Communication method and related device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and a related device. In the method, a core network device sends a first message to a first access network device, the first message being used for indicating a first AIoT service. The first AIoT service is executed by the first terminal. However, the first terminal is in an RRC non-connected state. Therefore, the first access network equipment cannot forward the first message to the first terminal, and the first terminal in the RRC non-connection state cannot execute the first AIoT service. Next, the first access network device sends a second message based on the first message. Wherein the second message is used for paging the first terminal. In the application, after a first access network device receives a first message, the first access network device sends a second message for paging the first terminal under the condition that the first terminal is in an RRC non-connection state. And if the first terminal is successfully paged, the first terminal is recovered from the RRC non-connection state to the connection state, and the first AIoT service is executed. Therefore, the execution efficiency and the success rate of the AIoT service are improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined the Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) technology. In AIoT technology, AIoT devices can be located within the coverage area provided by a reader, which can be a base station or a terminal.

[0003] How to execute AIoT services when the terminal is used as a reader / writer in the inactive state of radio resource control (RRC) is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for improving the execution efficiency of AIoT services.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method. This method is applied to a first access network device, which may be an access network device itself, or it may be a communication module / processing module within the access network device, or a circuit or chip within the access network device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip within the access network device responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)). In this method, a core network device sends a first message to the first access network device, the first message indicating a first AIoT service. Exemplarily, the first AIoT service may be an inventory service, and the first message may be an Inventory Request.

[0006] In this application, the first AIoT service is executed by a first terminal or a chip within the first terminal. Alternatively, the first terminal acts as a reader for the first AIoT service, communicating with the AIoT device (tag) to execute the first AIoT service. Optionally, the aforementioned "first terminal" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as a reader, a user equipment (UE) reader, or a UE supporting a common reader function, also known as an AIoT-enabled UE. An AIoT-enabled UE enables / supports communication with AIoT devices.

[0007] However, the first terminal is in an RRC-inactive state, which includes an RRC-inactive state and / or an RRC-idle state. Specifically, when the first terminal is in an RRC-connected state, it indicates that an RRC connection has been established between the first terminal and the access network device; when the first terminal is in an RRC-idle state, it indicates that no RRC connection has been established between the first terminal and the access network device; when the first terminal is in an RRC-inactive state, the first terminal suspends data processing, but the access network device still maintains the first terminal's context information. Therefore, the first access network device cannot forward the first message to the first terminal in the RRC-inactive state, and the first terminal in the RRC-inactive state cannot execute the first AIoT service.

[0008] Next, the first access network device sends a second message based on the first message. The second message is used to page the first terminal.

[0009] In this application, after receiving the first message, if the first terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, the first access network device sends a second message to page the first terminal. If the pager successfully pages the first terminal, it can trigger the first terminal to recover from the RRC disconnected state to the connected state and execute the first AIoT service. This improves the execution efficiency and success rate of the AIoT service.

[0010] Optionally, the phrase "the first message is used to indicate the first AIoT service" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as "the first message is used to request / indicate the first AIoT service", or "the first message is used to request / indicate to perform the first AIoT service", or "the first message is used to request / indicate the first terminal to perform / execute the first AIoT service".

[0011] Optionally, the first message may include one or more of the following:

[0012] The first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service, indicating that the first message is a message for the AIoT service;

[0013] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0014] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (or tag, or AIoT label). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, used to identify one, a group, or all AIoT devices.

[0015] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0016] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area may be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0017] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0018] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first access network device sends a second message to the second access network device based on the first message. The second message requests the second access network device to page the first terminal. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second message. In this scenario, the first terminal may not be located in a cell managed by the first access network device; therefore, the first access network device cannot page the first terminal. In this case, the first access network device sends the second message to the second access network device. For example, the second message can be a paging message sent via the Xn interface. After receiving the second message, the second access network device forwards the second message (e.g., a paging message sent via the uu interface) to the cell managed by the second access network device.

[0019] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first access network device sends a second message to the first terminal based on the first message. That is, the first access network device sends the second message to the cell managed by the first access network device. Optionally, the second message may be a broadcast paging message, such as a paging message sent through the UU interface.

[0020] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0021] The first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service, indicating that the second message is a message for the AIoT service;

[0022] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0023] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0024] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0025] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0026] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0027] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, if the second access network device fails to successfully page the first terminal, the first access network device sends a third message to the core network device. The third message indicates that the first AIoT service has failed, or indicates that the first AIoT service is refused. In this scenario, the third message is sent by the second access network device to the first access network device after failing to successfully page the first terminal. After receiving the third message, the first access network device forwards it to the core network device.

[0028] Based on the first aspect, in an optional implementation, if the first access network device fails to successfully page the first terminal, the first access network device sends a third message to the core network device, the third message being used to indicate that the first AIoT service has failed, or the third message being used to indicate that the first AIoT service is refused.

[0029] For example, if the first message is Inventory Request, then the third message is Inventory Failure.

[0030] The phrase "the second access network device failed to successfully page the first terminal" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as "the second access network device failed to establish a connection with the first terminal," or "the first terminal failed to enter the connected state," or "the second access network device did not receive a response from the first terminal for the second message," or "the first terminal did not receive a third message from the second access network device."

[0031] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the third message includes one or more of the following:

[0032] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0033] The second instruction information is used to instruct the first terminal to move out of the first area, which is associated with the first AIoT service. Moving out of the first area can be understood as the first terminal leaving the coverage area of ​​the AIoT device (e.g., the inventory area in an inventory scenario), or the first terminal leaving the RAN Notification Area (RNA) allocated or managed by the first access network device.

[0034] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the second access network device includes at least one access network device belonging to the same RNA as the first access network device, and there is an Xn interface between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0035] Secondly, this application provides a communication method. This method is applied to a second access network device, which may be an access network device itself, or it may be a communication module / processing module within the access network device, or a circuit or chip within the access network device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip within the access network device responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)). In this method, the core network device sends a first message to the second access network device, the first message indicating a first AIoT service. After receiving the first message, if the first terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, the first access network device sends a second message to the second access network device for paging the first terminal; correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second message from the first access network device.

[0036] The core network device sends a fourth message to the second access network device, and correspondingly, the second access network device receives the fourth message from the core network device. The fourth message includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal to execute the first AIoT service, or to instruct the first terminal to act as a reader for the first AIoT service, or to instruct the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device corresponding to the first AIoT service.

[0037] In this application, after receiving the first message, if the first terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, the first access network device sends a second message to page the first terminal. Furthermore, the core network device also sends a third instruction to the second access network device authorizing the first terminal to execute the first AIoT service, so that the first terminal can continue to communicate with the second access network device and maintain the AIoT service, thereby improving the execution efficiency and success rate of the AIoT service.

[0038] Based on the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the second access network device sends the aforementioned fourth message to the first terminal to indicate that the first terminal has been authorized to execute the first AIoT service.

[0039] Based on the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0040] The first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service, indicating that the second message is a message for the AIoT service;

[0041] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0042] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0043] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0044] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0045] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0046] Based on the second aspect, in an optional implementation, after receiving the second message from the second access network device, the first terminal sends a fifth message to the second access network device, the fifth message including one or more of the following:

[0047] The fourth indication information is used to indicate an AIoT service. Alternatively, the fourth indication information can be replaced with other descriptions, for example, the fourth indication information is used to indicate a first AIoT service (or other AIoT services).

[0048] The fifth indication information indicates that the first resource has failed. This first resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device. Specifically, the first resource is allocated by the first access network device to the first terminal for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device. Because the first terminal receives a paging message from the second access network device, meaning the second access network device has paged the first terminal, the first resource becomes unavailable.

[0049] The sixth instruction information is used to request a second resource, which is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device. Since the first resource is invalid (unavailable), the first terminal requests the second resource from the second access network device so that the second access network device can allocate the second resource to the first terminal.

[0050] Therefore, the second access network device can reconfigure resources for the first terminal based on the fifth information.

[0051] Based on the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the fourth message further includes a first identifier, which is used to identify the first AIoT service, or, as can be understood, the first identifier is an identifier for the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier may be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0052] Based on the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the first terminal sends a sixth message to the second access network device, the sixth message including one or more of the following:

[0053] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0054] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the first AIoT service can be executed.

[0055] Optionally, the first terminal may determine whether it meets the conditions for executing the first AIoT service based on one or more of the following factors. These factors include:

[0056] Battery power. If the battery power is sufficient, the first terminal is determined to be capable of executing the first AIoT service; if the battery power is insufficient, the first terminal is determined not to be capable of executing the first AIoT service.

[0057] Network environment. If the network environment is good, the first terminal is determined to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service; if the network environment is poor, the first terminal is determined not to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service.

[0058] Does the coverage area of ​​the first terminal cover the AIoT devices of the first AIoT service? If it does, then the first terminal is determined to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service; if it does not, then the first terminal is determined not to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service.

[0059] It should be understood that the above one or more factors are merely illustrative descriptions. In practical applications, the first terminal may also use other factors to determine whether it has the conditions to execute the first AIoT service. This application does not limit this.

[0060] Based on the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the second access network device sends a seventh message to the first terminal, the seventh message including one or more of the following:

[0061] The first information is used to indicate the third resource, and the third resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device.

[0062] The second information is used to indicate the first condition or the first value. The first value is used to indicate the first condition, which is the condition for the first terminal to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0063] The third information is used to indicate whether the first signal radio bearer (SRB) is configured to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service;

[0064] The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0065] Based on the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the first condition may include at least one of the following:

[0066] When the terminal receives N AIoT device IDs, it transmits data or signaling related to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or core network device, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or,

[0067] When the AIoT service data or signaling received by the terminal reaches a certain size / length / threshold, the terminal transmits the data or signaling related to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or core network device. Here, N, or the aforementioned certain size / length / threshold, can be referred to as the first value.

[0068] Optionally, the first value may include at least one of the following:

[0069] The maximum number of AIoT device identifiers;

[0070] The size of the fifth piece of information;

[0071] The size of the fifth piece of information;

[0072] The length of the fifth piece of information;

[0073] The threshold for the fifth piece of information.

[0074] The fifth piece of information is related to the first AIoT service. Optionally, the fifth piece of information is related to the first AIoT service, or in other words, the fifth piece of information is data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0075] Based on the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the third resource indicated by the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0076] The fourth resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in the first cell, which is provided by the second access network device. The first cell includes one or more.

[0077] The fifth resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device during the process of accessing the second cell from the first cell, or during the process of accessing the third access network device from the second access network device. The third access network device is another access network device, different from the first and second access network devices, that the first terminal can access.

[0078] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method. This method is applied to a first terminal, which may be a terminal, or a communication module / processing module within the terminal, or a circuit or chip within the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip within the terminal responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)). In this method, a core network device sends a first message to a second access network device, the first message indicating a first AIoT service. After receiving the first message, if the first terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, the first access network device sends a second message to the second access network device for paging the first terminal, and correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second message from the first access network device. The second access network device sends the second message to the first terminal, and correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second message from the second access network device; the second message is used for paging the first terminal. The first terminal sends a fifth message to the second access network device. The fifth message includes one or more of the following:

[0079] The fourth indication information is used to indicate an AIoT service. Alternatively, the fourth indication information can be replaced with other descriptions, for example, the fourth indication information is used to indicate a first AIoT service (or other AIoT services).

[0080] The fifth indication information indicates that the first resource has failed. This first resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device. Specifically, the first resource is allocated by the first access network device to the first terminal for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device. Because the first terminal receives a paging message from the second access network device, meaning the second access network device has paged the first terminal, the first resource becomes unavailable.

[0081] The sixth instruction information is used to request a second resource, which is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device. Since the first resource is invalid (unavailable), the first terminal requests the second resource from the second access network device so that the second access network device can allocate the second resource to the first terminal.

[0082] Therefore, the second access network device can reconfigure resources for the first terminal based on the fifth information.

[0083] Based on the third aspect, in an optional implementation, the first terminal sends a sixth message to the second access network device, the sixth message including one or more of the following:

[0084] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0085] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the first AIoT service can be executed.

[0086] Optionally, the first terminal may determine whether it meets the conditions for executing the first AIoT service based on one or more of the following factors. These factors include:

[0087] Battery power. If the battery power is sufficient, the first terminal is determined to be capable of executing the first AIoT service; if the battery power is insufficient, the first terminal is determined not to be capable of executing the first AIoT service.

[0088] Network environment. If the network environment is good, the first terminal is determined to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service; if the network environment is poor, the first terminal is determined not to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service.

[0089] Is the first terminal still in the first area? If yes, then the first terminal is determined to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service; if not, then the first terminal is determined not to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service.

[0090] It should be understood that the above one or more factors are merely illustrative descriptions. In practical applications, the first terminal may also use other factors to determine whether it has the conditions to execute the first AIoT service. This application does not limit this.

[0091] Based on the third aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0092] The first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service, indicating that the second message is a message for the AIoT service;

[0093] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0094] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0095] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0096] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0097] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0098] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a first access network device, and the communication device includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0099] A receiving unit is used to receive a first message, which indicates a first environment IoT (AIoT) service.

[0100] The sending unit is used to send a second message based on the first message. The second message is used to page the first terminal, which is in an RRC disconnected state.

[0101] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the transmitting unit is specifically used for:

[0102] Based on the first message, a second message is sent to the second access network device, and the second message is used to request the second access network device to page the first terminal.

[0103] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the transmitting unit is specifically used for:

[0104] The second message is sent to the first terminal based on the first message.

[0105] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0106] The first instruction information is used to indicate AIoT services;

[0107] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0108] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0109] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0110] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0111] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0112] Based on the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation, the transmitting unit is further configured to:

[0113] Send a third message, which indicates that the first AIoT service has failed, or indicates that the first AIoT service is refused.

[0114] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the third message includes one or more of the following:

[0115] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0116] The second instruction information is used to instruct the first terminal to move out of the first area, which is associated with the first AIoT service.

[0117] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the second access network device includes at least one access network device belonging to the same RNA as the first access network device.

[0118] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a second access network device, and the communication device includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0119] A receiving unit is used to receive a second message, which is used to page the first terminal.

[0120] The receiving unit is also used to receive a fourth message, which includes a third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0121] Based on the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the sending unit is used to send a fourth message.

[0122] Based on the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0123] The first instruction information is used to indicate AIoT services;

[0124] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0125] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0126] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0127] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0128] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0129] Based on the fifth aspect, in an optional implementation, the receiving unit is further configured to receive a fifth message, which includes one or more of the following:

[0130] The fourth indication information is used to indicate AIoT services;

[0131] The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first resource is invalid. The first resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device.

[0132] The sixth instruction information is used to request the second resource, which is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device.

[0133] Based on the fifth aspect, in an optional implementation, the fourth message further includes a first identifier, which is used to identify the first AIoT service.

[0134] Based on the fifth aspect, in an optional implementation, the sending unit is further configured to send a sixth message, the sixth message including one or more of the following:

[0135] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0136] The seventh indication information is used to indicate whether the first AIoT service can be executed.

[0137] Based on the fifth aspect, in an optional implementation, the sending unit is further configured to send a seventh message, the seventh message including one or more of the following:

[0138] The first information is used to indicate the third resource, and the third resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device.

[0139] The second information is used to indicate the first condition or the first value. The first value is used to indicate the first condition, which is the condition for the first terminal to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0140] The third information is used to indicate whether the first signaling radio bearer (SRB) is configured to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0141] The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0142] Based on the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the first value includes at least one of the following:

[0143] The maximum number of AIoT device identifiers, the size of the fifth information, the size of the fifth information, the length of the fifth information, the threshold of the fifth information, and the fifth information is related to the first AIoT business.

[0144] Based on the fifth aspect, in one optional implementation, the third resource includes at least one of the following:

[0145] The fourth resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in the first cell, which is provided by the second access network device. The first cell includes one or more.

[0146] The fifth resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device during the process of accessing the second cell from the first cell, or during the process of accessing the third access network device from the second access network device.

[0147] Based on the fifth aspect, in an optional implementation, the sending unit is further configured to send a second message.

[0148] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a first terminal, and the communication device includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0149] A receiving unit is used to receive a second message, which is used to page the first terminal.

[0150] The sending unit is used to send a fifth message, which includes one or more of the following:

[0151] The fourth indication information is used to indicate AIoT services;

[0152] The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first resource has failed. The first resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device.

[0153] The sixth instruction information is used to request the second resource, which is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device.

[0154] Based on the sixth aspect, in an optional implementation, the sending unit is further configured to send a sixth message, the sixth message including one or more of the following:

[0155] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0156] The seventh indication information is used to determine whether the first AIoT service can be executed.

[0157] Based on the sixth aspect, in one optional implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0158] The first instruction information is used to indicate AIoT services;

[0159] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0160] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0161] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0162] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0163] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0164] A seventh aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to execute a program or instructions to enable the communication device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory, and the at least one processor is coupled to the memory; the memory is used to store programs or instructions.

[0165] The eighth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to third aspects described above.

[0166] The ninth aspect of this application provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned first terminal, first access network equipment, second access network equipment, and / or core network equipment.

[0167] The tenth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects described above.

[0168] The eleventh aspect of this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, performs the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects described above. Attached Figure Description

[0169] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation of AIoT technology.

[0170] Figure 2A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 1 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0171] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 2 provided in this application embodiment is shown;

[0172] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 3 provided in this application embodiment is shown;

[0173] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 4 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown;

[0174] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of architecture 1 is shown;

[0175] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of architecture 2 is shown;

[0176] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of architecture 3 is shown;

[0177] Figure 9 The protocol stack corresponding to the RRC-based terminal solution provided in Topology 2 of this application is shown in the embodiment of the present application.

[0178] Figure 10 The protocol stack corresponding to the NAS-based terminal solution under Topology 2 provided in this application embodiment is shown;

[0179] Figure 11 This application provides a solution for terminal PDU session-based communication in topology 2, which includes a corresponding protocol stack.

[0180] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of an O-RAN system;

[0181] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the application framework involving RIC modules under the O-RAN architecture.

[0182] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation of the communication method of this application;

[0183] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to this application;

[0184] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the communication device of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0185] The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the embodiments section is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with technological advancements and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0186] First, some of the nouns or terms used in this application will be explained, and these nouns or terms are also part of the content of the invention.

[0187] (1) The terms “system” and “network” in this application are used interchangeably. “Multiple” refers to two or more. “And / or” describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, 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 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 of A, B and C” includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. Unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” mentioned in this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0188] (2) In this application, “sending information” can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For example, “terminal device sending information” can be understood as a terminal device sending information to another device (such as a network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the terminal device sending information to logical module 2 in the network device.

[0189] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "terminal device receiving information" can be understood as a terminal device receiving information from another device (such as a network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the terminal device receiving information from logical module 2 in the network device.

[0190] In this application, "sending information to... (e.g., a network device)" or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being a network device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to a network device. "Receiving information from... (e.g., a network device)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., a network device)" or "receiving information sent (e.g., by a network device)" or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the source of the information being a network device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from a network device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, encoding, modulation, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0191] (3) Configuration and Pre-configuration: In this application, both configuration and pre-configuration are used. Configuration refers to the network device or server sending configuration information or parameter values ​​to the terminal device via messages or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine the communication parameters or resources for transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration; it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​pre-negotiated between the network device / server and the terminal device, parameter information or parameter values ​​specified by standard protocols for use by the base station / network device or terminal device, or parameter information or parameter values ​​pre-stored in the base station / server or terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0192] It should be understood that these values ​​and parameters can change or be updated.

[0193] (4) In this application, “instruction” may include direct instruction and indirect instruction, and may also include explicit instruction and implicit instruction. When a certain instruction information is used to instruct A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0194] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon, for example, by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-predefined) arrangement of various information to indicate specific information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed, and for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0195] It should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this application can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and the various methods / designs / implementations within those embodiments, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various methods / designs / implementations within those embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations within those embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments, methods, or implementations based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0196] Next, we will introduce the possible, non-limiting scenarios involved in this application.

[0197] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defined the Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) technology. AIoT technology includes network devices and Type I terminals; or, in other words, an AIoT-based communication system includes network devices and Type I terminals. Type I terminals can be devices with AIoT functionality.

[0198] For example, AIoT services may include at least one of the following: inventory, positioning, sensing, command, etc., where the command may be a read service, a write service, a disable service, a kill service, a lock service, etc.

[0199] Among them, the inventory service uses a reader to access AIoT devices within the coverage area. Devices that successfully access the network need to send their unique identifier (such as Device ID) to the reader; or, in other words, the inventory service is used to obtain the identification information of AIoT devices.

[0200] Location tracking uses location signals to pinpoint the location of a tag.

[0201] Sensing involves tags reporting sensor data to the base station, such as temperature data.

[0202] A command can be a set of operational instructions. Understandably, command operations can include at least one of the following: read, write, disable, or lock operations.

[0203] The read service can read electronic product codes (EPC), tag identifiers (TID), and content stored in the AIoT device's reserved area or user storage area from the AIoT device's storage area.

[0204] The write operation can perform write operations on the tag's storage area. This means that the reader sends a downlink command and data to instruct the AIoT device to write the data into its own storage area (memory).

[0205] The "disable" function can temporarily or permanently disable AIoT devices.

[0206] Deactivation services can render AIoT devices permanently unusable.

[0207] Locking can lock the information of an AIoT device, preventing read or write operations on that device. Alternatively, locking can also lock a storage area, preventing or allowing read or write operations on that storage area.

[0208] The above are just examples. Other services or operations can be performed between the terminal and AIoT devices, which will not be listed here.

[0209] For example, similar to radio frequency identification (RFID), RFID systems typically include an interrogator and tags. A tag is a terminal that can be deployed in specific application scenarios to assist in achieving certain application functions. The interrogator can interact with the tag to manage it. For example, in logistics and warehousing applications, tags can be deployed to achieve functions such as inventory and tracking of goods, and monitoring of the environment and condition of goods during transportation. Alternatively, in industrial manufacturing applications, tags can be deployed to achieve functions such as environmental and equipment condition monitoring.

[0210] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation of AIoT technology. (Example) Figure 1 As shown, RFID terminals (tags) use low-precision, low-power mid-to-low frequency ring oscillators or receivers without a local oscillator to receive downlink signals. When the RFID terminal (tag) is working, the communication energy and carrier wave are supplied by the reader, and communication is based on a reflected carrier wave, such as... Figure 1 As shown: the line with the arrow pointing towards the RFID tag is the carrier wave sent by the reader, and the line with the arrow pointing towards the reader indicates that the RFID tag is modulated and reflected based on the carrier wave sent by the reader.

[0211] In AIoT technology, both readers and AIoT devices can be implemented based on cellular network infrastructure. In other words, both readers and AIoT devices can be devices within a cellular network. For example, the functionality of a reader can be implemented by network devices, such as base stations. AIoT devices can be implemented by terminals within a cellular network, such as ultra-low power, ultra-low complexity IoT terminals, i.e., the first type of terminal. Network devices can perform contactless data communication with the first type of terminal, thereby reading information from the first type of terminal and / or writing information that needs to be stored into the first type of terminal.

[0212] In AIoT technology, AIoT devices can be located within the coverage area provided by a reader / writer, which can be a base station or a terminal. When the reader / writer is a terminal, the communication between it and the AIoT device can be considered as transmission between terminals; when the reader / writer is a base station, the communication between it and the AIoT device is via a UU interface, i.e., air interface communication.

[0213] Depending on the different implementations of the reader / writer, the AIoT network architecture can include topologies 1 through 4.

[0214] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 1 provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 2As shown, in Topology 1, AIoT devices communicate directly and bidirectionally with network devices (or access network devices, such as base stations). Communication between network devices and AIoT devices includes data and / or signaling for AIoT services. Topology 1 includes network devices sending data to AIoT devices and network devices receiving data from AIoT devices; that is, there is uplink and downlink data / signaling between network devices and AIoT devices.

[0215] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 2 provided in this application embodiment is shown. For example... Figure 3 As shown in Topology 2, AIoT devices communicate bidirectionally with intermediate nodes. Intermediate nodes can be repeaters, IAB nodes, UEs, etc., and are capable of implementing AIoT. Intermediate nodes transmit AIoT service data and / or signaling between network devices and AIoT devices.

[0216] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 3 provided in this application embodiment is shown. In topology 3, as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), the AIoT device sends data / signaling to the network device and receives data / signaling from the auxiliary node; or as ... Figure 4 As shown in (b), the AIoT device receives data / signaling from the network device and sends data / signaling to the auxiliary node. In Topology 3, the auxiliary node can be a repeater, IAB, UE, etc., which can implement AIoT.

[0217] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the composition of AIoT network architecture topology 4 provided in this application embodiment is shown. For example... Figure 5 As shown in Topology 4, AIoT devices and terminals communicate bidirectionally. Communication between the terminal and AIoT devices includes AIoT services and / or signaling.

[0218] How to execute AIoT services when the terminal is used as a reader / writer in the inactive state of radio resource control (RRC) is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0219] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a communication method and related apparatus for improving the execution efficiency of AIoT services. The communication method and related apparatus provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, future communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems, industrial internet communication systems, or satellite communication systems, etc. The wireless communication systems involved in this application also include, but are not limited to, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems.

[0220] Optionally, the above-mentioned communication method can be used between the terminal and the AIoT device in the communication system. Figure 3 The corresponding topology 2, and / or Figure 5 The corresponding network architecture is topology 4.

[0221] For example, based on the progress of Service and System Aspects Working Group 2 (SA2), CN includes the following three architectures for Topology 2, referred to here as Architecture 1, Architecture 2 and Architecture 3.

[0222] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of Architecture 1 is shown. (As shown) Figure 6 As shown, the access network device (gNB) can directly connect to the AIoTF (AIoTCN). The AIoTF is also a CN network element / function / node / device, which can support AIoT Devices (there is an upper layer between the AIoTF and the Device, used to transmit AIoT data / signaling, transparently transmitted to the gNB). The interface between the gNB and the AIoT CN is the first interface. Correspondingly, XXAP is the application protocol on the first interface (or XX interface), used to provide signaling services between the gNB and the AIoT CN. The AIoT data / signaling exchanged between the two is included in the XXAP message.

[0223] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of Architecture 2 is shown. (For example...) Figure 7As shown, gNB and AIoTF (AIoT CN) are not directly connected, therefore there is no direct connection. Figure 15 The XX interface between gNB and AIoTF requires AMF forwarding for information exchange between them.

[0224] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of architecture 3 is shown. (For example...) Figure 8 As shown, the gNB connects to an enhanced AMF, which can serve both the UE and the AIoT Device simultaneously. An upper layer exists between the AMF and the AIoT Device for transmitting AIoT data / signaling, transparently transmitted through the gNB. The AIoT CN can be the AMF.

[0225] The above Figure 6 or Figure 7 In the architecture shown, inventory requests, commands, and other AIoT service requests are triggered by the AoT CN. Figure 8 In the architecture shown, inventory requests, commands, and other AIoT business requests are triggered by the AMF, which in turn triggers the AIoT business process.

[0226] Furthermore, based on the progress of Radio Access Network Working Group 3 (RAN3) and SA2, in Figure 3 In the corresponding Topology 2, there are three data transmission solutions for transmitting AIoT service-related data / signaling: "Solution 1: RRC based solution", "Solution 2: NAS based solution", and "Solution 3: UP (user plane) based solution".

[0227] Please refer to Figure 9 This illustrates the protocol stack corresponding to the RRC-based solution under Topology 2. In "Solution 1: RRC-based solution", after the base station receives an AIoT service-related request from the AIoT CN via XXAP, the base station further sends the relevant information to the A-IoT-enabled UE via RRC messages from the A-IoT-enabled UE; when the base station receives AIoT service-related data / signaling from the A-IoT-enabled UE via RRC, the base station further transmits the relevant information to the AIoT CN via XXAP.

[0228] Please refer to Figure 10 This shows the protocol stack corresponding to the NAS-based solution under Topology 2. In "Solution 2: NAS-based solution", the base station does not see the AIoT-related processes; these processes are implemented in the NAS layer of the A-IoT-enabled UE.

[0229] Please refer to Figure 11 This illustrates the protocol stack corresponding to the user plane (UP) based solution under Topology 2. In "Solution 3: UP (user plane) based solution", the base station does not see the AIoT-related processes. AIoT service-related data / signaling between the AIoT CN and the A-IoT-enabled UE is transmitted on the PDU Session of the A-IoT-enabled UE (transparently transmitted to the A-IoT-enabled gNB). The gNB processes the user plane data of the A-IoT-enabled UE through the NG-U GTP-U channel.

[0230] It should be understood that the above protocol stack is only one possible protocol stack for the three data transmission methods of Topology 2RRC / NAS / UP. The UE Reader shown in the figure can also be called an AIoT-enabled UE, and the gNB can also be called an AIoT-enabled gNB.

[0231] For example, in the embodiments of this application, a terminal, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. Examples include handheld devices with wireless connectivity and in-vehicle devices. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes.

[0232] Access network equipment refers to radio access network (RAN) nodes (or devices) that connect terminals to a wireless network; it can also be called a base station. Examples of RAN nodes include: evolved Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP). Furthermore, in a network architecture, access network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or RAN equipment comprising both CU and DU nodes. This includes RAN equipment at CU and DU nodes that separate the protocol layer of the eNB in ​​a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. Access network equipment can also be reader / writer devices; this application primarily addresses scenarios where the terminal acts as a reader / writer.

[0233] AIoT devices can be passive IoT terminals or passive tags, also known as passive devices or passive communication terminals. For example, AIoT devices can include, but are not limited to, power-free terminal tags such as radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, and Zigbee. These passive tags can collect energy through backscattering technology to send and receive messages.

[0234] AIoT devices can be semi-passive or active, or they can be called terminals with active or passive communication. Semi-passive devices are those with batteries or power supplies that can be activated by batteries or power, but the devices themselves do not send signals. They only activate and respond with data when they receive a signal from a reader. Active devices can be devices with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminals in 5G mobile communication systems, or terminals in future evolved networks, etc.

[0235] This application does not impose any restrictions on the specific product form of AIoT devices.

[0236] Optionally, AIoT devices can be categorized into three types: Device A, Device B, and Device C. Device A (similar to a passive tag) has no energy storage, cannot generate signals independently, and uses backscattering to transmit signals. Device B (similar to a semi-passive tag) has energy storage but cannot generate signals independently; it also uses backscattering to transmit signals, and its stored energy can amplify the reflected signal. Device C (similar to an active tag) has energy storage, can generate signals independently, and has active radio frequency components for transmission. For Device A (passive tag / device) and Device B (semi-passive tag / device), the tag needs to obtain a carrier signal from an external source for backscattering communication; for Device C (active tag / device), it can actively generate a carrier, thus enabling active communication without relying on external devices / nodes.

[0237] In addition, the RAN1#116 meeting further defined the following three categories of AIoT devices: Device 1, Device 2a, and Device 2b. Device 1: ~1μW peak power consumption, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) reaching 10X ppm, and cannot amplify DL and UL signals. It requires an external carrier signal for backscatter communication for uplink transmission. Device 2a: Peak power consumption less than or equal to several hundred μW, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) reaching 10X ppm, and can amplify DL and / or UL signals. It requires an external carrier signal for backscatter communication for uplink transmission. Device 2b: Peak power consumption is less than or equal to several hundred μW, with energy storage capabilities, and an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) of 10X ppm. It can amplify DL and / or UL signals. The device can perform uplink transmission without relying on an externally provided carrier. For Device 1 and Device 2a, the tag needs to obtain a carrier signal from an external source for backscatter communication; for Device 2b, it can actively generate a carrier, thus enabling active communication without relying on external devices / nodes.

[0238] Optionally, in this embodiment, the access network device can also be implemented based on an Open RAN (O-RAN) architecture. For example, in this embodiment, a CU-DU separation architecture in O-RAN can be used to enable terminals to enter the RRC inactive state to execute AIoT services. The difference from the traditional access network architecture lies in the information sent by the CN to the access network device on the F1AP between CU-DUs, and the information sent by the terminal to the access network device.

[0239] The O-RAN architecture is briefly introduced below.

[0240] For example, Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system. (Example) Figure 12 As shown, the access network equipment (RAN, such as an eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network equipment) communicates with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with the user equipment (UE) via an air interface. Access network equipment may include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs).

[0241] In some examples, the CU is a logical node that carries the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., the RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as the F1 interface. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0242] In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP (Control Unit-Control Plane) and CU-UP (Control Unit-User Plane). CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (Control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function network elements, such as the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal location updates, terminal registration with the network, and terminal handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (User plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the UPF (User Plane Function) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in the terminal. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0243] In some examples, a DU is a logical node that carries the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, Higher Physical Layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which may be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0244] In some examples, the RU is a logical node carrying both Lower Physical Layer (Lower PHY) and Radio Frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a Remote Radio Head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0245] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through the Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane (LLS-CUS) interface. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces providing the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0246] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0247] In addition, the CU can be classified as an access network device in the access network, or it can be classified as an access network device in the core network (CN). This application does not limit this.

[0248] Optionally, the O-RAN system may include Figure 6 Other components besides those shown.

[0249] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of an application framework involving RIC modules under the O-RAN architecture. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). RICs include near-real-time (near-RT) RICs and non-real-time (non-RT) RICs. Near-real-time RICs are used for model training and inference. For example, they are used to train AI models and then use those models for inference. Near-real-time RICs can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, near-real-time RICs can deliver inference results to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs. For example, a near-real-time RIC delivers inference results to a DU, which then sends them to an RU. Non-real-time RICs are also used for model training and inference. For example, they are used to train AI models and then use those models for inference. Non-real-time RICs can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs; for example, a non-real-time RIC delivers inference results to a DU, which then forwards them to an RU.

[0250] Near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can also be configured as separate network elements. Optionally, the near real-time RICs and non-real-time RICs can also be part of other devices. For example, the near real-time RIC can be set in a RAN node (e.g., in a CU or DU), while the non-real-time RIC can be set in an OAM, a cloud server, a core network device, or other network devices.

[0251] Optionally, in this embodiment, the core network may include an AIoT CN, which may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a tag management function (TMF) network element. The TMF may also be replaced by an AIoT function (AIoTF) network element, an AIoT management function (AIoTMF) network element, or other core network elements / nodes / devices that support / enable AIoT; the specific names are not limited.

[0252] Optionally, when the AIoT CN is an AMF, the information exchanged between the AMF and the access network device is included in the NGAP msg or XXAP message. When the AIoT CN is a TMF / AIOTF / AIOTMF or other core network element / node / device that supports / enables AIoT, the interface between the access network device and the AIOT CN is the first interface (e.g., the XX interface); the first interface may be an NG interface, and the information exchanged on the first interface is included in the NGAP msg or XXAP message; the first interface may also be an interface defined between the access network device and the AIOT CN, and the information exchanged on the first interface is included in the XXAP msg. The XXAP may be NGAP, or a simplified version of NGAP, or it may be an application protocol defined for the first interface, used to provide signaling services between the access network device and the AIOT CN.

[0253] The communication method and related apparatus of this application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0254] Please see Figure 14 , Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one possible implementation of the communication method in this application. It should be understood that this application uses a terminal (such as a first terminal) and access network devices (including a first access network device, a second access network device, and a third access network device) as examples to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the execution subject of this interaction. For example, Figure 14The method executed by the terminal can also be implemented by a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, system-in-package (SIP) chip, communication module, chip system, processor, logic module, or software within the terminal. In this application, the term "device" can refer to the terminal itself, or to the chip, communication module, integrated circuit, processor, logic module, or software within the terminal used to implement the communication method provided in this application; no specific limitation is made in this application. Similarly, Figure 14 The method executed by the access network equipment (including the first access network equipment, the second access network equipment, and the third access network equipment) can also be implemented by chips, baseband chips, modem chips, SoC chips containing modem cores, SIP chips, communication modules, chip systems, processors, logic modules, or software within the access network equipment. In this application, the term "access network equipment" can refer to the access network equipment itself, or to the chips, communication modules, integrated circuits, processors, logic modules, or software within the access network equipment used to implement the communication method provided in this application; no specific limitation is made in this application.

[0255] like Figure 14 As shown, the communication method of this application includes, but is not limited to, steps 101 to 106.

[0256] 101. The first access network device receives a first message from the core network device, and correspondingly, the core network device sends a first message to the first access network device.

[0257] The core network device sends a first message to the first access network device, which indicates a first AIoT service. For example, the first AIoT service could be an inventory service, and the first message could be an Inventory Request.

[0258] Optionally, the phrase "the first message is used to indicate the first AIoT service" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as "the first message is used to request / indicate the first AIoT service", or "the first message is used to request / indicate to perform the first AIoT service", or "the first message is used to request / indicate the first terminal to perform / execute the first AIoT service".

[0259] In one possible implementation, the first message includes one or more of the following:

[0260] The first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service, indicating that the first message is a message for the AIoT service;

[0261] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0262] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0263] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0264] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0265] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0266] Optionally, the core network equipment can adopt Figure 6 The architecture shown is 1, or it can also be adopted. Figure 7 The intended architecture 2, or alternatively, can be adopted. Figure 8 The diagram shows architecture 3. For introductions to architectures 1, 2, and 3, please refer to the previous sections. Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The corresponding descriptions will not be elaborated here.

[0267] 102. The first access network device sends a second message based on the first message.

[0268] In this application, the first AIoT service is executed by the first terminal, or in other words, the first terminal acts as a reader for the first AIoT service. The first terminal connects and communicates with the AIoT device (tag) to execute the first AIoT service. Optionally, the aforementioned "first terminal" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as a reader, a user equipment (UE) reader, or a UE that supports the common reader function, also known as an AIoT-enabled UE. An AIoT-enabled UE can enable / support communication with AIoT devices.

[0269] However, the first terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, which includes an inactive state and / or an RRC idle state. Specifically, when the first terminal is in an RRC connected state, it indicates that an RRC connection has been established between the first terminal and the access network device; when the first terminal is in an RRC idle state, it indicates that no RRC connection has been established between the first terminal and the access network device; when the first terminal is in an RRC inactive state, the first terminal suspends data processing, but the access network device still maintains the first terminal's context information. Therefore, the first access network device cannot forward the first message to the first terminal in the RRC disconnected state, and the first terminal in the RRC disconnected state cannot execute the first AIoT service.

[0270] Next, the first access network device sends a second message based on the first message. The second message is used to page the first terminal.

[0271] In this application, after receiving the first message, if the first terminal is in an RRC disconnected state, the first access network device sends a second message to page the first terminal. If the pager successfully pages the first terminal, the first terminal recovers from the RRC disconnected state to the connected state and executes the first AIoT service. This improves the execution efficiency and success rate of the AIoT service.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the second message includes one or more of the following:

[0273] The first indication information is used to indicate the AIoT service, indicating that the second message is a message for the AIoT service;

[0274] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0275] The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device (AIoT tag). For example, the second identifier can be a mask or a group ID, thereby identifying one, a group, or all AIoT devices (AIoT tags).

[0276] The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type. For example, the eighth indication information may indicate that the type of the first AIoT service is a storage type, a positioning type, a sensing type, or a command type; or, for the command type, the eighth indication information may also be used to identify commands such as read, write, disable, kill, and lock.

[0277] The ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, which is the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For example, the first area can be the area corresponding to the first AIoT service. For instance, if the first AIoT service is an inventory service, or a service that involves inventorying first and then commanding, then the first area is either the inventory area or the area where the first AIoT service is performed.

[0278] The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices. Alternatively, it can be understood as indicating the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or indicating whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

[0279] about Figure 14 The illustrated step 102, "The first access network device sends a second message based on the first message," can be implemented in various ways, which will be described below.

[0280] In one possible implementation, the first access network device sends a second message to the second access network device based on the first message. The second message requests the second access network device to page the first terminal. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second message. In this scenario, the first terminal may not be located in a cell managed by the first access network device; therefore, the first access network device cannot page the first terminal. In this case, the first access network device sends the second message to the second access network device. For example, the second message could be a paging message sent via the Xn interface. After receiving the second message, the second access network device forwards the second message (e.g., a paging message sent via the uu interface) to the cells managed by the second access network device.

[0281] Optionally, before sending the second message, the first access network device or the second access network device may determine whether it is necessary to send the second message. For example, when the first access network device and the second access network device exchange information about the first terminal, if the first terminal is no longer in the RNA network, then the first access network device or the second access network device does not need to send the second message, thus saving network resources; if the first terminal is still in the RNA network, then the first access network device or the second access network device sends the second message to the second access network device. It should be understood that the above conditions for determining whether to send the second message are merely illustrative descriptions, and in practical applications, other methods can also be used for determination, which are not limited in this application.

[0282] In one possible implementation, the first access network device sends a second message to the first terminal based on the first message. That is, the first access network device sends the second message to the cell managed by the first access network device. Optionally, the second message can be a broadcast paging message, such as a paging message sent through the UU interface.

[0283] In this application, the second access network device includes at least one access network device belonging to the same RNA as the first access network device, and there is an Xn interface between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0284] 103. The first terminal sends a fifth message to the second access network device, and correspondingly, the second access network device receives the fifth message from the first terminal.

[0285] As can be seen from the above, after receiving the second message from the first access network device, the second access network device forwards the second message to the first terminal. The second message is used to page the first terminal. Next, after receiving the second message from the second access network device, the first terminal sends a fifth message to the second access network device. The fifth message includes one or more of the following:

[0286] The fourth indication information is used to indicate an AIoT service. Alternatively, the fourth indication information can be replaced with other descriptions, for example, the fourth indication information is used to indicate a first AIoT service (or other AIoT services).

[0287] The fifth indication information indicates that the first resource has failed. This first resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device. Specifically, the first resource is allocated by the first access network device to the first terminal for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the first access network device. Because the first terminal receives a paging message from the second access network device, meaning the second access network device has paged the first terminal, the first resource becomes unavailable.

[0288] The sixth instruction information is used to request a second resource, which is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device. Since the first resource is invalid (unavailable), the first terminal requests the second resource from the second access network device so that the second access network device can allocate the second resource to the first terminal.

[0289] Therefore, the second access network device can reconfigure resources for the first terminal based on the fifth information.

[0290] In one possible implementation, if the second access network device fails to page the first terminal (equivalent to step 103 not being implemented), the first access network device sends a third message to the core network device. This third message indicates that the first AIoT service has failed; alternatively, it can be understood as indicating that the first terminal cannot perform the first AIoT service, or as indicating a refusal to perform the first AIoT service. In this scenario, the third message is sent by the second access network device to the first access network device after failing to page the first terminal. Upon receiving this third message, the first access network device forwards it to the core network device.

[0291] In one possible implementation, if the first access network device fails to successfully page the first terminal, the first access network device sends a third message to the core network device. The third message indicates that the first AIoT service has failed, or indicates that the first AIoT service is refused.

[0292] For example, if the first message is Inventory Request, then the third message is Inventory Failure.

[0293] The phrase "the second access network device failed to successfully page the first terminal" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as "the second access network device failed to establish a connection with the first terminal," or "the first terminal failed to enter the connected state," or "the second access network device did not receive a response from the first terminal for the second message," or "the first terminal did not receive a third message from the second access network device."

[0294] Optionally, the third message may include one or more of the following:

[0295] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service, or it can be understood as the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier can be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0296] The second instruction information is used to instruct the first terminal to move out of the first area, which is associated with the first AIoT service. Moving out of the first area can be understood as the first terminal leaving the coverage area of ​​the AIoT device (e.g., the inventory area in an inventory scenario), or the first terminal leaving the RNA area allocated or managed by the first access network device.

[0297] After receiving the fifth message, the second access network device sends a UE context retrieval request to the first access network device (see reference). Figure 14 The RETRIEVE UE CONTEXT REQUEST shown is a UE context retrieval request used to retrieve the context information of the first terminal. The first access network device locates the context information of the first terminal on the first access network device (see reference). Figure 8 As shown in the diagram (Decide to relocate the anchor). The first access network device sends the context retrieval response of the first terminal to the second access network device (see reference). Figure 14 The RETRIEVE UE CONTEXT RESPONSE shown in the diagram carries the context information of the first terminal on the first access network device. The second access network device sends an RRC recovery to the first terminal (see reference). Figure 14 The RRC Resume message is shown. After receiving the RRC Resume message, the first terminal enters the connected state and sends an RRC Resume Complete message to the second access network device (see reference). Figure 14 (The RRC Resume Complete is shown).

[0298] 104. The core network device sends a fourth message to the second access network device, and correspondingly, the second access network device receives the fourth message from the core network device.

[0299] Before step 104, the second access network device sends a path switching request to the core network device (see reference). Figure 8 The PATH SWITCH REQUEST shown is used to request the core network device to switch the data path of the user plane of the first terminal from the first access network device to the second access network device.

[0300] In step 104, the core network device sends a fourth message to the second access network device, and correspondingly, the second access network device receives the fourth message from the core network device. The fourth message includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal to execute the first AIoT service.

[0301] Optionally, the fourth message can be a PATH SWITCH RERQUESTACKNOWLEDGE message, which confirms that the data path has been successfully switched. In this case, the third indication information in the fourth message is carried in the PATH SWITCH RERQUESTACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0302] Optionally, the fourth message can also be carried in other messages, such as Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) messages or XXAP messages.

[0303] Optionally, the third instruction information can be replaced with other descriptions, such as the third instruction information being used to authorize the first terminal to communicate with the first AIoT device, or the third instruction information being used to authorize the first terminal as a reader / writer.

[0304] Optionally, the fourth message may also include a first identifier, which is used to identify the first AIoT service, or, as can be understood, the first identifier is the identifier of the first AIoT service. For example, the first identifier may be a service ID, session ID, task ID, or transaction ID.

[0305] Optionally, the second access network device sends a seventh message to the first terminal, the seventh message including one or more of the following:

[0306] The first information is used to indicate the third resource, and the third resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device.

[0307] The second information is used to indicate the first condition or the first value. The first value is used to indicate the first condition, which is the condition for the first terminal to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0308] The third information is used to indicate whether the first signal radio bearer (SRB) is configured to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service;

[0309] The fourth information is used to indicate whether the first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0310] As can be seen from the above, the second information is used to indicate the first condition or the first numerical value. Optionally, the first condition may include at least one of the following:

[0311] When the terminal receives N AIoT device IDs, it transmits data or signaling related to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or core network device, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; or,

[0312] When the AIoT service data or signaling received by the terminal reaches a certain size / length / threshold, the terminal transmits the data or signaling related to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or core network device. Here, N, or the aforementioned certain size / length / threshold, can be referred to as the first value.

[0313] Optionally, the first value may include at least one of the following:

[0314] The maximum number of AIoT device identifiers;

[0315] The size of the fifth piece of information;

[0316] The size of the fifth piece of information;

[0317] The length of the fifth piece of information;

[0318] The threshold for the fifth piece of information.

[0319] The fifth piece of information is related to the first AIoT service. Optionally, the fifth piece of information is related to the first AIoT service, or in other words, the fifth piece of information is data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0320] Optionally, the third resource indicated by the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0321] The fourth resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in the first cell, which is provided by the second access network device. The first cell includes one or more.

[0322] The fifth resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device during the process of accessing the second cell from the first cell, or during the process of accessing the third access network device from the second access network device. The third access network device is another access network device, different from the first and second access network devices, that the first terminal can access.

[0323] Optionally, the second access network device sends the aforementioned fourth message to the first terminal, the fourth message indicating that the first terminal has been authorized to execute the first AIoT service.

[0324] 105. The core network device sends a service request to the second access network device, and the second access network device receives the service request from the core network device accordingly.

[0325] Since the first terminal has established communication with the second access network device, the core network device can send a service request to the second access network device. This service request is used to instruct the first AIoT service. Optionally, the phrase "the service request is used to instruct the first AIoT service" can be replaced with other descriptions, such as "the service request is used to issue the first AIoT service," or "the service request is used to execute the first AIoT service," or "the service request is used to instruct the first terminal to execute the first AIoT service."

[0326] For example, the first AIoT service can be an inventory service, and the service request can be an Inventory Request.

[0327] After receiving the service request, the second access network device forwards the service request to the first terminal so that the first terminal can execute the first AIoT service indicated by the service request.

[0328] Optionally, the core network device can send a service request to the second access network device via NGAP or XXAP. After receiving the service request, the second access network device will send the service request to the first terminal via RRC signaling. Alternatively, the core network device can also send a service request to the second access network device via a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) session or a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session. After receiving the service request, the second access network device will send the NAS session or PDU session carrying the service request to the first terminal.

[0329] Optionally, step 105 can be performed after step 104 (e.g., the core network device first sends a path switching request confirmation message and then sends a service request), or step 105 can be performed before step 104 (e.g., the core network device first sends a service request and then sends a path switching request confirmation message), or step 105 can be performed simultaneously with step 104 (e.g., the service request and the path switching request confirmation message are carried in the same NGAP message or XXAP message).

[0330] 106. The first terminal sends a sixth message to the second access network device, and correspondingly, the second access network device receives the sixth message from the first terminal.

[0331] The first terminal sends a sixth message to the second access network device. The sixth message includes one or more of the following:

[0332] The first identifier is used to identify the first AIoT service;

[0333] The seventh indication information indicates whether the first AIoT service can be executed. Optionally, the first terminal may determine whether it meets the conditions for executing the first AIoT service based on one or more of the following factors. These factors include:

[0334] Battery power. If the battery power is sufficient, the first terminal is determined to be capable of executing the first AIoT service; if the battery power is insufficient, the first terminal is determined not to be capable of executing the first AIoT service.

[0335] Network environment. If the network environment is good, the first terminal is determined to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service; if the network environment is poor, the first terminal is determined not to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service.

[0336] Is the first terminal still in the first area? If yes, then the first terminal is determined to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service; if not, then the first terminal is determined not to have the conditions to execute the first AIoT service.

[0337] It should be understood that the above one or more factors are merely illustrative descriptions. In practical applications, the first terminal may also use other factors to determine whether it has the conditions to execute the first AIoT service. This application does not limit this.

[0338] After receiving the sixth message, the second access network device forwards the sixth message to the core network device to indicate whether the first AIoT service can be executed.

[0339] Optionally, the first terminal can send a sixth message to the second access network device via RRC signaling. After receiving the sixth message, the second access network device will send the sixth message to the core network device via NGAP or XXAP. Alternatively, the first terminal can also send the sixth message to the second access network device via a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) session or a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session. After receiving the sixth message, the second access network device will send the NAS session or PDU session carrying the sixth message to the core network device.

[0340] The communication method of this application is applicable to Figure 12 or Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the O-RAN architecture. Specifically, when the access network devices (including the first and second access network devices) are CU-DU split base stations, after the CU receives an XXAP / NGAP message from the CN, it forwards the XXAP / NGAP message to the DU via an F1AP message, or sends the AIoT information contained in the XXAP / NGAP message to the DU via an F1AP message. After the DU receives an RRC message from the UE, it forwards the RRC message to the CU via an F1AP message, or sends the AIoT information contained in the RRC message to the CU via an F1AP message. For example, information such as inventory area, session ID, and whether to continue executing the first AIoT service is exchanged on the F1AP between the CU and DU.

[0341] In this application, the XXAP / NGAP messages transmitted on the F1 interface F1AP and the XXAP / NGAP messages transmitted on the XX / NG interface XXAP / NGAP can be different. That is, the CU can perform relevant processing on the messages, which may include deletion, filtering, mapping, modification, and adding auxiliary information.

[0342] Accordingly, this application also provides related apparatus for implementing the above-described scheme. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 15 , Figure 15This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 200 can realize the functions of the first terminal, the first access network device, or the second access network device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In this application embodiment, the communication device 200 can be the first terminal, the first access network device, or the second access network device, or it can be an integrated circuit or component inside the first terminal, the first access network device, or the second access network device, such as a chip, a baseband chip, a modem chip, a SoC chip containing a modem core, a system-in-package (SIP) chip, a communication module, a chip system, a processor, etc.

[0343] like Figure 15 As shown, the communication device 200 includes a receiving unit 201 and a transmitting unit 202.

[0344] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 200 is used to perform Figure 14 When the method executed by the first access network device in the corresponding embodiment is implemented, the receiving unit 201 is used to receive a first message, which is used to indicate the first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service; the sending unit 202 is used to send a second message based on the first message, which is used to page the first terminal, and the first terminal is in an RRC non-connected state.

[0345] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 200 is used to perform Figure 14 When the method executed by the second access network device in the corresponding embodiment is performed, the receiving unit 201 is used to receive a second message, which is used to page the first terminal; the receiving unit 201 is also used to receive a fourth message, which includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal to execute the first AIoT service.

[0346] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 200 is used to perform Figure 14 When the method executed by the first access network device in the corresponding embodiment is implemented, the receiving unit 201 is used to receive a second message, the second message being used to page the first terminal; the sending unit 202 is used to send a fifth message, the fifth message including one or more of the following:

[0347] The fourth indication information is used to indicate AIoT services;

[0348] The fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first resource has failed. The first resource is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device.

[0349] The sixth instruction information is used to request the second resource, which is used for communication between the first terminal and the AIoT device, and / or for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device.

[0350] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the modules / units in the communication device 200 are different from those in this application. Figure 14 The corresponding method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the details can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments shown above in this application, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] Please see Figure 16 , Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the logical structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 16 The communication equipment 30 in the middle can be deployed with Figure 15 The communication device 30 described in the corresponding embodiment includes a memory 301, a processor 302, a communication interface 303, and a bus 304. The memory 301, processor 302, and communication interface 303 are interconnected via the bus 304.

[0352] The memory 301 may be a read-only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device, or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 301 may store a program. When the program stored in the memory 301 is executed by the processor 302, the processor 302 and the communication interface 303 are used to execute steps 101-106 of the above-described communication method embodiment.

[0353] Processor 302 may be a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), graphics processing unit (GPU), digital signal processing (DSP), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof, used to execute relevant programs to implement one or more steps in steps 101-106 of the communication method embodiments of this application. The steps of the data processing method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of this application can be executed by a compiler and executor, wherein the compiler and executor can be executed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory 301. Processor 302 reads information from memory 301 and, in conjunction with its hardware, executes one or more steps in steps 101-106 of the communication method embodiments of this application.

[0354] The communication interface 303 uses transceiver devices, such as, but not limited to, transceivers, to enable communication between the communication device 30 and other devices or communication networks.

[0355] Bus 304 enables the transmission of information between various components of computer device 30 (e.g., memory 301, processor 302, and communication interface 303). Bus 304 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 16 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0356] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the modules / units in the communication device are different from those in this application. Figure 14 The corresponding method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the details can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments shown above in this application, which will not be repeated here.

[0357] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, configured to call computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the above-described... Figure 14 The method provided in the illustrated embodiment.

[0358] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the above. Figure 14 In any of the embodiments shown, the receiving operation of the chip device corresponds to the above-described... Figure 14 The sending operation in any of the embodiments shown.

[0359] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0360] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory that stores computer programs or computer instructions.

[0361] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more devices used to control the above. Figure 14 The illustrated embodiments provide an integrated circuit for program execution of the method provided in any of the embodiments. The memory mentioned above may be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0362] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0363] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0364] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0365] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0366] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0367] It should be understood that the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings of the device embodiments provided in this application, the connection relationships between modules indicate that they have communication connections, which can be specifically implemented as one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0368] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0369] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0370] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0371] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first access network device or a chip in the first access network device, and the method includes: Receive a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first environment IoT (AIoT) service; Send a second message, which is used to page the first terminal, which is in an RRC disconnected state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Sending the second message based on the first message includes: A second message is sent to the second access network device, the second message being used to request the second access network device to page the first terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, Sending the second message based on the first message includes: Send the second message to the first terminal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second message includes one or more of the following: First indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate AIoT services; A first identifier, which is used to identify the first AIoT service; The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device; The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type; Ninth indication information, the ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, the first area indicates the area corresponding to the first AIoT service; The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices, which can be understood as an estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or as an indication of whether it is one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performing the first AIoT service.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message, which indicates that the first AIoT service has failed, or the third message indicates that the first AIoT service is refused.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The third message includes one or more of the following: A first identifier, which is used to identify the first AIoT service; The second indication information is used to instruct the first terminal to move out of the first area, where the first area refers to the area corresponding to the first AIoT service.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a second access network device or a chip in a second access network device, and the method includes: Receive a second message, which is used to page the first terminal; A fourth message is received, the fourth message including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first terminal to execute the first AIoT service.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method further includes: Send the fourth message.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The second message includes one or more of the following: First indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate AIoT services; A first identifier, which is used to identify the first AIoT service; The second identifier is used to identify the AIoT device; The eighth indication information is used to indicate the first AIoT service type; Ninth indication information, the ninth indication information is used to indicate the first area, the first area indicates the area corresponding to the first AIoT service; The tenth indication information is used to indicate the number of AIoT devices, which can be understood as the estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or is used to indicate whether one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performs the first AIoT service.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving a fifth message, the fifth message including one or more of: fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the AIoT service; fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used to indicate that the first resource is invalid, the first resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device, and / or being used for the first terminal to communicate with the first access network device; sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used to request a second resource, the second resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device, and / or being used for the first terminal to communicate with the second access network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, The fourth message further includes a first identifier, the first identifier being used to identify the first AIoT service.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending a sixth message, the sixth message including one or more of: a first identifier, the first identifier being used to identify the first AIoT service; seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used to indicate whether the first AIoT service can be performed.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending a seventh message, the seventh message including one or more of: first information, the first information being used to indicate a third resource, the third resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device; second information, the second information being used to indicate a first condition or a first value, the first value being used to indicate the first condition, the first condition being a condition for the first terminal to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service; third information, the third information being used to indicate whether a first signaling radio bearer (SRB) is configured to be used to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service; fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate whether a first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured to be used to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first value includes at least one of: a maximum number of AIoT device identifiers, a size of fifth information, a size of the fifth information, a length of the fifth information, or a threshold of the fifth information, the fifth information being related to the first AIoT service.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, The third resource includes at least one of: a fourth resource, the fourth resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device in a first cell, the first cell being provided by the second access network device, the first cell including one or more; a fifth resource, the fifth resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device in a process of accessing a second cell from a first cell, or in a process of accessing a third access network device from the second access network device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending the second message.

17. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first terminal or a chip in a first terminal, and the method includes: receiving a second message, the second message being used for paging the first terminal; sending a fifth message, the fifth message comprising one or more of: fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used for indicating AIoT service; fifth indication information, the fifth indication information being used for indicating invalidation of the first resource, the first resource being used for communication between the first terminal and AIoT device, and / or, being used for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device; sixth indication information, the sixth indication information being used for requesting a second resource, the second resource being used for communication between the first terminal and AIoT device, and / or, being used for communication between the first terminal and the second access network device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further comprises: sending a sixth message, the sixth message comprising one or more of: first identity, the first identity being used for identifying the first AIoT service; seventh indication information, the seventh indication information being used for whether the first AIoT service can be performed.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The second message comprises one or more of: first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating AIoT service; first identity, the first identity being used for identifying the first AIoT service; second identity, the second identity being used for identifying AIoT device; eighth indication information, the eighth indication information being used for indicating first AIoT service type; ninth indication information, the ninth indication information being used for indicating first area, the first area indicating area corresponding to the first AIoT service; tenth indication information, the tenth indication information being used for indicating number of AIoT devices, which can be understood as estimated number of AIoT devices performing the first AIoT service, or, being used for indicating whether one AIoT device or more than one AIoT device performs the first AIoT service.

20. A communications device, characterized by The communication device is a chip or a chip system.

21. The communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by the communication device, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

22. A readable storage medium, characterized by, The computer program product, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

23. A computer program product, characterised in that, The communication device comprises units or modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

24. A communications device, characterized by ​

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