Communication method and device

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and apparatus for solving a problem of communication error caused by a change of an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) rule of an access network device. The method includes: a first access network device receives a first message from a second access network device, the first message indicating that at least two I-RNTI rules of the second access network device remain valid. The first access network device determines an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of a terminal device according to at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, and obtains context information of the terminal device from at least one of the determined access network devices. According to the above solution, it is possible to a certain extent to avoid omitting an access network device when a second access network device is determined based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming an RRC connection by a terminal device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110481627.3, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus," filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 30, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications technology, and more particularly to communications methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0003] In new radio (NR), the radio resource control (RRC) status of a terminal device includes a connected state, an inactive state, and an idle state. When the terminal device is in the inactive state, the RRC connection between the terminal device and the access network device is suspended, but the terminal device and the access network device store the context information of the terminal device.

[0004] When configuring a terminal device to enter an inactive state, the access network device sends an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) to the terminal device, which is used by the access network device to obtain context information of the terminal device.

[0005] The access network device may determine the format of the I-RNTI according to the I-RNTI rule. Generally, the I-RNTI rule of the access network device does not change. However, currently, the I-RNTI rule of the access network device may change, and the change of the I-RNTI rule brings new problems, and corresponding solutions need to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for solving the problem of communication errors caused by changes in I-RNTI rules of access network devices.

[0007] According to a first aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an access network device, a chip, a chip group, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example. The method includes: a first access network device receiving a first message from a second access network device, the first message indicating that at least two I-RNTI rules of the second access network device remain valid; the first access network device determines an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of a terminal device according to the at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device; and obtains context information of the terminal device from at least one of the determined access network devices.

[0008] In this embodiment of the present application, the first access network device can maintain multiple I-RNTI rules of the second access network device valid under the instruction of the second access network device, so that when the RRC connection of the terminal device is resumed, the second access network device can be determined according to the multiple I-RNTI rules, which can to a certain extent avoid omitting some access network devices when the second access network device is determined based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0009] In one possible design, the first access network device receives a second message from the second access network device, where the second message indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid. In the above design, the second access network device may indicate that the previous I-RNTI rule is invalid, so that the first access network device may no longer maintain the previous I-RNTI rule, thereby reducing communication costs for the first access network device.

[0010] According to a second aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an access network device, a chip, a group of chips, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example. The method includes: a second access network device updating an I-RNTI rule; and the second access network device sending a first message to a first access network device, the first message indicating that at least two inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) rules of the second access network device remain valid.

[0011] In this embodiment of the present application, the second access network device can instruct the first access network device to maintain multiple I-RNTI rules of the second access network device valid, so that when the RRC connection of the terminal device is resumed, the first access network device can determine the second access network device according to the multiple I-RNTI rules, which can to a certain extent avoid omitting some access network devices when determining the second access network device based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0012] In one possible design, the second access network device sends a second message to the first access network device, where the second message indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid. In the above design, the second access network device can indicate that the pre-update I-RNTI rule is invalid, so that the first access network device may no longer maintain the pre-update I-RNTI rule, thereby reducing communication costs of the first access network device.

[0013] The first and second aspects are as follows.

[0014] In one possible design, the first message indicates that the updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device is the first I-RNTI rule and indicates that the second I-RNTI rule remains valid, where the second I-RNTI rule is the I-RNTI rule before the update by the second access network device. In the above design, when the I-RNTI rule is updated, it indicates that the I-RNTI rule before the update remains valid, so that the terminal device that assigns the I-RNTI according to the I-RNTI rule before the update can accurately determine the anchor access network device in the RRC resumption procedure. This can improve the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0015] In one possible design, the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the second I-RNTI rule remains in effect. According to the above design, it may be explicitly indicated that the pre-update I-RNTI rule remains in effect.

[0016] In one possible design, the second I-RNTI rule may include at least two I-RNTI rules. The first message may carry multiple pieces of first indication information, and one piece of first indication information may be associated with one or more I-RNTI rules in the second I-RNTI rule. This design may improve indication accuracy.

[0017] In one possible design, the first message carries a first I-RNTI rule and a second I-RNTI rule. In the above design, when the I-RNTI rule is updated, the previous I-RNTI rule is carried. This may implicitly indicate that the previous I-RNTI rule remains valid.

[0018] In one possible design, the first message indicates adding a first I-RNTI rule. According to the above design, the first access network device may maintain the original second I-RNTI rule and the newly added first I-RNTI rule.

[0019] In one possible design, the second message carries second indication information, which indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled. In this manner, the second I-RNTI rule may be explicitly indicated as disabled.

[0020] In one possible design, the second I-RNTI rule may include at least two I-RNTI rules. The second message may carry multiple pieces of second indication information, and one piece of second indication information may be associated with one or more I-RNTI rules in the second I-RNTI rule. This design may improve indication accuracy.

[0021] In one possible design, the second message indicates that the first I-RNTI rule remains in effect. Thus, when the second message does not indicate that the second I-RNTI rule is in effect, it may be implicitly indicated that the second I-RNTI rule is in effect.

[0022] In one possible design, the second message indicates releasing / removing the second I-RNTI rule. According to the above design, the first access network device may stop maintaining the second I-RNTI rule by releasing / removing the second I-RNTI rule.

[0023] According to a third aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an access network device, a chip, a chip group, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example. The method includes a second access network device updating an I-RNTI rule. The second access network device transmits a first paging message and / or a second paging message, where the first paging message instructs access network devices within a radio access network notification area of the terminal device in an inactive state to page the terminal device in an inactive state, and the second paging message is used by the second access network device to page the terminal device in an inactive state. The second access network device performs at least one of the following: triggering the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in an inactive state to be updated according to the updated I-RNTI rule; triggering the second terminal device in an inactive state to enter an idle state; and transmitting context information of the third terminal device in an inactive state to the first access network device, the first access network device being an access network device that receives the paging response transmitted by the third terminal device.

[0024] According to the solution in this embodiment of this application, when updating the I-RNTI rule, the second access network device updates the I-RNTI of the terminal device by paging the terminal device in a timely manner, so that the second access network device and the first access network device can maintain a set of I-RNTI rules, thereby reducing the implementation complexity of the access network devices.

[0025] In one possible design, the first paging message and / or the second paging message may carry a paging cause, where the paging cause is an I-RNTI rule change. According to the above design, a communication device receiving the first paging message or the second paging message may obtain the paging cause.

[0026] In one possible design, the second access network device triggering the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in an inactive state to be updated includes the second access network device assigning an I-RNTI to the first terminal device according to an updated I-RNTI rule. According to the above design, the terminal device within communication range of the second access network can update its I-RNTI during paging of the second access network device.

[0027] In one possible design, the second access network device triggering the updating of the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in an inactive state includes the second access network device sending a third message to a third access network device, the third access network device being an access network device that receives the paging response sent by the first terminal device, the third message instructing the third access network device to assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device. According to the above design, a terminal device within a communication range of the third access network can update its I-RNTI during paging of the third access network device.

[0028] In one possible design, the third message is used to carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change. According to the above design, the terminal device can determine that the reason for updating the I-RNTI is an I-RNTI rule change.

[0029] In one possible design, the second access network device triggering the second terminal device in an inactive state to enter an idle state includes the second access network device releasing the second terminal device to the idle state. According to the above design, the terminal device within communication range of the second access network can be released to the idle state during paging of the second access network device.

[0030] In one possible design, the second access network device triggering the second terminal device in the inactive state to enter the idle state includes the second access network device sending a fourth message to a fourth access network device, the fourth access network device being an access network device that receives the paging response sent by the second terminal device, the fourth message instructing the fourth access network device to release the second terminal device to the idle state. According to the above design, the terminal device within the communication range of the fourth access network can be released to the idle state during paging of the fourth access network device.

[0031] In one possible design, the fourth message is used to carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change. According to the above design, the terminal device can determine that the reason for updating the I-RNTI is an I-RNTI rule change.

[0032] According to a fourth aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an access network device, a chip, a chip group, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example. The method includes: a first access network device receiving a first paging message from a second access network device, the first paging message being used to page a terminal device in an inactive state; the first access network device transmitting a third paging message, the third paging message being used to page the terminal device in an inactive state; and the first access network device performing at least one of the following: updating the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in the inactive state; and releasing the second terminal device in the inactive state to enter an idle state.

[0033] According to the solution in this embodiment of this application, when updating the I-RNTI rule, the second access network device updates the I-RNTI of the terminal device by paging the terminal device in a timely manner, so that the second access network device and the first access network device can maintain a set of I-RNTI rules, thereby reducing the implementation complexity of the access network devices.

[0034] In one possible design, the first paging message and / or the second paging message may carry a paging cause, where the paging cause is an I-RNTI rule change. According to the above design, a communication device receiving the first paging message or the second paging message may obtain the paging cause.

[0035] In one possible design, the method further includes, before the first access network device updates the I-RNTI of the terminal device in an inactive state, the first access network device receiving a third message from the second access network device, the third message instructing the first access network device to assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device. According to the above design, the terminal device within communication range of the first access network can update its I-RNTI during paging of the first access network device.

[0036] In one possible design, the method further includes, before the first access network device releases the terminal device in the inactive state to enter the idle state, the first access network device receiving a fourth message from the second access network device, the fourth message instructing the fourth access network device to release the second terminal device to the idle state. According to the above design, the terminal device within the communication range of the first access network can be released to the idle state during paging of the first access network device.

[0037] In one possible design, the third message is used to carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change. According to the above design, the terminal device can determine that the reason for updating the I-RNTI is an I-RNTI rule change.

[0038] In one possible design, the fourth message is used to carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change. According to the above design, the terminal device can determine that the reason for updating the I-RNTI is an I-RNTI rule change.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to a terminal device, a chip, a chip group, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. A terminal device is used as an example. The method includes: the terminal device receiving a second paging message or a third paging message; and the terminal device entering an idle state or updating an I-RNTI.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an access network device, a chip, a group of chips, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example. The method includes a first access network device receiving a message 1 from a second access network device, the first message indicating a first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. The first access network device determines that the first I-RNTI rule conflicts with an I-RNTI rule of another access network device. The first access network device triggers the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0041] According to the solution in this embodiment of this application, a first access network device can adjust the I-RNTI rule of a second access network device. For example, when the first access network device finds that it cannot properly determine the anchor access network device according to the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, the first access network device can assist the second access network device in changing the I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the anchor access network device. This can to a certain extent prevent certain access network devices from being omitted when determining the anchor access network device based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device. This can also to a certain extent prevent an excessive number of access network devices from being determined based on the I-RNTI, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0042] In one possible design, the first access network device triggering the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule includes the first access network device sending message 2 to the second access network device, where the message 2 instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule. In the above design, the first access network device may instruct the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule by sending the message.

[0043] In one possible design, the message 2 carries at least one of first information and second information, where the first information instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule, and the second information indicates an update requirement for the I-RNTI rule. This design can improve update efficiency.

[0044] In one possible design, the first access network device triggering the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rules includes the first access network device sending message 3 to an operations and management (OAM) entity, where message 3 indicates that the I-RNTI rules conflict with each other. In the above design, the OAM entity may centrally manage the I-RNTI rules of the access network devices.

[0045] In one possible design, message 3 carries information about the first I-RNTI rule and / or the identity of the second access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity can determine conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0046] In one possible design, message 3 further carries information about the I-RNTI rule of another access network device and / or the identity of the other access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity can determine conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0047] In one possible design, the first access network device receives third information from the second access network device, the third information indicating that the first access network device is authorized to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule. In this manner, the first access network device can obtain authorization to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule.

[0048] In one possible design, the first I-RNTI rule includes information related to the access network device identity.

[0049] In one possible design, the first I-RNTI rule further indicates at least one of the following: related information of a terminal device identifier, related information of a public land mobile network (PLMN), related information of a radio access technology / system, and related information of the I-RNTI rule.

[0050] In one possible design, the first I-RNTI rule corresponds to the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI.

[0051] According to a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an access network device, a chip, a group of chips, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example, and the method includes: a second access network device sending a message 1 to a first access network device, the message 1 indicating a first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device; and the second access network device receiving a message 2 from the first access network device, the message 2 instructing the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0052] According to the solution in this embodiment of this application, a first access network device can adjust the I-RNTI rule of a second access network device. For example, when the first access network device finds that it cannot properly determine the anchor access network device according to the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, the first access network device can assist the second access network device in changing the I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the anchor access network device. This can to a certain extent prevent certain access network devices from being omitted when determining the anchor access network device based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device. This can also to a certain extent prevent an excessive number of access network devices from being determined based on the I-RNTI, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0053] In one possible design, the method further includes the second access network device sending third information to the first access network device, the third information indicating that the first access network device is authorized to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule. In this manner, the first access network device can obtain authorization to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule.

[0054] In one possible design, the message 2 carries at least one of first information and second information, where the first information instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule, and the second information indicates an update requirement for the I-RNTI rule. This design can improve update efficiency.

[0055] In one possible design, the first I-RNTI rule includes information related to the access network device identity.

[0056] In one possible design, the first I-RNTI rule indicates at least one of the following: related information of a terminal device identifier, related information of a PLMN, related information of a radio access technology / system, and related information of an I-RNTI rule.

[0057] In one possible design, the first I-RNTI rule indicates the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI.

[0058] According to an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to an OAM entity, a chip, a group of chips, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An OAM entity is used as an example. The method includes: the OAM entity receiving a message 3 from a first access network device, the message 3 indicating that inactive radio network temporary identifiers (I-RNTIs) conflict with each other; and the OAM entity updating the conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0059] According to the solution in this embodiment of this application, a first access network device can adjust the I-RNTI rule of a second access network device. For example, when the first access network device finds that it cannot properly determine the anchor access network device according to the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, the first access network device can assist the second access network device in changing the I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the anchor access network device. This can to a certain extent prevent certain access network devices from being omitted when determining the anchor access network device based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device. This can also to a certain extent prevent an excessive number of access network devices from being determined based on the I-RNTI, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0060] In one possible design, message 3 carries information about the first I-RNTI rule and / or the identity of the second access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity can determine conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0061] In one possible design, the OAM entity updating the conflicting I-RNTI rules includes the OAM entity updating the I-RNTI rules of the second access network device and the OAM entity sending the updated I-RNTI rules to the second access network device.

[0062] In one possible design, message 3 further carries information about a second I-RNTI rule that conflicts with the first I-RNTI rule and / or an identity of a third access network device that corresponds to the second I-RNTI rule. In this manner, the OAM entity can determine which I-RNTI rules conflict with each other.

[0063] In one possible design, the OAM entity updating the conflicting I-RNTI rules includes the OAM entity updating the I-RNTI rule of a third access network device and the OAM entity sending the updated I-RNTI rule to the third access network device.

[0064] According to a ninth aspect, this application provides a communication method. The method can be applied to an access network device, a chip, a chip group, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example, and the method includes: a first access network device receiving an RRC resumption request from a terminal device, the RRC resumption request carrying an I-RNTI of the terminal device, and the I-RNTI indicating a corresponding I-RNTI rule; the first access network device determining an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI according to the I-RNTI rule; and the first access network device obtaining context information of the terminal device from the access network device.

[0065] In this embodiment of the application, the I-RNTI of the terminal device indicates a corresponding I-RNTI rule, so that the first access network device can determine the access network device information carried in the I-RNTI according to the indicated I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0066] In one possible design, when the first bit of the I-RNTI is a first value, the I-RNTI indicates an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device, or when the first bit of the I-RNTI is a second value, the I-RNTI indicates an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. In the above design, one or more bits are obtained from the I-RNTI through division, so that the one or more bits can indicate a corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0067] According to a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied to an access network device, a chip, a chip group, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. An access network device is used as an example, and the method includes: a second access network device determining an I-RNTI rule; and the second access network device determining an I-RNTI of a terminal device according to the I-RNTI rule, where the I-RNTI indicates a corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0068] In this embodiment of the application, the I-RNTI of the terminal device indicates a corresponding I-RNTI rule, so that the first access network device can determine the access network device information carried in the I-RNTI according to the indicated I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0069] In one possible design, when the first bit of the I-RNTI is a first value, the I-RNTI indicates an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device, or when the first bit of the I-RNTI is a second value, the I-RNTI indicates an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. In the above design, one or more bits are obtained from the I-RNTI through division, so that the one or more bits can indicate a corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0070] According to an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which may be applied to a terminal device, a chip, a group of chips, a functional module in a chip that performs the method, or the like. A terminal device is used as an example. The method includes:

[0071] A terminal device receives configuration information from a second access network device, the configuration information carrying an I-RNTI assigned to the terminal device by the second access network device, the I-RNTI indicating a corresponding I-RNTI rule, and the terminal device sends an RRC resumption request to a first access network device, the RRC resumption request carrying the I-RNTI of the terminal device, the I-RNTI indicating the corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0072] In this embodiment of the application, the I-RNTI of the terminal device indicates a corresponding I-RNTI rule, so that the first access network device can determine the access network device information carried in the I-RNTI according to the indicated I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0073] In one possible design, when the first bit of the I-RNTI is a first value, the I-RNTI indicates an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device, or when the first bit of the I-RNTI is a second value, the I-RNTI indicates an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. In the above design, one or more bits are obtained from the I-RNTI through division, so that the one or more bits can indicate a corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0074] According to a twelfth aspect, the application provides an apparatus. The apparatus may be a communications device, or a chip or group of chips within the communications device. The communications device may be a terminal device, an access network device, or an OAM entity. The apparatus may include a processing module and a transceiver module. When the apparatus is a communications device, the processing module may be a processor, and the transceiver module may be a transceiver. The apparatus may further include a storage module, which may be a memory. The storage module is configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing module reads the instructions and / or data stored in the storage module, causing the access network device to perform a corresponding function in any of the first to fourth, sixth and seventh, ninth and tenth aspects; or the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module, causing the terminal device to perform a corresponding function in the fifth aspect; or the processing module executes the instructions stored in the storage module, causing the OAM entity to perform a corresponding function in the eighth aspect. When the apparatus is a chip or group of chips in a communication device, the processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be an input / output interface, pins, circuitry, or the like. The processing module executes instructions stored in the storage module to perform a corresponding function in any of the first to fourth, sixth and seventh, or ninth and tenth aspects, or to perform a corresponding function in the fifth aspect, or to perform a corresponding function in the eighth aspect. The storage module can be a storage module (e.g., a register or a cache) within the chip or group of chips, or a storage module (e.g., a read-only memory or a random access memory) external to the chip or group of chips.

[0075] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a processor, a communications interface, and a memory. The communications interface is configured to transmit information, messages, and / or data between the apparatus and another apparatus. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus operates, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, such that the apparatus performs a method according to any one of the first to tenth aspects or any one of the first to tenth aspects.

[0076] According to a fourteenth aspect, the application further provides a system, the system including a first access network device implementing any of the designs of the first aspect and a second access network device implementing any of the designs of the second aspect.

[0077] According to a fifteenth aspect, the application further relates to a system including a first access network device implementing any of the designs of the third aspect, a second access network device implementing any of the designs of the fourth aspect, and may further include a terminal device implementing the fifth aspect.

[0078] According to a sixteenth aspect, the application further relates to a system, the system including a first access network device implementing any of the designs of the sixth aspect and a second access network device implementing any of the designs of the seventh aspect.

[0079] According to a seventeenth aspect, the application further provides a system including a first access network device implementing any of the designs of the sixth aspect and an OAM entity implementing any of the designs of the eighth aspect, and may further include a second access network device.

[0080] According to an eighteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method according to the above aspect.

[0081] According to a nineteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method according to the above aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0082] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of another access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] 4 is a schematic flowchart of resuming an RRC connection by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic flowchart of updating an I-RNTI rule according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic flowchart of updating an I-RNTI rule according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic flowchart of updating an I-RNTI rule according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11]1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0083] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the following further describes the embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] The network elements in the embodiments of this application include access network devices and terminal devices.

[0085] An access network device is an entity configured to transmit or receive signals on the network side, such as a next-generation base station (gNodeB or gNB). The access network device may be a device configured to communicate with a mobile device. The access network device may be an access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in a long-term evolution (LTE), a relay station, an access point, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, an access network device in a 5G network, an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, or a gNB in a new radio (NR) system. Furthermore, in an embodiment of this application, the access network device serves a cell, and a terminal device communicates with the access network device by using transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources or spectrum resources) used by the cell. The access network device in the embodiments of this application may be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the access network device may include a CU and a DU, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The CU and the DU may be physically separated or may be deployed together. This is not particularly limited in the embodiments of this application. One CU may be connected to one DU, or multiple DUs may share one CU, which can reduce costs and facilitate network expansion.The CU and DU may be divided based on protocol stacks. In one possible scheme, the radio resource control (RRC) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer are deployed on the CU, and the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer are deployed on the DU. The embodiments of this application are not limited to the above protocol stack division scheme, and other division schemes may exist. The CU and DU are connected via an F1 interface. The CU indicates that the gNB is connected to the core network via an Ng interface. The access network device in the embodiments of this application may be a central unit control plane (CU-CP) node or a central unit user plane (CU-UP) node. Alternatively, the network device may be a CU-CP and a CU-UP. The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions and mainly includes RRC and PDCP-C. The PDCP-C is responsible for control plane data encryption and decryption, integrity protection, data transmission, etc. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions and mainly includes the SDAP and PDCP-U. The SDAP is responsible for processing core network data and mapping flows to bearers. The PDCP-U is responsible for data plane encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, data transmission, etc. The CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via the E1 interface. The CU-CP indicates that the gNB is connected to the core network via the Ng interface and to the DU via the F1-C (control plane) interface. The CU-UP is connected to the DU via the F1-U (user plane) interface. Of course, in another possible implementation, the PDCP-C is instead located within the CU-UP.As shown in FIG. 2, the access network device referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a device including a CU and a DU, a device including a CU and a DU, or a device including a control plane CU node (CU-CP node), a user plane CU node (CU-UP node), and a DU node. In another possible case, the access network device may be another device that provides wireless communication functionality to a terminal device. The specific technology and specific device configuration used by the access network device are not limited in the embodiments of this application. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments of this application, a device that provides wireless communication functionality to a terminal device will be referred to as an access network device.

[0086] A terminal device may be any terminal device capable of receiving scheduling and indication information from an access network device. A terminal device may be a device providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem. A terminal device may communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (e.g., a radio access network, RAN). A terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (also referred to as a "cellular" phone or mobile phone), a computer, or a data card, and may be, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile device capable of exchanging voice and / or data with a radio access network. For example, a terminal device may be a personal communications service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer (PAD), or a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities.A terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a subscriber station (SS), a customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile terminal (MT), etc. Alternatively, the terminal device may be a wearable device and a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN network, or a terminal device in an NR communication system.

[0087] In addition, the embodiments of this application may also be applicable to other future-oriented communication technologies. The network architectures and service scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly explain the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute limitations on the technical solutions provided in this application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application may also be applicable to similar technical problems.

[0088] It may be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device and / or the network device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. In addition, the steps may be performed in a different sequence than presented in the embodiments of this application, and not all of the operations in the embodiments of this application need to be performed.

[0089] It should be noted that the types and standards of the above-mentioned communication systems are not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the communication system may be a 5G communication system, an LTE communication system, a 6G communication system, or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system.

[0090] In NR, the RRC status of a terminal device includes a connected state, an inactive state, and an idle state. When the terminal device is in the inactive state, the RRC connection between the terminal device and the access network device is suspended, but the terminal device and the access network device store the context information of the terminal device.

[0091] When configuring a terminal device to enter an inactive state, the access network device transmits an I-RNTI to the terminal device. The I-RNTI is used by the access network device to obtain context information of the terminal device. For example, the I-RNTI corresponds to the context information of the terminal device on the anchor access network device, and the context information of the terminal device can be found by using the I-RNTI. For example, the I-RNTI currently has two lengths: one is 40 bits, commonly referred to as a full I-RNTI, and the other is 24 bits, commonly referred to as a short I-RNTI. Information in the I-RNTI may include an identifier of the terminal device and an identifier of the access network device (e.g., an identifier of the anchor access network device). In the embodiments of this application, an example in which the I-RNTI has two lengths is used for explanation, but the length of the I-RNTI is not limited.

[0092] When a service requirement exists (for example, the terminal device needs to transmit uplink data or receive a paging message), the terminal device in the inactive state initiates an RRC restart process. As shown in Figure 3, the RRC restart process may be as follows.

[0093] S301: A terminal device sends an RRC resume request message to a target access network device.

[0094] The RRC resume request message carries the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0095] The target access network device is the access network device for which the terminal device initiates RRC resumption.

[0096] S302: The target access network device sends a request message (Retrieve UE context request) to the anchor access network device to retrieve a context of the terminal device.

[0097] The Retrieve UE context request message carries the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0098] The anchor access network device is an access network device that configures the terminal device to enter the inactive state, and may also be referred to as a source access network device.

[0099] Specifically, the target access network device may determine the anchor access network device based on the identity of the anchor access network device in the I-RNTI, and may send a Retrieve UE context request message to the anchor access network device. For example, the target access network device may determine the corresponding anchor access network device by determining a corresponding global access network device identity based on the identity of the anchor access network device in the I-RNTI.

[0100] S303: The anchor access network device sends a response message to the target access network device.

[0101] The response message may be a Retrieve UE context response message, which carries context information of the terminal device. In this scenario, it may be considered that the target access network device has successfully discovered the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI.

[0102] Alternatively, the response message may be a Retrieve UE context failure message. If the anchor access network device fails to verify the terminal device, the anchor access network device may send the Retrieve UE context failure message. In this scenario, it may be considered that the target access network device could not find an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI, i.e., could not find the anchor access network device.

[0103] Alternatively, the response message may be a Retrieve UE context failure message. If the anchor access network device successfully verifies the terminal device but decides to continue maintaining the context information of the terminal device or decides to release the terminal device to an idle state, the anchor access network device may send the Retrieve UE context failure message. In this case, the Retrieve UE context failure message may carry an RRC Release message generated by the anchor access network device, and the target access network device may transparently send or forward the RRC Release message to the terminal device. In this scenario, it may be considered that the target access network device has successfully discovered an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI.

[0104] The access network device may determine the format of the I-RNTI according to the I-RNTI rule. Currently, the I-RNTI rule of the access network device may be changed. Therefore, when the access network device performs an RRC resumption procedure for the terminal device based on the I-RNTI, an error may easily occur.

[0105] Based on this, the embodiments of this application provide a communication method and an apparatus for solving the problem that a change in the I-RNTI rule of an access network device causes a communication error. The method and the apparatus are devised based on the same invention. The method and the apparatus have the same principle for solving the problem. Therefore, the implementation of the apparatus and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated details will not be described.

[0106] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. The term "and / or" describes an association relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the following cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, or only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. "At least one of" or similar expressions refers to any combination of items, including a single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0107] It should be noted that in the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish between the descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0108] The "I-RNTI rules" in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as "I-RNTI formats," "I-RNTI splitting rules," or "I-RNTI reference profiles," and certainly may alternatively be referred to as other terms. If information can have characteristics that determine the I-RNTI format, then that information may be considered an "I-RNTI rule" in the embodiments of this application.

[0109] In this embodiment of this application, the target access network device is the access network device for which the terminal device initiates RRC resumption. The source access network device is the access network device that configures the terminal device to enter the inactive state, or the access network device to which the terminal device was last connected before the terminal device entered the inactive state. The source access network device may also be referred to as the anchor access network device.

[0110] The communication method provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] Embodiment 1

[0112] 4 shows a communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which may include the following detailed steps:

[0113] S401: A second access network device sends a message 1 to a first access network device, where the message 1 indicates a first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device.

[0114] In response, the first access network device receives message 1 from the second access network device.

[0115] In one possible embodiment, after updating the I-RNTI rule, the second access network device may send message 1 to the first access network device to indicate that the updated I-RNTI rule is the first I-RNTI rule.

[0116] In one illustrative example, in a procedure for resuming an RRC connection by a terminal device, the first access network device may be a target access network device from which the terminal device initiates the RRC resumption procedure, and the second access network device may be a source access network device that stores context information of the terminal device.

[0117] The first I-RNTI rule may be used by the first access network device to determine the access network device identity carried in the I-RNTI.

[0118] For example, the first I-RNTI rule may include related information of the access network device identity, which is used by the first access network device to determine the access network device identity carried in the I-RNTI.

[0119] In one example, the related information of the access network device identification information indicates the number of bits of the access network device identification information. For example, the related information of the access network device identification information may be a specific value, such as 20 bits or 12 bits. Alternatively, the related information of the access network device identification information may be a relative value, such as half, 1 / 2, 1 / 3, or 2 / 5. The relative value may indicate a proportional relationship between the number of bits of the access network device identification information and the number of bits of the global access network device identification information. For example, the related information of the access network device identification information may be 1 / 3, and the number of bits indicating the access network device identification information is 1 / 3 of the number of bits of the global access network device identification information.

[0120] The access network device identity carried in the I-RNTI may also be referred to as a local access network device identity, for example, a local RAN node ID. The global access network device identity may be a global RAN node ID.

[0121] Optionally, the bit position of the access network device identity within the global access network device identity may be determined by the first access network device according to a first RNTI rule, or may be preset, or may be specified in a protocol.

[0122] In the above example, the first access network device may determine the access network device identification information of the second access network device based on the associated information of the access network device identification information and the global access network device identification information of the second access network device.

[0123] In another example, the associated information of the access network device identity may be the access network device identity of a second access network device.

[0124] In addition, the first I-RNTI rule may further include at least one of the following: related information of a terminal device identifier, related information of a public land mobile network (PLMN), related information of a radio access technology / system, and related information of an I-RNTI rule.

[0125] For example, the terminal device identifier related information indicates the number of bits of terminal device identifier information, the PLMN related information indicates the number of bits of PLMN information, the radio access technology / system related information indicates the number of bits of radio access technology / system information, and the I-RNTI rule related information indicates the number of bits of I-RNTI rule sequence number or index information.

[0126] Optionally, the first I-RNTI rule corresponds to the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI. Message 1 may indicate the length type of the I-RNTI and the corresponding first I-RNTI rule.

[0127] In one possible example, message 1 indicates the following I-RNTI rule information: [Table 1]

[0128] When the length of the I-RNTI is 40 bits, the first I-RNTI rule may indicate that the local RAN node ID is 20 bits. It is assumed that the protocol specifies that the least significant bits of the global RAN node ID carry the local RAN node ID, and the first access network device can determine the local RAN node ID based on the length information of the local RAN node ID in the first I-RNTI rule and the global RAN node ID of the second access network device. Alternatively, it is assumed that the protocol specifies that the least significant bits of the I-RNTI carry the local RAN node ID. In this case, the first access network device may determine that the first 20 bits of the I-RNTI in ascending order are the local RAN node ID when the length of the I-RNTI is 40 bits. According to the above mechanism, the first access network device can determine the local RAN node ID of the second access network device and the local RAN node ID in the received I-RNTI. If these two local RAN node IDs are the same, the first access network device can determine, based on the corresponding global RAN node ID, that the second access network device may be the source / anchor network device of the terminal device corresponding to the I-RNTI. When the length of the I-RNTI is 24 bits, the first I-RNTI rule may indicate that the local RAN node ID is 12 bits. For the corresponding operation of the first access network device, please refer to the description when the length of the I-RNTI is 24 bits. Details will not be described again here.

[0129] In this example, the second access network device may indicate the length of the full local access network device identification information and / or the length of the short local access network device identification information to the first access network device.

[0130] In another possible example, the first I-RNTI rule may carry specific content of the local RAN node ID. For example, message 1 may indicate the following I-RNTI rule information: [Table 2]

[0131] When the length of the I-RNTI is 40 bits, the first I-RNTI rule carries the full local RAN node ID of the second access network device, for example, denoted as local RAN node ID1-1, where local RAN node ID1-1 is the local RAN node ID of the second access network device, which is 20 bits in length. When the length of the I-RNTI is 24 bits, the first I-RNTI rule carries the short local RAN node ID of the second access network device, for example, denoted as local RAN node ID1-2, where local RAN node ID1-2 is the local RAN node ID of the second access network device, which is 12 bits in length.

[0132] In this example, the second access network device may indicate the full local access network device identification and / or the short local access network device identification to the first access network device. Optionally, the second access network device may indicate the length of the full local access network device identification and / or the length of the short local access network device identification to the first access network device.

[0133] It should be understood that the following "I-RNTI rule" is the same as the "first I-RNTI rule." For details, please refer to the relevant description of the first I-RNTI rule above. The repeated content will not be described again.

[0134] In one illustrative example, the manner in which Message 1 indicates the first I-RNTI rule may be to carry specific content of the first I-RNTI rule, or Message 1 may carry a sequence number, index information, or identifier of the first I-RNTI rule. Optionally, the I-RNTI rule corresponding to the sequence number, identifier, or index information may be predefined in the protocol, or may be interacted between access network devices, or may be obtained by the access network device from another network device (e.g., an operation and management (OAM) device). For example, the protocol may define multiple I-RNTI rules, each I-RNTI rule corresponding to an index, and Message 1 may carry the index of the first I-RNTI rule.

[0135] In one illustrative example, message 1 is an interface setup request message, such as an X2 setup request message, an Xn setup request message, or other message.

[0136] Optionally, after S401, S402 may be executed.

[0137] S402: A first access network device determines that a first I-RNTI rule conflicts with an I-RNTI rule of another access network device.

[0138] In one possible implementation, when determining, according to the first I-RNTI rule, that the local access network device identity carried in the I-RNTI is associated with N possible access network devices, the first access network device determines that the first I-RNTI rule conflicts with an I-RNTI rule of an access network device other than the second access network device among the plurality of possible access network devices, where N is an integer greater than 1. Optionally, N can be preset, specified in a protocol, or determined by the first access network device. For example, the first access network device determines the value of N based on the capabilities of the first access network device. In this case, S403 can be executed.

[0139] In some embodiments, before step S402, the second access network device may send third information to the first access network device, where the third information indicates whether the first access network device is allowed to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule.

[0140] For example, "allowing the first access network device to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule" may be understood as allowing the first access network device to determine whether the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device, or may be understood as allowing the first access network device to perform S403 when the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device.

[0141] It may be understood that if the first access network device determines that the first I-RNTI rule does not conflict with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device, the first access network device may maintain the first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. Thus, when the terminal device initiates an RRC resumption procedure toward the first access network device, the first access network device may determine a local access network device identity carried in the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the first I-RNTI rule, and determine the second access network device based on the local access network device identity.

[0142] Optionally, at S403, the first access network device triggers the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0143] In one implementation, the first access network device may send message 2 to the second access network device, where message 2 instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0144] In this implementation, after receiving message 2, the second access network device may send an updated I-RNTI rule to the first access network device, as shown in FIG.

[0145] For example, message 2 carries at least one of first information instructing the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule and second information indicating an update requirement for the I-RNTI rule.

[0146] In one possible implementation, the process by which the second access network device updates the I-RNTI rule may be as follows: After receiving message 2, the second access network device may redetermine the current I-RNTI rule and notify the first access network device. The first access network device may re-determine whether its I-RNTI rule conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device, and if its I-RNTI rule conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device, notify the second access network device until the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device no longer conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of the other access network device.

[0147] The I-RNTI rule update requirement may include specific content of the I-RNTI rule, such as the I-RNTI rule expected by the first access network device, or may include constraints on the I-RNTI rule, such as conditions that the I-RNTI rule expected by the first access network device must satisfy.

[0148] In one possible implementation, the first access network device determines an update requirement for the I-RNTI rule according to an I-RNTI rule that conflicts with the first I-RNTI rule.

[0149] In another possible implementation, the first access network device may instead determine the update requirements for the I-RNTI rule according to the I-RNTI rules maintained by the first access network device (including the I-RNTI rules of the first access network device and the I-RNTI rules of another access network device).

[0150] In another implementation, the first access network device may send a message 3 to an operation and management (OAM) entity, where the message 3 indicates that the I-RNTI rules conflict with each other.

[0151] For example, message 3 may carry information about the first I-RNTI rule, such as the specific content of the first I-RNTI rule, or may carry identifying information, such as the sequence number and index of the first I-RNTI rule.

[0152] Alternatively, message 3 may carry the identity of the second access network device. In one possible example, the OAM entity stores the correspondence between the access network devices and the I-RNTI rules, and the OAM can determine the I-RNTI rules that are in conflict with each other based on the identity of the second access network device carried in message 3.

[0153] Alternatively, message 3 may carry information about the first I-RNTI rule and the identification information of the second access network device.

[0154] Additionally, message 3 may further carry at least one of information regarding an I-RNTI rule of another access network device and an identity of the other access network device, such as a third access network device, whose I-RNTI rule conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device.

[0155] In this implementation, after receiving message 3, the OAM entity can update the conflicting I-RNTI rules so that the I-RNTI rules of the second access network device do not conflict with the I-RNTI rules of another access network device.

[0156] For example, in an example where the I-RNTI rule of a second access network device conflicts with the I-RNTI rule of a third access network device, the OAM entity may update the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and send the updated I-RNTI rule to the second access network device, where the updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device does not conflict with the I-RNTI rule of the third access network device.

[0157] Additionally, the second access network device may send the updated I-RNTI rules to the first access network device.

[0158] In another example, for example, an I-RNTI rule of a second access network device conflicts with an I-RNTI rule of a third access network device, and the OAM entity may update the I-RNTI rule of the third access network device and send the updated I-RNTI rule to the third access network device, where the updated I-RNTI rule of the third access network device does not conflict with the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device.

[0159] In another example, the OAM entity may further update the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and the I-RNTI rule of the third access network device so that the updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device does not conflict with the updated I-RNTI rule of the third access network device.

[0160] In another implementation described above, before step S401, the OAM entity may send at least one I-RNTI rule that is allowed to be selected to the second access network device. As shown in FIG. 6, the second access network device may determine a first I-RNTI rule as the current I-RNTI rule of the second access network device according to the at least one I-RNTI rule. Optionally, this embodiment of the present application may be applied to the interaction of I-RNTI rules between adjacent access network devices. It should be understood that the process of the second access network device sending an I-RNTI rule to the first access network device is described in Embodiment 1 of the present application. The first access network device and the second access network device may send I-RNTI rules to each other, and details will not be repeated. In one illustrative example, after receiving the first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, the first access network device may send the current I-RNTI rule of the first access network device to the second access network device. For example, a first access network device receives message 1 sent by a second access network device. The first access network device sends message 4 to the second access network device. Message 4 carries the current I-RNTI rule of the first access network device. For example, message 1 may be an interface setup request message, and message 4 is an interface setup response message. For example, message 1 may be an X2 setup request message, an Xn setup request message, or other request message. Correspondingly, message 4 may be an X2 setup response message, an Xn setup response message, or other response message.

[0161] According to the solution described in embodiment 1 of this application, an access network device can adjust the I-RNTI rule of a neighboring station. For example, when it is found that the anchor access network device cannot be properly determined according to the I-RNTI rule of a neighboring station, the access network device can assist the neighboring station in changing the I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of the anchor access network device determined by the target access network device. On the one hand, this can prevent to a certain extent the omission of certain access network devices when the anchor access network device is determined based on the I-RNTI, thus improving the success rate of the terminal device resuming the RRC connection; on the other hand, this can prevent to a certain extent the determination of an excessive number of access network devices based on the I-RNTI, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0162] Embodiment 2

[0163] 7 illustrates another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which may include the following detailed steps:

[0164] S701: The second access network device updates the I-RNTI rule.

[0165] For example, the I-RNTI rule may be updated because the number of access network devices determined according to the original I-RNTI rule exceeds a threshold, or may be updated to more appropriately configure a terminal device in an inactive state. Certainly, the I-RNTI rule may be updated for other reasons, which is not particularly limited herein.

[0166] Optionally, the second access network device may or may not send a reason for updating the I-RNTI rule to the first access network device, which is not particularly limited here. For example, the second access network device may add a reason for updating the I-RNTI rule to the first message.

[0167] Note that step S701 may be an optional step.

[0168] S702: A second access network device sends a first message to a first access network device, where the first message indicates that at least two I-RNTI rules of the second access network device remain valid.

[0169] In response, the first access network device receives a first message from the second access network device.

[0170] For example, the at least two I-RNTI rules may include an updated first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and an unupdated second I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. For example, the first message may indicate that the updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device is the first I-RNTI rule and that the second I-RNTI rule remains valid. Specifically, the first I-RNTI rule may include at least one I-RNTI rule. The second I-RNTI rule may also include at least one I-RNTI rule.

[0171] In one possible example, the first message may carry a first I-RNTI rule and first indication information, where the first indication information indicates whether the second I-RNTI rule remains valid. As described above, the indication information may explicitly indicate whether the second I-RNTI rule remains valid. It may be understood that when the second I-RNTI rule includes at least two I-RNTI rules, the first message may include at least one piece of first indication information, where one piece of first indication information may be associated with one or more I-RNTI rules in the second I-RNTI rule. For example, the first message may carry first indication information corresponding to each I-RNTI rule. In one implementation, the first indication information may be at least one bit, where bits within the at least one bit separately correspond to I-RNTI rules in the second I-RNTI rule.

[0172] Optionally, the first indication information corresponds to the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI. The first message may indicate the length type of the I-RNTI and the corresponding first indication information.

[0173] In one possible example, a second I-RNTI rule including two I-RNTI rules is used as an example. The first message indicates the following information: [Table 3]

[0174] Assume that when the first indication information is 01, it indicates that the first I-RNTI rule is enabled and the second I-RNTI rule is disabled. When the first indication information is 10, it indicates that the first I-RNTI rule is disabled and the second I-RNTI rule is enabled. From the first message in the above format, it can be seen that the first indication information corresponding to the full I-RNTI (i.e., the length of I-RNTI is 40 bits) is 01. After receiving the first message, the first access network device can keep the first full I-RNTI rule in the second I-RNTI rule enabled and keep the second full I-RNTI rule in the second I-RNTI rule disabled. When the first indication information corresponding to a short I-RNTI (i.e., the length of the I-RNTI is 24 bits) is 10, after receiving the first message, the first access network device can keep the first short I-RNTI rule in the second I-RNTI rule disabled and keep the second short I-RNTI rule in the second I-RNTI rule enabled.

[0175] It should be understood that the above example is merely an example for explanation, and the correspondence between the first indication information and the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI and / or the number of I-RNTI rules may be other correspondences instead, which will not be listed here.

[0176] In another possible example, the first message may carry a first I-RNTI rule and a second I-RNTI rule. As described above, both the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule may be carried in the first message, thereby implicitly indicating that the second I-RNTI rule remains in effect.

[0177] In yet another possible example, the first message may instruct the first access network device to add a first I-RNTI rule. As described above, the first message may indicate that the first I-RNTI rule should be added, thereby implicitly indicating that the second I-RNTI rule remains in effect. For example, the first message may indicate the following information: [Table 4]

[0178] In one possible implementation, before step S701, the second access network device sends a second I-RNTI rule to the first access network device.

[0179] Optionally, after step S702, the first access network device may also determine that some of the at least two I-RNTI rules are invalid.

[0180] For example, the first access network device may determine that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid. For example, the first access network device may determine that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid when a timer corresponding to the second I-RNTI rule expires, and the timer may record the validity time of the second I-RNTI rule. Optionally, the first message may further carry time information indicating the validity time of the second I-RNTI rule.

[0181] Alternatively, the second access network device may indicate that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid. For example, when the second access network device releases the context information of all terminal devices that have been assigned I-RNTIs according to the second I-RNTI rule, the second access network device may indicate to the first access network device that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid. For example, an implementation in which the second access network device releases the context information of all terminal devices that have been assigned I-RNTIs according to the second I-RNTI rule may be as follows: the second access network device removes the context information of the terminal devices that have been assigned I-RNTIs according to the second I-RNTI rule, and / or transfers the context information of the terminal devices according to the second I-RNTI rule to another access network device.

[0182] For example, the at least two I-RNTI rules may include an updated first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and an unupdated second I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. The first access network device may receive a second message from the second access network device, the second message indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled, or the second message indicating that the first I-RNTI rule remains valid.

[0183] For example, the second message carries second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled. Thus, the indication information explicitly indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled.

[0184] Alternatively, the second message carries the first I-RNTI rule. Thus, when the second message does not indicate that the second I-RNTI rule is valid, it is implicitly indicated that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid.

[0185] Alternatively, the second message carries the first I-RNTI rule and the second indication information.

[0186] Alternatively, the second message carries the second I-RNTI rule and indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid or instructs the first access network device to release the second I-RNTI rule.

[0187] It can be understood that in this embodiment of the application, an example in which the second message indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid is used for illustration. Optionally, the second message may also indicate a new third I-RNTI rule. For details, please refer to the related description of indicating the first I-RNTI rule in the first message. The details will not be described again here. In one possible example, the second message indicates the following information: [Table 5]

[0188] Optionally, the second indication information corresponds to the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI. The second message may indicate the length type of the I-RNTI and the corresponding second indication information.

[0189] In one possible example, the second message indicates the following information: [Table 6]

[0190] If the I-RNTI length of the I-RNTI rule before updating is 40 bits, after receiving the second message, the first access network device may no longer maintain the second I-RNTI rule corresponding to the full I-RNTI. The second message does not indicate the second indication information obtained when the I-RNTI is the short I-RNTI. Therefore, after receiving the second message, the first access network device continues to maintain the second I-RNTI rule corresponding to the short I-RNTI.

[0191] It should be understood that the above example is merely an example for explanation, and the correspondence between the second indication information and the number of bits of the I-RNTI or the length type of the I-RNTI may be other correspondences instead, which will not be listed here.

[0192] Alternatively, the first access network device may determine that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid when a timer corresponding to the second I-RNTI rule expires.

[0193] Note that step S702 may be an optional step.

[0194] In one possible embodiment, the first access network device's maintaining the multiple I-RNTI rules of the second access network device in effect may not depend on steps S701 and / or S702. In this embodiment, the second access network device may instead indicate that some or all of the multiple I-RNTI rules are invalid by using the second message.

[0195] Optionally, at S703, the first access network device determines an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device.

[0196] In one illustrative example, the at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device may include one or more of the at least two valid I-RNTI rules indicated by the first message, and may further include a new valid I-RNTI rule indicated by the second access network device after step S702. For example, if the first access network device determines that the second I-RNTI rule is valid after S702, the first access network device may determine an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the first I-RNTI rule and / or the second I-RNTI rule.

[0197] Alternatively, the at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device may not include the at least two valid I-RNTI rules indicated by the first message. For example, after S702, the first access network device may determine that the at least two valid I-RNTI rules indicated by the first message are invalid, and the at least one valid I-RNTI rule used when the first access network device executes S703 may not include the at least two valid I-RNTI rules indicated by the first message.

[0198] Alternatively, the at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device may be independent of the first message. For example, the first access network device maintains that multiple I-RNTI rules of the second access network device are valid in a manner independent of S701 and / or S702. The at least one valid I-RNTI rule in step S703 may include one or more I-RNTI rules of the multiple I-RNTI rules maintained by the first access network device.

[0199] Optionally, at S704, the first access network device sends a request message to obtain a context of the terminal device to at least one of the determined access network devices.

[0200] For a specific explanation of S704, please refer to the explanation of step S302.

[0201] In Implementation 1, the first access network device determines an access network device according to a valid I-RNTI rule. If the number of determined access network devices is two or more, the first access network device may send a request message to obtain the context of the terminal device to all access network devices, or may sequentially send a request message to obtain the context information of the terminal device to the determined access network devices via a traversal mechanism. If the first access network device uses the traversal mechanism, the first access network device may sequentially send a request message to obtain the context of the terminal device to each access network device until the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI is successfully discovered. For example, the first access network device sends a request message to obtain the context of the terminal device to the first access network device, and if the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI is not successfully discovered, it continues to send a request message to obtain the context of the terminal device to the next access network device. The remaining access network devices can be estimated by analogy until the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI is successfully discovered. Note that in this example, the first access network device sends a request message to obtain the context information of the terminal device to the first access network device. However, in this embodiment of this application, the "first" is not limited to one. In other words, the first access network device may instead obtain the context information of the terminal device from multiple access network devices at the same moment.

[0202] In Implementation 2, the first access network device may sequentially determine an access network device according to a valid I-RNTI rule. If the first access network device fails to find an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI according to the nth I-RNTI rule, the first access network device may determine a corresponding access network device according to the (n+1)th I-RNTI rule. The remaining access network devices may be estimated by analogy until an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI is successfully found. If the number of access network devices determined by the first access network device according to each I-RNTI rule is two or more, the first access network device may acquire the context information of the terminal device for each I-RNTI rule in the manner of acquiring the context information of the terminal device in Implementation 1. Of course, other methods may be used. This is not particularly limited here. Here, n is an integer greater than or equal to one.

[0203] For example, two valid I-RNTI rules of the second access network device are used as an example. For example, if the first access network device maintains the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule remains valid after S702, the first access network device may determine the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the first I-RNTI rule and / or the second I-RNTI rule. According to Implementation 1, the first access network device first determines the corresponding access network device according to the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule. If the number of determined access network devices is two or more, the first access network device may perform S704 separately with all of the determined access network devices, or may perform S704 with some of the corresponding access network devices. If the first access network device and some of the corresponding access network devices perform S704, the first access network device may terminate the traversal when it successfully discovers the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI. According to Implementation 2, the first access network device may determine an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to a first I-RNTI rule (which may be the first I-RNTI rule or the second I-RNTI rule), and send a request message to obtain the context of the terminal device to the access network device determined according to the first I-RNTI rule. If the number of determined access network devices is two or more, the first access network device may perform S704 separately with all determined access network devices, or may perform S704 with some corresponding access network devices.If the first access network device cannot find the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI by traversing the access network devices determined according to the first I-RNTI rule, the first access network device may continue to determine the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the second I-RNTI rule. If the number of access network devices determined according to the second I-RNTI rule is two or more, please refer to the above description for the implementation of the first access network device. Details will not be described again here.

[0204] In one illustrative example, if the local access network device identification information of the multiple access network devices is the same as the local access network device identification information carried in the I-RNTI of the terminal device, the first access network device may determine the multiple access network devices based on the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0205] It should be noted that in the above-mentioned other implementations, the first access network device acquires the context information of the terminal device according to one I-RNTI rule at a time in the traversal process. However, this embodiment of the present application is not limited to one I-RNTI rule. The first access network device may also acquire the context information of the terminal device based on multiple I-RNTI rules at a time in the traversal process.

[0206] In this embodiment of the present application, the target access network device can effectively maintain multiple I-RNTI rules of the source access network device under the instruction of the source access network device, so that when resuming the RRC connection of the terminal device, it can determine the source access network device according to the multiple I-RNTI rules, which can to a certain extent avoid omitting some access network devices when determining the source access network device based on the I-RNTI, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can quickly enter a connected state, thereby shortening the service transmission delay.

[0207] For example, when the first message instructs adding an I-RNTI rule, the first access network device further maintains the added I-RNTI rule based on maintaining the original I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. Since the second access network device updates the I-RNTI rule, there may be terminal devices that have been assigned I-RNTIs according to the original I-RNTI rule. In this manner, when the RRC connection of the terminal device is resumed, the first access network device can determine the access network device according to the original I-RNTI rule and the newly added I-RNTI rule. This can prevent some access network devices from being omitted to a certain extent, thereby improving the success rate of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0208] Furthermore, since the second message instructs to remove / release the I-RNTI rule, the first access network device may no longer maintain the original I-RNTI rule of the second access network device. In this manner, when the first access network device resumes the RRC connection of the terminal device, it can determine the access network device according to the newly added I-RNTI rule, so that the number of determined access network devices can be reduced and the context information of the terminal device can be obtained from a smaller number of access network devices. It can be seen that in this manner, the cost of the first access network device can be reduced.

[0209] In one possible implementation, before indicating the I-RNTI rule to the first access network device, the second access network device can interact with the first access network device according to the process in embodiment 1, so as to ensure that the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device does not conflict with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device. For the specific process, please refer to the description in embodiment 1. The details will not be described again here.

[0210] To facilitate understanding of the solution, the method provided in Embodiment 2 of this application will be described below with reference to a specific scenario. In the procedure shown in Figure 8, the first access network device may be the target access network device to which the terminal device initiates the RRC resumption procedure, and the second access network device may be the source access network device that stores the context information of the terminal device.

[0211] The procedure shown in FIG. 8 may include the following steps.

[0212] S801: A second access network device sends an I-RNTI rule 1 to a first access network device.

[0213] Optionally, before step S801, the second access network device may interact with the first access network device based on the process in embodiment 1 to ensure that I-RNTI rule 1 does not conflict with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device.

[0214] S802: A second access network device configures at least one first terminal device to enter an inactive state, and assigns an I-RNTI to the terminal device according to I-RNTI Rule 1.

[0215] Note that there is no strict order between steps S801 and S802. S801 may be executed before S802, S802 may be executed before S801, or S801 and S802 may be executed simultaneously.

[0216] S803: The second access network device determines to update the current I-RNTI rule to I-RNTI rule 2.

[0217] Optionally, before step S803, the second access network device may interact with the first access network device based on the process in embodiment 2 to ensure that I-RNTI rule 2 does not conflict with the I-RNTI rule of another access network device.

[0218] For example, the reason for updating the I-RNTI rule may be that the number of access network devices determined according to I-RNTI rule 1 exceeds a threshold, or may be to more appropriately configure a terminal device in an inactive state. Certainly, another update reason may be used, which is not particularly limited here.

[0219] Optionally, the second access network device may or may not send a reason for updating the I-RNTI rule to the first access network device, which is not particularly limited here. For example, the second access network device may add a reason for updating the I-RNTI rule to the first message.

[0220] S804: The second access network device sends a first message to the first access network device, where the first message carries I-RNTI rule2 and indicates that I-RNTI rule1 remains valid.

[0221] In one example, the first message may carry I-RNTI rule 2 and first indication information, and the first indication information may indicate that I-RNTI rule 1 remains valid, or the first indication information may indicate that the first access network device may determine the access network device according to the I-RNTI rule before the update.

[0222] In another example, the first message may carry I-RNTI rule 1 and I-RNTI rule 2.

[0223] In yet another example, the first message may instruct the first access network device to add I-RNTI rule 2.

[0224] In one illustrative example, the first message may be a device configuration update message, such as an ENB / NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, or may be a device configuration update acknowledgement message, such as an ENB / NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

[0225] Optionally, after S804, S805 may be executed.

[0226] S805: The first access network device sends an acknowledgement message to the first message to the second access network device.

[0227] For example, the acknowledgement message to the first message may be a device configuration update acknowledgement message, such as an ENB / NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

[0228] S806: The second access network device configures at least one second terminal device to enter an inactive state, and assigns an I-RNTI to the terminal device according to I-RNTI Rule 2.

[0229] S807: Terminal device 1 sends an RRC resume request message to the first access network device, where the RRC resume request message carries the I-RNTI of terminal device 1.

[0230] The terminal device 1 may be a first terminal device or a second terminal device.

[0231] S808: The first access network device determines the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device 1 according to I-RNTI rule 1 and / or I-RNTI rule 2.

[0232] S809: The first access network device sends a context acquisition request message to the determined access network device, where the context acquisition request message is used to acquire context information of the terminal device 1.

[0233] In one implementation, the first access network device determines the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device 1 according to I-RNTI rule 1 and I-RNTI rule 2, and sends a context acquisition request message separately to the access network device determined according to I-RNTI rule 1 and the access network device determined according to I-RNTI rule 2.

[0234] In another implementation, the first access network device determines an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to I-RNTI Rule 1, and sends a context acquisition request message to the access network device determined according to I-RNTI Rule 1. If the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI is successfully discovered, the RRC resumption procedure continues. For details, see S303 in FIG. 3. If the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI is not successfully discovered, the access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device is determined according to I-RNTI Rule 2, and a context acquisition request message is sent to the access network device determined according to I-RNTI Rule 2.

[0235] It should be understood that in the above implementation, it is just an example that the context information of the terminal device is first obtained according to I-RNTI rule 1, and then obtained according to I-RNTI rule 2. In a specific implementation, the context information of the terminal device may be first obtained according to I-RNTI rule 2, and then obtained according to I-RNTI rule 1. The order of the I-RNTI rules is not particularly limited here.

[0236] S810: The second access network device sends a second message to the first access network device, where the second message indicates that I-RNTI rule 1 is disabled.

[0237] For example, the second message carries second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that I-RNTI rule 1 is disabled. Alternatively, the second message carries only I-RNTI rule 2. Alternatively, the second message carries second indication information and I-RNTI rule 2. Alternatively, the second message carries I-RNTI rule 1 and indicates that I-RNTI rule 1 is disabled or instructs the first access network device to release I-RNTI rule 1.

[0238] In one illustrative example, the second message may be a device configuration update message, such as an ENB / NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, or may be a device configuration update acknowledgement message, such as an ENB / NG-RAN NODE CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

[0239] In one implementation, the second access network device may send a second message to the first access network device when releasing the context information of all terminal devices to which I-RNTIs are assigned according to I-RNTI Rule 1.

[0240] After step S810, if the terminal device 2 initiates an RRC resumption procedure to the first access network device, the first access network device may determine the access network device according to I-RNTI rule 2.

[0241] It should be noted that not all steps in Fig. 8 need to be executed, but for example, only some of these steps may be executed, and steps not shown (or described) in Fig. 8 may also be executed.

[0242] It should be understood that in Embodiment 2 of this application, only the process of the second access network device updating the I-RNTI rule for the first access network device is described. Alternatively, the first access network device may update the I-RNTI rule for the second access network device. Details will not be repeated.

[0243] Embodiment 3

[0244] 9 illustrates another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which may include the following detailed steps:

[0245] S1001: The second access network device updates the I-RNTI rule.

[0246] For example, for step S1001, please refer to the related description of step S701, and the details will not be described again here.

[0247] After step S1001, S1002a or S1002b can be performed, or S1002a and S1002b can be performed.

[0248] S1002a: A second access network device sends a first paging message, where the first paging message instructs an access network device within a radio access network notification area of the terminal device in an inactive state to page the terminal device in an inactive state. In response, the access network device within the radio access network notification area of the terminal device in an inactive state receives the first paging message.

[0249] A first access network device in a radio access network notification area of a terminal device in an inactive state is used as an example. After receiving the first paging message, the first access network device can send a third paging message, which is used to page the terminal device in an inactive state.

[0250] Optionally, the first paging message may carry a paging cause, where the paging cause indicates an I-RNTI rule change. Optionally, the third paging message may carry a paging cause, where the paging cause indicates an I-RNTI rule change.

[0251] S1002b: A second access network device sends a second paging message, and the second paging message is used by the second access network device to page the terminal device in an inactive state. In response, the terminal device receives the second paging message.

[0252] The second paging message may carry a paging cause, where the paging cause indicates an I-RNTI rule change.

[0253] After S1002a or S1002b, S1003 may be executed.

[0254] S1003: The second access network device performs at least one of the following A to C:

[0255] A: Trigger the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in an inactive state to be updated according to the updated I-RNTI rule.

[0256] In one implementation, the first terminal device may send a paging response to the second access network device, and the second access network device may assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device according to the updated I-RNTI rules.

[0257] In another implementation, the second access network device can send a third message to a third access network device, and the third access network device forwards the third message to the first terminal device, where the third message is used to assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device according to an updated I-RNTI rule, and the third access network device is an access network device that receives the paging response sent by the first terminal device.

[0258] Optionally, the third message may carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change.

[0259] B: Trigger the second terminal device in the inactive state to enter the idle state.

[0260] In one implementation, the second terminal device sends a paging response to the second access network device, and the second access network device releases the second terminal device to an idle state.

[0261] In another implementation, the second terminal device sends a paging response to the fourth access network device, the second access network device sends a fourth message to the fourth access network device, the fourth access network device forwards the fourth message to the first terminal device, and the fourth message is used to release the second terminal device to an idle state.

[0262] Optionally, the fourth message may carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change.

[0263] C: Send context information of a third terminal device in an inactive state to a first access network device, where the first access network device is an access network device that receives a paging response sent by the third terminal device.

[0264] The second access network device may store context information of the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the third terminal device.

[0265] According to the solution in embodiment 3 of this application, when updating the I-RNTI rule, the source access network device can timely page the terminal device to update the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the new I-RNTI rule, or the terminal device can be released to an idle state, or the context information of the terminal device that has been assigned an I-RNTI according to the old I-RNTI rule is transferred to another access network device, so that the source access network device and the target access network device can maintain a set of I-RNTI rules, thereby reducing the implementation complexity of the access network device.

[0266] Embodiment 4

[0267] In embodiment 4 of this application, one or more bits are obtained from the I-RNTI through division to indicate the corresponding I-RNTI rule. Figure 10 shows another communication method according to an embodiment of this application. The method may include the following detailed steps:

[0268] S1101: A second access network device sends a current I-RNTI rule 1 to a first access network device.

[0269] S1102: A second access network device configures an I-RNTI for terminal device 1 according to I-RNTI rule 1.

[0270] For one or more bits in the I-RNTI configured for terminal device 1, a corresponding I-RNTI rule 1 is indicated.

[0271] In one embodiment, after step S1102, the second access network device may send configuration information to the terminal device 1, where the configuration information carries the I-RNTI of the terminal device 1.

[0272] In one implementation, the I-RNTI of the terminal device 1 may carry the specific content of the I-RNTI rule 1, or may carry the identifier, index information, etc. of the I-RNTI rule 1.

[0273] It should be noted that step S1101 may be an optional step, for example, when the I-RNTI carries the specific content of I-RNTI rule 1, S1101 may not be performed.

[0274] S1103: The second access network device updates the current I-RNTI rule to I-RNTI rule 2 for the first access network device.

[0275] S1104: The second access network device configures an I-RNTI for the terminal device 2 according to I-RNTI rule 2.

[0276] A corresponding I-RNTI rule 2 is indicated for one or more bits in the I-RNTI of terminal device 2.

[0277] In one embodiment, after step S1104, the second access network device may send configuration information to terminal device 2, where the configuration information carries the I-RNTI of terminal device 2.

[0278] In one implementation, the I-RNTI of the terminal device 2 may carry the specific content of the I-RNTI rule 2, or may carry the identifier, index information, etc. of the I-RNTI rule 2.

[0279] It should be noted that step S1102 may be an optional step, for example, when the I-RNTI carries the specific content of I-RNTI rule 2, S1102 may not be performed.

[0280] S1105: The terminal device sends an RRC resumption request to the first access network device, where the RRC resumption request carries the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0281] The terminal device may be terminal device 1 or terminal device 2.

[0282] S1106: The first access network device determines a corresponding I-RNTI rule based on the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0283] For example, if the terminal device that sent the RRC resumption request is terminal device 1, the first access network device determines that the corresponding I-RNTI rule is I-RNTI rule 1 based on the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0284] If the terminal device that sent the RRC resumption request is terminal device 2, the first access network device determines that the corresponding I-RNTI rule is I-RNTI rule 2 based on the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0285] S1107: The first access network device determines, according to a corresponding I-RNTI rule, an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

[0286] S1108: The first access network device obtains context information of the terminal device from the determined access network device.

[0287] It should be understood that embodiment 4 of this application only describes a process in which a second access network device sends an I-RNTI rule to a first access network device, the second access network device assigns an I-RNTI to a terminal device, and the terminal device initiates an RRC resumption procedure with the first access network device. The first access network device may also send an I-RNTI rule to a second access network device, the first access network device may assign an I-RNTI to a terminal device, and the terminal device may also initiate an RRC resumption procedure with the second access network device. Details will not be repeated.

[0288] In this embodiment of the application, the I-RNTI of the terminal device indicates the corresponding I-RNTI rule, so that the first access network device can determine the access network device information carried in the I-RNTI according to the indicated I-RNTI rule, thereby improving the accuracy of resuming the RRC connection by the terminal device.

[0289] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, one embodiment of this application provides a communication device. The configuration of the communication device can be shown in FIG. 11 and includes a transceiver module 1201 and a processing module 1202. Optionally, the device can further include a storage module, which can be configured to store program instructions and / or data. In one possible implementation, the processing module 1202 can call the program instructions stored in the storage module to perform processing actions, such as determining, obtaining, and updating.

[0290] In one particular implementation, the communications apparatus may be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the first access network device in the embodiment of Figure 7 or 8. The apparatus may be the first access network device, or may be a chip or group of chips within the first access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive a first message from a second access network device, the first message indicating that at least two I-RNTI rules of the second access network device remain valid, and the processing module 1202 is configured to determine an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, and obtain context information of the terminal device from at least one of the determined access network devices.

[0291] For example, the first message indicates that the updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device is the first I-RNTI rule and indicates that the second I-RNTI rule remains valid, where the second I-RNTI rule is the I-RNTI rule before the update by the second access network device.

[0292] For example, the first message carries a first I-RNTI rule and first indication information, and the first indication information indicates whether the second I-RNTI rule remains valid, or the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule.

[0293] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to receive a second message from the second access network device, the second message indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled.

[0294] For example, the second message carries second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled, or the second message indicates that the first I-RNTI rule remains valid.

[0295] In another particular implementation, the communications apparatus may be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the second access network device in the embodiment of Figure 7 or 8. The apparatus may be the second access network device, or may be a chip or group of chips within the second access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The processing module 1202 is configured to update the I-RNTI rules. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive a first message from the first access network device, the first message indicating that at least two I-RNTI rules of the second access network device remain valid.

[0296] For example, the first message indicates that the updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device is the first I-RNTI rule and indicates that the second I-RNTI rule remains valid, where the second I-RNTI rule is the I-RNTI rule before the update by the second access network device.

[0297] For example, the first message carries a first I-RNTI rule and first indication information, and the first indication information indicates whether the second I-RNTI rule remains valid, or the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule.

[0298] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to send a second message to the first access network device, the second message indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled.

[0299] For example, the second message carries second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the second I-RNTI rule is disabled, or the second message indicates that the first I-RNTI rule remains valid.

[0300] In one particular implementation, the communication device specifically includes: 9 In the embodiment 2 The apparatus may be configured to implement the method performed by the access network device of the first 2 The access network device may be a 2 The processing module 1202 may be a chip or group of chips in the access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the related method functions. The processing module 1202 is configured to update the I-RNTI rule. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to transmit a first paging message and / or a second paging message, where the first paging message instructs access network devices within a radio access network notification area of the terminal device in an inactive state to page the terminal device in an inactive state, and the second paging message instructs access network devices within a radio access network notification area of the terminal device in an inactive state to page the terminal device in an inactive state. The relevantThe transceiver module 1201 is used by an access network device. The transceiver module 1201 is further configured to perform at least one of the following: triggering an I-RNTI of a first terminal device in an inactive state to be updated according to an updated I-RNTI rule, triggering a second terminal device in an inactive state to enter an idle state, and transmitting context information of a third terminal device in an inactive state to the first access network device via the transceiver module 1201, wherein the first access network device is an access network device that receives a paging response transmitted by the third terminal device.

[0301] For example, the first paging message and / or the second paging message carry a paging cause, and the paging cause is an I-RNTI rule change.

[0302] Optionally, when triggering the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in an inactive state to be updated, the processing module 1202 is specifically configured to assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device according to the updated I-RNTI rule, or is configured to send a third message to a third access network device via the transceiver module 1201, the third access network device being an access network device that receives the paging response sent by the first terminal device, and the third message instructs the third access network device to assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device.

[0303] For example, the third message carries a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change.

[0304] Optionally, when the second terminal device in an inactive state triggers to enter an idle state, the transceiver module 1201 is specifically configured to release the second terminal device to the idle state, or to send a fourth message to a fourth access network device via the transceiver module 1201, the fourth access network device being an access network device that receives the paging response sent by the second terminal device, and the fourth message instructs the fourth access network device to release the second terminal device to the idle state.

[0305] For example, the fourth message carries a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change.

[0306] In one particular implementation, the communication device specifically includes: 9 In the embodiment shown in 1 The apparatus may be configured to implement the method performed by the access network device of the first 1 The access network device may be a 1 The transceiver module 1201 may be a chip or group of chips in the access network device of, or part of a chip configured to perform related method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive a first paging message from a second access network device, the first paging message being used to page a terminal device in an inactive state, and to transmit a third paging message, the third paging message being used to page the terminal device in an inactive state, and the processing module 1202 is configured to perform at least one of the following: updating the I-RNTI of the first terminal device in the inactive state and releasing the second terminal device in the inactive state to enter an idle state.

[0307] For example, the first paging message and / or the third paging message carry a paging cause, and the paging cause is an I-RNTI rule change.

[0308] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to receive a third message from the second access network device before the processing module 1202 updates the I-RNTI of the terminal device in the inactive state, the third message instructing the first access network device to assign an I-RNTI to the first terminal device, or to receive a fourth message from the second access network device before the processing module 1202 releases the terminal device in the inactive state to enter an idle state, the fourth message instructing the fourth access network device to release the second terminal device to the idle state.

[0309] For example, the third message and / or the fourth message carry a cause value indicating an I-RNTI rule change.

[0310] In one particular implementation, the communication device specifically includes: 9 The apparatus may be configured to implement the method executed by a terminal device in the embodiment of Terminal It may be a device, Terminal The transceiver module 1201 may be configured to receive a second paging message or a third paging message, and the processing module 1202 may be configured to enter an idle state or update an I-RNTI.

[0311] In one particular implementation, the communication apparatus may be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the first access network device in the embodiments of Figures 4 to 6. The apparatus may be the first access network device, or may be a chip or group of chips within the first access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive a message 1 from a second access network device, where the message 1 indicates a first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, and the processing module 1202 , th The device is configured to determine that one I-RNTI rule conflicts with an I-RNTI rule of another access network device, and to trigger the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0312] Optionally, when the second access network device triggers updating the I-RNTI rule, the processing module 1202 is specifically configured to send message 2 to the second access network device via the transceiver module, where message 2 instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0313] For example, the message 2 carries at least one of first information and second information, where the first information instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule, and the second information indicates an update requirement for the I-RNTI rule. According to the above design, update efficiency can be improved.

[0314] Optionally, when the second access network device triggers updating the I-RNTI rules, the processing module 1202 is specifically configured to send message 3 to the OAM entity via the transceiver module, where message 3 indicates that the I-RNTI rules conflict with each other.

[0315] For example, message 3 carries information about the first I-RNTI rule and / or the identification information of the second access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity can determine which I-RNTI rules conflict with each other.

[0316] For example, message 3 may further carry information about an I-RNTI rule of another access network device and / or the identity of the other access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity may determine conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0317] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to receive third information from the second access network device, the third information indicating that the first access network device is allowed to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule.

[0318] In one particular implementation, the communications apparatus may be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the second access network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6. The apparatus may be the second access network device, a chip or group of chips within the second access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to communicate with the first access network device. The processing module 1202 is configured to send message 1 to the first access network device via the transceiver module 1201, where message 1 indicates a first I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, and to receive message 2 from the first access network device via the transceiver module 1201, where message 2 instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule.

[0319] For example, the message 2 carries at least one of first information and second information, where the first information instructs the second access network device to update the I-RNTI rule, and the second information indicates an update requirement for the I-RNTI rule. According to the above design, update efficiency can be improved.

[0320] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to transmit third information to the first access network device, the third information indicating that the first access network device is allowed to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule.

[0321] For example, message 3 carries information about the first I-RNTI rule and / or the identification information of the second access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity can determine which I-RNTI rules conflict with each other.

[0322] For example, message 3 may further carry information about an I-RNTI rule of another access network device and / or the identity of the other access network device. In this manner, the OAM entity may determine conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0323] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to transmit third information to the first access network device, the third information indicating that the first access network device is allowed to assist the second access network device in adjusting the I-RNTI rule.

[0324] In one particular implementation, the communications device may be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the OAM entity in the embodiments shown in Figures 4 through 6. The device may be an OAM entity, a chip or group of chips within the OAM entity, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive a message 3 from a first access network device, the message 3 indicating that inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) rules conflict with each other. The processing module 1202 is configured to update the conflicting I-RNTI rules.

[0325] Optionally, the processing module 1202 is specifically configured to update the I-RNTI rule of the second access network device, and the transceiver module 1201 is further configured to send the updated I-RNTI rule to the second access network device.

[0326] The processing module 1202 may be further configured to update the I-RNTI rule of the third access network device. The transceiver module 1201 is further configured to transmit the updated I-RNTI rule to the third access network device.

[0327] In one particular implementation, the communication device specifically includes: 10The apparatus may be configured to implement the method performed by a first access network device in the embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus may be the first access network device, a chip or group of chips in the first access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive an RRC resume request from a terminal device, the RRC resume request carrying an I-RNTI of the terminal device, and the I-RNTI indicating a corresponding I-RNTI rule. The processing module 1202 is configured to determine an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI according to the I-RNTI rule, and obtain context information of the terminal device from the access network device.

[0328] In one particular implementation, the communication device specifically includes: 10 The processing module 1202 may be configured to implement the method performed by the second access network device in the embodiment shown in . The apparatus may be the second access network device, or may be a chip or group of chips within the second access network device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The processing module 1202 is configured to determine an I-RNTI rule and determine an I-RNTI of the terminal device according to the I-RNTI rule, where the I-RNTI indicates the corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0329] In one particular implementation, the communication device specifically includes: 10The transceiver module 1201 may be configured to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown in . The apparatus may be the terminal device, a chip or group of chips within the terminal device, or part of a chip configured to perform the associated method functions. The transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive configuration information from the second access network device, the configuration information carrying an I-RNTI assigned to the terminal device by the second access network device, the I-RNTI indicating a corresponding I-RNTI rule, and to send an RRC resumption request to the first access network device, the RRC resumption request carrying the I-RNTI of the terminal device, and the I-RNTI indicating the corresponding I-RNTI rule.

[0330] The division into modules in the embodiments of this application is an example and is merely a division into logical functions. In actual implementation, other divisions may be used. In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processor, or each module may exist physically alone, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It may be understood that for the functions or implementation of the modules in the embodiments of this application, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0331] In one possible embodiment, the communication device may be shown in Figure 12. The communication device may be an access network device or a chip within an access network device. The communication device may include a processor 1301 and a communication interface 1302, and may optionally further include a memory 1303. The processing module 1202 may be the processor 1301. The transceiver module 1201 may be the communication interface 1302.

[0332] The processor 1301 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital processing module, etc. The communication interface 1302 may be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, a transceiver chip, etc. The communication device further includes the processor 130 1 The computer includes a memory 1303 configured to store a program executed by the computer. The memory 1303 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM). The memory 1303 may be any other medium that can be configured to carry or store instructions and / or data and that can be accessed by a computer, including, but not limited to, any other medium that can be configured to carry or store instructions and / or data.

[0333] In one possible manner, the processor 1301 may be configured to read program codes and / or data stored in the memory 1303 to, for example, perform the operations of the processing module 1202, details of which will not be described here in this application.

[0334] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1302, the processor 1301, and the memory 1303 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, in FIG. 12, the memory 1303, the processor 1301, and the communication interface 1302 are connected via a bus 1304. In FIG. 12, the bus is shown using a thick line. The connection manner between other components is merely an example for explanation and is not intended to be limiting. The bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, FIG. 12 shows the bus with only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0335] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium configured to store computer software instructions that need to be executed for the execution of the above-mentioned processor, the computer readable storage medium including a program that needs to be executed for the execution of the above-mentioned processor.

[0336] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication system, which includes the first access network device and the second access network device of embodiment 1, and may further include the OAM entity of embodiment 1.

[0337] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication system, which includes the first access network device and the second access network device described in embodiment 2, and may further include a terminal device.

[0338] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication system, which includes the first access network device and the second access network device described in embodiment 3, and may further include a terminal device.

[0339] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication system, which includes the first access network device and the second access network device described in embodiment 4, and may further include a terminal device.

[0340] All or part of the above-described embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present invention are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or any other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired connection (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or a wireless connection (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or may be a data storage device, such as a server or data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape), optical media (e.g., DVD), semiconductor media (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), and the like.

[0341] This application has been described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each procedure and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of procedures and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented using computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to create a machine, such that the instructions, when executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device, create an apparatus for performing the particular function(s) of one or more procedures in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0342] These computer program instructions may alternatively be stored in a computer-readable memory that can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an artifact that includes an instruction apparatus that implements the specified function(s) in one or more steps in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0343] These computer program instructions may in turn be loaded into a computer or other programmable data processing device such that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device, thereby producing a computer-implemented process. Thus, the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps to implement a particular function in one or more procedures in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0344] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications or replacements that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first access network device, comprising: receiving a first message from a second access network device, the first message indicating that at least two inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) rules of the second access network device remain valid, the at least two I-RNTI rules including a first I-RNTI rule that is an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and a second I-RNTI rule that is an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device; determining an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device; obtaining context information for the terminal device from at least one of the determined access network devices; and the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the second I-RNTI rule remains valid; or the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule; or the first message indicates adding the first I-RNTI rule; method.

2. The method described in claim 1, wherein the I-RNTI rule is used by the first access network device to determine the access network device identification information carried in the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

3. The method described in claim 2, wherein the I-RNTI rule has related information of the access network device identification information, and the related information of the access network device identification information indicates the number of bits of the access network device identification information, or the related information of the access network device identification information is the access network device identification information of the second access network device.

4. A communication method applied to a first access network device, comprising: receiving a first message from a second access network device, the first message indicating that at least two inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) rules of the second access network device remain valid, the at least two I-RNTI rules including a first I-RNTI rule that is an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and a second I-RNTI rule that is an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device; determining an access network device corresponding to the I-RNTI of the terminal device according to at least one valid I-RNTI rule of the second access network device; obtaining context information for the terminal device from at least one of the determined access network devices; receiving a second message from the second access network device, the second message indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid; and A method having the following.

5. the second message carries second indication information, the second indication information indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid; or The second message indicates that the first I-RNTI rule remains in effect; or The second message indicates releasing / removing the second I-RNTI rule; The method of claim 4.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the I-RNTI rule is used by the first access network device to determine an access network device identity carried in the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the I-RNTI rule has related information of the access network device identity, and the related information of the access network device identity indicates a number of bits of the access network device identity, or the related information of the access network device identity is the access network device identity of the second access network device.

8. A communication method applied to a second access network device, comprising: updating an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) rule; sending a first message to a first access network device, the first message indicating that at least two inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) rules of the second access network device remain valid, the at least two I-RNTI rules including a first I-RNTI rule that is an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and a second I-RNTI rule that is an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device; and the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the second I-RNTI rule remains valid; or the first message carries the first I-RNTI rule and the second I-RNTI rule; or the first message indicates adding the first I-RNTI rule; method.

9. The method described in claim 8, wherein the I-RNTI rule is used by the first access network device to determine access network device identification information to be carried in the I-RNTI of the terminal device.

10. The method described in claim 9, wherein the I-RNTI rule has related information of the access network device identification information, and the related information of the access network device identification information indicates the number of bits of the access network device identification information, or the related information of the access network device identification information is the access network device identification information of the second access network device.

11. A communication method applied to a second access network device, comprising: updating an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) rule; sending a first message to a first access network device, the first message indicating that at least two inactive Radio Network Temporary Identifier (I-RNTI) rules of the second access network device remain valid, the at least two I-RNTI rules including a first I-RNTI rule that is an updated I-RNTI rule of the second access network device and a second I-RNTI rule that is an I-RNTI rule before being updated by the second access network device; sending a second message to the first access network device, the second message indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid; and A method having the following.

12. the second message carries second indication information, the second indication information indicating that the second I-RNTI rule is invalid; or The second message indicates that the first I-RNTI rule remains in effect; or The second message indicates releasing / removing the second I-RNTI rule; The method of claim 11.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the I-RNTI rule is used by the first access network device to determine an access network device identity carried in an I-RNTI of a terminal device.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the I-RNTI rule has related information of the access network device identity, and the related information of the access network device identity indicates a number of bits of the access network device identity, or the related information of the access network device identity is the access network device identity of the second access network device.

15. A communication device, said device comprising a module adapted to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. A communications device, the device having a module configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when read and executed by one or more processors, enables the method of any one of claims 1 to 7 to be performed.

18. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program, which, when read and executed by one or more processors, enables the method of any one of claims 8 to 14 to be performed.

19. 15. A communication system comprising a first access network device configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 7 and a second access network device configured to implement the method of any one of claims 8 to 14.

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