Method and device for saving energy of network equipment

Abstract

According to the method, in a dual-connection or multi-connection scene, a network management network element can decide whether a 6G base station needs to enter a dormant state or not based on data transmission demand information of one or more 5G base stations, and if the network management network element decides that the 6G base station needs to enter the dormant state, the 6G base station enters the dormant state; if yes, the network management network element can send the first dormancy indication information to the 6G base station, so that the 6G base station can enter a dormancy state according to the first dormancy indication information, and the energy consumption of the 6G base station can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for energy saving of network devices. Background Art

[0002] In a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, a terminal device can communicate with a master cell group (MCG) on a master node (MN) and a secondary cell group (SCG) on a secondary node (SN) simultaneously. In the non-standalone (NSA) networking mode of the 4th generation (4G) and 5th generation (5G), after a 4G base station serving as the SN is added, the SN needs to be in a working state all the time so that when the 5G base station serving as the MN has a data splitting requirement, the SN can respond immediately. With the evolution of future communication systems, for example, evolving from 5G to the 6th generation (6G) network, a possible networking mode is that the 5G network and the 6G network are networked through NSA, where the 5G base station serves as the MN and the 6G base station serves as the SN. Since the transmission bandwidth of the 6G network increases sharply, the power consumption of the 6G base station also increases sharply. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a method and apparatus for energy saving of network devices, which is beneficial to saving device energy consumption.

[0004] The following introduces this application from different aspects. It should be understood that the implementation manners and beneficial effects of the following different aspects can be referred to each other.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for energy saving of a network device, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a first network device or a module in the first network device. In this method, the first network device receives first sleep indication information from a network management network element, and the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state. Then, the first network device enters the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information. In the present application, since a certain first network device may simultaneously form a DC with multiple second network devices to provide services for multiple terminal devices, the network management network element can be responsible for making a decision on whether to allow the first network device to enter the sleep state. Among them, the network management network element is used to manage each network device (such as the first network device and the second network device), where the first network device is a device of a first network mode, the second network device is a device of a second network mode, and the first network mode and the second network mode are different. For example, the second network device is a 5G base station, and the first network device is a 6G base station. Among them, the data splitting node is a 5G base station, and the network management network element decides that the 6G base station enters the sleep state based on the data transmission requirement information of the data splitting node, so that the 6G base station can enter the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information sent by the network management network element after being added, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of the 6G base station.

[0006] In a possible implementation, the sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; where:

[0007] The first network device sends a broadcast signal in the first sleep state, but does not send a user equipment (UE) specific signal;

[0008] The first network device does not receive an uplink signal in the second sleep state, but sends a downlink signal;

[0009] The first network device does not receive an uplink signal and does not send a downlink signal in the third sleep state.

[0010] In this implementation manner, three sleep states are defined for the first network device according to different data transmission requirement information, so that the first network device can achieve different degrees of energy saving.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the transmission period of the broadcast signal is greater than 160 ms. Here, by increasing the transmission period of the broadcast signal, it is beneficial to network energy saving.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0013] Sending response information to the network management network element, where the response information indicates successful reception of the first sleep indication information.

[0014] In a possible implementation, entering the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information includes:

[0015] Entering the sleep state at a predefined first effective moment t1. Here, entering the sleep state at the predefined first effective moment t1 may mean entering the sleep state after t1 time units since receiving the first sleep indication information. Or, entering the sleep state at the predefined first effective moment t1 may also mean entering the sleep state after t1 time units since sending the response information for the first sleep indication information.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0017] Receiving first sleep-exit indication information from the network management network element, where the first sleep-exit indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state;

[0018] Exiting the sleep state according to the first sleep-exit indication information and entering the active state.

[0019] In this implementation manner, when there is a large amount of traffic on the network side, the network management network element may send the first sleep-exit indication information to instruct the first network device to exit the sleep state and re-enter the active state, which is beneficial to improving communication performance.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0021] Sending a response information to the network management network element, where the response information indicates successful reception of the first sleep-exit indication information;

[0022] In a possible implementation, exiting the sleep state according to the first sleep-exit indication information includes:

[0023] Exiting the sleep state at a predefined second effective moment t2.

[0024] It can be understood that similar to the aforementioned understanding of the predefined first effective moment t1, here, exiting the sleep state at the predefined second effective moment t2 may mean exiting the sleep state after t2 time units since receiving the first sleep-exit indication information. Or, exiting the sleep state at the predefined second effective moment t2 may also mean exiting the sleep state after t2 time units since sending the response information for the first sleep-exit indication information.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0026] Sending second sleep-exit indication information to the terminal device, where the second sleep-exit indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0028] Receiving response information from the terminal device, where the response information indicates successful reception of the second exit-sleep indication information.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0030] Sending second sleep indication information to the terminal device, where the second sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter the sleep state.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0032] Receiving response information from the terminal device, where the response information indicates successful reception of the second sleep indication information.

[0033] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for energy saving of a network device, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a network management network element or a module in the network management network element. In this method, the network management network element receives data transmission requirement information from a second network device, and then sends first sleep indication information to a first network device according to the data transmission requirement information. The first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter the sleep state. Wherein, the first network device is a device of a first network mode, the second network device is a device of a second network mode, and the first network mode and the second network mode are different.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; wherein:

[0035] The first network device in the first sleep state sends a broadcast signal but does not send a user equipment (UE)-specific signal;

[0036] The first network device in the second sleep state does not receive uplink signals but sends downlink signals;

[0037] The first network device in the third sleep state does not receive uplink signals and does not send downlink signals.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the transmission period of the broadcast signal is greater than 160 ms.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0040] Sending first exit-sleep indication information to the first network device, where the first exit-sleep indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0042] Sending first exit-sleep indication information to the second network device, where the first exit-sleep indication information indicates that the first network device exits the sleep state.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0044] Sending first sleep indication information to the second network device, where the first sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters the sleep state.

[0045] In a third aspect, the present application provides a method for a network device to save energy, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a terminal device or a module in the terminal device. In this method, the terminal device receives second sleep indication information, where the second sleep indication information indicates that a first network device enters the sleep state, and the first network device is a secondary node in the dual connection of the terminal device. After receiving the second sleep indication information, the terminal device does not listen for signals from the first network device. It can be understood that since the terminal device does not listen for signals from the first network device when the first network device enters the sleep state, it is beneficial for the terminal device to save energy.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state;

[0047] The terminal device not listening for signals from the first network device includes:

[0048] When the first network device is in the first sleep state, not listening for user equipment (UE)-specific signals from the first network device;

[0049] When the first network device is in the second sleep state, not listening for uplink scheduling information from the first network device;

[0050] When the first network device is in the third sleep state, not listening for all signals from the first network device.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0052] Receiving second exit-sleep indication information, where the second exit-sleep indication information indicates that the first network device exits the sleep state;

[0053] Listening for signals from the first network device.

[0054] Fourthly, the present application provides a method for energy saving of a network device, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a second network device or a module in the second network device. In this method, the second network device sends data transmission requirement information to a network management element; the second network device receives first sleep indication information from the network management element, and the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state. It can be understood that when the second network device is a data splitting node, the second network device sends data transmission requirement information to the network management element, so that the network management element can decide whether to allow the first network device to enter the sleep state. When the network management element decides to allow the first network device to enter the sleep state, it notifies the second network device of the sleep state of the first network device, so that the second network device can make a data splitting decision after learning the state of the first network device.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0056] Sending second sleep indication information to a terminal device, where the second sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state. Here, the first network device is a secondary node in the dual connection of the terminal device, and the second network device is a primary node in the dual connection of the terminal device.

[0057] In this implementation manner, the second network device can also send second sleep indication information to the terminal device to notify the terminal device of the sleep state that the first network device will enter, and then the terminal device can know how to monitor channels / signals subsequently according to the received information.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0059] Receiving first wake-up from sleep indication information from the network management element, where the first wake-up from sleep indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0061] Sending second wake-up from sleep indication information to the terminal device, where the second wake-up from sleep indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state.

[0062] In this implementation manner, the second network device can also send second wake-up from sleep indication information to the terminal device to notify the terminal device that the first network device will exit the sleep state, and then the terminal device can know how to monitor channels / signals subsequently according to the received information.

[0063] Fifth aspect, the present application provides a method for energy saving of a network device, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a first network device or a module in the first network device. In this method, when no data shunted from a second network device is received within a predefined duration, the first network device sends fifth sleep indication information to the second network device. The fifth sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state. Then, the first network device enters the sleep state at a predefined first effective moment t1.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, taking the second network device as a 5G base station and the first network device as a 6G base station as an example, where the data shunting node is the 5G base station, and the 6G base station independently decides when to enter the sleep state. Specifically, the 6G base station can independently decide its current state according to the current data transmission requirement information, so that the 6G base station can enter the sleep state after being added, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of the 6G base station. In addition, considering that the shunting node is in the 5G base station, the 6G base station also needs to send fifth sleep indication information to the 5G base station to inform the 5G base station that it will enter the sleep state, so that the 5G base station can make a data shunting decision after learning the state of the 6G base station.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0066] Sending second sleep indication information to a terminal device, where the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state.

[0067] In this implementation manner, the first network device can also inform the terminal device of the sleep state it will enter through the second sleep indication information, so that the terminal device can know how to monitor the channel / signal subsequently according to the received information, which is beneficial to improving the communication performance.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the predefined duration includes at least one of a first duration, a second duration, and a third duration, and the first duration and the second duration are less than the third duration; the sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state;

[0069] The sending of the fifth sleep indication information when no data shunted from the second network device is received within the predefined duration includes:

[0070] When no data shunted from the second network device is received within the first duration, sending the fifth sleep indication information indicating the first sleep state;

[0071] In the case that no data shunted from the second network device is received within the second time period, send the fifth sleep indication information indicating the second sleep state;

[0072] In the case that no data shunted from the second network device is received within the third time period, send the fifth sleep indication information indicating the third sleep state;

[0073] Wherein, in the first sleep state, the first network device sends a broadcast signal but does not send a user equipment (UE) specific signal; in the second sleep state, the first network device turns off the uplink carrier and keeps the downlink carrier on (or does not receive uplink signals but sends downlink signals); in the third sleep state, the first network device turns off all carriers (or does not receive uplink signals nor send downlink signals).

[0074] In a possible implementation, the transmission period of the broadcast signal is greater than 160 ms.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0076] Receive response information from the second network device, where the response information indicates successful reception of the fifth sleep indication information.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0078] Exit the sleep state at a predefined second activation moment t2 and enter the active state;

[0079] Send first active state indication information to the second network device, where the first active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in the active state;

[0080] If no data shunted from the second network device is received within a preset active state duration after sending the first active state indication information, re-enter the sleep state;

[0081] If data shunted from the second network device is received within a preset active state duration after sending the first active state indication information, send the shunted data to the terminal device.

[0082] In this implementation manner, after the first network device enters the sleep state, since it is the first network device that autonomously decides which state to enter, in order to ensure the efficiency of network transmission, the first network device can wake up autonomously to determine whether it needs to switch back from the sleep state to the active state.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0084] Receive response information from the second network device, where the response information indicates successful reception of the first active state indication information.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0086] Send the second active state indication information to the terminal device.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0088] Receive response information from the terminal device, where the response information indicates successful reception of the second active state indication information.

[0089] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a method for a network device to save energy, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a second network device or a module in the second network device. In this method, the second network device receives fifth sleep indication information from the first network device, where the fifth sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state; then, the second network device makes a data splitting decision based on the fifth sleep indication information.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0091] Send the second sleep indication information to the terminal device.

[0092] In this implementation manner, after the second network device receives the fifth sleep indication information, the second network device can notify the terminal device of the sleep state it will enter, so that the terminal device can know how to monitor the channel / signal subsequently according to the received information.

[0093] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0094] Receive first active state indication information from the first network device, where the first active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in an active state.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0096] Send the second active state indication information to the terminal device.

[0097] In a possible implementation, the sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; where:

[0098] The first network device sends broadcast signals in the first sleep state, but does not send user equipment (UE) specific signals;

[0099] The first network device does not receive uplink signals but transmits downlink signals in the second sleep state;

[0100] The first network device neither receives uplink signals nor transmits downlink signals in the third sleep state.

[0101] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a method for energy saving of a network device, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a terminal device or a module in the terminal device. In this method, the terminal device receives second sleep indication information from a first network device or a second network device, and the second sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state; after receiving the second sleep indication information, the terminal device does not monitor signals from the first network device. Wherein, the first network device is a device of a first network mode, the second network device is a device of a second network mode, and the first network mode and the second network mode are different.

[0102] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0103] receiving second activation state indication information from the first network device or the second network device, where the second activation state indication information indicates that the first network device is in an active state;

[0104] monitoring signals from the first network device.

[0105] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a method for energy saving of a network device, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a first network device or a module in the first network device. In this method, when the service data volume is less than a preset data volume size within a predefined duration, the first network device enters a sleep state.

[0106] In an embodiment of the present application, a certain first network device may simultaneously form a DC with multiple second network devices to provide services for multiple terminal devices. Taking the second network device as a 5G base station and the first network device as a 6G base station as an example, the data splitting node is the 6G base station, and the 6G base station autonomously decides when to enter the sleep state. Specifically, the 6G base station can autonomously decide the current state according to the current data transmission requirement information, so that the 6G base station can enter the sleep state after being added, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of the 6G base station. In addition, since the data splitting node is the 6G base station, the signaling interaction overhead and delay can be further reduced.

[0107] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0108] Send fifth sleep indication information to a second network device, where the fifth sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state.

[0109] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0110] Send second sleep indication information to a terminal device, where the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state.

[0111] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0112] When the first network device is in the sleep state, if the service data volume is not less than a preset data volume size, exit the sleep state and enter the active state.

[0113] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0114] Send first active state indication information to a second network device, where the first active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in the active state.

[0115] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0116] Send second active state indication information to a terminal device, where the second active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in the active state.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; where:

[0118] The first network device sends a broadcast signal in the first sleep state, but does not send a user equipment (UE) specific signal;

[0119] The first network device does not receive an uplink signal in the second sleep state, but sends a downlink signal;

[0120] The first network device does not receive an uplink signal and does not send a downlink signal in the third sleep state.

[0121] In a possible implementation, the transmission period of the broadcast signal is greater than 160 ms.

[0122] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a method for a network device to save energy, which is executed by a communication device. The communication device can be a terminal device or a module in the terminal device. In this method, the terminal device receives second sleep indication information from a first network device, and the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state; after receiving the second sleep indication information, the terminal device does not monitor signals from the first network device.

[0123] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0124] Receiving second active state indication information from the first network device or the second network device, where the second active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in an active state;

[0125] Listening for signals from the first network device.

[0126] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes units or modules for performing any method in the first aspect to the eighth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects.

[0127] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor, a transceiver, and a memory. The processor, the transceiver, and the memory are coupled, and a computer program is stored in the memory; the processor and the transceiver are used to call the computer program in the memory, so that the communication device performs any method in the first aspect to the eighth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects.

[0128] In a possible design, the communication device may be a chip or a device including a chip that implements the above method.

[0129] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement any method in the first aspect to the eighth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0130] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, it implements any method in the first aspect to the eighth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects.

[0131] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, it causes the computer to perform any method in the first aspect to the eighth aspect, or the method shown in any possible implementation manner of any of these aspects.

[0132] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a second network device and a first network device. The second network device is used to execute the method shown in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or execute the method shown in the above fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect. The first network device is used to execute the method shown in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or execute the method shown in the above fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, or execute the method shown in the above seventh aspect or any possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a terminal device, which is used to execute the method shown in the above third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or execute the method shown in the above sixth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, or execute the method shown in the above seventh aspect or any possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect. Description of the Drawings

[0133] Figure 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied;

[0134] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an NSA networking mode;

[0135] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the SN addition process;

[0136] Figure 4 is another schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied;

[0137] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method for energy saving of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0138] Figure 6 is another schematic flowchart of a method for energy saving of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0139] Figure 7 is another schematic flowchart of a method for energy saving of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0140] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0141] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0142] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0143] In the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, unless otherwise specified, " / " means "or". For example, A / B can mean A or B. The "and / or" in this article is merely a relationship describing associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0144] The terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally also includes steps or units not listed, or optionally also includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0145] In this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary", "for example", or "such as" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary", "for example", or "such as" is intended to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0146] It can be understood that in this application, "when", "if", and "in case" all refer to the situation where the device will perform corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, not limited to time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean there are other limitations.

[0147] In this application, elements represented in the singular are intended to mean "one or more", rather than "one and only one", unless otherwise specified.

[0148] It can be understood that in each embodiment of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that there is a corresponding relationship between A and B, and B can be determined according to A. Determining B according to A does not mean that B is determined only according to A. B can also be determined according to A and / or other information.

[0149] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the system architecture related to the embodiments of this application will be introduced first as follows:

[0150] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 , which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may further include the Internet 300. Among them, the radio access network 100 may include at least one radio access network device (such as Figure 1 110a and 110b in Figure 1 ), and may further include at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 120a - 120j in Figure 1 ). The terminal is connected to the radio access network device wirelessly, and the radio access network device is connected to the core network wirelessly or by wire. The core network device and the radio access network device may be independent different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the radio access network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or the functions of part of the core network device and part of the radio access network device may be integrated on one physical device. Terminals can be connected to each other and radio access network devices can be connected to each other by wire or wirelessly. Figure 1 This is only a schematic diagram, and other network devices may also be included in the communication system, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not drawn in Figure 1 .

[0151] A radio access network device is an access device through which a terminal accesses a communication system wirelessly. The radio access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next generation NodeB in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc.; it can also be a module or unit that completes some functions of the base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Here, the CU completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete some or all of the functions of the physical layer. For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, reference can be made to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The radio access network device can be a macro base station (such as Figure 1 110a in Figure 1 ), or a micro base station or an indoor station (such as

[0152] 110b in

[0152] ), or a relay node or a donor node, etc. Embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the radio access network device. For ease of description, the network device is used as an abbreviation for the radio access network device, and the base station is used as an example of the radio access network device.A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to a base station or receive signals from a base station. A terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. Embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the terminal.

[0153] The base station and the terminal can be in fixed positions or movable. The base station and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites. Embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal.

[0154] The roles of the base station and the terminal can be relative. For example, Figure 1 the helicopter or drone 120i in [Figure] can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminals 120j that access the radio access network 100 through 120i, the terminal 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, that is, the communication between 110a and 120i is through the radio air interface protocol. Of course, the communication between 110a and 120i can also be through the interface protocol between base stations. At this time, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both the base station and the terminal can be uniformly referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 The 110a and 110b in [Figure] can be referred to as communication devices with base station functions. Figure 1 The 120a - 120j in [Figure] can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0155] Communication can be carried out between a base station and a terminal, between base stations, and between terminals through licensed spectrum, through unlicensed spectrum, or through both licensed and unlicensed spectra simultaneously; communication can be carried out through spectra below 6 gigahertz (GHz), through spectra above 6 GHz, or through both spectra below and above 6 GHz simultaneously. Embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0156] In embodiments of this application, the functions of a base station can also be executed by modules (such as chips) in the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. The control subsystem that includes base station functions here can be a control center in application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of a terminal can also be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) in the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0157] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a wireless connection with the cell controlled by the base station.

[0158] Among them, the core network 200 can include one or more network function entities (or core network elements, logical network elements, network elements, or entities, etc.). Optionally, the above communication system 1000 further includes a network management element.

[0159] To facilitate the understanding of the relevant content of the embodiments of this application, the following introduces some knowledge required for the solutions of this application. It should be noted that these explanations are for making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the protection scope required by this application.

[0160] 1. Dual connectivity

[0161] To enhance the mobility performance of the network and increase user throughput, the 5G communication system has introduced a dual-connectivity architecture. In this architecture, the terminal device is connected to two base stations simultaneously. One base station is called the master base station or MN, and the other is called the secondary base station or SN. Under the dual-connectivity architecture, the connected terminal device is configured with an MCG and an SCG. According to the different combinations of air interfaces and core networks, as well as the radio access technology applied by the control plane (CP) during dual connectivity, the dual-connectivity architecture of the 5G communication system is divided into the EN-DC architecture, the NGEN-DC architecture, the NE-DC architecture, the NR-DC architecture, etc. Among them, DC represents dual connectivity, that is, dual connection; E represents evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA), that is, the 4G radio access network; N represents new radio (NR), that is, the 5G new radio; NGE represents next generation E-UTRA. In the NGEN-DC architecture, the MN is the next-generation eNB, which can be connected to the 5G core network.

[0162] 2. Non-Standalone and Standalone

[0163] According to whether the NR base station and the NR core network are deployed separately, the 5G network deployment architecture is divided into the NSA architecture and the standalone (SA) architecture. That is, from a large framework perspective, 5G networking is mainly divided into NSA and SA.

[0164] NSA means that the 5G networking is placed on the 4G infrastructure, that is, 5G is carried on the original 4G base station. The 4G base station and the 5G base station coexist on the base station side, and the 4G core network is still used. Only the 5G base station is added to enable 5G terminal users to enjoy broadband capabilities. Because its core network remains unchanged, it is relatively easy to implement in the initial stage of 5G commercial use, can quickly popularize 5G commercial use, has a low popularization cost, and can quickly promote the 5G network coverage. It is suitable for the initial infrastructure construction. Therefore, NSA is also the leading networking mode for the mainstream commercial 5G in most countries at present.

[0165] SA means that the network is formed by building independent 5G base stations, and a completely new 5G core network is required to be put into use.

[0166] During the smooth evolution from 4G to 5G, most operators chose the NSA architecture for networking in the initial stage of 5G network construction, and EN-DC is the main form of the NSA networking architecture. The following mainly introduces two NSA networking methods, as Figure 2As shown in (a) and (b) below, where the evolved packet core (EPC) is the 4G core network, the eNodeB is the NodeB of 4G and is the master node in DC, and the gNodeB is the NodeB of 5G NR and is the secondary node in DC. In Figure 2 In the option 3 architecture shown in (a) below, the data splitting anchor point is at the eNodeB. In Figure 2 In the option 3x architecture shown in (b) below, the data splitting anchor point is at the gNodeB.

[0167] 3. System Information (SI)

[0168] SI is a message broadcast periodically by the base station and is important information during the process of the terminal device powering on, camping, and reselection. It mainly includes parameters such as the system frame number, system bandwidth, public land mobile network (PLMN), cell selection and reselection thresholds, same-frequency, different-frequency, and different-system measurements.

[0169] SI can be classified into two categories according to its content: minimum system information (MSI) and other system information (OSI). Among them, MSI includes the master information block (MIB) and system information block 1 (SIB1), which are used to provide the basic information required for cell selection when the terminal device initially accesses the network and the scheduling information of other SIBs. Among them, SIB1 can also be called the remaining minimum system information (RMSI). OSI includes SIB2 to SIBn, which provide the terminal device with information related to mobility, time, earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS), commercial mobile alert system (CMAS), etc.

[0170] In the above system information, the MIB is broadcast periodically by the gNodeB. Within a scheduling period (80 ms), the MIB can be repeatedly transmitted according to the configured SSB broadcast period. If the SSB broadcast period is configured to 160 ms, the MIB is repeatedly transmitted every 160 ms. NR supports 6 types of synchronization signal periods, namely 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, and 160 ms. The SIB1 is broadcast periodically by the gNodeB. Within a scheduling period (160 ms), the SIB1 can be repeatedly transmitted according to the configured SIB1 broadcast period. The periods of the SIB1 are configured as 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, and 160 ms. The OSI can be broadcast periodically by the gNodeB (without repeated transmission within a scheduling period), or can be broadcast by the gNodeB after being requested by the UE.

[0171] Currently, the procedure for adding an SN is as Figure 3 shown. This procedure is initiated by the MN, which notifies the SN of the necessary information to enable the SN to successfully provide network resources for the UE. The specific steps of this procedure are as follows:

[0172] S1. The master node sends a secondary node addition request signaling (SgNB Addition Request) to the secondary node, requesting resources for a specific radio bearer (RB). Data and signaling are exchanged between the master node and the secondary node through the X2 interface.

[0173] S2. The secondary node returns a secondary node addition acknowledgment signaling (SgNB Addition RequestAcknowledge) to the master node.

[0174] S3. The master node sends a radio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) to the UE.

[0175] S4. The UE performs RRC reconfiguration and sends an RRC connection reconfiguration complete signaling (RRCConnectionReconfiguration Complete) to the master node.

[0176] S5. The master node sends a secondary node reconfiguration complete signaling (SgNBReconfigurationComplete) to the secondary node, indicating that the UE has completed reconfiguration.

[0177] After the above steps are completed, the SN starts to continuously broadcast signals such as SSB, and the UE can synchronize with the secondary node to establish a transmission connection.

[0178] In the current NSA technology, after the addition of the SN is completed, the SN is always in the working state. When the MN has a data splitting requirement, the SN can immediately respond. With the evolution of future communication systems (such as 6G networks), a possible networking method is that the 5G network and the 6G network are networked through NSA, as Figure 4 shown, where the 5G base station serves as the MN and the 6G base station serves as the SN. Optionally, since a certain 6G base station may simultaneously form a DC with multiple 5G base stations to provide services for multiple UEs, there may also be a Figure 4 network management network element as shown in, and this network management network element is used to manage each network device.

[0179] It is understandable that due to the sharp increase in the transmission bandwidth of the 6G network, the power consumption of the 6G base station also increases sharply. Especially in the initial stage of 6G network construction, there are few 6G base station users. If the 6G base station is always in the working state, it will lead to a significant increase in the power consumption of the 6G network. Therefore, how to reduce network power consumption has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0180] Based on this, the present application provides a method for energy saving of network devices, which can reduce network power consumption.

[0181] It should be noted that the present application is mainly applied to scenarios such as dual connection or multi-connection of multiple base stations and terminal devices. It should be noted that Figure 4 this is only exemplary and does not limit the network architecture applicable to the present application. Moreover, the present application does not limit transmissions such as uplink, downlink, access link, backhaul link, and sidelink.

[0182] It can be understood that the first network device and the second network device involved in the embodiments of the present application can both be radio access network devices. Among them, the first network device is a radio access network device of the first network mode, and the second network device is a radio access network device of the second network mode, where the first network mode and the second network mode are different. For example, the first network mode is 6G and the second network mode is 5G. It should be understood that with the evolution of future communication systems, the first network mode and the second network mode can also be other network modes, not limited to 5G and 6G. For ease of understanding, hereinafter, the first network device can be regarded as a 6G base station and the second network device can be regarded as a 5G base station for understanding. Optionally, the first network device and the second network device can send signaling or signals through an Xn (such as X2) interface.

[0183] It should be noted that "terminal reception" in the present application can also be described as "terminal listening", or "terminal detection", etc., without limitation.

[0184] The following details the method and communication device for energy saving of network devices provided by the present application:

[0185] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is a schematic flowchart of the method for energy saving of network devices provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the method for energy saving of network devices may include the following steps S501 to S504. Figure 5 The execution subjects of the method shown may include network management network elements, first network devices, second network devices, and terminal devices. Or Figure 5 the execution subjects of the method shown may also be chips in network management network elements, first network devices, second network devices, and terminal devices. For the convenience of description, the present application mainly uses network management network elements, first network devices, second network devices, and terminal devices as the execution subjects for description. Among them, Figure 5 in the corresponding embodiment, the data splitting node is in the second network device, and the network management network element decides when the first network device enters the sleep state. It should be understood that Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of the method embodiment of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or Figure 5 variations of various operations in Figure 5 . In addition, Figure 5 each step in Figure 5 may be executed in a different order from that presented in

[0186] S501. The second network device sends data transmission requirement information to the network management network element. Correspondingly, the network management network element receives the data transmission requirement information from the second network device.

[0187] In some feasible embodiments, since a certain first network device may simultaneously form a DC with multiple second network devices to provide services for multiple terminal devices, it is necessary for the network management network element to decide whether to allow the first network device to enter the sleep state. In a possible implementation, the second network device may send data transmission requirement information to the network management network element, and the data transmission requirement information indicates the data transmission requirements of the second network device. For example, the data transmission requirement information indicates the size of the data to be transmitted in the second network device, or indicates the number of UEs in the terminal device with the second network device as the MN that need to perform data transmission through the first network device. Therefore, the network management network element may decide whether to allow the first network device to enter the sleep state and what sleep state to enter according to the received data transmission requirement information from each second network device.

[0188] Exemplarily, when the network management network element determines that each second network device has no data offloading demand within a predefined duration, the network management network element can generate a first sleep indication information and send the first sleep indication information to the first network device. The first sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state. The above-mentioned predefined duration may include at least one of a first duration, a second duration, and a third duration, wherein the first duration and the second duration are both less than the third duration, and the size relationship between the first duration and the second duration is not limited in this application. Correspondingly, the sleep state involved in this application may include at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state. Optionally, the specific division of the predefined duration and the sleep state may also include other situations, which are not limited in this application. For ease of understanding, the following mainly takes the predefined duration including the first duration, the second duration, and the third duration; the sleep state includes the first sleep state, the second sleep state, and the third sleep state as an example for schematic explanation. Among them, the unit of the first duration involved in this application may be a time slot, a symbol, a frame, a millisecond (ms), a second (s), etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0189] In a possible implementation manner (1), when the network management element determines that each second network device has no uplink data and downlink data diversion requirements within the first time period, the network management element can generate first sleep indication information indicating the first sleep state. For ease of distinction, the first sleep indication information indicating the first sleep state may be referred to as the first sleep state indication hereinafter, and the first sleep state indication indicates that the first network device enters the first sleep state.

[0190] In a possible implementation manner (2), when the network management element determines that none of the second network devices has a need to offload uplink data within the second time period, but there is a need to offload downlink data from the second network device, the network management element may generate first sleep indication information indicating the second sleep state. For ease of distinction, the first sleep indication information indicating the second sleep state may be referred to as the second sleep state indication hereinafter, and the second sleep state indication indicates that the first network device enters the second sleep state.

[0191] In a possible implementation manner (3), when the network management element determines that each second network device has no uplink data and downlink data diversion requirements within the third time period, the network management element may generate first sleep indication information indicating the third sleep state. For ease of distinction, the first sleep indication information indicating the third sleep state may be referred to as the third sleep state indication hereinafter, and the third sleep state indication indicates that the first network device enters the third sleep state.

[0192] The three sleep states mentioned above are explained below respectively.

[0193] ① The first network device can send broadcast signals in the first sleep state and does not send UE-specific signals. It should be understood that in this application, if not described for specific signals, "signal" can refer to a specific physical channel, reference signal, or synchronization signal.

[0194] Among them, the broadcast signal can be, for example, one or more of a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), a paging message, or SI. Here, SI can include SIB1, and SSB can include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0195] Optionally, in this application, in the first sleep state, the transmission period of the broadcast signal can be greater than 160 ms. Exemplarily, in the first sleep state, the transmission period of the SSB / system information block 1 (SIB1) can be 320 ms, 640 ms, or 1280 ms, etc., which is not limited thereto.

[0196] Among them, the UE-specific signal can include, for example, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), etc., which is not limited thereto.

[0197] ② The first network device does not receive uplink signals but sends downlink signals in the second sleep state. Or it can be described that the first network device can turn off the uplink carrier and keep the downlink carrier on in the second sleep state. It should be understood that turning off the uplink carrier can be understood as turning off the carrier for receiving radio frequency signals (or turning off the power amplifier of the uplink radio frequency module).

[0198] Among them, the uplink signals may include, for example, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical random access channel (PRACH), etc.

[0199] It can be understood that the downlink signals sent by the first network device in the second sleep state are generally more than those sent by the first network device in the first sleep state. For example, the downlink signals sent by the first network device in the second sleep state may include UE-specific signals, while the downlink signals sent by the first network device in the first sleep state do not include UE-specific signals.

[0200] ③ The first network device does not receive uplink signals and does not send downlink signals in the third sleep state. Or it can be described that the first network device can turn off all carriers in the third sleep state. It should be understood that turning off all carriers can be understood as turning off the carriers used for sending and receiving radio frequency signals (or turning off the power amplifiers of all radio frequency modules), so that there is no transmission or reception of any signals / channels on the first network device.

[0201] It should be understood that the third sleep state is a deeper sleep compared to the first sleep state and the second sleep state, so it can achieve network energy saving to the greatest extent.

[0202] Optionally, in a specific implementation, the timing of the foregoing first duration, second duration, and third duration can be implemented by corresponding timers. For example, the first duration corresponds to the first timer, the second duration corresponds to the second timer, and the third duration corresponds to the third timer. For example, in a possible implementation, the timers can be independent of each other, that is, each timer counts separately, or it can be understood that the start times of the timers are the same. For another example, in another possible implementation, the timers can also be related to each other. For example, the end time of one timer is the start time of another timer.

[0203] For example, assume that the first duration is 20s, the second duration is 30s, and the third duration is 50s. In one possible implementation, the start times of the timing of the first timer, the second timer, and the third timer can be the same, where the timing duration of the first timer is 20s, the timing duration of the second timer is 30s, and the timing duration of the third timer is 50s. In another possible implementation, the first timer can be started first, and the timing duration of the first timer is 20s. When the first timer finishes timing, the second timer is started, and the timing duration of the second timer is 10s. When the second timer finishes timing, the third timer is started, and the timing duration of the third timer is 20s.

[0204] S502. The network management network element sends the first sleep indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first sleep indication information from the network management network element.

[0205] In some feasible implementation manners, if the network management network element determines, based on the data transmission requirement information, that the first network device is allowed to enter the sleep state, the network management network element may generate the first sleep indication information and send the first sleep indication information to the first network device. The first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter the sleep state. As described above, the first sleep indication information may be the first sleep state indication, the second sleep state indication, or the third sleep state indication.

[0206] Optionally, after the first network device receives the first sleep indication information from the network management network element, the first network device may further send a response message to the network management network element for the first sleep indication information. The response message indicates that it has successfully received the first sleep indication information (or it can be described that the response message is used for positive confirmation). Correspondingly, the network management network element may receive the response message from the first network device and determine, based on the response message, that the first network device has successfully received the first sleep indication information. Generally speaking, when the first sleep indication information is the first sleep state indication, the response message is the response to the first sleep state indication; when the first sleep indication information is the second sleep state indication, the response message is the response to the second sleep state indication; when the first sleep indication information is the third sleep state indication, the response message is the response to the third sleep state indication.

[0207] Optionally, in one possible implementation, in addition to being used for positive confirmation, the response message may further include an indication of the time when the first network device enters the sleep state, that is, the response message fed back by the first network device indicates when the first network device will enter the sleep state. Among them, the time required to enter different degrees of sleep states is different. Generally speaking, the deeper the sleep state entered, the longer the time required may be.

[0208] For example, for the first sleep state, the response message may further indicate that the first network device will enter the first sleep state after a fourth duration. That is to say, the first network device can successfully enter the first sleep state after the fourth duration after sending the response message. Correspondingly, the network management element receives the response message and does not divert data to the first network device after receiving the response message.

[0209] For another example, for the second sleep state, the response message may further indicate that the first network device will enter the second sleep state after a fifth duration. That is to say, the first network device can successfully enter the second sleep state after the fifth duration after sending the response message. Correspondingly, the network management element receives the response message and does not divert data to the first network device after receiving the response message.

[0210] For yet another example, for the third sleep state, the response message may further indicate that the first network device will enter the third sleep state after a sixth duration. That is to say, the first network device can successfully enter the third sleep state after the sixth duration after sending the response message. Correspondingly, the network management element receives the response message and does not divert data to the first network device after receiving the response message.

[0211] It should be understood that since a deeper sleep state may require a longer time, the relationship among the fourth duration, the fifth duration, and the sixth duration can satisfy: the sixth duration is greater than the fourth duration and the fifth duration.

[0212] Optionally, in addition to sending the first sleep indication message to the first network device, the network management element may also send the first sleep indication message to the second network device to notify the second network device of the sleep state that the first network device will enter, so that the second network device can make a data diversion decision after learning the state of the first network device. Optionally, after receiving the first sleep indication message from the network management element, the second network device may also feedback a response message to the network management element, and the response message indicates that it has successfully received the first sleep indication message (or described as the response message is used for positive confirmation).

[0213] Optionally, after the first network device / second network device receives the first sleep indication information from the network management network element, the first network device / second network device may further send second sleep indication information to the terminal device, and the second sleep indication information indicates what sleep state the first network device will enter. Therefore, when the terminal device receives the second sleep indication information from the first network device / second network device, the terminal device does not listen for signals from the first network device. Exemplarily, when the first network device is in the first sleep state, the terminal device does not listen for UE-specific signals from the first network device; when the first network device is in the second sleep state, the terminal device does not listen for uplink scheduling information from the first network device; when the first network device is in the third sleep state, the terminal device does not listen for all signals from the first network device (or the terminal device does not listen for all signals on the carrier corresponding to the first network device). Optionally, when the terminal device receives the second sleep indication information from the first network device / second network device, the terminal device may also send an acknowledgment message to the first network device / second network device.

[0214] It can be understood that the reason for distinguishing the first sleep indication information / second sleep indication information is that the communication interfaces between the network management network element and the first / second network devices may be different from the communication interfaces between the first / second network devices and the terminal device, so the message format or the design of the information elements in the message may also be different.

[0215] S503. The first network device enters the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information.

[0216] In some feasible embodiments, the first network device may enter the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information. Exemplarily, when the first sleep indication information is the first sleep state indication, the first network device may enter the first sleep state according to the first sleep state indication; when the first sleep indication information is the second sleep state indication, the first network device may enter the second sleep state according to the second sleep state indication; when the first sleep indication information is the third sleep state indication, the first network device may enter the third sleep state according to the third sleep state indication.

[0217] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation, the first network device may enter the sleep state based on the duration included in the acknowledgment message fed back by the first network device. For example, for the first sleep state, the first network device may specifically enter the first sleep state after the fourth duration after sending the acknowledgment message; for the second sleep state, the first network device may specifically enter the first sleep state after the fifth duration after sending the acknowledgment message; for the third sleep state, the first network device may specifically enter the first sleep state after the sixth duration after sending the acknowledgment message.

[0218] Exemplarily, the time for the first network device to enter the sleep state can also be predefined by the protocol. For example, the first effective moment t1 can be predefined by the protocol, so the first network device can enter the sleep state at the predefined first effective moment t1. Among them, the first effective moment t1 can be an absolute time, or the first effective moment t1 can also be a relative time.

[0219] Taking the first effective moment t1 as an absolute time as an example, the first effective moment t1 can be a specific time point. In a possible implementation, the value of the first effective moment t1 may be related to the sleep state, that is to say, different sleep states may correspond to different effective moments. For example, the first sleep state corresponds to the effective moment t1-1, the second sleep state corresponds to the effective moment t1-2, and the third sleep state corresponds to the effective moment t1-3. Generally speaking, the deeper the sleep state entered, the longer the time required may be, so t1-3 may be later than t1-1 and t1-2. For example, t1-3 is 9:30, and t1-1 and t1-2 are 9:15 and 9:20 respectively. In another possible implementation, the value of the first effective moment t1 may also be independent of the sleep state, but a fixed value, that is to say, no matter what sleep state is entered, the time required is the same.

[0220] Taking the first effective moment t1 as a relative time as an example, the first effective moment t1 can be the time point corresponding to a preset duration after receiving the first sleep indication information. For example, the fourth duration, the fifth duration, and the sixth duration can be predefined by the protocol. A possible implementation is that the first network device enters the first sleep state after the fourth duration after receiving the first sleep state indication; the first network device enters the second sleep state after the fifth duration after receiving the second sleep state indication; the first network device enters the third sleep state after the sixth duration after receiving the third sleep state indication. Another possible implementation is that the first network device enters the first sleep state after the fourth duration after sending the response information for the first sleep state indication; the first network device enters the second sleep state after the fifth duration after sending the response information for the second sleep state indication; the first network device enters the third sleep state after the sixth duration after sending the response information for the third sleep state indication. In yet another possible implementation, the protocol can also predefine a fixed duration, and enter the corresponding sleep state after a preset duration after receiving the first sleep indication information or after sending the response information.

[0221] Exemplarily, the information about the time for the first network device to enter the sleep state can also be included in the first sleep indication information / second sleep indication information. For example, the fourth duration, the fifth duration, and the sixth duration are included in the first sleep indication information / second sleep indication information.

[0222] Optionally, in some feasible embodiments, after the first network device enters the corresponding sleep state (such as the first sleep state, the second sleep state, or the third sleep state), subsequently when there is a large amount of traffic on the network side, the network management network element can also send indication information to instruct the first network device to exit the sleep state and re-enter the active state. Specifically as follows:

[0223] S504. The network management network element sends the first sleep-exit indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first sleep-exit indication information from the network management network element.

[0224] Generally speaking, subsequently the second network device can send a traffic splitting requirement to the network management network element. Therefore, the network management network element can, according to the received traffic splitting requirement from the second network device, instruct the first network device to exit the sleep state. Specifically, the network management network element can generate the first sleep-exit indication information and send the first sleep-exit indication information to the first network device. The first sleep-exit indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state. Generally speaking, after the first network device receives the first sleep-exit indication information from the network management network element, the first network device can exit the sleep state and enter the active state. It should be understood that in the active state, the first network device can broadcast signals such as SSB with a normal period (such as 20 ms), and the terminal device can perform data transmission (including uplink data and downlink data) with the first network device.

[0225] Optionally, after the first network device receives the first sleep-exit indication information from the network management network element, the first network device can also feedback response information for the first sleep-exit indication information, and the response information indicates that it has successfully received the first sleep-exit indication information (or it can be described that the response information is used for positive confirmation). Correspondingly, the network management network element can receive the response information from the first network device and, based on the response information, can determine that the first network device has successfully received the first sleep-exit indication information.

[0226] Optionally, the network management network element can also send the first sleep-exit indication information to the second network device to inform the second network device that the first network device will exit the sleep state. Correspondingly, after the second network device receives the first sleep-exit indication information from the network management network element, the second network device can split traffic to the first network device. Optionally, after the second network device receives the first sleep-exit indication information from the network management network element, the second network device can also feedback response information, and the response information indicates that it has successfully received the first sleep-exit indication information (or it can be described that the response information is used for positive confirmation).

[0227] Optionally, after the first network device / second network device receives the first indication information for exiting the dormant state from the network management network element, the first network device / second network device may further send second indication information for exiting the dormant state to the terminal device, where the second indication information for exiting the dormant state indicates that the first network device exits the dormant state. Correspondingly, when the terminal device receives the second indication information for exiting the dormant state from the network management network element, the terminal device may listen for signals from the first network device. Here, the terminal device listening for signals from the first network device may be understood as the terminal device listening for signals transmitted on the carrier corresponding to the first network device, such as PDCCH, PDSCH, a channel carrying scheduling information, or a channel carrying data, etc. Optionally, when the terminal device receives the second indication information for exiting the dormant state from the first network device / second network device, the terminal device may also feedback an acknowledgment message to the first network device / second network device.

[0228] Optionally, in a possible implementation, the first indication information for exiting the dormant state / second indication information for exiting the dormant state may further include information about the time when the first network device exits the dormant state. Generally speaking, when the first network device is in different degrees of dormant states, the time required for it to exit the dormant state may be different. For example, when the first network device is in a deeper dormant state, the time required for it to exit that dormant state may be longer.

[0229] For example, assume that the first network device is currently in the first dormant state. Then, the first network device may exit the first dormant state after the seventh time period after receiving the first indication information for exiting the dormant state. Similarly, the second network device may split traffic to the first network device according to service transmission requirements after the seventh time period after receiving the first indication information for exiting the dormant state. The terminal device may listen for signals from the first network device after the seventh time period after receiving the second indication information for exiting the dormant state.

[0230] For another example, assume that the first network device is currently in the second dormant state. Then, the first network device may exit the second dormant state after the eighth time period after receiving the first indication information for exiting the dormant state. Similarly, the second network device may split traffic to the first network device according to service transmission requirements after the eighth time period after receiving the first indication information for exiting the dormant state. The terminal device may listen for signals from the first network device after the eighth time period after receiving the second indication information for exiting the dormant state.

[0231] For another example, assume that the current first network device is in the third sleep state. Then, the first network device can exit the third sleep state after the ninth time period after receiving the first indication message to exit the sleep state. Similarly, the second network device can split traffic to the first network device according to service transmission requirements after the ninth time period after receiving the first indication message to exit the sleep state. The terminal device can listen for signals from the first network device after the ninth time period after receiving the second indication message to exit the sleep state.

[0232] Optionally, the relationship between the seventh time period, the eighth time period, and the ninth time period may satisfy: the ninth time period is greater than the seventh time period and the eighth time period. This is because the third sleep state is a deeper sleep state compared to the first sleep state and the second sleep state. Therefore, it takes a longer time to recover to the active state.

[0233] Optionally, in another possible implementation, the second effective moment t2 can also be predefined by the protocol. Furthermore, the first network device can exit the sleep state at the predefined second effective moment t2. Among them, the second effective moment t2 can be an absolute time, or the second effective moment t2 can also be a relative time.

[0234] Taking the second effective moment t2 as an absolute time as an example, the value of the second effective moment t2 may be related to the sleep state. That is to say, different sleep states may correspond to different effective moments. For example, the first sleep state corresponds to the effective moment t2-1, the second sleep state corresponds to the effective moment t2-2, and the third sleep state corresponds to the effective moment t2-3. That is to say, when the first network device is in the first sleep state, the first network device can exit the first sleep state at the predefined effective moment t2-1; when the first network device is in the second sleep state, the first network device can exit the second sleep state at the predefined effective moment t2-2; when the first network device is in the third sleep state, the first network device can exit the third sleep state at the predefined effective moment t2-3. The relationship between t2-1, t2-2, and t2-3 may be: t2-3 is later than t2-1 and t2-2. This is because the third sleep state is a deeper sleep state compared to the first sleep state and the second sleep state. Therefore, it takes a longer time to recover to the active state. Optionally, the value of the second effective moment t2 may also be independent of the sleep state and is a fixed value.

[0235] Taking the second effective moment t2 as an example of the relative time, the seventh duration, the eighth duration, and the ninth duration can be predefined by the protocol. A possible implementation is that when the first network device is in the first sleep state, the first network device exits the first sleep state after the seventh duration after receiving the first indication information to exit the sleep state; when the first network device is in the second sleep state, it exits the second sleep state after the seventh duration after receiving the first indication information to exit the sleep state; when the first network device is in the third sleep state, it exits the third sleep state after the seventh duration after receiving the first indication information to exit the sleep state.

[0236] In the embodiments of the present application, the network management network element can directly instruct the first network device to enter the sleep state or exit the sleep state according to the traffic volume of the current network. In addition, for different data transmission requirement information, three sleep states are defined for the first network device so that the first network device can enter different degrees of energy-saving states.

[0237] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 which is another schematic flowchart of the method for energy saving of network devices provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the method for energy saving of network devices may include the following steps S601 to S606. Figure 6 The execution subjects of the method shown may include a core network element, a first network device, a second network device, and a terminal device. Alternatively, Figure 6 the execution subject of the method shown may also be a chip in the core network element, the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device. For ease of description, the present application mainly describes with the core network element, the first network device, the second network device, and the terminal device as the execution subjects. Among them, Figure 6 in the corresponding embodiment, the data splitting node is in the second network device, and the core network element decides when the first network device enters the sleep state, where the core network element is the core network element corresponding to the second network device. It should be understood that Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the method embodiment of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or Figure 6 variations of various operations in Figure 6 . In addition, Figure 6 each step in Figure 6 can be executed in a different order from that presented in

[0238] S601. The second network device sends data transmission requirement information to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the data transmission requirement information from the second network device.

[0239] It should be understood that Figure 6 The core network network element in the corresponding embodiment is the core network network element corresponding to the second network device. Taking the second network device as a 5G base station as an example, the core network network element can be the core network network element in the 5G core network (5G core network, 5GC).

[0240] Here, for understanding of step S601, please refer to the aforementioned Figure 5 The description of step S501 in the corresponding embodiment is different in that the implementation of the network management network element is replaced by the implementation of the core network network element, which will not be described here.

[0241] S602: The core network element sends third sleep indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the third sleep indication information from the core network element.

[0242] S603: The second network device sends fourth sleep indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the fourth sleep indication information from the second network device.

[0243] It is understandable that, since the core network element is the core network element corresponding to the second network device, the core network element needs to send indication information to the first network device through the second network device to indicate which sleep state the first network device should enter.

[0244] Here, the third sleep indication information / the fourth sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state. For understanding of the third sleep indication information / the fourth sleep indication information, please refer to the aforementioned Figure 5 The description of the first sleep indication information in the corresponding embodiment is not repeated here.

[0245] It is understandable that the reason why the third sleep indication information / fourth sleep indication information is distinguished here is that the communication interface between the core network network element and the second network device may be different from the communication interface between the first network device and the second network device, so the message format or the design of the information element in the message may also be different.

[0246] Optionally, the first network device / the second network device may also send a second sleep indication message to the terminal device. For understanding of the second sleep indication message, please refer to the aforementioned Figure 2 The description of the second sleep indication information in the corresponding embodiment is not repeated here.

[0247] S604: The first network device enters a sleep state according to the fourth sleep indication information.

[0248] Here, for understanding of step S604, please refer to the aforementioned Figure 5 The description of step S503 in the corresponding embodiment is not repeated here.

[0249] Optionally, in some feasible embodiments, after the first network device enters the corresponding sleep state (such as the first sleep state, the second sleep state, or the third sleep state), subsequently, when there is a large amount of traffic on the network side, the core network element can also send indication information to instruct the first network device to exit the sleep state and re-enter the active state. Specifically as follows:

[0250] S605. The core network element sends third sleep exit indication information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the third sleep exit indication information from the core network element.

[0251] S606. The second network device sends fourth sleep exit indication information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the fourth sleep exit indication information from the second network device.

[0252] Here, the third sleep exit indication information / fourth sleep exit indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state. For the understanding of the third sleep exit indication information / fourth sleep exit indication information, reference can be made to the description of the first sleep exit indication information in the corresponding foregoing Figure 5 embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

[0253] It can be understood that the reason for distinguishing the third sleep exit indication information / fourth sleep exit indication information here is that the communication interface between the core network element and the second network device may be different from the communication interface between the first network device and the second network device, so the message format or the design of the information elements in the message may also be different.

[0254] Optionally, the first network device / second network device can also send second sleep exit indication information to the terminal device. For the understanding of the second sleep exit indication information, reference can be made to the description of the second sleep exit indication information in the corresponding foregoing Figure 2 embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

[0255] In the embodiments of the present application, the core network element can determine whether the first network device should enter the sleep state or exit the sleep state according to the traffic volume of the current network. Specifically, the core network element can send an indication to enter or exit the sleep state to the first network device through the second network device, which is beneficial to network energy saving.

[0256] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is another schematic flowchart of the method for network device energy saving provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the method for network device energy saving may include the following steps S701 to S702. Figure 7The execution subject of the method shown may be a second network device, a first network device, or a terminal device. Or, Figure 7 The execution subject of the method shown may also be a chip in the second network device, the first network device, or the terminal device. For ease of description, this application mainly describes the execution subject as the second network device, the first network device, or the terminal device. Among them, Figure 7 In the corresponding embodiment, the data shunt node is in the second network device, and the first network device independently decides when to enter the sleep state. It should be understood that Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of a method embodiment of this application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of this application can also perform other operations or Figure 7 variations of various operations in. In addition, Figure 7 each step in can be respectively executed in a different order from that presented in Figure 7 , and it is possible that not all operations in Figure 7 need to be executed. Among them:

[0257] S701. When the first network device does not receive the shunted data from the second network device within a predefined duration, it sends a fifth sleep indication message. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the fifth sleep indication message from the first network device.

[0258] In some feasible embodiments, the first network device can independently decide the state it can enter according to the current traffic demand. For example, when the traffic is small, the first network device can enter the sleep state from the active state. Also considering that the data shunt node is the second network device, the first network device can send a fifth sleep indication message to inform the second network device of the sleep state it is about to enter before entering the sleep state, so that the second network device can perform data shunting according to the traffic volume subsequently. Exemplarily, when the first network device does not receive the shunted data from the second network device within a predefined duration and sends a fifth sleep indication message, it includes:

[0259] 1. When it does not receive the shunted uplink data and downlink data from the second network device within the first duration, it sends a fifth sleep indication message indicating the first sleep state.

[0260] 2. When it does not receive the shunted uplink data from the second network device within the second duration but receives the shunted downlink data from the second network device, it sends a fifth sleep indication message indicating the second sleep state.

[0261] 3. In the case where no uplink data and downlink data split from the second network device are received within the third time period, send a fifth sleep indication message indicating the third sleep state.

[0262] Among them, regarding the predefined time periods (such as the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period), the understanding of the sleep states (such as the first sleep state, the second sleep state, and the third sleep state) can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Figure 5 corresponding embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0263] Optionally, the fifth sleep indication message may further include an indication of the time when the first network device enters the sleep state, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0264] Optionally, after the second network device receives the fifth sleep indication message from the first network device, the second network device may further send a response message to the first network device, and the response message indicates that it has successfully received the fifth sleep indication message (or described as the response message is used for positive confirmation).

[0265] Optionally, in addition to sending the fifth sleep indication message to the second network device, the first network device may also send a second sleep indication message to the terminal device to inform the terminal device what sleep state the first network device will enter. Correspondingly, when the terminal device receives the second sleep indication message from the first network device, the terminal device does not listen for signals from the first network device. It can be understood that if the first network device sends the second sleep indication message to the terminal device, the first network device generally needs to send the second sleep indication message to the terminal device before entering the sleep state. And the first network device may send the fifth sleep indication message to the second network device before / after entering the sleep state, which is not limited in this application.

[0266] Optionally, it may also be that after the second network device receives the fifth sleep indication message, the second network device sends the second sleep indication message to the terminal device to inform the terminal device what sleep state the first network device will enter. Correspondingly, when the terminal device receives the second sleep indication message from the second network device, the terminal device does not listen for signals from the first network device.

[0267] It can be understood that the understanding of the terminal device not listening for signals from the first network device can refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Figure 5 corresponding embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0268] Optionally, when the terminal device receives the second sleep indication message from the first network device / second network device, the terminal device may also send a response message to the first network device / second network device.

[0269] S702. The first network device enters the sleep state at a predefined first effective moment t1.

[0270] In a possible implementation, after the first network device sends the fifth sleep indication information, the first network device may enter the sleep state at a predefined first effective moment t1. For example, the protocol predefines how long after the first network device sends the fifth sleep indication information it enters the sleep state. For the understanding of the first network device entering the sleep state at the predefined first effective moment t1, reference may also be made to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing Figure 5 corresponding embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0271] In another possible implementation, the fifth sleep indication information may further include an indication of the time when the first network device enters the sleep state. Therefore, the first network device may enter the sleep state based on the time indicated by the fifth sleep indication information. For example, for the first sleep state, the fifth sleep indication information may indicate that the first network device will enter the first sleep state after a fourth time period. That is to say, the first network device may specifically enter the first sleep state after the fourth time period after sending the fifth sleep indication information. Again, for example, for the second sleep state, the fifth sleep indication information may further indicate that the first network device will enter the second sleep state after a fifth time period. That is to say, the first network device may enter the second sleep state after the fifth time period after sending the fifth sleep indication information. Still again, for example, for the third sleep state, the fifth sleep indication information may further indicate that the first network device will enter the third sleep state after a sixth time period. That is to say, the first network device may enter the third sleep state after the sixth time period after sending the fifth sleep indication information.

[0272] Optionally, in some feasible implementation manners, after the first network device enters the sleep state, since it is the first network device that autonomously decides which state to enter, in order to ensure the efficiency of network transmission, the first network device may wake up autonomously to determine whether it needs to switch back to the active state from the sleep state, as follows:

[0273] The first network device can exit the sleep state at a predefined second effective time t2 and enter the active state. Then, the first network device can send first active state indication information to the second network device, and the first active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in the active state. Understandably, if the first network device does not receive the data shunted from the second network device within a preset active state duration after sending the first active state indication information (here, the preset active state duration can be understood as a predefined active state duration, or a predefined wake-up duration), it re-enters the sleep state; if the first network device receives the data shunted from the second network device within the preset active state duration after sending the first active state indication information, it sends the shunted data to the terminal device (that is, the first network device starts normal data transmission, or the first network device maintains the active state, or the first network device maintains the normal working state).

[0274] Exemplarily, the first network device exiting the sleep state at the predefined second effective time t2 can be understood as: exiting the sleep state after t2 time units after entering the sleep state. The unit of this time unit may be a time slot, a symbol, a frame, etc., and no limitation is made here. Alternatively, the first network device can exit the sleep state after a predefined sleep duration. Understandably, the above predefined sleep duration may include a first sleep state duration corresponding to the first sleep state, a second sleep state duration corresponding to the second sleep state, and a third sleep state duration corresponding to the third sleep state. Among them, the sleep durations corresponding to different sleep states may be the same or different, and no limitation is made thereto. The unit of the sleep duration may be seconds (s), milliseconds (ms), etc., and no limitation is made here.

[0275] Understandably, the preset active state duration involved in the embodiments of the present application may include an active state duration T1 corresponding to exiting from the first sleep state, an active state duration T2 corresponding to exiting from the second sleep state, and an active state duration T3 corresponding to exiting from the first sleep state. Optionally, when the first network device exits from different sleep states, its duration in the active state may be the same or different, and no limitation is made thereto.

[0276] It is understandable that if the first network device does not receive the data shunted from the second network device within the preset active state duration after sending the first active state indication information, the first network device may re-enter the sleep state, including: when the first network device exits from the first sleep state and enters the active state, if the first network device does not receive the data shunted from the second network device within the T1 duration after sending the first active state indication information, it re-enters the first sleep state; when the first network device exits from the second sleep state and enters the active state, if the first network device does not receive the data shunted from the second network device within the T2 duration after sending the first active state indication information, it re-enters the second sleep state; when the first network device exits from the third sleep state and enters the active state, if the first network device does not receive the data shunted from the second network device within the T3 duration after sending the first active state indication information, it re-enters the third sleep state.

[0277] Correspondingly, if the first network device receives the data shunted from the second network device within the preset active state duration after sending the first active state indication information, the first network device may send the shunted data to the terminal device, including: when the first network device exits from the first sleep state and enters the active state, if the first network device receives the data shunted from the second network device within the T1 duration after sending the first active state indication information, it maintains the active state; when the first network device exits from the second sleep state and enters the active state, if the first network device receives the data shunted from the second network device within the T2 duration after sending the first active state indication information, it maintains the active state; when the first network device exits from the third sleep state and enters the active state, if the first network device receives the data shunted from the second network device within the T3 duration after sending the first active state indication information, it maintains the active state.

[0278] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network device can autonomously decide its current state according to the current data transmission requirement information, so that the first network device can enter the sleep state after being added, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of the first network device. Compared with Figure 5 and Figure 6 the implementation manner in the corresponding embodiment where other network elements send indication information to notify the first network device to enter the sleep state, in this embodiment, the first network device autonomously decides to enter or exit the sleep state, reducing the signaling interaction overhead and delay.

[0279] Optionally, the present application further provides a method for energy saving of a network device, where the data shunting node is in the first network device, and the first network device autonomously decides when to enter the sleep state. Among them:

[0280] In some feasible embodiments, since the data splitting node is the first network device, the first network device can determine on its own whether there is a service to be transmitted currently. The first network device can determine the state it can enter according to the current service volume requirement. Generally speaking, when the service volume is small, the first network device can enter the sleep state from the active state. For example, the first network device can enter the sleep state when the service data volume is less than the preset data volume size (or the predefined data volume size) within a predefined duration.

[0281] Alternatively, the first network device can enter the sleep state in a scenario without service data transmission. Exemplarily, specifically:

[0282] 1. Enter the first sleep state when the service data volume of the uplink data is less than or equal to the first preset data volume size and the service data volume of the downlink data is less than or equal to the second preset data volume size within the first duration.

[0283] 2. Enter the second sleep state when the service data volume of the uplink data is less than or equal to the first preset data volume size but the service data volume of the downlink data is greater than the second preset data volume size within the second duration.

[0284] 3. Enter the third sleep state when the service data volume of the uplink data is less than or equal to the first preset data volume size and the service data volume of the downlink data is less than or equal to the second preset data volume size within the third duration.

[0285] Optionally, the first preset data volume size and the second preset data volume size can be the same or different, and the present application does not limit this.

[0286] Among them, for the understanding of the predefined duration (such as the first duration, the second duration, and the third duration) and the sleep state (such as the first sleep state, the second sleep state, and the third sleep state), reference can be made to the relevant descriptions in the corresponding embodiments described above, and details are not elaborated here. Figure 5 Corresponding embodiments are not described herein again.

[0287] Optionally, in some feasible embodiments, the first network device can send the second sleep indication information to the terminal device before entering the sleep state, and the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters the sleep state. Alternatively, the second network device can also send the second sleep indication information to the terminal device.

[0288] Optionally, in some feasible embodiments, the first network device may further send fifth sleep indication information to the second network device, so that the second network device can know what sleep state the first network device is about to enter. Optionally, after the second network device knows the state of the first network device, the second network device may further send second sleep indication information to the terminal device, and the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters the sleep state.

[0289] Generally speaking, when the service data volume is small, data transmission through the second network device can meet the data transmission requirements. Therefore, the first network device can enter the sleep state. After the first network device enters the sleep state, since the first network device autonomously decides what state to enter and the data splitting node is the first network device, when the service data volume in the network is large, the first network device can switch back from the sleep state to the active state. Specifically, when the first network device is in the sleep state, if the service data volume is not less than (or greater than or equal to) the preset data volume size, it exits the sleep state and enters the active state. This is because when the service data volume is large, data transmission through the second network device often cannot meet the data transmission requirements. Therefore, the first network device needs to participate in data transmission simultaneously.

[0290] It should be noted that, in some feasible embodiments, after the first network device enters the active state, the first network device may further send second active state indication information to the terminal device, and the second active state indication information indicates that the first network device is in the active state. Alternatively, the first network device may send first active state indication information to the second network device, and then the second network device sends second active state indication information to the terminal device. Optionally, after the terminal device receives the second active state indication information, the terminal device may send a response message to the first network device / second network device.

[0291] In the embodiments of the present application, the first network device can autonomously decide its current state according to the current data transmission requirement information, so that the first network device can enter the sleep state after being added, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of the first network device. Compared with Figures 5 to 7 the corresponding embodiments, the data splitting node in this embodiment is the first network device, so the signaling interaction overhead and delay can be further reduced.

[0292] Next, the communication device provided by the present application will be described in detail in conjunction with Figures 8 to 9 this.

[0293] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the communication device includes the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0294] Figure 8 and Figure 9 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device, the radio access network device (such as the second network device, the first network device), the network management network element, or the core network network element in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be one of the terminal devices 120a-120j shown in Figure 1 or can also be a radio access network device 110a or 110b shown in Figure 1 or can also be a core network network element in CN200 shown in Figure 1 or can also be a network management network element. Optionally, it can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal device, the radio access network device, the core network network element, or the network management network element. Exemplarily, the second network device can be a 5G base station, and the first network device can be a 6G base station.

[0295] As Figure 8 shown, the communication device 800 includes a processing unit 810 and a transceiver unit 820. The communication device 800 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the radio access network device in the above Figure 5 、 Figure 6 or Figure 7 shown method embodiments.

[0296] In one implementation manner, when the data splitting node is in the 5G base station and the network management network element decides when the 6G base station enters the sleep state:

[0297] When the communication device 800 is used to implement the function of the first network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5 :

[0298] The transceiver unit 820 is configured to receive first sleep indication information from the network management network element, and the first sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters the sleep state; the processing unit 810 is configured to enter the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information.

[0299] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 5When implementing the functions of the network management element in the method embodiment shown:

[0300] A transceiver unit 820, configured to receive data transmission requirement information from a second network device; a processing unit 810, configured to send first sleep indication information to a first network device through the transceiver unit 820 according to the data transmission requirement information, where the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state; where the first network device is a device of a first network mode, the second network device is a device of a second network mode, and the first network mode and the second network mode are different.

[0301] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 5 the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown:

[0302] A transceiver unit 820, configured to receive second sleep indication information, where the second sleep indication information instructs a first network device to enter a sleep state; a processing unit 810, not listening for signals from the first network device.

[0303] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 5 the functions of the second network device in the method embodiment shown:

[0304] A processing unit 810, configured to send data transmission requirement information to a network management element; the processing unit 810, configured to receive first sleep indication information from the network management element, where the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state.

[0305] In another implementation, the data splitting node is at a 5G base station, and the 6G base station autonomously decides when the 6G base station enters the sleep state:

[0306] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 6 the functions of the first network device in the method embodiment shown:

[0307] A transceiver unit 820, configured to send fifth sleep indication information to a second network device when no data split from the second network device is received within a predefined duration, where the fifth sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state; a processing unit 810, configured to cause the first network device to enter the sleep state at a predefined first effective moment t1.

[0308] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 6 the functions of the second network device in the method embodiment shown:

[0309] A transceiver unit 820, configured to receive fifth sleep indication information from a first network device, where the fifth sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state; and a processing unit 810, configured to make a data diversion decision based on the fifth sleep indication information.

[0310] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 6 the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments shown:

[0311] A transceiver unit 820, configured to receive second sleep indication information from a first network device or a second network device, where the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state; and a processing unit 810, which does not listen for signals from the first network device.

[0312] In another implementation, the data diversion node is in a 6G base station, and the 6G base station autonomously decides when to enter the sleep state:

[0313] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 7 the functions of the first network device in the method embodiments shown:

[0314] A processing unit 810, configured to cause the first network device to enter a sleep state when the amount of service data is less than a preset data volume within a predefined duration.

[0315] When the communication device 800 is used to implement Figure 7 the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments shown:

[0316] A transceiver unit 820, configured to receive second sleep indication information from a first network device, where the second sleep indication information indicates that the first network device enters a sleep state; and a processing unit 810, which does not listen for signals from the first network device.

[0317] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 810 and transceiver unit 820, reference may be made to Figure 5 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown.

[0318] As Figure 9 shown, the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 920 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 930, configured to store instructions executed by the processor 910 or store input data required for the processor 910 to run instructions or store data generated after the processor 910 runs instructions.

[0319] When the communication device 900 is used to implement Figure 5 , Figure 6 or Figure 7 the method shown, the processor 910 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 810, and the interface circuit 920 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 820.

[0320] When the above communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment. The terminal device chip receives, through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, the information sent by the radio access network device to the terminal device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and the information is the information sent by the terminal device to the radio access network device.

[0321] When the above communication device is a module applied to a radio access network device, the radio access network device module implements the functions of the radio access network device in the above method embodiment. The radio access network device module receives, from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the radio access network device, the information sent by the terminal device to the radio access network device; or, the radio access network device module sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the radio access network device, and the information is the information sent by the radio access network device to the terminal device. The radio access network device module here can be the baseband chip of the radio access network device, or a CU, a DU or other modules, or a device under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture, such as an open CU, an open DU and other devices.

[0322] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0323] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, removable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in a radio access network device or a terminal device. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a radio access network device or a terminal device.

[0324] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or a data center integrating one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0325] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special indication and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0326] It should be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitudes of the serial numbers of the above processes do not mean the sequence of execution, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A method for energy saving of a network device, applied to a first network device, characterized in that, including: Receiving first sleep indication information from a network management network element, where the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state; Entering the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; where: The first network device sends a broadcast signal in the first sleep state, but does not send a user equipment (UE)-specific signal; The first network device does not receive an uplink signal in the second sleep state, but sends a downlink signal; The first network device does not receive an uplink signal and does not send a downlink signal in the third sleep state.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission period of the broadcast signal is greater than 160 ms.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The entering the sleep state according to the first sleep indication information includes: Entering the sleep state at a predefined first effective moment t1.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving first wake-up-from-sleep indication information from the network management network element, where the first wake-up-from-sleep indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state; Exiting the sleep state according to the first wake-up-from-sleep indication information and entering an active state.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The exiting the sleep state according to the first wake-up-from-sleep indication information includes: Exiting the sleep state at a predefined second effective moment t2.

7. A method for energy saving of a network device, applied to a network management network element, characterized in that, including: Receiving data transmission requirement information from a second network device; Sending first sleep indication information to a first network device according to the data transmission requirement information, where the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state; Wherein, the first network device is a device of a first network mode, the second network device is a device of a second network mode, and the first network mode is different from the second network mode.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; where: The first network device in the first sleep state sends a broadcast signal, but does not send a user equipment (UE)-specific signal; The first network device in the second sleep state does not receive an uplink signal, but sends a downlink signal; The first network device in the third sleep state does not receive an uplink signal and does not send a downlink signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The transmission period of the broadcast signal is greater than 160 ms.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending first wake-up-from-sleep indication information to the first network device, where the first wake-up-from-sleep indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The method further includes: Sending first wake-up-from-sleep indication information to the second network device, where the first wake-up-from-sleep indication information instructs the first network device to exit the sleep state.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7-11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending first sleep indication information to the second network device, where the first sleep indication information instructs the first network device to enter a sleep state.

13. A method for energy saving of a network device, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, including: Receiving second sleep indication information, where the second sleep indication information instructs a first network device to enter a sleep state, and the first network device is a secondary node in a dual connection of the terminal device; Not listening for signals from the first network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The sleep state includes at least one of a first sleep state, a second sleep state, and a third sleep state; The non - listening for signals from the first network device includes: When the first network device is in the first sleep state, not listening for the user equipment (UE) specific signals from the first network device; When the first network device is in the second sleep state, not listening for the uplink scheduling information from the first network device; When the first network device is in the third sleep state, not listening for all signals from the first network device.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving second sleep - exit indication information, where the second sleep - exit indication information indicates that the first network device exits the sleep state; Listening for signals from the first network device.

16. A method for energy saving of a network device, applied to a second network device, characterized in that, It includes: Sending data transfer requirement information to the network management network element; Receiving first sleep - indication information from the network management network element, where the first sleep - indication information indicates that the first network device enters the sleep state.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending second sleep - indication information to the terminal device, where the second sleep - indication information indicates that the first network device enters the sleep state, where the first network device is a secondary node in the dual - connection of the terminal device, and the second network device is a primary node in the dual - connection of the terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving first sleep - exit indication information from the network management network element, where the first sleep - exit indication information indicates that the first network device exits the sleep state.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further includes: Sending second sleep - exit indication information to the terminal device, where the second sleep - exit indication information indicates that the first network device exits the sleep state.

20. A communication device includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 - 6, or includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 7 - 12, or includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 13 - 15, or includes a unit or module for executing the method according to any one of claims 16 - 19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 - 6 through logic circuits or by executing code instructions, or is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 7 - 12, or is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 13 - 15, or is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 16 - 19.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1-6 is implemented, or the method described in any one of claims 7-12 is implemented, or the method described in any one of claims 13-15 is implemented, or it is used to implement the method described in any one of claims 16-19.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes computer program code, and when the computer program code runs on a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1-6 is implemented, or the method described in any one of claims 7-12 is implemented, or the method described in any one of claims 13-15 is implemented, or it is used to implement the method described in any one of claims 16-19.

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