Communication method, device and storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, an apparatus and a storage medium, the communication method being applied to a first network element, comprising: determining a target cell based on received lightweight network assistance information; and switching a first communication node to the target cell or paging the first communication node in the target cell.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application is filed based on a Chinese patent application having application number 202110893124.7 and filing date August 4, 2021, and claims priority to the Chinese patent application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method, device and storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In a 5th generation (5G) network, during the movement process of a terminal equipment (Reduced capability UE / devices, RedCAP UE) with limited capability of a lightweight network (NR LIGHT), a 5G base station cannot select and switch to a suitable target cell for the RedCAP UE, or the 5G base station cannot determine a suitable target cell for paging the UE. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, an apparatus, and a storage medium that achieve the objective of selecting and switching to a suitable target cell for a first communication node, or determining a suitable target cell for paging the first communication node, in a 5G network. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The embodiment of the present application is A communication method applied to a first network element, comprising: determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; switching the first communication node to the target cell or paging the first communication node in the target cell. Provide a method of communication.

[0005] The embodiment of the present application is A communication method applied to a second network element, comprising: transmitting lightweight network assistance information to the first network element; the lightweight network assistance information is used to cause a network element to determine a target cell in order to switch the first communication node to the target cell or to page the first communication node in the target cell; the second network element and the first network element belong to the same second communication node; Provide a method of communication.

[0006] The embodiment of the present application is A communication device applied to a first network element, a first determination module configured to determine a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; a communication module configured to switch a first communication node to the target cell or page the first communication node in the target cell; A communication device is provided.

[0007] The embodiment of the present application is A communication device applied to a second network element, a first transmitter configured to transmit lightweight network assistance information to a first network element belonging to the same second communication node as the second network element, the lightweight network assistance information being used to enable a network element to determine a target cell for switching the first communication node to the target cell or for paging the first communication node within the target cell; A communication device is provided.

[0008] The embodiment of the present application is A communication device comprising a communication module, a memory, and one or more processors, The communication module is configured to perform communication interactions among the first network element, the second network element, the first communication node, the second communication node, the third communication node, and a core network; the memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement a method according to any one of the preceding embodiments. Provides communications equipment.

[0009] The embodiment of the present application is A storage medium on which a computer program is stored, The computer program, when executed by a processor, implements a method according to any of the preceding embodiments. Provide a storage medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 2 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application; [Diagram 2] 4 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of lightweight network assistance information interaction between base stations according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of an interaction for switching gNB-DU based on lightweight network assistance information in an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an interaction diagram of base station switching based on lightweight network assistance information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an interaction schematic diagram of paging a RedCAP UE based on lightweight network assistance information according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating paging parameter configuration of a RedCAP UE according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a configuration schematic diagram of accessing and returning extended DRX auxiliary information based on the type of RedCAP UE in an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a structural block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a structural block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 11] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present application will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which the examples are merely illustrative of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0012] 5G supports high bandwidth and low latency traffic. However, in industrial IoT sensors, surveillance cameras, wearable devices and other scenarios, the ultra-high bandwidth and ultra-low latency may be wasted, while in 5G Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) / 5G enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC), the latency and bandwidth capabilities cannot meet the needs.

[0013] Lightweight networks (NR LIGHT) are introduced in 5G. The performance and cost of NR Light are between eMTC / NB-IoT and NR eMBB / URLLC. It occupies only 10MHz or 20MHz bandwidth, supports downlink speeds of 100Mbps and uplink speeds of 50Mbps, and is applicable to scenes such as industrial IoT sensors, surveillance cameras, and wearable devices. Reduced capability UE / devices that support light networks (RedCAP UE) reduce UE cost and complexity, reduce UE bandwidth, and reduce UE antennas. , BeIt is necessary to reduce baseband complexity, lower UE power levels, etc.

[0014] A 5G UE may be in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state, an RRC inactive state, or an RRC connected state. For a RedCAP UE in an RRC connected state, when the RedCAP UE moves into the coverage area of ​​another base station, it needs to select an appropriate target cell and switch. For a RedCAP UE in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state, the UE may move to a different cell, and when traffic data arrives, the base station needs to select a target cell where the UE may be located and page the UE.

[0015] When a 5G base station is an independent network element reconfigured into a distributed unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), the physical upper layer, media access control (MAC), and radio link control protocol (RLC) layers, which have high real-time requirements, are processed by the DU, while the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) and RRC control plane, which have low real-time requirements, are processed by the CU. One base station usually includes one CU and multiple DUs, and each DU is connected to the CU via an F1 interface.

[0016] Currently, in a 5G network, in the process of a Redcap UE of a lightweight network (NR LIGHT) moving in a connected state, the 5G base station cannot select and switch to a suitable target cell for the Redcap UE, or when the Redcap UE moves in a disconnected state, the 5G base station cannot determine a suitable target cell for paging the UE.

[0017] In view of this, the communication method of the present application achieves the objective of selecting and switching to a suitable target cell for a first communication node or determining a suitable target cell for paging the first communication node in a 5G network.

[0018] In one embodiment, Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The embodiment can be performed by a first network element, where the first network element is a CU. As shown in Fig. 1, the embodiment includes S110 to S120.

[0019] At S110, a target cell is determined based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0020] At S120, the first communication node is switched to the target cell or the first communication node is paged in the target cell.

[0021] Here, the first communication node refers to a terminal device with limited capabilities (i.e., RedCAP UE). In an embodiment, after receiving the lightweight network assistance information, the first network element can determine a target cell that can support the RedCAP UE based on the lightweight network assistance information, and can switch the RedCAP UE currently in a connected state to the target cell, or page the RedCAP UE currently in an inactive state or idle state. In an actual communication process, the target cell and the first network element do not need to belong to the same base station.

[0022] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element includes: receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from a second network element belonging to the same second communication node as the first network element before determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; or receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from a third communication node belonging to the same type of node as the second communication node before determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; Alternatively, before determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information, the method further includes receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from the second network element and the third communication node.

[0023] Here, the second communication node and the third communication node may both be base stations (gNBs), but the second communication node and the third communication node do not belong to the same base station. In an embodiment, the lightweight network assistance information may be set by the second network element or may be set by the third communication node. Correspondingly, the second network element may send the lightweight network assistance information to the first network element, the third communication node may send the lightweight network assistance information to the first network element, or both the second network element and the third communication node may send the lightweight network assistance information to the first network element.

[0024] In one embodiment, the lightweight network assistance information comprises support information for the first communication node of the cell.

[0025] Here, the support information for the first communication node includes at least one of whether the cell supports access of a capability-restricted terminal device RedCAP, whether the cell supports a RedCAP UE with single antenna reception, and whether the cell supports a RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception.

[0026] In one embodiment, receiving the lightweight network assistance information sent from the second network element includes: In a process of establishing a first interface between a first network element and a second network element, receiving a first interface establishment request message sent from the second network element, the first interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second network element; and receiving a second network element configuration update request message sent from the second network element after the establishment of the first interface is completed, the second network element configuration update request message including lightweight network auxiliary information of the cell configured by the second network element. In an embodiment, the first interface refers to an F1 interface between network elements.

[0027] In one embodiment, receiving the lightweight network assistance information transmitted from the third communication node comprises: In a process of establishing a second interface between the second communication node and a third communication node, receiving a second interface establishment request message sent from the third communication node, the second interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second communication node; and receiving a Radio Access Network RAN ​​Node Configuration Update Request message sent from the third communication node, the message including the lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second communication node, after the establishment of the second interface is completed. In an embodiment, the second interface is a radio access network RAN ​​node configuration update request message sent from the third communication node, the radio access network RAN ​​node configuration update request message including the lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second communication node. Xn It means an interface.

[0028] In one embodiment, determining a target cell based on received lightweight network assistance information comprises: The method includes determining a target cell in a second network element for the first communication node currently in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0029] In one embodiment, determining a target cell based on received lightweight network assistance information comprises: Determining a target cell in a third communication node for the first communication node currently in an RRC connected state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0030] In one embodiment, the communication method applied in the first network element further includes: after determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information, sending, on the first interface, a user equipment text establishment request to the target cell, the user equipment text establishment request carrying at least one of the type of the first communication node, whether the first communication node is an indication information of a RedCAP UE, and the type of the first communication node.

[0031] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element further includes: after determining a target cell according to the received lightweight network assistance information, sending a switching request to the target cell through a second interface, the switching request carrying at least one of indication information of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and a type of the first communication node, where the type of the first communication node includes a RedCAP UE with single antenna reception and a RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception.

[0032] In one embodiment, determining a target cell based on received lightweight network assistance information comprises: Determining a target cell in the second network element for the first communication node currently in an RRC inactive state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0033] In one embodiment, determining a target cell based on received lightweight network assistance information comprises: Determining a target cell at a third communication node for the first communication node currently in an RRC inactive state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0034] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element further includes, after determining a target cell in the second network element, sending a paging message to the second network element on the first interface, the paging message having at least one of an extended DRX period and a paging time window (PTW).

[0035] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element further includes: sending extended DRX assistance information to the core network, the extended DRX assistance information including at least one of an RRC inactive state extended DRX period, an RRC inactive state PTW.

[0036] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element includes: receiving extended DRX auxiliary information transmitted from the core network, the extended DRX auxiliary information including at least one of a maximum DRX period allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum DRX period allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a DRX period range allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a maximum PTW window length allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum PTW window length allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, and a PTW window length range allowed by the inactive state extended DRX; and determining extended DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state based on the extended DRX assistance information.

[0037] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element includes: The method further includes sending an initial UE message to the core network, the initial UE message having at least one of an indication information of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and a type of the first communication node. In an embodiment, the first network element sends an initial UE message to the core network for causing the first communication node to access the target cell. In an embodiment, if the initial UE message includes an indication information that the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, the first communication node may access the target cell.

[0038] In an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be performed by a second network element, where the second network element is a DU. As shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment includes S210.

[0039] At S210, lightweight network assistance information used to enable a network element to determine a target cell in order to switch the first communication node to the target cell or to page the first communication node within the target cell is transmitted to a first network element belonging to the same second communication node as the second network element.

[0040] In one embodiment, the lightweight network assistance information comprises support information for the first communication node of the cell; Here, the support information for the first communication node includes at least one of whether the cell supports RedCAP UE, whether the cell supports RedCAP UE with single antenna reception, and whether the cell supports RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception.

[0041] In one embodiment, transmitting the lightweight network assistance information to the first network element includes: In a process of establishing a first interface between the first network element and the second network element, sending a first interface establishment request message to the first network element, the first interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second network element; After the establishment of the first interface is completed, sending a second network element configuration update request message to the first network element, the message including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second network element.

[0042] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the second network element includes: The method further includes receiving, at the first interface, a paging message originating from the first network element, the paging message having at least one of an extended DRX period and a paging time window PTW.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first network element is a gNB-CU, the second network element is a gNB-DU, the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and the gNB-CU and gNB-DU belong to the same base station gNB, the first interface is an F1 interface, and the second interface is Xn Taking an interface as an example, the process of interacting NR LIGHT auxiliary information between base stations will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the interaction of lightweight network auxiliary information between base stations according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the interaction process of lightweight network auxiliary information between base stations in this embodiment includes S310 to S340.

[0044] At S310, an F1 interface establishment request message or a DU setting update request message sent from a gNB-DU is received.

[0045] In an embodiment, in the process of establishing an F1 interface between a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU, the gNB-CU receives an F1 interface establishment request message sent from the gNB-DU, where the F1 interface establishment request message includes NR LIGHT auxiliary information of a cell configured by the gNB-DU; or, after the establishment of the F1 interface is completed, the gNB-CU receives a DU configuration update request message sent from the gNB-DU, where the DU configuration update request message includes NR LIGHT auxiliary information of a cell configured by the DU.

[0046] Here, the NR LIGHT auxiliary information includes support information for the RedCAP UE of the cell, where the support information for the RedCAP UE of the cell includes at least one of whether the cell supports access for the RedCAP UE, whether the cell supports a RedCAP UE with 1RX (single antenna reception), and whether the cell supports a RedCAP UE with 2RX (dual antenna reception).

[0047] At S320, an F1 interface establishment response or a DU setting update response is sent to the gNB-DU.

[0048] In an embodiment, after receiving an F1 interface establishment request message or a DU setting update request message sent from a gNB-DU, the gNB-CU stores the NR LIGHT auxiliary information of the cell configured by the received gNB-DU. At the same time, the gNB-CU sends an F1 interface establishment response or a DU setting update response to the gNB-DU.

[0049] In S330, the signal transmitted from another base station Xn An interface establishment request message or a RAN node configuration update request message is received.

[0050] In an embodiment, the communication between multiple base stations Xn In the process of establishing an interface, the gNB-CU receives the Xn receiving an interface establishment request message, Xn The interface establishment request message includes NR LIGHT auxiliary information of the cell configured by the base station, or Xn After the interface establishment is completed, the gNB-CU receives a RAN node configuration update request message sent from another base station, where the RAN node configuration update request message includes NR LIGHT auxiliary information of the cell configured by the base station.

[0051] At S340, a RAN node configuration update feedback message is sent to other base stations.

[0052] Here, the RAN node configuration update feedback message includes NR LIGHT assistance information of cells configured by one or more DUs of the base station in which the gNB-CU resides.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first network element is a gNB-CU, the second network element includes a source gNB-DU and a target gNB-DU, the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and the gNB-CU and the source gNB-DU belong to the same base station gNB, the first interface is an F1 interface, and the second interface is Xn Taking an interface as an example, the process of switching between gNB-DU based on NR-LIGHT information will be described. Figure 4 is an interaction schematic diagram of gNB-DU switching based on lightweight network assistance information according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the interaction process of gNB-DU switching based on lightweight network assistance information in this embodiment includes S410 to S470.

[0054] At S410, the RedCAP UE establishes a connection with the source gNB-DU and is in an RRC connected state.

[0055] At S420, the RedCAP UE sends a measurement report to the gNB-CU. Here, the measurement report includes the received signal quality of one or more adjacent areas.

[0056] At S430, the gNB-CU determines a target cell based on the NR LIGHT assistance information and the received signal quality.

[0057] In an embodiment, the gNB-CU selects one target cell supporting the corresponding ReCAP UE based on the stored NR LIGHT information of cells configured by multiple gNB-DUs of its own base station and the received signal quality of one or more adjacent areas in measurement reports.

[0058] At S440, the gNB-CU sends a UE text establishment request message on the F1 interface to the target gNB-DU where the target cell exists.

[0059] Here, the UE text establishment request message has at least one of indication information of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and the type of the first communication node (i.e., whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE with single antenna reception or a RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception).

[0060] At S450, the gNB-DU feeds back a UE text establishment response message to the gNB-CU.

[0061] In an embodiment, the gNB-DU establishes a UE text in the target cell and feeds back a UE text establishment response message to the gNB-CU. If the UE text establishment request message has indication information of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and / or the type of the first communication node, the gNB-DU determines whether the target cell supports the corresponding RedCAP UE, and if not, feeds back a UE text establishment response message to reject the text establishment request.

[0062] At S460, the base station and the RedCAP UE perform RRC reconfiguration and release the RRC connection with the UE's source gNB-DU.

[0063] At S470, the RedCAP UE is now connected to the target gNB-DU and performs data transmission.

[0064] In one embodiment, the first network element is a gNB-CU, the second network element is a gNB-DU, the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and the gNB-CU and the gNB-DU belong to a source base station gNB, the first interface is an F1 interface, and the second interface is Xn Taking an interface as an example, the process of switching between base stations based on NR-LIGHT information will be described. Figure 5 is an interaction schematic diagram of switching between base stations based on lightweight network assistance information according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the interaction process of switching between base stations based on lightweight network assistance information in this embodiment includes S510 to S570.

[0065] At S510, the RedCAP UE establishes a connection with the source gNB and is in an RRC connected state.

[0066] At S520, the RedCAP UE sends a measurement report to the source gNB. Here, the measurement report includes the received signal quality of one or more adjacent areas.

[0067] At S530, the gNB-CU determines a target cell based on the NR LIGHT assistance information and the received signal quality.

[0068] In an embodiment, the gNB-CU in the source gNB selects one target cell supporting the corresponding RedCAP UE based on the stored NR LIGHT information of cells configured by other base stations and the received signal quality of one or more adjacent areas in the measurement report.

[0069] In S540, the gNB-CU: Xn A switch request message is sent on the interface to the target gNB where the target cell is located.

[0070] In an embodiment, the switching request message has at least one of indication information of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and the type of the first communication node (i.e., whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE with single antenna reception or a RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception).

[0071] At S550, the target gNB feeds back a switch response message to the source gNB.

[0072] In an embodiment, the target gNB establishes a UE text in the target cell and feeds back a switch response message to the source gNB. If the switch request message has an indication of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and / or the type of the first communication node, the target base station determines whether the target cell supports the corresponding RedCAP UE, and if not, feeds back a response message to reject the switch request.

[0073] At S560, the source gNB and UE perform RRC reconfiguration and release the UE's RRC connection with the source gNB.

[0074] At S570, the RedCAP UE is now connected to the target gNB and performs data transmission.

[0075] In one embodiment, the first network element is a gNB-CU, the second network element is a gNB-DU, the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and the gNB-CU and the gNB-DU belong to a source base station gNB, the first interface is an F1 interface, and the second interface is XnTaking an interface as an example, the process of paging a RedCAP UE based on NR-LIGHT aiding information will be described. Figure 6 is an interaction schematic diagram of paging a RedCAP UE based on lightweight network aiding information according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, the interaction process of paging a RedCAP UE based on lightweight network aiding information in this embodiment includes S610 to S650.

[0076] At S610, the RedCAP UE establishes a connection with the source gNB and is in an RRC unconnected state.

[0077] Here, the RedCAP UE being in an RRC unconnected state can be understood as the RedCAP UE being in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state.

[0078] At S620, the gNB-CU determines a target cell based on the NR LIGHT assistance information.

[0079] In an embodiment, the gNB-CU in the source gNB selects one or more target cells supporting the corresponding RedCAP UE based on the stored NR LIGHT assistance information of cells set by multiple gNB-DUs of its own base station, and the gNB-CU of the source gNB selects one or more target cells supporting the corresponding RedCAP UE based on the stored NR LIGHT assistance information of cells set by other base stations.

[0080] At S630, the gNB-CU sends a paging message to the gNB-DU on the F1 interface.

[0081] In an embodiment, the paging message has at least one of an extended DRX cycle and a paging time window PTW.

[0082] In S640, the gNB-CU: XnA paging message is sent to the target gNB over the interface.

[0083] In an embodiment, the paging message has at least one of an extended DRX cycle and a paging time window PTW.

[0084] At S650, at the paging time, the gNB-DU or the target gNB pages the specified RedCAP UE in one or more target cells.

[0085] In an embodiment, the gNB-DU or the target gNB calculates a paging time based on one or more target cells in the paging message and based on the extended DRX period and the PTW, and at the paging time, the gNB-DU or the target gNB pages the specified RedCAP UE in the one or more target cells.

[0086] In one embodiment, the first network element is a gNB-CU, the second network element is a gNB-DU, the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and the gNB-CU and gNB-DU belong to the same base station gNB, and the process of setting paging parameters of the RedCAP UE is described as an example. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of setting paging parameters of the RedCAP UE according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the process of setting paging parameters of the RedCAP UE in this embodiment includes the following steps: Steps below Includes.

[0087] At S7101, the gNB-CU determines the RRC inactive state extended DRX auxiliary information of the current RedCAP UE.

[0088] In an embodiment, the gNB-CU determines RRC inactive state extended DRX assistance information for the current RedCAP UE, where the RRC inactive state extended DRX assistance information includes an RRC inactive state extended DRX period and / or an RRC inactive state PTW.

[0089] At S7201, the gNB-CU transmits extended DRX assistance information to the core network.

[0090] Where: Expansion The DRX auxiliary information includes at least one of an RRC inactive state extended DRX cycle and an RRC inactive state PTW.

[0091] At S7301, the core network determines RRC idle state extended DRX parameters and / or NAS retransmission parameters based on the received extended DRX assistance information.

[0092] Here, the NAS retransmission parameter includes any one of the NAS message retransmission count and the NAS message retransmission timer. For example, the core network determines an appropriate idle state extended DRX period based on the received inactive state extended DRX period and RRC inactive state PTW, thereby making the RRC idle state DRX period longer than the RRC inactive state DRX period, or making the RRC idle state PTW window length longer than the RRC inactive state DRX period. Status P The total maximum retransmission time determined by the number of NAS message retransmissions and the retransmission timer is set to be greater than TW, or greater than the inactive state extended DRX cycle time.

[0093] At S7102, the core network determines RRC idle state extended DRX assistance information for the current RedCAP UE.

[0094] In an embodiment, the core network determines RRC idle state extended DRX assistance information for the current RedCAP UE, where the RRC idle state extended DRX assistance information includes an RRC idle state extended DRX period and / or an RRC idle state PTW.

[0095] At S7202, the core network transmits extended DRX assistance information to the gNB / gNB-CU.

[0096] Where: Expansion The DRX auxiliary information includes at least one of a maximum DRX period permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum DRX period permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a DRX period range permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a maximum PTW window length permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum PTW window length permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, and a PTW window length range permitted by the inactive state extended DRX.

[0097] At S7302, the gNB / gNB-CU determines RRC inactive state extended DRX parameters based on the received extended DRX assistance information.

[0098] At S740, the core network configures RRC idle state extended DRX parameters on the RedCAP UE side via a NAS message.

[0099] At S750, the gNB configures RRC inactive state extended DRX parameters on the RedCAP UE side via an RRC message.

[0100] At S760, the RedCAP UE calculates a paging time based on the RRC inactive state extended DRX parameters and the RRC idle state extended DRX parameters, and monitors a paging channel.

[0101] Here, S7101 to S7301 and S7102 to S7302 are two parallel forms, i.e., when S7101 to S7301 are being executed, S7102 to S7302 cannot be executed, and therefore, when S7102 to S7302 are being executed, S7101 to S7301 cannot be executed.

[0102] In one embodiment, the first network element is a gNB-CU, the second network element is a gNB-DU, the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and the gNB-CU and gNB-DU belong to the same base station gNB, and the process of accessing and returning the extended DRX auxiliary information based on the type of the RedCAP UE is described as an example. Figure 8 is a configuration schematic diagram of accessing and returning the extended DRX auxiliary information based on the type of the RedCAP UE according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the interaction process of accessing and returning the extended DRX auxiliary information based on the type of the RedCAP UE in this embodiment includes S810 to S860.

[0103] At S810, the RedCAP UE sends an RRC connection request to the gNB. At S820, the gNB / gNB-CU sends an initial UE message to the core network.

[0104] In an embodiment, an initial UE message is used for access, where the initial UE message includes indication information of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and / or the type of the first communication node (i.e., whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE with single antenna reception or a RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception).

[0105] At S830, the core network determines RRC idle state extended DRX assistance information.

[0106] At S840, the core network sends a UE text establishment request message to the gNB / gNB-CU.

[0107] In an embodiment, the UE text establishment request message includes extended DRX auxiliary information, where: ExpansionThe DRX auxiliary information includes at least one of a maximum DRX period permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum DRX period permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a DRX period range permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a maximum PTW window length permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum PTW window length permitted by the inactive state extended DRX, and a PTW window length range permitted by the inactive state extended DRX.

[0108] At S850, the gNB / gNB-CU determines RRC inactive state extended DRX parameters based on the received extended DRX assistance information.

[0109] At S860, the core network configures RRC idle state extended DRX parameters on the RedCAP UE side via a NAS message.

[0110] At S870, the gNB configures RRC inactive state extended DRX parameters on the RedCAP UE side via an RRC message.

[0111] In one embodiment, FIG. 9 is a structural block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a first network element. As shown in FIG. 9, this embodiment includes a first determination module 910 and a communication module 920.

[0112] Here, the first determining module 910 is configured to determine a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0113] The communication module 920 is configured to switch the first communication node to the target cell or page the first communication node in the target cell.

[0114] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: lightweight network assistance information transmitted from a second network element belonging to the same second communication node as the first network element before determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; or before determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information, lightweight network assistance information sent from a third communication node belonging to the same type of node as the second communication node; Alternatively, the method may further comprise a first receiver configured to receive lightweight network assistance information transmitted from the second network element and the third communication node prior to determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0115] In one embodiment, the lightweight network assistance information comprises support information for the first communication node of the cell; Here, the support information for the first communication node includes at least one of whether the cell supports access for a capability-restricted terminal device RedCAP UE, whether the cell supports a single-antenna receiving RedCAP UE, and whether the cell supports a dual-antenna receiving RedCAP UE.

[0116] In one embodiment, receiving the lightweight network assistance information sent from the second network element specifically includes: In a process of establishing a first interface between a first network element and a second network element, receiving a first interface establishment request message sent from the second network element, the first interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second network element; After the establishment of the first interface is completed, the method is used to receive a second network element configuration update request message sent from the second network element, the second network element including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second network element.

[0117] In one embodiment, receiving the lightweight network assistance information sent from the third communication node specifically includes: In a process of establishing a second interface between the second communication node and a third communication node, receiving a second interface establishment request message sent from the third communication node, the second interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second communication node; After the establishment of the second interface is completed, receiving a radio access network RAN ​​node configuration update request message sent from the third communication node, the message including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second communication node.

[0118] In one embodiment, the first determination module is configured to determine a target cell in a second network element for the first communication node currently in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0119] In one embodiment, the first determination module is configured to determine a target cell in a third communication node for the first communication node currently in an RRC connected state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0120] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: and a first sending module configured to, after determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information, send, on the first interface, a user equipment text establishment request to the target cell, the user equipment text establishment request having at least one of indication information of the type of the first communication node, whether the first communication node is a capability-limited terminal equipment RedCAP UE.

[0121] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: and a second transmitting module configured to, after determining the target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information, transmit, on a second interface, a switching request to the target cell, the switching request having at least one of an indication information of the first communication node, whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE, and a type of the first communication node.

[0122] In one embodiment, the first determination module is configured to determine a target cell in a second network element for the first communication node currently in an RRC inactive state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0123] In one embodiment, the first determination module is configured to determine a target cell in a third communication node for the first communication node currently in an RRC inactive state based on the received lightweight network assistance information.

[0124] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: The wireless communication device further includes a third transmitting module configured to transmit, at the first interface, a paging message having at least one of an extended DRX period, a paging time window PTW, to the second network element after determining a target cell in the second network element.

[0125] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: The second transmitter is further configured to transmit extended DRX assistance information, including at least one of an RRC inactive state extended DRX period, an RRC inactive state paging time window PTW, to the core network.

[0126] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: a second receiver configured to receive extended DRX auxiliary information transmitted from the core network, the extended DRX auxiliary information including at least one of a maximum DRX period allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum DRX period allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a DRX period range allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a maximum PTW window length allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum PTW window length allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, and a PTW window length range allowed by the inactive state extended DRX; and a second determining module configured to determine extended DRX parameters for the RRC inactive state based on the extended DRX assistance information.

[0127] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to a first network element includes: The device further comprises a third transmitter configured to transmit an initial UE message to the core network, the initial UE message having at least one of an indication of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and a type of the first communication node.

[0128] The communication device of this embodiment is configured to realize the communication method applied to the first network element of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, and the realization principle and technical effects of the communication device of this embodiment are similar, so the description is omitted here.

[0129] In an embodiment, FIG. 10 is a structural block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a second network element. As shown in FIG. 10, this embodiment includes: a first transmitter 1010;

[0130] The first transmitter 1010 is configured to transmit lightweight network assistance information to a first network element belonging to the same second communication node as the second network element, the lightweight network assistance information being used to enable the network element to determine a target cell in order to switch the first communication node to the target cell or to page the first communication node within the target cell.

[0131] In one embodiment, the lightweight network assistance information comprises support information for the first communication node of the cell; Here, the support information for the first communication node includes at least one of whether the cell supports RedCAP UE, whether the cell supports RedCAP UE with single antenna reception, and whether the cell supports RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception.

[0132] In one embodiment, the first transmitter 1010 is In a process of establishing a first interface between the first network element and the second network element, sending a first interface establishment request message to the first network element, the message including lightweight network aiding information of the cell established by the second network element; After the establishment of the first interface is completed, sending a second network element configuration update request message to the first network element, the second network element including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second network element.

[0133] In one embodiment, a communication device applied to the second network element includes: The device further comprises a third receiver configured to receive, at the first interface, a paging message originating from the first network element and having at least one of an extended DRX period, a paging time window PTW.

[0134] The communication device of this embodiment is configured to realize the communication method applied to the second network element of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, and the realization principle and technical effects of the communication device of this embodiment are similar, so the description is omitted here.

[0135] FIG. 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11, the device according to the present application includes a processor 1110, a memory 1120, and a communication module 1130. The number of processors 1110 in the device may be one or more, and FIG. 11 takes one processor 1110 as an example. The number of memories 1120 in the device may be one or more, and FIG. 11 takes one memory 1120 as an example. The processor 1110, the memory 1120, and the communication module 1130 of the device can be connected by a bus or other manner, and FIG. 11 takes the connection via a bus as an example. In the embodiment, the device may be a first network element (e.g., a CU).

[0136] The memory 1120, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be used to store software programs, computer-executable programs and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the device of any embodiment of the present application (e.g., the first determination module 910 and the communication module 920 in the communication device). The memory 1120 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, where the program storage area can store an operating system, an application program required for at least one function, and the data storage area can store data created based on the use of the device, etc. The memory 1120 may also include a high-speed random access memory, and may further include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some embodiments, the memory 1120 may further include a memory provided remotely to the processor 1110, and these remote memories can be connected to the device via a network. Instances of the network may include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0137] The communications module 1130 is configured to conduct communications interactions between the first network element, the second network element, the first communication node, the second communication node, the third communication node, and the core network.

[0138] When the communication device is a first network element, the provided device may be configured to perform a communication method applied to the first network element according to any of the above embodiments and to have corresponding functions and effects.

[0139] When the communication device is a second network element, the provided device may be configured to perform the communication method applied to the second network element of any of the embodiments and to have corresponding functions and effects.

[0140] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium including computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a computer processor are used to perform a communication method applied to a first network element, the method including: determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; and switching the first communication node to the target cell or paging the first communication node in the target cell.

[0141] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium including computer-executable instructions, which when executed by a computer processor, are used to perform a communication method applied to a second network element, the method including: transmitting lightweight network assistance information to a first network element, the lightweight network assistance information being used to cause the network element to determine a target cell, for switching the first communication node to the target cell or for paging the first communication node in the target cell, wherein the second network element and the first network element belong to the same second communication node.

[0142] Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the term user equipment includes any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable network browser or a mobile station mounted on a vehicle.

[0143] In general, various embodiments of the present application may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof, For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0144] Embodiments of the present application may be implemented by execution of computer program instructions by a data processor of a mobile device, e.g., in a processor entity, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0145] Any logic flow block diagrams in the figures of this application may represent program steps, interconnected logic circuits, modules, and functions, or combinations of program steps and logic circuits, modules, and functions. The computer program may be stored in a memory. The memory may have any type suitable for the local technology environment and may be implemented with any suitable data storage technology. For example, it may include, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an optical storage device and system (Digital Video Disc (DVD) or Compact Disc (CD)), etc. The computer readable medium may include a non-transitory storage medium. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technology environment, such as, but not limited to, a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0146] The above are only some examples of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first network element, comprising: determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; switching the first communication node to the target cell or paging the first communication node in the target cell; before determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information; receiving lightweight network assistance information sent from a second network element belonging to the same second communication node as the first network element; receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from a third communication node belonging to the same type of node as the second communication node; receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from the second network element and the third communication node; Communication methods.

2. Receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from the second network element, In a process of establishing a first interface between a first network element and a second network element, receiving a first interface establishment request message sent from the second network element, the first interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second network element; receiving a second network element configuration update request message sent from the second network element after the establishment of the first interface is completed, the second network element including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second network element; Receiving lightweight network assistance information transmitted from a third communication node, receiving a second interface establishment request message sent from the third communication node, the second interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second communication node, in a process of establishing a second interface between the second communication node and a third communication node; receiving a Radio Access Network RAN ​​Node Configuration Update Request message sent from the third communication node after the establishment of the second interface is completed, the message including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second communication node; The communication method according to claim 1 .

3. the lightweight network assistance information comprises support information for a first communication node of a cell; The support information for the first communication node includes at least one of: whether a cell supports access of a terminal device RedCAP UE with limited capabilities; whether a cell supports a RedCAP UE with single antenna reception; and whether a cell supports a RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception. The communication method according to claim 1 .

4. Determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information determining a target cell in the second network element for the first communication node currently in a radio resource control (RRC) connected state based on the received lightweight network assistance information; or determining a target cell in a third communication node based on the received lightweight network assistance information to the first communication node currently in an RRC connected state; The communication method according to claim 1 .

5. After determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information, sending, at the first interface, a user equipment text establishment request to the target cell, the user equipment text establishment request having at least one of information indicating whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE or not, a type of the first communication node, or and transmitting, at the second interface, a switching request to the target cell, the switching request having at least one of an indication of whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE and a type of the first communication node. The communication method according to claim 1 .

6. Determining a target cell based on the received lightweight network assistance information determining a target cell in a second network element for the first communication node currently in an RRC inactive state based on the received lightweight network assistance information; or determining a target cell in a third communication node for the first communication node currently in an RRC inactive state based on the received lightweight network assistance information; and transmitting, at the first interface, a paging message having at least one of an extended DRX cycle and a paging time window (PTW) to a second network element. The communication method according to claim 1 .

7. and transmitting extended DRX assistance information to the core network, the extended DRX assistance information including at least one of an RRC inactive state extended DRX period and an RRC inactive state paging time window PTW. The communication method according to claim 1 .

8. receiving extended DRX assistance information transmitted from a core network, the extended DRX assistance information including at least one of a maximum DRX cycle allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum DRX cycle allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a DRX cycle range allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a maximum PTW window length allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, a minimum PTW window length allowed by the inactive state extended DRX, and a PTW window length range allowed by the inactive state extended DRX; determining enhanced DRX parameters for an RRC inactive state based on the enhanced DRX assistance information. The communication method according to claim 1 .

9. and transmitting an initial UE message to the core network, the initial UE message having at least one of information indicating whether the first communication node is a RedCAP UE or not, and a type of the first communication node. The communication method according to claim 1 .

10. A communication method applied to a second network element, comprising: transmitting lightweight network assistance information to the first network element; the lightweight network assistance information is used to cause a network element to determine a target cell in order to switch the first communication node to the target cell or to page the first communication node in the target cell; the second network element and the first network element belong to the same second communication node; Communication methods.

11. the lightweight network assistance information comprises support information for a first communication node of a cell; The support information for the first communication node includes at least one of: whether a cell supports RedCAP UE, whether a cell supports RedCAP UE with single antenna reception, and whether a cell supports RedCAP UE with dual antenna reception; The communication method according to claim 10.

12. Transmitting the lightweight network assistance information to the first network element includes: In a process of establishing a first interface between the first network element and the second network element, sending a first interface establishment request message to the first network element, the first interface establishment request message including lightweight network aiding information of a cell established by the second network element; after the establishment of the first interface is completed, sending a second network element configuration update request message to the first network element, the second network element including lightweight network assistance information of the cell configured by the second network element; The communication method according to claim 10.

13. and receiving, at the first interface, a paging message originating from the first network element, the paging message having at least one of an extended DRX cycle and a paging time window (PTW). The communication method according to claim 10.

14. A communication device comprising a communication module, a memory, and one or more processors, The communication module is configured to perform communication interactions among the first network element, the second network element, the first communication node, the second communication node, the third communication node, and a core network; the memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Communication equipment.

15. A storage medium on which a computer program is stored, When the computer program is executed by a processor, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is realized. storage medium.

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