Communication method and device

Abstract

According to the communication method and device, multiple sets of discontinuous reception (DRX) configurations or discontinuous transmission (DTX) configurations are introduced in the method, and service transmission matching with terminal equipment is facilitated. The method comprises the following steps: an access network device sends multiple sets of discontinuous reception (DRX) configurations or discontinuous transmission (DTX) configurations with different durations to a core network device. And the core network equipment indicates the configuration matched with the service demand of the terminal equipment from the multiple sets of DRX configurations or DTX configurations. The method is beneficial for the access network equipment to schedule the first terminal equipment based on the cell DTX / DRX configuration matched with the service requirement of the first terminal equipment under the condition of considering the service performance and the network energy saving.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In cell discontinuous transmission (CRT) technology, network devices perform downlink transmissions with terminal devices during designated time periods, while not performing downlink transmissions during other periods. This allows for power-saving by employing shutdown techniques during the periods when downlink transmission is not occurring. Similarly, in cell discontinuous reception (DRX) technology, terminal devices perform uplink transmissions with network devices during designated time periods, while not performing uplink transmissions during other periods. This allows network devices to employ power-saving techniques during the periods when uplink transmissions are not occurring, further enhancing network efficiency.

[0003] However, to ensure the performance of ultra-reliable, low-latency services, network devices typically do not enable the cellDTX / DRX function; that is, the network devices remain active and cannot enter a sleep state. Considering both service performance and network energy efficiency, how network devices should utilize the cellDTX / DRX function still requires further investigation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that facilitates access network equipment in scheduling terminal devices based on cellDTX / DRX configurations that match the service requirements of terminal devices, while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0005] Firstly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be executed by an access network device. This access network device can refer to the access network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that is equivalent to an access network device and implements the method. In this method, the access network device sends multiple first configurations to a core network device, with different first configurations having different first durations. The access network device receives first indication information sent by the core network device, the first indication information indicating a second configuration, which is the configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device. Specifically, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0006] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, the access network device sends multiple cellDTX / DRX configurations with different first durations to the core network device, and obtains the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device among the multiple cellDTX / DRX configurations by receiving the first indication information sent by the core network device. This is beneficial for the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0007] In one optional implementation, the access network device further sends a second configuration to the first terminal device. This approach allows the first terminal device to activate a second configuration that matches service requirements, thereby balancing service performance and network energy efficiency.

[0008] In one optional implementation, the second configuration is a configuration among multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. Specifically, the second configuration is a configuration among multiple first configurations that matches the PDB with the smallest value in one or more packet latency budget PDBs. The PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs can represent the service with the lowest latency requirement among the service requirements. Therefore, the method of configuring the second configuration with the PDB with the smallest value among the multiple first configurations ensures that the network device's scheduling of the first terminal device can guarantee the performance of the service with the lowest latency requirement among the service requirements.

[0009] In one optional implementation, the second configuration is a configuration among a plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. Specifically, the second configuration is a configuration among a plurality of first configurations that matches the first Quality of Service (QoS) flow parameter; the first QoS flow parameter is a QoS flow parameter among a plurality of QoS flow parameters that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs.

[0010] In one alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0011] In another alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including a first terminal device.

[0012] Secondly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be executed by a core network device. Here, the core network device can refer to the core network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that is equivalent to a core network device and implements the method. In this method, the core network device receives multiple first configurations sent by an access network device, where different first configurations have different first durations. The core network device determines a second configuration, which is the configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device. Specifically, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0013] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, the core network device determines the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from multiple cellDTX / DRX configurations from the access network device. This is beneficial for the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0014] In one optional implementation, the core network device also receives service requests from the first terminal device. These service requests are sent by the first terminal device to the access network device, which then forwards them to the core network device.

[0015] In one optional implementation, the core network device further sends a first indication message to the access network device, the first indication message indicating a second configuration. This approach facilitates the access network device in activating a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, thereby achieving network energy saving while ensuring service performance.

[0016] In one optional implementation, the core network device determines a second configuration, including: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are all higher than a preset threshold. When one or more PDBs are all higher than the preset threshold, it indicates that there are no low-latency services among the one or more services corresponding to the one or more PDBs. Therefore, the access network device can enable / disable the cellDTX / DRX function. Thus, the core network device's determination of a cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device is beneficial for the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, while balancing service performance and network energy saving.

[0017] In one optional implementation, when the access network device finds one or more PDBs with a number of PDBs below a preset threshold, it determines second indication information. This second indication information instructs the deactivation of multiple first configurations. The presence of PDBs below the preset threshold in one or more PDBs indicates the presence of low-latency services among the one or more services corresponding to those PDBs. To ensure the performance of these low-latency services, the access network device must not enable / disable the cellDTX / DRX function. Therefore, the core network device's determination of the second indication information to deactivate multiple first configurations is beneficial in instructing the access network device to activate all first configurations.

[0018] In one optional implementation, the core network device determines the second configuration by: determining a first QoS flow parameter from a plurality of QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs; and determining the second configuration from a plurality of first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameter.

[0019] As can be seen, the core network equipment determines the first QoS flow parameter that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs, and then determines the second configuration that matches the first QoS flow parameter. Thus, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more first configurations.

[0020] In one alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0021] In another alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including a first terminal device.

[0022] Thirdly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be executed by a core network device. Here, the core network device can refer to the core network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that is equivalent to a core network device and implements the method. In this method, the core network device receives multiple first configurations sent by an access network device, where different first configurations have different first durations. When one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold, the core network device determines a second configuration, which is a configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device. When one or more PDBs contain a PDB lower than the preset threshold, the core network device determines second indication information, which indicates the deactivation of the multiple first configurations.

[0023] Wherein, the first configuration is the cell discontinuous transmission DTX configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is the cell discontinuous reception DRX configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception. One or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0024] As can be seen, in this embodiment, when one or more PDBs are higher than a preset threshold, the core network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from multiple first configurations. This helps the access network device schedule the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving. When there is a PDB lower than a preset threshold in one or more PDBs, the core network device determines a second indication information to activate multiple first configurations. This helps to instruct the access network device to activate multiple first configurations to ensure the performance of low-latency services.

[0025] In one optional implementation, when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold, the core network device determines a second configuration, including: when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than the preset threshold, determining a first QoS flow parameter from multiple QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among the one or more PDBs; and determining a second configuration from multiple first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameter.

[0026] As can be seen, the core network equipment determines a first QoS flow parameter that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs, and then determines a second configuration that matches the first QoS flow parameter. Thus, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. Furthermore, when one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of a first terminal device, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; when one or more PDBs are the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the service requirements of multiple terminal devices. Therefore, it can also be said that the second configuration is the configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0027] In one optional implementation, when one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, the core network device also receives the service requirements of the first terminal device. Specifically, the service requirements of the first terminal device are sent by the first terminal device to the access network device, and then forwarded by the access network device to the core network device.

[0028] In another alternative implementation, where one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the core network device also receives the service requirements of each of the multiple terminal devices.

[0029] In one optional implementation, the core network device sends a first indication message or a second indication message to the access network device, whereby the first indication message indicates a second configuration. Specifically, if the core network device determines the second configuration, it sends the first indication message to the access network device, causing the access network device to activate the second configuration, thereby achieving network energy saving while ensuring service performance. If the core network device determines the second indication message, it sends the second indication message to the access network device, causing the access network device to deactivate multiple first configurations, thus ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0030] Fourthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be executed by an access network device. Here, the access network device can refer to the access network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that is equivalent to an access network device and implements the method. In this method, the access network device determines multiple first configurations, and different first configurations have different first durations. The access network device determines a second configuration, which is the configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device. Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0031] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, the access network device determines multiple first configurations and determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from the multiple first configurations. This is beneficial for scheduling the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0032] In one optional implementation, the access network device further sends a second configuration to the first terminal device to enable the first terminal device to activate the second configuration, which helps to achieve network energy saving while ensuring service performance.

[0033] In one alternative implementation, the access network device also receives service requests from the first terminal device.

[0034] In one optional implementation, the access network device determines a second configuration, including: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are all higher than a preset threshold. When one or more PDBs are all higher than the preset threshold, it indicates that there are no low-latency services among the one or more services corresponding to the one or more PDBs. Therefore, the access network device can enable / disable the cellDTX / DRX function. Determining a cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device is beneficial for scheduling the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches its service requirements, while balancing service performance and network energy saving.

[0035] In one optional implementation, when the access network device finds that one or more PDBs contain PDBs with a number below a preset threshold, it determines to deactivate multiple first configurations. The presence of PDBs with a number below the preset threshold indicates that one or more services corresponding to those PDBs contain low-latency services. Therefore, to ensure the performance of these low-latency services, the access network device does not enable / disable the cellDTX / DRX function and determines to deactivate all first configurations.

[0036] In one alternative implementation, the access network device determines the second configuration by: determining the second configuration from a plurality of first configurations based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. Therefore, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs.

[0037] In one alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0038] In another alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including a first terminal device.

[0039] Fifthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be executed by an access network device. This access network device can refer to the access network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that is equivalent to an access network device and implements the method. In this method, the access network device determines multiple first configurations, each with a different first duration. When one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold, the access network device determines a second configuration, which is the configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device. When one or more PDBs contain PDBs lower than the preset threshold, the access network device determines to deactivate the multiple first configurations.

[0040] Wherein, the first configuration is the cell discontinuous transmission DTX configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is the cell discontinuous reception DRX configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception. One or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0041] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, when one or more PDBs are higher than a preset threshold, the access network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from multiple first configurations. This facilitates scheduling the first terminal device based on the cellDTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving. When there is a PDB lower than the preset threshold in one or more PDBs, the access network device determines to deactivate multiple first configurations to ensure the performance of low-latency services.

[0042] In one alternative implementation, the access network device determines the second configuration by: determining the second configuration from a plurality of first configurations based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. Therefore, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs.

[0043] In one alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0044] In another alternative implementation, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including a first terminal device.

[0045] In one optional implementation, the access network device further sends a second configuration or deactivation indication to the first terminal device, wherein the deactivation indication instructs the first terminal device to deactivate the configured cellDTX / DRX configuration. Specifically, if the access network device determines a second configuration, it sends the second configuration to the first terminal device to enable the first terminal device to activate the second configuration. If the access network device determines to deactivate multiple first configurations, it sends a deactivation indication to the first terminal device to instruct the first terminal device to deactivate the activated cellDTX / DRX configuration, thereby ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0046] Sixthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first terminal device. Here, the first terminal device can refer to the first terminal device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system that is equivalent to the first terminal device and implements the method. In this method, the first terminal device sends a service request; the first terminal device receives a second configuration, which is a configuration among multiple first configurations that matches the service request. The first configuration is either a discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration or a discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration.

[0047] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, the first terminal device receives a cell DTX configuration or cell DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, thereby activating the cell DTX configuration or cell DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, which can achieve network energy saving while ensuring service performance.

[0048] In one optional implementation, the first terminal device sends a service request, including sending the service request to the access network device.

[0049] In another optional implementation, the first terminal device sends the service request, including sending the service request to the core network equipment. The service request of the first terminal device is forwarded through the access network equipment.

[0050] In one optional implementation, the first terminal device receives a second configuration, including: receiving a second configuration sent by an access network device, wherein the second configuration is sent by a core network device to the access device.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, the method comprising: an access network device sending a plurality of first configurations to a core network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations; the core network device receiving the plurality of first configurations sent by the access network device; the core network device determining a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device; the core network device sending first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating the second configuration; the access network device receiving the first indication information sent by the core network device; the access network device sending the second configuration to the first terminal device; and the first terminal device receiving the second configuration sent by the access network device. Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0052] As can be seen, in this embodiment, the core network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from multiple first configurations with different first durations from the access network device, and instructs the access network device on the second configuration through first indication information, thereby the access network device sends the second configuration to the first terminal device. This method is beneficial for the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0053] In addition, other embodiments of the method can be found in the embodiments described in the first, second and sixth aspects above.

[0054] Eighthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method, the method comprising: an access network device determining a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations; the access network device determining a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of a first terminal device; the access network device sending the second configuration to the first terminal device; and the first terminal device receiving the second configuration sent by the access network device. Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0055] As can be seen, in this embodiment, the access network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from a plurality of first configurations with different first durations, and sends the second configuration to the first terminal device. This method is beneficial for the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0056] In addition, other embodiments of the method can be found in the embodiments described in the fourth and sixth aspects above.

[0057] Ninthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device. This communication device has some or all of the functions of the access network device described in the first, fourth, or fifth aspects above; or it has some or all of the functions of the core network device described in the second or third aspects above; or it has some or all of the functions of the first terminal device described in the sixth aspect above. For example, the communication device may possess some or all of the functions of the access network device described in the first aspect of this application, or it may possess the functions of any one of the embodiments of this application implemented individually. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0058] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit. The processing unit is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the above method. The communication unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0059] In one embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, the device being applied to an access network device, and the processing unit being used to process signals / signaling;

[0060] The communication unit is used to send multiple first configurations to the core network equipment, wherein different first configurations have different first durations.

[0061] The communication unit is further configured to receive first indication information sent by the core network device, the first indication information indicating a second configuration, the second configuration being a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0062] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0063] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to send the second configuration to the first terminal device.

[0064] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the first aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0065] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, and the device is applied to core network equipment;

[0066] The communication unit is configured to receive multiple first configurations sent by the access network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0067] The processing unit is configured to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0068] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0069] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive service requests from the first terminal device.

[0070] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to send first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating the second configuration.

[0071] In one optional implementation, the processing unit determines a second configuration, specifically for: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

[0072] In one optional implementation, the processing unit determines the second configuration, specifically for: determining a first QoS flow parameter from a plurality of QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs; and determining the second configuration from the plurality of first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameter.

[0073] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the second aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0074] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, and the device is applied to core network equipment;

[0075] The communication unit is configured to receive multiple first configurations sent by the access network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0076] The processing unit is configured to determine a second configuration when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold. The second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0077] The processing unit is further configured to determine second indication information when there is a PDB below a preset threshold in one or more PDBs, the second indication information indicating to deactivate the plurality of first configurations;

[0078] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception. The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0079] In one optional implementation, the processing unit determines a second configuration when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold. Specifically, it is used to: determine a first QoS flow parameter from multiple QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among the one or more PDBs when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than the preset threshold; and determine a second configuration from multiple first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameter.

[0080] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive service requests from the first terminal device.

[0081] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to send a first indication message or a second indication message, wherein the first indication message indicates a second configuration.

[0082] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the third aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0083] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, the device being applied to an access network device, and the communication unit being used to send and receive signals / signaling.

[0084] The processing unit is configured to determine a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0085] The processing unit is further configured to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0086] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0087] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is used to send the second configuration to the first terminal device;

[0088] In one optional implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive service requests from the first terminal device.

[0089] In one optional implementation, the processing unit determines a second configuration, specifically for: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

[0090] In one alternative implementation, the processing unit determines a second configuration, specifically by: determining the second configuration from among the plurality of first configurations based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs.

[0091] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the fourth aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0092] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, the device being applied to an access network device, and the communication unit being used to send and receive signals / signaling.

[0093] The processing unit is configured to determine a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0094] The processing unit is further configured to determine a second configuration when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold, wherein the second configuration is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0095] The processing unit is further configured to determine second indication information when there is a PDB below a preset threshold in one or more PDBs, the second indication information indicating to deactivate the plurality of first configurations;

[0096] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception. The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0097] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the fifth aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0098] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, the device being applied to a first terminal device, and the processing unit being used to process signals / signaling;

[0099] The communication unit is used to send service requests;

[0100] The communication unit is further configured to receive a second configuration, which is a configuration among a plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements;

[0101] The first configuration is either the cell discontinuous transmission DTX configuration or the cell discontinuous reception DRX configuration.

[0102] In one optional implementation, the communication unit sends service requests, specifically for sending the service requests to the access network equipment.

[0103] In another optional implementation, the communication unit sends service requests, specifically for sending the service requests to the core network equipment.

[0104] In one optional implementation, the communication unit receives a second configuration, specifically configured to: receive the second configuration sent by the access network device, wherein the second configuration is sent by the core network device to the access device.

[0105] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the sixth aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0106] As an example, the communication unit can be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit can be a memory, and the processing unit can be a processor.

[0107] In one embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, the device being applied to an access network device, the processor being used to process signals / signaling;

[0108] The transceiver is used to send multiple first configurations to the core network equipment, wherein different first configurations have different first durations.

[0109] The transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information sent by the core network device, the first indication information indicating a second configuration, the second configuration being a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0110] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0111] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the first aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0112] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, and the device is applied to core network equipment;

[0113] The transceiver is used to receive multiple first configurations sent by the access network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0114] The processor is configured to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0115] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0116] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the second aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0117] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, and the device is applied to core network equipment;

[0118] The transceiver is used to receive multiple first configurations sent by the access network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0119] The processor is configured to determine a second configuration when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold. The second configuration is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0120] The processor is further configured to determine second indication information when there is a PDB below a preset threshold in one or more PDBs, the second indication information indicating to deactivate the plurality of first configurations;

[0121] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception. The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0122] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the third aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0123] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, the device being applied to an access network device, the transceiver being used to transmit and receive signals / signaling;

[0124] The processor is configured to determine a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0125] The processor is further configured to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0126] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0127] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the fourth aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0128] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, the device being applied to an access network device, the transceiver being used to transmit and receive signals / signaling;

[0129] The processor is configured to determine a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0130] The processor is further configured to determine a second configuration when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold, wherein the second configuration is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0131] The processor is further configured to determine second indication information when there is a PDB below a preset threshold in one or more PDBs, the second indication information indicating to deactivate the plurality of first configurations;

[0132] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception. The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0133] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the fifth aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0134] In another embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, the device being applied to a first terminal device, the processor being used to process signals / signaling;

[0135] The transceiver is used to send service requests;

[0136] The transceiver is also configured to receive a second configuration, which is a configuration among a plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements;

[0137] The first configuration is either the cell discontinuous transmission DTX configuration or the cell discontinuous reception DRX configuration.

[0138] In addition, other alternative implementations of the communication device in this regard can be found in the relevant content of the sixth aspect above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0139] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or chip system. The processing unit may also be a processing circuit or logic circuit; the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system.

[0140] In implementation, the processor can be used for, but is not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver can be used for, but is not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. These devices can be disposed on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into analog baseband processors and digital baseband processors. The analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver on the same chip, while the digital baseband processor can be disposed on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (e.g., but not limited to graphics processors, multimedia processors, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system-on-a-chip (SoC). Whether the various devices are disposed independently on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of the product design. This application does not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0141] Tenthly, embodiments of this application also provide a processor for executing the various methods described above. During the execution of these methods, the processes related to sending and receiving the aforementioned information can be understood as the processor outputting the aforementioned information and the processor receiving the input information. When outputting the aforementioned information, the processor outputs the information to a transceiver for transmission. After being output by the processor, the information may require further processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may require further processing before being input to the processor.

[0142] Unless otherwise specified, or unless it contradicts its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and reception operations involved by the processor can be more generally understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, rather than transmission and reception operations directly performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas.

[0143] In implementation, the processor can be a dedicated processor for executing these methods, or it can be a processor that executes computer instructions stored in memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the arrangement of the memory and processor.

[0144] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device, an access network device, and a core network device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices / functional network elements that interact with at least one of the terminal device, the access network device, and the core network device. The access network device is used to perform the methods described in the first, fourth, or fifth aspects described above; the core network device is used to perform the methods described in the second or third aspects described above; and the terminal device is used to perform the methods described in the sixth aspect described above.

[0145] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the method described in any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0146] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product including instructions that, when run on a computer, implement the method described in any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0147] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor and an interface. The interface is used to acquire programs or instructions, and the processor is used to invoke the programs or instructions to implement or support access network devices in implementing the functions involved in the first, fourth, or fifth aspects, or to implement or support core network devices in implementing the functions involved in the second or third aspects, or to implement or support a first terminal device in implementing the functions involved in the sixth aspect. For example, determining or processing at least one of the data and information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data for the terminal. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0148] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor for executing a computer program or executable instructions stored in a memory, wherein when the computer program or executable instructions are executed, the device performs methods as described in various possible implementations of the first to sixth aspects.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together;

[0150] In another possible implementation, the aforementioned memory is located outside the communication device.

[0151] The beneficial effects of aspects nine through fifteen can be referenced from the beneficial effects of aspects one through eight, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0152] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system;

[0153] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a transmission process;

[0154] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a cell DTX.

[0155] Figure 4 This is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0156] Figure 5 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0157] Figure 6 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0158] Figure 7 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0159] Figure 8 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0160] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0161] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0162] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0163] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include an Internet 300.

[0164] RAN100 includes at least one RAN node (such as...) Figure 1 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110, may also include at least one terminal device (such as...). Figure 1 Terminal devices 120a-120j (collectively referred to as 120) are connected to RAN nodes 110 wirelessly. Terminal devices and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 via wireless or wired means. The core network equipment in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating the logical functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the RAN node. Figure 1 This is just a schematic diagram. The communication system 1000 may also include other network devices, such as wireless repeaters and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 It is not shown in the middle.

[0165] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, or a future radio access system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0166] RAN nodes, also known as radio access network equipment, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminal devices access communication systems wirelessly. In one application scenario, an RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system; it can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, for example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control (CRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RANC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each of these protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. Radio access network equipment can be a macro base station (such as...). Figure 1 110a in the text), can also be a micro base station or an indoor station (such as... Figure 1 110b) in the text can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the wireless access network equipment.

[0167] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, a RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description.

[0168] The core network (CN), also known as the core network equipment, communicates with terminal equipment through RAN nodes. The core network includes, but is not limited to, the following functional elements: network exposure function (NEF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), application function (AF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), and network data analytics function (NWDAF). Among these:

[0169] AMF network elements are control plane functions provided by the operator's network, responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal equipment accessing the operator's network, including functions such as mobility state management, allocation of temporary user identities, authentication and authorization of users.

[0170] The SMF (Service Controller Function) is a control plane function provided by the operator's network, responsible for managing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions of terminal equipment. A PDU session is a channel used to transmit PDUs; terminal equipment needs to exchange PDUs with the data network (DN) through PDU sessions. The SMF is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and deleting PDU sessions. The SMF includes session management (such as session establishment, modification, and release, including tunnel maintenance between the UPF and RAN), UPF selection and control, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming, and other session-related functions.

[0171] PCF (Control Plane Function) is a control plane function provided by the operator, including user subscription data management, policy control, billing policy control, and quality of service (QoS) control. It is primarily used to provide the SMF (Service Provider Function) with policies for PDU sessions. These policies can include billing-related policies, QoS-related policies, and authorization-related policies.

[0172] UPF is a gateway provided by the operator, serving as the gateway for communication between the operator's network and the DN. UPF includes user plane-related functions such as packet routing and transmission, packet inspection, QoS processing, uplink packet inspection, and downlink packet storage.

[0173] The User Data Management (UDM) is primarily used to manage user subscription and authentication data, as well as perform authentication and credit processing, user identification processing, access authorization, registration / mobility management, subscription management, and SMS management. In some embodiments, the UDM may also include a unified data repository (UDR). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) service-based architecture (SBA) of 5G systems may also include a UDR. The UDR is used to provide storage and retrieval for PCF policies, storage and retrieval of open structured data, and storage of user information for application function requests.

[0174] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from a base station. Terminal devices can also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, aircraft, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminals.

[0175] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0176] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative, for example, Figure 1 The helicopter or drone 120i can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol; in this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 The 110a and 110b in the text can be referred to as communication devices with base station functions. Figure 1 The 120a-120j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0177] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. This application does not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0178] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0179] The embodiments disclosed in this application will be presented to illustrate various aspects, embodiments, or features of this application in relation to systems including multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches may also be used.

[0180] To facilitate understanding of the solutions in the embodiments of this application, the terms that may be involved in the embodiments of this application are explained below.

[0181] 1. Network energy saving.

[0182] Compared to fourth-generation (4G) networks, 5G networks offer a dramatically increased transmission bandwidth. Simultaneously, the higher peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) further reduces the efficiency of power amplifiers (PAs), leading to a sharp increase in the power consumption of 5G base stations. At the same time, the increased number of transmission channels in base stations also contributes to a significant increase in the system's static power consumption. Furthermore, the higher deployment frequency bands and smaller coverage areas of 5G networks, coupled with increasingly dense base station deployments, further increase the overall power consumption of the network. Currently, the power consumption of a single 5G base station is typically 2 to 3 times that of a typical 4G base station. In the 4G era, the typical power consumption of a single remote radio unit (RRU) was 660W; in the 5G era, the typical power consumption of a single active antenna unit (AAU) has increased to 1400W. Similarly, with the development of communication technology, future or next-generation communication networks will see continued increases in transmission bandwidth, further increasing the power consumption of base stations. Therefore, network energy-saving technologies have become a key research focus.

[0183] 2. Power consumption of base stations due to shutdown technology.

[0184] Base station power consumption per transmission time interval (TTI) comprises several components, including dynamic components related to the load and static components unrelated to the load. Therefore, base station power consumption is not directly proportional to the service load. For example, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a transmission process. Figure 2 This is a transmission diagram illustrating an idle or low-load scenario. Figure 2 As shown, in traditional transmission modes, base stations typically transmit common signals in the time domain, such as synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), system information blocks (SIBs), channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RS), and tracking reference signals (TRS). This method requires base stations to perform frequent transmission operations, making network energy saving impossible. However, in Figure 2 In the energy-saving transmission mode shown, the base station maintains a long period of common signal transmission (such as SSB / SIB1), so the base station has a high idle ratio in the time domain, which can be used for deep sleep and save power consumption.

[0185] One common method for network energy saving is through shutdown technology. Shutdown technology refers to the practice of access network devices implementing varying degrees of shutdown during periods of no data transmission in the time domain. For example, symbol shutdown can be used during periods of no data transmission. Access network devices can employ certain scheduling methods to aggregate data transmissions that were originally scattered in the time domain, increasing the time without data transmission and thus increasing the probability of shutdown, thereby achieving network energy saving. For example, Figure 2 In the energy-saving transmission mode, the base station maintains a longer period of public signal transmission and uses symbol shutdown at other times to achieve network energy saving.

[0186] 3. Cell discontinuous transmission (cell DTX) and cell discontinuous reception (cell DRX).

[0187] Cell DTX technology refers to the access network device performing downlink transmission with the terminal device during a specified time period, while not performing downlink transmission with the terminal device during other time periods. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a cell DTX. Figure 3 In cell 1, a periodic cell DTX configuration is adopted. During the cell DTX on period, the access network equipment performs downlink transmission, including downlink service transmission with the terminal equipment. During the cell DTX off period, the access network equipment at least stops downlink service transmission with the terminal equipment and may also stop certain periodic signals, such as at least one of SSB, CSI-RS, and semi-persistent scheduling (SPS). The longer the cell DTX off period, the longer and deeper the shutdown duration and shutdown depth that the access network equipment can take, resulting in better energy saving. However, correspondingly, the impact of service transmission latency on the terminal equipment will also increase.

[0188] Cell DRX technology refers to a technology where a terminal device performs uplink transmissions with the network during specified time periods, and does not perform uplink transmissions during other time periods. Similar to Cell DTX, during the Cell DRX on period, the terminal device performs uplink transmissions, including uplink service transmissions with the network; during the Cell DRX off period, the terminal device at least stops uplink service transmissions with the network. Therefore, the network can use shutdown technology during the periods when the terminal device does not perform uplink transmissions, achieving network energy saving.

[0189] It should be noted that DRX and DTX can be configured independently; that is, they can be configured simultaneously or only one of them can be configured.

[0190] Additionally, terminal devices can obtain the cell DTX / DRX cycle and cell DTX / DRX duration by acquiring the radio resource control (RRC) configuration information sent by the cell. In the RRC configuration information, cell DTX / DRX may be configured to be inactive.

[0191] When a cell decides to activate Cell DTX, it sends Downlink Control Information (DCI) 2-9 signaling. The terminal device obtains this indication signaling through blind detection, confirming that Cell DTX is activated. Therefore, according to the configured Cell DTX period and on-duration timer, it listens for Downlink Control Information from the network and performs downlink data transmission. Similarly, when a cell decides to activate Cell DRX, it sends DCI 2-9 signaling. The terminal device obtains this indication signaling through blind detection, confirming that Cell DRX is activated. Therefore, according to the configured Cell DRX period and on-duration timer, it performs uplink data transmission with the network.

[0192] The time period corresponding to "cell DTX / DRX on" can be called the activation period, and the access network device or cell during this period can be called the active state. The time period corresponding to "cell DTX / DRX off" can be called the deactivation period, and the access network device or cell during this period can be called the deactivation state. In the deactivation state, the access network device's transmission and reception status for one or more types of signals can be any of the following: not transmitting or not receiving. Correspondingly, in the active state (or non-deactivation state), the access network device's transmission and reception status for the aforementioned one or more types of signals can be any of the following: transmitting or receiving.

[0193] One possible example is that the aforementioned class of signals or some of the class signals can be the first signal, which can include at least one group of signals from the first group of signals, the second group of signals, the third group of signals, and the fourth group of signals. The first group of signals includes any one or more of the following signals: physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) scrambled with cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), PDCCH scrambled with configured scheduling radio network temporary identifier (CS-RNTI), PDCCH scrambled with slot format indicators (SFI) - radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), PDCCH scrambled with cancellation indication (CI) - RNTI, PDCCH scrambled with physical uplink control channel transmission power control (TPC-PUCCH) - RNTI, PDCCH scrambled with physical uplink shared channel transmission power control (TPC-PUSCH) - RNTI, dynamically scheduled physical downlink shared channel, and transmission power control information of the channel sounding reference signal. Control (TPC-SRS) - RNTI scrambled PDCCH, Availability Indication (AI) - RNTI scrambled PDCCH.The second group of signals includes any one or more of the following signals: hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) for dynamically scheduled physical downlink shared channels (also known as HARQ-ACK for dynamically scheduled PDSCH), aperiodic sounding reference signal (A-SRS), periodic sounding reference signal (P-SRS), semi-persistent sounding reference signal (SP-SRS), aperiodic channel state information (A-CSI), periodic channel state information (P-CSI), semi-persistent channel state information (SP-CSI), and dynamic grant (DG) PUSCH.

[0194] The third group of signals includes any one or more of the following signals: SSB, beam failure recovery (BFR), semi-statically scheduled physical downlink data channel (SPS PDSCH), and PDCCH scrambled with system information (SI) / random access (RA) / temporary cell (TC) / paging / power saving (PS)-RNTI.

[0195] The fourth group of signals includes any one or more of the following signals: configuration grant physical uplink shared channel (CG PUSCH), hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgment (SPS PDSCH HARQ-ACK), scheduling request (SR), and physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0196] As can be seen, among the four groups of signals mentioned above, the first and third groups are downlink signals, while the second and fourth groups are uplink signals. Both the first and second groups are affected by the base station's DRX configuration. Therefore, for ease of signal differentiation, the first group is referred to as the first type of downlink signal, the second group as the first type of uplink signal, the third group as the second type of downlink signal, and the fourth group as the second type of uplink signal. The first type of signal (including both downlink and uplink signals) is affected by the connected DRX (C-DRX) configuration. This can be considered as the access network equipment and terminal equipment transmitting the first type of signal only during the active period indicated by the aforementioned C-DRX configuration, and not during the deactivation period. Therefore, it is also referred to as a signal that can be controlled by the C-DRX configuration.

[0197] The second type of signal can be considered as a signal unaffected by C-DRX configuration, but which can be controlled by cell DTX / DRX configuration. Therefore, cell DTX / DRX can achieve greater energy savings than C-DRX by shutting down more signals.

[0198] In the cell DTX inactive state, the following downlink signals are not transmitted: SPS PDSCH, UE-specific PDCCH, periodic / semi-static CSI-RS, and group PDCCH (e.g., DCI2-0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5). In the cell DRX inactive state, the following uplink signals are not received: CG PUSCH, SR, periodic / semi-static CSI reporting, and periodic / semi-static SRS (excluding SRS used for positioning). In the embodiments of this application, it is not limited to other downlink signals not being transmitted or uplink signals not being received.

[0199] 4. Quality of service (QoS).

[0200] The purpose of QoS is to provide differentiated network services with varying quality of service (QoS) on demand, given limited resources. QoS typically has two meanings: one is the quality of service, i.e., the specific metrics (parameters) that characterize QoS; the other is how to guarantee these metrics, i.e., the mechanisms for implementing QoS.

[0201] Currently, base stations determine a cellDTX / DRX configuration based on the QoS flow configuration issued by the core network, and then schedule terminal devices based on this determined cellDTX / DRX configuration. Furthermore, the cellDTX / DRX configuration determined by the base station applies to all services; that is, for multiple services of a single terminal device, or multiple services of multiple terminal devices, the base station uses the same cellDTX / DRX configuration to schedule the terminal devices. In this approach, the cellDTX / DRX configuration used by the base station cannot be matched with the different services of different terminal devices, thus affecting service performance.

[0202] This application provides a communication method 100. Figure 4 This is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method 100. The communication method 100 is described from the perspective of the interaction between the access network device and the core network device. The communication method 100 includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0203] S401. The access network device sends multiple first configurations to the core network device. These first configurations have different first durations, and each first configuration is either a cell DTX configuration or a cell DRX configuration. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the multiple first configurations sent by the access network device.

[0204] The first configuration is either cell DTX configuration or cell DRX (cell DTX / cell DRX) configuration.

[0205] In one optional implementation, the first configuration is a cell DTX configuration, which is used to configure parameters related to cell DTX, such as the period and duration in cell DTX. In this method, the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission, that is, the first duration is the on-duration timer configured in the cell DTX configuration. Furthermore, different cell DTX configurations may have different on-duration timers.

[0206] In another optional implementation, the first configuration is a cell DRX configuration, which is used to configure parameters related to the cell DRX, such as the period and duration in the cell DRX. In this method, the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception, that is, the first duration is the on-duration timer configured in the cell DRX configuration. Furthermore, different cell DRX configurations may have different on-duration timers.

[0207] In this context, different on-duration timers in different cell DTX configurations can be understood as corresponding to different service latency requirements. Therefore, different cell DTX configurations can satisfy services with varying latency requirements. Similarly, different on-duration timers in different cell DRX configurations can also correspond to different service latency requirements. Thus, sending cell DTX / DRX configurations with different on-duration timers to the core network device helps the core network device determine the cell DTX / DRX configuration that meets the service requirements (such as latency requirements) of the terminal device.

[0208] In one optional implementation, the multiple first configurations are predetermined by the access network device. That is, the access network device determines multiple first configurations before sending them to the core network device.

[0209] In one possible approach, the access network device determines multiple first configurations based on equal time intervals. Alternatively, the access network device determines multiple first configurations where the interval between any two adjacent first configurations is equal. For example, if the interval is 100ms, the access network device determines three cell DTX configurations based on this interval: cell DTX configuration #1, cell DTX configuration #2, and cell DTX configuration #3. In cell DTX configuration #1, the on duration timer is 50ms; in cell DTX configuration #2, the on duration timer is 150ms; and in cell DTX configuration #3, the on duration timer is 250ms. As can be seen, the interval between the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #1 and the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 is 100ms, and the interval between the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 and the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #3 is 100ms. That is, the interval between the on duration timers in every two adjacent cell DTX configurations from cell DTX configuration #1 to cell DTX configuration #3 is 100ms.

[0210] In another possible approach, the access network device determines multiple first configurations based on multiple interval durations. Each pair of adjacent interval durations increases with a fixed gradient. For example, the interval durations include 50ms, 80ms, and 110ms, with a fixed gradient of 30ms between each pair of adjacent interval durations. The cell DTX configurations determined by the access network device based on interval durations of 50ms, 80ms, and 110ms include cell DTX configuration #1, cell DTX configuration #2, cell DTX configuration #3, and cell DTX configuration #4. In cell DTX configuration #1, the on-duration timer is 50ms; in cell DTX configuration #2, the on-duration timer is 100ms; in cell DTX configuration #3, the on-duration timer is 180ms; and in cell DTX configuration #4, the on-duration timer is 290ms. As can be seen, the interval between the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #1 and the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 is 50ms, the interval between the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 and the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #3 is 80ms, and the interval between the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #3 and the on duration timer in cell DTX configuration #4 is 110ms.

[0211] In another possible approach, the access network device determines multiple first configurations based on a base interval duration and a preset gradient. The first durations of these multiple first configurations increase sequentially according to the base interval duration and the preset gradient. For example, if the base interval duration is 100ms and the preset gradient is 10ms, the cell DTX configurations determined by the access network device include cell DTX configuration #1, cell DTX configuration #2, cell DTX configuration #3, and cell DTX configuration #4. Specifically, the onduration timer in cell DTX configuration #1 is 50ms, the onduration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 is 150ms, the onduration timer in cell DTX configuration #3 is 260ms, and the onduration timer in cell DTX configuration #4 is 380ms. As can be seen, the interval between the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #1 and the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 is 100ms, the interval between the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #2 and the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #3 is 110ms, and the interval between the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #3 and the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #4 is 120ms. That is, the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #1 to the on-duration timer in cell DTX configuration #4 increases according to the basic interval duration and the preset gradient.

[0212] Alternatively, the access network device can determine multiple first configurations in other ways, such as determining multiple first configurations based on multiple interval durations, where the durations of each pair of adjacent intervals decrease according to a fixed gradient. This application does not limit the implementation method for the access network device to determine multiple first configurations.

[0213] S402. The core network equipment determines a second configuration, which is a configuration among multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal equipment.

[0214] Optionally, the core network equipment determines the second configuration, which can be replaced by the core network equipment selecting a second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal equipment. Therefore, the core network equipment can select a suitable second configuration from multiple first configurations with different first durations based on the actual service requirements of the first terminal equipment, in order to balance service performance and network energy saving.

[0215] The core network device can determine the second configuration in several ways. In one optional implementation, the core network device determines the second configuration by: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

[0216] The preset threshold can be pre-set by the core network equipment or pre-negotiated by the core network equipment and the access network equipment. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0217] In addition, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, and one or more PDBs correspond to one or more services of the first terminal device; or, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and one or more PDBs correspond to one or more services of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0218] In one possible approach, in a scenario involving a single terminal device—that is, when one or more PDBs are PDBs within the service requirements of the first terminal device—if all of the PDBs in the first terminal device's service requirements exceed a preset threshold, it indicates that none of the services of the first terminal device have low latency requirements, such as ultra-reliable low-latency services. In this case, the access network device does not need to disable / inactivate the cell DTX / DRX function to ensure the performance of low-latency services; that is, the access network device can enable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function. In this scenario, the core network device determines a second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. This allows the access network device to activate the second configuration matching the service requirements of the first terminal device while considering both the service performance and network energy efficiency, and then schedule the first terminal device using the second configuration.

[0219] In another possible scenario involving multiple terminal devices, where one or more PDBs are part of the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, if all one or more PDBs in the service requirements of these terminal devices exceed a preset threshold, it indicates that none of the services among the multiple terminal devices have low latency requirements. In this case, the access network device does not need to disable / inactivate the cell DTX / DRX function to ensure the performance of low-latency services; the access network device can enable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function. In this scenario, the core network device determines a second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the multiple terminal devices. This allows the access network device to activate the second configuration while balancing the service performance of the multiple terminal devices and network energy saving. Here, the multiple terminal devices include the first terminal devices, and the second configuration satisfies the service requirements of the multiple terminal devices; therefore, the second configuration can also be understood as a configuration that satisfies the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0220] In another optional implementation, the core network device determines the second configuration by: when one or more PDBs contain PDBs with a number below a preset threshold, determining second indication information, the second indication information indicating deactivation of multiple first configurations. When one or more PDBs contain PDBs with a number below the preset threshold, it indicates that the service demands of the first terminal device or multiple terminal devices are high, making energy saving unsuitable. Therefore, the core network device determines the second indication information indicating deactivation of all first configurations to ensure communication performance.

[0221] In one possible approach, in a single terminal device scenario, if one or more PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device have a PDB value below a preset threshold, it indicates that one or more services of the first terminal device have a low latency requirement. Therefore, to ensure the performance of this low-latency service, the access network device needs to disable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function. Thus, in this case, the core network device determines a second indication information to activate multiple first configurations, so that the access network device knows through the second indication information that all multiple first configurations need to be activated, i.e., the cell DTX / DRX function needs to be disabled / disabled to ensure the performance of the low-latency service.

[0222] In another possible scenario involving multiple terminal devices, if one or more PDBs in the service requirements of these terminal devices have a PDB value below a preset threshold, it indicates that one or more services among these terminal devices have low latency requirements. To ensure the performance of this low-latency service, the access network device needs to disable / not enable the cellDTX / DRX function. Therefore, in this case, the core network device determines a second indication information to activate multiple first configurations, so that the access network device knows through the second indication information that multiple first configurations need to be activated to ensure the performance of the low-latency service.

[0223] In one optional implementation, the core network device determines a second configuration by: determining a first QoS flow parameter from a plurality of QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs; and determining a second configuration from a plurality of first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameter. The first QoS flow parameter matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs, and the second configuration matches the first QoS flow parameter.

[0224] Alternatively, the core network equipment determines the second configuration, including: determining a first QoS flow parameter from a plurality of QoS flow parameters that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs; and determining a second configuration from a plurality of first configurations that matches the first QoS flow parameter.

[0225] Several QoS flow parameters are pre-configured / determined by the core network equipment. These parameters include 5QIs (priority, packet delay budget, packet error rate, maximum data burst size, etc.), priority allocation and reservation, and protected QoS flow information. For example, the core network equipment pre-determines multiple QoS flow parameters based on the service type. Specifically, the PCF network element generates a QoS policy and sends it to the SMF network element, which then generates QoS flow parameters based on the policy. Furthermore, different QoS flow parameters have different PDBs. For instance, the core network equipment determines QoS flow parameter #1, QoS flow parameter #2, and QoS flow parameter #3. The PDB for QoS flow parameter #1 is 50ms, for QoS flow parameter #2 it is 100ms, and for QoS flow parameter #3 it is 150ms.

[0226] Additionally, the term "match" can be replaced with "correspond" in the above context. The first QoS flow parameter that matches / corresponds to the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs can be understood as: the difference between the PDB corresponding to the first QoS flow parameter and the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs is within a small preset range. The second configuration that matches / corresponds to the first QoS flow parameter can be understood as: the difference between the on-duration timer in the second configuration and the PDB corresponding to the first QoS flow parameter is within a small preset range. The preset range can be pre-set by the core network equipment.

[0227] For example, if the preset range is 20ms, the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs is 210ms, and multiple QoS flow parameters include QoS flow parameter #1, QoS flow parameter #2, and QoS flow parameter #3, the PDB corresponding to QoS flow parameter #1 is 200ms, the PDB corresponding to QoS flow parameter #2 is 300ms, and the PDB corresponding to QoS flow parameter #3 is 400ms, and the difference between the PDB corresponding to QoS flow parameter #1 and the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs is within the preset range (20ms), then the core network device determines that the first QoS flow parameter matching / corresponding to the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs is QoS flow parameter #1.

[0228] For example, if the preset range is 20ms, the PDB corresponding to the first QoS flow parameter is 200ms, and multiple first configurations include cellDTX configuration #1, cellDTX configuration #2, and cellDTX configuration #3, the on duration timer in cellDTX configuration #1 is 190ms, the on duration timer in cellDTX configuration #2 is 390ms, and the on duration timer in cellDTX configuration #3 is 590ms, and the difference between the on duration timer in cellDTX configuration #1 and the PDB corresponding to the first QoS flow parameter is less than the preset range, then the core network device determines that the configuration that matches the first QoS flow parameter among the multiple first configurations is cellDTX configuration #1.

[0229] As can be seen, the core network determines the second configuration by determining a first QoS flow parameter that matches the PDB with the smallest value among the one or more PDBs when one or more PDBs are higher than a preset threshold, and then determining a second configuration that matches the first QoS flow parameter from multiple first configurations. Thus, the second configuration is the configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value among the one or more PDBs.

[0230] When one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, the second configuration is the configuration that meets the service with the lowest latency in the service requirements of the first terminal device. Thus, the second configuration meets the service requirements of the first terminal device, or in other words, the second configuration matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0231] When one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the second configuration is the configuration that satisfies the service with the lowest latency among the service requirements of multiple terminal devices. Therefore, the second configuration satisfies the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, or in other words, the second configuration matches the service requirements of multiple terminal devices. Furthermore, since the multiple terminal devices include the first terminal device, it can also be understood that the second configuration satisfies the service requirements of the first terminal device, or in other words, the second configuration matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0232] In one optional implementation, when one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, the core network device also receives the service requirements of the first terminal device. The service requirements of the first terminal device include PDBs corresponding to one or more services of the first terminal device, thus the service requirements of the first terminal device include one or more PDBs. This method allows the core network device to obtain the service requirements of the first terminal device, thereby facilitating the core network device in determining a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0233] In this process, the service requests received by the core network equipment from the first terminal equipment are sent from the first terminal equipment to the access network equipment, which then forwards them to the core network equipment. In other words, the first terminal equipment sends its service requests to the access network equipment, which then forwards them to the core network equipment.

[0234] In another optional implementation, where one or more PDBs are PDBs within the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the core network device also receives service requirements from the multiple terminal devices. Each terminal device's service requirement includes one or more PDBs corresponding to different services; that is, each terminal device's service requirement includes one or more PDBs. This approach allows the core network device to obtain the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, thereby facilitating the core network device in determining a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the multiple terminal devices.

[0235] In this process, the service requests received by the core network equipment from multiple terminal devices are sent separately by each terminal device to the access network equipment, which then forwards them to the core network equipment. In other words, each terminal device sends its own service request to the access network equipment, which then forwards the service requests from all the terminal devices to the core network equipment. For example, if the multiple terminal devices include terminal device #1 and terminal device #2, terminal device #1 sends its service request to the access network equipment, terminal device #2 sends its own service request to the access network equipment, and the access network equipment then forwards both the service requests from terminal device #1 and terminal device #2 to the core network equipment.

[0236] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, the access network device sends multiple cell DTX / DRX configurations with different first durations to the core network device. The core network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from the multiple first configurations. This is beneficial for the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0237] This application also proposes a communication method 200. Figure 5 This is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method 200. The communication method 200 is described from the perspective of the interaction between the access network device, the core network device, and the first terminal device. The communication method 200 includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0238] S501. The first terminal device sends a service request to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the service request sent by the first terminal device.

[0239] Among them, the service requirements are the service requirements corresponding to one or more actual services of the first terminal device, and the service requirements include latency requirements. The latency requirements can be represented in the form of PDB. Therefore, the service requirements of the first terminal device include one or more PDBs corresponding to one or more services.

[0240] Furthermore, the sending of service requests from the first terminal device to the core network device can be understood as: the first terminal device sending service requests to the core network device through the access network device. Alternatively, the first terminal device sending a service request to the access network device, and the access network device forwarding that service request to the core network device. Or, the access network device transparently transmitting the service requests from the first terminal device to the core network device.

[0241] S502. The access network device sends multiple first configurations to the core network device. Different first configurations have different first durations. The first configuration is either a cell DTX configuration or a cell DRX configuration. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the multiple first configurations sent by the access network device.

[0242] The execution order of S501 can be before or after the execution order of S502. This application embodiment does not limit the execution order of S501 and S502.

[0243] S503. The core network equipment determines a second configuration, which is a configuration among multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal equipment.

[0244] In this application embodiment, the implementation methods of S502 and S503 can be referred to the implementation methods of S401 and S402 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0245] In one possible approach, in S503, the core network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs from the service requirements of multiple terminal devices. In this approach, other terminal devices besides the first terminal device also send their own service requirements to the core network device. Each terminal device's service requirement includes PDBs corresponding to one or more services provided by that terminal device; that is, each terminal device's service requirement includes one or more PDBs. Correspondingly, the core network device receives not only the service requirements of the first terminal device but also the service requirements of the other terminal devices besides the first terminal device.

[0246] S504. The core network device sends a first indication message to the access network device, the first indication message indicating a second configuration. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first indication message sent by the core network device.

[0247] In one possible approach, in S503, the core network device determines a second configuration when one or more PDBs are greater than a preset threshold. In this approach, the core network device sends a first indication message to the access network device, indicating the second configuration.

[0248] In this embodiment, the first indication information indicates the second configuration, which can be an explicit indication or an implicit indication; this application does not limit this. For example, the first indication information includes the second configuration, thereby explicitly indicating the second configuration. As another example, when the core network device and the access network device pre-negotiate the bit values ​​corresponding to each of the multiple first configurations, and the first indication information is the bit value corresponding to the second configuration, the first indication information implicitly indicates the second configuration.

[0249] Furthermore, the first indication information instructs the second configuration, which can be understood as: the second indication information is used to activate the second configuration, or in other words, the second indication information also implicitly instructs the activation of the second configuration. This method allows the access network device to activate the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, so as to schedule the first terminal device or multiple terminal devices based on the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device while ensuring service performance and network energy saving. Specifically, when the second configuration is cell DTX configuration, the access network device scheduling the first terminal device based on the second configuration means that the access network device performs downlink transmission with the terminal device during the time period corresponding to cell DTX on in the cell DTX configuration, and does not perform downlink transmission with the terminal device during the time period corresponding to cell DTX off in the cell DTX configuration. When the second configuration is cell DRX configuration, the access network device scheduling the first terminal device based on the second configuration means that the access network device performs uplink transmission with the terminal device during the time period corresponding to cell DTX on in the cell DRX configuration, and does not perform uplink transmission with the terminal device during the time period corresponding to cell DTX off in the cell DRX configuration. The scheduling of multiple terminal devices based on the second configuration is similar and will not be elaborated further.

[0250] In an optional implementation, in S503, when the core network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, the first indication information further indicates the identifier of the first terminal device and one or more service identifiers. These one or more service identifiers are the service identifiers corresponding to the one or more service requirements sent by the first terminal device to the core network device. This method allows the access network device to know, through the first indication information, that the second configuration indicated by the first indication information is a configuration that satisfies the service requirements of certain services of the first terminal device. This facilitates the access network device in activating the second configuration and scheduling these services of the first terminal device based on the second configuration.

[0251] For example, if the service requirements sent by terminal device #1 to the core network device include service requirement #1 and service requirement #2, where service requirement #1 is the service requirement of service #1 and service requirement #2 is the service requirement of service #2, then the first indication information, in addition to indicating the determined second configuration, also indicates the identifier of terminal device #1, the service identifier of service #1, and the service identifier of service #2. Thus, after receiving the first indication information, the access network device activates the second configuration and schedules services #1 and #2 of terminal device #1 based on the second configuration to balance the performance of services #1 and #2 and network energy saving.

[0252] In another optional implementation, in S503, when the core network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the first indication information further indicates the identifier of each terminal device among the multiple terminal devices, and one or more service identifiers. These one or more service identifiers are the service identifiers corresponding to the one or more service requirements sent by the multiple terminal devices to the core network device. This method allows the access network device to know, through the first indication information, that the second configuration indicated by the first indication information is a configuration that satisfies the service requirements of certain services of the multiple terminal devices, thereby facilitating the access network device to activate the second configuration and schedule these services of the multiple terminal devices based on the second configuration.

[0253] In one optional implementation, the first indication information may indicate the second configuration, the identifier of the terminal device, and one or more service identifiers in the form of a table. That is, the first indication information may be a table including the second configuration, the identifier of the first terminal device, and one or more service identifiers; or, the table may include the second configuration, the identifiers of multiple terminal devices, and one or more service identifiers corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices. The first indication information may also indicate the second configuration, the identifier of the terminal device, and one or more service identifiers in other ways, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0254] In another possible approach, in S503, when the core network device finds one or more PDBs with a number of PDBs below a preset threshold, it determines a second indication message. This second indication message instructs the deactivation of multiple first configurations. In this approach, the core network device does not execute S504; instead, it sends the second indication message to the access network device, causing the access network device to deactivate multiple first configurations, thereby ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0255] S505. The access network device sends a second configuration to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second configuration sent by the access network device.

[0256] In one possible approach, the access network device receives a first indication message from the core network device indicating that the second configuration needs to be activated. The access network device then sends the second configuration to the first terminal device to activate it as well. The second configuration is carried in RRC reconfiguration information or in L1 signaling. In this approach, the access network device can also schedule the first terminal device based on the second configuration; the first terminal device can also activate the second configuration and perform uplink or downlink data transmission based on it. For example, when the second configuration is a cell DTX configuration, the access network device performs downlink scheduling of the first terminal device based on this cell DTX configuration; the first terminal device receives downlink data / signaling from the access network device based on this cell DTX configuration. As another example, when the second configuration is a cell DRX configuration, the access network device performs uplink scheduling of the first terminal device based on this cell DRX configuration; the first terminal device sends uplink data / signaling to the access network device based on this cell DRX configuration.

[0257] Optionally, in S503, when the core network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the access network device also sends the second configuration to other terminal devices besides the first terminal device, so that the other terminal devices can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with the access network device based on the second configuration. Alternatively, in S503, when the core network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the access network device sends the second configuration to each of the multiple terminal devices, so that each terminal device can perform uplink or downlink data transmission with the access network device based on the second configuration, thereby helping the access network device to achieve network energy saving while balancing service performance.

[0258] In another possible approach, if the access network device receives a second indication message from the core network device instructing it to activate multiple first configurations, the access network device will not execute S505. Instead, it will send a deactivation indication to the first terminal device, instructing it to deactivate the configured cell DTX / DRX configuration. This deactivation indication is carried in the RRC reconfiguration information or in the L1 signaling. If the access network device receives a second indication message from the core network device indicating that it needs to deactivate multiple first configurations and disable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function, it must instruct the first terminal device to activate the already configured cell DTX / DRX configuration to ensure the performance of low-latency services. In this approach, the access network device can also deactivate multiple first configurations, i.e., disable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function; the first terminal device can also activate the already configured cell DTX / DRX configuration.

[0259] Optionally, when the core network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second indication information are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the access network device also sends a deactivation indication to the other terminal devices among the multiple terminal devices, excluding the first terminal device, so that each terminal device among the multiple terminal devices deactivates the configured cell DTX / DRX configuration, thereby ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0260] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, the core network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device from a plurality of received first configurations, and instructs the access network device on the second configuration through the first indication information, thereby the access network device sends the second configuration to the first terminal device, which is conducive to the access network device scheduling the first terminal device by adopting the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device while taking into account both service requirements and network energy saving.

[0261] This application embodiment also addresses the scenario of a single terminal device, and takes terminal device 1 as an example to specifically illustrate the above-mentioned communication method 200, proposing another communication method. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the interaction of the communication method. The interaction process includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0262] S601. Terminal device 1 sends service requests to the core network equipment.

[0263] The service requirements of terminal device 1 include the PDB corresponding to one or more services of the terminal device.

[0264] In addition, terminal device 1 sends service requests to core network equipment, including sending service requests to the SMF. In one possible approach, terminal device 1 sends service requests to the SMF network element through access network equipment, that is, access network equipment can transparently transmit service requests from terminal device 1 to the SMF network element.

[0265] S602. The access network device sends multiple first configurations to the core network device. Different first configurations have different first durations. The first configuration is either a cell DTX configuration or a cell DRX configuration. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the multiple first configurations sent by the access network device.

[0266] In this process, the access network device sends multiple first configurations to the core network device, including sending multiple first configurations to the SMF network element. In one possible approach, the access network device sends multiple first configurations to the SMF network element through the AMF network element; that is, the AMF network element can transparently transmit multiple first configurations from the access network device to the SMF network element.

[0267] In addition, other embodiments of S601 and S602 can be referred to S501 and S502 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0268] S603. The core network equipment determines a second configuration or a second indication information based on multiple first configurations. The second configuration is the configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the terminal device 1. The second indication information indicates the deactivation of the multiple first configurations.

[0269] In one possible approach, the core network device determines a second configuration based on multiple first configurations, including: determining the second configuration when one or more PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device are greater than a preset threshold. For specific implementation details, please refer to the implementation method of the core network device determining the second configuration in S402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0270] In one possible approach, the core network device determines the second indication information based on multiple first configurations, including: determining the second indication information when there is a PDB less than a preset threshold in one or more PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device. For specific implementation details, please refer to the implementation method of the core network device determining the second indication information in S402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0271] In addition, the core network equipment determines the second configuration or second indication information based on multiple first configurations. This can be: the AMF network element determines the second configuration or second indication information based on multiple first configurations.

[0272] S604. The core network device sends a first indication message or a second indication message to the access network device, wherein the first indication message indicates a second configuration. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first indication message or the second indication message from the core network device.

[0273] In one possible approach, in S603, after the core network device determines the second configuration, the core network device sends a first indication message to the access network device. This first indication message informs the access network device of the second configuration selected from multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. This facilitates the access network device in activating the second configuration, thereby enabling the access network device to schedule the first terminal device by adopting the second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0274] Optionally, the first indication information may also indicate the identifier of terminal device 1 and the service identifier corresponding to the service requirements of terminal device 1. For specific implementation details, please refer to the communication method 200 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0275] In another possible approach, S603, if the core network device determines the second indication information, then the core network device sends the second indication information to the access network device to inform the access network device to activate multiple first configurations, thereby ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0276] In addition, the core network device sending the first indication information or the second indication information to the access network device can be achieved by the SMF network element sending the first indication information or the second indication information to the access network device. In one possible approach, the SMF network element sends the first indication information or the second indication information to the access network device through the AMF network element; that is, the SMF network element can transparently transmit the first indication information or the second indication information from the SMF network element to the access network device.

[0277] S605. The access network device sends a second configuration or deactivation instruction to the terminal device 1, the deactivation instruction instructing the terminal device 1 to deactivate the configured cell DTX / DRX configuration. Correspondingly, the terminal device 1 receives the second configuration or deactivation instruction sent by the access network device.

[0278] In one possible approach, in S604, when the access network device receives a first indication from the core network device indicating that the access network device needs to activate a second configuration, in order to enable the first terminal device to activate the second configuration, the access network device sends the second configuration to terminal device 1. For example, the access network device sends RRC reconfiguration information to terminal device 1, and the RRC reconfiguration information carries the second configuration. Optionally, the access network device sends the second configuration to terminal device 1 when scheduling the service indicated by the first indication. In this approach, both the access network device and terminal device 1 activate the second configuration, thereby balancing service performance and network energy saving.

[0279] In another possible approach, in S604, when the access network device receives a second indication from the core network device indicating that the access network device needs to disable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function, the access network device sends a deactivation indication to terminal device 1 to deactivate the configured cell DTX / DRX, ensuring the performance of low-latency services. For example, the access network device sends RRC reconfiguration information to terminal device 1, with the RRC reconfiguration information carrying the deactivation indication.

[0280] As can be seen, in this embodiment, terminal device 1 sends service requirements to the core network device, and access network device sends multiple first configurations with different first durations to the core network device. Therefore, based on the multiple first configurations, the core network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of terminal device 1, or determines second indication information indicating the deactivation of the multiple first configurations. Then, the core network device sends a first indication information indicating the second configuration to the access network device, or sends a second indication information indicating the deactivation of the multiple first configurations. The access network device sends the second configuration to the terminal device, or sends a deactivation indication indicating the activation of the configured cell DTX / DRX configuration. This method allows the access network device to schedule terminal device 1 based on the second configuration when the core network device determines a second configuration matching the service requirements of terminal device 1, balancing service performance and network energy saving; or, it allows the access network device to deactivate multiple first configurations when the core network device has not determined a second configuration matching the service requirements of terminal device 1, to ensure the performance of low-latency services.

[0281] This application also proposes a communication method 300. Figure 7 This is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method 300. The communication method 300 is described from the perspective of the interaction between the access network device and the first terminal device. The communication method 300 includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0282] S701. The access network device determines multiple first configurations, and different first configurations have different first durations. The first configuration is either cell DTX configuration or cell DRX configuration.

[0283] In this embodiment, the implementation of S701 can be found in the implementation of S401 above, in which the access network device determines multiple first configurations, and will not be repeated here.

[0284] S702. The access network device determines a second configuration, which is a configuration among multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0285] In one possible approach, the access network device determines the second configuration, which can be replaced by the access network device determining a second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. It is evident that the access network device can determine a suitable second configuration from multiple first configurations with different first durations based on the actual service requirements of the first terminal device, thereby facilitating energy-saving scheduling.

[0286] The access network device can determine the second configuration based on a variety of methods. In one possible method, the access network device determines the second configuration by: determining the second configuration when one or more PDBs are higher than a preset threshold.

[0287] Among them, one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, or PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0288] If one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, and one or more PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device are all higher than the preset threshold, it indicates that there are no low latency requirements in one or more services of the first terminal device. The access network device can not disable / enable the cell DTX / DRX function. Therefore, the access network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device in order to achieve network energy saving while ensuring service performance.

[0289] Similarly, if one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and one or more PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices are all higher than a preset threshold, it indicates that there are no low-latency requirements in one or more services of multiple terminal devices. The access network device can not disable / enable the cell DTX / DRX function. Therefore, the access network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device in order to achieve network energy saving while ensuring service performance.

[0290] In another possible approach, the access network device determines the second configuration, including: when there are PDBs in one or more PDBs below a preset threshold, determining to deactivate multiple first configurations.

[0291] If one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, and there are PDBs in one or more PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device that are less than a preset threshold, it indicates that there are low-latency services in one or more services of the first terminal device. In order to ensure the performance of the low-latency service, the access network device does not enable / disable the cellDTX / DRX function. Therefore, the access network device determines to deactivate all first configurations.

[0292] Similarly, if one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and there are PDBs in one or more PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices that are below a preset threshold, it indicates that there are services with low latency requirements in one or more services of multiple terminal devices. In order to ensure the performance of the low latency service, the access network device does not enable / disable the cell DTX / DRX function. Therefore, the access network device determines to deactivate all first configurations.

[0293] In one optional implementation, the access network device determines the second configuration by: determining the second configuration from a plurality of first configurations based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. Alternatively, the access network device selects a second configuration from the plurality of first configurations that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. Or, the access network device determines a second configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs from the plurality of first configurations.

[0294] The second configuration matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. This can be understood as the difference between the on duration timer in the second configuration and the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs being within a small preset range. The specific implementation method can be referred to the communication method 100 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0295] When one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, and the second configuration matches the PDB with the smallest value among these one or more PDBs, then the second configuration is a configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. Similarly, when one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and the second configuration matches the PDB with the smallest value among these one or more PDBs, then the second configuration is a configuration that matches the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and therefore, it can be said that the second configuration matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. Thus, the access network device determines the second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs, thereby achieving the matching of the second configuration with the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0296] In one optional implementation, if the access network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, the access network device further receives the service requirements sent by the first terminal device. The service requirements of the terminal device include PDBs corresponding to one or more services, i.e., the service requirements of the first terminal device include one or more PDBs. Alternatively, if the access network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device, the first terminal device can report its own service requirements to the access network device, so that the access network device can determine a second configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0297] In another optional implementation, if the access network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the access network device also receives service requirements sent by each of the multiple terminal devices. Each terminal device's service requirement includes PDBs corresponding to one or more services of that terminal device; that is, each terminal device's service requirement includes one or more PDBs. Alternatively, if the access network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, each of the multiple terminal devices reports its own service requirements to the access network device, so that the access network device determines a second configuration that satisfies the service requirements of the multiple terminal devices. Therefore, the second configuration is a configuration that satisfies the service requirements of the first terminal device.

[0298] S703. The access network device sends a second configuration to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second configuration sent by the access network device.

[0299] In one possible approach, in S702, after the access network device determines the second configuration, it sends the second configuration to the first terminal device to activate it, thereby enabling the first terminal device to perform data / signaling transmission with the access network device based on the second configuration. The second configuration is carried in RRC reconfiguration information or in L1 signaling. In this approach, the access network device also activates the second configuration and schedules the first terminal device based on it; the first terminal device also activates the second configuration and performs uplink or downlink data transmission with the access network device based on it.

[0300] Optionally, in S702, if the access network device determines that one or more PDBs used in the second configuration are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the access network device also sends the second configuration to other terminal devices besides the first terminal device, so that these other terminal devices also activate the second configuration, thereby enabling the access network device to achieve network energy saving while taking service performance into account. In this mode, the access network device also schedules other terminal devices based on the second configuration; each of the other terminal devices also activates the second configuration and performs uplink data transmission with the access network device based on the second configuration.

[0301] In another possible approach, in S702, if the access network device determines to deactivate multiple first terminal devices, then the access network device does not execute S703. Instead, the access network device sends a deactivation instruction to the first terminal devices, instructing them to deactivate the configured cell DTX / DRX configurations. This ensures that the first terminal devices deactivate their configured cell DTX / DRX configurations, thereby guaranteeing the performance of low-latency services. In this approach, the access network device also deactivates multiple first configurations; the first terminal devices also deactivate their configured cell DTX / DRX configurations.

[0302] Optionally, in S702, if the access network device determines that one or more PDBs used by multiple first terminal devices are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the access network device also sends deactivation instructions to other terminal devices besides the first terminal devices, so that the other terminal devices also deactivate the configured cellDTX / DRX configuration, thereby ensuring the performance of low-latency services. In this mode, each of the other terminal devices also deactivates the configured cell DTX / DRX configuration.

[0303] In one alternative implementation, the access network device also receives QoS flow parameters sent by the core network device, which are determined by the core network device, for example, based on prior values.

[0304] As can be seen, in this embodiment, the access network device determines multiple first configurations, selects a second configuration from the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, and sends the second configuration to the first terminal device. The second configuration is a cell DTX / DRX configuration that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, thereby enabling the access network device to schedule the first terminal device based on the second configuration while taking into account both service performance and network energy saving.

[0305] Furthermore, in communication method 300, the access network device determines the second configuration matching the service requirements of the first terminal device by selecting a second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. In communication methods 100 and 200, the core network device determines the second configuration matching the service requirements of the first terminal device by selecting a first QoS flow parameter that matches the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs, and then selecting a second configuration from multiple first configurations that matches the first QoS flow parameter. Therefore, the method by which the access network device determines the second configuration in communication method 300 is simpler to implement and reduces interaction processes compared to the method by which the core network device determines the second configuration in communication methods 100 and 200. However, in communication method 300, the second configuration determined by the access network device does not match the QoS flow parameter, so the adaptability of the second configuration is poor; for example, it may not be compatible with services requiring different QoS flow parameters. In communication methods 100 and 200, the second configuration determined by the core network device takes into account the matching with the QoS flow parameter, thus providing better adaptability.

[0306] This application also addresses scenarios involving multiple terminal devices, taking terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 as examples, to specifically illustrate the above-mentioned communication method 300 and propose another communication method. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the interaction of the communication method. The interaction process includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0307] S801. Terminal device 1 sends its service request to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the service request from terminal device 1.

[0308] S802. Terminal device 2 sends its service request to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the service request from terminal device 2.

[0309] The service requirements of terminal device 1 include PDBs corresponding to one or more services of terminal device 1, that is, the service requirements of terminal device 1 include one or more PDBs; the service requirements of terminal device 2 include PDBs corresponding to one or more services of terminal device 2, that is, the service requirements of terminal device 2 include one or more PDBs.

[0310] S803. The access network device determines multiple first configurations, and different first configurations have different first durations. The first configuration is either the cell DTX configuration or the cell DRX configuration.

[0311] In this embodiment, the implementation of S803 can be found in the implementation of the access network device determining multiple first configurations in the above-described communication method 100, and will not be repeated here.

[0312] S804. The access network device determines a second configuration or deactivates multiple first configurations, wherein the second configuration is the configuration among the multiple first configurations that matches the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2.

[0313] In one possible approach, the access network device determines the second configuration, including: when one or more PDBs are greater than a preset threshold, determining the second configuration, wherein the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2. For specific implementation details, please refer to the above-described S702, which will not be repeated here.

[0314] Since one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, the second configuration is a configuration that matches the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2. Therefore, the second configuration can be regarded as a configuration that matches the service requirements of terminal device 1 among multiple first configurations, or it can be regarded as a configuration that matches the service requirements of terminal device 2 among multiple first configurations.

[0315] In one possible approach, the access network device determines to deactivate multiple first configurations, including: when there is a PDB below a preset threshold in one or more PDBs, determining to deactivate multiple first configurations, that is, determining to deactivate multiple first configurations. For specific implementation details, please refer to the above-described S702, which will not be repeated here.

[0316] It is evident that when one or more PDBs in the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 exceed a preset threshold, the access network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2. This second configuration is then used to schedule terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 while balancing service performance and network energy conservation. Conversely, when one or more PDBs in the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 are below a preset threshold, the access network device does not determine the second configuration and instead deactivates multiple first configurations to ensure the performance of low-latency services.

[0317] S805. The access network device sends a second configuration or deactivation indication to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, wherein the deactivation indication indicates that the configured cell DTX / DRX configuration should be deactivated. Accordingly, terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 receive the second configuration sent by the access network device, or terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 receive the deactivation indication sent by the access network device.

[0318] In one possible approach, in S804, the access network device determines the second configuration, and then sends the second configuration to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 so that both terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 activate the second configuration and perform data / signaling transmission with the access network device based on the second configuration, so as to achieve network energy saving while ensuring service performance.

[0319] In another possible approach, in S804, if the access network device determines to deactivate multiple first configurations, the access network device sends a deactivation instruction to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 to enable terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 to deactivate the configured cell DTX / DRX configurations, thereby ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0320] In one possible approach, the second configuration or deactivation indication is carried in the RRC reconfiguration information.

[0321] As can be seen, in this embodiment, terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 send their respective service requirements to the access network device. The access network device determines a second configuration that matches the service requirements of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 from a plurality of determined first configurations, or determines to deactivate a plurality of first configurations. Then, the access network device sends a second configuration or deactivation instruction to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2. This method allows the access network device to schedule terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 by using a second configuration that matches their service requirements, balancing service performance and network energy saving, even when there are no low-latency services in the services of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2; or it allows the access network device to deactivate a plurality of first configurations and disable / disable cell DTX / DRX functions when low-latency services exist in the services of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, thus ensuring the performance of low-latency services.

[0322] The following section further describes the corresponding device implementation scheme in relation to the technical solution described above.

[0323] To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the access network device, core network device, and terminal device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0324] like Figure 9As shown, this application provides a communication device 900. The communication device 900 can be a component of an access network device (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), a component of a core network device (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or a component of a terminal device (e.g., an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 900 can also be other communication units used to implement the methods in the method embodiments of this application. The communication device 900 may include a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902. In one possible implementation, it may further include a storage unit 903.

[0325] In one possible design, such as Figure 9 One or more units may be implemented by one or more processors, or by one or more processors and memory; or by one or more processors and transceivers; or by one or more processors, memory, and transceivers. This application does not limit the implementation in this way. The processors, memory, and transceivers can be configured individually or integrated.

[0326] The communication device 900 is equipped with the functions of the access network device, core network device, or terminal device described in the embodiments of this application. For example, the communication device 900 includes a reader / writer that executes the modules, units, or means corresponding to the steps of the access network device in the above method embodiments. The functions, units, or means can be implemented by software, hardware, or hardware executing corresponding software, or a combination of software and hardware. Further details can be found in the corresponding descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0327] In one possible design, the communication device 900 may include a processing unit 902 and a communication unit 901, the device being applied to an access network device, the processing unit 902 being used to process signals / signaling;

[0328] The communication unit 901 is used to send multiple first configurations to the core network equipment, wherein different first configurations have different first durations.

[0329] The communication unit 901 is further configured to receive first indication information sent by the core network device, the first indication information indicating a second configuration, the second configuration being a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0330] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0331] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 is further configured to send the second configuration to the first terminal device.

[0332] In one optional implementation, the second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. Specifically, the second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the PDB with the smallest value in one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs).

[0333] In one optional implementation, the second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device. Specifically, the second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the first Quality of Service (QoS) flow parameter; the first QoS flow parameter is the QoS flow parameter among the plurality of QoS flow parameters that matches the PDB with the smallest value among the one or more PDBs.

[0334] In one optional implementation, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, including the first terminal device.

[0335] In another possible design, the communication device 900 may include a processing unit 902 and a communication unit 901, the device being applied to core network equipment;

[0336] The communication unit 901 is used to receive multiple first configurations sent by the access network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations;

[0337] The processing unit 902 is used to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0338] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0339] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 is further configured to receive service requests from the first terminal device.

[0340] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 is further configured to send first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating the second configuration.

[0341] In one optional implementation, the processing unit 902 determines a second configuration, specifically for: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

[0342] In one optional implementation, the processing unit 902 determines the second configuration, specifically for: determining a first QoS flow parameter from a plurality of QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs; and determining the second configuration from the plurality of first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameter.

[0343] In one optional implementation, the second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, specifically: the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the multiple terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0344] In another possible design, the communication device 900 may include a processing unit 902 and a communication unit 901, the device being applied to an access network device;

[0345] The processing unit 902 is configured to determine a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations.

[0346] The processing unit 902 is further configured to determine a second configuration, wherein the second configuration is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device;

[0347] Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

[0348] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 is used to send the second configuration to the first terminal device;

[0349] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 is further configured to receive service requests from the first terminal device.

[0350] In one optional implementation, the processing unit 902 determines a second configuration, specifically for: determining the second configuration when one or more packet delay budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

[0351] In one optional implementation, the processing unit 902 determines a second configuration, specifically by: determining the second configuration from among the plurality of first configurations based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs.

[0352] In one optional implementation, the second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, specifically: the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or, the one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, the multiple terminal devices including the first terminal device.

[0353] In another possible design, the communication device 900 may include a processing unit 902 and a communication unit 901, the device being applied to a first terminal device, the processing unit 902 being used to process signals / signaling;

[0354] The communication unit 901 is used to send service requests;

[0355] The communication unit 901 is further configured to receive a second configuration, which is a configuration among a plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements; wherein the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration or a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration.

[0356] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 transmits service requirements, specifically for sending the service requirements to the access network device.

[0357] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 transmits service requests, specifically for sending the service requests to the core network equipment.

[0358] In one optional implementation, the communication unit 901 is used to receive a second configuration, specifically for: receiving the second configuration sent by the access network device, wherein the second configuration is sent by the core network device to the access device.

[0359] The embodiments of this application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, which will not be repeated here.

[0360] This application also provides a communication device 1000. Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of the communication device 1000. The communication device 1000 can be an access network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the access network device in implementing the above methods; alternatively, it can be a core network device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the core network device in implementing the above methods; or alternatively, it can be a terminal device, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal device in implementing the above methods. This device can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific details can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments.

[0361] The communication device 1000 may include one or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, it may be a baseband processor, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, or central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, terminal, terminal chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0362] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1002, which may store instructions 1004. These instructions can be executed on the processor 1001, causing the communication device 1000 to perform the method described in the above method embodiments. The instructions may be replaced by programs. In another possible implementation, the memory 1002 may also store data. The processor 1001 and the memory 1002 may be configured separately or integrated together. The processor 1001 is used to parse signaling information and process related data; the memory 1002 contains stored signaling information and pre-agreed preset values, etc.

[0363] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 may further include a transceiver 1005 and an antenna 1006. The transceiver 1005, which may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, is used to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 1005 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver, which may be referred to as a receiver or receiving circuit, is used to implement a receiving function; the transmitter, which may be referred to as a transmitter or transmitting circuit, is used to implement a transmitting function.

[0364] In one possible design, the communication device 1000 can be applied to an access network device. Specifically, the processor 1001 is used to execute S701 and S702 in the above-mentioned communication method 300; the transceiver 1005 is used to execute S401 in the above-mentioned communication method 100, S502 and S504 in the communication method 200, and S703 in the communication method 300.

[0365] In another possible design, the communication device 1000 can be applied to a core network device. Specifically, the processor 1001 is used to execute S402 in the communication method 100 and S503 in the communication method 200; the transceiver 1005 is used to execute S401 in the communication method 100 and S501, S502, and S504 in the communication method 200.

[0366] In another possible design, the communication device 1000 can be applied to a first terminal device, specifically, the transceiver 1005 is used to execute S501 and S505 in the above-mentioned communication method 200, and S703 in the above-mentioned communication method 300.

[0367] In one possible implementation, processor 1001 may store instructions 1003, which, when executed on processor 1001, cause the communication device 1000 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Instructions 1003 may be embedded in processor 1001; in this case, processor 1001 may be implemented in hardware.

[0368] The embodiments of this application and any of the above-described communication methods 100 to 300 are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of any of the above-described communication methods 100 to 300, which will not be repeated here.

[0369] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device, an access network device, and a core network device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices / functional network elements that interact with at least one of the terminal device, the access network device, and the core network device. The access network device is used to perform the steps corresponding to the access network device in communication methods 100 to 300, the core network device is used to perform the steps corresponding to the core network device in communication methods 100 and 200, and the terminal device is used to perform the steps corresponding to the first terminal device in communication methods 200 and 300.

[0370] This application also provides a chip including a processor that calls a computer program stored in a memory to enable a communication device including the chip to perform the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0371] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0372] This application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0373] This application also provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0374] The terms "first" and "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. "First," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0375] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0376] In this application, the term "embodiment" is used to mean that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0377] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0378] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0379] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send multiple first configurations to the core network equipment, wherein different first configurations have different first durations; The system receives a first indication message sent by the core network device, the first indication message indicating a second configuration, the second configuration being a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the second configuration to the first terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, specifically: The second configuration is the configuration that matches the PDB with the smallest value in one or more packet latency budget PDBs among the plurality of first configurations.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, specifically: The second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the first Quality of Service (QoS) flow parameters; The first QoS flow parameter is the QoS flow parameter that matches the PDB with the smallest value among the multiple QoS flow parameters.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or... The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and the multiple terminal devices include the first terminal device.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive multiple first configurations sent by the access network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations; A second configuration is determined, which is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the service request from the first terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first indication message to the access network device, the first indication message indicating the second configuration.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, Determining the second configuration includes: The second configuration is determined when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, Determining the second configuration includes: The first QoS flow parameter is determined from multiple QoS flow parameters based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs. The second configuration is determined from the plurality of first configurations based on the first QoS flow parameters.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, specifically: The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or... The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and the multiple terminal devices include the first terminal device.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Multiple first configurations are determined, and different first configurations have different first durations; A second configuration is determined, which is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the second configuration to the first terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the service request from the first terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, Determining the second configuration includes: The second configuration is determined when one or more packet latency budgets (PDBs) are higher than a preset threshold.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, Determining the second configuration includes: The second configuration is determined from the plurality of first configurations based on the PDB with the smallest value among one or more PDBs.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The second configuration is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device, specifically: The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of the first terminal device; or... The one or more PDBs are PDBs in the service requirements of multiple terminal devices, and the multiple terminal devices include the first terminal device.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send business requirements; Receive a second configuration, which is a configuration among a plurality of first configurations that matches the business requirements; The first configuration is either the cell discontinuous transmission DTX configuration or the cell discontinuous reception DRX configuration.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The transmission service requirements include: Send the service request to the access network equipment.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The transmission service requirements include: Send the service request to the core network equipment.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that, The receiving of the second configuration includes: The second configuration is received from the access network device, which is sent by the core network device to the access device.

22. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The access network device sends multiple first configurations to the core network device, and the different first configurations have different first durations. The core network device receives the plurality of first configurations sent by the access network device; The core network device determines a second configuration, which is the configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; The core network device sends a first indication information to the access network device, the first indication information indicating the second configuration; The access network device receives the first indication information sent by the core network device; The access network device sends the second configuration to the first terminal device; The first terminal device receives the second configuration sent by the access network device; Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The access network device determines multiple first configurations, and different first configurations have different first durations. The access network device determines a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; The access network device sends the second configuration to the first terminal device; The first terminal device receives the second configuration sent by the access network device; Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes: An access network device is used to send multiple first configurations to a core network device, wherein different first configurations have different first durations. The core network device is configured to receive the plurality of first configurations sent by the access network device; The core network device is further configured to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; The core network device is further configured to send a first indication information to the access network device, wherein the first indication information indicates the second configuration; The access network device is further configured to receive the first indication information sent by the core network device; The access network device is further configured to send the second configuration to the first terminal device; The first terminal device is configured to receive the second configuration sent by the access network device; wherein the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes: An access network device is configured to determine a plurality of first configurations, wherein different first configurations have different first durations. The access network device is further configured to determine a second configuration, which is a configuration among the plurality of first configurations that matches the service requirements of the first terminal device; The access network device is further configured to send the second configuration to the first terminal device; The first terminal device is configured to receive the second configuration sent by the access network device; Wherein, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous transmission; or, the first configuration is a cell discontinuous reception (DRX) configuration, and the first duration is the duration of discontinuous reception.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method of any one of claims 6 to 11, or the method of any one of claims 12 to 17, or the method of any one of claims 18 to 21.

27. A chip, characterized in that, The device includes a processor that invokes a computer program stored in a memory to cause a communication device including the chip to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method of any one of claims 6 to 11, or the method of any one of claims 12 to 17, or the method of any one of claims 18 to 21.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 5 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 6 to 11 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 12 to 17 to be performed, or the method of any one of claims 18 to 21 to be performed.

29. A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that, When it is run on a computer, it causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 5 to be performed, or causes the method of any one of claims 6 to 11 to be performed, or causes the method of any one of claims 12 to 17 to be performed, or causes the method of any one of claims 18 to 21 to be performed.

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