Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: a terminal device obtaining first packet configuration information corresponding to a first PLMN, and receiving paging from a first cell according to the first packet configuration information. Wherein the first PLMN is a PLMN associated with the terminal device, the first PLMN belongs to a PLMN set, and the PLMN set is associated with a first cell. The grouping configuration information can be regarded as configuration information for grouping the terminal equipment, and the terminal equipment can define a terminal equipment group to which the terminal equipment belongs based on the grouping configuration information. According to the method, different PLMNs can have corresponding grouping configuration information, so that terminal equipment groups controlled by a plurality of core network equipment can be distinguished. Even if the group numbers distributed to the terminal equipment by different core network equipment associated with the first cell are the same, the actually used group numbers (namely, the group number of the terminal equipment indicated by the paging indication information) initiated by the different core network equipment through the access network equipment are different, so that the paging false alarm can be reduced.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202111229589.9, and the original application date is October 21, 2021. The entire content of the original application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of paging technology, and in particular, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] The access network device can send paging indication information to terminal devices based on the terminal device grouping mechanism to initiate paging for these terminal devices. That is, the paging indication information sent by the access network device can indicate the group of terminal devices to be paged. The terminal device determines that the paging indication information is for the terminal device group to which it belongs, and the terminal device receives the paging; otherwise, the terminal device does not receive the paging.

[0004] The terminal device grouping mechanism includes grouping controlled by the core network (CN), that is, the core network device groups the terminal devices. The grouping strategies of different core network devices for terminal devices may be different. When a cell is associated with multiple core network devices, that is, there may be terminal devices under different core network devices in a cell. Since the grouping of terminal devices by different core network devices is independent, the group numbers assigned to terminal devices by different core network devices may be the same, resulting in the problem of paging false alarms. For example, cell 1 is associated with core network device 1 and core network device 2. There are terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 in cell 1. The group number assigned by core network device 1 to terminal device 1 is 1, and the group number assigned by core network device 2 to terminal device 2 is also 1. When the access network device wants to page terminal device 1, since the group number corresponding to terminal device 1 is 1, the paging indication information sent by the access network device will indicate group number 1. Since the terminal devices associated with core network device 2 associated with cell 1 will also receive this paging indication information, terminal device 2 will also receive the paging from the access network device according to this paging indication information. For terminal device 2, it receives unnecessary paging, that is, it causes paging false alarms.

[0005] It can be seen that in the case where a cell is associated with multiple core network devices, the grouping mechanism controlled by the core network will have the problem of paging false alarms, causing additional power consumption of the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and a communication device for reducing the probability of paging false alarms, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the terminal device.

[0007] In a first aspect, a first communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first communication device, which can be a communication device or a communication device such as a chip system that can support the functions required for the communication device to implement this method. Hereinafter, the communication device is taken as an example of a terminal device for description. The method includes:

[0008] The terminal device obtains first packet configuration information corresponding to a first public land mobile network (PLMN), and receives paging from a first cell according to the first packet configuration information. Wherein, the first PLMN is the PLMN associated with the terminal device, the first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with the first cell.

[0009] Correspondingly, in a second aspect, a first communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device, which can be a communication device or a communication device such as a chip system that can support the functions required for the communication device to implement this method. Hereinafter, the communication device is taken as an example of an access network device for description. The method includes:

[0010] The access network device sends the first packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN, and paging indication information. Wherein, the first PLMN is the PLMN associated with the terminal device, the first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with the first cell. The paging indication information is used to page the terminal device in the first cell.

[0011] It can be understood that a first cell can be associated with multiple PLMNs, or in other words, a first cell can be associated with multiple core network devices. The packet configuration information can be regarded as the configuration information for grouping the terminal device. Based on the packet configuration information, the terminal device can determine the group number of the terminal device group to which the terminal device belongs. Through the solution of the embodiments of the present application, corresponding packet configuration information can be provided for different PLMNs, so as to distinguish the terminal device groups controlled by multiple core network devices. Using the packet configuration information corresponding to the PLMN associated with the terminal device can make the group numbers of the terminal devices associated with different core network devices in the same cell different. Even if the packet group numbers assigned by different core network devices associated with the first cell to the terminal device are the same, the group numbers actually used by different core network devices to initiate paging to the terminal device through the access network device (that is, the group numbers included in the paging indication information) are also different, thereby reducing paging false alarms.

[0012] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the terminal device further receives indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information. Correspondingly, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the access network device further sends indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information. It can be understood that the access network device can indicate to the terminal device that the paging is for the first PLMN, so that when the terminal device determines that the associated PLMN is the first PLMN, it can receive paging from the first cell. The corresponding relationship between the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information can be predefined, so that the access network device does not need to send the first packet configuration information, which can save signaling overhead. Or, in addition to indicating the first PLMN, the access network device can also send the first packet configuration information, which is more flexible.

[0013] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first packet configuration information is used to indicate one or more of the following:

[0014] 1) The corresponding relationship between the first group number and the second group number, where the first group number is the packet group number used by the terminal device to receive paging from the first cell, and the second group number is the packet group number from the core network device. Although the paging sent by the core network device carries the second group number, the access network device can determine the first group number used by the terminal device to receive paging from the first cell according to the corresponding relationship between the first group number and the second group number, that is, the access network device sends paging indication information including the first group number. For the terminal device, the terminal device can also determine the first group number used to receive paging from the first cell according to the second group number and the corresponding relationship between the first group number and the second group number. That is, although the packet group number assigned by the core network device to the terminal device is the second group number, the group number carried in the paging indication information sent by the access network device is the first group number. Through this solution, even if the packet group numbers assigned by different CNs associated with the first cell to the terminal device are the same, the group numbers actually used by different CNs to initiate paging for the terminal device are also different, thereby reducing paging false alarms.

[0015] 2) Information of the first paging early indication (PEI), which indicates whether to receive paging. That is, the CN packet mechanism under multiple PLMNs associated with the first cell is determined through the information of the PEI. Different PEI information can correspond to different PLMNs, so that the terminal devices under each PLMN can clearly determine whether the paging sent by the access network device is for themselves according to the first PEI. That is, through this solution, the paging indication information of different CN / PLMN / non-public network (NPN) is different, so that the terminal device can determine whether it is indicated to receive paging according to the PEI corresponding to the CN / PLMN / NPN it belongs to, avoiding receiving paging indication information in other irrelevant CN / PLMN / NPN, that is, reducing paging false alarms.

[0016] 3) Packet indication configuration information, which can be used to determine the position of the first indication in the paging indication information. The first indication corresponds to the terminal device group where the terminal device is located. The first indication can be used to indicate whether to monitor paging. For example, the first indication can indicate whether to monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) corresponding to the terminal device group. The terminal device can determine to receive the paging indication information or the paging message carried by the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) according to the first indication. The paging indication information can be considered as the paging indication information sent by the access network device. Different PLMNs can correspond to different packet indication configuration information. The terminal device determines the position of the packet indication corresponding to the terminal device in the paging indication information according to the packet indication configuration information. That is, the terminal device can determine at which positions in the paging indication information to monitor the paging indication information according to the PLMN to which the terminal device belongs, so as to determine whether to monitor paging, avoiding monitoring paging indication information in other irrelevant CN / PLMN / NPN, that is, reducing paging false alarms.

[0017] 4) Whether the first cell supports the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN. If the first cell does not support the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN, then the terminal device does not receive paging from the first cell using the packet group number assigned by the CN associated with the first PLMN for the terminal device. If the first cell supports the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN, then the terminal device can receive paging from the first cell using the packet group number assigned by the CN associated with the first PLMN for the terminal device, or the terminal device can receive paging from the first cell according to one or more of the above 1)-3). It can be understood that receiving paging from the first cell includes determining whether to receive paging from the first cell and how to receive paging from the first cell.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first group number and the second group number satisfy one or more of the following relationships: ID = k mod (n2 - n1 + 1) + n1, or ID = k + M; where ID is the first group number, k is the second group number, mod is the modulo operation, the value range of the first group number is greater than or equal to n1 and less than or equal to n2, n1 and n2 are integers, and M is the offset value between the first group number and the second group number, and M is an integer.

[0019] Correspondingly, the first grouping configuration information includes one or more of the following: the value range of the first group number; or the offset value between the first group number and the second group number. It can be understood that the first grouping configuration information may include the value range of the first group number, or the offset value between the first group number and the second group number. The terminal device determines the group number of the terminal device in the first cell according to the first grouping configuration information and the second group number, that is, the first group number.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first grouping configuration information indicates the information of the first PEI, and the first grouping configuration information includes one or more of the following: the search space configuration of the first PEI, the control resource set configuration of the first PEI, the time domain resource position for listening to the first PEI, or the frequency domain resource position for listening to the first PEI. According to the different implementation forms of the first PEI, the content included in the first grouping configuration information is also different. If the first PEI is implemented by a sequence or a signal, then the information of the first PEI may include the sequence or signal corresponding to the first PEI. If the first PEI is implemented by the DCI method, then the information of the first PEI may include the time-frequency position information for listening to the first PEI, so that the terminal device can determine whether to receive a paging from the first cell according to the listened first PEI.

[0021] According to the different implementations of the first grouping configuration information, the way the terminal device receives a paging from the first cell is also different. For example, the first grouping configuration information indicates the corresponding relationship between the first group number and the second group number. The terminal device receiving a paging from the first cell according to the first grouping configuration information includes: the terminal device receives paging indication information, and the paging indication information indicates the grouping group number of the terminal device. If the indicated grouping group number matches the first group number determined by the terminal device according to the corresponding relationship, then the terminal device determines to receive a paging from the first cell. Another example is that the first grouping configuration information indicates the information of the first PEI. The terminal device receiving the paging from the first cell according to the first grouping configuration information includes: the terminal device listens to the first PEI according to the information of the first PEI, and determines whether to receive a paging from the first cell according to the first PEI. If the first PEI indicates to receive a paging, then the terminal device receives a paging from the first cell.

[0022] In a third aspect, a second communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first communication device, which can be a communication device or a communication device such as a chip system that can support the functions required for the communication device to implement this method. Hereinafter, the communication device is taken as an example of a terminal device for description. The method includes:

[0023] The terminal device receives first indication information, which is used to page the terminal device associated with a first PLMN. Here, the first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with a first cell. The terminal device determines that the associated PLMN is the first PLMN, and the terminal device receives a page from the first cell.

[0024] Correspondingly, in a fourth aspect, a second communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device, which can be a communication device or a communication device such as a chip system that can support the functions required for the communication device to implement this method. Hereinafter, the communication device is taken as an example of an access network device for description. The method includes:

[0025] The access network device sends the first indication information and sends a page in the first cell. Here, the first indication information is used to indicate a first PLMN, and the first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with the first cell.

[0026] In an embodiment of this application, the paging indication information is used to indicate the PLMN targeted by this paging. The terminal device associated with the PLMN indicated by the paging indication information receives the paging. The terminal device not associated with the PLMN indicated by the paging indication information may not receive the paging. That is, the terminal devices associated with one associated PLMN will not receive paging within other PLMNs, which reduces paging false alarms.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the first indication information may include an identifier or index of the first PLMN to indicate the first PLMN.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect or the fourth aspect, the first indication information is carried in downlink control information (DCI) or PEI. Alternatively, the first indication information is a first PEI, where different PEIs may correspond to different PLMNs. That is, the PEI can be implemented by a signal sequence, and different sequences correspond to different PLMNs. The embodiment of this application does not limit the implementation manner of the first indication information. For example, it can be implemented by signaling or by a signal sequence.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the terminal device further receives second indication information. Correspondingly, the access network device further sends the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate a terminal device group. In addition to indicating which PLMN the current paging is for, the access network device can also indicate which group of terminal devices it is for, so as to save the power consumption of the terminal devices that do not need to receive paging. Correspondingly, the terminal device determines the terminal device group indicated by the second indication information and receives paging from the first cell.

[0030] In a fifth aspect, a third communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication device such as a chip system that can support the communication device to implement the functions required for this method. Hereinafter, the case where the communication device is a first core network device will be described as an example. This method includes:

[0031] The first core network device receives packet policy information from the second core network device and determines a packet policy for the associated terminal devices according to the packet information. Among them, the first core network device and the second core network device are associated with a first cell. The packet policy information is used to indicate the policy based on which the second core network device groups the associated terminal devices.

[0032] Correspondingly, in a sixth aspect, a third communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication device or a communication device such as a chip system that can support the communication device to implement the functions required for this method. Hereinafter, the case where the communication device is a second core network device will be described as an example. This method includes:

[0033] The second core network device determines packet policy information and sends the packet policy information to the first core network device. Among them, the first core network device and the second core network device are associated with a first cell. The packet policy information is used to indicate the policy based on which the second core network device groups the associated terminal devices.

[0034] By negotiating the policies used for grouping the associated terminal devices among multiple core network devices associated with the first cell, it is possible to avoid the situation where the terminal devices associated with different core network devices in the same cell are assigned the same packet group number when the core network devices group the terminal devices, so as to reduce paging false alarms.

[0035] In a possible implementation of the fifth or sixth aspect, the grouping policy information is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the second core network device groups the terminal device, the total number of groups of the terminal device used by the second core network device, or the value range of the group number of the terminal device used by the second core network device. The first core network device may determine the value range of the group number of the terminal device used based on the grouping policy information of the second core network device, so that the value ranges of the group numbers assigned to the terminal device by the first core network device and the second core network device have no intersection, thereby enabling the differentiation of terminal devices under different core network devices in the same cell.

[0036] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the first core network device also receives grouping assistance information from the terminal device, and the grouping assistance information is used to indicate the paging probability. The paging probability is the ratio of the first duration to the second duration. The first duration is the duration of the paging received by the terminal device for the terminal device within the second duration, and the second duration is a preset duration. Alternatively, the paging probability is the ratio of the first value to the second value. The first value is the number of paging occasions where the paging received by the terminal device is for the terminal device, and the second value is the number of paging occasions monitored by the terminal device. This solution provides two ways to determine the paging probability, which can more accurately characterize the frequency of the terminal device being paged. Additionally, by flexibly adjusting the second duration or the total number of monitored POs, a more accurate change degree of the paging probability can be obtained or the update of the paging probability can be reduced.

[0037] In a possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the first core network device sends the grouping assistance information to the second core network device. The first core network device associated with the terminal device may send the grouping assistance information from the terminal device to the second core network device, so that the second core network device can determine the grouping policy to be used based on the grouping assistance information.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, a fourth communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first communication device, and the first communication device may be a communication device or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the communication device to implement this method, such as a chip system. Hereinafter, the case where the communication device is a terminal device will be described as an example. The method includes:

[0039] The terminal device determines a first group number and receives paging from a first cell according to the first group number. Herein, the first group number is the grouping group number of the terminal device group to which the terminal device belongs, and the first group number ID satisfies: ID = UE_ID mod N + Q. UE_ID is used to identify the terminal device, N is the total number of terminal device groupings used by the core network device or the access network device, Q is configured or predefined, or Q is related to N. That is, a new grouping mechanism is provided, and this grouping mechanism can make the value range of the grouping group number corresponding to the foregoing CN grouping mechanism and the grouping mechanism of the access network device based on UE_ID different on the access network side, thereby also avoiding paging false alarms.

[0040] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device has the function of implementing the actions in the method embodiments of the above first aspect (or third aspect). The beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the first aspect (or third aspect), and will not be elaborated here. The communication device may be the terminal device in the first aspect (or third aspect), or the communication device may be a device capable of implementing the method provided in the first aspect (or third aspect), such as a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method of the first aspect (or third aspect). For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver). These units (modules) can execute the corresponding functions in the method examples of the above first aspect (or third aspect). For specific details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples and will not be elaborated here.

[0041] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device. The communication device has the function of implementing the actions in the method embodiments of the above second aspect (or fourth aspect). The beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the second aspect (or fourth aspect), and will not be elaborated here. The communication device may be the access network device in the second aspect (or fourth aspect), or the communication device may be a device capable of implementing the method provided in the second aspect (or fourth aspect), such as a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method of the second aspect (or fourth aspect). For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver). These units (modules) can execute the corresponding functions in the method examples of the above second aspect (or fourth aspect). For specific details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples and will not be elaborated here.

[0042] Tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which has the functions to implement the behaviors in the method examples of the above fifth aspect. The beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the fifth aspect and will not be elaborated here. This communication device can be the first core network device in the fifth aspect, or this communication device can be a device that can support the first core network device in the fifth aspect to implement the functions required by the method provided in the fifth aspect, such as a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, this communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method of the fifth aspect. For example, this communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver). These units (modules) can execute the corresponding functions in the method examples of the above fifth aspect. For specific details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples and will not be elaborated here.

[0043] Eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which has the functions to implement the behaviors in the method examples of the above sixth aspect. The beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the sixth aspect and will not be elaborated here. This communication device can be the second core network device in the sixth aspect, or this communication device can be a device that can support the second core network device in the sixth aspect to implement the functions required by the method provided in the sixth aspect, such as a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, this communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method of the sixth aspect. For example, this communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver). These units (modules) can execute the corresponding functions in the method examples of the above sixth aspect. For specific details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples and will not be elaborated here.

[0044] Twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which has the functions to implement the behaviors in the method examples of the above seventh aspect. The beneficial effects can be referred to the description of the seventh aspect and will not be elaborated here. This communication device can be the terminal device in the seventh aspect, or this communication device can be a device that can support the terminal device in the seventh aspect to implement the functions required by the method provided in the seventh aspect, such as a chip or a chip system. In a possible design, this communication device includes corresponding means or modules for executing the method of the seventh aspect. For example, this communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or a processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver). These units (modules) can execute the corresponding functions in the method examples of the above seventh aspect. For specific details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples and will not be elaborated here.

[0045] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the communication device in any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects in the above embodiments, or a chip or a chip system disposed in the communication device in any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor. Optionally, a memory is further included. The memory is used to store computer programs. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer programs or instructions, the communication device executes the methods performed by the terminal device, or the access network device, or the first core network device, or the second core network device in the above method embodiments, or executes the methods performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0046] In a fourteenth 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 for inputting and / or outputting information. The logic circuit is used to execute the methods described in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0047] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor, and may further include a memory and / or a communication interface, and is used to implement the methods described in any one of the first to seventh aspects. In a possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing computer programs. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0048] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the eighth aspect and the communication device described in the ninth aspect.

[0049] In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is run, it implements the methods in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0050] In an eighteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run, the methods in any one of the first to seventh aspects are executed.

[0051] The beneficial effects of the above eighth to eighteenth aspects and their implementation manners may refer to the descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first to seventh aspects or the first to seventh aspects and their implementation manners. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a shared cell provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0054] Figure 3 Schematic flowchart of the first communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0055] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a mapping rule between the second group number and the first group number provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0056] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the corresponding relationship between PEI and PLMN provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0057] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the corresponding relationship between packet indication configuration information and PLMN provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0058] Figure 7 Schematic flowchart of the second communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0059] Figure 8 Schematic flowchart of the third communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0060] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0061] Figure 10 Another schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0062] Figure 11 Exemplary schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0063] Figure 12 Exemplary schematic diagram of another structure of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0064] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, some technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are first explained.

[0065] 1) The terminal device can be a user equipment (UE), and is sometimes also referred to as a terminal, an access station, a UE station, a remote station, a wireless communication device, or a user device, etc. The terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver functions that can send signals to a network device or receive signals from a network device. The terminal device is used to connect people, things, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, such as but not limited to the following scenarios: cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle to everything (V2X), machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and other scenarios of terminal devices.

[0066] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver functions, a VR terminal, an AR terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a smart speaker in an IoT network, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc. By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. A wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable intelligent device or a smart wearable device, etc., and is a general term for devices developed by applying wearable technologies to intelligent design of daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes.

[0067] The terminal device may also include a relay. Or, it can be understood that anything capable of data communication with the base station can be regarded as a terminal device. And for the various terminal devices introduced above, if they are located on a vehicle (such as placed inside or installed inside the vehicle), they can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices are also referred to as on-board units (OBUs) for example. Additionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can refer to a device for implementing the functions of a terminal, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to achieve such functions, such as a chip system, and this device can be installed in the terminal device. For example, the terminal device can also be a vehicle detector. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or can include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, taking the device for implementing the functions of a terminal as the terminal device as an example, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0068] 2) The access network device is an access device through which the terminal device accesses the mobile communication system wirelessly, including an access network (AN) device, such as a base station. The network device can also refer to a device that communicates with the terminal device over the air interface. The network device can include an evolved Node B in the LTE system or Long Term Evolution - Advanced (LTE-A), which can be abbreviated as eNB or e-NodeB. An eNB is a device deployed in the radio access network that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices and meets the standards of the fourth generation of mobile communication technology (4G). The network device can also be a new radio controller (NR controller), which can be a gNode B (gNB) in the 5G system, a centralized unit, a new radio base station, a remote radio head, a micro base station (also known as a small cell), a relay, a distributed unit, various forms of macro base stations, a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission measurement function (TMF), or a transmission point (TP), or any other radio access device. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network device can also include a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms used by the access network device. The network device can correspond to an eNB in the 4G system and a gNB in the 5G system.

[0069] In addition, the base station in the embodiments of the present application may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), and multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by one CU. The CU and DU may be divided according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they possess. For example, the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and above protocol layers are set in the CU, and the protocol layers below PDCP, such as the radio link control (RLC) layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer, etc., are set in the DU. It should be noted that this division of protocol layers is only an example, and it may also be divided at other protocol layers. The radio frequency device may be remote, not placed in the DU, or integrated in the DU, or partially remote and partially integrated in the DU, and the embodiments of the present application do not make any restrictions. In addition, in some embodiments, the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) of the CU may also be separated and implemented as different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (CU-CP entity) and the user plane CU entity (CU-UP entity). In this network architecture, the signaling generated by the CU may be sent to the terminal device through the DU, or the signaling generated by the UE may be sent to the CU through the DU. The DU may directly encapsulate and transparently transmit it to the UE or CU through the protocol layer without parsing the signaling. In this network architecture, the CU is divided into a network device on the radio access network (RAN) side. In addition, the CU may also be divided as a network device on the core network (CN) side, and the present application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0070] 3) The CN, as a bearer network, provides an interface to the data network (DN), and provides communication connections, authentication, management, policy control, and bearer for data services to terminal devices. The CN may include the following network elements: SMF network element, AMF network element, UDM network element, AUSF network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, NRF, and application function (AF) network element, etc. It should be noted that the above CN may include one or more CN devices. Among them, the CN device may be a network element for performing the above single network function, or a network element for performing the above multiple network functions. When a CN device is used to perform the above multiple network functions, the CN device may include one or more function modules for performing the above multiple network functions, and the function module may be a software module or a software and hardware module, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0071] 4) Paging. In the new radio (NR) system, the access network device or the core network device may initiate paging for terminal devices to send paging to these terminal devices. For example, the access network device initiates paging (also known as RAN paging), and the access network device may initiate paging for terminal devices in the radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode. Another example is that the core network device initiates paging (also known as CN paging), and the core network device may initiate paging for terminal devices in the RRC idle mode or the RRC inactive mode. It can be understood that during CN paging, the core network device instructs the access network device to initiate paging for terminal devices in the RRC idle mode, and after receiving the instruction from the core network device, the access network device initiates CN paging for terminal devices in the RRC idle mode.

[0072] The basic paging process is as follows: The access network device or the core network device can select a certain paging scope, that is, the area where paging is sent (also referred to as the paging area). For example, for a terminal device in the RRC idle state, the core network device can use the registration area to which the terminal device belongs as the paging area. For a terminal device in the RRC inactive state, the access network device or the core network device can use the radio access network (RAN)-based notification area (RNA) to which the terminal device belongs as the paging area.

[0073] Generally, when the access network device or the core network device needs to page a terminal device, the access network device will send paging downlink control information (DCI) (which can also be referred to as paging indication information in this article) in one or more paging occasions (POs), indicating the resources carrying the paging message. The terminal device will receive / monitor / detect the paging DCI in one or more POs within a paging cycle to receive the paging message and determine whether the access network device has paged it.

[0074] The paging DCI includes a 2-bit field, which can indicate that the paging DCI includes scheduling information, or includes a short message, or includes both scheduling information and a short message. Among them, the scheduling information is used to schedule the paging message. For example, the scheduling information includes time-frequency resource information or modulation and coding information of the paging message, etc. The short message can indicate system information update indication (that is, whether the system information has changed), earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS) notification, or commercial mobile alert service (CMAS) notification, etc. For example, refer to Table 1 for the indication method of this 2-bit field included in the paging DCI.

[0075] Table 1

[0076]

[0077]

[0078] After the terminal device detects the paging DCI, it can decode the paging DCI. If the paging DCI includes the scheduling information of the paging message, the terminal device continues to receive the paging message. If the paging message contains the identifier of the terminal device, the terminal device is paged. If the paging message does not contain the identifier of the terminal device, the terminal device is not paged. If the paging DCI does not include scheduling information but only includes a short message, the terminal device does not need to receive the paging message.

[0079] 4) Wake up signal (WUS). If the access network device needs to page the terminal device in a certain PO, the access network device will send a WUS before the PO. The terminal device can determine whether to monitor the PO by detecting the WUS. Or, the terminal device can determine whether to receive the paging by detecting the WUS, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0080] There are usually two implementation methods for WUS. One implementation method is through signaling. In this implementation method, the presence or absence of WUS can be used to indicate whether wake-up has occurred, that is, if the access network device sends WUS, it indicates that there is a paging. If the access network device does not send WUS, it indicates that there is no paging. The terminal device can determine whether to monitor the PO by whether it detects WUS. Or, the information carried by the signaling can also be used to indicate whether wake-up has occurred, that is, WUS can carry indication information, and whether wake-up has occurred is indicated through this indication information. For example, the indication information occupies 1 bit. When the value of this 1 bit is 0, it indicates that wake-up has occurred. Correspondingly, when the value of this 1 bit is 1, it indicates that no wake-up has occurred.

[0081] Another implementation method of WUS is to indicate whether wake-up has occurred by the state of WUS (for example, using two different sequences or signals). That is, if the WUS sent by the access network device is in one state, it indicates that there is a paging message. If the WUS sent by the access network device is in another state, it indicates that there is no paging message. The terminal device can determine whether to monitor the PO by the state of the WUS it detects. Or, the presence or absence of WUS can also be used to indicate whether wake-up has occurred, and the terminal device can determine whether to monitor the PO by whether it detects WUS. It should be noted that the above takes WUS having two states as an example. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of states of WUS. For example, WUS can have at least two states. In the paging scenario, WUS can also be called paging early indication (PEI). It should be noted that the specific name of the paging early indication in this article is not limited, as long as it can be determined in advance whether to monitor the PO by detecting this indication.

[0082] In addition, a WUS can be associated with one or more POs, that is, a WUS can be used to indicate whether a terminal device listens or does not listen to one or more POs. For example, a WUS can be associated with multiple POs, and the indication information of a WUS can be used to indicate whether to listen to these multiple POs; alternatively, the indication information corresponding to these multiple POs can be included in a WUS, and each piece of indication information can be used to indicate whether to listen to the corresponding PO. For example, a WUS is associated with PO1, PO2, and PO3. In Example 1, whether to listen to PO1, PO2, and PO3 can be indicated by this WUS. For example, if this WUS indicates receiving paging, it can be considered that the terminal devices on PO1, PO2, and PO3 are indicated to receive paging. In Example 2, this WUS can include at least one indication for indicating whether the terminal device on the PO corresponding to the at least one indication receives paging. For example, this WUS includes Indication 1 corresponding to PO1, Indication 2 corresponding to PO2, and Indication 3 corresponding to PO3. Another example is that this WUS can include Indication 1 corresponding to PO1 and PO2, and Indication 2 corresponding to PO3.

[0083] 5) A shared cell is a cell shared by multiple operators, that is, a cell shared by the network. Network sharing can also be referred to as Radio Access Network sharing (RAN sharing). Network sharing allows multiple operators to share the resources of the same network according to an agreed allocation mechanism. The shared cell will broadcast the relevant information of the PLMN or NPN associated with the shared cell in the system information, including the tracking area code (TAC) of the shared cell within the PLMN or NPN, the cell identity, etc. Different operators share the RAN, but may not share the CN, that is, the shared cell / access network device will be connected to multiple CNs. For example, please refer to Figure 1 which is a schematic diagram of a shared cell. Figure 1 Taking the shared cell associated with CN1 and CN2 as an example. It can also be considered that the shared cell is associated with multiple PLMNs. It should be understood that the multiple PLMNs associated with the shared cell refer to the PLMNs corresponding to the multiple CNs associated with the shared cell. That is, the shared cell can refer to a cell associated with multiple CNs or a cell associated with multiple PLMNs. It should be noted that unless otherwise specified, PLMN and NPN can be replaced with each other in this article, and the PLMN associated with the first cell and the CN associated with the first cell can also be interchanged. For example, for which PLMN the paging is targeted, that is, for which NPN / CN the paging is targeted.

[0084] 6) "At least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after. "At least one (item)" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these more than ten items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural item(s). For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c may represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, and c may be single or multiple.

[0085] In addition, unless otherwise stated, 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 order, time sequence, priority, or importance degree of multiple objects. For example, the first core network device and the second core network device are only used to distinguish different core network devices, rather than indicating differences in the priority or importance degree of these two core network devices, etc.

[0086] Some technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are introduced above. Next, the technical features involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced.

[0087] As described above, the terminal device listens for paging DCI on one or more POs. If the terminal device detects the paging DCI, it obtains the scheduling information of the paging according to the paging DCI, and then receives the subsequent physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) according to the scheduling information. The terminal device can determine whether it is paged by the access network device or the core network device according to the paging message carried by the PDSCH. Multiple terminal devices may listen for the same PO. Since the terminal device receives the paging DCI and only obtains the scheduling information of the paging according to the paging DCI, it needs to receive and decode the subsequent paging message to determine whether there is a paging for itself. That is to say, for the terminal device that is not paged, even if there is no paging for itself, it may receive the paging DCI and receive the paging message according to the scheduling information obtained from the paging DCI, resulting in unnecessary reception and decoding of the PDSCH and unnecessary power consumption.

[0088] For this purpose, a terminal device grouping mechanism (also referred to as a UE subgrouping mechanism in this document) is proposed. This terminal device grouping mechanism is used for paging of terminal devices. Therefore, the terminal device grouping mechanism can also be referred to as a paging subgrouping mechanism. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific name of the terminal device grouping mechanism. Its basic idea is: group UEs that listen to the same PO, that is, divide UEs on the same PO into different subgroups. The access network device indicates relevant information of the subgroup to which the UE targeted by this paging belongs through paging DCI or PEI (also referred to as subgroup indication in this document). When the UE receives paging DCI or PEI, it determines whether this paging is for the subgroup to which it belongs according to the subgroup indication. If this paging is for the subgroup to which it belongs, the UE receives the paging; if this paging is not for the subgroup to which it belongs, the UE does not receive the paging. It can be seen that the UE grouping mechanism can reduce unnecessary paging received by the UE, thereby reducing the power consumption of the UE. For example, there are UE1, UE2, UE3, UE4, and UE5 listening to PO1, and these 5 UEs on PO1 can be divided into 3 groups. For example, UE1 and UE2 are in one group (for example, subgroup1), UE3 and UE4 are in one group (for example, subgroup 2), and UE5 is in one group (for example, subgroup 3). If this paging is for UE1, the subgroup indicated by the subgroup indication sent by the access network device is subgroup 1; if this paging is for UE1 and UE5, the subgroups indicated by the subgroup indication sent by the access network device are subgroup 1 and subgroup 3. UE1 receives the subgroup indication and determines that the subgroup indicated by this subgroup indication is subgroup 1, and UE1 receives the paging. If the subgroup indicated by this subgroup indication is not subgroup 1, UE1 does not receive the paging.

[0089] Generally, there are two implementation forms of the UE grouping mechanism. One of the implementation forms is to group UEs by the CN, which can also be regarded as CN-controlled subgrouping. This article does not limit how the CN specifically groups UEs. For example, the CN can group UEs according to the paging probability of the UEs, or for another example, it can group UEs according to the power consumption information of the UEs. Examples are not listed one by one here. The other implementation form is to group UEs based on the UE identity (ID), which can also be regarded as UE_ID based subgrouping (abbreviated as UE ID grouping). UE ID grouping is a mechanism for determining the subgroup to which a UE belongs based on the UE's ID information and the total number of subgroups sent by the access network device. For example, if the total number of UE ID groupings is N, then the subgroup ID of the UE grouping can satisfy the formula: subgroupID = UE_ID mod N. Among them, UE_ID can be related to the IMSI of the UE. For example, IMSI mod 1024. IMSI is the international mobile subscriber identity, and each UE has a unique IMSI. In the LTE system, the IMSI of the UE is fixed. In the NR system, it supports allocating a 5G-globally unique temporary UE identity (GUTI) to the terminal device. The 5G-GUTI includes a 5G-temporary mobile subscription identifier (TMSI), which is used to uniquely identify the terminal device. UE_ID can be related to the 5G-TMSI of the UE. After the CN groups the UEs, it can send the subgroup ID of the UE to the UE and the access network device. When the CN or the access network device needs to page the UE, it can indicate the subgroup of the UE in the paging indication information.

[0090] Since the CN determines the grouping of UEs, the UE grouping strategies may vary among different CNs. Since a shared cell may be associated with multiple CNs, UEs under different CNs may coexist in the shared cell, and thus UEs corresponding to the same grouping group number may exist under different CNs. For example, a shared cell is associated with CN1 and CN2. CN1 assigns the grouping group number subgroup ID of 1 to UE1 with a lower paging probability, that is, CN1 divides UEs with a lower paging probability into subgroup1. CN2 assigns the grouping group number subgroup ID of 1 to UE2 with a higher paging probability, that is, CN2 divides UEs with a higher paging probability into subgroup1. Then, in the shared cell, the UE group with subgroup ID = 1 includes both UEs with a lower paging probability (such as UE1) and UEs with a higher paging probability (such as UE2). When the access network device or the core network device pages UE1 associated with CN1, UE2 associated with CN2 will also be instructed to be paged. For UE2, it will receive unnecessary paging. It can be seen that in the scenario of a shared cell, there is a problem of paging false alarm in the CN grouping mechanism. In addition, since the UE grouping strategies may vary among different CNs, CNs may affect each other's grouping of terminal devices, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of UE grouping. Continuing with the above example, the UEs in subgroup1 associated with CN2 are UEs with a high paging probability and are frequently paged by the network. When the access network device or the core network device pages the UEs in subgroup1 associated with CN2, the UEs in subgroup1 associated with CN1 will correspondingly be frequently instructed to receive paging. However, the UEs in subgroup1 associated with CN1 are originally UEs with a lower paging probability, which causes subgroup1 associated with CN1 to lose the characteristic of a low paging probability, that is, it reduces the grouping accuracy of CN1.

[0091] In view of this, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are provided. In the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can be made to clearly know which terminal device group under which CN the paging is for. In other words, the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can distinguish the UE groupings controlled by multiple CNs, thereby reducing the probability of paging false alarm.

[0092] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a 5G mobile communication system, such as an NR system, or applied to an LTE system, or can also be applied to a next-generation mobile communication system or other similar communication systems.

[0093] Please refer to Figure 2 , which is an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. The communication system may include at least two core network devices, an access network device, and at least one terminal device. AsFigure 2 Take the case where at least two core network devices are two core network devices and at least one terminal device is two terminal devices. The terminal device is connected to the access network device wirelessly, and the access network device is connected to the core network device wirelessly or wired. The core network device and the access network device can be independent different physical devices; or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the access network device are integrated on the same physical device; or the functions of some core network devices and the functions of some access network devices are integrated on the same physical device. It should be noted that Figure 2 is illustrative. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of core network devices, access network devices, and terminal devices included in the mobile communication system. In some embodiments, the communication system may further include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices, wireless backhaul devices, etc. In addition, the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are applied to Figure 1 the scenario shown.

[0094] The following introduces the five solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings respectively.

[0095] The following takes the four communication methods provided by the embodiments of the present application applied to Figure 2 the network architecture shown as an example. In addition, these four communication methods can be executed by two communication devices respectively, and these two communication devices are, for example, the first communication device and the second communication device. Among them, the first communication device and the second communication device are different due to different communication methods, which will be introduced below. In the following introduction, take the cell with network sharing as the first cell. It should be understood that the first cell can be associated with multiple PLMNs (or NPNs), that is, the first cell can be associated with a PLMN set. It can be considered that the first cell is associated with one or more CNs corresponding to the PLMN set. Or, the first cell can also be associated with multiple CNs, that is, the first cell can be associated with a CN set. In the following, take the first cell associated with the PLMN set as an example. Unless otherwise specified, the first cell associated with the PLMN set is similar to the first cell associated with the CN set. That is, the first cell associated with the PLMN set can be regarded as the first cell associated with the PLMN set. The PLMN associated with the terminal device can be the PLMN (selected PLMN) selected by the terminal device (non-access stratum).

[0096] First, the first communication method provided by the embodiments of this application is introduced. The first communication method can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. Among them, the first communication device can be an access network device or a communication device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the functions required for this method. Of course, it can also be other communication devices, such as a chip system. The second communication device can be a terminal device or a communication device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the functions required for this method. Of course, it can also be other communication devices, such as a chip system. And there are no restrictions on the implementation manners of the first communication device and the second communication device. For example, the first communication device can be an access network device, and the second communication device is a terminal device; or the first communication device is a communication device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the functions required for this method, and the second communication device is a terminal device, and so on.

[0097] For ease of description, hereinafter, an example is given in which the first communication method is executed by an access network device and a terminal device. If the embodiments of this application are applied to Figure 2 the network architecture shown, then the access network device described below can be Figure 2 the access network device in the network architecture shown, and the terminal device described below can be Figure 2 the terminal device in the network architecture shown. It should be noted that the embodiments of this application only take the execution by an access network device and a terminal device as an example.

[0098] Please refer to Figure 3 , which is a schematic flowchart of the first communication method provided by the embodiments of this application.

[0099] S301. The terminal device obtains first packet configuration information corresponding to a first PLMN. The first PLMN is the PLMN associated with the terminal device. The first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with a first cell.

[0100] The first cell may be a cell shared by the network. It should be understood that the first cell may be associated with multiple PLMNs, that is, the first cell is associated with a set of PLMNs. The PLMN associated with the terminal device located in the first cell may be one of the PLMNs in the PLMN set. For example, the PLMN associated with UE1 located in the first cell may be PLMN1 in the PLMN set, and the PLMN associated with UE2 located in the first cell may be PLMN2 in the PLMN set. The packet configuration information may indicate the CN packet mechanism (policy) corresponding to the terminal device associated with the PLMN, so as to be used by the terminal device to determine the packet group number for receiving paging from the first cell, and further determine whether to receive paging from the first cell. For example, the packet configuration information 1 indicates the CN packet mechanism (policy) of UE1 corresponding to PLMN1. Similarly, there may also be packet configuration information 2 indicating the CN packet mechanism of UE2 corresponding to PLMN2. Optionally, the packet configuration information corresponding to different PLMNs may be the same or different. For example, the first cell is associated with PLMN1 and PLMN2, and the packet configuration information corresponding to PLMN1 and the packet configuration information corresponding to PLMN2 may be the same or different. One or more CNs associated with the PLMN set of the first cell group the terminal devices based on their respective packet policies. In addition, the CNs associated with different PLMNs may be the same or different. Therefore, the P PLMNs associated with the first cell may be associated with Z packet configuration information, where P is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and Z is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0101] In this article, taking the terminal device associated with the first PLMN as an example, before the terminal device receives paging, it may obtain the first packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN. Optionally, the first PLMN may be the PLMN indicated by the PLMN information in the system information. For example, the first PLMN is the first PLMN in the cell "PLMN-IdentityInfoList" included in the PLMN information or the PLMN within the first group of PLMNs. In this way, it can be specified which PLMN corresponding CN packet mechanism the first cell supports. When the PLMN associated with the terminal device is the specified PLMN, the terminal device can default to using the CN packet mechanism corresponding to the specified PLMN to receive paging from the first cell, which is relatively simple.

[0102] The first packet configuration information may indicate one or more of the following information, so that the terminal device 1 can determine the packet group number used by the terminal device 1 to receive paging from the first cell according to the first packet configuration information.

[0103] 1) The first correspondence relationship between the first group number and the second group number (referred to as the first information), where the first group number is the packet group number used by the terminal device to receive paging from the first cell, and the second group number is the packet group number from the core network device. It should be noted that the second group number is the packet group number assigned by the second core network device to the terminal device. The core network device can send the second group number to the terminal device or send the second group number to the access network device. The access network device receives the second group number and can forward the second group number to the terminal device. According to the current mechanism, when the core network device initiates paging, it sends the second group number to the access network device, and the access network device sends paging indication information to indicate the terminal device group corresponding to the second group number. Since different core network devices may assign the same packet group number to the terminal device, if the first cell needs to page the terminal devices under a core network device associated with the first cell, then the terminal devices with the same second group number under other core network devices associated with the first cell will also receive the paging, resulting in unnecessary paging reception.

[0104] However, in the embodiments of the present application, the first packet configuration information is the packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN associated with the terminal device. The access network device receives the second group number assigned by the core network device for the terminal device. According to the first correspondence relationship between the first group number and the second group number, the access network device can determine the first group number used by the terminal device to receive paging from the first cell, that is, the access network device sends paging indication information including the terminal device group corresponding to the first group number. For the terminal device, the terminal device can also determine the first group number used to receive paging from the first cell according to the second group number and the first correspondence relationship between the first group number and the second group number. That is, although the packet group number assigned by the core network device to the terminal device is the second group number, the group number carried in the paging indication information sent by the access network device is the first group number. Through this solution, even if the packet group numbers assigned by different CNs associated with the first cell to the terminal device are the same, the group numbers actually used by the access network device to initiate paging for the terminal devices associated with different CNs are also different, thereby reducing paging false alarms.

[0105] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation form of the correspondence relationship between the first group number and the second group number. For example, it may include one or more of the following implementation forms. In the following text, the first group number is represented by ID, the second group number is represented by k, and mod represents the modulo operation.

[0106] Implementation form 1: The first group number and the second group number satisfy: ID = k mod (n2 - n1 + 1) + n1, where the value range of the first group number is [n1, n2]. [n1, n2] can be considered as the range where the packet group numbers corresponding to the CN / PLMN / NPN associated with the terminal device are located on the access network side. That is, the terminal device can map the second group number k assigned by the core network device to a certain value in [n1, n2] through ID = k mod (n2 - n1 + 1) + n1 as the first group number. It can be understood that k can be sent by the core network device to the terminal device, or the core network device can forward it to the terminal device through the access network device. n1 and n2 can be sent by the access network device or the core network device to the terminal device. In addition, n1 and n2 can be the same or different, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In this implementation form, the first packet configuration may include the value range of the first group number, that is, n1 and n2.

[0107] Implementation form 2: The first group number and the second group number satisfy: ID = k + M. Where M is the offset value between the first group number and the second group number, and it can also be considered as the offset of the packet group number corresponding to the CN / PLMN / NPN associated with the terminal device on the access network side relative to the packet group number assigned by the core network device to the terminal device. In other words, the terminal device can use Subgroup ID = k + M to obtain the first group number by offsetting the second group number k by M. M can be predefined or preconfigured or configured by the access network device or the core network device. In this implementation form, the first packet configuration information may include M.

[0108] Implementation form 3: The terminal device can re-determine the packet group number of the terminal device on the access network side according to the total number of packets corresponding to the PLMN associated with itself on the access network side and / or the total number of packets corresponding to other PLMNs on the access network side.

[0109] For example, assume that the packet group number assigned by the core network device to the terminal device is k, and the first PLMN associated with the terminal device is the first PLMN in the PLMNs associated with the first cell. Then the terminal device can determine that the first group number is the second group number k through ID = k.

[0110] For another example, assume that the packet group number assigned by the core network device to the terminal device is k, the first PLMN associated with the terminal device is the second PLMN in the PLMNs associated with the first cell, and the total number of packets corresponding to the first PLMN in the first cell is M1. Then the terminal device can determine that the first group number is the sum of the second group number k and M1 through ID = k + M1.

[0111] It should be noted that the first PLMN among the multiple PLMNs associated with the first cell is relative to the packet configuration information. For example, multiple PLMNs correspond to multiple packet configuration information one by one. These multiple packet configuration information are sorted in order, and the PLMN corresponding to the first packet configuration information is the first PLMN among these multiple PLMNs.

[0112] In implementation form four, the correspondence between the second group number and the first group number satisfies the mapping rule. For example, the correspondence between the second group number of the terminal device corresponding to the PLMN associated with the first cell and the first group number can be indicated. Among them, one second group number or multiple second group numbers can correspond to one first group number. For example, the PLMNs associated with the first cell can be sorted in order, and the second group numbers corresponding to the PLMNs associated with the first cell are numbered according to the sorting order, so that terminal devices with different CNs in the first cell have different packet group numbers on the access network side.

[0113] For example, please refer to Figure 4 , which shows a mapping rule between the second group number and the first group number. Figure 4 Taking the example that the first cell is associated with 5 PLMNs. The second group numbers corresponding to the 5 PLMNs are re-numbered in order in turn to obtain the first group number. From Figure 4 it can be seen that the terminal devices in the 5 PLMNs associated with the first cell have different packet group numbers on the access network side.

[0114] The terminal device determines the packet group number of the terminal device on the access network side through the correspondence between the first group number and the second group number (i.e., the first information). It can be considered that the terminal device distinguishes which CN / PLMN / NPN the paging is for, thereby reducing paging false alarms.

[0115] 2), the first packet configuration information can be used to indicate the information of the first PEI (abbreviated as the second information).

[0116] Different from the terminal device distinguishing which CN / PLMN / NPN the paging is for, the embodiments of the present application can distinguish which CN / PLMN / NPN the paging is for through the information of the PEI. Different PLMNs can correspond to different information of the PEI, so that the terminal devices under each PLMN can clearly know whether the paging sent by the network is for themselves according to the corresponding PEI. That is, through this solution, the paging indication information for different CN / PLMN / NPNs is different, so that the terminal device can determine whether it is indicated to receive paging according to the PEI corresponding to its own CN / PLMN / NPN, and avoid receiving paging indication information within other irrelevant CN / PLMN / NPNs, thereby reducing paging false alarms.

[0117] In the embodiments of the present application, there are various implementation forms of the information of the PEI. Taking the information of the first PEI as an example, there are the following two implementation forms of the information of the first PEI.

[0118] Implementation form one: The information of the first PEI can be the first PEI, and different PEIs can correspond to different CN / PLMN / NPNs. That is, different PEIs (sequences or signals) are used to respectively indicate different CN / PLMN / NPNs. For example, the first cell is associated with 3 PLMNs, namely PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3. The first PEI corresponds to PLMN1, the second PEI corresponds to PLMN2, and the third PEI corresponds to PLMN3. If the terminal device is associated with the first PLMN1, then the terminal device determines that the access network device sends the first PEI and receives paging. Optionally, the PEIs corresponding to different CN / PLMN / NPNs can be the same or different.

[0119] Implementation form two: The information of the first PEI can be the configuration information of the first PEI, and different PEIs can correspond to different CN / PLMN / NPNs. Optionally, the configuration information of the PEIs corresponding to different CN / PLMN / NPNs can be the same or different. Taking the configuration information of the first PEI as an example, the configuration information of the first PEI may include one or more of the following information: the search space configuration of the first PEI, the control resource set (CORESET) configuration of the first PEI, or the time-frequency resource position for listening to the first PEI, such as the time-domain resource position for listening to the first PEI and / or the frequency-domain resource position for listening to the first PEI.

[0120] The frequency-domain resource position for listening to the first PEI may include information such as the frequency-domain start position and / or the frequency-domain resource size of the first PEI. The time-frequency resource position for listening to the first PEI may include one or more of the following configurations.

[0121] 1) Start position configuration, which is used to determine the start time for listening to the first PEI. This start position configuration can be the offset between the start time for listening to the first PEI and the start time of the PO associated with the first PEI. Alternatively, this start position configuration can be the offset between the start time for listening to the first PEI and the synchronization signal block (SSB) or the SSB set (SSB burst).

[0122] 2) End position configuration, which is used to determine the end time of monitoring the first PEI. This end position configuration can be the offset between the start time of monitoring the first PEI and the start time of the PO associated with the first PEI, or this end position configuration can be the offset between the start time of monitoring the first PEI and the SSB, or this end position configuration can be the offset between the start time of monitoring the first PEI and the SSB set.

[0123] 3) Duration configuration, which is used to determine the duration of monitoring the first PEI. One or more single PEI monitoring occasions can be included within the duration. This configuration can be: in units of absolute time lengths such as milliseconds (ms) / seconds (s), etc.; or in units of frames, subframes, slots, symbols, etc.; or in units of PDCCH monitoring occasions (for example, L PDCCH monitoring occasions, where L is a positive number).

[0124] 4) Duration configuration of the monitoring occasion. This configuration is used to determine the length of a single PEI monitoring occasion. This configuration can be: in units of absolute time lengths such as milliseconds (ms) / seconds (s), or in units of frames / subframes / slots / symbols, etc.

[0125] 5) Interval (or period) configuration of the monitoring occasion. This configuration is used to determine the time interval between single PEI monitoring occasions or the occurrence period of single PEI monitoring occasions. This configuration can be: in units of absolute time lengths such as milliseconds (ms) / seconds (s), etc.; or in units of frames, subframes, slots, symbols, etc.

[0126] This implementation form is to use the configuration information of the PEI to indicate different PLMNs respectively. The configuration information of the PEI corresponding to different PLMNs can be the same or different. The terminal device can determine the time-domain resource position and / or frequency-domain resource position of monitoring the PEI according to the associated PLMN / , and then determine whether to receive paging from the first cell according to the monitored PEI. For example, please refer to Figure 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between the configuration information of the PEI and the PLMN. Figure 5Take the configuration information of the PEI indicating the time-domain resource location for listening to the PEI as an example. Optionally, the frequency-domain resource locations for listening to the PEI may be the same or different. The first cell is associated with three PLMNs, namely PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3. The first PEI corresponds to PLMN1, the second PEI corresponds to PLMB2, and the third PEI corresponds to PLMN3. The packet configuration information corresponding to PLMN1 is the first packet configuration information, the packet configuration information corresponding to PLMN2 is the second packet configuration information, and the packet configuration information corresponding to PLMN3 is the third packet configuration information. If the terminal device is associated with the first PLMN1, then the terminal device can determine that the first packet configuration information is the configuration information of the first PEI, and thus listen to the first PEI based on the configuration information of the first PEI, and then determine whether to receive a paging from the first cell according to the listened first PEI. For example, if the first PEI indicates not to receive paging, then the terminal device may not receive paging. If the first PEI indicates to receive paging, then the terminal device receives paging.

[0127] 3), the packet indication configuration information (referred to as the third information) can be used to determine the position of the first indication in the paging indication information. The first indication corresponds to the terminal device group where the terminal device is located, and can also be understood as the packet indication of the terminal device. The first indication can be used to indicate whether to listen to paging. For example, the first indication is used to indicate whether to listen to the PDCCH corresponding to this terminal device group. For example, the first indication is a 1-bit information. The value of the first indication being "0" can indicate listening to the PDCCH corresponding to this terminal device group. Correspondingly, the value of the first indication being "1" can indicate not listening to the PDCCH corresponding to this terminal device group. Or, the value of the first indication being "0" can indicate not listening to the PDCCH corresponding to this terminal device group. Correspondingly, the value of the first indication being "1" can indicate listening to the PDCCH corresponding to this terminal device group. The terminal device can determine to receive the paging indication information or the paging message carried by the PDSCH according to the first indication. The paging indication information can be considered as the paging indication information sent by the access network device. Different PLMNs may correspond to different packet indications. For example, assume that the packet group number assigned by the CN associated with the first PLMN to the terminal device is k, and the packet indication corresponding to the first PLMN associated with the terminal device indicates that the packet indication of this first PLMN starts from the nth bit in the paging indication information. Then the position of the packet indication of this terminal device in the paging indication information can be the (n+(k - 1))th bit.

[0128] For example, please refer to Figure 6 , which is a schematic diagram of the correspondence between the packet indication configuration information and the PLMN. As Figure 6As shown, the paging indication information may be the PEI, and the PEI may include packet indications corresponding to multiple PLMNs. One packet indication corresponds to one group of terminal devices, and the starting positions of the packet indications of different PLMNs in the paging indication information are different. For example, PLMN1 corresponds to 3 bits, and one bit represents one packet indication, corresponding to one group of terminal devices. Taking the starting position of the PEI as the first bit as an example. For example, the starting position of the packet indication configuration information corresponding to PLMN1 in the PEI is the first bit, that is, n = 1; the starting position of the packet indication corresponding to PLMN2 in the PEI is the fourth bit, that is, n = 4. Suppose the packet group number assigned by the CN corresponding to PLMN1 for the terminal device is 2, that is, k = 2. The access network device or the core network device sends paging indication information to page the terminal device associated with the CN corresponding to PLMN1. Then the first packet configuration information may indicate that the starting position of the packet indication is 2, that is, 1+(2 - 1), that is, the starting position of the packet indication corresponding to PLMN1 in the paging indication information is the second bit. The terminal device determines according to the first packet configuration information that the starting position of the packet indication corresponding to this terminal device in the paging indication information is 1+(2 - 1), that is, the second bit. Figure 6 If the value of the second bit shown is "1", then the terminal device may monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the group of terminal devices and receive paging from the first cell. That is, the terminal device can determine which positions in the paging indication information to monitor according to the PLMN to which the terminal device belongs, so as to determine whether to monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the group of terminal devices where the terminal device is located, so as to avoid monitoring the paging indication information in other irrelevant PLMNs, that is, the paging false alarm can be reduced.

[0129] 4), whether the first cell supports the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN (also referred to as the fourth information in this article), which can also be understood as whether the first cell enables or uses the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN. If the first cell does not support the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN, then the terminal device does not receive paging from the first cell using the packet group number assigned by the CN associated with the first PLMN for the terminal device. If the first cell supports the CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN, then the terminal device can determine whether to receive paging from the first cell and how to receive paging from the first cell according to one or more of the first information, the second information, and the third information as described above.

[0130] It can be understood that similar to one WUS associating with one or more POs, the packet configuration information can also associate with one or more POs. For specific reference, please refer to the relevant content of the foregoing WUS, which will not be elaborated here.

[0131] In the embodiments of the present application, the CN grouping mechanisms under different CNs / PLMNs / NPNs are distinguished by the packet configuration information corresponding to the CN / PLMN / NPN, so that when the terminal device performs paging based on CN grouping, it can be clear whether the paging from the access network device or the core network device is the paging within the CN / PLMN / NPN to which the terminal device belongs, thereby avoiding receiving paging within other CNs / PLMNs / NPNs, that is, reducing paging false alarms. In addition, since the grouping of terminal devices by different CNs / PLMNs / NPNs can be distinguished, it is possible to page terminal devices under multiple CNs / PLMNs / NPNs simultaneously. That is, by sending a single paging indication message, terminal devices under multiple CNs / PLMNs / NPNs can be paged, thereby saving the signaling overhead for paging terminal devices under multiple CNs / PLMNs / NPNs. Furthermore, the information of the PEI can be used to distinguish the grouping of terminal devices by different CNs / PLMNs / NPNs. In this case, each PEI corresponds to a CN / PLMN / NPN, which can make the number of available groups in the CN grouping mechanism reach the maximum value supported by the access network device to support as many UE groups as possible and enhance the effect of the grouping mechanism.

[0132] The packet configuration information corresponding to each PLMN / NPN / CN associated with the cell may be the same or different. In the embodiments of the present application, the cell may send the packet configuration information of each PLMN / NPN / CN of the cell so that the terminal device can determine to use the packet configuration information corresponding to the PLMN / NPN / CN to which it is associated. For example, a terminal device associated with the first PLMN obtains the first packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN.

[0133] For the PLMN associated with the first cell, the first cell may send the packet configuration information corresponding to the associated PLMN. For example, the first cell may broadcast the packet configuration information corresponding to the associated PLMN. The terminal device receives the broadcast from the first cell and can determine the corresponding first packet configuration information according to the first PLMN to which the terminal device is associated and the packet configuration information corresponding to the associated PLMN broadcast by the first cell.

[0134] Example 1. For the PLMN associated with the first cell, the first cell may broadcast the packet configuration information corresponding to the associated PLMN. Among them, the PLMN associated with the first cell may be characterized by the identity or index of the PLMN. The identity of the PLMN may be an identity composed of a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC). The index of the PLMN may be an index assigned by the access network device. For example, if the first cell is associated with 3 PLMNs, the access network device may assign indexes 1, 2, and 3 to these 3 PLMNs respectively to label these 3 PLMNs. The indexes of different PLMNs may be the same or different. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit whether the PLMN / NPN associated with the first cell and the packet configuration information corresponding to each PLMN are carried in one signaling. That is to say, the PLMN associated with the first cell and the packet configuration information corresponding to each PLMN may be carried in one signaling or in multiple signals. For example, the system information broadcast by the first cell may include the identity (or index) of the PLMN associated with the first cell and the packet configuration information corresponding to each PLMN.

[0135] For example, for the first cell, the system information may include an information element "PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfoList" for indicating each PLMN associated with the first cell and the packet configuration information corresponding to each PLMN. "PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfoList" may include at least one "PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo", and "PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo" includes an identity corresponding to a PLMN (i.e., PLMN-Identity) and the packet configuration information (CNControlledSubgroupingInfo) corresponding to the PLMN. It should be understood that

[0136] The maximum number of "PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo" is the maximum number of PLMNs associated with the first cell. For example,

[0137] One implementation form of "PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfoList" may be:

[0138]

[0139] It should be noted that for multiple PLMNs with the same grouping configuration information, each PLMN / NPN in these multiple PLMNs can respectively correspond to a grouping configuration information, or these multiple PLMNs correspond to one grouping configuration information. For example, assuming that PLMN1 and PLMN2 correspond to grouping configuration information 1, and PLMN3 corresponds to grouping configuration information 2, then the above PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfoList can contain 3 items of PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo, corresponding to PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 respectively. Or, the PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfoList contains 2 items of PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo, where one item of PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo corresponds to PLMN1 and PLMN2 (that is, this item of PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo contains the identifiers respectively corresponding to PLMN1 and PLMN2), and the other item of PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfo corresponds to PLMN3. The terminal device receives the broadcast from the first cell, and can determine the corresponding CNControlledSubgroupingInfo, that is, the first grouping configuration information, according to the first PLMN associated with the terminal device and the PLMN-CNSubgroupingInfoList.

[0140] Example 2, for the CN associated with the first cell, the first cell can broadcast the grouping configuration information corresponding to the associated CN, indicating the PLMN / NPN associated with the CN. A CN can be associated with one or more PLMN / NPNs. In this example, it can be considered that the grouping configuration information broadcast by the first cell is for the CN associated with the first cell and / or the PLMN / NPN corresponding to the CN associated with the first cell. The first cell can broadcast the identifier of the associated CN, and the grouping configuration information corresponding to each CN. Or, the first cell can broadcast the identifiers of one or more PLMN / NPNs corresponding to the associated CN, and the grouping configuration information corresponding to the one or more PLMN / NPNs. The identifier of the CN associated with the first cell and the grouping configuration information respectively corresponding to each CN can be carried in one signaling, or can also be carried in multiple signaling. For example, the system message broadcast by the first cell can include the identifier (or index) of the CN associated with the first cell and the grouping configuration information respectively corresponding to each CN.

[0141] For example, for the first cell, the system message may include an information element "CNSubgroupingInfoList" for indicating each CN associated with the first cell and the grouping configuration information corresponding to each CN. "CNSubgroupingInfoList" may include at least one "CNSubgroupingInfo". Each "CNSubgroupingInfo" includes an identifier corresponding to a CN (i.e., CN-Identity) and the grouping configuration information corresponding to this CN (CNControlledSubgroupingInfo). Alternatively, each "CNSubgroupingInfo" includes the identifiers of one or more PLMN / NPNs associated with a CN (plmn-IdentityLis) and the grouping configuration information corresponding to one or more PLMN / NPNs associated with this CN (CNControlledSubgroupingInfo). Among them, the maximum number of "CNSubgroupingInfo" is the maximum number of CNs associated with the first cell. For example, one implementation form of "CNSubgroupingInfoList" may be:

[0142] CNSubgroupingInfoList ::= SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxCN)) OF CNSubgroupingInfo

[0143] CNSubgroupingInfo ::= SEQUENCE {

[0144] cn-Identity CN-Identity,

[0145] CNControlledSubgroupingInfo CNControlledSubgroupingInfo

[0146] }

[0147] For another example, another implementation form of "CNSubgroupingInfoList" may be:

[0148] CNSubgroupingInfoList ::= SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxCN)) OF CNSubgroupingInfo

[0149] CNSubgroupingInfo ::= SEQUENCE {

[0150] plmn-IdentityList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxPLMN)) OF PLMN-Identity,

[0151] CNControlledSubgroupingInfo CNControlledSubgroupingInfo

[0152] }

[0153] For multiple CNs with the same grouping configuration information, each of these multiple CNs can respectively correspond to a grouping configuration information, or these multiple CNs correspond to a single grouping configuration information. For example, assuming that CN1 and CN2 correspond to grouping configuration information 1, and CN3 corresponds to grouping configuration information 2, then the above CNSubgroupingInfoList can contain three items of CNSubgroupingInfo, corresponding to CN1, CN2, and CN3 respectively. Or, the CNSubgroupingInfoList contains two items of CNSubgroupingInfo, where one item of CNSubgroupingInfo corresponds to CN1 and CN2 (that is, this item of CNSubgroupingInfo contains the identifiers respectively corresponding to CN1 and CN2), and the other item of CNSubgroupingInfo corresponds to CN3. The terminal device receives broadcasts from the first cell and can determine the corresponding CNControlledSubgroupingInfo, that is, the first grouping configuration information, based on the first CN associated with the terminal device and the CNSubgroupingInfoList.

[0154] S302. The access network device (or core network device) sends indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the access network device (or core network device), and this indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN, or this indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the first grouping configuration information.

[0155] The access network device or core network device can configure corresponding grouping configuration information for one or more PLMNs associated with the first cell. Optionally, the grouping configuration information corresponding to different PLMNs can be the same or different. The access network device or core network device can notify the terminal device of the corresponding grouping configuration information for one or more PLMNs associated with the first cell through the indication information. The terminal device can determine the grouping configuration information to be used according to the indication of this indication information.

[0156] As an example, the correspondence between PLMN and packet configuration information can be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the access network device or the core network device can indirectly indicate the packet configuration information through the identification information of the PLMN. For example, if the indication information indicates a first PLMN, the indication information may include the identification information of the first PLMN. The terminal device can obtain the first packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN according to the first PLMN indicated by the indication information. The terminal device can determine whether to receive paging from the first cell using the CN packet mechanism based on the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information, that is, determine whether to receive paging from the first cell using the packet group number assigned by the CN associated with the first PLMN for the terminal device.

[0157] For example, the first cell may broadcast the indication information, and the indication information indicates PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3. The protocol predefines or preconfigures that PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 correspond to packet configuration information 1. If UE1 is associated with PLMN1, UE2 is associated with PLMN2, and UE3 is associated with PLMN5, then UE1 and UE2 receive paging from the first cell according to packet configuration information 1, and UE3 does not receive paging from the first cell according to packet configuration information 1.

[0158] As another example, the indication information can be used to indicate the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information. The terminal device associated with the first PLMN can determine the first packet configuration information according to the indication information, and thus receive paging from the first cell based on the first packet configuration information.

[0159] The access network device and the core network device can indicate the packet configuration information corresponding to one or more PLMNs through the indication information, which is relatively flexible. For example, the first cell may broadcast the first information, and the first information indicates PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3. The first cell may also broadcast the second information, and the second information may indicate packet configuration information 1. In this case, the terminal device can default that PLMN1, PLMN2, and PLMN3 correspond to packet configuration information 1. If UE1 is associated with PLMN1, UE2 is associated with PLMN2, and UE3 is associated with PLMN5, then UE1 and UE2 receive paging from the first cell according to packet configuration information 1, and UE3 does not receive paging from the first cell according to packet configuration information 1. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, there is no limit to the number of PLMNs indicated by the first information, nor is there a limit to the number of packet configuration information indicated by the second information. If the first indication information indicates multiple PLMNs and the second information indicates packet configuration information 1, then these multiple PLMNs correspond to the packet configuration information 1. If the first indication information indicates R PLMNs and the second information indicates S packet configuration information, the mapping relationship between R and S can be agreed as long as the terminal device can clearly determine the correspondence between the PLMN and the packet configuration information.

[0160] The first information and the second information may be carried in a signaling. For example, the first information and the second information are carried in indication information. For example, the indication information can be used to indicate the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN. Alternatively, the first information and the second information may also be carried in different signalings.

[0161] It should be noted that S302 is an optional step, that is, S302 is not a step that must be executed. Therefore, Figure 3 it is indicated by a dashed line in

[0162] S303. The terminal device receives paging from the first cell according to the first packet configuration information.

[0163] After the terminal device obtains the first packet configuration information, it receives paging from the first cell according to the first packet configuration information. Depending on the implementation form of the first packet configuration information, the manner in which the terminal device receives paging from the first cell is also different.

[0164] Example 1. The first packet configuration information indicates the correspondence between the first group number and the second group number. In this case, the terminal device can determine the first group number according to the first packet configuration information and the second group number assigned by the CN to the terminal device. If the paging indication information sent by the access network device indicates the terminal device group corresponding to the first group number, then the terminal device receives paging from the first cell. For example, if the terminal device determines that the packet group number indicated by the paging indication information matches the first group number determined by the terminal device according to this correspondence, that is, the packet group number indicated by the paging indication information includes the first group number determined by the terminal device according to this correspondence, it can be considered that the paging indication information is used to page the terminal device group to which the terminal device belongs, then the terminal device receives the paging. If the paging indication information does not indicate the terminal device group corresponding to the first group number, then the terminal device determines that this paging is not for the first PLMN and is not for the terminal device group to which the terminal device belongs, then the terminal device may not receive the paging.

[0165] Example 2. The first packet configuration information indicates the information of the first PEI. For example, the first packet configuration information indicates the first PEI, or the first packet configuration information indicates the configuration information of the first PEI. In this case, it can be considered that the paging indication information sent by the network device is the first PEI. The terminal device determines whether to receive paging from the first cell according to the received or monitored first PEI. If the first PEI indicates to receive paging, then the terminal device receives the paging. If the first PEI indicates not to receive paging, then the terminal device does not receive the paging.

[0166] Example 3: The first grouping configuration information indicates the grouping indication configuration information. In this case, the terminal device can determine the position of the first indication corresponding to the terminal device group where the terminal device is located in the paging indication information according to the grouping indication configuration information, so as to determine whether to monitor paging according to the received first indication. For example, the terminal device determines whether to monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the terminal device group where the terminal device is located according to the first indication, or determines whether it is necessary to receive paging, and then determines whether to receive paging from the first cell, or determines how to receive paging from the first cell. For example, if the first indication indicates receiving paging, then the terminal device receives paging; if the first indication indicates not receiving paging, then the terminal device does not receive paging.

[0167] Example 4: The first grouping configuration information indicates whether the first cell supports the CN grouping mechanism for the first PLMN. If the first grouping configuration information indicates that the first cell supports the CN grouping mechanism for the first PLMN, then the terminal device can receive paging according to the grouping group number assigned by the CN for it. For example, it is predefined or preconfigured that the first cell supports the CN grouping mechanism for the first PLMN, and the terminal device receives paging according to the CN grouping mechanism. If the first grouping configuration information indicates that the first cell does not support the CN grouping mechanism for the first PLMN, then the terminal device does not receive paging according to the grouping group number assigned by the CN for it. In this case, the terminal device can receive paging according to the grouping group number assigned by the CN, and one or more of the first information, second information, and third information indicated by the first grouping configuration information. For example, the terminal device can determine whether the paging indication information sent by the access network device is for the first PLMN according to the first information. If the paging indication information is for the first PLMN, then the terminal device can receive paging according to the grouping group number assigned by the CN and the first information. If the paging indication information of the network device is not for the first PLMN, then the terminal device does not receive paging.

[0168] It should be understood that in Examples 1 to 4, if the paging indication information sent by the access network device also indicates the terminal device group to be paged, then in addition to determining that the paging indication information is for the first PLMN, the terminal device also needs to determine that the terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the paging indication information, and the terminal device receives paging from the first cell. Otherwise, the terminal device determines that the paging indication information is for the first PLMN, but the terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the paging indication information, and the terminal device does not monitor the paging of the first cell.

[0169] In the above first communication method, the CN grouping mechanisms under different CNs / PLMNs / NPNs are distinguished by the packet configuration information corresponding to the CN / PLMN / NPN, so that when the terminal device performs paging based on CN grouping, it can determine whether the paging from the access network device belongs to the CN / PLMN / NPN to which the terminal device belongs, thereby avoiding receiving paging within other CNs / PLMNs / NPNs, that is, reducing paging false alarms.

[0170] As an alternative implementation, the embodiments of the present application provide a second communication method. The difference from the first communication method is that the CN / PLMN / NPN targeted by the current paging can be indicated by paging indication information. The terminal device associated with the CN / PLMN / NPN indicated by the associated paging indication information receives the paging, and the terminal device not associated with the CN / PLMN / NPN indicated by the associated paging indication information may not receive the paging. That is, the terminal devices associated with one associated CN / PLMN / NPN do not receive paging within other CNs / PLMNs / NPNs, that is, reducing paging false alarms.

[0171] Similar to the first communication method, the second communication method can be executed by the first communication device and the second communication device. For the introduction of the first communication device and the second communication device, reference can be made to the relevant content of the first communication method described above, which will not be elaborated here. For ease of description, hereinafter, an example will be given where the second communication method is executed by the access network device and the terminal device.

[0172] Please refer to Figure 7 , which is a schematic flowchart of the second communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0173] S701. The access network device (or core network device) sends third indication information. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information. The third indication information is used to page the terminal device associated with the first PLMN, and the first PLMN belongs to the PLMN set, and the PLMN set is associated with the first cell. It can be understood that if the core network device pages the terminal device associated with the first PLMN, the core network device triggers the access network device to send the first indication information, which can also be considered as the core network device sending the third indication information.

[0174] The third indication information can be carried in the paging DCI or PEI or DCI. In other words, the paging indication information sent by the access network device can be used to indicate the first PLMN.

[0175] Exemplarily, the third indication information may include the identifier or index of the first PLMN. Alternatively, the first indication information may include the identifier or index of the CN associated with the first PLMN.

[0176] Exemplarily, the third indication information is the first PEI, and the first PEI corresponds to the first PLMN. In this case, the correspondence between the PEI and the PLMN can be defined, and the first PLMN can be indicated by the first PEI. The PEIs corresponding to different PLMNs can be the same or different.

[0177] In addition, the access network device can also indicate which terminal device group this paging is for. For example, the access network device can also send the fourth indication information, and the terminal device receives the fourth indication information, which can be used to indicate the first terminal device group for indicating to page the terminal devices belonging to the first terminal device group.

[0178] The third indication information and the fourth indication information can be carried in one signaling. For example, both the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be carried in the paging DCI or the PEI or the DCI. The third indication information and the fourth indication information can also be carried in two signaling. For example, the third indication information is the first PEI, and the fourth indication information can be carried in the paging DCI. Another example is that the third indication information is the first PEI (DCI) and the fourth indication information is the second PEI (DCI).

[0179] S702. The terminal device determines that the associated PLMN is the first PLMN, and the terminal device receives paging from the first cell.

[0180] The terminal device receives the third indication information, and based on the third indication information, it can be determined that the access network device or the core network device is paging the terminal device associated with the first PLMN. If the terminal device determines that the associated PLMN is the first PLMN, then the terminal device receives the paging. If the terminal device determines that the associated PLMN is not the first PLMN, then the terminal device may not receive the paging. It should be understood that if the terminal device also receives the fourth indication information, then the terminal device determines that it belongs to the first terminal device group and the terminal device receives the paging. If the terminal device determines that it does not belong to the first terminal device group, the terminal device may not receive the paging.

[0181] In the embodiments of the present application, by distinguishing the paging of each CN / PLMN / NPN associated with the shared cell from the paging indication information, when the terminal device performs paging based on CN grouping, it can be clear whether the paging from the access network device is for the CN / PLMN / NPN to which the terminal device belongs, thereby avoiding receiving paging within other CN / PLMN / NPNs, that is, reducing paging false alarms. In addition, since the paging of different CN / PLMN / NPNs can be distinguished by the paging indication information, in this case, each paging corresponds to a CN / PLMN / NPN, which can make the number of available groups in the CN grouping mechanism reach the maximum value supported by the access network device to support as many UE groups as possible and enhance the effect of the grouping mechanism.

[0182] As introduced above, there are two methods for differentiating paging for each CN / PLMN / NPN associated with a shared cell. The embodiment of the present application also provides another communication method, that is, the third communication method, which can also be used to differentiate paging for each CN / PLMN / NPN associated with a shared cell. The third communication method means that multiple core network devices associated with a first cell can negotiate with each other the policy used for grouping the associated terminal devices, so as to avoid the situation where the terminal devices associated with different core network devices in the same cell are assigned the same grouping group number when the core network devices group the terminal devices.

[0183] The following introduces the third communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. The third communication method can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. Among them, the first communication device can be a first core network device or a communication device capable of supporting the first core network device to implement the functions required by this method. Of course, it can also be other communication devices, such as a chip system. The second communication device can be a second core network device or a communication device capable of supporting the second core network device to implement the functions required by this method. Of course, it can also be other communication devices, such as a chip system. And there are no restrictions on the implementation manners of the first communication device and the second communication device. For example, the first communication device can be a first core network device, and the second communication device is a second core network device; or the first communication device is a communication device capable of supporting the first core network device to implement the functions required by this method, and the second communication device is a second core network device, and so on.

[0184] For the convenience of description, the following takes the third communication method being executed by a first core network device and a second core network device as an example. If the embodiment of the present application is applied in Figure 2 the network architecture shown, then the first core network device and the second core network device described below can be Figure 2 the core network devices in the network architecture shown. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, taking the first core network device and the second core network device as an example, if the first cell is associated with more core network devices in addition to the first core network device and the second core network device, any two core network devices can exchange the grouping policies used for grouping the terminal devices with each other.

[0185] Please refer to Figure 8 , which is a schematic flowchart of the third communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0186] S801. The second core network device sends grouping policy information to the first core network device. Correspondingly, the first core network device receives the grouping policy information from the second core network device, and the grouping policy information can indicate the policy used by the second core network device for grouping the associated terminal devices.

[0187] S802. The first core network device determines the packet policy for the terminal devices associated with the first core network device to use in groups according to the packet policy information.

[0188] The second core network device may inform the first core network device of the packet policy it uses for grouping the terminal devices, so as to assist the first core network device in determining the grouping of the terminal devices associated with itself, thereby avoiding assigning the same packet group number to different terminal devices associated with the first core network device and the second core network device in the same cell.

[0189] Exemplarily, the packet policy information may be used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the second core network device groups the terminal devices, the total number of packets used by the second core network device for the terminal devices, or the value range of the group numbers of the terminal devices used by the second core network device.

[0190] Correspondingly, if the packet policy information indicates that the second core network device does not group the terminal devices, then the first core network device may determine that the total number of packets used can be the specified maximum value or the maximum number of packets supported by the access network device. If the packet policy information indicates the total number of packets used by the second core network device for the terminal devices, then the first core network device may determine the total number of packets used for the terminal devices according to this total number of packets. For example, the sum of the total number of packets used by the second core network device for the terminal devices and the total number of packets used by the first core network device for the terminal devices is less than or equal to the specified maximum value or the maximum number of packets supported by the access network device. If the packet policy information indicates that the value range of the group numbers of the terminal devices used by the second core network device is [n3, n4], then the value range of the group numbers of the terminal devices used by the first core network device is [n5, n6], where n5 is greater than n4 or n6 is less than n3, so that there is no intersection in the value range of the packet group numbers assigned by the first core network device and the second core network device for the terminal devices, thereby distinguishing the terminal devices under different core network devices in the same cell.

[0191] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the execution order of S801 and S802, nor the number of executions of S801 and S802. That is to say, the first core network device and the second core network device can interact with each other multiple times about the packet policy used for grouping the terminal devices, and the first core network device and the second core network device can also determine the packet policy to be used multiple times. For example, the first core network device can determine the packet policy it uses and inform the second core network device. The second core network device determines the packet policy it uses according to the packet policy of the first core network device and then informs the first core network device. The first core network device can re-determine the packet policy to be used according to the packet policy used by the second core network device.

[0192] S803. The terminal device sends packet assistance information to the first core network device. Correspondingly, the first core network device receives the packet assistance information from the terminal device, and the packet assistance information can be used to indicate the paging probability.

[0193] The packet assistance information can be used to determine the packet policy used for grouping the terminal device. For example, the packet assistance information can be used to indicate the paging probability, and the core network device can group the associated terminal devices according to the paging probability of the terminal device. For example, the core network device can divide the terminal devices with a higher paging probability into one group and divide the terminal devices with a lower paging probability into one group. Optionally, the packet assistance information can also be used to indicate the way for the terminal device to determine the paging probability.

[0194] The terminal device can report the packet assistance information to the associated core network device. For example, the first core network device is the core network device associated with the terminal device, and the terminal device sends the packet assistance information to the first core network device. Similarly, the second core network device is the core network device associated with the terminal device, and the terminal device sends the packet assistance information to the second core network device. In the first embodiment of this application, the example that the core network device associated with the terminal device is the first core network device is taken. As shown in S804, after receiving the packet assistance information, the first core network device can send the packet assistance information to the second core network device so that the second core network device can determine the packet policy to be used according to the packet assistance information. It should be noted that the execution order of S803, S801, and S802 in the embodiments of this application is not limited.

[0195] Before the terminal device sends the packet assistance information, it needs to determine the paging probability. The ways for the terminal device to determine the paging probability include the following two ways.

[0196] The first way. The terminal device determines the paging probability according to the duration of the paging received for itself within a certain period of time. For example, the paging probability is the ratio of the first duration to the second duration, where the first duration is the duration of the paging received for the terminal device within the second duration, and the second duration is a preset duration. For example, the second duration is 12 hours, and within these 12 hours, the duration of the paging received for the terminal device is 3 hours, that is, the first duration is 3 hours. In this case, the paging probability is 3 / 12 = 0.25.

[0197] It should be noted that the second duration corresponding to different scenarios can be different. For example, between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm, the terminal device is usually in the working state, and between 0:00 and 6:00, the terminal device is usually in the sleeping state. Then, the second duration corresponding to 8:00 to 12:00 is relatively short, and the second duration corresponding to 0:00 to 6:00 is relatively long. For example, the second duration corresponding to 8:00 to 12:00 can be 2 hours, and the second duration corresponding to 0:00 to 6:00 can be 6 hours. In this way, a more accurate paging probability can be obtained.

[0198] In the second determination method, the terminal device determines the paging probability according to the number of POs it monitors and the number of POs for paging itself that it receives. For example, the paging probability is the ratio of the first value to the second value, where the first value is the number of POs where the paging for the terminal device is received by the terminal device, and the second value is the number of POs monitored by the terminal device. That is, the number of POs N2 for paging itself in a certain number N1 of POs can be counted, and the paging probability is N2 / N1. For example, the terminal device monitors 100 POs, and the terminal device receives paging for the terminal device in 10 of these 100 POs. Then the paging probability is 10 / 100 = 0.1.

[0199] It should be noted that the method for the terminal device to determine the paging probability in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to, for example, an access network device or a core network device to determine the paging probability of the terminal device. That is, the access network device or the core network device can also determine the paging probability of the terminal device according to the duration occupied by the paging for the terminal device within a certain duration. Or, the access network device or the core network device can also determine the paging probability of the terminal device according to the total number of POs monitored by the terminal device and the number of POs that have sent paging for the terminal device.

[0200] It can be understood that the packet auxiliary information indicates the first determination method, and the packet auxiliary information may include the first duration and the second duration. The packet auxiliary information indicates the second determination method, and the packet auxiliary information may include the first value and the second value. Optionally, the packet auxiliary information can be carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) message, or an RRC message, or a media access control control element (MAC CE), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0201] In addition, embodiments of this application do not limit the frequency at which the terminal device sends packet assistance information. For example, the terminal device periodically sends packet assistance information, and the period can be predefined or preconfigured, or the period can be configured by the access network device. As another example, the terminal device can also send packet assistance information based on a request from the access network device. As still another example, the terminal device can send packet assistance information based on the trigger of an event (condition). For example, when the terminal device determines that the paging probability is less than a certain threshold or greater than a certain threshold, the terminal device sends packet assistance information; or when the terminal device determines that the paging duration for the terminal device is less than a certain threshold or greater than a certain threshold, the terminal device sends packet assistance information.

[0202] The above two ways of determining the paging probability can more accurately characterize the frequency of the terminal device being paged. In addition, the terminal device can flexibly adjust the second duration or the total number of monitored POs, so as to more accurately obtain the change degree of the paging probability or reduce the update of the paging probability. For example, during the period when the terminal device is used more frequently, the paging probability within a shorter total duration can be statistically calculated to more accurately reflect the change of the paging probability; during the period when the terminal device is not used frequently, the paging probability within a longer total duration can be statistically calculated to reduce the update of the paging probability. Since the terminal device determines the paging probability and reports it to the associated core network device, and the multiple core network devices associated with the first cell exchange the paging probability of the terminal device with each other, each core network device can determine the grouping strategy for the terminal device according to the paging probability of the terminal device, which is more flexible and applicable to a variety of different application scenarios.

[0203] Embodiments of this application also provide a fourth communication method. In this communication method, the terminal device can determine the group to which it belongs according to the identification information of the terminal device. Substantially, the fourth communication method provides a new grouping mechanism, which can make the value ranges of the grouping group numbers corresponding to the foregoing CN grouping mechanism and the UE_ID-based grouping mechanism different on the access network side, thereby also avoiding paging false alarms.

[0204] For example, the terminal device can determine the grouping group number of the terminal device to which it belongs based on the following formula, for example, it is the first group number (i.e., ID). The first group number can satisfy: ID = UE_ID mod N + Q, where UE_ID is the identification of the terminal device. For specific references, please refer to the foregoing relevant content and will not be elaborated here. It should be noted that as long as UE_ID is information related to the identification of the terminal device. For example, UE_ID can be UE_ID / (N*Ns), where N is the number of paging frames within the paging period of the terminal device, Ns is the number of POs within a paging frame, and * represents the multiplication sign.

[0205] In ID = UE_ID mod N + Q, N is the total number of groups of terminal devices used by the core network device or the access network device. In this article, the total number of groups of terminal devices used by the core network device or the access network device can be the total number of groups of terminal devices used for a PO, or can be the total number of groups of terminal devices used for the PO corresponding to the terminal device. The PO corresponding to the terminal device is a certain PO within a paging frame or a PO associated with a PEI. Q can be considered as the offset of the group number, which is used to distinguish the value range of the group number on the access network side corresponding to the aforementioned CN grouping mechanism and the base station's grouping mechanism based on UE_ID. Q is related to N.

[0206] For example, Q = W - N, where W is the maximum number of groups of terminal devices supported by the access network device, or it can also be the number specified by the protocol. Q can be sent by the access network device, or pre-configured or pre-defined. W is an integer greater than N. It can be understood that the maximum number of groups of terminal devices supported by the access network device can be for a PO, the maximum number of groups of terminal devices supported by the access network device. Or, the maximum number of groups of terminal devices supported by the access network device can be for the PO corresponding to the terminal device, the maximum number of groups of terminal devices supported by the access network device.

[0207] Another example, Q = P * i, where P is the maximum number of groups of terminal devices supported by the access network device, or P can also be the number specified by the protocol. i is the identifier or index of the PO corresponding to the terminal device, that is, the PO corresponding to the terminal device is the i-th PO within a paging frame or a PO associated with a PEI. Here, * represents the multiplication sign.

[0208] Another example, Q = P1 + P2 + … + P j-1 , where j is the identifier or index of the PO corresponding to the terminal device; P1 is the total number of groups of terminal devices used for the first PO within a paging frame or a PO associated with a PEI by the core network device or the access network device; P2 is the total number of groups of terminal devices used for the second PO within a paging frame or a PO associated with a PEI by the core network device or the access network device, and so on.

[0209] Among the four communication methods provided in this application, the methods provided in the embodiments of this application are introduced from the perspective of interaction between a terminal device, an access network device, and even one or more core network devices. Among them, the steps executed by the access network device can be implemented by different functional entities that make up the access network device. In other words, the functional entities that execute the steps of the access network device can be located in different physical entities. For example: The first functional entity is used to determine the indication information. The second functional entity is used to send the indication information. That is to say, the first functional entity and the second functional entity jointly complete the steps executed by the network device in the embodiments of this application. This application does not limit the specific division method of the functional entities. For example, when the network architecture includes one or more DUs, one or more CUs, and one or more radio units (RUs), the steps executed by the above access network device can be implemented by one or more of the DUs, CUs, and RUs. To implement the various functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device and the access network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above various functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a certain function among the above various functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0210] The embodiments of this application also provide a communication device. The following introduces the communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0211] Figure 9 It is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 900 provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 900 may include a processing module 910 and a transceiver module 920. Optionally, it may further include a storage unit, and the storage unit may be used to store instructions (codes or programs) and / or data. The processing module 910 and the transceiver module 920 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 910 may read the instructions (codes or programs) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-mentioned various units may be independently provided, or partially or fully integrated.

[0212] It should be understood that the processing module 910 can be a processor or a controller. For example, it can be a general central processing unit (CPU), a general processor, a digital signal processing (DSP), an application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and so on. The transceiver module 920 is an interface circuit of the device for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the transceiver module 920 is the interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or devices, or is the interface circuit of the chip for sending signals to other chips or devices.

[0213] The communication device 900 can be the terminal device, access network device, first core network device, or second core network device in the above embodiments, and can also be a chip for the terminal device, access network device, first core network device, or second core network device. For example, when the communication device 900 is the terminal device, access network device, first core network device, or second core network device, the processing module 910 can be a processor, and the transceiver module 920 can be a transceiver. Optionally, the transceiver can include a radio frequency circuit, and the storage unit can be a memory, for example. For example, when the communication device 900 is a chip for the terminal device, access network device, first core network device, or second core network device, the processing module 910 can be a processor, and the transceiver module 920 can be an input / output interface, a pin, a circuit, etc. The processing module 910 can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit. Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit within the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. The storage unit can also be a storage unit outside the chip within the network device, terminal device, or location management 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.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the communication device 900 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, such as implementing Figure 3or Figure 7 or Figure 8 The method performed by the terminal device in the embodiments of. The communication device 900 may be a terminal device, or a component applied to the terminal device (such as a chip or a circuit), or a part of the chip or chipset or chip in the terminal device for performing relevant method functions.

[0215] In Example 1, the processing module 910 may be used to obtain first packet configuration information corresponding to a first PLMN. The first PLMN is the PLMN associated with the communication device 900. The first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with a first cell. The transceiver module 920 is used to receive a paging from the first cell according to the first packet configuration information.

[0216] As an alternative implementation, the transceiver module 920 is further used to receive indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information.

[0217] As an alternative implementation, the first packet configuration information is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the first cell supports a core network CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN; the correspondence between a first group number and a second group number, where the first group number is the packet group number used by the terminal device to receive paging from the first cell, and the second group number is the packet group number from a core network device; information of a first PEI, where the first PEI indicates whether to receive paging; or, the packet indication information is used to determine the position of a first indication in a first message, the first indication corresponds to a group of terminal devices, the group of terminal devices includes the communication device 900, and the first indication is used to indicate whether to monitor a PDCCH corresponding to the group of terminal devices.

[0218] As an alternative implementation, the first packet configuration information indicates the correspondence between the first group number and the second group number. The first packet configuration information may include one or more of the following: the value range of the first group number; or, the offset value between the first group number and the second group number.

[0219] As an alternative implementation, the first group number and the second group number satisfy one or more of the following relationships:

[0220] ID = k mod (n2 - n1 + 1) + n1, or ID = k + M; where ID is the first group number, k is the second group number, mod is the modulo operation, the value range of the first group number is greater than or equal to n1 and less than or equal to n2, n1 and n2 are integers, M is the offset value, and M is an integer.

[0221] As an optional implementation, the first packet configuration information indicates information about the first PEI. The first packet configuration information includes one or more of the following: the search space configuration of the first PEI, the control resource set configuration of the first PEI, monitoring the time domain resource position of the first PEI, or monitoring the frequency domain resource position of the first PEI.

[0222] As an optional implementation, the first packet configuration information indicates the correspondence between the first group number and the second group number. The transceiver module 920 is specifically configured to: receive paging indication information, where the paging indication information indicates the packet group number of the terminal device; if the packet group number matches the first group number determined by the processing module 910 according to the correspondence, receive paging.

[0223] As an optional implementation, the first packet configuration information indicates information about the first PEI. The transceiver module 920 is specifically configured to: monitor the first PEI according to the information about the first PEI, and receive paging according to the first PEI; where the first PEI indicates receiving paging.

[0224] In Example 2, the transceiver module 920 is configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to page a terminal device associated with a first PLMN, and the first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs, and the set of PLMNs is associated with a first cell. The processing module 910 determines that the associated PLMN is the first PLMN, and the transceiver module 920 is configured to receive paging from the first cell.

[0225] As an optional implementation, the first indication information may include an identifier or index of the first PLMN to indicate the first PLMN.

[0226] As an optional implementation, the first indication information is carried in DCI or PEI. Alternatively, the first indication information is the first PEI, where different PEIs may correspond to different PLMNs.

[0227] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 920 is further configured to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a terminal device group.

[0228] In Example 3, the processing module 910 is configured to determine a first group number. The transceiver module 920 is configured to receive paging from the first cell according to the first group number. Where the first group number is the packet group number of the terminal device group to which the communication device 900 belongs, and the first group number ID satisfies: ID = UE_ID mod N + Q. UE_ID is used to identify the terminal device, N is the total number of packet groups of the terminal device used by the core network device or the access network device, Q is configured or predefined, or Q is related to N.

[0229] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 900 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can implement Figure 3 or Figure 7 the method executed by the access network device in the embodiment. For example, the communication device 900 can be an access network device, or a component applied to the access network device (such as a chip or a circuit), or a part of the chip or chipset or chip in the access network device for executing the relevant method functions.

[0230] In the first example, the transceiver module 920 can be used to send the first packet configuration information corresponding to the first PLMN, and send paging indication information. The first PLMN is the PLMN associated with the terminal device, and the first PLMN belongs to the PLMN set, and the PLMN set is associated with the first cell. The paging indication information is used to page the terminal device in the first cell.

[0231] As an alternative implementation manner, the transceiver module 920 is further used to send indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN, or the indication information is used to indicate the first PLMN and the first packet configuration information.

[0232] As an alternative implementation manner, the first packet configuration information is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the first cell supports the core network CN packet mechanism for the first PLMN; the correspondence between the first group number and the second group number, where the first group number is the packet group number used by the terminal device to receive paging from the first cell, and the second group number is the packet group number from the core network device; the information of the first PEI, and the first PEI indicates whether to receive paging; or, the packet indication information is used to determine the position of the first indication in the first message, and the first indication corresponds to a terminal device group, and the terminal device group includes the terminal device, and the first indication is used to indicate whether to monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the terminal device group.

[0233] As an alternative implementation manner, the first packet configuration information indicates the correspondence between the first group number and the second group number, and the first packet configuration information includes one or more of the following: the value range of the first group number; or, the offset value between the first group number and the second group number.

[0234] As an alternative implementation manner, the first group number and the second group number satisfy one or more of the following relationships: ID = k mod (n2 - n1 + 1) + n1, or ID = k + M; where ID is the first group number, k is the second group number, mod is the modulo operation, the value range of the first group number is greater than or equal to n1 and less than or equal to n2, n1 and n2 are integers, M is the offset value, and M is an integer.

[0235] As an alternative implementation, the first packet configuration information indicates information of the first PEI, and the first packet configuration information includes one or more of the following: the search space configuration of the first PEI, the control resource set configuration of the first PEI, monitoring the time domain resource position of the first PEI; or, monitoring the frequency domain resource position of the first PEI.

[0236] In the second example, the processing module 910 is used to generate first indication information for paging a terminal device associated with a first PLMN, where the first PLMN belongs to a set of PLMNs associated with a first cell. The transceiver module 920 is used to send the first indication information.

[0237] As an alternative implementation, the first indication information may include an identifier or index of the first PLMN to indicate the first PLMN.

[0238] As an alternative implementation, the first indication information is carried in DCI or PEI. Or, the first indication information is the first PEI, where different PEIs may correspond to different PLMNs.

[0239] As an alternative implementation, the transceiver module 920 is further used to send second indication information for indicating a group of terminal devices.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the communication device 900 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the first core network device or the second core network device in the above method embodiments. For example, it can implement Figure 8 the method executed by the first core network device or the second core network device in the embodiment. For example, the communication device 900 can be the first core network device or the second core network device, or can be a component (such as a chip or a circuit) applied to the first core network device or the second core network device, or can be a chip or a chip group or a part of the chip in the first core network device or the second core network device for executing relevant method functions.

[0241] For example, the communication device 900 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the first core network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 920 is used to receive packet policy information from the second core network device. The processing module 910 is used to determine the packet policy for the associated terminal device according to the packet information. Among them, the communication device 900 and the second core network device are associated with a first cell. The packet policy information is used to indicate the policy based on which the second core network device groups the associated terminal devices.

[0242] As an alternative implementation, the grouping policy information is used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the second core network device groups the terminal device, the total number of groups of the terminal device used by the second core network device, or the value range of the group numbers of the terminal device used by the second core network device.

[0243] As an alternative implementation, the transceiver module 920 is further configured to receive grouping assistance information from the terminal device, where the grouping assistance information is used to indicate a paging probability. The paging probability is a ratio of a first duration to a second duration. The first duration is the duration of paging for the terminal device received by the terminal device within the second duration, and the second duration is a preset duration. Alternatively, the paging probability is a ratio of a first value to a second value. The first value is the number of paging opportunities in which the paging for the terminal device is received by the terminal device, and the second value is the number of paging opportunities monitored by the terminal device.

[0244] As an alternative implementation, the transceiver module 920 is further configured to send the grouping assistance information to the second core network device.

[0245] For another example, the communication device 900 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the second core network device in the foregoing method embodiments. The processing module 910 can be used to determine the grouping policy information. The transceiver module 920 is used to send the grouping policy information to the first core network device. The first core network device and the communication device 900 are associated with a first cell. The grouping policy information is used to indicate the policy based on which the communication device 900 groups the associated terminal devices.

[0246] As an alternative implementation, the transceiver module 920 is further configured to receive the grouping assistance information sent by the first core network device.

[0247] It should be understood that the processing module 910 in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and the transceiver module 920 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components.

[0248] Figure 10Schematic block diagram of communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Among them, communication device 1000 may be a terminal device (or an access network device or a first core network device or a second core network device), and can implement the functions of the terminal device (or an access network device or a first core network device or a second core network device) in the method provided in the embodiment of this application. Communication device 1000 may also be a device capable of supporting the terminal device (or an access network device or a first core network device or a second core network device) to implement the corresponding functions in the method provided in the embodiment of this application. Among them, this communication device 1000 may be a chip system. In the embodiment of this application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices. For specific functions, refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0249] Communication device 1000 includes one or more processors 1001, which are used to implement or support communication device 1000 to implement the functions of the terminal device (or an access network device or a first core network device or a second core network device) in the method provided in the embodiment of this application. For specific details, refer to the detailed description in the method examples, and details are not described here. Processor 1001 may also be referred to as a processing unit or a processing module, and can implement certain control functions. Processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it includes: a baseband processor, a central processor, an application processor, a modulation and demodulation 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 may be used to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processor may be used to control communication device 1000, 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 on one or more application-specific integrated circuits.

[0250] Optionally, communication device 1000 includes one or more memories 1002 for storing instructions 1004, and the instructions can be run on processor 1001, so that communication device 1000 executes the method described in the above method embodiment. Memory 1002 and processor 1001 are coupled. The coupling in the embodiment of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules. Processor 1001 may cooperate with memory 1002. At least one of the at least one memories may be included in the processor. It should be noted that memory 1002 is not necessary, so Figure 10 it is schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0251] Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 1002. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together. In the embodiments of the present application, the memory 1002 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or may also be a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0252] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may include instructions 1003 (sometimes also referred to as code or program), and the instructions 1003 may be run on the processor, so that the communication device 1000 executes the methods described in the above embodiments. Data may be stored in the processor 1001.

[0253] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1005 and an antenna 1006. The transceiver 1005 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, an input / output interface, etc., and is used to implement the transceiver function of the communication device 1000 through the antenna 1006.

[0254] The processor 1001 and the transceiver 1005 described in the present application may be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFID), a mixed-signal IC, an ASIC, a printed circuit board (PCB), or an electronic device, etc. Implementing the communication device described herein may be an independent device (for example, an independent integrated circuit, a mobile phone, etc.), or may be a part of a larger device (for example, a module that can be embedded in other devices). For specific details, reference may be made to the foregoing descriptions of the terminal device and the network device, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0255] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further 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 can be understood that in some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may include more or fewer components, or certain components are integrated, or certain components are split. These components may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0256] It should be noted that the communication device in the above embodiments may be a terminal device (or an access network device or a first core network device or a second core network device), or a circuit, or a chip applied to a terminal device (or a network device), or other combined devices, components, etc. having the above terminal device (or access network device or first core network device or second core network device). When the communication device is a terminal device (or an access network device or a first core network device or a second core 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, for example: a central processing unit (CPU). When the communication device is a component having the functions of the above terminal device (or access network device or first core network device or second core 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 a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a micro controller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips. The processing module may be the processor of the chip system. The transceiver module or the communication interface may be the input / output interface or the interface circuit of the chip system. For example, the interface circuit may be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit may be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in the memory, and may be directly read from the memory, or may also be read from the memory through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor may be used to run the code instructions to execute the methods in the above method embodiments. Another example is that the interface circuit may also be a signal transmission interface circuit between the communication processor and the transceiver.

[0257] Figure 11 FIG. shows a schematic structural diagram of a simplified communication device. For the convenience of understanding and illustration, Figure 11 in which, the communication device is an access network device, such as a base station as an example. The base station can be applied to a system as shown in Figure 2 and can be the access network device in Figure 2 to execute the functions of the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0258] The communication device 1100 may include a processor 1122. It may also include a transceiver 1110 and a memory 1121. The processor 1122 is configured to support the communication device 1100 in performing corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver 1110 can be used for the communication device to communicate, such as for sending the above indication information, etc. The memory 1121 is coupled to the processor 1122 and can be used to store the programs and data necessary for the communication device 1100 to implement various functions.

[0259] Specifically, the transceiver 1110 may be a wireless transceiver and can be used to support the communication device 1100 in receiving and sending signaling and / or data through a wireless air interface. The transceiver 1110 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. The transceiver 1110 may include one or more radio frequency units 1112 and one or more antennas 1111. Among them, the radio frequency unit such as a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU) is specifically used for the transmission of radio frequency signals and the conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals. The one or more antennas are specifically used for the radiation and reception of radio frequency signals. Optionally, the transceiver 1110 may only include the above radio frequency unit. In this case, the communication device 1100 may include the transceiver 1110, the memory 1121, the processor 1122, and the antenna 1111.

[0260] The memory 1121 and the processor 1122 may be integrated or independent of each other. For example Figure 11As shown, the memory 1121 and the processor 1122 can be integrated into the control unit 1120 of the communication device 1100. Exemplarily, the control unit 1120 can include the baseband unit (BBU) of an LTE base station. The baseband unit can also be referred to as the digital unit (DU). Alternatively, the control unit 1120 can include the DU and / or CU in a base station under 5G and future radio access technologies. The above control unit 1120 can be composed of one or more antenna panels. Among them, multiple antenna panels can jointly support a radio access network of a single access mode (such as an LTE network), and multiple antenna panels can also separately support radio access networks of different access modes (such as an LTE network, a 5G network, or other networks). The memory 1121 and the processor 1122 can serve one or more antenna panels. That is to say, the memory 1121 and the processor 1122 can be separately provided on each antenna panel. It can also be that multiple antenna panels share the same memory 1121 and processor 1122. In addition, necessary circuits can be provided on each antenna panel. For example, the circuit can be used to realize the coupling of the memory 1121 and the processor 1122. The above transceiver 1110, processor 1122, and memory 1121 can be connected through a bus structure and / or other connection media.

[0261] Based on Figure 11 According to the structure shown above, when the communication device 1100 needs to send data, the processor 1122 can perform baseband processing on the data to be sent and then output a baseband signal to the radio frequency unit. The radio frequency unit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends the radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device 1100, the radio frequency unit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1122. The processor 1122 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0262] Based on as Figure 11 According to the structure shown above, the transceiver 1110 can be used to perform the steps previously executed by the transceiver 1005. And / or, the processor 1122 can be used to call the instructions in the memory 1121 to execute the steps previously executed by the processor 1001.

[0263] Figure 12 The structural schematic diagram of a simplified terminal device is shown. For the convenience of understanding and illustration, Figure 12 in this case, the terminal device takes a mobile phone as an example. As Figure 12As shown in the figure, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, a radio frequency circuit, an antenna, and an input / output device. The processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the in-vehicle unit, execute software programs, process data of software programs, etc. The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and the processing of radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of devices may not have an input / output device.

[0264] When data needs to be sent, after the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, it outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then sends the radio frequency signal outwards in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to this device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes this data. For the sake of convenience of explanation, Figure 12 only one memory and one processor are shown in the figure. In actual device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory can be set independently of the processor or integrated with the processor. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0265] In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be regarded as the transceiver unit of the device, and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as the processing unit of the device. As Figure 12 shown in the figure, the device includes a transceiver unit 1210 and a processing unit 1220. The transceiver unit 1210 can also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver machine, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit 1220 can also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device for realizing the receiving function in the transceiver unit 1210 can be regarded as the receiving unit, and the device for realizing the sending function in the transceiver unit 1210 can be regarded as the sending unit, that is, the transceiver unit 1210 includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The transceiver unit 1210 can sometimes also be referred to as a transceiver machine, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit can sometimes also be referred to as a receiver, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc. The sending unit can sometimes also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0266] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1210 is used to perform the sending operation and receiving operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1220 is used to perform other operations of the terminal device except the transceiver operation in the above method embodiment. For example, in one implementation, the transceiver unit 1210 may be used to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 the sending step, receiving step, and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein in the embodiments shown. The processing unit 1220 may be used to perform steps other than the receiving step or sending step in the embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 and / or other processes for supporting the technologies described herein.

[0267] When the communication device is a chip-like device or a circuit, the device may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit. Among them, the transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0268] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes an access network device, a terminal device, and multiple core network devices, or may further include more access network devices, more core network devices, and more terminal devices. Exemplarily, the communication system includes access network devices, terminal devices, and the functions of a first core network device and a second core network device for implementing the above Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 related functions. The network devices are respectively used to implement the above Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 functions of related network parts. The terminal device is used to implement the above Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 functions of related terminal devices. For specific reference, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiment, which will not be elaborated here. The first core network device is respectively used to implement the above Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 functions of related first core network devices. The second core network device is respectively used to implement the above Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 functions of related second core network devices.

[0269] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions, which when running on a computer, cause the computer to execute Figure 3 or Figure 7 orFigure 8 A method performed by an access network device; or when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by a terminal device; or when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by a first core network device; or when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by a second core network device.

[0270] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including instructions, which when running on a computer, cause the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by an access network device; or when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by a terminal device; or when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by a first core network device; or when running on a computer, causing the computer to perform Figure 3 or Figure 7 or Figure 8 A method performed by a second core network device.

[0271] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may further include a memory for implementing the functions of the access network device or the terminal device or the first core network device or the second core network device in the foregoing method; or for implementing the functions of the access network device or the terminal device or the first core network device or the second core network device in the foregoing method. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0272] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the magnitudes of the serial numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution is prior or posterior, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0273] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Skilled artisans may use different methods for each specific application to implement the described functions, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0274] 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 foregoing method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0275] In several embodiments provided in this 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 merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces, and the indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0276] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or they can be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0277] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part that essentially contributes to the technical solution of this application or a part of this technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0278] Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application is also intended to cover these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that Including: Determine a first group number ID; the first group number is the group number of the packet based on UE_ID to which the terminal device belongs, and the first group number satisfies: ID = UE_ID mod N + (W - N); wherein, UE_ID is the information for identifying the terminal device, N is the total number of packets grouped based on UE_ID for one paging occasion PO, W is the sum of the total number of packets grouped based on UE_ID and the total number of packets grouped based on the core network CN for one PO, and mod is the modulo operation; Receive paging according to the first group number.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The UE_ID is UE_ID' / (X * Ns), wherein, UE_ID' is the identifier of the terminal device, X is the number of paging frames within the paging cycle of the terminal device, Ns is the number of paging occasions PO within one paging frame, and * is the multiplication sign.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first communication device, and the first communication device is a communication device or a communication device capable of supporting the communication device to implement the functions required for the method.

4. A communication device, characterized in that, Including: A processing unit, the processing unit is used to determine a first group number ID; The first group number is the group number of the packet based on UE_ID to which the terminal device belongs, and the first group number satisfies: ID = UE_ID mod N + (W - N); wherein, UE_ID is the information for identifying the terminal device, N is the total number of packets grouped based on UE_ID for one paging occasion PO, W is the sum of the total number of packets grouped based on UE_ID and the total number of packets grouped based on the core network CN for one PO, and mod is the modulo operation; A transceiver unit, the transceiver unit is used to receive paging according to the first group number.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The UE_ID is UE_ID' / (X * Ns), wherein, UE_ID' is the identifier of the terminal device, X is the number of paging frames within the paging cycle of the terminal device, Ns is the number of paging occasions PO within one paging frame, and * is the multiplication sign.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The communication device is a communication device or a communication device capable of supporting the communication device to implement the functions required for the method.

7. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, a communication interface and a memory. The processor is coupled to the communication interface and is used to call computer instructions in the memory to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 - 3.

8. A communication device, characterized in that, Including a processor, a communication interface and a memory. The processor is coupled to the communication interface and is used to call computer instructions in the memory to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 - 3.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 - 3.

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