

[0018] In one implementation, the first message further includes: a first list or a second list. The first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message sent by the access network device.

[0019] In this method, the access network device can also notify the core network device which paging messages have been sent or which paging messages have not been sent, so that the core network device will not resend the paging message that the access network device has already sent, thereby reducing signaling waste.

[0020] Optionally, the first message may include the cause value and / or the first list (or the second list). For example, the first message may include only the first list or the second list; or, the first message may include only the cause value; or, the first message may include the cause value and the first list (or the second list).

[0021] In one implementation, the first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0022] When the first message is a response message to the first paging message, the first message is sent as long as the access network device receives the first paging message; or the sending of the first message is triggered by the first paging message. This solution does not require the access network device to determine the timing of sending the first message, reducing the complexity of the access network device.

[0023] In an implementation manner, the first message is a RAN configuration update message, and the RAN configuration update message may include a cause information element for carrying the cause value.

[0024] In one implementation, the first message is a (protocol for NG interface, NGAP) message, and the NGAP message may be an error indication (ERROR INDICATION) message. The ERROR INDICATION message includes a cause information element for carrying the cause value. The cause value may be a cause value newly added to the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message.

[0025] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a core network device, or the second communication device is a component for implementing the functions of the core network device. For example, the second communication device is a unit / module, circuit or chip inside the core network device. The method provided in the second aspect is described below by taking the second communication device as the core network device itself as an example.

[0026] The communication method includes: the core network device sends a first paging message to the access network device and receives the first message, the first message includes a reason value, and the reason value indicates the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; the core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device according to the reason value.

[0027] In one implementation, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

[0028] In one implementation, the core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device according to the cause value, including:

[0029] After sending the first paging message, a second paging message is sent at an interval of a first duration, the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration corresponding to the paging message sent by the core network device before the access network device is paging overloaded; or,

[0030] A second paging message is sent to the access network device, where the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

[0031] In one implementation, the second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0032] In one implementation, the first message also includes: a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

[0033] In one implementation, the first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0034] In one implementation manner, the first message is a RAN configuration update message or an error indication message.

[0035] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect and its various implementations, reference may be made to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0036] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device may be an access network device, or the first communication device is a component for implementing the function of the access network device. For example, the first communication device is a unit / module, circuit or chip inside the access network device. The second communication device may be a core network device, or the second communication device is a component for implementing the function of the core network device. For example, the second communication device is a unit / module, circuit or chip inside the core network device. The first communication device has the function of implementing the behavior in the above-mentioned first aspect method example, and the second communication device has the function of implementing the behavior in the above-mentioned second aspect method example. For example, taking the first communication device as the access network device itself and the second communication device as the core network device itself as an example, the communication method includes: the core network device sends a first paging message to the access network device; the access network device sends a first message to the core network device, the first message includes a cause value, and the cause value indicates the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; the core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device; the access network device sends a second paging message to the terminal device.

[0037] For the beneficial effects of the third aspect, reference may be made to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various implementation methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0038] In the fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the first aspect or the second aspect above. The beneficial effects can be found in the relevant description of the first aspect or the second aspect and will not be repeated here. For example, the communication device may be the first communication device in the first aspect, such as an access network device; for another example, the communication device may be the second communication device in the second aspect, such as a core network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a device that can support the access network device to implement the functions required by the method provided in the first aspect, for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system in the access network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a device that can support the core network device to implement the functions required by the method provided in the second aspect, for example, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system in the core network device.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method of the first aspect or the second aspect. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or transceiver). The transceiver unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional unit, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional units, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional units. These units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the first aspect or the second aspect above. Please refer to the detailed description in the method examples for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0041] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the communication device in the fourth aspect of the above-mentioned embodiment, or a chip or chip system arranged in the communication device in the fourth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, also includes a memory. Among them, the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions or data, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be an access network device or a functional module in the access network device, such as a baseband chip and a radio frequency chip. Alternatively, when the processor reads the computer program or instructions or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be a core network device or a functional module in the core network device.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a communication interface for implementing the method described in any of the first aspect or the second aspect. Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs (also referred to as codes, or instructions). The processor is used to call and run a computer program from the memory so that a device equipped with the chip system executes the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, or so that a device equipped with the chip system executes the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes an input / output interface and a logic circuit. The input / output interface is used to input and / or output information. The input / output interface can be an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit, etc. The logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0044] In the specific implementation process, the above-mentioned communication device can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the logic circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the input and output interface and the logic circuit.

[0045] In one implementation, when the communication device is a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device may be an access network device such as a base station. The interface circuit may be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit may be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising an access network device, a core network device and a terminal device. Among them, the access network device is used to implement the function of the method described in the first aspect, and the core network device is used to implement the function of the method described in the second aspect. For example, the core network device sends a first paging message to the access network device; the network device sends a first message to the core network device, the first message includes a reason value, and the reason value indicates the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; the core network device sends a second paging message to the network device; the access network device sends a second paging message; the terminal device receives the second paging message from the access network device.

[0047] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store computer programs or instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed, the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof is implemented, or the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof is implemented.

[0048] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented, or enables the method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0049] The beneficial effects of the fourth to tenth aspects and their implementations can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first to second aspects and any possible implementations thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 2 A flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 4 Another structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In the embodiment of the present application, the core network device can decide how to send a paging message in the future according to the reason why the access network device did not send a paging message, so as to alleviate or even solve the problem of paging overload of the access network device and reduce the impact on the normal service of the terminal device. The solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is further introduced below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0055] The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the communication system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), for example, the long term evolution (LTE) communication system, the sixth generation (5G) mobile communication system, or can also be applied to other next generation mobile communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) communication system, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include wireless fidelity (WIFI), vehicle to everything (V2X), Internet of Things (IoT) system, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, and the like.

[0056] See also Figure 1 , shows a communication system applicable to the embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include an Internet 300 ( Figure 1 Take this as an example).

[0057] The wireless access network 100 may include at least one access network device and at least one terminal device. For example, the wireless access network 100 includes two network devices 110a and 110b and terminal devices 120a to 120j. Figure 1 The network architecture shown is only for illustration, and the number of terminal devices and / or access network devices may be less or more. The communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the communication system applicable to the embodiment of the present application. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 Not drawn in the figure. It is known to those skilled in the art that, with the evolution of network architecture, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are applied to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems without limitation.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device refers to a RAN device. The RAN may be a cellular system related to 3GPP, for example, a 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (for example, a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN may also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN), or a virtualized radio access network (virtualized RAN, vRAN), etc. The RAN may also be a communication system in which two or more of the above systems are integrated. The RAN device may also be referred to as a RAN node, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc.

[0059] In one possible scenario, the RAN node may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc. The RAN node may be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node / host node, or a wireless controller, etc. The RAN node may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an onboard device, etc. For example, the RAN node in the V2X technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0060] In another possible scenario, the RAN node may be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of the base station; or multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal device in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU) or a radio unit (RU), etc. The functions of the CU may be implemented by one entity, or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU may be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane may be separated and implemented by different entities, namely, the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity may be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the functions of the RAN node. The CU and the DU may be separately set, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU).

[0061] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are described as examples in this application. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0062] CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, CU is configured to implement the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and the protocol layers above (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, etc.); DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the radio link control (RLC), the media access control (MAC) layer, and / or the physical (PHY) layer, etc.). For another example, CU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer), and DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers below (such as the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer, etc.). For a detailed description of each of the above-mentioned protocol layers, reference may be made to the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols. The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and can also be divided in other ways, which is not limited in this application.

[0063] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the access network device may be the network device itself, or may be a device capable of supporting the access network device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a combination device or component capable of realizing the function of the access network device, and the device may be installed in the network device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device.

[0064] In the embodiments of the present application, anything that can communicate data with a base station can be regarded as a terminal device. The terminal device is also called a terminal, a terminal apparatus, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, or a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, the terminal device can be: a mobile phone, a computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a station (STA) mechanical arm, a camera, a robot, or a smart home device (such as a TV, an air conditioner, a sweeper, a speaker, a set-top box), a relay, a customer premises equipment (CPE), a vehicle-mounted terminal, etc.

[0065] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device may be the terminal device itself, or may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a combination device or component capable of realizing the function of the terminal device, and the device may be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0066] The core network 200 includes at least one core network device, and the core network device corresponds to different devices in different systems. For example, in a 4G system, the core network device may be a mobility management entity (MME) and / or a serving gateway (S-GW). In a 5G system, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF) or a user plane function (UPF).

[0067] The core network device can notify the terminal device in the RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) to receive data or signaling through paging. The basic process of core network paging is: the core network device can select the area to send paging (referred to as the paging area) and send a paging message to the access network device. The paging area corresponding to the paging message is the paging area selected by the core network device; the access network device receives the paging message from the core network device and forwards the paging message to the terminal device. For the terminal device in the RRC idle state, the core network device can use the registration area (registration area) to which the terminal device belongs as the paging area. The registration area may include a tracking area identity (TAI) list, and the TAI list includes at least one TA, and each tracking area TA includes at least one cell. When the terminal device is in the RRC idle state, the core network device can send a paging message to all cells under all TAs in the TAI list. When the core network device fails to page the terminal device, paging the terminal device again can expand the paging area. For example, if the core network device pages the cell of the previous service node for the first time and the terminal device is not paged in the first paging, the core network device can expand the second paging to the surrounding area of ​​the previous service node. If the terminal device is not paged in the second paging, the core network device can expand the third paging to the TA. If the terminal device is not paged in the third paging, the core network device can expand the fourth paging to the TA list.

[0068] If the core network device knows the last cell where the terminal device is located, it can first try to page in the last cell. If there is no response from the terminal device, it can try to page in the TA. It is understandable that when the terminal device context is released, the access network device may provide auxiliary information for paging to the core network device. For example, the access network device may provide the core network device with a recommended cell and NG-RAN node list. The core network device can determine the last cell where the terminal device is located based on the auxiliary information.

[0069] The paging message sent by the core network device may include paging attempt information consisting of a paging attempt count and an expected number of paging attempts. If the paging message contains paging attempt information, the paging attempt count increases by 1 for each paging attempt. If the terminal device has changed its state to the connection management (CM) connected (CONNECTED) state, the paging attempt count will be reset. The paging message sent by the core network device may also include the next paging area range, indicating whether the core network device plans to modify the currently selected paging area at the next paging attempt.

[0070] Considering the cost of network construction, RAN sharing is proposed. The two typical RAN sharing modes are multi-operator core network (MOCN) and gateway core network (GWCN). MOCN means that a RAN can be connected to multiple operator core network nodes. Multiple operators can cooperate to build RAN, or one operator can build RAN alone, and other operators can rent the RAN network of that operator. GWCN means sharing part of the core network (MSCs / SGSN / MME) on the basis of sharing RAN.

[0071] When RAN is shared, multiple core network devices will send paging messages to the same access network device. Due to the limited air interface capacity of the access network device, the access network device may be overloaded with paging messages (referred to as paging overload). In particular, a core network device fails and the connection with the access network device is disconnected. When the core network device recovers from the failure, the paging messages that should have been sent during the failure phase will be sent to the access network device in a concentrated manner (this phenomenon can also be called a paging storm), which can cause the access network device to be overloaded with paging in a short period of time.

[0072] Once the access network device is overloaded with paging, the access network device will perform flow control. In one flow control method, the access network device indiscriminately discards the received paging messages. For example, the access network device may discard the paging message from the core network device A, and may also discard the paging message from the core network device B. If the core network device does not receive the paging response from the terminal device, it will page the terminal device again or send a paging message again to page the terminal device again. This will happen repeatedly, and the access network device will still be overloaded with paging, which will cause some terminal devices to never be paged, affecting the normal services of the terminal devices.

[0073] Usually, if the core network device does not receive a response from the terminal device to a paging message, it will assume that the terminal device has not responded (for example, the terminal device is not in the paging area), and will not assume that the access network device has not forwarded the paging message. Therefore, in order to improve the paging success rate, the paging area corresponding to the paging message sent again by the core network device will be expanded. Take the example that the core network device A sends paging message 1 for the first time, and the paging message 1 is used to paging terminal device 1, and paging message 1 corresponds to paging area 1. If the core network device A does not receive a response message to paging message 1, it will send paging message 2 for paging terminal device 1 again. Paging message 2 corresponds to paging area 2, and paging area 2 is larger than paging area 1. Even if the core network device A does not receive a response message to paging message 2, it will send paging message 3 for paging terminal device 1 again. Paging message 3 corresponds to paging area 3, and paging area 3 is larger than paging area 2. For example, paging area 3 can be extended to the TA list.

[0074] It is understandable that the paging area can be indicated by the two IEs, TAI List for Paging and Assistance Data for Recommended Cells. For example, for the message where the paging terminal device last resided, the TAI List for Paging may contain only one TAI, and the Assistance Data for Recommended Cells may contain only one cell identifier, such as a global cell identifier (cell global identifier, CGI). For another example, for the area consisting of the cell where the paging terminal device last resided and the surrounding cells, the TAI List for Paging may contain only one TAI, and the Assistance Data for Recommended Cells may contain multiple cell identifiers (such as CGI). For another example, for the entire TAI area where the cell where the paging terminal device last resided is located, the TAI List for Paging may contain only one TAI and no Assistance Data for Recommended Cells.

[0075] The expansion of the paging area will cause paging overload to other access network devices in the TA, and other access network devices will also discard received paging messages, which will affect the probability of successful paging of all terminal devices in the network and affect the transmission of normal services of all terminal devices in the network.

[0076] To this end, a solution of an embodiment of the present application is provided. In an embodiment of the present application, the access network device may notify the core network device of the reason for not sending a paging message. For example, when the access network device is overloaded with paging, the core network device may be notified that the access network device is in a paging overload state. The core network device decides how to send a paging message in the future based on the reason provided by the access network device, so as to reduce the paging load of the access network device and reduce the impact on the normal service of the terminal device.

[0077] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0078] In various embodiments of the present application, "when", "if" and "if" all mean that the device will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, nor does it require that the device must have a judgment action when it is implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" are interchangeable, and "when" and "in the case of" are interchangeable. "When" and "if" / "if" are interchangeable. "Paging message overload" and "paging overload" are interchangeable.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes 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, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0080] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first group of terminal devices and the second group of terminal devices refer to two different terminal device groups, and do not indicate the difference in content, priority or importance of the two terminal device groups. For a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order of precedence or order of size between the technical features described by "A", "B", "C" and "D". For example, the strategies A and B in this article are only to distinguish different strategies for sending paging messages, and do not limit the order of precedence or order of size, priority or importance, etc. between method A and method B.

[0081] The following describes the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application by taking the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application as an example in which the access network device and the core network device are executed. The steps executed by the access network device can be implemented by the RAN device itself, or by a component in the RAN device (such as a baseband chip, or other processing units or processor modules). For example, the access network device can be Figure 1 The access network device in the example of access network device 110a, or may be Figure 1 The steps performed by the core network device can be implemented by the core network device itself, or by components in the core network device (such as chips, processing units, or processor modules). The core network device can be Figure 1 The device in the core network 200 shown, such as AMF, or it may be Figure 1 The chip (system) in the core network equipment.

[0082] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 A flow chart of a communication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 The method is introduced from the perspective of the interaction between the access network device and the core network device. It should be understood that the communication method 200 can also be implemented by other devices, such as a chip or a communication device with communication functions. Figure 2 As shown, the process of the communication method 200 includes the following steps.

[0083] S201. A core network device sends a first paging message to an access network device.

[0084] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first paging message from the core network device. When the core network device needs to page a certain terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device), it can send a first paging message to the access network device, and the first paging message is used to page the first terminal device. The first paging message can be said to be a paging message initially sent by the first terminal device, or it can be a paging message for paging the first terminal device again.

[0085] S202: The access network device sends a first message to the core network device, where the first message includes a cause value, where the cause value indicates a reason why the access network device does not send a first paging message.

[0086] The access network device receives the first paging message. If the access network device is overloaded, the access network device may discard the first paging message and will not send the first paging message to the terminal device. When the access network device does not send the first paging message, it may indicate to the core network device the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message, so as to assist the core network device in deciding how to send subsequent paging messages. For example, if the reason why the access network device does not send the first paging message is that the access network device is overloaded, the core network device may send a paging message using a strategy that can alleviate or even solve the problem of paging overload of the access network device. Compared with the core network device indiscriminately expanding the paging area and sending the paging message again, it can reduce the paging load of the access network device and reduce the impact on the normal business of the terminal device.

[0087] For example, the access network device may send a first message to the core network device, and accordingly, the core network device receives the first message. The first message may include a cause value, and the cause value may indicate a reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message. For example, the cause value indicates that the access network device is paging overloaded or the access network device is in a paging overload state.

[0088] In one implementation, the first message may also include first time information, and the first time information is used to indicate the first duration of the access network device being overloaded with paging messages. The access network device notifies the core network device of the first duration of the access network device being overloaded with paging messages, and can assist the core network device in adopting a suitable strategy to send subsequent paging messages, so as to reduce the paging overload of the access network device as quickly as possible and restore the transmission of normal services of the terminal device. For example, the core network device may not send a paging message within the first duration, so that the access network device may send the stored paging message within the first duration, thereby reducing the paging load of the access network device more quickly. Among them, the first time information may include a start time and an end time; or, the first time information may include a start time and a first duration; or, the first time information may include an end time and a first duration.

[0089] In one implementation, the first message may also include a first list or a second list. The first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, or the first list may indicate one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message (discarded paging message) not sent by the access network device. The second list may indicate one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that has been sent by the access network device. Through the first list or the second list, the access network device can also notify the core network device which paging messages have been sent or which paging messages have not been sent. In this way, paging can be initiated again for the core network device for the paging messages that have not been sent by the access network device; paging will not be initiated again for the paging messages that have been sent by the access network device, which can save signaling overhead and further reduce the paging load of the access network device.

[0090] It should be noted that the content included in the first message may be one or more of the reason value, the first time information, and the first list (or the second list). For example, the first message may include only the reason value; or, the first message may include only the first time information; or, the first message may include only the first list or the second list; or, the first message may include the reason value and the first time information; or, the first message may include the reason value and the first list (or the second list); or, the first message may include the reason value and the first list (or the second list); or, the first message may include the reason value, the first time information, and the first list (or the second list).

[0091] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation of the first message, including but not limited to the following three methods.

[0092] Mode 1: The first message is a response message of the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0093] In this way, the access network device receives the first paging message, and in response to the first paging message, sends the first message to the core network device. It can be considered that the sending of the first message is triggered by the first paging message. From this perspective, the first message can be considered to be a Class 1 message. Class 1 messages are relative to Class 2 messages. The elementary procedures (EPs) on the NGAP interface are defined separately, and there are two types of EPs: Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 refers to the elementary procedures with responses (success and / or failure), and accordingly, Class 1 messages are two-way messages. In the Class 1 process, when a message is received, a response message must be returned. "Success" means that a message clearly indicates that the elementary process successfully completed the reception of the response. "Failure" clearly indicates that the EP failed or the supervision expired (i.e., no expected response). "Success and failure" means that a message report contains successful results and unsuccessful results, and the response message used is the message defined for the successful result. Class 2 refers to the elementary procedures without response, and accordingly, the Class 2 message is a one-way message.

[0094] In the first method, since the first message is a response message to the first paging message, the access network device does not need to determine the timing of sending the first message, which can reduce the complexity of the access network device. Since the access network device must feedback the first message after receiving the first paging message, the first method can enable the core network device to timely perceive the load of the paging message on the access network device, thereby timely adjusting the strategy of sending the paging message, which can reduce the paging load of the access network device more quickly.

[0095] Mode 2: The first message is a Class 1 message.

[0096] When the access network device is overloaded with paging, the access network device sends a first message to the core network device; accordingly, the core network device responds to the first message and sends a response message of the first message to the access network device, that is, the core network device executes Figure 2 It is understandable that when the first message is implemented in mode 1, the core network device does not need to execute S203. Therefore, S203 is not necessarily executed. Figure 2 Indicated by dotted line.

[0097] In the second mode, the response message of the first message sent by the core network device to the access network device may indicate that the core network device has received the first message. Furthermore, the response message of the first message may also instruct the access network device to delay sending the paging message; or indicate to the access network device that the core network device will adopt a certain strategy to alleviate the paging overload of the access network device, etc.

[0098] Optionally, the first message may be a newly defined / newly added Class 1 message, or the first message may reuse an existing Class 1 message, such as the first message is implemented in the following manner three.

[0099] Mode 3: The first message is a RAN configuration update message, and the RAN configuration update message may include an information element for carrying a cause value. For example, a cause information element may be added based on the information element currently included in the RAN configuration update message to carry the cause value.

[0100] Mode 4: the first message is a Class 2 message.

[0101] In method 4, when the access network device is overloaded with paging, the access network device actively sends a first message to the core network device, which can reduce the sending of the first message, that is, save signaling overhead. The first message may be a newly added Class2 message. Or it may be an existing message. For example, the first message is an ERROR INDICATION message, and the cause value may be carried in the cause information element included in the ERROR INDICATION message. In other words, the cause information element included in the ERROR INDICATION message is reused to carry the cause value included in the first message. For example, a newly added cause value (for example, cause value 1) is added to the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message, and the cause value included in the first message may be the cause value 1.

[0102] Optionally, the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message may also add a new cause value (e.g., cause value 2) to indicate that the access network device recovers from the paging overload state. When the access network device changes from the paging overload state to the paging no overload state, the access network device receives a paging message and may send an ERROR INDICATION message, in which the cause value carried by the cause information element in the ERROR INDICATION message is cause value 2.

[0103] S204. The core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device.

[0104] When the core network device needs to page a terminal device, it can send a second paging message to the access network device to page the terminal device. Since the first paging message is not received by the access network device, the core network device will not receive a response from the terminal device corresponding to the first paging message, and the core network device can re-page the terminal device corresponding to the first paging message. The second paging message can be used to page the terminal device corresponding to the first paging message, or to page other terminal devices.

[0105] According to the first message, the core network device can clearly understand the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message, for example, the access network device paging is overloaded. In order to reduce the paging load of the access network device and solve the problem of paging overload of the access network device, the core network device can use a suitable strategy to send the second paging message. For example, the strategies that the core network device can use include one or more of the following.

[0106] Strategy 1: the core network device sends the second paging message at a longer interval, or the core network device delays sending the second paging message.

[0107] When the access network device is overloaded with paging, the core network device can delay sending subsequent paging messages, for example, delay sending the second paging message, and then delay sending subsequent paging messages. This can leave more time for the access network device to send the received paging messages, relieve the pressure of the paging messages stored in the access network device, and reduce paging overload.

[0108] The core network device delays the discovery of paging messages, which means that after the access network device is overloaded, the core network device sends different paging messages at longer intervals. For example, the time when the core network device sends the second paging message and the time when the core network device sends the first paging message are separated by a second duration, and the second duration is greater than the third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration corresponding to the paging message sent by the core network device between the access network device paging overload. In other words, the core network device sends a paging message at an interval of the third duration before the access network device is overloaded, then after the core network device sends the first paging message, it sends the second paging message at an interval of the second duration, and the second duration is greater than the third duration. Correspondingly, the time when the access network device receives the second paging message and the time when the access network device receives the first paging message are separated by a second duration, and the second duration is greater than the third duration. In this way, the interval between the access network device receiving the paging message also becomes longer, so that the access network device has more time to send the received paging message, which can reduce the paging load of the access network device.

[0109] Optionally, the first duration can be determined according to the first time information to reduce the paging load of the access network device more quickly. For example, if the first duration is longer, then the second duration is also longer. When the first duration is shorter, the second duration is also shorter to minimize the delay of the paging terminal device.

[0110] Optionally, when the first message is a Class 1 message, for example, the first message is implemented in the aforementioned manner. In this case, if after the core network device sends the second paging message, the receiving access network device receives a response message to the second paging message, which still indicates that the access network device is in a paging overload state, the core network device may adjust the second duration to a fourth duration, and send subsequent paging messages at intervals of the fourth duration. The fourth duration is greater than the second duration to reduce the paging load of the access network device more quickly. On the contrary, if the response message to the second paging message indicates that the access network device is not in a paging overload state, the core network device may adjust the second duration to a fifth duration, which is less than the second duration, to minimize the delay of the paging terminal device. Optionally, the fifth duration may be equal to the third duration.

[0111] Optionally, when the first message is a Class 1 message, for example, the first message is implemented in the aforementioned mode 2. In this case, the response message of the first message sent by the core network device to the access network device may instruct the access network device to delay sending the paging message.

[0112] Strategy 2: The core network device does not expand the paging range, that is, the paging area corresponding to the second paging message is the same as the paging area corresponding to the first paging message. For example, the second paging message corresponds to information of the first paging area, and the first paging area is the paging area corresponding to the first paging message.

[0113] When the access network device is overloaded with paging, the core network device may not expand the paging range. For example, the core network device continues to paging in the original paging area. Compared with expanding the paging area, it can avoid increasing the paging load of other access network devices in the TA and reduce the possibility of paging overload of other access network devices. The information that the second paging message corresponds to the first paging area means that the second paging message is used for paging in the first paging area.

[0114] Strategy 3: The core network device expands the paging range, but instructs the access network device to delay sending the paging message. For example, the second paging message corresponds to the second paging area, the first paging message corresponds to the first paging area, the second paging area is larger than the first paging area, but the second paging message can instruct the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0115] Under strategy three, although the core network device expands the paging range, instructing the access network device to delay sending the received paging message can still reduce the paging load of the access network device to a certain extent. The access network device delays sending the received paging message means that after the access network device receives the paging message, it may not respond to the paging message immediately, but respond to the paging message after a period of time (that is, send the paging message to the terminal device after a period of time). In this way, even if the access network device is overloaded with paging, the access network device receives a paging message from the core network device, and it may not discard the paging message, but wait for a period of time before storing the paging message. During this period of time, the access network device can send at least one paging message that has been stored. Through strategy three, the discarded paging messages can be reduced, thereby reducing the core network device from resending the paging message due to the failure to receive the response message to the paging message, that is, saving signaling overhead.

[0116] In one implementation, when the second paging area corresponding to the second paging message is larger than the first paging area, the access network device may be implicitly instructed to delay sending the second paging message. Alternatively, when the second paging area corresponding to the second paging message is larger than the first paging area, the access network device may be implicitly instructed to delay responding to the second paging message from the core network device. When the access network device receives the second paging message from the core network device, it may not discard the second paging message, but store the second paging message after a delay of a period of time.

[0117] When the access network device is overloaded with paging, the core network device selects any one of the above three strategies or multiple strategies to send subsequent paging messages. The embodiment of the present application does not limit which strategy is used first and which strategy is used next.

[0118] In one implementation, under any of the above three strategies, the second paging message may include second time information, and the second time information is used to indicate the time when the access network device delays sending the second paging message. For example, the access network device receives the second paging message, and within the time indicated by the second time information, the access network device sends the stored paging message. If the access network device can change from a paging overload state to a paging non-overload state, the access network device may not discard the second paging message, and send the second paging message within the time indicated by the second time information. If the access network device is still in a paging overload state within the time indicated by the second time information, the access network device may discard the second paging message. In this way, the access network device gives priority to sending paging messages received earlier, and at the same time tries not to discard paging messages. Compared with the access network device indiscriminately discarding the received paging messages, while reducing the paging load of the access network device, the service impact on some terminal devices can also be reduced.

[0119] The access network device receives the second paging message and may send the second paging message to the terminal device. If the second paging message includes second time information, the access network device delays sending the second paging message according to the second time information.

[0120] Optionally, if the first message is implemented in the aforementioned second manner, the response message of the first message sent by the core network device to the access network device may include the aforementioned second time information. In this case, the second paging message may include the second time information or may not include the second time information.

[0121] In the above communication method 200, the access network device can notify the core network device of the reason for not sending the paging message, and the core network device decides how to send the paging message in the future according to the reason provided by the access network device. The communication method 200 can reduce the paging load of the access network device and reduce the service impact on the terminal device.

[0122] The embodiments provided in the present application described above respectively introduce the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between the access network device and the core network device. Among them, the steps performed by the core network device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the core network device. The steps performed by the access network device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the access network device. For example, the access network device can be a CU-DU architecture, the CU can generate a first message, and the DU can send a first message. In order to implement the various functions in the method provided in the above embodiments of the present application, the terminal device and the network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module to implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0123] The following describes the communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiment of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the above contents can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated contents will not be repeated.

[0124] Figure 3 Schematic block diagram of a communication device 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 300 may be an access network device or a core network device in the above embodiment. For example, the communication device 300 may be Figure 1The communication device 300 is an access network device or a device in the core network 200; or, the communication device 300 is a chip (system) in the access network device or a chip (system) in the core network device; or, the communication device 300 is a software module of the access network device or the core network device. The communication device 300 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the core network device or the access network device in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The communication device 300 may include a processing module 310 and a transceiver module 320. Optionally, it may also include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The storage module may be, for example, a memory. The processing module 310 and the transceiver module 320 may be coupled to the storage module. For example, the processing module 310 may read instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage module to implement the corresponding method. When the communication device 300 is a chip in the core network device, the storage module may be a storage module in the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. For example, the storage module may also be a storage module located outside the chip in the access network device / core network device, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc. The above-mentioned units may be independently provided or partially or fully integrated.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the processing module 310 may be a processor or a controller, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present application. The processor may also be a combination that implements a computing function, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like. The transceiver module 320 is a transceiver, an interface circuit, a bus, a pin or other possible communication interface for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the transceiver module 320 is an interface circuit for the chip to receive signals from other chips or devices, or an interface circuit for the chip to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0126] For example, the communication device 300 can implement the behaviors and functions of the access network device in the above method embodiment. The communication device 300 can be an access network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in an access network device, or a chip or a chipset in an access network device or a part of a chip used to perform related method functions, or a software module that can implement the method performed by the access network device in the above method (such as the communication method 200), without limitation.

[0127] For example, the communication device 300 may implement Figure 2 For example, the transceiver module 320 may be used to execute Figure 2 S201-S204 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; the processing module 310 can be used to execute Figure 2 Other processes for performing the techniques described herein are shown in the illustrated embodiment.

[0128] In one implementation, the processing module 310 is used to generate a first message, the first message including a cause value, the cause value indicating the reason why the communication device did not send the first paging message. The transceiver module 320 is used to send the first message to the core network device and receive the second paging message.

[0129] As an optional implementation manner, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the communication device 300 is in a paging message overload state.

[0130] As an optional implementation, the sending time of the second paging message is separated from the sending time of the first paging message by a second time length, the second time length is greater than the third time length, and the third time length is the interval time length corresponding to the core network device sending the paging message before the paging overload of the communication device 300. Alternatively, the receiving time of the second paging message is separated from the receiving time of the first paging message by a second time length, the second time length is greater than the third time length, and the third time length is the interval time length corresponding to the receiving paging message of the communication device 300 before the paging overload.

[0131] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message corresponds to information of the first paging area, and the first paging area is the area paged by the first paging message.

[0132] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message includes second time information, and the second time information is used to indicate a time for the communication apparatus 300 to delay sending the second paging message.

[0133] As an optional implementation, the first message also includes a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the communication device 300 has sent.

[0134] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a response message of the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0135] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a RAN configuration update message or an error indication message.

[0136] For another example, the communication device 300 can implement the behaviors and functions of the core network device in the above method embodiment. The communication device 300 can be a core network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in a core network device, or a chip or a chipset in a core network device or a part of a chip used to perform related method functions, or a software module that can implement the method executed by the core network device in the above method (such as the communication method 200), without limitation.

[0137] For example, the communication device 300 may implement Figure 2 For example, the transceiver module 320 may be used to execute Figure 2 S201-S204 in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; the processing module 310 can be used to execute Figure 2 Other processes for performing the techniques described herein are shown in the illustrated embodiment.

[0138] In one implementation, the transceiver module 320 is used to send a first paging message to the access network device, and receive the first message, the first message including a cause value, the cause value being used to indicate the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message. The processing module 310 is used to determine the cause value. The transceiver module 320 is also used to send a second paging message to the access network device, the second paging message being determined according to the cause value.

[0139] As an optional implementation manner, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

[0140] As an optional implementation method, the transceiver module is specifically used to: send the second paging message at a first time interval after sending the first paging message, the second time interval is greater than a third time interval, and the third time interval is the interval duration for the communication device to send paging messages before the access network device is overloaded.

[0141] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

[0142] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0143] As an optional implementation, the first message also includes a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

[0144] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a response message of the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0145] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a RAN configuration update message or an error indication message.

[0146] When the communication device 300 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing module may be an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0147] Figure 4 Schematic block diagram of a communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 may be an access network device or a core network device in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the communication device 400 may be Figure 1 The access network device in the core network 200 or the device in the core network 200; or the communication device 400 is a chip (system) in the access network device or the core network device. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. For specific functions, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0148] The communication device 400 includes one or more processors 401, which are used to implement or support the communication device 400 to implement the functions of the core network device or access network device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details, which will not be repeated here. The processor 401 may also be referred to as a processing unit or a processing module, which can implement certain control functions. The processor 401 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it includes: a baseband processor, a central processing unit, an application processor, a modem processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a digital signal processor, a video codec processor, a controller, a memory, and / or a neural network processor, etc. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 400 (such as a network device or a terminal device), execute software programs and / or process data. Different processors may be independent devices or may be integrated in one or more processors, for example, integrated in one or more application-specific integrated circuits.

[0149] In one design, the processor 401 may include a program 403 (sometimes also referred to as code or instruction), and the program 403 may be executed on the processor 401 to enable the communication device 400 to perform the method described in the following embodiments. In another possible design, the communication device 400 includes a circuit ( Figure 4 (not shown), the circuit is used to implement the access network device or core network device function in the above embodiments.

[0150] In one design, the communication device 400 may include one or more memories 402 on which a program 404 (sometimes also referred to as code or instruction) is stored. The program 404 may be executed on the processor 401 so that the communication device 400 performs the method described in the above method embodiment, for example Figure 2 The process shown.

[0151] In one design, the processor 401 and / or the memory 402 may include an artificial intelligence (AI) module 407 and an AI module 408, and the AI ​​module is used to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​module may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI ​​module may include a RAN intelligent controller (RAN intelligent controller, RIC) module. For example, the AI ​​module may be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0152] In a possible design, data may also be stored in the processor 401 and / or the memory 402. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0153] In a possible design, the communication device 400 may further include a transceiver 405 and / or an antenna 406. The processor 401 may also be sometimes referred to as a processing unit, which controls the communication device 400. The transceiver 405 may also be sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc., which is used to implement the transceiver function of the communication device through the antenna 406.

[0154] In a possible design, the communication device 400 may also include one or more of the following components: a wireless communication module, an audio module, an external memory interface, an internal memory, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a power management module, an antenna, a speaker, a microphone, an input / output module, a sensor module, a motor, a camera, or a display screen, etc. It is understood that in some embodiments, the communication device 400 may include more or fewer components, or some components may be integrated, or some components may be separated. These components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0155] The communication device in the above embodiment may be a core network device (or access network device), or a circuit, or a chip applied to the core network device (or access network device) or other combined devices, components, etc. having the above core network device (or access network device). When the communication device is a core network device (or access network device), the transceiver module may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc., and the processing module may be a processor, such as a CPU. When the communication device is a component having the functions of the above core network device (or access network device), the transceiver module may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module may be a processor. When the communication device is a chip system, the communication device may be an FPGA, a dedicated ASIC, a system on chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a DSP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chips. The processing module may be a processor of a chip system. The transceiver module or the communication interface may be an input / output interface or an interface circuit of a chip system. For example, the interface circuit may be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in the memory, can be read directly from the memory, or can be read from the memory through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can be used to run the code instructions to execute the method in the above method embodiment. For another example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between the communication processor and the transceiver.

[0156] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes an access network device and a core network device. Exemplarily, the communication system includes a device for implementing Figure 2 The core network equipment and access network equipment of related functions. The communication system may also include terminal equipment. Please refer to the relevant description in the above method embodiment for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0157] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute Figure 2 A method performed by a core network device or an access network device.

[0158] The present application also provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute Figure 2 A method performed by a core network device or an access network device.

[0159] The embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the functions of the access network device or the core network device in the aforementioned method. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0160] In order to achieve the above Figure 3-4 In order to realize the functions of the communication device, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, including a processor, for supporting the communication device to realize the functions involved in the core network device or access network device in the above method embodiment. In one possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory, and the memory is used to store the computer programs or instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0161] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0162] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0163] 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.

[0164] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0165] 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.

[0166] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solution of the present application that contributes essentially or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several 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 methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0167] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a first paging message; Sending a first message to a core network device, where the first message includes a cause value, where the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; A second paging message is received.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The sending time of the second paging message is separated from the sending time of the first paging message by a second duration, the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration corresponding to the paging message sent by the core network device before the access network device is paging overloaded; or, The second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first message is a radio access network RAN ​​configuration update message or an error indication message.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first paging message to the access network device; receiving a first message, where the first message includes a cause value, where the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the access network device does not send the first paging message; Send a second paging message to the access network device according to the cause value.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that Sending a second paging message to the access network device according to the cause value includes: After sending the first paging message, the second paging message is sent at a second interval, the second interval is greater than the third interval, and the third interval is the interval between the core network device sending paging messages before the access network device is overloaded; or, A second paging message is sent to the access network device, where the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The first message is a radio access network RAN ​​configuration update message; or an error indication message.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to receive a first paging message; A processing module, configured to generate a first message, wherein the first message includes a cause value, and the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the communication device does not send the first paging message; The transceiver module is used to send the first message to the core network device and receive the second paging message.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

17. The device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The sending time of the second paging message is separated from the sending time of the first paging message by a second duration, the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration used by the core network device to send paging messages before the access network device is paging overloaded; or, The second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

19. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

20. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to send a first paging message to an access network device, and receive a first message, wherein the first message includes a cause value, and the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; A processing module, used for determining the cause value; The transceiver module is further used to send a second paging message to the access network device, where the second paging message is determined according to the cause value.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

23. The device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The transceiver module is specifically used for: sending the second paging message at a second interval after sending the first paging message, the second interval being greater than the third interval, and the third interval being the interval for the communication device to send paging messages before the access network device is overloaded; or, A second paging message is sent to the access network device, where the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

25. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

26. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

30. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system comprises: A processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to call and run instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is implemented.

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