A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus are disclosed to reduce the probability of signaling storms. The method includes: starting a first timer when a first condition is met, the duration of the first timer being a first duration obtained from a first value range; and sending a first signaling message when the first timer expires. This can be understood as the terminal device not sending the first signaling message immediately when it needs to, but only after the first timer expires. This helps reduce the suddenness and concentration of signaling, lowers the probability of signaling storms, and consequently helps reduce the load on the network side, lowers the probability of network service anomalies, and improves the stability of the services provided by the network side to the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] If the number of signaling messages received from terminals exceeds a certain limit within a certain period of time, the network side cannot process these signaling messages in a timely manner due to its limited processing capacity. This may cause service anomalies on the network side due to overload. This situation is called a signaling storm.

[0003] When a signaling storm occurs, the network side may be unable to process the signaling of some terminals or stop providing services to some terminals, which will affect the services of these terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to reduce the probability of signaling storms.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal side. For example, the method can be applied to a communication device on the terminal side, which may be simply referred to as a terminal device. The terminal device can be applied to a terminal equipment or a component of a terminal equipment (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a chip system). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the terminal device can be a terminal equipment, or a component of a terminal equipment (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal equipment. The method includes: starting a first timer when a first condition is met, the duration of the first timer being a first duration obtained from a first value range; and sending a first signaling when the first timer expires.

[0006] This can be understood as follows: when a terminal device needs to send the first signaling message, it does not send it immediately, but only after the first timer expires. The duration of the first timer is a first duration, which is obtained from a first value range. This helps reduce the burstiness and concentration of signaling, lowers the probability of signaling storms, and consequently reduces the load on the network side, lowers the probability of network service anomalies, and improves the stability of the network service provided to the terminal device. For example, when there are many terminal devices, each terminal device can select a first duration. Different terminal devices may select different first durations, thus staggering the timing of the first signaling message sent by different terminal devices, reducing the probability of multiple terminal devices sending the first signaling message simultaneously, and thus reducing the probability of signaling storms.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the first duration is randomly selected from a first value range. By randomly selecting the first duration, the randomness of the selection can be increased, increasing the possibility that different terminal devices will select different first durations, increasing the probability that different terminal devices will send the first signaling at staggered times, and reducing the probability that multiple terminal devices will send the first signaling simultaneously, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first condition includes that the terminal device is located in a first area. When the terminal device is located in the first area, the transmission of the first signaling is delayed based on a first timer to reduce the probability of a signaling storm occurring in the first area. For example, the first area could be an area with a potentially large number of terminal devices, thus reducing the probability of a signaling storm occurring when the number of terminal devices is large. Alternatively, the first condition includes that the type of the first access network device is a first type, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device. When the terminal device identifies that the first access network device is of the first type, it will delay the transmission of the first signaling based on the first timer to reduce the probability of a signaling storm occurring within the cell of the first access network device.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first value range is determined based on one or more of the following information: the radio resource control (RRC) state of the terminal device; the user's priority; or, the service type. Based on this implementation, the terminal device can determine the first duration of the first timer based on this information. The resulting first duration is more consistent with the current state of the terminal device and therefore better meets its current needs. For example, the terminal device can determine the first value range based on its actual RRC state, thereby selecting a value range corresponding to the RRC state to meet the signaling transmission requirements under the current RRC state. Alternatively, it can be understood that different RRC states can be configured with different value ranges, thereby staggering the timing of signaling transmission by terminal devices in different RRC states, which helps reduce the probability of signaling storms. For another example, the terminal device can determine the value range corresponding to the user's priority, so that the signaling transmission timing for users with different priorities can also be staggered, helping to reduce the probability of signaling storms. For example, the terminal device can also determine the corresponding value range based on the service type. This determined first value range is more suitable for the current service type of the terminal device and can meet the needs of different service types. For example, for service types with high real-time requirements, the duration value in the value range can be smaller, so that the signaling for this service type can be sent out earlier to meet the real-time requirements of this service type. Alternatively, it can be understood that different service types can be configured with different value ranges, thereby staggering the sending timing of signaling for different service types and further reducing the probability of signaling storms.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information, the first information including one or more of the following: information about a first region; information about a first type; or, information about at least one value range, wherein the information about each value range includes the value range and a corresponding effective condition, and the at least one value range includes a first value range. Based on this implementation, the terminal device can obtain this information by receiving the aforementioned information, and thus suppress signaling storms based on this information, reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring. For example, the terminal device can receive information about a first region, and then compare its own location with the information about the first region to determine whether the terminal device is located in the first region, and then decide whether to suppress the signaling storm. As another example, the terminal device can receive information about a first type, and then determine whether the type of the first access network device belongs to the first type based on the information about the first access network device and the information about the first type, and then decide whether to suppress the signaling storm. For example, if a terminal device can receive information on at least one value range, then the terminal device can determine which value range to use based on the effective conditions of each value range. For example, if the effective condition of a value range is that the terminal device is in a specific RRC state, then the terminal device can select that value range as the first value range when it is in that specific RRC state.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first information can be sent in multiple ways. For example, the first information may be included in a registration accept message or in a configuration update command (CUC). For instance, when the network device is a core network device, the first information can be sent to the terminal device via a registration accept message or a CUC. As another example, the first information may be included in an RRC reconfiguration message. For instance, when the network device is an access network device, the first information can be sent via an RRC reconfiguration message. Based on this implementation, multiple methods for sending the first information are provided, resulting in greater flexibility.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the type of the first access network device is "Type 1," which can exist in several ways. One possibility is that the first access network device is of Type 1 when the first indication information it sends indicates a measurement configuration supporting high-speed mobile scenarios. In one example, the HighSpeedMeasFlag in the system information sent by the first access network device is configured to support measurements in high-speed mobile scenarios, indicating that the first access network device is of Type 1. In high-speed mobile scenarios, the probability of terminal devices performing inter-system handover is high, and the potential risk of signaling storms is also high. Therefore, when an access network device belonging to the scenario is identified, the probability of simultaneous signaling transmission between terminal devices can be reduced by delaying the transmission of signaling through a timer, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms. Another possibility is that the first access network device corresponds to a first area, in which case the first access network device is of Type 1. For example, the tracking area (TA) of the first access network device is the first area, which can be understood as a TA that potentially requires signaling storm suppression. Thus, the terminal device can determine whether the type of the first access network device is Type 1 based on its TA. This method allows regions potentially at risk of signaling storms to be designated as first regions. The TA (Transmission Action) of the access network device can then be used to determine whether signaling storm suppression is necessary, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring in these regions. Another scenario involves the first access network device being included in at least one access network device, with each access network device of type first. This can be understood as the terminal device storing information about access network devices belonging to type first. Thus, determining whether the first access network device belongs to type first can be made by identifying whether it is among these access network devices. The aforementioned scenarios can also be combined. For example, if the first access network device sends a first indication message supporting measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios, and the first access network device corresponds to a first region, then the type of the first access network device is type first.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate information about an access network device corresponding to a first area, or the second information being used to indicate information about at least one access network device, each of the at least one access network device being of a first type, and the at least one access network device including a first access network device. For example, the information about the access network device may be a tracking area identity (TAI), tracking area code (TAC), location area code (LAC), or routing area identity (RAI), etc. Based on this implementation, the terminal device can obtain information about the first type of access network device by receiving the second information, thereby determining whether the access network device is of the first type based on this information. If it is of the first type, signaling storm suppression can be performed to reduce the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first signaling is either non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or access stratum (AS) signaling. Based on this implementation, signaling storms can be suppressed for NAS signaling or access stratum signaling, reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring in the non-access stratum or access stratum.

[0015] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the network side. For example, the method can be applied to a communication device on the network side, which may be simply referred to as a network device. The network device can be applied to a network device or a component of a network device (e.g., a circuit, a chip, or a system-on-a-chip). Unless otherwise specified in this application, the network device can be a network device, or a component of a network device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip 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 logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device. In one example, the network device can be one or more of the central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), and radio unit (RU) of a network device. For example, the network device can be an access network device. Another example is that the network device can be a core network device. In one example, the network device can be an access and mobility management function. (function, AMF). For example, the method includes: sending first information to a terminal device, the first information indicating at least one value range, the at least one value range including candidate values ​​of the duration of a first timer, the first timer being used by the terminal device to delay sending a first signaling when a first condition is met.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the network device can send the first information to the terminal device unconditionally. For example, the first information can be sent to the terminal device as long as the terminal device is registered and accepted. Alternatively, the network device can send the first information to the terminal device if a second condition is met. The second condition includes one or more of the following: the terminal device is located in a first area; a first access network device is located in the first area, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device; or the first access network device is of a first type.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following: information about a first region; information about a first type; or, information about at least one value range, wherein the information for each value range includes the value range and the corresponding effective condition.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the effective conditions corresponding to each value range include one or more of the following: the RRC state of the terminal device is the first RRC state; the user's priority is the first priority; or, the service type is the first service type.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first information may be included in the registration acceptance message, or the first information may be included in the CUC, or the first information may be included in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the first access network device is of a first type, including one or more of the following: the first access network device sends a first indication information indicating a measurement configuration that supports high-speed mobile scenarios; the first access network device corresponds to a first area; or, the first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and each access network device in the at least one access network device is of the first type.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending second information to a terminal device. The second information is used to indicate information about an access network device corresponding to a first area, or the second information is used to indicate information about at least one access network device, where each access network device is of a first type, and the at least one access network device includes a first access network device.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the first signaling is either non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or access stratum signaling.

[0023] For the technical effects of the second aspect's implementation method, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect and its corresponding implementation method.

[0024] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side. For example, the method can be applied to a terminal device. A description of the terminal device can be found in the introduction of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. The method includes: if the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold, processing the first signaling messages according to a first strategy, the first strategy being used to suppress signaling storms.

[0025] Based on this technical solution, the terminal device can detect the first signaling sent, and if the number of first signaling sent within a first time period is greater than or equal to a first threshold, it can adopt a first strategy to suppress the signaling storm and reduce the probability of the signaling storm occurring.

[0026] In related technologies, if a terminal device sends too much signaling within a certain period of time, it may trigger a signaling storm. The network side may then deregister the terminal device, refuse its registration, or refuse its services, preventing the terminal device from continuing to use the services. The technical solution provided in this application reduces the probability of a terminal device being unable to use services due to a signaling storm, thereby improving the continuity and stability of the terminal device's services.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving third information. The third information indicates one or more of the following: a first duration; a first threshold; or, a first signaling. Based on this implementation, the terminal device can receive the third information to determine the effective conditions of the first strategy. Thus, the terminal device can employ the first strategy to suppress signaling storms when the conditions are met, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the network side can configure multiple activation conditions for the terminal device. The values ​​of the condition parameters can differ under different activation conditions, allowing the terminal device to select the appropriate activation condition based on its own circumstances. For example, the condition parameter may include a first duration, which the terminal device can determine based on the user's priority and / or service type. Another example is that the condition parameter may include a first threshold, which the terminal device can determine based on the user's priority and / or service type. Based on this implementation, the activation conditions of the first strategy can differ depending on the terminal device's situation. This allows for the relaxation or tightening of signaling storm suppression in different situations to meet actual needs and improve the flexibility of signaling storm suppression.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the first signaling may include one or more signaling types. For example, the first signaling may include one or more of the following: a registration request; a deregistration request; a service request; a service request for a first service type (which can be understood as detecting service requests for a specific service type, rather than all service requests); a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request; a PDU session release request; or a PDU session modification request. Based on this implementation, the type of signaling used for signaling storm suppression can be selectively set, making the implementation more flexible.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first signaling may include signaling transmitted within a specific range. For example, the first signaling may include one or more of the following: signaling transmitted in a first cell; signaling transmitted in a first tracking area; signaling transmitted to the core network device of a first network standard; signaling transmitted via a first public land mobile network (PLMN); signaling associated with a first network slice; signaling transmitted via a first data network (DN) or a first access point (AP); or signaling associated with a first PDU. Based on this implementation, the range of signaling for signaling storm suppression can be selectively set, making the implementation more flexible.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the first strategy can be used to limit (or suppress) the amount of first signaling. The first strategy may include one or more of the following: prohibiting the transmission of first signaling in the first cell during a second duration; transmitting first signaling in the second cell during a second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling in the first TA during a second duration; transmitting first signaling in the second TA during a second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling to the core network device of the first network standard during a second duration; transmitting first signaling to the core network device of the second network standard during a second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling through the first PLMN during a second duration; transmitting first signaling through the second PLMN during a second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling during a second duration; or, prohibiting the transmission of first type of service requests during a second duration. Through these strategies, the probability of the terminal device triggering a signaling storm can be reduced, thereby reducing the probability of the terminal device being deregistered by the network side due to a signaling storm, thus improving the continuity and stability of the terminal device's services.

[0032] Fourthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the network side. For example, the method can be applied to a network device. A description of the terminal device is provided in the second aspect and will not be repeated here. The method includes: sending third information to the terminal device, the third information indicating the effective conditions of a first strategy, the effective conditions including that the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first strategy is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining a first duration based on the user's priority and / or service type; and / or determining a first threshold based on the user's priority and / or service type.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first signaling may include one or more of the following: a registration request; a deregistration request; a service request; a service request of a first service type, which can be understood as detecting service requests for a specific service type, rather than all service requests; a PDU session establishment request; a PDU session establishment release request; or a PDU session modification request.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the first signaling includes one or more of the following: signaling transmitted in the first cell; signaling transmitted in the first tracking area; signaling transmitted to the core network device of the first network standard; signaling transmitted via the first PLMN; signaling associated with the first network slice; signaling transmitted via the first DNN or the first access point; or, signaling associated with the first PDU.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the first strategy is one or more of the following: prohibiting the transmission of first signaling in the first cell during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling in the second cell during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling in the first TA during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling in the second TA during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling to the core network device of the first network standard during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling to the core network device of the second network standard during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling through the first PLMN during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling through the second PLMN during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of first signaling during the second duration; or, prohibiting the transmission of service requests of the first type during the second duration.

[0037] For the technical effects of the implementation of the fourth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the third aspect and its corresponding implementation.

[0038] Fifthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the terminal side. For example, the method can be applied to a terminal device. A description of the terminal device is provided in the first aspect and will not be repeated here. The method includes: sending a service request; receiving a service reject message, which includes a reason value representing a non-abnormal situation; and processing a first signaling according to a second strategy, the second strategy being determined based on the service type of the service request, and the second strategy being used to suppress signaling storms.

[0039] Based on this technical solution, when a terminal device is rejected by a non-abnormal cause value, it can employ a second strategy to maintain the first signaling, thereby suppressing signaling storms and reducing their probability. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the second strategy based on the service type, thus making the second strategy more aligned with the terminal device's service needs and improving the accuracy of signaling control.

[0040] In related technologies, if a terminal device is rejected by a non-abnormal cause value, the terminal device may continue to repeatedly send service requests, triggering a signaling storm, because non-abnormal situations typically do not restrict the terminal device's ability to send service requests. The technical solution provided in this application, by restricting the transmission of first signaling, reduces the probability of the terminal device repeatedly sending service requests in this situation, thereby lowering the probability of a signaling storm occurring.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the rejected service request is a request sent to the core network device of the first network standard, which is sent through the first communication network. The first signaling is processed according to a second strategy. This application provides multiple implementation methods, offering greater flexibility and allowing for the determination of specific strategies based on service types, resulting in higher precision in signaling control. The first implementation method involves the terminal device sending the first signaling to the core network device of the second network standard when the service type is the first service type. The second implementation method involves sending the first signaling through the second PLMN when the service type is the first service type, with the service request sent through the first communication network. The third implementation method involves sending a registration request to the core network device of the first network standard when the service type is the second service type; in this case, the first signaling is a registration request. Here, the real-time requirement for the first service type is higher than that for the second service type. The fourth implementation method involves sending a service request every third time interval when the service type is the third service type, until the service is successful or the maximum number of requests is reached; in this case, the first signaling is a service request. Here, the urgency of the second service type is higher than that of the third service type. The fifth implementation method is to perform one or more of the following when the service type is the third service type and the number of service request transmissions is greater than or equal to the maximum number: cell handover, tracking area handover, network standard handover, communication network handover, or network operator handover.

[0042] When a terminal device is rejected by a cause value that is not abnormal, the behavior of suppressing signaling storms through the second strategy can be predefined or preconfigured, or it can be instructed by the network side.

[0043] Sixthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the network side. For example, the method can be applied to a network device. A description of the network device is provided in the second aspect and will not be repeated here. The method includes: sending indication information to a terminal device. This indication information is used to indicate that, if the service rejection message includes a cause value representing a non-abnormal situation, the first signaling is processed according to a second strategy. The second strategy is determined by the service type and is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the second strategy can have several implementations. A first implementation involves the terminal device sending a first signaling message to the core network device of the second network standard when the service type is the first service type. A second implementation involves sending the first signaling message through the second PLMN when the service type is the first service type, with the service request sent through the first communication network. A third implementation involves sending a registration request to the core network device of the first network standard when the service type is the second service type, i.e., the first signaling message is a registration request. Here, the real-time requirement for the first service type is higher than that for the second service type. A fourth implementation involves sending a service request every third time interval when the service type is the third service type, until the service is successful or the maximum number of requests is reached, i.e., the first signaling message is a service request. Here, the urgency of the second service type is higher than that of the third service type. A fifth implementation involves performing one or more of the following when the service type is the third service type and the number of service request transmissions is greater than or equal to the maximum number: cell handover, tracking area handover, network standard handover, communication network handover, or network operator handover.

[0045] For the technical effects of the implementation of the sixth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the fifth aspect and its corresponding implementation.

[0046] A seventh aspect provides an apparatus. The apparatus may be a terminal device as described in the first, third, or fifth aspects above, and the apparatus possesses the functions of the aforementioned terminal device. For example, the apparatus is capable of implementing the functions described in the first, third, or fifth aspects above. For example, the apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the first, third, or fifth aspects above, and these modules, units, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The apparatus may be, for example, a terminal device, or other device including the functions of a terminal device, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a terminal device, and such chip system or functional module may be disposed, for example, in a terminal device. In one optional implementation, the apparatus includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the apparatus includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). A transceiver unit can perform both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can perform both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0047] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to start a first timer when a first condition is met, the duration of the first timer being a first duration obtained from a first value range. The transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send a first signaling message when the first timer times out.

[0048] In one optional implementation, the processing unit is configured to process the first signaling according to a first strategy if the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the first strategy is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0049] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send a service request. The transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive a service rejection message, which includes a reason value representing a non-abnormal situation. The processing unit is configured to process the first signaling according to a second strategy, the second strategy being determined based on the service type of the service request, and the second strategy being used to suppress signaling storms.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, the device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the device to perform the functions of the terminal device described in the first, third, or fifth aspects above.

[0051] Eighthly, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may be a network device as described in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. The apparatus possesses the functions of the aforementioned network device. For example, the apparatus is capable of implementing the functions described in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. For example, the apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The apparatus may be, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a network device, and may be, for example, disposed within a network device. In one optional implementation, the apparatus includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the apparatus includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the description in the seventh aspect.

[0052] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send first information to the terminal device. The first information is used to indicate at least one value range, the at least one value range including candidate values ​​of the duration of a first timer. The first timer is used by the terminal device to delay sending the first signaling when a first condition is met.

[0053] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send third information to the terminal device, the third information indicating the effective conditions of the first strategy, the effective conditions including the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration being greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first strategy being used to suppress signaling storms.

[0054] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the sending unit) is configured to send indication information to the terminal device. This indication information indicates that, if the service rejection message includes a cause value representing a non-abnormal situation, the first signaling should be processed according to a second strategy. The second strategy is determined by the service type and is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the device to perform the functions of the network device described in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above.

[0056] A ninth aspect provides an apparatus comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the first, third, or fifth aspects above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, such that, when executed, the apparatus implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first, third, or fifth aspects above.

[0057] In one possible design, the device may further include interface circuitry, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices or components via the interface circuitry.

[0058] In one possible design, the device may also include the memory.

[0059] The aforementioned device may be a terminal device, a communication module in a terminal device, or a chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0060] A tenth aspect provides an apparatus comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, such that, when executed, the apparatus implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above.

[0061] In one possible design, the device may further include interface circuitry, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices or components via the interface circuitry.

[0062] In one possible design, the device may also include the memory.

[0063] The aforementioned device may be a network device, a communication module in a network device, or a chip in a network device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0064] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, comprising a network device. Optionally, the communication system may further comprise a terminal device. The network device is used to perform the methods performed by the network device as described in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. The terminal device is used to perform the methods performed by the terminal device as described in the first, third, or fifth aspects above. For example, the network device may be implemented using the apparatus described in the eighth or tenth aspects, such as the network device being (or including) the apparatus described in the eighth or tenth aspects. For example, the terminal device may be implemented using the apparatus described in the seventh or ninth aspects, such as the terminal device being (or including) the apparatus described in the seventh or ninth aspects.

[0065] For example, a network device sends first information to a terminal device. This first information indicates at least one value range, which includes candidate values ​​for the duration of a first timer. The first timer is used by the terminal device to delay sending first signaling if a first condition is met. The terminal device starts the first timer when the first condition is met. The duration of the first timer is a first duration obtained from the first value range. If the first timer times out, the terminal device sends the first signaling.

[0066] For example, a network device sends third information to a terminal device, the third information indicating the effective conditions of a first policy. The effective conditions include that the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold. The first policy is used to suppress signaling storms. When the number of first signaling messages sent by the terminal device within the first duration is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device processes the first signaling messages according to the first policy, which is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0067] For example, a network device sends indication information to a terminal device. This indication information instructs that, if a service rejection message includes a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation, the first signaling should be processed according to a second strategy. The second strategy is determined by the service type and is used to suppress signaling storms. The terminal device sends a service request and receives a service rejection message, which includes a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation. Furthermore, the terminal device processes the first signaling according to the second strategy, which is determined based on the service type of the service request and is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0068] For details, please refer to the descriptions of the above aspects; I will not elaborate further.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causes the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0071] In a fourteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface to enable the chip system to implement the methods of the above aspects.

[0072] Regarding the technical effects of the implementation methods in aspects seven through fourteen, refer to the description of the technical effects of any one of aspects one through six and their corresponding implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0073] Figures 1a to 1c An example of a signaling storm;

[0074] Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system.

[0075] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] The following explanations of some terms or concepts used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0082] (1) The terminal device mentioned in the embodiments of this application is a device with wireless transceiver function, which may be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile phone), a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built into the above devices. The terminal devices are used to connect people, objects, and machines, and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: satellite communication, sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M1M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and terminal devices for indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses). When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0084] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0085] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc.

[0086] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the terminal device function can be a terminal device, which can be a terminal device or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment. Furthermore, for ease of description, the terminal device in this application embodiment is described using a UE as an example.

[0087] (2) The network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application include, for example, access network devices and / or core network devices (or core network elements). Access network devices may be devices in a radio access network (RAN), and access network devices may sometimes be referred to as RAN nodes, RAN entities, or access nodes. The access network device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, used to communicate with the terminal device. The access network device includes, but is not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations (BTS), Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, access point (AP) or next-generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), base stations evolved from the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small station, relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission and reception points. The access network equipment can also be a radio controller, centralized unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network equipment can also be a server, etc. For example, the network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network equipment. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations using different access technologies.

[0088] In a CU-DU architecture, or in an open RAN (ORAN) system, access network equipment may include one or more logical network elements such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs may be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs may be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0089] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-CP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples in its embodiments. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0090] Core network equipment can be devices that process and forward user signaling and data, such as those used to implement functions like mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and charging. The names of the devices implementing core network functions may differ in communication systems using different access technologies, and this application does not limit this. Taking a 4G communication system as an example, the core network equipment can be a mobility management entity (MME) and / or a serving gateway (S-GW). Taking a 5G communication system as an example, the core network equipment may include, for example, an AMF, a session management function (SMF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM), or a user plane function (UPF).

[0091] In this application embodiment, a network element can also be referred to as an entity or a functional entity. For example, an AMF network element can also be referred to as an AMF entity or an AMF functional entity. Optionally, the device name mentioned in this application embodiment can omit "network element". For example, AMF network element and AMF have the same meaning.

[0092] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the functions of a network device can be called a network device. This network device can be a network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed within the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is described. For example, the network device can be an access network device or a core network device. The communication device used to implement the functions of a core network device can be called a core network device. This core network device can be a core network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the core network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed within the core network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a core network device being used to implement the functions of a core network device is described. The communication device used to implement the functions of an access network device can be called an access network device. This access network device can be an access network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the access network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed within the access network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are described using the example of an access network device as an apparatus for implementing the functions of an access network device. Furthermore, in some examples, for ease of description, the access network device in the embodiments of this application is described using a base station as an example.

[0093] (3) In the embodiments of this application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means 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. For example, A / B means: A or B. "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 or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0094] (4) In the embodiments of this application, “when…”, “if”, and “if” all refer to the device making a corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a time, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, “if” and “if” can be replaced, and “when…” and “in the case of…” can be replaced. “When…” and “if” / “if” can be replaced.

[0095] (5) In the embodiments of this application, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order of steps. In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present a concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" can sometimes be used interchangeably; it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent when their differences are not emphasized.

[0096] (6) In the embodiments of this application, "storage" or "preservation" may refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be separately configured or integrated into an encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some of the memories may be separately configured, while others may be integrated into a decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium, and this is not limited.

[0097] (7) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the sender of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within devices, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0098] (8) In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" may include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for the purpose of instructing A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0099] In this embodiment, 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 correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information units, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information units can be the same or different.

[0100] The terms and concepts involved in the embodiments of this application have been introduced above. The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0101] As mentioned in the background above, when a signaling storm occurs, the network side may be unable to process the signaling of some UEs or stop providing services to some UEs, which will affect the services of these UEs.

[0102] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a technical solution for suppressing the occurrence of signaling storms, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms and improving the service continuity of terminal devices.

[0103] There are several possible causes for signaling storms. Based on the number of UEs involved, they can be broadly categorized into signaling storms caused by a single UE and signaling storms caused by multiple UEs. A signaling storm caused by a single UE occurs when the number of signaling requests sent by a single UE within a given period exceeds a certain limit. This is often because the UE has formed a signaling loop, repeatedly sending the same signaling requests. A signaling storm caused by multiple UEs occurs when the total number of signaling requests sent by multiple UEs within a given period exceeds a certain limit. This is often due to an excessive number of UEs sending signaling requests in a short period, and therefore, this situation typically occurs in scenarios with a large number of UEs clustered together or when a large number of UEs reconnect.

[0104] The following sections will introduce the signaling storms that occur in the three scenarios.

[0105] Scenario A1: A signaling storm caused by a large number of UEs sending signaling almost simultaneously within a short period of time.

[0106] This situation is more likely to occur in scenarios involving different systems, such as the transition from a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system to a NR (L2N) communication system. See also Figure 1a The image shows an example of a signaling storm caused by multiple UEs. Figure 1a In inter-system scenarios, where the UE is located on a high-speed moving vehicle, such as a high-speed train, and its original cell is an LTE communication system cell, during the train's journey, especially in scenarios with signal obstruction such as mountains or tunnels, the UEs on the train may experience signal loss from their original cell almost simultaneously within a short period. Upon leaving the obstructed area, these UEs acquire signals from a new cell almost simultaneously. This new cell is an NR communication system cell. Because it's an inter-system scenario, these UEs need to re-register with the NR communication system. Furthermore, because the UE moves to the new cell, it needs to report its radio capability information to allocate appropriate resources; the size of this radio capability information is close to 2.2 kilobytes (KB). At this time, a large number of UEs on the high-speed train sending registration requests and exchanging radio capability information signaling to the new cell within a short period can lead to a signaling storm.

[0107] When a signaling storm occurs, service anomalies may occur on the NR communication system network side. Alternatively, after the signaling storm triggering conditions are met, the network side will restrict some UEs from using services.

[0108] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a technical solution for suppressing signaling storms. In this solution, the timing of sending the first signaling message can be controlled by a first timer, reducing the suddenness and concentration of the first signaling message, and thus lowering the probability of a signaling storm. This can be understood as follows: for multiple UEs, each UE can select a first duration, and different UEs may select different first durations, thereby staggering the timing of the first signaling message transmission by different UEs, reducing the probability of multiple UEs sending the first signaling message simultaneously, and thus lowering the probability of a signaling storm.

[0109] In scenario A2, the UE repeatedly sends signaling messages in a specific scenario, leading to a signaling storm.

[0110] See Figure 1b The image shows an example of a signaling storm caused by a single UE. Figure 1b The signaling storm is a signaling storm caused by frequent service requests initiated by the UE in a specific scenario where the UE cannot find the signal of the cell to which the serving base station redirects it.

[0111] S101: The UE sends a service request to base station 1. Here, base station 1 is cell L. Cell L can be, for example, a cell in a 4G communication system or a cell in an LTE communication system.

[0112] S102: Base station 1 sends a service request to MME.

[0113] S103: The MME sends an initial context setup request to base station 1.

[0114] S104: Base station 1 sends an RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE to configure user plane resources, such as establishing a data radio bearer (DRB).

[0115] S105: The UE performs a measurement, triggering the A2 event. In a 4G communication system, the A2 event is used to indicate a decline in the serving cell signal quality. When the UE detects that the serving cell signal quality is less than or equal to a preset threshold, it triggers the A2 event and reports a measurement report (MR) so that the network side can decide whether to perform a handover or other operations.

[0116] S106: The UE reports event A2 to base station 1.

[0117] S107: Base station 1 sends an instruction to the UE to redirect the UE to cell W. Cell W can be, for example, a cell in a 3G communication system. Base station 1 is configured for blind redirection, redirecting to cell W when event A2 is triggered. That is, base station 1 does not perform any measurements on cell W; it only triggers redirection from cell L to cell W when the signal quality of cell L is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0118] According to the instructions of base station 1, the UE will begin searching for the signal of cell W. If the signal of cell W can be found, the following steps S108 to S109 will be executed.

[0119] S108: The UE sends a registration request to base station 2. Cell W is the cell of base station 2.

[0120] S109: Base station 2 sends a registration request to the mobile switching center (MSC). If authentication is successful and registration is successful, the network side will restore the user plane connection for the UE.

[0121] If, for some reason, the UE cannot find the signal of cell W, then continue with steps S110 to S118. For example, if the UE is in an underground parking garage, the UE cannot find the signal of cell W.

[0122] S110: The UE sends a service request to base station 1.

[0123] S111: Base station 1 sends a service request to MME.

[0124] S112: The MME sends an initial context setting request to base station 1.

[0125] S113: Base station 1 sends an RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, for example, to establish a DRB.

[0126] S114: The UE performs a measurement, triggering the A2 event.

[0127] S115: The UE reports event A2 to base station 1.

[0128] S116: Base station 1 redirects the UE to cell W.

[0129] Steps S110 to S116 below essentially involve the UE returning to the original L cell and resending the service request. If the UE still cannot find the signal in cell W, it will continue to execute steps S110 to S116, repeating the cycle.

[0130] S117: The MME detects that the UE meets the triggering conditions for a signaling storm. For example, the MME detects that the UE sent 340 service requests within 620 seconds, reaching the threshold for a signaling storm.

[0131] S118: The MME sends a deregistration request to the UE. Deregistration can also be called unregistering. This request may carry the T3346 timer configuration. The T3346 timer is used to restrict the UE's access behavior. When the T3346 timer expires, the UE can retry initiating the access request.

[0132] When the UE leaves the underground parking garage, it is unable to use services because its network access is restricted.

[0133] like Figure 1b In the example shown, the signaling storm is caused by the UE repeatedly sending service requests in a special scenario. After the signaling storm is triggered, the network side will restrict the UE from using services.

[0134] Based on this, this application provides a technical solution for suppressing signaling storms. In this solution, when the UE determines certain conditions, it can process first signaling according to a first strategy to suppress signaling storms. These conditions include: the number of first signaling messages sent by the UE within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold; or, in N consecutive first signaling messages sent by the UE, the transmission interval between the first and last first signaling message is less than or equal to a first duration. Based on this solution, the UE can regulate the number of first signaling messages it sends, reducing the probability of repeatedly sending first signaling messages, thereby reducing the probability of sending a large number of first signaling messages in a short period, and thus reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0135] Scenario 3: UE service requests may be rejected for some reason. If there are no restrictions on service requests rejected for such reasons, the UE will repeatedly send the service request, leading to a signaling storm.

[0136] For example, 3GPP stipulates that when a received service rejection message contains an abnormal cause value or is identified as an abnormal cause value, the UE should enter the 5G mobility management (5GMM) registered state. Furthermore, the UE should abort the service request process, stop timer T3517 (which controls the retry mechanism for the service request process), and stop the timer, meaning the UE will not attempt to initiate a service request again. Additionally, the UE should release any resources allocated for the service request process locally. Abnormal cause values ​​may include, for example, other 5GMM cause values ​​besides those processed in section 5.6.1.5, and 5GMM cause values ​​#11, #15, #22, #31, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, and #78, which are considered abnormal under section 5.6.1.5. In other words, the UE can maintain its registered state with the network in abnormal situations and avoids further service requests.

[0137] However, aside from the cause values ​​for abnormal situations or those identified as abnormal, other cause values ​​are currently not subject to constraints, and UEs may still repeatedly initiate service requests, leading to signaling storms. For example, see... Figure 1c The image shows another example of a signaling storm caused by a single UE. Figure 1c The example in question is a signaling storm caused by the rejection of service requests in the event of a specific cell failure, but the protocol does not impose any constraints on the handling of such rejections.

[0138] like Figure 1cAs shown, the UE is provided by operator A and is located in operator A's cell. This cell is provided by operator A, but due to a network failure, the UE reports an inability to connect to the network. As the UE moves, it enters a shared cell between operator A and operator B. This shared cell was originally provided by operator B, and the access network equipment within the shared cell is deployed by operator B. Operator A accesses its core network through this access network equipment; that is, the UE can send service requests to operator A's core network equipment through this access network equipment. However, due to some configuration error, after receiving the service request from the UE, the access network equipment forwards the service request to operator B's core network equipment. Because the UE is registered with operator A, operator B's core network equipment cannot recognize the UE and will send a service rejection message to the UE, carrying the cause value #111. Since #111 is neither a cause value for an abnormal situation nor a cause value considered abnormal, there is no constraint on the UE's behavior after receiving this cause value, and it will not cause the UE to stop sending service requests in the current cell. When the UE has data packets to send, the UE will continue to send service requests. These service requests will still be sent by the access network equipment to the core network equipment of operator B. The core network equipment of operator B will send a service rejection message to the UE again, carrying the reason value #111 in the service rejection message. This causes the UE's service requests to form a loop, and the UE will repeatedly send service requests, leading to a signaling storm.

[0139] like Figure 1c The example shown is due to the constraint on certain non-abnormal cause values, which caused the UE to send service requests in a loop, resulting in a signaling storm. After the signaling storm triggering conditions are met, the network side will restrict the UE from using services.

[0140] Based on this, this application provides a technical solution for suppressing signaling storms. In this solution, after a UE sends a service request, if the received service rejection message includes a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation, the UE can process the first signaling according to a second strategy. The second strategy is used to suppress signaling storms, and it is determined based on the service type of the service request. Based on this solution, the UE can adopt a strategy to suppress signaling storms even when receiving a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation, reducing the probability of the UE repeatedly sending service requests and thus lowering the probability of signaling storms occurring. Furthermore, since the second strategy is determined based on the service type, the UE can select a strategy suitable for the current service to meet the actual needs of the current service and improve the service experience.

[0141] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, it can be applied to 4G communication systems, such as LTE communication systems, 5G communication systems, such as 5G NR communication systems, or various communication systems evolved after 5G, such as future communication systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to Bluetooth systems, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, long-range radio (LoRa) systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. The method provided in this application can be applied to terrestrial networks (TN), non-terrestrial networks (NTN), or converged communication systems of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. NTN can refer to a network device located at a high altitude relative to the UE. NTN can be an NTN integrated with 4G, 5G, and any future generation of communication systems, such as NR NTN, IoT NTN, etc. NTN communication systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, or can include unmanned aerial vehicles, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other aerial access network equipment; this application does not limit the scope of such systems.

[0142] Please refer to Figure 2 This illustrates the architecture of a communication system to which embodiments of this application apply. Figure 2 The Sino-Israeli communication system includes network equipment (such as access network equipment and / or core network equipment) and terminal equipment as an example. Figure 2 The network architecture shown is for illustrative purposes only; the number of terminal devices and / or network devices may be fewer or more.

[0143] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0144] The methods in this application embodiment can be executed by a terminal device and a network device. The steps executed by the terminal device can be performed by the terminal device itself, or by components of the terminal device (such as a communication module, baseband chip, or other processing units or processors), or implemented by logic modules or software that perform some or all of the functions of the terminal device. For example, the steps executed by the terminal device can be performed by the terminal device, its communication module, baseband chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core. The steps executed by the network device can be performed by the network device itself, or by components of the network device (such as a communication module, baseband chip, or other processing units or processors), or implemented by logic modules or software that perform some or all of the functions of the network device. For example, the network device can be an access network device, and the steps executed by the network device can be performed by the access network device, or by a CU, DU, or RU that performs some of the functions of the access network device. As another example, the network device can be a core network device, and the steps executed by the network device can be performed by the core network device, or by a communication module, baseband chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core that performs some of the functions of the core network device.

[0145] The various embodiments described herein can be applied to Figure 2 The architecture shown. For example, the terminal devices described in the various embodiments of this document can be... Figure 2 The terminal device shown, and the network device described in the various embodiments of this document, may be... Figure 2 The access network device or core network device shown. In the following description, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is applied to... Figure 2 The architecture shown is an example. Figure 2 The network architecture and application scenarios illustrated are for the purpose of more clearly explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that as network architectures evolve and new application scenarios emerge, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, etc. Figure 2 Not shown in the figure. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems, without limitation.

[0146] In the embodiments of this application, the solutions in each embodiment can be used in a reasonable combination, and the explanations or descriptions of various terms, similar operations, or steps occurring in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the embodiments, without limitation.

[0147] In various embodiments of this document, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, when the network device is an access network device, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into at least one execution entity among CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0148] In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps.

[0149] This application provides a communication method. Please refer to the embodiments below. Figure 3 Here is a flowchart of the method.

[0150] Step 301: The network device sends first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information. The first information indicates at least one value range, which includes candidate values ​​for the duration of a first timer. The first timer is used by the terminal device to delay sending the first signaling when a first condition is met.

[0151] In this embodiment, the network device can be an access network device, such as a base station. Alternatively, the network device can also be a core network device, such as an AMF, SMF, or UDM network element. If the network device is a core network device, the core network device can send first information to the access network device, and the access network device can then send the first information to the terminal device.

[0152] The first information is used to indicate information related to signaling storm suppression; the first information can also be called signaling storm suppression information. The method provided in this application embodiment can be used to suppress signaling storms caused by multiple UEs, and the first information can be called signaling storm suppression information in multi-UE scenarios. For example, it can be used to suppress signaling storms caused by multiple UEs in high-speed mobile scenarios, for example... Figure 1a The example illustrates the suppression of signaling storms in the scenario shown. Correspondingly, the first piece of information can be called high-speed signaling storm suppression information, high-speed rail signaling storm suppression information, or inter-system signaling storm suppression information, etc. For example, it can also be used to suppress signaling storms caused by multiple UEs in environments with a large number of UEs, such as stadiums or scenic spots.

[0153] Optionally, the first information can be included in the registration acceptance message. For example, when a terminal device sends a registration request to a network device, the network side, upon accepting the terminal device's registration, can send a registration acceptance message to the terminal device, which carries the first information. Alternatively, the first information can be included in the CUC (Registration Acceptance Message). If the first information is carried through the CUC, the CUC can be sent to the terminal device during the registration process or after registration is complete. In one example, the network device can be a core network device, such as an AMF (Active Network Provider), which can send the first information to the terminal device via the registration acceptance message or the CUC. Alternatively, the first information can be included in the RRC (Registration Reconfiguration) message. In one example, the network device can be an access network device, such as a base station, which can send the first information to the terminal device via the RRC reconfiguration message. Furthermore, the first information can also be carried through other possible messages, without specific limitations.

[0154] Optionally, the network device may unconditionally send the initial information to the terminal device after the terminal device sends a registration request. This can be understood as the network device sending the initial information to the terminal device each time it requests registration.

[0155] Alternatively, the network device can send the first information to the terminal device only when the second condition is met. For example, after receiving a registration request from the terminal device, the network device determines that the second condition is met and then sends the first information to the terminal device. By restricting the conditions for sending the first information to the terminal device, the first information is sent only under specific conditions, reducing signaling interactions and saving signaling resources. Furthermore, this also reduces the probability of the terminal device storing the first information, thus lowering the storage resource usage in the terminal device.

[0156] The second condition can be implemented in multiple ways, for example, it can be implemented in one or more of the following implementation methods A1 to A2.

[0157] In implementation method A1, the second condition can be that the terminal device is located in the first area. The first area is the area that requires signaling storm suppression, or in other words, the first area is an area with a potential risk of signaling storms. The first area can also be called the signaling storm suppression area, etc. The granularity of the first area can be arbitrary. For example, the first area can be one or more cells, one or more TAs (location areas (LA), routing areas (RA), or service areas (SA)), the area covered by one or more base stations, one or more grids, or a sub-area within one or more cells, etc., without specific limitations. In this implementation method, the terminal device can send location information to the network device. The network device can determine whether the terminal device is located in the first area based on the location information, such as determining whether the terminal device has entered a specific area, or whether the terminal device has entered a cell containing a specific area, etc. Alternatively, the network device can be a core network device. The terminal device sends signaling messages to the core network device through the access network device. This is because the terminal device typically only sends signaling messages to the core network device through the access network device when it is within the service area of ​​the access network device. Therefore, the information of the access network device can, to some extent, characterize the location information of the terminal device. The core network can determine whether the terminal device is located in the first area based on the information of the access network device. For example, the information of the access network device may include TAI, TAC, LAC, or RAI, etc., without specific limitations.

[0158] In other words, if the location of the terminal device determines that the terminal device is in the first area, the network device will send the first information to the terminal device.

[0159] In implementation method A2, the second condition can be that the first access network device is located in the first area, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device. The first access network device being the target access network device of the terminal device can be understood as either the access network device currently serving the terminal device being the first access network device, or the access network device served by the terminal device being switched to the first access network device. In other words, if the location of the first access network device determines that it is located in the first area, the network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0160] In implementation method A3, the second condition can be that the first access network device is of type 1, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device. The first access network device being of type 1 can also be replaced by the first cell being a cell of type 1, the first cell being a cell of the first access network device, and the first cell being the serving cell of the terminal device. In the various embodiments described herein, the cell of the access network device, the cell covered by the access network device, the cell provided by the access network device, and the cell served by the access network device can be used interchangeably.

[0161] The first type can be understood as the type requiring signaling storm suppression, and the access network device of the first type is the access network device that requires signaling storm suppression. Alternatively, the first type of access network device is the access network device with potential signaling storm risk. The first access network device being classified as the first type can also be described as the first access network device possessing the characteristics of a first type of access network device, or in other words, the first access network device possessing (or conforming to) a first characteristic that corresponds to the first type. Optionally, when the first access network device possesses one or more of the following characteristics B1 to B3, the network device can determine that the first access network device is of the first type.

[0162] Feature B1: The information of the first access network device includes first indication information for measurement configuration supporting high-speed mobile scenarios. In high-speed mobile scenarios, the probability of terminal devices switching or switching between systems is high, thus increasing the probability of signaling storms. The presence of a large number of terminal devices further increases the probability of signaling storms. For example, if the terminal devices are in high-speed mobile scenarios such as high-speed rail, highways, or rapid transit, i.e. Figure 1a The scenario shown has a higher probability of signaling storms. Therefore, signaling storm suppression can be implemented for high-speed mobile scenarios. In high-speed mobile scenarios, specific measurement configurations are often required, and access network devices serving these scenarios typically need to support these measurement configurations. Whether an access network device supports the measurement configurations for high-speed mobile scenarios can be determined through information from the first access network device. For example, the information of the first access network device (such as configuration information or configuration files) includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate that the access network device supports the measurement configurations for high-speed mobile scenarios. In one example, the first indication information could be HighSpeedMeasFlag. If the information of the first access network device includes HighSpeedMeasFlag, it can be assumed that the first access network device supports the measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios, and the type of the first access network device is the first type. Alternatively, when the value of HighSpeedMeasFlag is configured as true or a specific value, it is used to indicate that the first access network device supports the measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios. The first indication information is HighSpeedMeasFlag with a value of true or a specific value. If the information of the first access network device includes HighSpeedMeasFlag, and the value of HighSpeedMeasFlag is configured as true or a specific value, it can be assumed that the first access network device supports the measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios, and the type of the first access network device is the first type.

[0163] Whether the access network device supports measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios can also be replaced by whether the cell of the access network device is a cell in a high-speed mobile scenario (which can be simply referred to as a high-speed cell). For example, a cell in a high-speed rail scenario can also be called a high-speed rail cell. That is, when the first access network device serves a high-speed cell, the type of the first access network device is the first type.

[0164] Therefore, network devices can determine whether the first access network device is of type 1 based on whether it supports measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios or whether the cell of the first access network device is a high-speed cell. For example, if the value of HighSpeedMeasFlag in the configuration information of the first access network device is configured as true, is the type of the first access network device type 1? Alternatively, in addition to the first indication information, it can also be determined through other information. For example, a specified cell identity (cell ID) can be set as the cell that needs to suppress signaling storms, and the access network devices serving these cells are of type 1. Then, if the cell ID of the first access network device's cell is included in these cell IDs, is the type of the first access network device type 1?

[0165] Feature B2: The first access network device corresponds to a first region. The first access network device corresponding to a first region can also be described as the first access network device being related to a first region. For example, the first access network device is located in the first region. Therefore, the relationship between the location of the first access network device and the first region can be used to determine whether the first access network device corresponds to the first region. Alternatively, the cell of the first access network device overlaps with the first region. For example, the cell of the first access network device includes the first region, or the cell of the first access network device is the first region, or the cell of the first access network device is located in the first region. In one example, the first region can be an area with a potential large number of terminal devices, such as a scenic spot or sports scene. If the cell of the first access network device includes the first region, then the first access network device can be considered to correspond to the first region, that is, the type of the first access network device is the first type. Alternatively, the TA (LA, RA, or SA) of the first access network device overlaps with the first region. For example, the TA (LA, RA, or SA) of the first access network device includes the first region, or the TA (LA, RA, or SA) of the first access network device is the first region, or the TA (LA, RA, or SA) of the first access network device is located in the first region. In one example, the first region may include one or more TAs (LA or RA), each of which has a corresponding TAI (TAC, LAC or RAI). If the TAI (TAC, LAC or RAI) of the first access network device is included in these TAIs (TAC, LAC or RAI), then the first access network device is considered to correspond to the first region, that is, the type of the first access network device is the first type.

[0166] Feature B3: The first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and each access network device in the at least one access network device is of type first. For example, information about at least one access network device can be stored, so that whether the first access network device is included in at least one access network device can be determined based on whether the information of the first access network device is included in the information of at least one access network device. If the information of the first access network device is included in the information of at least one access network device, the first access network device is included in at least one access network device, that is, the type of the first access network device is type first. In one example, the information of the access network device can be the TAI, TAC, LAC, or RAI of the access network device, etc. In another example, the information of the access network device can be the global RAN node ID of the access network device; for example, the global RAN node ID can be the base station ID (gNB ID).

[0167] Based on the above implementation method, feature identification of the first type of access network device can be realized. Thus, when the target access network device of the terminal device is of the first type, the network device can send first information to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can suppress signaling storms based on the first information and reduce the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0168] In this embodiment of the application, the first information may indicate (or include) one or more of the following C1 to C3.

[0169] C1, Information for the First Area. This information indicates the first area, or in other words, the area requiring signaling storm suppression. For example, if the first area is a physical location, the information can be information indicating that physical location, such as geographic location information or grid ID. Alternatively, the first area can be a cell, and the information can be information distinguishable from the cell, such as cell ID. Or, the first area can be TA, LA, or RA, and correspondingly, the information can be TAI, TAC, LAC, or RAI. The first area can be one or more areas, or it can include one or more sub-areas; there is no limit to the number of areas. When the first area is one or more areas, the information can also include information indicating those areas.

[0170] C2, Type 1 Information. Type 1 information can be used to indicate the type, or in other words, to indicate what type of type the type is. Type 1 refers to the type of access network device; therefore, Type 1 information can also be replaced with information about access network devices of the first type. Type 1 information can indicate the characteristics of access network devices of the first type, that is, what characteristics qualify a device as an access network device. Thus, the terminal device can determine whether a first access network device is a Type 1 access network device based on whether it possesses these characteristics. For example, access network devices with specific markings are Type 1 access network devices, such as those marked with "HighSpeedMeasFlag," or those marked with "scenic spot," "sports stadium," etc. Alternatively, Type 1 information can indicate which access network devices are Type 1 access network devices. For example, Type 1 information may include a suppression list, also known as a storm suppression list or signaling storm suppression list, which contains information about access network devices that require signaling storm suppression. The access network device information can be TAI, TAC, LAC, or RAI, etc. Alternatively, the access network device information could also include cell ID or gNB ID, etc. There are no specific restrictions on the information identifying the access network device.

[0171] Carrying the aforementioned C1 and / or C2 in the first information helps the terminal device determine whether the conditions for signaling storm suppression are met.

[0172] C3, information on at least one value range, where each value range includes the value range and its corresponding effective condition. The at least one value range includes candidate values ​​for the duration of a first timer, which is used by the terminal device to delay sending the first signaling when the first condition is met. This can be understood as the terminal device selecting a first duration from one of the at least one value ranges as the duration of the first timer to regulate the timing of the first signaling transmission. The value range can also be replaced with a value interval, value set, or other terms without specific limitations.

[0173] Optionally, at least one value range may include only one value range, such as a first value range. In the case of at least one value range, which may include only one value range, no effective condition may be configured, or the condition that triggers the delayed transmission of the first signaling (i.e., the first condition mentioned later) may be considered the effective condition.

[0174] Alternatively, at least one value range may include multiple value ranges, and the information for each value range may include (or indicate) the value range and its corresponding effective condition. Alternatively, it can be described as the information for at least one value range including multiple correspondences, where each correspondence is between an effective condition and a corresponding value range. The effective condition can also be replaced by a usage condition. This effective condition can be used by the terminal device to determine a first value range, that is, for the terminal device to select the currently applicable first value range. Optionally, the factors affecting the determination of the value range may include multiple factors, such as one or more of the terminal device's RRC status, user priority, or service type. The effective condition for each value range can be configured according to these factors, or different value ranges can be configured separately for each of these factors.

[0175] RRC state refers to the radio resource control state between the terminal device and the access network device. RRC states can include RRC connected, RRC idle (simply referred to as idle state), and RRC inactive (simply referred to as inactive state), etc. RRC connected state can also be called RRC connected state (simply referred to as connected state), and RRC inactive state can also be called RRC deactivated state (simply referred to as deactivated state). Optionally, corresponding value ranges can be configured for some or all of all RRC states. For a value range, the effective condition of the value range can include the terminal device's RRC state being a first RRC state. The first RRC state can be understood as a specific RRC state; that is, when the terminal device is in the first RRC state, this value range can be selected as the first value range. For example, the information of a value range includes [n1, n2] and connected state, used to indicate that when the terminal device is in the connected state, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [n1, n2]. For example, a value range might include [m1, m2] and an idle state, indicating that when the terminal device is in the idle state, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [m1, m2]. Alternatively, it can be understood that the value range can be configured separately for different RRC states, with one RRC state corresponding to one value range. For example, the value range corresponding to the connected state is [n1, n2], so when the terminal device is in the connected state, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [n1, n2]. Similarly, the value range corresponding to the idle state is [m1, m2], so when the terminal device is in the connected state, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [m1, m2].

[0176] Optionally, considering that terminal devices typically need to transmit data when in the connected state, and the latency requirements are higher in the connected state compared to the idle state, the values ​​in [n1, n2] can be less than the values ​​in [m1, m2] to meet the signaling latency requirements in the connected state. This can be understood as the first signaling from a terminal device in the connected state being sent earlier or more frequently. The value in [n1, n2] being less than [m1, m2] can include the maximum value in [n1, n2] being less than the maximum value in [m1, m2], i.e., n2 being less than m2. In this case, n1 can be less than or equal to m1, or n1 can be greater than m1. Alternatively, the maximum value in [n1, n2] can be less than the minimum value in [m1, m2].

[0177] User priority refers to the different priorities assigned to users by network operators based on their subscription information and / or service level. User priority can also be replaced by the priority of subscription information or the priority of service level. Users with higher priority can receive service first when network resources are scarce (such as during congestion or failures), ensuring their communication quality and experience. For example, user priorities can be divided into high priority and low priority. Optionally, corresponding value ranges can be configured for some or all of all priorities. For a value range, the effective condition of the value range can include the user's priority being the first priority. The first priority can be understood as a specific priority; that is, when the user's priority on the terminal device is the first priority, this value range can be selected as the first value range. For example, a value range includes [x1, x2] and high priority, indicating that when the user's priority is high, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [x1, x2]. As another example, a value range includes [x3, x4] and low priority, indicating that when the user's priority is low, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [x3, x4]. Alternatively, it can be understood as configuring value ranges for different priorities, with each priority level corresponding to a specific value range. For example, a high priority level might correspond to a value range of [x1, x2], meaning that when a user has a high priority, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [x1, x2]. Similarly, a low priority level might correspond to a value range of [x3, x4], meaning that when a user has a low priority, the duration of the first timer can be selected from [x3, x4].

[0178] Optionally, to improve communication quality for high-priority users, the values ​​of [x1, x2] can be less than the values ​​of [x3, x4]. This can be understood as the first signaling message for high-priority users being sent earlier or earlier. The fact that the values ​​of [x1, x2] are less than [x3, x4] can be understood by referring to the concept of [n1, n2] being less than [m1, m2], which will not be elaborated further. Optionally, the first timer may not be started for high-priority users, or the first signaling message for high-priority users may not be delayed, or it can be understood that the value range for high-priority users is all zero.

[0179] Service type refers to the type of service involved in the first signaling sent by the terminal device. For example, service types can include voice service, data service, Short Message Service (SMS) service, MMS service, or video service. Alternatively, based on the urgency or real-time nature of the service, the type can include emergency service and ordinary service, with emergency service having higher urgency or real-time requirements than ordinary service. Optionally, corresponding value ranges can be configured for some or all of all service types. For a value range, the effective condition of the value range can include the service type being the first service type. The first service type can be understood as a specific service type; that is, when the service involved in the first signaling sent by the terminal device belongs to the first service type, this value range can be selected as the first value range. For example, the information of a value range includes [y1, y2] and emergency service, used to select the duration of the first timer from [y1, y2] for emergency service. Alternatively, it can be understood that value ranges can be configured separately for different service types, with one service type corresponding to one value range. For example, the value range for emergency services is [y1, y2], and the value range for regular services is [y3, y4].

[0180] Optionally, to meet the latency requirements of different service types, the values ​​of [y1, y2] can be less than the values ​​of [y3, y4]. This can be understood as the first signaling for urgent services being sent earlier or with priority. The fact that the values ​​of [y1, y2] are less than [y3, y4] can be understood by referring to the fact that the values ​​of [n1, n2] are less than [m1, m2], which will not be elaborated further. Optionally, the first timer may not be started for urgent services, or the first signaling for urgent services may not be delayed, or it can be understood that the value range for urgent services is all zero.

[0181] In addition to the factors mentioned above, other factors may also affect the range of values, or the range of values ​​may be configured for other factors without restriction.

[0182] In some scenarios, other constraints can be considered when configuring the values ​​within a given range. For example, in a handover scenario, the source core network device starts a T3 timer. Within the duration of this T3 timer, the source core network device waits for the target core network device to acquire the context of the terminal device. If the T3 timer expires, the source core network device may delete the context of the terminal device. Therefore, the value range of the first timer needs to be adapted to the duration of the T3 timer. For example, the value of the first timer needs to be less than the duration of the T3 timer; that is, the maximum value in the aforementioned value range needs to be less than the duration of the T3 timer. Another example is that the duration of the first timer can also consider the retry period of the paging message on the network side. If the duration of the first timer exceeds the retry period of the paging message, the terminal device may time out responding to the paging message, causing the network side to paging again, wasting communication resources. Therefore, the duration of the first timer should generally be less than the retry period of the paging message.

[0183] Optionally, the information contained in the first message can be sent to the terminal device all at once or in multiple installments; there is no specific restriction.

[0184] It should be understood that the first information in step 301 can be sent to the terminal device in advance before sending the first signaling, and the terminal device can subsequently store the first information for signaling storm suppression when sending the first signaling later. Alternatively, the first information can also be predefined or preconfigured. Therefore, step 301 is an optional step, and thus in Figure 3 It is shown in dashed lines.

[0185] Step 302: The terminal device starts the first timer when the first condition is met.

[0186] In this embodiment, when the terminal device needs to send the first signaling, if a first condition is met, the terminal device will start a first timer to regulate the timing of the first signaling transmission. In one example, the terminal device may check whether the first condition is met when it needs to send the first signaling. If the first condition is met, the terminal device starts the first timer. In another example, the terminal device may check whether the first condition is met; if the first condition is met, the terminal device may start the first timer when it subsequently needs to send the first signaling. It can be understood that when the first condition is met, the terminal device is configured to delay sending the first signaling; in this mode, the first timer needs to be started every time the first signaling is sent.

[0187] Optionally, the first signaling can be NAS signaling and / or access stratum signaling. If the first signaling is NAS signaling, it may include one or more of a registration request, deregistration request, or service request. This can be understood as starting a first timer to delay the transmission of NAS signaling when it needs to be sent. When the first signaling includes a service request, it may include service requests of one or more service types. This can be understood as starting a first timer to delay the transmission of a specific type of service request when it needs to be sent. If the first signaling is access stratum signaling, it may include one or more of RRC signaling, handover signaling, random access signaling, RRC connection establishment messages, RRC connection re-establishment messages, or RRC connection resume messages.

[0188] In one example, the network device can be a core network device, such as an AMF, and the first signaling can be NAS signaling and / or access layer signaling. Correspondingly, the first information can be information related to signaling storm suppression for NAS signaling and / or access layer signaling. In another example, the network device can be an access network device, and the first signaling can be access layer signaling. Correspondingly, the first information can be information related to signaling storm suppression for access layer signaling. Furthermore, if access network device A indicates to the terminal device the characteristics or type of the access network device requiring signaling storm suppression (i.e., the first type), this characteristic or type can be applied not only to signaling storm suppression for access network device A, but also to signaling storm suppression for other access network devices with the same characteristics or type. In other words, after the terminal device obtains the characteristics or type of the access network device that needs to be signaling stormed, if it learns from the system information or RRC message (such as the RRC reconfigure message) sent by a certain access network device that the access network device conforms to the characteristics or type, or if the terminal device determines that the access network device conforms to the characteristics or type through other means, the terminal device can adjust the timing of the signaling transmission of the access layer based on the scheme of the embodiments of this application.

[0189] The requirement for the terminal device to send the first signaling mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be understood as the terminal device meeting the conditions for sending the first signaling, or the terminal device being in a scenario where the first signaling needs to be sent. For example, this scenario could be when the terminal device triggers a cell handover, inter-system, or reselection process, and the terminal device needs to trigger NAS signaling. In this scenario, the terminal device can send access layer signaling or NAS signaling.

[0190] The conditions for sending a signaling message can vary depending on the type of signaling. For example, the first signaling message can be a registration request. In one example, in a 5G communication system, a terminal device in the 5GMM deregistered state should initiate the initial registration process by sending a registration request message to the AMF. Then, when the terminal device triggers a cell handover, inter-system, or reselection process, it may need to register with the target core network, requiring it to send a registration request to the core network equipment. Additionally, there are other situations where a registration request needs to be sent to the core network equipment, which will not be elaborated upon here. Another example is a service request. A service request can also be called a service request. If the network side pagees the terminal device and the terminal device is in an idle state, the terminal device can send a service request to the network side; or, if the terminal device has uplink signaling or uplink user plane data to send but is in an idle state, it can send a service request to the network side.

[0191] In this embodiment of the application, the first condition is used to characterize whether the terminal device is in a scenario that requires signaling storm suppression, or to characterize whether signaling storm suppression is currently required. The first condition can also be called the signaling storm suppression condition, or it can be understood as the triggering condition of the first timer. The first condition can also be called the timer triggering condition or the timer start condition.

[0192] The first condition can be implemented in multiple ways.

[0193] Optionally, the first condition may be that the terminal device is located in a first area. As mentioned above, the first information may include information about the first area, and the terminal device can determine whether it is located in the first area based on its own location and the information about the first area. If the terminal device is located in the first area, the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, and the terminal device starts the first timer. Alternatively, the first condition may be that the type of the first access network device is a first type. For an explanation of the first access network device being of the first type, please refer to the description in step 301, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the terminal device may combine the information about the first area or the first type included in the first information to determine whether the type of the first access network device is the first type.

[0194] Optionally, when the first access network device has one or more of the following features D1 to D3, the terminal device can determine that the type of the first access network device is the first type.

[0195] Feature D1: The first indication information sent by the first access network device indicates support for measurement configuration in high-speed mobile scenarios. In high-speed mobile scenarios, specific measurement configurations are often required. Access network devices serving high-speed mobile scenarios typically need to support these configurations. The access network device sends first indication information to the terminal device to indicate whether it supports the measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios, or in other words, whether its cell is a high-speed cell. In one example, the first indication information can be HighSpeedMeasFlag, or, when HighSpeedMeasFlag is configured to true or a specific value, it indicates that the first access network device supports the measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios. The first indication information is simply HighSpeedMeasFlag with a value of true or a specific value. This first indication information can be included in system information, for example, in system information block 1 (SIB1). In other words, the first access network device can send SIB1 to the terminal device. The terminal device can determine whether the cell of the first access network device is a high-speed cell based on the HighSpeedMeasFlag flag in SIB1. If the cell of the first access network device is a high-speed cell, then the type of the first access network device is the first type.

[0196] It should be understood that feature D1 specifically uses a high-speed cell as an example. In other scenarios, other types of features can be used, and corresponding markers or labels matching these types can be added for identification. For example, for sports venues, labels indicating sports venues can be added; for scenic spots, labels indicating scenic spots can be added; or for scenarios where there may be a large number of terminal devices, labels indicating a potentially large number of terminal devices can be added. There are no specific restrictions.

[0197] Feature D2: The first access network device corresponds to the first area. Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether the first access network device corresponds to the first area by combining the information of the first area included in the first information. For example, if the information of the first area indicates the TA of the first area, the terminal device can determine whether the first access network device corresponds to the TA based on the TAI of the first access network device. Alternatively, the network device can also send second information to the terminal device, which indicates the information of the access network device corresponding to the first area. The terminal device can then determine whether the first access network device corresponds to the first area based on the second information and the information of the first access network device. For example, if the second information indicates the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the first area, such as the gNB ID, the terminal device can determine whether the first access network device corresponds to the first area, i.e., whether the type of the first access network device is the first type, based on whether the gNB ID of the first access network device is included in the gNB ID indicated by the second information. For example, the second information indicates the TAI list, TAC list, LAC list, or RAI list of the access network devices corresponding to the first area. The terminal device can determine whether the first access network device corresponds to the first area, i.e., whether the type of the first access network device is the first type, based on whether the TAI, TAC, LAC, or RAI of the first access network device is in these lists. For feature D2, please refer to the description of feature B2 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0198] Feature D3: The first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and each access network device in the at least one access network device is of type first type. The terminal device can obtain information about at least one access network device to determine whether the first access network device is included in at least one access network device. Optionally, the network device can also send second information to the terminal device, the second information being used to indicate (or include) information about at least one access network device, thereby allowing the terminal device to determine whether the first access network device corresponds to a first area based on the second information and the information about the first access network device. For example, the second information indicates the gNB ID of at least one access network device, or the second information indicates the TAI, TAC, LAC, or RAI of at least one access network device. For feature D3, please refer to the description of feature B3 above, which will not be elaborated further.

[0199] Optionally, the second information can be sent together with the first information. For example, the second information can be included in the first information, or the first information is the second information. Alternatively, the first information and the second information can be sent separately.

[0200] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device starts a first timer when a first condition is met. The duration of the first timer is a first duration, which is obtained from a first value range. For example, when the terminal device needs to send a first signaling message, it determines whether the first condition is met. If the first condition is met, the terminal device determines a first duration from the first value range and uses this first duration as the duration of the first timer to start the first timer.

[0201] If multiple value ranges exist, the network side can specify a first value range from the multiple value ranges, or the terminal device can determine the first value range from the multiple value ranges itself. As mentioned above, the first information may include information about at least one value range, where the information about each value range may include the value range and the corresponding effective conditions. Then, the terminal device can determine the first value range from the multiple value ranges based on the effective conditions corresponding to the value range. Optionally, the terminal device can determine the first value range from the multiple value ranges based on one or more of the terminal device's RRC status, the user's priority, or the service type.

[0202] In one example, if the terminal device is in a connected state, it can use the value range corresponding to the connected state as the first value range; or, if the terminal device is in an idle state, it can use the value range corresponding to the idle state as the first value range; or, if the user on the terminal device is a high-priority user, it can use the value range corresponding to the high-priority user as the first value range; or, if the service the terminal device needs to send is an urgent service, the terminal device may not start the first timer, or it can use the value range corresponding to the urgent service as the first value range; or, if the service the terminal device needs to send is a normal service, it can use the value range corresponding to the normal service as the first value range. Optionally, when the terminal device meets the conditions for the validity of multiple value ranges, the terminal device can select the first value range from these multiple value ranges. For example, if the terminal device is in a connected state and is a high-priority user, then the terminal device can select one of the value ranges corresponding to the connected state and the value range corresponding to the high-priority user as the first value range. For example, the terminal device can select according to a specified rule, such as prioritizing the selection of value ranges with smaller or larger values. Alternatively, the terminal device can treat multiple value ranges together, that is, it can select the first duration from these two value ranges.

[0203] Optionally, the terminal device randomly selects a first duration from a first value range. In other words, the first duration selected by the terminal device is random. This increases the probability that different terminal devices will select different first durations, helping to stagger the transmission timing of the first signaling from different terminal devices and reducing the probability of signaling storms. In this embodiment, the value within the range can also be called a random value, and the range can also be called a random value range; no specific limitation is imposed.

[0204] Step 303: If the first timer expires, the terminal device sends the first signaling. For example, it sends the first signaling to the first access network device or network device. If the first signaling is NAS signaling, the terminal device may send the first signaling to the core network device. If the first signaling is access layer signaling, the terminal device may send the first signaling to the first access network device.

[0205] In this embodiment, the first timer can also be called a signaling storm timer. If the first signaling is NAS signaling, the first timer can also be called a NAS signaling storm timer. If the first signaling is access layer signaling, the first timer can also be called an access layer signaling storm timer.

[0206] Based on this implementation method, the terminal device can delay sending the first signaling by starting a first timer, thereby reducing the concentration and suddenness of the first signaling and lowering the probability of signaling storms. For multiple terminal devices, the timing of signaling transmission by different terminal devices can be staggered to reduce the number of terminal devices initiating signaling simultaneously, thus achieving the effect of suppressing signaling storms.

[0207] The above introduction primarily uses the first timer as an example. However, in real-world scenarios, besides using a single first timer to control the first signaling, multiple timers can be configured. Different timers can be used to control different signaling. For instance, different timers can be configured for different service types. The terminal device can then activate different timers for different service types, such as one timer for urgent services, one timer for high-priority services, and one timer for ordinary services, allowing for targeted control of various services and improving the accuracy of control.

[0208] As an example, taking the network device as AMF and the first access network device as base station 1, the terminal device sends a registration request to the AMF. The AMF can send signaling storm suppression information to the terminal device through CUC or a registration acceptance message after accepting the terminal device's registration. This information indicates the value ranges corresponding to connected state, idle state, high-priority users, and different service types. Based on the fact that HighSpeedMeasFlag configured as true in SIB1 sent by base station 1, the terminal device determines that base station 1 is the base station of the high-speed rail cell.

[0209] When a terminal device needs to switch to base station 1, because the TAI of base station 1 is different from that of the terminal device's source base station, the terminal device needs to trigger a registration process. Therefore, the terminal device selects a value from the range of values ​​for the connected state as the first duration of the first timer, starts the first timer, and only sends a registration request after the first timer expires. Alternatively, the terminal device selects a value from the range of values ​​for the idle state as the first duration of the first timer, starts the first timer, and only sends a registration request after the first timer expires.

[0210] When a terminal device needs to send a service request, it can select a value from the range of high-priority values ​​as the first duration of the first timer, and start the first timer. The terminal device will only send the service request after the first timer expires.

[0211] The control of NAS signaling in this example can also be applied to access layer signaling. In the above description, the registration request or service request can be replaced with access layer signaling.

[0212] This application also provides a communication method. Please refer to the embodiments therein. Figure 4 Here is a flowchart of the method.

[0213] Step 401: The network device sends third information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information.

[0214] Optionally, the network device can be a core network device, such as an AMF.

[0215] The third information is used to indicate information related to signaling storm suppression. This third information can also be called signaling storm suppression information or signaling storm suppression parameters. The third information indicates the effective conditions of the first strategy, which is used to suppress signaling storms. This can be understood as the network device sending the effective conditions to the terminal device to inform it under what circumstances the first strategy needs to be used to suppress signaling storms, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0216] The effective condition can include the number of first signaling messages sent within a first time period being greater than or equal to a first threshold. In other words, the number of first signaling messages that a terminal device can send within a certain period can be limited to prevent the terminal device from sending a large number of first signaling messages in a short period, thus avoiding a signaling storm. For example, a terminal device might repeatedly send some signaling messages in certain scenarios, leading to a signaling storm. Figure 1bAs shown in the examples, for these scenarios, the signaling storm caused by the terminal device forming a loop of signaling can be suppressed by limiting the number of first signaling messages that the terminal device can send.

[0217] The first strategy can be defined as follows: the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold. Alternatively, it can be defined as the interval between the first and last first signaling messages sent in N consecutive transmissions being less than or equal to the first duration. The former can be understood as limiting the number of signaling messages sent within a time window, where the duration of the time window is the first duration. In this approach, a sliding time window can be used to detect the number of signaling messages sent within each time window to determine if the number is greater than or equal to the first threshold, thus deciding whether to adopt the first strategy. The latter can be understood as limiting the duration of a quantity window, where the number of signaling messages included in the quantity window is the first threshold. In this approach, a quantity window can be used to detect the transmission time interval of signaling messages at the boundary points of the quantity window to determine if the transmission time interval is less than or equal to the first duration, thus deciding whether to adopt the first strategy.

[0218] Optionally, the third information can be included in the registration acceptance message. For example, when a terminal device sends a registration request to a network device, the network side, upon accepting the terminal device's registration, can send a registration acceptance message to the terminal device, which carries the third information. Alternatively, the third information can be included in the CUC (Confirmation Unlocked). If the third information is carried through the CUC, the CUC can be sent to the terminal device during the registration process or after registration is complete. In one example, the network device can be a core network device, such as an AMF (Active Network Controller), which can send the third information to the terminal device via the registration acceptance message or the CUC. The third information can also be carried through other possible messages, such as downlink direct transfer NAS (NAS) signaling, without specific limitations.

[0219] Optionally, the third information may indicate one or more of the first signaling, the first duration, or the first threshold.

[0220] The third information indicates the first duration, which can be understood as the third information indicating the value of the first duration. For example, the third information includes the value of the first duration. Alternatively, the third information may indicate the index of the value of the first duration. Optionally, the value of the first duration may be related to the user's priority and / or service type. The network device can determine the first duration configured for the terminal device based on the user's priority and / or service type corresponding to the terminal device. For example, the higher the user's priority, the smaller the value of the first duration can be, which is equivalent to relaxing the restrictions on high-priority users. As another example, the higher the urgency or real-time nature of the service type, the smaller the value of the first duration can be, which is equivalent to relaxing the restrictions on urgent services.

[0221] The third information indicates the first threshold, which can be understood as indicating the value of the first threshold. For example, the third information includes the value of the first threshold. Alternatively, the third information may indicate an index of the value of the first threshold. Optionally, the value of the first threshold may be related to the user's priority and / or service type. The network device can determine the first threshold configured for the terminal device based on the user's priority and / or service type corresponding to the terminal device. For example, the higher the user's priority, the larger the value of the first threshold can be, which is equivalent to relaxing the restrictions on high-priority users. As another example, the higher the urgency or real-time nature of the service type, the larger the value of the first threshold can be, which is equivalent to relaxing the restrictions on urgent services.

[0222] Understandably, in order to suppress signaling storms, the values ​​of the first duration and the first threshold can be determined based on the values ​​specified in the signaling storm triggering conditions in the protocol. For example, the value of the first duration can be greater than the duration specified in the protocol, and the value of the first threshold can be less than the number of signaling requests specified in the protocol.

[0223] The third information indicating the first signaling can be understood as indicating which signaling to suppress signaling storms for, or which signaling to which the first policy applies. For example, the third information may not indicate or may not include information about the first signaling, which can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for all signaling or the total signaling. Alternatively, the third information may indicate (or include) information about the first signaling, which can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for specific signaling. For example, the information about the first signaling may indicate (or include) the type of the first signaling, and the terminal device can count the number of these types of signaling to determine whether the conditions for the first policy to take effect are met. For example, signaling storm suppression can be applied to uplink direct transfer signaling, which may be, for example, uplink direct transfer NAS (NAS) signaling. Furthermore, the information about the first signaling may include the name of the signaling, used to indicate which signaling to suppress signaling storms for. As an example, the first signaling may include one or more of the following: a registration request; a deregistration request; a service request; a service request for a first service type, which can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for service requests of a specific service type; a PDU session establishment request; a PDU session establishment and release request; or a PDU session modification request. Optionally, the effectiveness conditions and the first policy can be configured independently according to the service type. This means that the effectiveness conditions and the first policy can be different for different service types. The terminal device can then count the number of service requests for different service types and determine whether the corresponding effectiveness conditions are met. For example, effectiveness conditions can be configured separately for SMS service or data packet service requests, allowing the terminal device to count the SMS service or data packet service requests separately.

[0224] The third information indicating the first signaling can be understood as indicating which situations (or ranges) of signaling sent should be suppressed to prevent signaling storms, or in other words, the third information can indicate which situations (or ranges) of signaling the first policy applies to. For example, the third information may not indicate a specific situation (or range), which can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for signaling sent in all situations (or all ranges). Alternatively, the third information may indicate a specific situation (or range), which can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for signaling sent in a specified situation (or range). For example, the information in the first signaling can indicate information about a specific situation (or range), and the terminal device can statistically analyze the signaling that meets the specific situation (or range) to determine whether the conditions for the first policy to take effect are met. As an example, the first signaling may include one or more of the following:

[0225] (1) Signaling transmitted in the first cell. In this case, the terminal device can perform statistics on the signaling transmitted in the first cell. For example, the third information may include the identifier of the first cell, such as the cell ID. Optionally, the first cell may include one or more cells, without specific limitations. Thus, signaling storm suppression can be implemented for some cells that are more prone to signaling storms, such as cells with underground parking garages or cells with blind redirection, to reduce the probability of signaling storms occurring in these cells.

[0226] (2) Signaling sent by the first TA. In this case, the terminal equipment can perform statistics on the signaling sent by the first TA. For example, the third information may include the identifier of the first TA, such as TAI or TAC. It is understood that TA can also be replaced by LA, RA, or SA, etc. Optionally, the first TA may include one or more TAs, without specific limitations. Thus, signaling storm suppression can be performed on some TAs that are more prone to signaling storms, so as to reduce the probability of signaling storms occurring in these cells.

[0227] (3) Signaling sent to the core network equipment of the first network standard. The network standard can also be described as a communication standard or communication domain. Network standards can include second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), 4G, 5G, or future possible network standards. This can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for signaling of the first network standard. In this case, the terminal equipment can statistically analyze the signaling sent using the first network standard. For example, if the first signaling is signaling from a 4G communication system, then when the terminal equipment sends signaling using the 4G network standard, it can statistically analyze the sent first signaling to determine whether it meets the validity conditions. Optionally, if the third information is sent to the terminal equipment by a network equipment of the first network standard, it can be understood as suppressing signaling storms for the signaling of that first network standard. In this way, the network equipment does not actually need to send information carrying the specified network standard. Alternatively, the third information can also carry information about the first network standard, such as the identifier of the first network standard.

[0228] (4) Signaling sent through the first PLMN. Different network operators have different PLMN identifiers; therefore, signaling sent through the first PLMN can also be understood as signaling sent through the first operator's network. This can be understood as suppressing signaling storms targeting the first PLMN. In this case, the terminal device can statistically analyze the signaling sent through the first PLMN to determine whether it meets the effective conditions. Optionally, if the third information is sent to the terminal device by the network device of the first PLMN, it can be understood as suppressing signaling storms targeting the signaling in that first PLMN. In this way, the network device does not actually need to send information carrying the specified PLMN. Alternatively, the third information can also carry information about the first PLMN, such as the identifier of the first PLMN.

[0229] (5) Signaling related to the first network slice. Signaling related to the first network slice can be understood as signaling sent to the first network slice. For example, the third information may include the name of the first network slice, such as AMF, SMF, or UDM. In this case, the terminal device can perform statistics on the signaling related to the first network slice to determine whether it meets the effective conditions. Optionally, the first network slice may include one or more network slices. Therefore, signaling storms can be suppressed for some network slices, reducing the probability of functional abnormalities in these network slices.

[0230] (6) Signaling transmitted via the first DN or the first AP. In this case, the terminal device can perform statistics on the signaling transmitted via the first DN or the first AP. In other words, when signaling is transmitted via the first DN or the first AP, the terminal device will perform signaling statistics to determine whether the effective conditions are met. For example, the third information may include the name of the first DN, i.e., the data network name (DNN), or the third information may include the name of the first AP, i.e., the access point name (APN). Optionally, the first DN may include one or more DNs, or the first AP may include one or more APs. Therefore, signaling storm suppression can be performed on some DNs or APs that are more prone to signaling storms, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0231] (7) Signaling related to the first PDU. In this case, the terminal device can perform statistics on the signaling related to the first PDU.

[0232] Optionally, different signaling storm suppression parameters can be configured for different user priorities, meaning that at least one of the first duration, first threshold, or first signaling (including type or range) in the aforementioned third information is different. Alternatively, different signaling storm suppression parameters can also be configured for different service types, meaning that at least one of the first duration, first threshold, or first signaling (including type or range) in the aforementioned third information is different.

[0233] It should be understood that one or more of the information in the third category mentioned above can be sent from the network device to the terminal device, or it can be predefined or preconfigured. Therefore, step 401 is an optional step. Figure 4 The information is shown in dashed lines. Additionally, one or more pieces of information in the third set can be sent at once.

[0234] Step 402: The terminal device determines that the number of first signaling messages sent within the first duration is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0235] The terminal device can detect specified signaling within a specified range based on third information to determine whether the effective conditions of the first strategy are met. If the effective conditions are met, i.e., the number of first signaling messages within a first time period is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device can process the first signaling messages according to the first strategy to achieve the effect of suppressing signaling storms. The first strategy can also be called a signaling storm suppression escape strategy, and there is no specific restriction on the name.

[0236] Optionally, the network side can configure various activation conditions for the terminal device. The values ​​of the condition parameters can differ under different activation conditions. The terminal device can determine the appropriate activation conditions based on its own circumstances and check whether the conditions are met. For example, the condition parameter may include a first duration, which the terminal device can determine based on user priority and / or service type. Another example is that the condition parameter may include a first threshold, which the terminal device can determine based on user priority and / or service type.

[0237] Step 403: The terminal device processes the first signaling according to the first policy.

[0238] In this embodiment, the first strategy is used to suppress signaling storms. It is understood that if the triggering condition or one of the aforementioned effective conditions of a signaling storm changes, the behavior of the terminal device may no longer meet the triggering condition or the aforementioned effective condition. Therefore, the first strategy includes any strategy that can change the triggering condition or the aforementioned effective condition of a signaling storm.

[0239] In one example, the first policy can be one or more of the following: processing the first signaling according to the first policy may include performing one or more of the following.

[0240] (1) Prohibit the transmission of the first signaling in the first cell during the second duration. This can be understood as prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling in the first cell for a period of time, so that the number or duration of signaling transmitted by the terminal device may not meet the triggering conditions or the above-mentioned effective conditions of the signaling storm, thereby reducing the probability of triggering the signaling storm.

[0241] (2) Send the first signaling in the second cell within the second time period, i.e., you can continue to try to send the first signaling after switching cells. Optionally, strategies (1) and (2) can be used in combination, i.e., the terminal device can prohibit the sending of the first signaling in the first cell for a period of time and switch to the second cell to send the first signaling. As an example, the third information can indicate that the number of first signaling sent in the first cell within the first time period does not exceed the first threshold. If the number of first signaling sent in the first cell within the first time period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device prohibits the sending of the first signaling in the first cell for a period of time and can try to send the first signaling in other cells.

[0242] (3) Prohibit the sending of the first signaling to the core network equipment of the first network standard during the second duration. This can be understood as prohibiting the sending of the first signaling using the first network standard for a period of time, so that the number or duration of signaling sent by the terminal equipment may not meet the triggering conditions or the above-mentioned effective conditions of the signaling storm, thereby reducing the probability of triggering the signaling storm.

[0243] (4) Send the first signaling to the core network device of the second network standard within the second time period, that is, it can switch the network standard and continue to try to send the first signaling. Optionally, strategy (3) and strategy (4) can be used in combination, that is, the terminal device can prohibit the sending of the first signaling using the first network standard for a period of time and switch to the second network standard to send the first signaling. As an example, the third information can indicate that the number of first signaling sent using the first network standard within the first time period does not exceed the first threshold. If the number of first signaling sent using the first network standard within the first time period is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device disables the first network standard for a period of time and can try to send the first signaling using the second network standard.

[0244] (5) Prohibit the transmission of the first signaling through the first PLMN during the second duration. This can be understood as prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling through the first PLMN for a period of time, so that the number or duration of signaling sent by the terminal device may not meet the triggering conditions or the above-mentioned effective conditions of the signaling storm, thereby reducing the probability of triggering the signaling storm.

[0245] (6) Send the first signaling through the second PLMN within the second duration, i.e., you can switch PLMNs and continue to try to send the first signaling. Optionally, strategies (5) and (6) can be used in combination, i.e., the terminal device can prohibit the sending of the first signaling through the first PLMN for a period of time and switch to the second PLMN to send the first signaling. As an example, the third information can indicate that the number of first signaling sent through the first PLMN within the first duration does not exceed the first threshold. If the number of first signaling sent through the first PLMN within the first duration is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device disables the first PLMN for a period of time and can try to send the first signaling through the second PLMN.

[0246] (7) Prohibit the sending of the first signaling message during the second duration. This can be understood as prohibiting the sending of the first signaling message for a period of time, so that the number or duration of signaling messages sent by the terminal device may not meet the triggering conditions or the above-mentioned effective conditions of the signaling storm, thereby reducing the probability of triggering the signaling storm.

[0247] (8) Prohibit the sending of first type of service requests during the second duration. This can be understood as prohibiting the sending of first type of first signaling for a period of time, so that the number or duration of signaling sent by the terminal device may not meet the triggering conditions or the above-mentioned effective conditions of signaling storm, thereby reducing the probability of triggering signaling storm.

[0248] (9) The first signaling is prohibited from being sent by the first TA during the second time period. Sending the first signaling by the first TA can be understood as sending the first information to the network device corresponding to that TA.

[0249] (10) Send the first signaling in the second TA within the second time period, that is, you can continue to try to send the first signaling after switching TA.

[0250] The strategies mentioned above can also be used in combination. For example, if strategy (1) and strategy (3) are combined, the terminal device will be prohibited from sending the first signaling to the core network device of the first network standard in the first cell during the second time period. Other combinations can be deduced similarly, and will not be elaborated further. Optionally, the strategies mentioned above can have different priorities. A high-priority strategy can be tried first. If the high-priority strategy still cannot achieve good results, then the lower-priority strategy can be tried.

[0251] If the second duration expires, the restrictions on the first cell, first network type, first PLMN, and first TA can be lifted, and the first signaling can be retransmitted in the restricted first cell, first network type, first PLMN, and first TA. The second duration can be controlled by the terminal device or indicated by the network device. It should be understood that the setting of the second duration should ensure that the signaling storm triggering condition or the above-mentioned effective condition is not met when the restriction is lifted. Optionally, the second duration can be a fixed duration or a duration determined based on the first duration. For example, if the above-mentioned effective condition is that the number of first signaling transmissions within T1 reaches N1 times, and the signaling storm triggering condition is that the number of first signaling transmissions within T2 reaches N2 times, the second duration can be greater than or equal to the difference between T1 and T2.

[0252] In this embodiment, the first signaling can be NAS signaling or access layer signaling. For example, access network equipment or core network equipment can suppress access layer signaling based on user subscription information or service type, such as suppressing frequent connection establishment requests.

[0253] In the above description, the terminal device checks whether the effective conditions of the first policy are met. However, in practical applications, the detection can also be performed on the network side. This way, the network device does not need to send third-party information to the terminal device, and the terminal device does not need to be aware of the effective conditions, reducing the terminal device's storage resource consumption and processing pressure. In other words, the network device can detect signaling storms in the first signaling from a terminal device. For example, when the network device receives the first signaling from a terminal device, it can check whether the aforementioned effective conditions are met or the signaling storm triggering conditions are about to be reached. When the aforementioned effective conditions are met or the signaling storm triggering conditions are about to be reached, for example, if the number of first signaling sent by a terminal device within a first time period is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the network device can send an instruction to the terminal device. This instruction can also be called a signaling storm suppression notification. This instruction can specify the first policy, and the terminal device can process the first signaling according to the first policy to reduce the probability of the terminal device triggering a signaling storm. For example, it can instruct the terminal device not to send registration requests or service requests of specific service types within a second time period. For example, it is possible to instruct the terminal device to block the second duration before continuing to send the first signaling on a certain cell, TAI, standard, PLMN, slice, DNN (APN), or PDU. The first strategy is explained above and will not be elaborated further.

[0254] Optionally, if the network device performs the condition detection, the network device can detect whether a single terminal meets the condition, or it can perform joint detection on multiple terminals, such as comprehensively detecting terminal devices with certain similar characteristics, terminal devices in a certain cell, or terminal devices in a certain TA.

[0255] Based on the above implementation method, the effective conditions for suppressing signaling storms can be detected. When the effective conditions are met, the first signaling can be processed according to the first strategy to achieve the effect of suppressing signaling storms. For example, in the case where a terminal device repeatedly sends signaling for some reason, the number of first signaling sent by the terminal device can be controlled based on this implementation method to reduce the probability of repeatedly sending the first signaling, thereby reducing the probability of sending a large number of first signaling in a short period of time and reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring.

[0256] This application also provides a communication method. Please refer to the embodiments therein. Figure 5 Here is a flowchart of the method.

[0257] Step 501: The terminal device sends a service request to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the service request.

[0258] For example, network equipment can be core network equipment, such as AMF (Active Network Provider). Service requests can be of any type, such as voice service requests, SMS service requests, PDU session service requests, or data service requests.

[0259] Step 502: The network device sends a service rejection message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the service rejection message.

[0260] If a network device rejects a service request from a terminal device, it can include a reason value in the service rejection message. Based on the severity of the rejection reason, reason values ​​can be categorized as either abnormal cases or non-abnormal cases. Abnormal case reason values ​​can also be called severe reason values, and non-abnormal case reason values ​​can be called non-severe reason values. For example, abnormal case reason values ​​can include 5GMM reasons other than those processed in Section 5.6.1.5 of the standard protocol, as well as 5GMM factor values ​​considered abnormal under Section 5.6.1.5, such as reason values ​​#11, #15, #22, #31, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, and #78. Non-abnormal case reason values ​​can be any reason value other than those indicating an abnormal situation, such as #111.

[0261] Step 503: Process the first signaling according to the second strategy. The second strategy is determined based on the service type of the service request and is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0262] When the service rejection message includes a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation, embodiments of this application can process the first signaling according to a second strategy to achieve the effect of signaling storm suppression. Optionally, the terminal device can process the first signaling according to the second strategy when the service rejection message includes a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation, under the instruction of the network device. Alternatively, processing the first signaling according to the second strategy when the service rejection message includes a cause value indicating a non-abnormal situation can also be predefined or pre-configured.

[0263] In this embodiment, the second strategy can be determined based on the service type of the service request. That is, the second strategy can differ depending on the service type, thereby allowing for the adoption of adaptive strategies to suppress signaling storms and meet the needs of different service types. Optionally, the terminal device can distinguish service types based on the name of the service request or the service type field of the service request.

[0264] As an example, service types can include a first service type, a second service type, and a third service type. The first service type has a higher real-time requirement than the second service type; that is, the first service type is a service with higher real-time requirements. For example, the first service type may include voice services or high-priority services. The second service type has a higher urgency requirement than the third service type; that is, the second service type is a service with higher urgency. For example, the second service type may include emergency call services or emergency SMS services. The third service type can be, for example, a regular service, such as an SMS service, a PDU session service, or a data service.

[0265] Optionally, when the service type is the first service type, the terminal device can re-initiate the service request after changing the network standard or network operator. For example, if the service request in step 501 is sent to the core network device of the first network standard, then the terminal device can send a first signaling message to the core network device of the second network standard, which can be the service request. In one example, when the terminal device determines that the service rejection message includes a non-abnormal reason value, the terminal device can send a registration request to the core network device of the second network standard. After the core network device replies with a registration acceptance message, the terminal device can continue to send service requests to the core network device of the second network standard to provide services through that core network device. As another example, if the service request in step 501 is sent through the first PLMN, then the terminal device can send the first signaling message through the second PLMN, which can also be the service request. In one example, when the terminal device determines that the service rejection message includes a non-abnormal reason value, the terminal device can send a registration request to the core network device of the second PLMN. After the core network device replies with a registration acceptance message, the terminal device can continue to send service requests to the core network device of the second PLMN to provide services through the core network device.

[0266] Therefore, if the real-time requirements of a service type are high, the terminal device can immediately switch network standards or network operators to send service requests to meet the real-time requirements of that type of service and reduce the probability of signaling storms.

[0267] Optionally, when the service type is the second service type, the terminal device can use a service transfer registration method. That is, the terminal device can re-register and re-attempt to send the service request to request service provision. For example, if the service request in step 501 is sent to the core network equipment of the first network standard (or the first PLMN), the terminal device can send a registration request to the core network equipment of the first network standard (or the first PLMN), meaning the first signaling is a registration request. Therefore, for services with lower real-time requirements but higher urgency, service can be obtained by re-registering to meet the urgent needs of such services. This also breaks the loop of terminal devices initiating service requests and reduces the probability of signaling storms.

[0268] Optionally, when the service type is the third service type, the terminal device can still continue to send service requests, but the number of service requests sent and / or the sending interval are limited to reduce the probability of the terminal device sending a large number of service requests in a short period of time and to reduce the probability of signaling storms. For example, the terminal device can send a service request once every three time intervals until the service is successful or the maximum number of requests is reached. Here, the first signaling is the service request. Optionally, the terminal device can start a timer. Each time the timer expires, the terminal device can send a service request. If the service request is rejected again, the terminal device waits for the timer to expire again before sending a service request. The duration of the timer can be a fixed value or a dynamically adjusted value, for example, the duration of the timer can be increased gradually. Furthermore, the terminal device can count the total number of service requests sent. When the maximum number of requests is reached, the terminal device will stop sending service requests.

[0269] When the service type is the third service type and the number of service request transmissions is greater than or equal to the maximum number, the terminal device can suppress the signaling storm by performing cell handover, tracking area handover, network standard handover, PLMN handover, etc. In one example, the terminal device can continue to attempt transmissions on the current network standard, for example, by re-triggering the registration process, or by prohibiting the transmission of service requests in the current cell for a certain period before re-transmitting service requests, or by prohibiting the transmission of service requests in the current TA for a certain period before re-transmitting service requests, etc. If the number of attempts on the current network standard also reaches the maximum number, the current network standard can be disabled for a period of time, or the device can switch to another network standard to attempt transmissions. If the number of attempts on the current PLMN also reaches the maximum number of attempts, the current PLMN can be disabled for a period of time, or the device can switch to another PLMN to attempt transmissions.

[0270] Based on the above implementation, when the terminal device receives a cause value representing a non-abnormal situation, it will also adopt a strategy to suppress signaling storms, reducing the probability of the terminal device repeatedly sending service requests, thereby reducing the probability of signaling storms occurring. Furthermore, the second strategy is determined based on the service type; the terminal device can select a strategy suitable for the current service to meet the actual needs of the current service and improve the service experience.

[0271] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application above are described using network devices and terminal devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the network device and terminal device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0272] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device. The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be repeated.

[0273] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application is provided. The communication device 600 may be... Figures 3-5 The terminal device or circuit system of any of the embodiments shown is used to implement the method corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 600 may be... Figures 3-5 The network device or circuit system of any of the embodiments shown is used to implement the method corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0274] The communication device 600 includes at least one processor 601. The processor 601 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 601 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 601 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0275] Optionally, the communication device 600 includes one or more memories 603 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 603 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0276] Optionally, the communication device 600 includes a communication line 602 and at least one communication interface 604. Since the memory 603, communication line 602, and communication interface 604 are all optional, therefore... Figure 6 All are represented by dashed lines.

[0277] Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 600 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0278] Processor 601 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0279] Communication line 602 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0280] Communication interface 604 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0281] The memory 603 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 603 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 601 via communication line 602. Alternatively, the memory 603 may be integrated with the processor 601.

[0282] The memory 603 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the scheme of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 601. The processor 601 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 603, thereby realizing... Figures 3-5 The steps performed by the terminal device or network device described in the illustrated embodiments.

[0283] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0284] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the processor 601 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 6 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0285] In a specific implementation, as one example, the communication device 600 may include multiple processors, such as... Figure 6 Processors 601 and 605 are described herein. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. A processor here may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0286] when Figure 6When the device shown is a chip, such as a chip in a terminal device or network device, or in other words, the terminal device or network device is a chip, then the chip includes a processor 601 (and may also include a processor 605), a communication line 602, and a communication interface 604. Optionally, it may include a memory 603. Specifically, the communication interface 604 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 603 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 601 and processor 605 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the communication method of any of the above embodiments.

[0287] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0288] For example, when dividing functional modules according to their respective functions, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus 700, which may be a terminal device or network device involved in the above-described method embodiments, or a chip in a terminal device or network device. The apparatus 700 includes a processing unit 702 and a transceiver unit 701.

[0289] For example, the device 700 can be a terminal device, or the device 700 can be a chip in the terminal device.

[0290] In the first implementation, the processing unit 702 can be used to start a first timer when a first condition is met. The duration of the first timer is a first duration obtained from a first value range. The transceiver unit 701 can be used to send a first signaling message when the first timer times out.

[0291] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the first duration is randomly selected from a first value range. For example, processing unit 702 can also be used to randomly select the first duration from the first value range.

[0292] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the first condition includes the terminal device being located in a first region, or the first condition includes the first access network device being of a first type, and the first access network device being the target access network device of the terminal device.

[0293] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the first value range is determined based on one or more of the following information: the RRC status of the terminal device; the user's priority; or, the service type. For example, multiple value ranges may exist, and the processing unit 702 may also be used to determine the first value range from multiple value ranges based on one or more of the following: the RRC status of the terminal device; the user's priority; or, the service type.

[0294] In one possible implementation of the first method, the transceiver unit 701 can also be used to receive first information, which includes one or more of the following: information about a first region; information about a first type; or information about at least one value range, wherein the information of each value range in the at least one value range includes the value range and the corresponding effective condition, and the at least one value range includes a first value range.

[0295] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the first information may be included in the registration acceptance message, or the first information may be included in the CUC, or the first information may be included in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0296] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the type of the first access network device is a first type, including: when the first indication information sent by the first access network device indicates that the measurement configuration supports the high-speed mobile scenario, the type of the first access network device is a first type; the first access network device corresponds to a first area; or, the first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and the type of each access network device in the at least one access network device is a first type.

[0297] In one possible implementation of the first method, the transceiver unit 701 can also be used to receive second information, which is used to indicate information of the access network device corresponding to the first area, or the second information is used to indicate information of at least one access network device, wherein each of the at least one access network device is of a first type, and the at least one access network device includes a first access network device.

[0298] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the first signaling is NAS signaling or access stratum signaling.

[0299] In the second implementation, the processing unit 702 can be used to process the first signaling according to a first strategy when the number of first signaling sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold. The first strategy is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0300] In one possible implementation of the second approach, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to receive third information. This third information indicates one or more of the following: a first duration; a first threshold; or, a first signaling.

[0301] In one possible implementation of the second approach, the first signaling may include one or more of the following: a registration request; a deregistration request; a service request; a service request for a first service type; a PDU session establishment request; a PDU session establishment release request; or a PDU session modification request.

[0302] In one possible implementation of the second method, the first signaling includes one or more of the following: signaling transmitted in the first cell; signaling transmitted in the first tracking area; signaling transmitted to the core network equipment of the first network standard; signaling transmitted through the first PLMN; signaling related to the first network slice; signaling transmitted through the first DNN or the first access point; or, signaling related to the first PDU.

[0303] In one possible implementation of the second approach, the first strategy is one or more of the following: prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling in the first cell during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling in the second cell during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling in the first TA during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling to the core network equipment of the first network standard during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling to the core network equipment of the second network standard during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling through the first PLMN during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling through the second PLMN during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling during the second duration; or, prohibiting the transmission of service requests of the first type during the second duration.

[0304] In the third implementation, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to send service requests and receive service rejection messages, which include a reason value representing a non-abnormal situation. The processing unit 702 can be used to process the first signaling according to a second strategy, which is determined based on the service type of the service request and is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0305] In one possible implementation of the third approach, processing the first signaling according to the second strategy includes: when the service type is a first service type, sending the first signaling to the core network equipment of the second network standard, wherein the service request is a request sent to the core network equipment of the first network standard; when the service type is a first service type, sending the first signaling through the second PLMN, wherein the service request is sent through the first PLMN; when the service type is a second service type, sending a registration request to the core network equipment of the first network standard, wherein the first signaling is a registration request; wherein the real-time requirement of the first service type is higher than that of the second service type; when the service type is a third service type, sending the service request every third time interval until the service is successful or the maximum number of times is reached, wherein the first signaling is a service request; wherein the urgency of the second service type is higher than that of the third service type; or, when the service type is a third service type and the number of times the service request is sent is greater than or equal to the maximum number of times, performing one or more of the following: cell handover, tracking area handover, network standard handover, communication network handover, or network operator handover.

[0306] For example, the device 700 can be a network device, or the device 700 can be a chip in a network device.

[0307] In the first implementation, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to send first information to the terminal device. The first information is used to indicate at least one value range. The at least one value range includes candidate values ​​of the duration of the first timer. The first timer is used by the terminal device to delay sending the first signaling when the first condition is met.

[0308] In one possible implementation of the first method, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to send first information to the terminal device when a second condition is met. The second condition includes one or more of the following: the terminal device is located in a first area; a first access network device is located in the first area, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device; or, the type of the first access network device is a first type.

[0309] In one possible implementation of the first implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following: information about a first region; information about a first type; or, information about at least one value range, wherein the information for each value range includes the value range and the corresponding effective condition.

[0310] In one possible implementation of the first implementation method, the effective conditions corresponding to each value range include one or more of the following: the RRC state of the terminal device is the first RRC state; the user's priority is the first priority; or, the service type is the first service type.

[0311] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the first information may be included in the registration acceptance message, or the first information may be included in the CUC, or the first information may be included in the RRC reconfiguration message.

[0312] In one possible implementation of the first implementation, the type of the first access network device is a first type, including one or more of the following: the first access network device sends a first indication information indicating a measurement configuration that supports high-speed mobile scenarios; the first access network device corresponds to a first area; or, the first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and the type of each access network device in the at least one access network device is the first type.

[0313] In one possible implementation of the first approach, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to send second information to the terminal device. The second information is used to indicate information about the access network device corresponding to the first area, or the second information is used to indicate information about at least one access network device, where each of the at least one access network device is of a first type, and the at least one access network device includes a first access network device.

[0314] In one possible implementation of the first implementation, the first signaling is either non-access stratum (NAS) signaling or access stratum signaling.

[0315] In the second implementation, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to send third information to the terminal device. The third information indicates the effective conditions of the first strategy. The effective conditions include that the number of first signaling sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold. The first strategy is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0316] In one possible implementation of the second approach, the processing unit 702 may be configured to determine a first duration based on the user's priority and / or service type; and / or to determine a first threshold based on the user's priority and / or service type.

[0317] In one possible implementation of the second implementation, the first signaling may include one or more of the following: a registration request; a deregistration request; a service request; a service request of a first service type, which can be understood as detecting service requests for a specific service type, rather than all service requests; a PDU session establishment request; a PDU session establishment release request; or a PDU session modification request.

[0318] In one possible implementation of the second method, the first signaling includes one or more of the following: signaling transmitted in the first cell; signaling transmitted in the first tracking area; signaling transmitted to the core network equipment of the first network standard; signaling transmitted via the first PLMN; signaling associated with the first slice; signaling transmitted via the first DNN or the first access point; or, signaling associated with the first PDU.

[0319] In one possible implementation of the second approach, the first strategy is one or more of the following: prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling in the first cell during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling in the second cell during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling to the core network equipment of the first network standard during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling to the core network equipment of the second network standard during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling through the first PLMN during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling through the second PLMN during the second duration; prohibiting the transmission of the first signaling during the second duration; or, prohibiting the transmission of service requests of the first type during the second duration.

[0320] In the third implementation, the transceiver unit 701 can be used to send indication information to the terminal device. This indication information is used to indicate that, if the service rejection message includes a cause value representing a non-abnormal situation, the first signaling should be processed according to the second strategy. The second strategy is determined by the service type and is used to suppress signaling storms.

[0321] In one possible implementation, the second strategy can have several implementations. A first implementation involves the terminal device sending a first signaling message to the core network equipment of the second network standard when the service type is the first service type. A second implementation involves sending the first signaling message through the second PLMN when the service type is the first service type, with the service request sent through the first communication network. A third implementation involves sending a registration request to the core network equipment of the first network standard when the service type is the second service type, i.e., the first signaling message is a registration request. Here, the real-time requirement for the first service type is higher than that for the second service type. A fourth implementation involves sending a service request every third time interval when the service type is the third service type, until the service is successful or the maximum number of requests is reached, i.e., the first signaling message is a service request. Here, the urgency of the second service type is higher than that of the third service type. A fifth implementation involves performing one or more of the following when the service type is the third service type and the number of service request transmissions is greater than or equal to the maximum number: cell handover, tracking area handover, network standard handover, communication network handover, or network operator handover.

[0322] It should be understood that the device 700 can be used to implement the steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the communication method of the embodiments of this application, and the relevant features can be referred to above. Figures 3-5 The embodiments shown are not described in detail here.

[0323] Optional, Figure 7 The functions / implementation process of the transceiver unit 701 and the processing unit 702 can be obtained through Figure 6 The processor 601 in the memory calls computer execution instructions stored in memory 603 to implement the function. Alternatively, Figure 7 The function / implementation process of the processing unit 702 can be achieved through... Figure 6 The processor 601 in the memory calls computer execution instructions stored in the memory 603 to implement this. Figure 7 The function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 701 can be obtained through Figure 6 It is implemented using the communication interface 604.

[0324] Optionally, when the device 700 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 701 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 701 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, whereby the transmitting unit implements the transmitting function and the receiving unit implements the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 701 may be an integral module capable of implementing both transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 701 can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0325] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by a terminal device or network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a 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, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0326] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by a terminal device or a network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0327] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0328] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0329] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0330] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the various devices described above. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the various devices described above.

[0331] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0332] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0333] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device or network device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: If the first condition is met, the first timer is started. The duration of the first timer is a first duration, which is obtained from a first value range. If the first timer times out, the first signaling is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first condition includes: The terminal device is located in the first area; or... The first access network device is of type 1, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first range of values ​​is determined based on one or more of the following information: Radio Resource Control (RRC) status of the terminal device; User priority; or, Business type.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, which includes one or more of the following: Information for the first area; First type of information; or, Information on at least one value range, wherein the information for each value range includes the value range and the corresponding effective condition, and the at least one value range includes the first value range.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first access network device is of type 1, including one or more of the following: The first indication information sent by the first access network device indicates support for measurement configuration in high-speed mobile scenarios; The first access network device corresponds to the first area; or... The first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and each of the at least one access network device is of the first type.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, the second information being used to indicate information about the access network device corresponding to the first area, or, the second information being used to indicate information about the at least one access network device, wherein each of the at least one access network device is of the first type, and the at least one access network device includes the first access network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first signaling is non-access stratum (NAS) signaling and / or access stratum signaling.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a network device, the method includes: Send first information to the terminal device, the first information being used to indicate at least one value range, the at least one value range including candidate values ​​for the duration of a first timer, the first timer being used by the terminal device to delay sending the first signaling when a first condition is met.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, Sending the first information to the terminal device includes: If the second condition is met, the first information is sent to the terminal device; The second condition includes one or more of the following: The terminal device is located in the first area; The first access network device is located in the first area, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device; or... The first access network device is of type 1, and the first access network device is the target access network device of the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: Information about the first region; The first type of information; or, The information of the at least one value range, wherein the information of each value range includes the value range and the corresponding effective condition.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The effective conditions corresponding to each value range include one or more of the following: The RRC status of the terminal device is the first RRC status; The user's priority is first priority; or, The business type is the first business type.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The first access network device is of type 1, including one or more of the following: The first access network device supports measurement configuration for high-speed mobile scenarios; The first access network device corresponds to the first area; or... The first access network device is included in at least one access network device, and each of the at least one access network device is of the first type.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second information to the terminal device, the second information being used to indicate information of the access network device corresponding to the first area, or the second information being used to indicate information of at least one access network device, wherein the type of each access network device in the at least one access network device is the first type, and the at least one access network device includes the first access network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that, The first signaling is NAS signaling and / or access layer signaling.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: If the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first signaling messages are processed according to a first strategy, which is used to suppress signaling storms.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information, which indicates one or more of the following: The first duration; The first threshold; or, The first signaling.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a network device, the method includes: A third message is sent to the terminal device, the third message indicating the effective conditions of the first strategy, the effective conditions including the number of first signaling messages sent within a first duration being greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first strategy being used to suppress signaling storms.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first duration is determined based on the user's priority and / or service type; and / or, The first threshold is determined based on the user's priority and / or service type.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that, The first signaling includes one or more of the following: Registration request; Send a registration request; Business request; The first type of business request; Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request; PDU session establishment release request; or, PDU session modification request.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that, The first signaling includes one or more of the following: Signaling sent in the first cell; Signaling sent in the first tracking area; Signaling sent to the core network device of the first network standard; Signaling transmitted via the first public land mobile network (PLMN); Signaling associated with the first network slice; Signaling transmitted via the first data network DNN or the first access point APN; or, Signaling associated with the first PDU.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that, The first strategy is one or more of the following: The first signaling shall be prohibited from being sent in the first cell during the second duration. The first signaling is transmitted in the second cell within the second duration; During the second duration, the first signaling shall not be sent to the core network device of the first network standard; Within the second duration, the first signaling is sent to the core network device of the second network standard; During the second duration, the first signaling shall be prohibited from being sent through the first PLMN; The first signaling is transmitted via the second PLMN within the second duration; The first signaling is prohibited from being sent during the second duration; or, Sending the first type of service request is prohibited during the second duration.

22. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Send a service request; Receive a service rejection message, the service rejection message including a reason value representing a non-abnormal situation; The first signaling is processed according to a second strategy, which is determined based on the service type of the service request. The second strategy is used to suppress signaling storms.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The processing of the first signaling according to the second strategy includes any one of the following: When the service type is the first service type, the first signaling is sent to the core network device of the second network standard, and the service request is a request sent to the core network device of the first network standard. When the service type is the first service type, the first signaling is sent through the second PLMN, and the service request is sent through the first PLMN; When the service type is the second service type, a registration request is sent to the core network device of the first network standard, and the first signaling is the registration request; wherein, the real-time requirements of the first service type are higher than those of the second service type; When the service type is the third service type, the service request is sent every third time interval until the service is successful or the maximum number of requests is reached, and the first signaling is the service request; wherein, the urgency of the second service type is higher than that of the third service type; or, If the service type is the third service type and the number of times the service request is sent is greater than or equal to the maximum number, one or more of the following will be performed: cell handover, tracking area handover, network standard handover, communication network handover, or network operator handover.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, 15-16, 19-21 and 22-23, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8-14 and 17-21.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, 15-16, 19-21, and 22-23, or for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8-14 and 17-21.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, 15-16, 19-21, and 22-23 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 8-14 and 17-21 to be performed.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, 15-16, 19-21, and 22-23, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8-14 and 17-21.

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