Communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product and program

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device, equipment, storage medium, chip, product and program, and the method comprises: a terminal device receives first information sent by a first network device; the terminal device determines whether to use a first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen to paging based on the first information; wherein the first eDRX parameter comprises a first eDRX cycle and / or a paging time window (PTW); and the first eDRX cycle is greater than a predetermined cycle.

Description

[0001] Case Analysis This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on July 6, 2022, with application number 202280094072.X and the invention title "Communication Method, Apparatus, Device, Storage Medium, Chip, Product and Program". Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product, and program. Background Technology

[0003] Release 17 introduced the Extended Discontinuous Reception (eDRX) mechanism, which enables terminal devices to save power by supporting longer paging cycles.

[0004] In related technologies, different network devices support eDRX functionality differently; for example, some network devices support longer eDRX periods, while others support shorter ones. However, this field has not considered how terminal devices listen for paging when different network devices support different eDRX periods. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, chip, product, and program.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal device receiving first information sent by a first network device; the terminal device determining, based on the first information, whether to use a first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging; wherein the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0007] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising: a first network device sending first information to a terminal device; the first network device determining, based on the first information, whether to send a paging message using a first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter; wherein the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0008] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, the method comprising: a second network device sending a paging message carrying a first eDRX parameter to a first network device; wherein the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window PTW; and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0009] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a communication unit for receiving first information sent by a first network device; and a determination unit for determining, based on the first information, whether to use a first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to monitor paging; wherein the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0010] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a communication unit for sending first information to a terminal device; and a determining unit for determining, based on the first information, whether to send a paging message using first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameters; wherein the first eDRX parameters include a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, comprising: a communication unit, configured to send a paging message carrying first eDRX parameters to a first network device; wherein the first eDRX parameters include a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window PTW; and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a terminal device, including: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and the processor executes the program to implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0013] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a first network device, including: a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program executable on the processor, the processor executing the program to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a second network device, including: a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the method described in the third aspect.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer storage medium storing one or more programs, which can be executed by one or more processors to implement the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0016] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory to perform the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0017] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, the computer program product including a computer storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program including instructions executable by at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implement the methods described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0018] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that causes a computer to perform the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects.

[0019] In this embodiment, the terminal device receives first information sent by a first network device; based on the first information, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging; wherein, the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period. Thus, the terminal device's determination of whether to use the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging based on the first information improves the flexibility of paging listening, and when the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging, the first eDRX period is greater than the predetermined period, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring and paging in a terminal device, provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another method for terminal device listening to paging provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another method for terminal device monitoring and paging provided in this application embodiment; Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another method for terminal device listening to paging provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring and paging in a terminal device, provided as another embodiment of this application; Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring and paging in a terminal device, provided in yet another embodiment of this application; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural composition of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14 A schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in this application embodiment; Figure 15 This is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application can be combined arbitrarily without conflict. In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario of an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 may include a terminal device 110, a network device 120, and a core network device 130. The network device 120 can communicate with the terminal device 110 via an air interface. Multi-service transmission is supported between the terminal device 110 and the network device 120.

[0024] It should be understood that the embodiments of this application are only illustrated by way of example with communication system 100, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. That is to say, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Internet of Things (IoT) system, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, enhanced Machine-Type Communications (eMTC) system, 5G communication system (also known as New Radio (NR) communication system), or future communication systems (such as 6G, 7G communication systems), etc.

[0025] The network device 120 in this embodiment may include an access network device. The access network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with terminal devices 110 (e.g., UEs) located within that coverage area.

[0026] The terminal equipment in this application may be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), user unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. Terminal devices may include one or more of the following, or a combination of at least two: Internet of Things (IoT) devices, satellite terminals, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, servers, mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, PDAs, desktop computers, PDAs, portable media players, smart speakers, navigation devices, smartwatches, smart glasses, smart necklaces and other wearable devices, pedometers, digital TVs, Virtual Reality (VR) terminal devices, Augmented Reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. Wireless terminals in the home, as well as vehicles, in-vehicle equipment, in-vehicle modules, wireless modems, handheld devices, customer premises equipment (CPE), smart home appliances, etc. in the vehicle networking system.

[0027] Optionally, terminal device 110 can be any terminal device, including but not limited to terminal devices that are connected to network device 120 or other terminal devices via wired or wireless connections.

[0028] Optionally, the terminal device 110 can be used for device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0029] Access network equipment may include one or a combination of at least the following: Evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG RAN) equipment, base stations (gNB) in NR systems, small cells, micro cells, radio controllers in Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN), access points for Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), transmission reception points (TRPs), relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable devices, hubs, switches, bridges, routers, and network equipment in the future Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc.

[0030] The core network device 130 can be a 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC) device, which may include one or a combination of at least two of the following: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), User Plane Function (UPF), Session Management Function (SMF), Location Management Function (LMF), and Policy Control Function (PCF). In other embodiments, the core network device may also be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) device of an LTE network, for example, a Session Management Function + Core Packet Gateway (SMF+PGW-C) device. It should be understood that SMF+PGW-C can simultaneously implement the functions that SMF and PGW-C can perform. During network evolution, the aforementioned core network equipment 130 may also be called by other names, or new network entities may be formed by dividing the functions of the core network. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0031] The various functional units in the communication system 100 can also communicate with each other through next-generation (NG) interfaces. For example, the terminal device establishes an air interface connection with the access network device through the NR interface for transmitting user plane data and control plane signaling; the terminal device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through NG interface 1 (N1); the access network device, such as the next-generation radio access base station (gNB), can establish a user plane data connection with the UPF through NG interface 3 (N3); the access network device can establish a control plane signaling connection with the AMF through NG interface 2 (N2); the UPF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through NG interface 4 (N4); the UPF can interact with the data network to exchange user plane data through NG interface 6 (N6); the AMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the SMF through NG interface 11 (N11); and the SMF can establish a control plane signaling connection with the PCF through NG interface 7 (N7).

[0032] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment shows a base station, a core network device, and two terminal devices. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple base station devices, and each base station may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0033] It should be noted that, Figure 1This application merely illustrates the system to which this application applies; of course, the methods shown in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other systems. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this application generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a related relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, for example, A instructs C, B can be obtained through C; or it can mean that there is a related relationship between A and B. It should also be understood that "correspondence" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an related relationship between two things, or a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc. It should also be understood that the "predefined," "protocol agreement," "predetermined," or "predefined rule" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in a protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the "protocol" can refer to standard protocols in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0034] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of this application are described below. The following relevant technologies are optional solutions and can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application in any way, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0035] Currently, with people's pursuit of speed, latency, high-speed mobility, and energy efficiency, as well as the diversity and complexity of business in future life, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) international standards organization has begun to develop 5G. The main application scenarios of 5G are: Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC).

[0036] eMBB still aims to provide users with multimedia content, services, and data, and its demand is growing rapidly. On the other hand, because eMBB may be deployed in different scenarios, such as indoors, urban areas, and rural areas, its capabilities and needs vary considerably. Therefore, generalizations cannot be made; a detailed analysis based on the specific deployment scenario is necessary. Typical applications of URLLC include industrial automation, power automation, remote medical operations (surgery), and traffic safety assurance. Typical characteristics of mMTC include high connection density, small data volume, latency-insensitive services, low module cost, and long module lifespan.

[0037] NR can also be deployed independently. In a 5G network environment, to reduce air interface signaling and quickly restore wireless connections and data services, a new Radio Resource Control (RRC) state is defined: RRC inactive or RRC deactivated (RRC_INACTIVE) state. This state is different from the RRC idle (RRC_IDLE) and RRC active (RRC_ACTIVE) states. The RRC active state can be interpreted as the same as the RRC connected (RRC_CONNECTED) state. In any embodiment of this application, RRC_INACTIVE and INACTIVE are interpreted as the same, and RRC_IDLE and IDLE are interpreted as the same.

[0038] RRC_IDLE: Mobility is based on UE-based cell selection and reselection. Paging is initiated by the Core Network (CN), and the paging area is configured by the CN. There is no UE Access Stratum (AS) context on the base station side. No RRC connection exists.

[0039] RRC_CONNECTED: An RRC connection exists, and the base station and UE share a UE AS context. The network side knows the UE's location at the cell level. Mobility is network-controlled. Unicast data can be transmitted between the UE and the base station.

[0040] RRC_INACTIVE: Mobility is based on UE cell selection reselection, there is a connection between CN and NR, the UE AS context exists on a certain base station, paging is triggered by the Radio Access Network (RAN), the RAN-based paging area is managed by the RAN, and the network side knows the UE's location at the RAN-based paging area level.

[0041] The following explains the NR paging mechanism: The main function of paging is to enable the network to page the UE in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state via paging messages, or to notify the UE of system message changes or earthquake / tsunami / public warning information via short messages (applicable to all RRC states of the UE, including connected state).

[0042] Paging may include a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) scrambled with a Paging-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI), and a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) scheduled by the PDCCH. Paging messages are transmitted in the PDSCH, and short messages are 8 bits and are also included in the PDCCH.

[0043] For UEs in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE states, since there is no other data communication between the UE and the network, to save power, the UE can listen to the Paging channel discontinuously, i.e., using the Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mechanism. Under the Paging DRX mechanism, the UE only needs to listen to Paging during one paging occasion (PO) within each DRX cycle. A PO consists of a series of consecutive PDCCH listening occasions and can be composed of multiple time slots. There is also the concept of a Paging Frame (PF), which refers to a radio frame (fixed at 10ms) that can contain multiple POs or the start positions of multiple POs.

[0044] The paging cycle period is determined by both the common period in system broadcast and the dedicated period configured in higher-layer signaling (Non-Access Stratum, NAS) signaling. The UE takes the shorter of these two periods as its paging cycle period. From a network perspective, a paging cycle can have multiple point of sale (PO). The location of the PO that the UE listens to is related to the UE's ID. The specific method for determining the PF and PO for a particular UE in a paging cycle is as follows: The System Frame Number (SFN) of a Power PF is determined by the following formula: (SFN + PF_offset) mod T = (T div N) (UE_ID mod N); The index (i_s) of the PO within a PF is determined by the following formula: i_s = floor (UE_ID / N) mod Ns; Where T represents the DRX period for which the UE receives Paging. The network broadcasts a default DRX period. If the RRC / higher layer has configured a UE-specific DRX period for the UE, the smaller of the network-broadcast DRX period and the UE-specific DRX period configured by the RRC / higher layer will be used as the UE's DRX period. If the RRC / higher layer has not configured a UE-specific DRX period for the UE, the network-broadcast DRX period will be used as the UE's DRX period. N represents the number of PFs contained in a DRX period. Ns represents the number of POs contained in a PF. PF_offset represents a time-domain offset used to determine the PF. UE_ID represents the System Architecture Evolved-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (SAE-TMSI) mod 1024. SAE-TMSI can be abbreviated as S-TMSI.

[0045] For a UE, according to the above formula, the position of the PF and the index of the PO can be determined in a Paging DRX cycle. The PO consists of multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions. One PO contains X PDCCH monitoring occasions, where X is equal to the actual number of Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) broadcast in the Master Information Block (MIB).

[0046] After the UE knows the indices of the PF and PO, as well as the number of PDCCH monitoring occasions in the PO, it can also determine the starting position of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion for that PO through relevant configuration parameters. This starting position can be configured through higher-layer signaling or obtained based on the PO index. The UE performs blind detection of Paging messages based on the determined PO.

[0047] The following explains the NR eDRX mechanism: For the three major application scenarios supporting reduced capability (RedCap) terminals, industrial wireless sensors need to support several years of battery life, while wearable devices need to support a maximum of one to two weeks of battery life. Considering the power saving requirements of RedCap terminals, Release 17 introduced the eDRX mechanism for RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE in the RedCap Work Item (WI) phase, which further saves power by supporting longer paging cycles.

[0048] For UEs in RRC_IDLE mode, the eDRX parameters are configured by the CN (Network Controller), with the CN eDRX period ranging from 2.56s to 10485.76s. For UEs in RRC_INACTIVE mode, the eDRX parameters are configured by the RAN (Radio Controller), with the RAN eDRX period ranging from 2.56s to 10.24s. Since UEs in RRC_INACTIVE mode need to listen to both RAN Paging and CN Paging simultaneously, the UE's Paging listening behavior needs to consider both the CN eDRX configuration and the RAN eDRX configuration.

[0049] From a network perspective, for flexibility, the network can support both RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE eDRX simultaneously, or only one type, when implementing eDRX functionality. To this end, two eDRX-related indication messages are introduced in the system messages: eDRX-Allowed-Idle and eDRX-Allowed-Inactive. Currently, there are two different interpretations of these two parameters: one is that they indicate whether the cell allows the use of CN-configured eDRX and RAN-configured eDRX, respectively; the other is that they indicate whether the cell allows UEs in RRC_IDLE state and UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state to use eDRX, respectively. For UEs configured with eDRX, the UE can use eDRX when the cell indicates support for eDRX.

[0050] If the UE's configured eDRX period does not exceed 10.24s, the UE uses the eDRX period as the paging listening period. If the UE's configured eDRX period exceeds 10.24s, the UE listens for paging within one PTW (Pulse Time Wing) of each eDRX period. The UE's paging listening behavior within the PTW can follow the DRX mechanism. Since the CN eDRX period can exceed 10.24s, while the RAN eDRX period does not support configurations exceeding 10.24s, only the CN PTW exists. However, considering power saving of terminal devices, it is necessary to consider enhancing the RRC IANTIVE's eDRX to support RAN eDRX periods exceeding 10.24s.

[0051] Based on current eDRX design principles, for the RRC_INACTIVE state, RAN PTW can be introduced to support RAN eDRX cycles exceeding 10.24s. From the perspective of base station implementation, different base stations may have varying levels of support for the RRC_INACTIVE eDRX function. For example, the R17 base station certainly cannot support RAN eDRX cycles exceeding 10.24s, while the R18 base station may or may not support RAN eDRX cycles exceeding 10.24s. For RRC_INACTIVE UEs, if the anchor base station (corresponding to the second network device in other embodiments) supports RAN eDRX cycles exceeding 10.24s, the anchor base station may configure a RAN eDRX cycle exceeding 10.24s for the UE when releasing it. When this UE moves to another cell, the UE's current serving cell (corresponding to the first network device in other embodiments) may not support RAN eDRX cycles exceeding 10.24s. In this case, how the terminal listens for paging needs to be addressed.

[0052] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies are optional solutions and can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least some of the following contents.

[0053] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method includes: S201, The terminal device receives the first information sent by the first network device.

[0054] S202. Based on the first information, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging; wherein, the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0055] Optionally, the first network device can be the network device currently serving / currently residing in the terminal device.

[0056] Optionally, the first information may indicate the network device's support for the eDRX function.

[0057] Optionally, the first information may indicate whether the eDRX supported by the first network device is longer than a predetermined period, or the first information may indicate whether the first network device supports eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period. For example, the first information may indicate that the eDRX supported by the first network device is longer than the predetermined period. Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the eDRX supported by the first network device is not longer than the predetermined period. For example, the first information may indicate that the first network device supports eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period. Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the first network device does not support eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period.

[0058] Optionally, the first network device may support eDRX or not support eDRX. If it supports eDRX, it may further indicate whether the eDRX supported by the first network device is longer than a predetermined period, or it may further indicate whether the first network device supports eDRX with a period longer than a predetermined period.

[0059] In any embodiment of this application, unless otherwise specified, eDRX may include RAN eDRX and / or CN eDRX. In embodiments of this application, the first information may indicate whether the RAN eDRX and / or CN eDRX supported by the first network device is greater than a predetermined period, or the first information may indicate whether the first network device supports RAN eDRX and / or CN eDRX with a period greater than a predetermined period.

[0060] Optionally, the first information can instruct the behavior of the terminal device.

[0061] Optionally, the first information may indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period, or the first information may indicate whether the terminal device with a configured eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX. For example, the first information may indicate that the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period. Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period. For example, the first information may indicate that the terminal device with a configured eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX. Alternatively, the first information may indicate that the terminal device with a configured eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX.

[0062] Optionally, if the first information indicates that the first network device supports an eDRX with a period greater than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the first network device supports an eDRX with a period greater than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use an eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the configured eDRX is greater than the predetermined period, the terminal device may determine to use the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging.

[0063] Optionally, if the first information indicates that the first network device supports an eDRX period no longer than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the first network device does not support an eDRX period longer than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use an eDRX period longer than the predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the terminal device configured with an eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX, the terminal device may determine not to use the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging.

[0064] The first eDRX parameter may include the first RAN eDRX parameter. Optionally, regardless of whether the terminal device uses the first RAN eDRX parameter to listen for paging, the terminal device may use CN eDRX and / or DRX to listen for paging. For example, the terminal device may determine whether to use CN eDRX to listen for paging based on the CN eDRX support information sent by the first network device, and / or, if it is determined that CN eDRX will be used, which CN eDRX will be used. Optionally, the CN eDRX used for paging may be determined by pre-configuration, agreed upon by a protocol, configured by the first network device, configured by the second network device, or configured by the core network.

[0065] Optionally, the paging time window PTW can be a time window within the first eDRX cycle. Optionally, the paging time window PTW can be a continuous period of time within the first eDRX cycle, or the paging time window PTW can include multiple sub-time windows within the first eDRX cycle, where adjacent time windows are not continuous, and any one sub-time window is continuous. Optionally, the lengths of different sub-time windows among the multiple sub-time windows can be the same, or some or all of the sub-time windows among the multiple sub-time windows can have different lengths.

[0066] Optionally, in some embodiments, the paging time window (PTW) may be less than or equal to a predetermined period; in other embodiments, the paging time window (PTW) may be greater than the predetermined period. Optionally, the paging time window may be located at a predetermined position within the first eDRX period. For example, the position of the paging time window within the first eDRX period may be determined based on a first eDRX parameter, such as the first eDRX parameter including the position of the paging time window within the first eDRX period; or, the position of the paging time window within the first eDRX period may be determined based on the pre-configuration of the terminal device; or, the position of the paging time window within the first eDRX period may be configured to the terminal device by a first network device or a second network device; or, the position of the paging time window within the first eDRX period may be agreed upon by a protocol.

[0067] In some embodiments, whether the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging may include: whether the terminal device uses the paging time window PTW to listen for paging, and / or whether the terminal device uses the first eDRX period to listen for paging.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first eDRX period / parameter is a RAN eDRX period / parameter with a period longer than a predetermined period. In other embodiments, the first eDRX period / parameter is an eDRX period / parameter with a period longer than a predetermined period, wherein the eDRX period / parameter includes RAN eDRX period / parameters and / or CN eDRX period / parameters. In still other embodiments, the first eDRX period / parameter is a CN eDRX period / parameter with a period longer than a predetermined period. Optionally, the predetermined period may be agreed upon by a protocol, or the predetermined period may be determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration, or the predetermined period may be configured by the second network device to the first network device. Optionally, the first network device may configure the predetermined period to the terminal device.

[0069] Optionally, paging in any embodiment of this application may include Paging PDCCH or Paging PDSCH.

[0070] In this embodiment, the terminal device receives first information sent by a first network device; based on the first information, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging; wherein, the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period. Thus, the terminal device's determination of whether to use the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging based on the first information improves the flexibility of paging listening, and when the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging, the first eDRX period is greater than the predetermined period, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption.

[0071] Optionally, in other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter may be broadcast by the first network device to the terminal device. For example, the first network device may broadcast the first eDRX parameter, allowing the terminal device to listen for paging based on the first eDRX parameter broadcast by the first network device. Thus, when the terminal device moves to the area corresponding to the third network device, the terminal device can receive other eDRX parameters broadcast by the third network device, allowing the terminal device to listen for paging based on these other eDRX parameters. These other eDRX parameters may be the same as or different from the first eDRX parameter, and may be greater than a predetermined period or less than or equal to a predetermined period. In this case, different network devices can determine their own eDRX parameters based on their pre-configuration, and the terminal listens for paging based on the eDRX parameters broadcast by the current serving cell.

[0072] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 3 As shown, the method includes: S301, The first network device sends the first information to the terminal device; S302, the first network device determines, based on the first information, whether to send a paging message using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameters; wherein the first eDRX parameters include a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period. Optionally, the execution order of S301 and S302 is not limited in this embodiment.

[0073] Optionally, if the first information indicates that the first network device supports an eDRX with a period greater than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the first network device supports an eDRX with a period greater than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use an eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the configured eDRX is greater than the predetermined period, the first network device may determine to send a paging using the first eDRX parameter.

[0074] Optionally, if the first information indicates that the eDRX supported by the first network device is not greater than a predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the first network device does not support eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period, or if the first information indicates that the terminal device configured with an eDRX greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX, the first network device may determine not to send a paging using the first eDRX parameter.

[0075] The first eDRX parameter may include the first RAN eDRX parameter. Optionally, regardless of whether the first network device uses the first RAN eDRX parameter to send paging, the first network device may use CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX to send paging.

[0076] In some embodiments, whether the first network device sends a paging message using the first eDRX parameter may include: whether the first network device sends a paging message using a paging time window (PTW), and / or whether the first network device sends a paging message using a first eDRX period.

[0077] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes: S401, the second network device sends a paging message carrying first eDRX parameters to the first network device; wherein, the first eDRX parameters include a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window PTW; the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0078] In this embodiment, the paging sent by the second network device to the first network device may carry the first eDRX parameter, and the paging sent by the first network device to the terminal device may or may not use the first eDRX parameter. Optionally, one implementation that does not use the first eDRX parameter may be an eDRX parameter determined according to a pre-configuration.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first information is sent by the first network device to the terminal device.

[0080] Optionally, the first information may be broadcast by the first network device to the terminal device. Optionally, the first information may be included in a System Information (SI) message. Optionally, the terminal device may be in an RRC disconnected state, and the terminal device may receive the broadcast message broadcast by the first network device.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is configured by the second network device for the terminal device. In other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is determined based on a pre-configuration. Optionally, determining the first eDRX parameter based on a pre-configuration may include: the first eDRX parameter being determined based on a pre-configuration of the terminal device, or the first eDRX parameter being determined by the terminal device based on a pre-configuration.

[0082] Optionally, the second network device can be the last network device to send an RRC connection release message to the terminal device. The first eDRX parameter can be carried in the RRC connection release message.

[0083] It should be noted that, in any embodiment of this application, the RRC non-connected state may include the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state.

[0084] Optionally, the first eDRX parameter can be a parameter agreed upon in the protocol. The pre-configuration of the terminal device can include a pre-configuration of the terminal device for configuring the first eDRX parameter, so that the terminal device can determine the first eDRX parameter based on the pre-configuration.

[0085] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is sent from the second network device to the first network device. In other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration. Optionally, the first eDRX parameter being determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration can be understood as: the first eDRX parameter is determined based on the pre-configuration of the first network device.

[0086] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message sent by the second network device; the RRC release message carrying the first eDRX parameter.

[0087] Optionally, the terminal device can initiate a request to switch from RRC connected state to RRC inactive state or RRC idle state. The second network device can then send an RRC release message to the terminal device based on this request, the RRC release message carrying a first eDRX parameter. In this way, the terminal device can listen for paging messages sent by the second network device using the first eDRX parameter. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second network device can proactively initiate a process for the terminal device to switch from RRC connected state to RRC inactive state or RRC idle state, thereby sending an RRC release message to the terminal device, the RRC release message carrying the first eDRX parameter. Then, when the terminal device moves to the area corresponding to the first network device, the terminal device will determine whether to use the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging messages based on the first information sent by the first network device.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first eDRX cycle is a first radio access network (RAN) eDRX cycle.

[0089] In this way, the first RAN eDRX cycle can be a RAN eDRX cycle with a period longer than the predetermined period. Therefore, the terminal device can listen for paging based on a RAN eDRX cycle with a period longer than the predetermined period, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0090] Optionally, the paging that the terminal device listens for can be determined by the first network device based on the paging sent by the second network device to the first network device. Optionally, the paging sent by the second network device to the first network device can carry a first eDRX period. The first network device can send the paging based on the first eDRX period and whether the first network device supports an eDRX period longer than a predetermined period, so that the terminal device can listen for the paging.

[0091] In other embodiments, the first eDRX period can be an eDRX period with a period longer than a predetermined period, or the first eDRX period can be a CN eDRX period with a period longer than a predetermined period.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first network device also needs to obtain the first eDRX parameter in order to send a paging message using the first eDRX parameter. In some embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the first network device. In other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration. In still other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter may be the larger of the RANeDRX period sent by the second network device to the first network device and the RAN eDRX period determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration, or the eDRX parameter corresponding to the smaller of the two.

[0093] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the first network device receiving a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter sent by the second network device. Correspondingly, on the second network device side, the second network device sends a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter to the first network device.

[0094] Optionally, when the second network device receives a paging request for a terminal device, it may send a paging request carrying the first eDRX parameter to network devices within the RAN paging area. The network devices within the RAN paging area include the first network device. Upon receiving the paging request carrying the first eDRX parameter, the first network device sends a paging request to the terminal device based on the first eDRX parameter.

[0095] In some embodiments, the first network device receiving a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device includes: when the first network device sends first information to the second network device, indicating that a terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, or indicating that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device receives the paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device.

[0096] Corresponding to the second network device side, the second network device sends a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, including: when the second network device receives a first information sent by the first network device indicating that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX eavesdropping paging with a period longer than the predetermined period, or indicating that the configured first eDRX period is longer than the predetermined period and the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX eavesdropping paging, the second network device sends the paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter to the first network device.

[0097] In some implementations, the first network device may proactively send first information to the second network device to indicate whether it supports RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period, so that the second network device may send a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters to the first network device if the first network device supports RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period.

[0098] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first network device may periodically send the first information to the second network device. Optionally, in other embodiments, the first network device may send the first information to the second network device when the supported RAN eDRX changes.

[0099] In other embodiments, the second network device may send a request to a network device within the RAN paging area, so that the first network device in the RAN paging area sends first information to the second network device to indicate whether it supports RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period, so that the second network device can send a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters to the first network device if the first network device supports RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period.

[0100] In any embodiment of this application, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes one of the following: the terminal device not using a RAN eDRX cycle to listen to the paging; the terminal device not using an eDRX cycle to listen to the paging; the terminal device using a second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter or the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; the terminal device using a predefined eDRX cycle to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX cycle, and the second eDRX cycle is less than or equal to the predetermined cycle.

[0101] Optionally, the second eDRX parameter may include a second RAN eDRX parameter. Optionally, the second eDRX cycle may include a second RAN eDRX cycle.

[0102] Optionally, the predefined eDRX period can be a pre-configured eDRX period of the terminal device. Optionally, the predefined eDRX period can be greater than a predetermined period, or the predefined eDRX period can be less than or equal to a predetermined period. Optionally, the predefined eDRX period can include a predefined RAN eDRX period and / or a predefined CN eDRX period. Thus, when the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen for the paging, the terminal device uses the predefined eDRX period to listen for the paging.

[0103] In any embodiment of this application, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: the terminal device using the core network (CN) eDRX cycle and / or discontinuously received DRX cycle to listen to the paging. Optionally, the method of using the DRX cycle to listen to the paging can be referred to the description in related technologies, and will not be repeated here.

[0104] In any embodiment of this application, the terminal device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to listen to the paging, or the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging, including: the terminal device uses the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to listen to the paging.

[0105] In any embodiment of this application, the terminal device not using the eDRX cycle to listen to the paging includes: the terminal device using the DRX cycle to listen to the paging.

[0106] In some implementations, the terminal equipment can listen for paging using the second eDRX parameter without using the first eDRX parameter, and / or using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous DRX cycle. Alternatively, it can listen for paging using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous DRX cycle without using either the first or second eDRX parameter.

[0107] Corresponding to the first network device side, in any embodiment of this application, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging, including one of the following: the first network device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to send the paging; the first network device does not use the eDRX cycle to send the paging; the first network device uses the second eDRX parameter to send the paging; the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to send the paging; the first network device uses a predefined eDRX cycle to send the paging; wherein, the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX cycle, and the second eDRX cycle is less than or equal to the predetermined cycle.

[0108] Optionally, the predefined eDRX period can be the eDRX period pre-configured by the first network device. Optionally, the eDRX period pre-configured by the first network device can be the same as or different from the eDRX period pre-configured by the terminal device. Optionally, the predefined eDRX period can be greater than a predetermined period, or the predefined eDRX period can be less than or equal to a predetermined period. Optionally, the predefined eDRX period can include a predefined RAN eDRX period and / or a predefined CN eDRX period. Thus, when the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameters to send paging, the first network device uses the predefined eDRX period to send paging.

[0109] In any embodiment of this application, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the first network device uses the core network (CN) eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to send the paging. Optionally, the method of sending the paging using the DRX cycle can be referred to the description in related technologies, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] In any embodiment of this application, the first network device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to send the paging, or the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the first network device uses the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to send the paging.

[0111] In any embodiment of this application, the first network device not sending the paging using the eDRX cycle includes: the first network device sending the paging using the DRX cycle.

[0112] In some implementations, the first network device may send paging using the second eDRX parameter without using the first eDRX parameter, and / or using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle. Alternatively, paging may be sent using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle without using either the first or second eDRX parameter.

[0113] In some embodiments, the first information indicates that the terminal device is permitted to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen for the paging; or... The first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0114] In this way, the terminal device can determine whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX parameter to listen to the paging based on whether the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period, according to the first information indication.

[0115] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines, based on the first information, whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging, including: When the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging. Optionally, the terminal device may further use CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX to listen to the paging.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first eDRX parameter may be configured by the second network device to the terminal device. In other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter may be determined by the terminal device based on pre-configuration. In still other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter may be configured by the first network device to the terminal device. The first eDRX parameter configured by the first network device to the terminal device may be sent by the second network device, or it may be determined based on the pre-configuration of the first network device. In yet another embodiment, the first eDRX parameter may be a protocol-defined parameter.

[0117] Corresponding to the first network device side, the first network device determines whether to send a paging using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter based on the first information, including: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RANeDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen for the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameter.

[0118] In this embodiment, the first eDRX parameter obtained by the first network device is configured by the second network device. In other embodiments, the first eDRX parameter obtained by the first network device may be agreed upon by a protocol, or it may be determined according to the pre-configuration of the first network device.

[0119] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX parameter to listen to the paging based on the first information, including: when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0120] Corresponding to the first network device side, the first network device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX parameter to send a paging based on the first information, including: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RANeDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen for the paging includes: the terminal device listening for the paging behaves the same as if no RAN eDRX were configured. Optionally, the terminal device may also use the CN eDRX cycle and / or the DRX cycle to listen for the paging. Optionally, the terminal device listening for the paging behaves the same as if no RAN eDRX were configured, which can be the same implementation as the terminal device not using the RAN eDRX cycle to listen for the paging.

[0122] In this embodiment, the terminal device's paging listening behavior can be as follows: the terminal device listens for paging using parameters other than RAN eDRX, and / or the terminal device listens for paging based on RANeDRX parameters configured by a non-second network device. These other parameters may include CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX.

[0123] In any embodiment of this application, Paging DRX can be understood as the same as DRX or DRX cycle. In any embodiment of this application, eDRX can be understood as the same as eDRX cycle, RAN eDRX can be understood as the same as RAN eDRX cycle, and CN eDRX can be understood as the same as CN eDRX cycle.

[0124] Corresponding to the first network device side, the first network device sending the paging without using the first eDRX parameters includes: the behavior of the first network device sending the paging is the same as the behavior of not configuring RAN eDRX. Optionally, the first network device may also send the paging using the CN eDRX cycle and / or the DRX cycle. Optionally, the behavior of the first network device sending the paging is the same as the behavior of not configuring RAN eDRX, which can be understood as the first network device not using the RAN eDRX cycle to send the paging.

[0125] In this embodiment, the paging behavior of the first network device can be as follows: the first network device sends a paging request using parameters other than RANeDRX, and / or the first network device sends a paging request based on RAN eDRX parameters configured by a device other than the second network device. These other parameters may include CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX.

[0126] In some embodiments, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: the terminal device using a second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging. The second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, which is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0127] In this embodiment, the terminal device will listen for paging using an eDRX period less than or equal to the predetermined period. Optionally, the terminal device may also listen for paging using CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX. Optionally, the first network device's behavior in sending the paging is the same as its behavior without RAN eDRX configured, and can be the same as the implementation where the first network device sends the paging without using a RAN eDRX period.

[0128] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter may be protocol-defined. In other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter may be configured by the second network device to the terminal device. In still other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter may be configured by the first network device to the terminal device. The second eDRX parameter configured by the first network device to the terminal device may be determined based on the pre-configuration of the first network device, or it may be sent by the second network device. In yet another embodiment, the second eDRX parameter may be determined by the terminal device based on a pre-configuration.

[0129] Optionally, in any embodiment of this application, the second eDRX parameter / cycle may include the second RAN eDRX parameter / cycle.

[0130] In some embodiments, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0131] In this embodiment, the terminal device will use CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX to listen for paging. For example, the terminal device will use only CN eDRX to listen for paging. Another example is that the terminal device will use only Paging DRX to listen for paging. Yet another example is that the terminal device will use both CN eDRX and Paging DRX to listen for paging.

[0132] In any embodiment of this application, the paging message listened to by the terminal device through the Paging DRX may be determined and sent by the first network device based on the paging message received from the second network device, and / or may be determined and sent by the first network device based on the paging message received from the core network device.

[0133] On the corresponding first network device side, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the first network device uses the second eDRX parameter to send the paging.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first network device will send paging using an eDRX period (i.e., the second eDRX parameter) that is less than or equal to the predetermined period. Optionally, the first network device may also send paging using CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter may be protocol-defined. In other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter may be configured by the second network device to the first network device. In still other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter may be determined by the first network device based on pre-configuration.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter, including: the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter.

[0137] In this embodiment, the first network device will send paging using CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX. For example, the first network device will send paging using only CN eDRX. Another example is that the first network device will send paging using only Paging DRX. Yet another example is that the first network device will send paging using both CN eDRX and Paging DRX.

[0138] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; the second information indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0139] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameters to listen to paging based on the first information, including: the terminal device determines whether to use the first eDRX parameters to listen to the paging based on the first information and the second information. Thus, the terminal device can jointly determine the parameters for listening to paging based on the first information and the second information.

[0140] In some implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging regardless of the second information. In other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX / eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use RAN eDRX / eDRX to listen to the paging. In still other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0141] In some implementations, if the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device will not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging regardless of what the second information indicates.

[0142] Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether to use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging based on the first information. If it is determined that the first eDRX parameter will not be used to listen to the paging, the terminal device can determine the parameters for listening to the paging based on the second information. For example, it can determine whether to use the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0143] Corresponding to the first network device side, the method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; the second information indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first network device determines whether to send a paging message using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter based on the first information, including: the first network device determines whether to send the paging message using the first eDRX parameter based on the first information and the second information.

[0145] In this way, the first network device can determine the parameters for sending a paging message based on the first and second information.

[0146] In some implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameters regardless of the second information. In other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX / eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using RAN eDRX / eDRX. In still other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameters.

[0147] In some implementations, if the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device will not send the paging using the first eDRX parameters, regardless of what the second information indicates.

[0148] Optionally, the first network device may determine whether to send the paging using the first eDRX parameters based on the first information. If it is determined that the paging will not be sent using the first eDRX parameters, the first network device may determine the parameters for sending the paging based on the second information. For example, it may determine whether to send the paging using the second eDRX parameters.

[0149] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; When the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses a second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0150] In this situation, the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen for paging.

[0151] Optionally, the second eDRX period can be a second RAN eDRX period. Optionally, the second RAN eDRX period can be a RAN eDRX period that is less than or equal to a predetermined period.

[0152] In this embodiment, the terminal device may listen to the paging using a second eDRX parameter instead of a first eDRX parameter. Optionally, the terminal device may also listen to the paging using CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX.

[0153] Corresponding to the first network device side, the method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; When the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter, which includes: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using a second eDRX parameter; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0154] In this embodiment, the first network device may send the paging using the second eDRX parameter instead of the first eDRX parameter. Optionally, the first network device may also send the paging using CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX.

[0155] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; When the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use the RAN eDRX period to listen to the paging, or the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0156] In this embodiment, the terminal device does not use either the first eDRX parameter or the second eDRX parameter to listen for the paging. Optionally, the terminal device may use CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX to listen for the paging.

[0157] Corresponding to the first network device side, the method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; The first network device not sending the paging when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, includes: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using the RAN eDRX period, or the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0158] In this embodiment, the first network device sends the paging without using either the first or second eDRX parameters. Optionally, the first network device may send the paging using CN eDRX and / or Paging DRX.

[0159] In any embodiment of this application, the CN eDRX period may be greater than a predetermined period, or the CN eDRX period may be less than or equal to the predetermined period. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging; or, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0161] Thus, the terminal device can determine whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX parameter to listen to the paging based on whether a terminal device with a configured eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, according to the first information. In some embodiments, the first information may indicate whether a terminal device with a configured eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging. In still other embodiments, the first information may indicate whether a terminal device with a configured eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0162] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen to the paging based on the first information, including: when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0163] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the first network device determines whether to send a paging using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter based on the first information, including: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameter.

[0164] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen to the paging based on the first information, including: when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0165] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the first network device determines whether to send a paging using the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX parameter based on the first information, including: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging.

[0166] In some embodiments, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: the terminal device listening to the paging behaves the same as if no eDRX were configured.

[0167] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the behavior of the first network device sending the paging is the same as the behavior of not configuring eDRX.

[0168] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; the second information indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0169] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameters to listen to paging based on the first information, including: the terminal device determines whether to use the first eDRX parameters to listen to the paging based on the first information and the second information. Thus, the terminal device can jointly determine the parameters for listening to paging based on the first information and the second information.

[0170] In some implementations, when the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging regardless of what the second information indicates. In other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use eDRX to listen to the paging. In still other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0171] In some implementations, if the first information indicates that a terminal device configured with a first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device will not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging regardless of what the second information indicates.

[0172] Optionally, the terminal device can determine whether to use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging based on the first information. If it is determined that the first eDRX parameter will not be used to listen to the paging, the terminal device can determine the parameters for listening to the paging based on the second information. For example, it can determine whether to use the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

[0173] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; the second information indicating whether the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first network device determines whether to send a paging message using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter based on the first information, including: the first network device determines whether to send a paging message using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter based on the first information and the second information.

[0175] In this way, the first network device can determine the parameters for sending a paging message based on the first and second information.

[0176] In some implementations, when the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameters regardless of what the second information indicates. In other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using eDRX. In still other implementations, when the first information indicates that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameters.

[0177] In some implementations, if the first information indicates that a terminal device configured with a first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device will not use the first eDRX parameters to send the paging, regardless of what the second information indicates.

[0178] Optionally, the first network device may determine whether to send the paging using the first eDRX parameters based on the first information. If it is determined that the paging will not be sent using the first eDRX parameters, the first network device may determine the parameters for sending the paging based on the second information. For example, it may determine whether to send the paging using the second eDRX parameters.

[0179] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; When the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: when the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses a second eDRX parameter and / or a core network (CN) eDRX period to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second RAN eDRX period, and the second RAN eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0180] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; When the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device not sending the paging using the first eDRX parameter includes: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the second eDRX parameter and / or the core network (CN) eDRX period; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes the second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0181] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; When the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use the eDRX period to listen to the paging.

[0182] In this embodiment, the terminal device not using eDRX to listen for paging may include: the terminal device not using any eDRX to listen for paging. For example, the terminal device not using any eDRX to listen for paging may include: the terminal device not using RAN eDRX to listen for paging, and / or, the terminal device not using CN eDRX to listen for paging. For instance, the terminal device not using RAN eDRX and not using CN eDRX to listen for paging.

[0183] Corresponding to the first network device side, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; The provision that the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, includes: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using the eDRX period.

[0184] In this embodiment, the first network device not using eDRX to send the paging may include: the first network device not using any eDRX to send the paging. For example, the first network device not using any eDRX to send the paging may include: the first network device not using RAN eDRX to send the paging, and / or, the first network device not using CN eDRX to send the paging. For instance, the first network device not using RAN eDRX and not using CN eDRX to send the paging.

[0185] Optionally, the terminal device does not periodically listen for the paging using eDRX, which can be understood as the same as the terminal device listening for the paging as not configuring eDRX. Similarly, the first network device not periodically sending the paging using eDRX can be understood as the same as the first network device sending the paging as not configuring eDRX.

[0186] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is predetermined by the protocol. In other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is determined by the terminal device according to a pre-configuration. In still other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is sent by the first network device.

[0187] In some implementations, the terminal device can receive an eDRX shorter than a predetermined period sent by the second network device. The terminal device can determine the eDRX shorter than the predetermined period according to the pre-configuration, and determine the parameter corresponding to the larger or smaller of the two eDRXs as the second eDRX parameter.

[0188] From the perspective of the first network device, in some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is predetermined by the protocol, while in other embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration.

[0189] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the terminal device.

[0190] From the perspective of the first network device, in some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the first network device.

[0191] In some implementations, the first network device can receive an eDRX shorter than a predetermined period sent by the second network device, determine the eDRX shorter than the predetermined period according to a pre-configuration, and determine the parameter corresponding to the larger or smaller of the two eDRXs as the second eDRX parameter.

[0192] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving an RRC release message sent by the second network device; the RRC release message carrying the second eDRX parameter. In some embodiments, after receiving the RRC release message, the terminal device enters the INACTIVE state or the IDLE state.

[0193] In some embodiments, the terminal device is in an inactive (INACTIVE) state. In other embodiments, the terminal device is in an idle (IDLE) state. Thus, in either the inactive (INACTIVE) or idle (IDLE) state, there is no connection between the terminal device and the network device, allowing it to receive paging messages via paging listeners.

[0194] The following describes how the first network device obtains the second eDRX parameter: In some embodiments, the method further includes: the first network device receiving a paging message sent by the second network device carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, or a paging message carrying the second eDRX parameter.

[0195] Optionally, when the second network device receives a paging request for a terminal device, it may send a paging request carrying either the first eDRX parameter or the second eDRX parameter to the network devices within the RAN paging area. The network devices within the RAN paging area include the first network device. When the first network device receives a paging request carrying either the first eDRX parameter or the second eDRX parameter, if it determines that it does not support eDRX for a period longer than a predetermined period, it will send the paging request using the second eDRX parameter.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first network device receives a paging message sent by the second network device carrying the first eDRX parameters and the second eDRX parameters, or the paging message carrying the second eDRX parameters, comprising: when the first network device sends first information to the second network device indicating that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, or indicating that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the first network device receives the paging message sent by the second network device carrying the first eDRX parameters and the second eDRX parameters, or the paging message carrying the second eDRX parameters.

[0197] In some implementations, the first network device may proactively send first information to the second network device to indicate whether it supports RAN eDRX longer than the predetermined period. This allows the second network device to send a paging message carrying second eDRX parameters, or a paging message carrying both first and second eDRX parameters, to the first network device if the first network device does not support RAN eDRX longer than the predetermined period. This enables the first network device to obtain the second eDRX parameters and send the paging message using the second eDRX parameters.

[0198] From the perspective of the second network device, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the second network device sending a paging message carrying a second eDRX parameter to the first network device, or a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a paging message carrying a second eDRX parameter to the first network device, or a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, including: If the second network device receives a first message from the first network device indicating that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, or indicating that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, the second network device sends the paging carrying the second eDRX parameter to the first network device, or the paging carrying both the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter.

[0200] The following explains from the perspective of the second network device how the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter to the terminal device: In some embodiments, the method further includes: the second network device configuring a first eDRX parameter and / or a second eDRX parameter to the terminal device; the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter being used by the terminal device to listen for paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, the second eDRX period being less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0201] Optionally, the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter can be carried in one signaling message, or they can be carried in different signaling messages.

[0202] In some embodiments, the second network device configures a first eDRX parameter and / or a second eDRX parameter to the terminal device, including: the second network device sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message to the terminal device; the RRC release message carrying the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter.

[0203] In any embodiment of this application, the predetermined period can be 10.24s. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the predetermined period can be a value other than 10.24s. For example, the predetermined period can be less than 10.24s, or it can be greater than 10.24s. For example, the predetermined period can be 5.12s, 20.48s, etc., and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0204] The implementation of the communication method of this application will be described in the following embodiments.

[0205] In some embodiments, when the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station (in any embodiment of this application, the base station may correspond to the first network device or the second network device mentioned above, unless otherwise specified) to the UE (corresponding to the terminal device mentioned above) is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use the configured RAN eDRX period to listen for Paging based on the "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UE to use (RAN) eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s" indication information broadcast by the current serving cell. If the indication information is "not allowed", the UE does not use the RAN eDRX period to listen for Paging. In any embodiment of this application, (RAN) eDRX can represent eDRX or RAN eDRX. The specific implementation process is as follows: First, when the base station releases the UE to the RRC_INACTIVE state (corresponding to the INACTIVE state mentioned above), it configures a RAN eDRX cycle for the UE through the RRCrelease message; Secondly, the INACTIVE-state UE receives a system message broadcast from the serving cell (corresponding to the first network device mentioned above), which includes eDRX-related indication information, specifically including: The first indication information (corresponding to the first information mentioned above) is used to indicate whether a UE in the RRCINACTTIVE state is allowed to use (RAN) eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s in this cell; and / or, The second indication information (corresponding to the second information mentioned above) is used to indicate whether the UE in the RRCINACTTIVE state is allowed to use (RAN) eDRX or use (RAN) eDRX with a period not exceeding 10.24s in this cell; Finally, for UEs with RRC_INACTIVE, if the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use the configured RAN eDRX period to listen for paging based on the first indication information broadcast by the current serving cell, where: a) If the first indication information indicates "true", then the UE uses the configured RAN eDRX periodic listening to Paging; b) Otherwise, the UE does not use the configured RAN eDRX periodic listening for Paging. In this case, the UE's Paging listening behavior is the same as when no RAN eDRX is configured.

[0206] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring and paging in a terminal device, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method includes: S501. The base station is configured with a RAN eDRX period, which is greater than 10.24s.

[0207] Among these features, the base station can configure the RAN eDRX cycle for the UE.

[0208] S502, the UE reads the system message of the current serving cell (corresponding to the first network device mentioned above) and obtains the first indication information.

[0209] S503, UE determines whether the first indication information is true.

[0210] If the first instruction is true, execute S504; if the first instruction is not true, execute S505.

[0211] S504, UE uses the configured RAN eDRX periodic listening paging.

[0212] S505 and UE do not use the configured RAN eDRX periodic listening paging.

[0213] The configured RAN eDRX period can correspond to the first eDRX parameter or the first eDRX period in the above embodiments. The configured RAN eDRX period can be configured by the base station to the UE.

[0214] In some embodiments, when the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use the configured RAN eDRX period to listen for paging based on the "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs to use (RAN) eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s" indication information broadcast by the current serving cell. If the indication information is "not allowed" and the eDRX-Allowed-Inactive (corresponding to the second indication information mentioned above) is "allowed", the UE falls back to using a default RAN eDRX period (corresponding to the second eDRX period mentioned above). The specific implementation process is as follows: First, when the base station releases the UE to the RRC_INACTIVE state, it configures a RANeDRX cycle for the UE via an RRC release message; Secondly, the UE receives a serving cell system message broadcast, which includes eDRX-related indication information, specifically including: The first indication information is used to indicate whether a UE in RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use (RAN) eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s in this cell; and / or, The second information indication is used to indicate whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use (RAN) eDRX in this cell or to use (RAN) eDRX for a period not exceeding 10.24s; Finally, for UEs with RRC_INACTIVE, if the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use the configured RAN eDRX period to listen for paging based on the first indication information broadcast by the current serving cell, where: a) If the first indication information indicates "true", then the UE uses the configured RAN eDRX periodic listening to Paging; b) Otherwise, if the second indication information indicates "true", the UE uses a default RAN eDRX period to listen to Paging. The default RAN eDRX period value does not exceed 10.24s and can be a standard predefined value (e.g., 10.24s) or a network configuration value.

[0215] c) Otherwise, the UE does not use RAN eDRX to periodically listen to Paging. In this case, the UE's behavior in listening to Paging is the same as when RAN eDRX is not configured.

[0216] Regarding the fallback mechanism in step b) of this embodiment, considering that some base stations do not support the fallback mechanism, one solution is: before the anchor base station sends a Paging message to other base stations (including the first network device mentioned above) in the RAN paging area of ​​the UE through the Xn interface, the anchor base station learns whether the target base station supports RAN eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s by exchanging configuration information with the target base station (corresponding to the first network device mentioned above) through the Xn interface.

[0217] If the target base station does not support RAN eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s, the RAN eDRX period carried by the anchor base station in the RAN Paging message sent to the target base station is the default RAN eDRX period.

[0218] The target base station uses the default RAN eDRX cycle to page the UE.

[0219] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another method for terminal device listening to paging provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the method includes: S601. The base station is configured with a RAN eDRX period, which is greater than 10.24s.

[0220] S602, The UE reads the system message of the current serving cell to obtain the first indication information and / or the second indication information.

[0221] S603, UE determines whether the first indication information is true.

[0222] If the first instruction is true, execute S604; if the first instruction is not true, execute S605.

[0223] S604, UE uses the configured RAN eDRX periodic listening paging.

[0224] S605, UE determines whether the second indication information is true.

[0225] If the second instruction is true, execute S606; if the second instruction is not true, execute S607.

[0226] S606 and UE use the default RAN eDRX cycle to listen for paging.

[0227] S607, UE does not use RAN eDRX periodic listening for paging.

[0228] In some embodiments, the base station can configure a first RAN eDRX period and a second RAN eDRX period for the UE, wherein the first RAN eDRX period exceeds 10.24s and the second RAN eDRX period does not exceed 10.24s. The UE determines whether to use the configured first RAN eDRX period or the second RAN eDRX period to listen for paging based on the "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs to use (RAN) eDRX periods exceeding 10.24s" indication information and / or "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs to use (RAN) eDRX periods not exceeding 10.24s" indication information broadcast by the current serving cell. The specific implementation process is as follows: First, when the base station releases the UE to the RRC_INACTIVE state, it configures two RANeDRX cycles for the UE through the RRC release message, namely the first RAN eDRX cycle and the second RAN eDRX cycle. The first RAN eDRX cycle is greater than 10.24s, and the second RAN eDRX cycle is less than or equal to 10.24s. Secondly, the UE receives a serving cell system message broadcast, which includes eDRX-related indication information, specifically including: The first indication information is used to indicate whether a UE in RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use (RAN) eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s in this cell; and / or, The second information indication is used to indicate whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use (RAN) eDRX or use (RAN) eDRX with a period not exceeding 10.24s in this cell; Finally, for a UE with RRC_INACTIVE, if the base station has configured a first RAN eDRX period and a second RAN eDRX period for the UE, the UE determines, based on the first indication information and / or the second indication information broadcast by the current serving cell, whether to use the configured first RAN eDRX period or the second RAN eDRX period to listen for Paging, or to use other eDRX periods and / or other DRX periods besides the first and second RAN eDRX periods to listen for Paging, wherein: a) If the first indication information indicates "true", then the UE uses the first RAN eDRX cycle of the configuration to listen to Paging; b) Otherwise, if the second indication information indicates "true", the UE uses the second RAN eDRX cycle configured to listen to Paging; c) Otherwise, the UE does not use RAN eDRX to periodically listen to Paging. In this case, the UE's behavior in listening to Paging is the same as when RAN eDRX is not configured.

[0229] For the solution in this application embodiment, the Xn interface adds the transmission of a first RAN eDRX parameter to the RAN PAGING message. The specific implementation process is as follows: After receiving data for a specific UE from the core network, the anchor base station triggers RANPaging and sends a RANPaging message to other base stations (including the first network device) within the UE's RAN paging area via the Xn interface. The RAN Paging message includes the UE's first RAN eDRX parameter and second RAN eDRX parameter. The first RAN eDRX parameter includes the PTW length and / or a first RAN eDRX period, which is greater than 10.24s. The second RAN eDRX parameter includes a second RAN eDRX period, which is less than or equal to 10.24s.

[0230] The base station (including the first network device) that receives the RAN Paging message sets first indication information and second indication information based on the received RAN eDRX parameters, and / or the CN eDRX parameters received from the AMF, and / or the cell's support for CN eDRX and RAN eDRX, and then paging the UE. Optionally, the CN eDRX parameters may include the CN eDRX period in the above embodiments.

[0231] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another method for terminal device listening to paging provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes: S701, the base station is configured with the first RAN eDRX cycle and the second RAN eDRX cycle.

[0232] S702, the UE reads the system message of the current serving cell to obtain the first indication information and / or the second indication information.

[0233] S703, UE determines whether the first indication information is true.

[0234] If the first instruction is true, execute S704; if the first instruction is not true, execute S705.

[0235] S704, UE uses the first RAN eDRX cycle to listen for paging.

[0236] S705, UE determines whether the second indication information is true.

[0237] If the second instruction is true, execute S706; if the second instruction is not true, execute S707.

[0238] S706, UE uses the second RAN eDRX cycle to listen for paging.

[0239] S707 and UE do not use RAN eDRX periodic listening for paging.

[0240] In some embodiments, when the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use eDRX to listen for paging based on the indication information broadcast by the current serving cell regarding "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs with configured RAN eDRX periods greater than 10.24s to use eDRX". If the indication information is "not allowed", the UE does not use the eDRX period to listen for paging. The specific implementation process is as follows: First, when the base station releases the UE to the RRC_INACTIVE state, it configures a RANeDRX cycle for the UE through the RRC release message.

[0241] Secondly, the INACTIVE-state UE receives a serving cell system message broadcast, which includes eDRX-related indication information, specifically including: The first indication information is used to indicate whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state with a configured RAN eDRX period greater than 10.24s is allowed to use eDRX in this cell; and / or, The second information indicates whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use eDRX in this cell. Finally, for UEs with RRC_INACTIVE, if the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use the eDRX period to listen for Paging based on the first indication information broadcast by the current serving cell: a) If the first indication information indicates "true", then the UE is configured to listen to Paging based on eDRX; b) Otherwise, the UE does not use eDRX to configure Paging, and the UE's behavior in listening to Paging is the same as when eDRX is not configured.

[0242] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another method for terminal device listening to paging provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 8 As shown, the method includes: S801. The base station is configured with a RAN eDRX period, which is greater than 10.24s.

[0243] S802, the UE reads the system message of the current serving cell and obtains the first indication information.

[0244] S803, UE determines whether the first indication information is true.

[0245] If the first instruction is true, execute S804; if the first instruction is not true, execute S805.

[0246] S804, UE uses eDRX to periodically listen for paging.

[0247] S805 and UE do not use eDRX periodic listening for paging.

[0248] In some embodiments, when the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to use the configured RAN eDRX period to listen for paging based on the "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs with a configured RAN eDRX period greater than 10.24s to use eDRX" indication information broadcast by the current serving cell. If the indication information is "not allowed" and the eDRX-Allowed-Inactive (corresponding to the second indication information mentioned above) indication information is "allowed", the UE falls back to using a default RAN eDRX period. The specific implementation process is as follows: First, when the base station releases the UE to the RRC_INACTIVE state, it configures a RANeDRX cycle for the UE via an RRC release message; Secondly, the UE receives a serving cell system message broadcast, which includes eDRX-related indication information, specifically including: The first indication information is used to indicate whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state with a configured RAN eDRX period greater than 10.24s is allowed to use eDRX in this cell; and / or, The second information indicates whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use eDRX in this cell. Finally, for UEs with RRC_INACTIVE, if the RAN eDRX period configured by the base station for the UE is greater than 10.24s, the UE determines whether to listen to Paging based on the eDRX configuration based on the first indication information broadcast by the current serving cell, where: a) If the first indication information indicates "true", then the UE is configured to listen to Paging based on eDRX; b) Otherwise, if the second indication information indicates "true", the UE listens to Paging based on the CN eDRX configuration and a default RAN eDRX period, wherein the default RAN eDRX period value does not exceed 10.24s, and its value can be a standard predefined value (e.g., 10.24s) or a network configuration value.

[0249] c) Otherwise, the UE does not use eDRX to listen to Paging. In this case, the UE's behavior in listening to Paging is the same as when eDRX is not configured.

[0250] Regarding the fallback mechanism in step b) of this embodiment, considering that some base stations do not support the fallback mechanism, one solution is: before the anchor base station sends a Paging message to other base stations (including the first network device mentioned above) in the RAN paging area of ​​the UE through the Xn interface, the anchor base station learns whether the target base station supports RAN eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s by exchanging configuration information with the target base station (corresponding to the first network device mentioned above) through the Xn interface.

[0251] If the target base station does not support RAN eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s, the RAN eDRX period carried by the anchor base station in the RAN Paging message sent to the target base station is the default RAN eDRX period.

[0252] The target base station uses the default RAN eDRX cycle to page the UE.

[0253] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring paging in a terminal device, as provided in another embodiment of this application, is shown below. Figure 9 As shown, the method includes: S901, The base station is configured with a RAN eDRX period, which is greater than 10.24s.

[0254] S902, the UE reads the system message of the current serving cell to obtain the first indication information and / or the second indication information.

[0255] S903, UE determines whether the first indication information is true.

[0256] If the first instruction is true, execute S904; if the first instruction is not true, execute S905.

[0257] S904, UE uses the configured eDRX periodic listening paging.

[0258] S905, UE determines whether the second indication information is true.

[0259] If the second instruction is true, execute S906; if the second instruction is not true, execute S907.

[0260] S906, UE uses the configured CN eDRX and the default RAN eDRX to periodically listen for paging.

[0261] S907 and UE do not use eDRX to listen to paging.

[0262] In some embodiments, the base station can configure a first RAN eDRX period and a second RAN eDRX period for the UE, wherein the first RAN eDRX period exceeds 10.24s and the second RAN eDRX period does not exceed 10.24s. The UE determines whether to use the configured first RAN eDRX period or the second RAN eDRX period to listen for paging based on the "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs with a configured RAN eDRX period greater than 10.24s to use eDRX" indication information and / or "whether to allow RRC_INACTIVE UEs to use eDRX" indication information broadcast by the currently serving cell. The specific implementation process is as follows: First, when the base station releases the UE to the RRC_INACTIVE state, it configures two RANeDRX cycles for the UE through the RRC release message, namely the first RAN eDRX cycle and the second RAN eDRX cycle. The first RAN eDRX cycle is greater than 10.24s, and the second RAN eDRX cycle is less than or equal to 10.24s. Secondly, the UE receives a serving cell system message broadcast, which includes eDRX-related indication information, specifically including: The first indication information is used to indicate whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state with a configured RAN eDRX period greater than 10.24s is allowed to use eDRX in this cell; and / or, The second information indicates whether a UE in the RRC INACTTIVE state is allowed to use eDRX in this cell. Finally, for UEs with RRC_INACTIVE, if the base station has configured a first RAN eDRX period and a second RAN eDRX period for the UE, the UE determines whether to use the configured first RAN eDRX period or the second RAN eDRX period to listen for Paging based on the first indication information and the second indication information broadcast by the current serving cell: a) If the first indication information indicates "true", then the UE uses the first RAN eDRX cycle of the configuration to listen to Paging; b) Otherwise, if the second indication information indicates "true", the UE uses the second RAN eDRX cycle configured to listen to Paging; c) Otherwise, the UE does not use RAN eDRX to periodically listen to Paging. In this case, the UE's behavior in listening to Paging is the same as when eDRX is not configured.

[0263] For the solution in this embodiment, the Xn interface adds the transmission of the first RAN eDRX parameter to the RAN PAGING message. The specific implementation process is as follows: After receiving data for a specific UE from the core network, the anchor base station triggers RAN Paging and sends RAN Paging messages to other base stations (including the first network device) within the UE's RAN paging area via the Xn interface. The RAN Paging message includes the UE's first RAN eDRX parameter and second RAN eDRX parameter. The first RAN eDRX parameter includes the PTW length and / or the first RAN eDRX period, which is greater than 10.24s. The second RAN eDRX parameter includes a second RAN eDRX period, which is less than or equal to 10.24s.

[0264] The base station (including the first network device) that receives the RAN Paging message sets first indication information and second indication information according to the received RAN eDRX parameters, and / or the CN eDRX parameters received from the AMF, and / or the cell's support for CN eDRX and RAN eDRX, and then paging the UE.

[0265] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring paging in a terminal device, as provided in another embodiment of this application, is shown below. Figure 10 As shown, the method includes: S1001, The base station is configured with the first RAN eDRX cycle and the second RAN eDRX cycle.

[0266] S1002, The UE reads the system message of the current serving cell and obtains the first indication information and / or the second indication information.

[0267] S1003, the UE determines whether the first indication information is true.

[0268] If the first instruction is true, execute S1004; if the first instruction is not true, execute S1005.

[0269] S1004, the UE uses CN eDRX configuration and listens for paging during the first RAN eDRX cycle.

[0270] S1005, the UE determines whether the second indication information is true.

[0271] If the second instruction is true, execute S1006; if the second instruction is not true, execute S1007.

[0272] S1006, UE uses CN eDRX configuration and second RAN eDRX cycle to listen for paging.

[0273] S1007, UE does not use eDRX periodic listening for paging.

[0274] This application provides a method for using eDRX for RRC_INACTIVE UEs. By introducing (RAN) eDRX indication information in the system message indicating whether the RRC_INACTIVE UE supports eDRX with a period exceeding 10.24s, and considering the differences in support for eDRX function under RRC_INACTIVE in different base stations, the RRC_INACTIVE UE can listen for paging based on the support status of RRC_INACTIVE eDRX indicated by the current serving cell after moving to another cell. This effectively avoids the terminal missing paging and also saves energy for the terminal.

[0275] In some optional embodiments, the terminal device listens for paging using the first eDRX parameters and / or the second eDRX parameters, which may include: listening for paging based on the PF and PO of the terminal device in the first eDRX cycle, and / or the PF and PO in the second eDRX cycle. Optionally, the determination of the PF and PO in the first eDRX cycle, and / or the PF and PO in the second eDRX cycle, may be similar to the determination of the PF and PO in a Paging DRX, except that T represents the first eDRX cycle and / or the second eDRX cycle in which the UE receives the paging, or T represents the paging time window PTW and / or the second eDRX cycle in which the UE receives the paging.

[0276] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solutions of this application, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this application. For example, the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. To avoid unnecessary repetition, this application will not describe the various possible combinations separately. Furthermore, various different embodiments of this application can also be arbitrarily combined, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this application, they should also be considered as the content disclosed in this application. Moreover, without conflict, the various embodiments and / or the technical features in the various embodiments described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with the prior art, and the resulting technical solutions should also fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0277] It should also be understood that in the various method embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "downlink," "uplink," and "sidelink" are used to indicate the transmission direction of signals or data. "Downlink" indicates that the transmission direction of signals or data is a first direction from the site to the user equipment in the cell; "uplink" indicates that the transmission direction of signals or data is a second direction from the user equipment in the cell to the site; and "sidelink" indicates that the transmission direction of signals or data is a third direction from user equipment 1 to user equipment 2. For example, "downlink signal" indicates that the transmission direction of the signal is the first direction. Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. Specifically, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0278] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, which can be applied to terminal devices, such as... Figure 11 As shown, the communication device 1100 includes: a communication unit 1101, configured to receive first information sent by a first network device; and a determination unit 1102, configured to determine, based on the first information, whether to use a first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging; wherein the first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is configured by the second network device for the terminal device, or the first eDRX parameter is determined based on a pre-configuration.

[0280] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message sent by the second network device; the RRC release message carries the first eDRX parameter.

[0281] In some embodiments, the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging, including one of the following: the terminal device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to listen to the paging; the terminal device does not use the eDRX cycle to listen to the paging; the terminal device uses a second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter or the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; the terminal device uses a predefined eDRX cycle to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX cycle, and the second eDRX cycle is less than or equal to the predetermined cycle.

[0282] In some embodiments, the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging, including: the terminal device listens to the paging using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle.

[0283] In some embodiments, the terminal device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to listen to the paging, or the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging, including: the terminal device uses the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to listen to the paging; and / or, the terminal device does not use the eDRX cycle to listen to the paging, including: the terminal device uses the DRX cycle to listen to the paging.

[0284] In some embodiments, the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging; or, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0285] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1102 is further configured to: use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0286] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1102 is further configured to: not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0287] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: receive second information sent by the first network device; The determining unit 1102 is further configured to: when the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, use the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0288] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: receive second information sent by the first network device; The determining unit 1102 is further configured to: when the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, not use the RAN eDRX period to listen to the paging, or not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging; or, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0290] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1102 is further configured to: use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0291] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1102 is further configured to: not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging when the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device configured with a first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0292] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: receive second information sent by the first network device; The determining unit 1102 is further configured to: when the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device configured with the first eDRX period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, use the second eDRX parameter and / or the core network (CN) eDRX period to listen to the paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second RAN eDRX period, and the second RAN eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0293] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: receive second information sent by the first network device; The determining unit 1102 is further configured to: when the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device configured with the first eDRX period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, then not to use the eDRX period to listen to the paging.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is predetermined by the protocol, or the second eDRX parameter is determined by the terminal device according to a pre-configuration, or the second eDRX parameter is sent by the first network device.

[0295] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the terminal device.

[0296] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1101 is further configured to: receive an RRC release message sent by the second network device; the RRC release message carries the second eDRX parameter.

[0297] In some embodiments, the terminal device is in an inactive (INACTIVE) state.

[0298] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, applied to a first network device, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the communication device 1200 includes: a communication unit 1201, configured to send first information to a terminal device; and a determination unit 1202, configured to determine, based on the first information, whether to use first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameters to send a paging message; wherein the first eDRX parameters include a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); and the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the first network device, and / or the first eDRX parameter is determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration.

[0300] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: receive a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device.

[0301] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: receive the paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device when the first network device sends first information to the second network device, indicating that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, or indicating that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0302] In some embodiments, the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter, including one of the following: the first network device does not send the paging using a RAN eDRX cycle; the first network device does not send the paging using an eDRX cycle; the first network device sends the paging using a second eDRX parameter; the first network device does not send the paging using either the first or the second eDRX parameter; the first network device sends the paging using a predefined eDRX cycle; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX cycle, and the second eDRX cycle is less than or equal to the predetermined cycle.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the first network device uses the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to send the paging.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first network device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to send the paging, or the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the first network device using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to send the paging; and / or, The first network device not sending the paging using the eDRX cycle includes: the first network device sending the paging using the DRX cycle.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging; or, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0306] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1202 is further configured to: send the paging using the first eDRX parameters when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameters to the first network device and the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

[0307] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1202 is further configured to configure the first eDRX parameter to the first network device by the second network device, and if the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, then the first eDRX parameter is not used to send the paging.

[0308] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: send second information to the terminal device; The determining unit 1202 is further configured to: send the paging using a second eDRX parameter when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0309] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: send second information to the terminal device; The determining unit 1202 is further configured to: when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period greater than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX to listen to the paging, or indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, not send the paging using the RAN eDRX period, or not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging; or, the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0311] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1202 is further configured to: send the paging using the first eDRX parameters when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameters to the first network device, and the first information indicates that a terminal device with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period is allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0312] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1202 is further configured to: not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter when the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0313] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: send second information to the terminal device; The determining unit 1202 is further configured to: configure the first eDRX parameter to the first network device by the second network device, wherein the first information indicates that terminal devices configured with a first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal devices are allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and then send the paging using the second eDRX parameter and / or the core network (CN) eDRX period; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0314] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: send second information to the terminal device; The determining unit 1202 is further configured to: configure the first eDRX parameter to the first network device by the second network device, wherein the first information indicates that terminal devices with a configured first eDRX period greater than the predetermined period are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal devices are not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, and therefore the paging is not sent using the eDRX period.

[0315] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is predetermined by the protocol, or the second eDRX parameter is determined by the first network device according to a pre-configuration.

[0316] In some embodiments, the second eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the first network device.

[0317] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: receive a paging message sent by the second network device carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, or a paging message carrying the second eDRX parameter.

[0318] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1201 is further configured to: receive, when the first network device sends a first message to the second network device indicating that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, or indicating that the terminal device with a configured first eDRX period longer than the predetermined period is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging, receive the paging carried by the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter sent by the second network device, or the paging carried by the second eDRX parameter.

[0319] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, applied to a second network device, such as... Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 1300 includes: a communication unit 1301, used to send a paging message carrying first eDRX parameters to a first network device; wherein the first eDRX parameters include a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window PTW; the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

[0320] In some embodiments, the communication device 1300 further includes a determining unit 1302, configured to determine a paging message carrying a first eDRX parameter.

[0321] In some embodiments, the first eDRX cycle is a first radio access network (RAN) eDRX cycle.

[0322] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1301 is further configured to: send the paging carrying the first eDRX parameters to the first network device when the second network device receives a first information indication sent by the first network device allowing the terminal device to use RAN eDRX eavesdropping paging with a period longer than the predetermined period, or indicating that the configured first eDRX period is longer than the predetermined period and the terminal device is allowed to use eDRX eavesdropping paging.

[0323] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1301 is further configured to: send a paging message carrying a second eDRX parameter to the first network device, or a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0324] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1301 is further configured to: send the paging carrying the second eDRX parameter to the first network device, or the paging carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, when the second network device receives a first information sent by the first network device indicating that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, or indicating that the configured first eDRX period is longer than the predetermined period and the terminal device is not allowed to use eDRX to listen to the paging.

[0325] In some embodiments, the determining unit 1302 is further configured to: determine the paging carrying the second eDRX parameter, or the paging carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter.

[0326] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1301 is further configured to: configure a first eDRX parameter and / or a second eDRX parameter to a terminal device; the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter are used by the terminal device to listen for paging; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, the second eDRX period being less than or equal to the predetermined period.

[0327] In some embodiments, the communication unit 1301 is further configured to: send a Radio Resource Control Release (RRC release) message to the terminal device; the RRC release message carries the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter.

[0328] Those skilled in the art should understand that the description of the communication device in the embodiments of this application can be understood with reference to the description of the communication method in the embodiments of this application.

[0329] Figure 14 This is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. The electronic device 1400 shown in 14 may include a processor 1410 and a memory 1420. The memory 1420 stores a computer program that can run on the processor 1410. When the processor 1410 executes the program, it implements the communication method in any of the above embodiments. Optionally, the memory 1420 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1410, or it may be integrated into the processor 1410.

[0330] In some embodiments, such as Figure 14As shown, the electronic device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1430, which the processor 1410 can control to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it can send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices. The transceiver 1430 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1430 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0331] In some embodiments, the electronic device 1400 may specifically be a terminal device, a first network device, or a second network device in the embodiments of this application, and the electronic device 1400 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0332] This application also provides a computer storage medium that stores one or more programs, which can be executed by one or more processors to implement the communication method in any embodiment of this application.

[0333] In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be applied to the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0334] Figure 15 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 The chip 1500 shown includes a processor 1510, which is used to call and run a computer program from memory to perform the method in any embodiment of this application.

[0335] In some embodiments, such as Figure 15 As shown, chip 1500 may further include memory 1520. Processor 1510 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 1520 to implement the methods described in this embodiment.

[0336] The memory 1520 can be a separate device independent of the processor 1510, or it can be integrated into the processor 1510.

[0337] In some embodiments, the chip 1500 may further include an input interface 1530. The processor 1510 can control the input interface 1530 to communicate with other devices or chips; specifically, it can acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0338] In some embodiments, the chip 1500 may further include an output interface 1540. The processor 1510 can control the output interface 1540 to communicate with other devices or chips, specifically, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0339] In some embodiments, the chip can be applied to the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated further here. It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application can also be called a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0340] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program includes instructions executable by at least one processor, which, when executed by the at least one processor, implement the communication method in any embodiment of this application.

[0341] In some embodiments, the computer program product can be applied to the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0342] Alternatively, the computer program product in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a software product in other embodiments.

[0343] This application also provides a computer program that causes a computer to execute the communication methods in any embodiment of this application. In some embodiments, the computer program can be applied to a terminal device, a first network device, or a second network device entity in the embodiments of this application. When the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the terminal device, the first network device, or the second network device in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, these will not be described in detail here.

[0344] The processor, communication device, or chip in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor, communication device, or chip described above may include any one or more of the following integrations: general-purpose processor, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP), digital signal processing device (DSPD), programmable logic device (PLD), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), embedded neural network processing unit (NPU), controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0345] It is understood that the memory or computer storage medium in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0346] It should be understood that the aforementioned memory or computer storage medium is exemplary but not limiting. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0347] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0348] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0349] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0350] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0351] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0352] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0353] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, the method comprising: The terminal device receives the first information sent by the first network device; Based on the first information, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX parameter to listen for paging. The first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first eDRX parameter is configured by the second network device for the terminal device, wherein the method further includes: The terminal device receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message sent by the second network device; the RRC release message carries the first eDRX parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen for the paging, including one of the following: The terminal device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to listen for the paging; The terminal device does not use the eDRX cycle to listen for the paging; The terminal device uses the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; The terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; wherein, the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period; The terminal device uses the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous DRX cycle to listen for the paging.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The terminal device not using the RAN eDRX cycle to listen for the paging, or the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen for the paging, includes: the terminal device using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to listen for the paging; and / or, The terminal device not using eDRX cycle to listen to the paging includes: the terminal device using DRX cycle to listen to the paging.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first information indicates that the terminal device is permitted to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen for the paging; or, The first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, Based on the first information, the terminal device determines whether to use the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter to listen for paging, including: When the terminal device configures the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging; or When the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: the terminal device receiving second information sent by the first network device; When the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device not using the first eDRX parameter to listen to the paging includes: When the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device uses the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging, wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period; or When the terminal device is configured with the first eDRX parameter, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the terminal device does not use the RAN eDRX period to listen to the paging, or the terminal device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to listen to the paging, wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3, 4, and 7, wherein, The second eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the terminal device, wherein the method further includes: The terminal device receives an RRC release message sent by the second network device; the RRC release message carries the second eDRX parameter.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The terminal device is in an inactive (INACTIVE) state.

10. A communication method, the method comprising: The first network device sends the first information to the terminal device; Based on the first information, the first network device determines whether to send a paging message using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter. The first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The first eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the first network device, and / or The method further includes: the first network device receiving a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The first network device receives a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device, including: When the first network device sends a first message to the second network device, indicating that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device receives the paging carrying the first eDRX parameters sent by the second network device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter, including one of the following: The first network device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to send the paging; The first network device does not use the eDRX cycle to send the paging; The first network device sends the paging using the second eDRX parameter; The first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to send the paging; wherein, the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period; The first network device sends the paging using the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous receive DRX cycle.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The first network device does not use the RAN eDRX cycle to send the paging, or the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter to send the paging, including: the first network device uses the core network CN eDRX cycle and / or discontinuous reception DRX cycle to send the paging; and / or, The first network device not sending the paging using the eDRX cycle includes: the first network device sending the paging using the DRX cycle.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein, The first information indicates that the terminal device is permitted to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen for the paging; or, The first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein, The first network device determines, based on the first information, whether to send a paging message using the first extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) parameter, including: When the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen for the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the first eDRX parameter; or If the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device does not use the first eDRX parameter to send the paging.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The method further includes: the first network device sending second information to the terminal device; When the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter, including: When the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device sends the paging using the second eDRX parameter, wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period; or When the second network device configures the first eDRX parameter to the first network device, and the first information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, and the second information indicates that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period less than or equal to the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device does not send the paging using the RAN eDRX period, or the first network device does not send the paging using the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13, 14, and 17, wherein, The second eDRX parameter is sent by the second network device to the first network device, wherein the method further includes: The first network device receives a paging message sent by the second network device, which carries the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, or a paging message carrying the second eDRX parameter.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The first network device receives a paging message sent by the second network device carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter, or a paging message carrying the second eDRX parameter, including: When the first network device sends a first message to the second network device indicating that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX with a period longer than the predetermined period to listen to the paging, the first network device receives the paging sent by the second network device carrying the first eDRX parameters and the second eDRX parameters, or the paging carrying the second eDRX parameters.

20. A communication method, the method comprising: The second network device sends a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters to the first network device; The first eDRX parameter includes a first eDRX period and / or a paging time window (PTW); the first eDRX period is greater than a predetermined period.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The second network device sends a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameters to the first network device, including: If the second network device receives a first information indication from the first network device allowing the terminal device to use a RAN eDRX listening paging with a period longer than the predetermined period, the second network device sends the paging carrying the first eDRX parameters to the first network device; or The method further includes: When the second network device receives a first information indication from the first network device that the terminal device is not allowed to use RAN eDRX eavesdropping paging with a period longer than the predetermined period, the second network device sends a paging message carrying a second eDRX parameter to the first network device, or a paging message carrying the first eDRX parameter and the second eDRX parameter; wherein the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, and the second eDRX period is less than or equal to the predetermined period.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein, The method further includes: The second network device configures a first eDRX parameter and / or a second eDRX parameter to the terminal device; the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter are used by the terminal device to listen for paging; wherein, the second eDRX parameter includes a second eDRX period, the second eDRX period being less than or equal to the predetermined period. The second network device configures the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter to the terminal device, including: the second network device sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message to the terminal device; the RRC release message carrying the first eDRX parameter and / or the second eDRX parameter.

23. A terminal device, comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program executable on the processor, the processor executing the program to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

24. A network device, comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program executable on the processor, the processor executing the program to implement the method of any one of claims 10 to 19, or the method of any one of claims 20 to 22.

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