Communication method, device and system

Abstract

Disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention are a communication method, device and system, comprising: receiving indication information from an SMF network element, the indication information being used for indicating that downlink data of a first terminal device arrives at a core network side; and when the period of the eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, an eDRX parameter is sent to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, and the first access network device is any access network device in a tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device. According to the embodiment of the invention, when the downlink data of the terminal equipment arrives at the core network side and the eDRX period of the terminal equipment is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, the eDRX parameter is sent to the access network equipment according to the capability information of the terminal equipment and the access network equipment, so that the access network equipment can be ensured to determine a correct paging opportunity, and the paging efficiency is improved. Therefore, correct paging of the terminal equipment can be ensured.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202110363739.9, and the original application date is April 2, 2021. The entire content of the original application is incorporated into this application by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, and system. Background Art

[0003] The Internet of Things (IoT) in fifth-generation (5G) communication systems introduces reduced capability NR (REDCAP), a technology primarily used in video surveillance, industrial sensor networks, and wearable devices. To reduce power consumption in IoT devices, the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mechanism from the fourth-generation (4G) IoT can be incorporated into REDCAP.

[0004] In 4G IoT, eDRX supports a paging time window (PTW). However, due to the shorter eDRX cycle in REDCAP compared to 4G IoT, eDRX does not support PTW to reduce the complexity of terminal devices. Therefore, in a 5G core network supporting both 4G and 5G access, ensuring correct paging of terminal devices has become a pressing technical issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present invention discloses a communication method, device and system for ensuring normal paging of terminal equipment.

[0006] The first aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, or to a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The following description takes application to an AMF network element as an example. The communication method may include: receiving indication information from a session management function (SMF) network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of a first terminal device has arrived at the core network side; when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, where the first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data of a terminal device in an idle state arrives at the core network side, the AMF network element can first determine whether the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, eDRX parameters can be sent to the access network devices in the TA list of the terminal device based on the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network devices in the TA list of the terminal device. Taking into account the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device, it can be ensured that the eDRX parameters sent to the access network device are appropriate eDRX parameters, and furthermore, it can be ensured that the access network device can determine the correct paging timing based on the received eDRX parameters, so that the access network device can page the terminal device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring correct paging of the terminal device.

[0008] As a possible implementation manner, the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of the access technology type (radio access type, RAT) of the access access network device, the capability information of the first access network device includes information of the first RAT of the terminal device accessing the first access network device, the type information includes information of the first type of RAT and information of the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; sending eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device includes: when the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, sending first eDRX parameters to the first access network device, the first eDRX parameters include PTW parameters; when the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, sending second eDRX parameters to the first access network device, the second eDRX parameters do not include PTW parameters.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data arrives at a terminal device in an idle state, the AMF network element may first determine whether the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, it may be determined that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device. When the access network device within the TA area of ​​the terminal device supports the first type of RAT, the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters may be sent to the access network device. When the access network device within the TA area of ​​the terminal device supports the second type of RAT, the eDRX parameters not including the PTW parameters may be sent to the access network device. It can be seen that when downlink data arrives at a terminal device in an idle state, the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can send different eDRX parameters to access network devices supporting different types of RAT according to the type of RAT corresponding to all access network devices in the TA area of ​​the terminal device, so that the access network device can determine the correct paging timing based on the received eDRX parameters, and then can page the terminal device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0010] As a possible implementation method, the communication method may further include: receiving capability information of the first terminal device; when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, sending the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, and can determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the AMF network element, during the negotiation of the eDRX parameters of the terminal device, when the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, can directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type of RAT currently used by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine whether to use the PTW parameters included in the eDRX parameters to determine the paging timing based on the configured parameters and the type of the currently used RAT. It can be ensured that regardless of whether the type of RAT used by the terminal device is the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the terminal device can determine the correct paging timing, and then wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0012] As a possible implementation manner, receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can directly receive capability information from the terminal device, so that the AMF network element can correctly issue paging parameters based on the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device, thereby ensuring that the terminal device saves energy while ensuring that the terminal device can be correctly paged.

[0014] As a possible implementation manner, receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the characteristic that the access network device can parse the wireless capability information of the terminal device, the AMF network element can indirectly receive the capability information from the terminal device from the access network device side, so that the AMF network element can correctly send paging parameters according to the capability information of the terminal device and the capability information of the access network device, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can be energy-efficient while ensuring that it can be correctly paged.

[0016] The second aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an AMF network element or to a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The following description takes application to an AMF network element as an example. The method may include: receiving capability information of a first terminal device, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device, the first eDRX parameter including a PTW parameter.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, and can determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the AMF network element, during the negotiation of the eDRX parameters of the terminal device, when the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, can directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type of RAT currently used by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine whether to use the PTW parameters included in the eDRX parameters to determine the paging timing based on the configured eDRX parameters and the type of the currently used RAT, and can ensure that regardless of whether the type of RAT used by the terminal device is the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the terminal device can determine the correct paging timing, and then can wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0018] As a possible implementation manner, receiving capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can directly receive capability information from the terminal device, so that the AMF network element can send complete eDRX parameters according to the capability information of the terminal device, ensuring that when the terminal device switches to an idle state, there is no need to negotiate eDRX parameters with the core network again, and the eDRX parameters corresponding to the RAT corresponding to the currently attached cell can be directly used, thereby ensuring correct paging of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0020] As a possible implementation manner, receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, and the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when receiving the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the characteristic that the access network device can parse the wireless capability information of the terminal device, the AMF network element can indirectly receive the capability information from the terminal device from the access network device side, so that the AMF network element can send complete eDRX parameters according to the capability information of the terminal device, ensuring that when the terminal device switches to an idle state, there is no need to negotiate the eDRX parameters with the core network again, and the eDRX parameters corresponding to the RAT corresponding to the currently attached cell can be directly used, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0022] As a possible implementation method, the communication method may also include: receiving indication information from a session management function SMF network element, the indication information being used to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the core network side; and sending the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices in the tracking area TA list corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data arrives at a terminal device in an idle state, the AMF network element can determine whether the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and can determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can ignore the type of RAT currently used by the access network device, and can directly send the same eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters to all access network devices in the TA area of ​​the terminal device, so that the access network device can determine whether to use the PTW parameters included in the eDRX parameters to determine the paging timing based on the received eDRX parameters and the type of the currently used RAT (that is, its own capabilities). It can be ensured that regardless of whether the type of the RAT used by the access network device is the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT, the access network device can determine the correct paging timing, and then page the terminal device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring correct paging of the terminal device.

[0024] The third aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to a first terminal device or to a module (e.g., a chip) in the first terminal device. The following description is based on the application to the first terminal device. The communication method may include: sending capability information of the first terminal device to an AMF network element, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of the RAT of the access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; receiving a first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the first eDRX parameter including a PTW parameter; when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT and the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, determining PO according to the first eDRX parameter.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device may send capability information of the terminal device to an AMF network element, so that the AMF network element may determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the AMF network element, during the process of negotiating the eDRX parameters of the terminal device, when the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, may directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type of RAT currently used by the terminal device. After the terminal device receives the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters, it may first determine whether the RAT currently used belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When it is determined that the RAT currently used belongs to the first type of RAT, the paging timing may be determined based on the eDRX parameters, that is, the PTW may be determined based on the PTW parameters. After that, the paging timing may be determined based on the PTW parameters, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can determine the correct paging timing, and then wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0026] As a possible implementation, the communication method may further include: when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, but the eDRX period of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second category RAT, determining the PO based on the parameters in the first eDRX parameters except the PTW parameters.

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device may send capability information of the terminal device to an AMF network element, so that the AMF network element may determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the AMF network element, during the process of negotiating the eDRX parameters of the terminal device, when the eDRX period of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, may directly configure the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters for the terminal device regardless of the type of RAT currently used by the terminal device. After the terminal device receives the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters, it may first determine whether the RAT currently used belongs to the first type of RAT or the second type of RAT. When it is determined that the RAT currently used belongs to the second type of RAT, the paging timing may be determined based on the parameters in the eDRX parameters other than the PTW parameters, i.e., there is no need to determine the PTW, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can determine the correct paging timing, and then wait for the paging of the access network device within the paging timing, thereby ensuring the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0028] The fourth aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to an AMF network element or to a module (for example, a chip) in an AMF network element. The following description will be given by taking application to an AMF network element as an example. The communication method may include: receiving capability information of a first terminal device, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of an access technology type RAT of an access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the extended discontinuous reception eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports a paging time window PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; sending first information to the first terminal device, the first information including information of a first tracking area TA list, the first TA list consisting of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the first TA list.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, and can determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device. Then, a first TA list can be allocated to the terminal device based on the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device). Then, information about the first TA list can be sent to the terminal device so that when the terminal device reselects a cell, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list based on the first TA list.

[0030] As a possible implementation manner, the AMF network element sending the first information to the first terminal device includes: when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending the first information to the first terminal device.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, and can determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, and can determine whether the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a first TA list can be allocated to the terminal device based on the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), and then information of the first TA list can be sent to the terminal device so that when the terminal device reselects a cell, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list based on the first TA list.

[0032] As a possible implementation manner, the AMF network element receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can directly receive capability information from the terminal device, thereby determining whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and allocate a first TA list to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), so that when the terminal device reselects a cell, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list, thereby triggering the mobile registration update process and renegotiating and determining the eDRX parameters.

[0034] As a possible implementation manner, receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, and the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when receiving the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, based on the characteristic that the access network device can parse the wireless capability information of the terminal device, the AMF network element can indirectly receive the capability information from the terminal device from the access network device side, thereby determining whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, and allocate a first TA list to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), so that when the terminal device reselects a cell, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list according to the first TA list, thereby triggering the mobile registration update process and renegotiating and determining the eDRX parameters.

[0036] As a possible implementation manner, the sending of first information to the first terminal device includes: sending first information and a third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device; the communication method may further include: receiving a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, the mobile registration update request being used to instruct the first terminal device to move out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; sending second information and a fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device, the second information including information of a second TA list, the second TA list consisting of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter; when the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the terminal device, and can determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, and then can determine whether the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a first TA list and an eDRX parameter can be allocated to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device), and then the information of the first TA list and the eDRX parameter can be sent to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device is in the area corresponding to the first TA list, the eDRX parameter can be used to determine the paging timing. When the terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, the AMF network element can reallocate a second TA list and another eDRX parameter to the terminal device, and then the information of the second TA list and the other eDRX parameter can be sent to the terminal device, so that when the terminal device is in the area corresponding to the second TA list, the other eDRX parameter can be used to determine the paging timing. It can be seen that in order to avoid conflicts in the eDRX parameters supported by idle terminal devices due to cell reselection, whether the terminal device supports multiple RAT capabilities and the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is considered when configuring the TA list, and different TA lists are allocated to it in different types of RATs. This ensures that when the terminal device reselects a cell across different types of RATs in the idle state, the mobile registration update process will be triggered, so that the core network can perceive the changes in the RAT used by the terminal device, and configure the eDRX parameters under the corresponding RAT type for it, which can ensure the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0038] A fifth aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to a first terminal device or to a module (e.g., a chip) in the first terminal device. The following description is based on the application to the first terminal device. The communication method may include: sending capability information of the first terminal device to an AMF network element, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of the RAT of the access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; receiving first information from the AMF network element, the first information including information of a first TA list, the first TA list consisting of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the first TA list.

[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device can send its own capability information to the access network device, so that the AMF network element can determine whether the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, and then allocate a first TA list to the terminal device based on the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device). After the terminal device receives the information of the first TA list from the AMF network element, when cell reselection occurs, it can determine whether the terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list based on the first TA list.

[0040] As a possible implementation method, the sending of the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element includes: sending the wireless capability information of the first terminal device to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when sending the wireless capability information.

[0041] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving of the first information from the AMF network element includes: receiving the first information and the third eDRX parameter from the AMF network element; the communication method may further include: when the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, sending a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element, the mobile registration update request being used to instruct the first terminal device to move out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; receiving the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the second information including information of the second TA list, the second TA list consisting of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device can send its own capability information to the access network device, so that the AMF network element can determine that the terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the terminal device, and then determine whether the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, a first TA list and an eDRX parameter can be allocated to the terminal device according to the RAT currently used by the terminal device (that is, the RAT type currently supported by the terminal device). The terminal device receives the information of the first TA list and the eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, and can use the eDRX parameter to determine the paging timing in the area corresponding to the first TA list. When the terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, it can send a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element so that the AMF network element can reallocate a second TA list and another eDRX parameter to the terminal device. After the terminal device receives the information of the second TA list and the other eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, it can use the other eDRX parameter to determine the paging timing in the area corresponding to the second TA list. It can be seen that in order to avoid conflicts in the eDRX parameters supported by idle terminal devices due to cell reselection, whether the terminal device supports multiple RAT capabilities and the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is considered when configuring the TA list, and different TA lists are allocated to it in different types of RATs to ensure that the update process is triggered when the terminal device reselects a cell across different types of RATs in the idle state, so that the core network can perceive the changes in the RAT used by the terminal device, and configure the eDRX parameters under the corresponding RAT type for it, which can ensure the correct paging of the terminal device.

[0043] A sixth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit for receiving indication information from the SMF network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of a first terminal device has arrived at the core network side; a sending unit for sending eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, where the first access network device is any access network device in the TA list of the first terminal device.

[0044] As a possible implementation manner, the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, the capability information of the first access network device includes information of the first RAT of the terminal device accessing the first access network device, the type information includes information of the first type of RAT and information of the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; the sending unit is specifically used to: when the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, send a first eDRX parameter to the first access network device, the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter; when the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, send a second eDRX parameter to the first access network device, and the second eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter.

[0045] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is also used to receive capability information of the first terminal device; the sending unit is also used to send the first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0046] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit receiving the capability information of the first terminal device includes: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0047] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit receives the capability information of the first terminal device, including: receiving the capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

[0048] A seventh aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit for receiving capability information of a first terminal device, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a sending unit for sending a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first eDRX parameter including a PTW parameter.

[0049] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0050] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically used to receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, and the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

[0051] As a possible implementation method, the receiving unit is also used to receive indication information from the session management function SMF network element, and the indication information is used to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; the sending unit is also used to send the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices in the TA list corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0052] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is disclosed, which may be a first terminal device or a module (for example, a chip) in the first terminal device. The communication device may include: a sending unit for sending capability information of the first terminal device to an AMF network element, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of the RAT of the access network device, the type information including information of the first type of RAT and information of the second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a receiving unit for receiving a first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the first eDRX parameter including a PTW parameter; a determining unit for determining PO according to the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first type of RAT and the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0053] As a possible implementation, the determination unit is also used to determine PO based on parameters other than the PTW parameter in the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, but the eDRX period of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second category RAT.

[0054] A ninth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) in an AMF network element. The communication device may include: a receiving unit for receiving capability information of a first terminal device, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of the RAT of an access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a sending unit for sending first information to the first terminal device, the first information including information of a first TA list, the first TA list consisting of cells corresponding to the RATs of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the first TA list.

[0055] As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to send first information to the first terminal device when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0056] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0057] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically used to receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, and the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

[0058] As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit sending the first information to the first terminal device includes: sending the first information and the third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device; the receiving unit is also used to receive a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, and the mobile registration update request is used to instruct the first terminal device to move out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; the sending unit is also used to send the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device, the second information includes information of the second TA list, the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0059] The tenth aspect discloses a communication device, which can be a first terminal device or a module (for example, a chip) in the first terminal device. The communication device may include: a sending unit, configured to send capability information of the first terminal device to an AMF network element, the capability information of the first terminal device including type information of the RAT of the access network device, the type information including information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; a receiving unit, configured to receive first information from the AMF network element, the first information including information of a first TA list, the first TA list consisting of cells corresponding to the RATs of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the first TA list.

[0060] As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically used to send the wireless capability information of the first terminal device to the second access network device, and the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when sending the wireless capability information.

[0061] As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is specifically used to receive first information and a third eDRX parameter from the AMF network element; the sending unit is also used to send a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element when the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, and the mobile registration update request is used to instruct the first terminal device to move out of the area corresponding to the first TA list; the receiving unit is also used to receive second information and a fourth eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, the second information includes information of a second TA list, the second TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the second TA list; when the third eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, and when the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0062] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is disclosed, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within an AMF network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein the input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor performs the communication method disclosed in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect (or the second aspect or the second aspect).

[0063] A twelfth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, the input interface being used to receive information from another communication device outside the communication device, and the output interface being used to output information to another communication device outside the communication device. When the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory, the processor executes the communication method disclosed in the third aspect or any embodiment of the third aspect.

[0064] A thirteenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within an AMF network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein the input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the communication device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor performs the communication method disclosed in the fourth aspect or any embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0065] A fourteenth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface, the input interface being configured to receive information from another communication device other than the communication device, and the output interface being configured to output information to another communication device other than the communication device. When the processor executes a computer program stored in the memory, the processor executes the communication method disclosed in the fifth aspect or any embodiment of the fifth aspect.

[0066] The fifteenth aspect discloses a communication system, which includes the communication device of the eleventh aspect and the communication device of the twelfth aspect, or the communication system includes the communication device of the thirteenth aspect and the communication device of the fourteenth aspect.

[0067] A sixteenth aspect discloses a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or computer instructions stored thereon. When the computer program or computer instructions are executed, the communication method disclosed in the above aspects is implemented.

[0068] A seventeenth aspect discloses a chip, comprising a processor for executing a program stored in a memory, wherein when the program is executed, the chip executes the above method.

[0069] As a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the chip.

[0070] An eighteenth aspect discloses a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the above-mentioned communication method is executed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0072] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an H-SFN frame disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 3 This is a flow chart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0074] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] Figure 6 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] Figure 7 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0078] Figure 8 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0079] Figure 9 It is a structural diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0080] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0081] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0082] Figure 12 It is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, apparatus, and system for ensuring normal paging of terminal equipment, which are described in detail below.

[0084] In order to better understand the communication method, device and system disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, the network architecture used in the embodiment of the present invention is described below. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a network architecture diagram disclosed in the embodiment of this application. Figure 1As shown, the network architecture may include user equipment (UE), (radio) access network (R)AN) equipment, user plane function (UPF) network element, data network (DN), access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, application function (AF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, authentication server function (AUSF) network element, network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element and service communications proxy (SCP) network element. The UE and (R)AN equipment can communicate directly. The UE and AMF network element can communicate through the N1 interface. (R)AN devices and AMF network elements can communicate through the N2 interface. (R)AN devices and UPF network elements can communicate through the N3 interface. UPF network elements can communicate with SMF network elements through the N4 interface. UPF network elements can communicate with DN through the N6 interface. UPF network elements can communicate with UPF network elements through the N9 interface. The AMF network element can provide the service interface Namf, the SMF network element can provide the service interface Nsmf, the AUSF network element can provide the service interface Nausf, the UDM network element can provide the service interface Nudm, the PCF network element can provide the service interface Npcf, the AF network element can provide the service interface Naf, the NWDAF network element can provide the service interface Nnwdaf, the NEF network element can provide the service interface Nnef, the NRF network element can provide the service interface Nnrf, and the SCP network element can provide the service interface Nscp.AMF network elements, SMF network elements, UDM network elements, PCF network elements, AF network elements, AUSF network elements, NWDAF network elements, NEF network elements, NRF network elements and SCP network elements can communicate through service-oriented interfaces.

[0085] UE, which may also be called terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. The terminal device may be a handheld terminal, a laptop computer, a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone or a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, etc.), an in-vehicle device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric car, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.), an intelligent robot, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a smart grid, etc. The present invention relates to wireless terminals in the transportation safety grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, flying equipment (such as intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes, etc.) or other devices that can access the network. Figure 1 The terminal device is shown as UE, which is only an example and does not limit the terminal device. The UE can access the DN by establishing a session between the UE-(R)AN device-UPF network element-DN, that is, a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0086] (R)AN equipment provides wireless access for UEs and is primarily responsible for air interface-side wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS) flow management, data compression, and encryption. (R)AN equipment can include various base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, and access points. (R)AN equipment can also include wireless fidelity (WiFi) access points (APs). (R)AN equipment can also include worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) base stations (BSs).

[0087] The UPF network element is mainly responsible for user plane related content, such as data packet routing and transmission, mobility anchor point, uplink classifier to support routing service flows to the data network, branch point to support multi-homing protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, packet inspection, service usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing, legal monitoring, downlink packet storage, etc.

[0088] A DN can be the internet, an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Service (IMS) network, or a regional network (i.e., a local network, such as a multiaccess edge computing (MEC) network. The DN is the destination for a UE's PDU session access. The DN includes or deploys an application server, which can communicate with the UE and provide services to the UE.

[0089] AMF network elements can complete access and mobility related functions such as connection management, registration process, mobility management, access authentication and authorization management, reachability management, security context management, and selection of SMF network elements.

[0090] The SMF network element is primarily responsible for session management in the mobile network, selection and control of UPF network elements, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming, and other session-related functions. Session management can include session establishment, modification, release, and update. Session management can also include tunnel maintenance between UPF network elements and access network (AN) equipment.

[0091] The PCF network element is responsible for unified policy formulation, policy control, and obtaining contract information related to policy decisions from the unified data repository (UDR) network element. Policy control can include providing service data flow and application detection, gating, QoS, and flow-based charging control.

[0092] The AF network element mainly supports interaction with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) core network to provide business or services, to influence business flow routing, access network capability exposure, policy control, etc., and can interact with NEF network elements, etc.

[0093] The UDM network element is responsible for user key management, user identity processing, access authorization of subscription data, UE network function entity management, session and service continuity management, short message push, legal monitoring, access authorization, registration and mobility management, contract management, short message management, and management of user data, such as contract information.

[0094] The AUSF network element may be responsible for authenticating and authorizing UE access, such as generating intermediate keys.

[0095] NWDAF network elements provide network data collection and analysis functions based on technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence.

[0096] The NRF network element is mainly responsible for service discovery and maintaining the NF context of available network function (NF) instances and the services they support.

[0097] The NEF is primarily responsible for securely opening up the services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network functions, either internally or to third parties. It also translates or converts information exchanged with the AF network element and internal network function interaction information, such as the AF network element service identifier and internal 5G core network information, such as the data network name (DNN) and single NSSAI (S-NSSAI).

[0098] The SCP network element is responsible for indirect communication between network elements.

[0099] The above network elements in the core network can also be called functional entities, which can be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or instances of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the above virtualization platform can be a cloud platform.

[0100] It should be noted that Figure 1The system architecture shown is not limited to including only the network elements and devices shown in the figure, but may also include other network elements or devices not shown in the figure, which will not be listed one by one in the present invention.

[0101] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the distribution form of each network element in the core network. Figure 1 The distribution form shown is only exemplary and is not limiting to the present invention.

[0102] It should be understood that the names of all network elements in the present invention are only examples. In future communications, such as the sixth generation mobile communication technology (6G), they may also be called other names, or in future communications, such as 6G, the network elements involved in the present invention may also be replaced by other entities or devices with the same functions, etc., and the present invention is not limited to this. A unified explanation is given here and will not be repeated later.

[0103] It should be noted that Figure 1 The fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) network architecture shown does not limit the 5G network. Optionally, the method of the embodiment of the present invention is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G or other communication networks.

[0104] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present invention, the related technologies of the embodiments of the present invention are described below.

[0105] Massive machine type communications (mMTC) is a key application scenario for 5G networks, primarily targeting various Internet of Things (IoT) applications based on cellular networks. To support the low power consumption requirements of IoT devices, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has been researching energy-saving technologies for IoT devices since Release 10. Through energy-saving modes, discontinuous reception (DRX), and idle DRX technologies, IoT devices' transmit and receive antennas are shut down during periods of no communication demand, putting them into a dormant state. This significantly reduces IoT device power consumption, improves their battery life, and ensures that individual devices can be used for 5-10 years.

[0106] In the fourth generation mobile networks (4G) IoT (long term evolution machine to machine (LTE-M) and narrowband IoT (NB-IoT)), extended DRX (eDRX) has been introduced to further reduce the power consumption of IoT devices. For idle state eDRX, the UE can send the required eDRX parameters to the mobility management entity (MME) during the attachment process. After receiving the required eDRX parameters from the UE, the MME can determine the UE's eDRX parameters and send the determined UE's eDRX parameters to the UE. After the UE enters the idle state, when downlink data arrives, the MME can send the UE's eDRX parameters to the access network device to ensure that the access network device can page the UE at the correct time. The required eDRX parameters sent by the UE to the MME can be the same as or different from the UE's eDRX parameters sent by the MME to the UE. The UE's eDRX parameters are determined by the MME based on the required eDRX parameters sent by the UE, the UE's subscription information, and other information.

[0107] Unlike low-power wide area (LPWA), new radio (NR) machine-type communications (MTC) applications can include video surveillance (such as surveillance cameras), industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs) (such as temperature sensors and pressure sensors), and wearable devices (such as smart bracelets, smart watches, and smart glasses). In Release 17 research, lightweight NR technology, also known as reduced capability NR (REDCAP), was introduced as a 5G NR air interface technology for the IoT. This technology targets high-end IoT applications such as video surveillance, industrial sensor networks, and wearables, complementing the legacy scenarios of 4G IoT (LTE-M and NB-IoT).

[0108] REDCAP's energy-saving technology is also under discussion in the standards, particularly regarding extended DRX (eDRX) in idle mode. Because the original 5G NR access technology does not support eDRX, the REDCAP eDRX technology discussion primarily relies on the eDRX mechanisms of traditional IoT technologies, such as 4G NB-IoT and eMTC.

[0109] For idle eDRX, the UE can send the required eDRX parameters to the AMF network element during the registration process. After receiving the required eDRX parameters from the UE, the AMF network element can determine the eDRX parameters and send the determined eDRX parameters to the UE. After the UE enters the idle state, when downlink data arrives, the AMF network element can send the determined eDRX parameters to the access network device to ensure that the access network device can page the UE at the correct time.

[0110] For traditional long term evolution (LTE) and LTE enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) UEs, the idle state eDRX cycle ranges from 5.12s to 2621.44s (approximately 44 minutes). For NB-IoT UEs, the idle state eDRX cycle ranges from 20.48s to 10485.76s (approximately 3 hours). For UEs with a cycle exceeding 10.24s, whether NB-IoT, eMTC, or traditional LTE UEs, the hyperframe (H-SFN) and paging time window (PTW) mechanisms are used during the paging process.

[0111] H-SFN is a concept based on the traditional system frame number (SFN) frame. The length of a superframe is approximately 10.24s, which is the length of 1024 SFN frames. H-SFN is mainly used to achieve loose time synchronization at the superframe granularity between the access network equipment and the AMF network element. It can ensure that when the AMF network element finds that the UE is in the eDRX state, it can send a paging request to the access network device before the corresponding paging superframe time arrives, triggering the access network device to page the target UE within the next superframe time. In addition, the AMF network element can also configure PTW in the eDRX parameters, that is, the UE is only in a reachable state (that is, the network can page it) within the PTW. Outside of this time, the network cannot page.

[0112] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an H-SFN frame disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, there are 14 H-SFN frames, and one paging H-SFN (PH) consists of four 2.56s long frames, i.e., four 256 SFN frames. The UE is paged during the paging occasion (PO) in the PTW of this superframe.

[0113] When the UE is in idle eDRX and the eDRX period is greater than or equal to 10.24s, when downlink data arrives from the network, the AMF network element can send eDRX parameters to the access network device. The access network device can first calculate the PTW based on the eDRX parameters and then calculate the PO within the PTW.

[0114] In 4G IoT, the eDRX cycle is longer, while in REDCAP, the eDRX cycle is shorter. Therefore, to reduce UE complexity, REDCAP no longer uses PH and PTW in eDRX. That is, eDRX does not support PH and PTW. In other words, when the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24s, PH and PTW are no longer used.

[0115] When the 5G core network supports both 4G and REDCAP, the following problems may occur:

[0116] 1. After a UE registered to the 5G core network (5GC) via LTE / LTE-M enters the idle state, if an idle cell reselection occurs and reselects to a REDCAP cell:

[0117] When downlink data arrives, if the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24s, the AMF assumes that the UE still supports PTW and PH and sends the PTW parameters to the access network device. The access network device uses the PTW parameters to calculate the PTW, which can then be used to calculate the PO. However, the UE calculates the PO using traditional methods and waits for paging within the corresponding PO. As a result, the PO calculated by the access network device and the UE may differ, making it impossible for the access network device to page the UE within the calculated PO.

[0118] 2. After a UE registered with 5GC from REDCAP enters the idle state, if an idle cell reselection occurs, it will reselect to an LTE / LTE-M cell:

[0119] When downlink data arrives, if the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to 10.24 seconds, the AMF network element sends eDRX parameters without the PTW parameter to all access network devices. LTE / LTE-M access network devices calculate the PO using traditional methods, while the UE calculates the PO based on the PTW and waits for paging within this calculated PO. This can lead to UE paging failures due to the difference between the PO calculated by the access network device and the UE. Furthermore, the UE must first calculate the PTW and then the PO based on the PTW, resulting in high power consumption.

[0120] Therefore, when 5GC supports both LTE access and REDCAP access, how to ensure eDRX paging when the UE switches between different access technology types (radio access type, RAT) has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0121] It should be understood that in addition to the REDCAP and LTE mentioned above, RAT can also be other access technologies, and the number of access technologies is not limited. Therefore, in order to include all possibilities, the present invention can divide access technologies into two categories of access technologies, namely, first-class RAT and second-class RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first-class RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second-class RAT does not support PTW. The first-class RAT and the second-class RAT can both include one or more RATs. The eDRX corresponding to the first-class RAT supports PTW, which can be understood as when the eDRX period is greater than or equal to 10.24s, the PO is calculated based on the PTW, and when the eDRX period is less than 10.24s, the PO is calculated using the traditional method.

[0122] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flow chart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0123] 301. The SMF network element sends instruction information to the AMF network element.

[0124] After the UPF network element receives the downlink data from the DN, it indicates that there is downlink data sent to the first terminal device, and it can send a data notification message to the SMF network element to notify the SMF network element that the downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the UPF network element. After the SMF network element receives the data notification message from the UPF network element, it can send indication information to the AMF network element to indicate that the downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the core network side, that is, the UPF network element. The downlink data may include or carry the IP address of the first terminal device, indicating that the downlink data is downlink data sent to the first terminal device. The data arrival notification message may include or carry the identifier of the first terminal device, such as the PDU session identifier or the N4 session identifier, to indicate that the data arrival notification message is a data arrival notification message for the first terminal device. The indication information may include or carry the identifier of the first terminal device, to indicate that the indication information is indication information for the first terminal device.

[0125] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives indication information from the SMF network element.

[0126] 302. When the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends eDRX parameters to the first access network device based on the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device.

[0127] After the AMF network element receives the indication information from the SMF network element, it can determine that the downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the core network side, that is, the UPF network element, based on the indication information. Thereafter, the AMF network element can first determine whether the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it can send eDRX parameters to the first access network device based on the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device. The AMF network element can first determine whether the first terminal device is in an idle state. When it is determined that the first terminal device is in an idle state, it can continue to determine whether the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element can send eDRX parameters to the first access network device based on the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device, that is, send a paging message to the first access network device, and the paging message may include eDRX parameters. The first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area (TA) list of the first terminal device.

[0128] The capability information of the first terminal device may include information about the type of the RAT used to access the access network device, which can be understood as information about the type of the RAT used to access the access network device, or information about the types of RATs supported by the first terminal device. The type information may include information about the first type of RAT and information about the second type of RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, while the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW. The eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, which can be understood as meaning that when the eDRX cycle is less than a first threshold, the terminal device and the access network device can use a traditional method to calculate the Point of Interest (PO) (i.e., without using PTW). When the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device and the access network device can use PTW to calculate the Point of Interest (PO). The eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW, which can be understood as meaning that regardless of the eDRX cycle, that is, whether the eDRX cycle is less than the first threshold or greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device and the access network device can use a traditional method to calculate the Point of Interest (PO) and will not use PTW to calculate the Point of Interest. The first threshold can be 10.24 seconds or other values, which can be set as needed and are not limited here.

[0129] In one case, the information of the first category RAT can be the name of the first category RAT, the index number of the first category RAT, the identifier of the first category RAT, or other information that can uniquely identify the first category RAT. Similarly, the information of the second category RAT can be the name of the second category RAT, the index number of the second category RAT, the identifier of the second category RAT, or other information that can uniquely identify the second category RAT. It can be seen that the capability information of the first terminal device can directly include the information of the first category RAT and the information of the second category RAT. The AMF network element can directly determine the first category RAT and the second category RAT based on the capability information of the first terminal device, that is, determine that the first terminal device supports the first category RAT and the second category RAT.

[0130] In another case, the information of the first category RAT may include information of at least one (i.e., one or more) RAT belonging to the first category RAT. This at least one RAT may be all RATs belonging to the first category RAT supported by the first terminal device, or may be some RATs among all RATs belonging to the first category RAT supported by the first terminal device. Similarly, the information of the second category RAT may include information of at least one RAT belonging to the second category RAT. This at least one RAT may be all RATs belonging to the second category RAT supported by the first terminal device, or may be some RATs among all RATs belonging to the second category RAT supported by the first terminal device. It can be seen that the capability information of the first terminal device may include information of multiple RATs, i.e., information of two or more RATs, i.e., information of at least two RATs. At least one RAT among these multiple RATs (i.e., one or more RATs) belongs to the first category RAT, and at least one RAT among these multiple RATs belongs to the second category RAT. The AMF network element can first determine that the information of multiple RATs included in the capability information of the first terminal device corresponds to the RAT type, that is, determine the type of these multiple RATs, and then count the types of multiple RATs, including the first type RAT and the second type RAT, and then determine that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT.

[0131] The capability information of the first access network device may include information about the first RAT of the terminal device accessing the first access network device.

[0132] The AMF network element sends eDRX parameters to the first access network device based on the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device. It can first determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT based on the capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the AMF network element can determine the first RAT based on the information of the first RAT, and then determine whether the first RAT belongs to the first type RAT or the second type RAT. When it is determined that the first RAT belongs to the first type RAT, it indicates that the first access network device supports the first type RAT. The AMF network element can send the first eDRX parameter to the first access network device, that is, send a first paging message to the first access network device. The first paging message may include the first eDRX parameter. The first eDRX parameter may include a PTW parameter. When it is determined that the first RAT does not belong to the first category RAT, that is, the first RAT belongs to the second category RAT, it indicates that the first access network device supports the second category RAT, and a second eDRX parameter can be sent to the first access network device, that is, a second paging message is sent to the first access network device, and the second paging message may include the second eDRX parameter. The second eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter. Both the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter may include the length of the eDRX cycle. The PTW parameter may include the length of the PTW. It can be seen that when the first access network device supports the first category RAT, the AMF network element may send the eDRX parameter with the PTW parameter to the first access network device; when the first access network device supports the second category RAT, the AMF network element may send the eDRX parameter without the PTW parameter to the first access network device.

[0133] To sum up, when downlink data arrives at the first terminal device in the idle state, the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT, the AMF network element can send different eDRX parameters to the access network devices supporting different types of RAT according to the type of RAT corresponding to all access network devices in the TA area of ​​the first terminal device.

[0134] Accordingly, the first access network device receives the eDRX parameters from the AMF network element.

[0135] For example, the first category RAT may include at least one of LTE, LTE-M, and NB-IoT. The second category RAT may include REDCAP, etc. It should be understood that the above is an exemplary description of RATs belonging to the first category RAT and the second category RAT, and does not limit the RATs included in the first category RAT and the second category RAT.

[0136] 303. The first access network device determines a PO according to eDRX parameters.

[0137] After the first access network device receives the eDRX parameters from the AMF network element, it can determine the PO based on the eDRX parameters, and then page the first terminal device within the PO. When the first RAT belongs to the first type of RAT, that is, the first access network device supports the first type of RAT, the first access network device receives the first eDRX parameter. The first RAT is the RAT through which the terminal device accesses the first access network device. The first access network device can first calculate the PTW based on the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and then calculate the PO based on the PTW. The first access network device can first calculate the SFN, and the formula for calculating the SFN can be as follows:

[0138] SFN=256*i eDRX (1)

[0139]

[0140] Among them, UE_ID_H is the identifier of the terminal device, T eDRx_H is the length of the eDRX cycle of the terminal device, The first access network device can then calculate the start time of the PTW based on the SFN. The formula for calculating the start time of the PTW can be as follows:

[0141] SFN=(PTW_start+L*100-1)mod1024 (3)

[0142] Where PTW_start is the start time of PTW, and L is the length of PTW. PO can then be calculated based on PTW. The formula for calculating PO can be as follows:

[0143]

[0144] Wherein, i_H is the index number of the PO, N_H is the number of paging frames (PF) included in the PTW, and Ns is the number of POs included in one PF.

[0145] When the first RAT belongs to the second type RAT, that is, the first access network device supports the second type RAT, the first access network device receives the second eDRX parameter. The first access network device can calculate PO based on the second eDRX parameter. The formula for calculating PO can be as follows:

[0146]

[0147] Among them, i_s is the index number of PO, and N is the number of PFs included in the eDRX cycle of the terminal device.

[0148] Optionally, the AMF network element can receive capability information of the first terminal device before receiving indication information from the SMF network element.

[0149] In one case, the first terminal device can determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT based on the supported RAT. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the capability information of the first terminal device can be sent to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device. The first terminal device can send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element during the registration process. For example, the first terminal device can send a registration request message to the AMF network element, and the registration request message may include or carry the capability information of the first terminal device. The first terminal device can also send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element in other processes, which is not limited here. When it is determined that the first terminal device only supports the first type RAT or the second type RAT, the first terminal device may not send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0150] In another scenario, the second access network device can obtain the wireless capability information of the first terminal device and, based on the wireless capability information of the first terminal device, determine whether the first terminal device supports both the first and second RATs. If the first terminal device is determined to support both the first and second RATs, the second access network device can send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the second access network device. If the second access network device determines that the first terminal device supports only the first or second RAT, the second access network device may not send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element. The second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device is connected when the AMF network element receives the wireless capability information of the first terminal device. The wireless capability information of the first terminal device can be obtained by the second access network device from the first terminal device. The wireless capability information of the first terminal device can be proactively sent by the first terminal device to the second access network device, or the second access network device can first send an acquisition request to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device, upon receiving the acquisition request, sends the information to the second access network device based on the acquisition request. The wireless capability information of the first terminal device may also be obtained by the second access network device from other devices or network elements, such as the AMF network element, which is not limited here. The above process may be completed during the registration process of the first terminal device. For example, the second access network device may send an N2 message to the AMF network element, and the N2 message may include or carry the capability information of the first terminal device. The above process may also be completed in other processes, which is not limited here. The wireless capability information of the first terminal device is the information of the access network device supported by the first terminal device, which may include frequency band, transmission power, etc.

[0151] After receiving the capability information of the first terminal device, the AMF network element can determine, based on the capability information of the first terminal device, that the first terminal device supports the first and second category RATs. The AMF network element can then store the capability information of the first terminal device for subsequent access. The AMF network element can determine the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device and then determine whether the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element can send first eDRX parameters to the first terminal device based on the capability information of the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameters from the AMF network element. This shows that when the first terminal device supports both the first and second category RATs, and the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element can send eDRX parameters including PTW parameters to the first terminal device regardless of whether the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, that is, regardless of the type of RAT currently used by the first terminal device. When the above is completed during the registration process, the AMF network element can send a registration acceptance message to the first terminal device, and the registration acceptance message may include or carry the first eDRX parameter.

[0152] After the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, it can determine the PO based on the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter. The first terminal device can first determine whether the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT or the second category RAT, and then determine the calculation method of the PO based on the first category RAT or the second category RAT. When the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, the first terminal device can first calculate the PTW based on the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and then calculate the PO based on the PTW. When the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the second category RAT, the first terminal device does not need to calculate the PTW based on the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and can directly calculate the PO. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description corresponding to the first access network device. It can be seen that when the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, the first terminal device first calculates the PTW, and then calculates the PO based on the PTW; when the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the second category RAT, the first terminal device uses the traditional method to directly calculate the PO.

[0153] It can be seen that the AMF network element can obtain the capability information of the first terminal device during the registration process of the first terminal device, and then determine that the first terminal device supports the first type of RAT and the second type of RAT based on the capability information of the first terminal device. Therefore, it can be ensured that during the negotiation of the eDRX parameters of the first terminal device by the AMF network element, when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters can be directly configured for the first terminal device regardless of the type of RAT currently used by the first terminal device. The first terminal device can decide whether to use the PTW parameters in the eDRX parameters based on the type of RAT currently used by itself.

[0154] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0155] 401. The AMF network element receives capability information of the first terminal device.

[0156] The AMF network element may receive capability information from the first terminal device. For a detailed description of the capability information of the first terminal device, refer to step 302.

[0157] In one scenario, the first terminal device may determine whether it supports the first and second types of RATs based on the supported RATs. If it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first and second types of RATs, the first terminal device's capability information may be sent to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description below step 303.

[0158] In another case, the second access network device can obtain the wireless capability information of the first terminal device and can determine whether the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT based on the wireless capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the capability information of the first terminal device can be sent to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device from the second access network device. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description below step 303.

[0159] 402. When the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0160] After the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device, when the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it can send a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0161] After the AMF network element receives the capability information of the first terminal device, it can first determine the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device. The AMF network element can then determine whether the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first eDRX parameter can be sent to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device. The AMF network element can first determine whether the first terminal device supports the first and second types of RATs based on the capability information of the first terminal device. When it is determined that the first terminal device supports both the first and second types of RATs, the first eDRX parameter can be sent to the first terminal device.

[0162] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element.

[0163] 403. The first terminal device determines PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0164] After the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, it can determine the PO based on the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description below step 303.

[0165] Optionally, after receiving the downlink data from the DN, the UPF network element may send a data arrival notification message to the SMF network element. After receiving the data arrival notification message from the UPF network element, the SMF network element may send an indication message to the AMF network element. Accordingly, the AMF network element receives the indication message from the SMF network element. For a detailed description, please refer to step 301.

[0166] After the AMF network element receives the indication information from the SMF network element, it can first determine whether the first terminal device is in an idle state. When it is determined that the first terminal device is in an idle state, it can continue to determine whether the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and whether the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT. When it is determined that the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the AMF network element can send the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices in the TA list, that is, send the first paging message to all access network devices in the TA list, and the first paging message can first include the eDRX parameter. It can be seen that the AMF network element can send the same eDRX parameters to different access network devices.

[0167] After the access network device in the TA list receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, it can determine the PO based on the capability information of the access network device and the first eDRX parameter. The access network device can first determine whether the currently used RAT belongs to the first category RAT or the second category RAT based on the capability information of the access network device. The access network device can then determine whether the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold. When the eDRX cycle is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the access network device can determine the calculation method of the PO based on the first category RAT or the second category RAT. When the RAT currently used by the access network device belongs to the first category RAT, the access network device can first calculate the PTW based on the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and then calculate the PO based on the PTW. When the RAT currently used by the access network device belongs to the second category RAT, the access network device does not need to calculate the PTW based on the PTW parameter included in the first eDRX parameter, and can directly calculate the PO. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description below step 303.

[0168] It can be seen that when downlink data arrives at the first terminal device in the idle state, the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the AMF network element can send the same eDRX parameters including the PTW parameters to all access network devices in the TA area. After receiving the eDRX parameters, the access network device can determine whether to use the PTW parameters in the eDRX parameters based on its own capabilities.

[0169] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0170] 501. The first terminal device sends the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0171] Accordingly, the AMF network element receives capability information from the first terminal device.

[0172] The detailed description of step 501 may refer to step 401 in one case.

[0173] 502. When the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0174] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first eDRX parameter from the AMF network element.

[0175] For a detailed description of step 502 , please refer to step 402 .

[0176] 503. The first terminal device determines PO according to the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0177] For a detailed description of step 503 , please refer to step 403 .

[0178] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0179] 601. The AMF network element receives capability information of the first terminal device.

[0180] In one case, i.e., 601a, when the first terminal device supports both the first and second RAT types, the capability information of the first terminal device is sent to the AMF network element. In another case, i.e., 601b, when the first terminal device supports both the first and second RAT types, the access network device may send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0181] The detailed description of step 601 may refer to the description of step 401 .

[0182] 602. The AMF network element stores the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0183] After the AMF network element receives the capability information from the first terminal device, it can store the capability information of the first terminal device for subsequent calls.

[0184] 603. When the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0185] For a detailed description of step 603 , please refer to step 402 .

[0186] 604. The first terminal device determines PO based on the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0187] For a detailed description of step 604 , please refer to step 403 .

[0188] 605. The UPF network element sends a data notification message to the SMF network element.

[0189] For a detailed description of step 605 , please refer to step 301 .

[0190] 606. The SMF network element sends instruction information to the AMF network element.

[0191] For a detailed description of step 606 , please refer to step 301 .

[0192] 607. When the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends eDRX parameters to the first access network device based on the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device.

[0193] For a detailed description of step 607 , please refer to step 302 .

[0194] 608. The access network device determines the PO according to the eDRX parameters.

[0195] For a detailed description of step 608 , please refer to step 303 .

[0196] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0197] 701. The AMF network element receives capability information of the first terminal device.

[0198] In one case, i.e., 701a, when the first terminal device supports both the first and second RAT types, the capability information of the first terminal device is sent to the AMF network element. In another case, i.e., 701b, when the first terminal device supports both the first and second RAT types, the access network device may send the capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0199] For a detailed description of step 701 , reference may be made to the description of step 401 .

[0200] 702. The AMF network element stores the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0201] After the AMF network element receives the capability information from the first terminal device, it can store the capability information of the first terminal device for subsequent calls.

[0202] 703. When the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element sends a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0203] For a detailed description of step 703 , please refer to step 402 .

[0204] 704. The first terminal device determines PO based on the currently used RAT and the first eDRX parameter.

[0205] For a detailed description of step 704 , please refer to step 403 .

[0206] 705. The UPF network element sends a data notification message to the SMF network element.

[0207] For a detailed description of step 705 , please refer to step 301 .

[0208] 706. The SMF network element sends instruction information to the AMF network element.

[0209] For a detailed description of step 706 , please refer to step 301 .

[0210] 707. The AMF network element sends the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices in the tracking area TA list corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0211] For a detailed description of step 707 , please refer to the relevant description below step 403 .

[0212] 708. The access network device determines a PO according to the capability information of the access network device and the first eDRX parameter.

[0213] For a detailed description of step 708 , please refer to the relevant description below step 403 .

[0214] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a flow chart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps.

[0215] 801. The AMF network element receives capability information of the first terminal device.

[0216] For a detailed description of step 801, reference may be made to the description of step 401. For a detailed description of the capability information of the first terminal device, reference may be made to step 302.

[0217] 802. The AMF network element sends the first information to the first terminal device.

[0218] After receiving the capability information of the first terminal device, the AMF network element can determine, based on the capability information of the first terminal device, that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in step 302.

[0219] In one case, when it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the AMF network element may directly determine the first information and may send the first information to the first terminal device. In another case, when it is determined that the first terminal device supports the first type RAT and the second type RAT, the AMF network element may first determine whether the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold. When it is determined that the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the AMF network element may determine the first information and may send the first information to the first terminal device.

[0220] The first information may include information about a first TA list. The first TA list may be composed of RATs of the first category RATs. The TA list of the first terminal device may include the first TA list. The RAT used by the first terminal device to access the access network device may be understood as the RAT used by the first terminal device to access the access network device, or as the RAT that the first terminal device can use to access the access network device, or as the RAT supported by the first terminal device. The first TA list is composed of cells (or areas) corresponding to RATs of the first category RATs. This may be understood as the first TA list being composed of cells (or areas) corresponding to RATs belonging to the first category RATs among all RATs supported by the first terminal device, or as the cells (or areas) corresponding to all RATs belonging to the first category RATs. All RATs belonging to the first category RATs may include RATs belonging to the first category RATs among all RATs supported by the first terminal device. When the first TA list is composed of cells (or areas) corresponding to RATs belonging to the first category RATs among all RATs supported by the first terminal device, and when the capability information of the first terminal device includes information about all RATs supported by the first terminal device, the first terminal device does not need to additionally send information about the RATs in the first list to the AMF network element. When the information of the first terminal device does not include information of all RATs supported by the first terminal device, the first terminal device also needs to send information of the RATs supported by the first terminal device and belonging to the first category of RATs to the AMF network element. It should be understood that the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category of RATs. It can be seen that the first terminal device needs to send information of all RATs supported by the first terminal device and of the same type as the currently used RAT to the AMF network element. The information of these RATs can be included in the capability information of the first terminal device, or can be sent to the AMF network element together with the capability information of the first terminal device, or can be sent to the AMF network element in other ways.

[0221] The AMF network element may first determine that the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, and then may determine the first information based on all RATs supported by the first terminal device and belonging to the first category RAT, or may determine the first information based on all RATs belonging to the first category RAT. The first terminal device may send information about the RAT currently used by the first terminal device to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element may determine that the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT based on the information about the RAT currently used by the first terminal device.

[0222] In addition, the AMF network element may further determine a third eDRX parameter. The third eDRX parameter may include a PTW parameter. The AMF may send the first information and the third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device.

[0223] The AMF network element may send a registration completion message to the first terminal device, and the registration completion message may include the first information (and the third eDRX parameter).

[0224] Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the first information (and the third eDRX parameter) from the AMF network element.

[0225] 803. When the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, the first terminal device sends a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element.

[0226] After the first terminal device receives the first information from the AMF network element, when the first terminal device is in an idle state and the RAT used by the cell / access network device to which the first terminal device is attached (or resides) changes, the first terminal device can determine whether the changed RAT belongs to the first TA list. When it is determined that the changed RAT does not belong to the first TA list, it indicates that the first terminal device has moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, and the first terminal device sends a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element. The mobile registration update request can instruct the first terminal device to move out of the area corresponding to the first TA list. When it is determined that the changed RAT belongs to the first TA list, it indicates that the first terminal device has not moved out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, and the first terminal device may not send a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element.

[0227] Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device.

[0228] 804. The AMF network element sends the second information to the first terminal device.

[0229] After the AMF network element receives the mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, it can determine the second information and send the second information to the first terminal device. The second information may include information of a second TA list, and the second TA list may be composed of cells (or areas) corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT. The TA list of the first terminal device may include the second TA list. At this time, the RAT currently used by the first terminal device belongs to the second type of RAT. A detailed description of the second TA list can refer to the relevant description of the first TA list.

[0230] The first terminal device may also send information about all RATs supported by the first terminal device and belonging to the second category of RATs to the AMF network element, that is, the first terminal device also needs to send information about all RATs supported by the first terminal device and of the same RAT type as the currently used RAT to the AMF network element. This RAT information may be included in the capability information of the first terminal device, or may be sent to the AMF network element together with the capability information of the first terminal device, or may be included in a mobile registration update request, or may be sent to the AMF network element in other ways.

[0231] In addition, the AMF network element may further determine a fourth eDRX parameter. The fourth eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter. The AMF network element may send the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device. The AMF network element may send the second information and the fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device via a registration accept message.

[0232] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second information (and the fourth eDRX parameter) from the AMF network element.

[0233] It should be understood that the above is explained using the example of the RAT used when the first terminal device registers as belonging to the first category RAT, and the same applies to the RAT used when the first terminal device registers as belonging to the second category RAT. At this time, in the registration process (i.e., step 802), the AMF network element sends the second information (and the fourth eDRX parameter) to the first terminal device, and during the mobility update registration (i.e., step 804), the AMF network element sends the first information (and the third eDRX parameter) to the first terminal device.

[0234] It can be seen that in order to avoid conflicts in the eDRX parameters supported by idle terminal devices due to cell reselection, whether the terminal device supports multiple RAT capabilities and the eDRX cycle of the terminal device is considered when configuring the TA list, and different TA lists are allocated to it in different types of RATs to ensure that the mobile update registration process is triggered when the terminal device reselects a cell across different types of RATs in the idle state, so that the core network can perceive the changes in the RAT used by the terminal device and configure the eDRX parameters under the corresponding RAT type for it.

[0235] It should be understood that the functions performed by the UPF network element in the above communication method can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the UPF network element, the functions performed by the AMF network element can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the AMF network element, the functions performed by the SMF network element can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the SMF network element, the functions performed by the access network device can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the access network device, and the functions performed by the first terminal device can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the first terminal device.

[0236] It should be understood that relevant information (ie, the same information or similar information) in the above different embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0237] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9As shown, the communication device may include a receiving unit 901 and a sending unit 902.

[0238] In one case, the communication device may be an AMF network element, or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element.

[0239] The receiving unit 901 is configured to receive indication information from an SMF network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the core network side;

[0240] Sending unit 902 is used to send eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The first access network device is any access network device in the TA list of the first terminal device.

[0241] In one embodiment, the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing the access network device, and the capability information of the first access network device includes information of a first RAT for accessing the first access network device by the terminal device, the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW;

[0242] The sending unit 902 is specifically configured to:

[0243] When the first RAT belongs to the first category RAT, sending a first eDRX parameter to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter;

[0244] When the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, a second eDRX parameter is sent to the first access network device, where the second eDRX parameter does not include a PTW parameter.

[0245] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device;

[0246] The sending unit 902 is further used to send a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0247] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 receives the capability information of the first terminal device including:

[0248] Capability information of the first terminal device is received from the first terminal device.

[0249] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 receives the capability information of the first terminal device including:

[0250] Receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

[0251] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902, please refer to the above Figure 3 The relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0252] In another case, the communication device may be an AMF network element, or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element.

[0253] A receiving unit 901 is configured to receive capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, where the type information includes information of a first type RAT and information of a second type RAT, where the eDRX corresponding to the first type RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type RAT does not support PTW;

[0254] The sending unit 902 is used to send a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

[0255] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0256] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when receiving the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0257] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive indication information from an SMF network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the core network side;

[0258] The sending unit 902 is also used to send the first eDRX parameter to all access network devices in the TA list corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0259] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902, please refer to the above Figure 4 The relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0260] In another case, the communication device may be an AMF network element, or a module (e.g., a chip) in the AMF network element.

[0261] A receiving unit 901 is configured to receive capability information of a first terminal device, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, where the type information includes information of a first type RAT and information of a second type RAT, where the eDRX corresponding to the first type RAT supports PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type RAT does not support PTW;

[0262] The sending unit 902 is used to send first information to the first terminal device, where the first information includes information of a first TA list. The first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0263] In one embodiment, the sending unit 902 is specifically configured to send first information to the first terminal device when the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0264] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

[0265] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when receiving the capability information of the first terminal device.

[0266] In one embodiment, the sending unit 902 sends the first information to the first terminal device including:

[0267] Sending the first information and the third eDRX parameter to the first terminal device;

[0268] The receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive a mobile registration update request from the first terminal device, where the mobile registration update request is used to instruct the first terminal device to move out of an area corresponding to the first TA list;

[0269] The sending unit 902 is further configured to send second information and a fourth eDRX parameter to the first terminal device, where the second information includes information of a second TA list, the second TA list being composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the second TA list;

[0270] When the third eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter; and when the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0271] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902, please refer to the above Figure 8 The relevant description of the AMF network element in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0272] In another case, the communication device may be the first terminal device, or a module (eg, a chip) in the first terminal device.

[0273] A sending unit 902 is configured to send capability information of the first terminal device to the AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of the RAT for accessing the access network device, where the type information includes information of a first type RAT and information of a second type RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type RAT supports PTW, while the eDRX corresponding to the second type RAT does not support PTW.

[0274] The receiving unit 901 is used to receive the first information from the AMF network element, where the first information includes information of the first TA list, where the first TA list is composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the first type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device includes the first TA list.

[0275] In one embodiment, the sending unit 902 is specifically configured to send the wireless capability information of the first terminal device to the second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when sending the wireless capability information of the first terminal device.

[0276] In one embodiment, the receiving unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the first information and the third eDRX parameter from the AMF network element;

[0277] The sending unit 902 is further configured to send a mobile registration update request to the AMF network element when the first terminal device moves out of the area corresponding to the first TA list, where the mobile registration update request is used to instruct the first terminal device to move out of the area corresponding to the first TA list;

[0278] The receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive second information and a fourth eDRX parameter from the AMF network element, where the second information includes information of a second TA list, the second TA list being composed of cells corresponding to the RAT of the second type of RAT, and the TA list of the first terminal device including the second TA list;

[0279] When the third eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter; and when the third eDRX parameter does not include the PTW parameter, the fourth eDRX parameter includes the PTW parameter.

[0280] For a more detailed description of the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902, please refer to the above Figure 8The relevant description of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0281] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 FIG is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device may include:

[0282] The sending unit 1001 is configured to send capability information of a first terminal device to an AMF network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of a RAT for accessing an access network device, where the type information includes information of a first type RAT and information of a second type RAT. The eDRX corresponding to the first type RAT supports PTW, while the eDRX corresponding to the second type RAT does not support PTW.

[0283] The receiving unit 1002 is configured to receive a first eDRX parameter from an AMF network element, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter;

[0284] The determination unit 1003 is configured to determine the PO according to the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT and the eDRX period of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

[0285] In one embodiment, the determination unit 1003 is also used to determine the PO based on the parameters other than the PTW parameter in the first eDRX parameter when the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the first category RAT, but the eDRX period of the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, or the current RAT corresponding to the first terminal device belongs to the second category RAT.

[0286] For a more detailed description of the sending unit 1001, the receiving unit 1002 and the determining unit 1003, please refer to the above Figure 5 The relevant description of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0287] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 As shown, the communication device may include a processor 1101, a memory 1102, an input interface 1103, an output interface 1104, and a bus 1105. The memory 1102 may be independent or connected to the processor 1101 via the bus 1105. The memory 1102 may also be integrated with the processor 1101. The bus 1105 is used to connect these components.

[0288] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an AMF network element or a module (e.g., a chip) within the AMF network element. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1102 are executed, the processor 1101 is used to control the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment. The input interface 1103 is used to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 901 in the above embodiment, and the output interface 1104 is used to perform the operations performed by the sending unit 902 in the above embodiment. The above-mentioned AMF network element or the module within the AMF network element can also be used to perform the above-mentioned Figure 3-Figure 4 and Figure 8 The various methods performed by the AMF network element in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0289] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1102 are executed, the processor 1101 is used to control the receiving unit 901 and the sending unit 902 to perform the operations performed in the above embodiment. The input interface 1103 is used to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 901 in the above embodiment, and the output interface 1104 is used to perform the operations performed by the sending unit 902 in the above embodiment. The above first terminal device or the module within the first terminal device may also be used to perform the above Figure 8 The various methods executed by the first terminal device network element in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0290] In one embodiment, the communication device may be a first terminal device or a module (e.g., a chip) within the first terminal device. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 1102 are executed, the processor 1101 is used to control the sending unit 1001 and the receiving unit 1002 to perform the operations performed in the above-mentioned embodiment. The processor 1101 is also used to execute the operations performed by the determining unit 1103 in the above-mentioned embodiment. The input interface 1103 is used to execute the operations performed by the receiving unit 1002 in the above-mentioned embodiment. The output interface 1104 is used to execute the operations performed by the sending unit 1001 in the above-mentioned embodiment. The above-mentioned first terminal device or the module within the first terminal device may also be used to execute the above-mentioned Figure 5 The various methods executed by the first terminal device in the method embodiment are not described in detail.

[0291] Based on the above network architecture, please refer to Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12As shown, the communication device may include an input interface 1201, a logic circuit 1202 and an output interface 1203. The input interface 1201 and the output interface 1203 are connected through the logic circuit 1202. The input interface 1201 is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface 1203 is used to output, schedule or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit 1202 is used to perform operations other than the operations of the input interface 1201 and the output interface 1203, such as implementing the functions implemented by the processor 1101 in the above embodiment. The communication device may be an AMF network element or a module within the AMF network element, or may be a first terminal device or a module within the first terminal device. A more detailed description of the input interface 1201, the logic circuit 1202 and the output interface 1203 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant description of the AMF network element or the first terminal device in the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0292] An embodiment of the present invention further discloses a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed, executes the method in the above method embodiment.

[0293] An embodiment of the present invention further discloses a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed, performs the method in the above method embodiment.

[0294] The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a communication system, which may include an AMF network element, etc., and the specific description can refer to Figure 3-Figure 8 The communication method shown.

[0295] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific implementation methods of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Indication information sent by the session management function network element to the access and mobility management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device arrives at the core network side; When the period of extended discontinuous reception eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the access and mobility management function network element sends eDRX parameters to the first access network device based on the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device. The first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area TA list of the first terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of an access technology type RAT of an access network device, the capability information of the first access network device includes information of a first RAT of the terminal device accessing the first access network device, the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, the eDRX corresponding to the first type of RAT supports a paging time window PTW, and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW; The sending the eDRX parameter to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device includes: When the first RAT belongs to the first category RAT, sending a first eDRX parameter to the first access network device, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter; When the first RAT belongs to the second type of RAT, second eDRX parameters are sent to the first access network device, where the second eDRX parameters do not include a PTW parameter.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving capability information of the first terminal device; When the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first eDRX parameter is sent to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The receiving capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The receiving capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

6. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first terminal sends capability information of the first terminal device to the access and mobility management function network element, where the capability information of the first terminal device includes type information of an access technology type RAT of an access network device, the type information includes information of a first type of RAT and information of a second type of RAT, where the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) corresponding to the first type of RAT supports a paging time window (PTW), and the eDRX corresponding to the second type of RAT does not support PTW. When the eDRX cycle of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the access and mobility management function network element sends a first eDRX parameter to the first terminal device according to the capability information of the first terminal device, where the first eDRX parameter includes a PTW parameter.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The receiving capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive capability information of the first terminal device from the first terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The receiving capability information of the first terminal device includes: Receive capability information of the first terminal device from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the access network device to which the first terminal device accesses when the capability information of the first terminal device is received.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving indication information from a session management function (SMF) network element, the indication information being used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device has arrived at the core network side; The first eDRX parameter is sent to all access network devices in the tracking area TA list corresponding to the first terminal device.

10. A communication system, characterized in that: include: Session management function network element and access and mobility management function network element; The session management function network element is used to send indication information to the access and mobility management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that downlink data of the first terminal device reaches the core network side; The access and mobility management function network element is used to send eDRX parameters to the first access network device according to the capability information of the first terminal device and the capability information of the first access network device when the period of the extended discontinuous reception eDRX of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The first access network device is any access network device in the tracking area TA list of the first terminal device.

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