Communication method and device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a device. The communication method comprises: a terminal device sending a registration request message to a first network element, the registration request message carrying identification information of the terminal device; and the terminal device receiving a registration acceptance message from the first network element. In the embodiments of the present application, the adverse effect of an SOR mechanism on a zero-power device can be reduced.

Description

Communication method and device Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, terminal devices are required to support Steering of Roaming (SOR) technology. SOR technology is a technology that allows a terminal device's Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) to switch the terminal device to another Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN). The network side sends SOR information to the terminal device. The SOR information contains a priority list of VPLMNs and access technologies, a timer corresponding to the service, and other content. After receiving the SOR information, the user equipment (UE) enters the idle state after the timer expires, and then uses the priority list of VPLMNs and access technologies to perform network selection. Zero-power terminals do not require built-in batteries and are simple in design. The overall design of SOR technology is too complex for zero-power devices. Therefore, how to reduce the adverse effects of the SOR mechanism on zero-power devices is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device that can reduce the adverse effects of the SOR mechanism on zero-power devices.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

[0006] The terminal device sends a registration request message to the first network element, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0007] The terminal device receives a registration acceptance message from the first network element.

[0008] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

[0009] The first network element receives a second message from the second network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device;

[0010] The first network element sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

[0011] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

[0012] The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0013] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

[0014] The third network element receives from the second network element identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device and at least one of a first indication; wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0015] The third network element determines the SOR information of the terminal device.

[0016] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, including:

[0017] The access device receives a registration request message from the terminal device, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0018] The access device forwards the registration request message to the first network element.

[0019] An embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, including:

[0020] The first sending unit is used to send a registration request message to the first network element, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0021] The first receiving unit is configured to receive a registration acceptance message from the first network element.

[0022] An embodiment of the present application provides a first network element, including:

[0023] A third receiving unit is configured to receive a second message from a second network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device;

[0024] The second sending unit is used to send a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

[0025] An embodiment of the present application provides a second network element, including:

[0026] The fifth sending unit is used to send a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0027] This embodiment of the present application provides a third network element, including:

[0028] The seventh receiving unit is used to receive at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device and the first indication from the second network element; wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0029] The fourth determining unit is configured to determine the SOR information of the terminal device.

[0030] An embodiment of the present application provides an access device, including:

[0031] The eighth receiving unit is configured to receive a registration request message from a terminal device, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0032] An eighth sending unit is configured to forward the registration request message to the first network element.

[0033] An embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the terminal device executes the above-mentioned communication method.

[0034] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip for implementing the above-mentioned communication method.

[0035] Specifically, the chip includes: a processor, which is used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes the above-mentioned communication method.

[0036] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed by a device, enables the device to execute the above-mentioned communication method.

[0037] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including computer program instructions, which enable a computer to execute the above-mentioned communication method.

[0038] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the above-mentioned communication method.

[0039] In this embodiment of the present application, a terminal device sends a registration request message to a first network element. The first network element receives a second message from a second network element based on the registration request message and sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device. The terminal device then receives the registration acceptance message. In this way, the first network element can determine the information carried in the registration acceptance message based on whether the terminal device is a zero-power device, thereby reducing the adverse effects of the SOR mechanism on zero-power devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0042] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture.

[0043] FIG4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] FIG6A is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] FIG6B is another schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] FIG7A is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] FIG7B is another schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] FIG8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] FIG9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] FIG10 is an implementation flow chart of the first embodiment of the present application.

[0052] FIG11 is a flowchart of the implementation of the second embodiment of the present application.

[0053] FIG12 is an implementation flow chart of the third embodiment of the present application.

[0054] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element 1500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0057] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element 1600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0058] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element 1700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element 1800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0060] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of a third network element 1900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] Figure 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a third network element 2000 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] FIG21 is a schematic structural diagram of an access device 2100 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0063] Figure 22 is a schematic structural diagram of an access device 2200 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0064] FIG23 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] FIG24 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 2400 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0067] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and claims of the embodiments of this application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. The objects described by the terms "first" and "second" may be the same or different.

[0068] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR on unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wireless Fidelity) system. Fidelity, WiFi), fifth-generation communication (5th-Generation, 5G) system or other communication systems, etc.

[0069] Generally speaking, traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communications, but will also support, for example, device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, etc. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0070] In one embodiment, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, and a standalone (SA) networking scenario.

[0071] In one embodiment, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to an unlicensed spectrum, wherein the unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as a shared spectrum; or, the communication system in the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to an authorized spectrum, wherein the authorized spectrum can also be considered as an unshared spectrum.

[0072] The embodiments of the present application describe various embodiments in conjunction with network devices and terminal devices, wherein the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0073] The terminal device can be a station (STAION, ST) in a WLAN, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a next-generation communication system such as an NR network, or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, etc.

[0074] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.).

[0075] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc.

[0076] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device may be a device for communicating with a mobile device. The network device may be an access point (AP) in WLAN, a base station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA, a base station (NodeB, NB) in WCDMA, an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device (gNB) in an NR network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network or a network device in an NTN network, etc.

[0078] As an example and not a limitation, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device may have a mobile feature, for example, the network device may be a mobile device. Alternatively, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device may also be a base station set up in a location such as land or water.

[0079] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device can provide services for a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources used by the cell (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell can be a cell corresponding to the network device (for example, a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cells here may include: metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0080] FIG1 exemplarily illustrates a communication system 100. The communication system includes a network device 110 and two terminal devices 120. In one embodiment, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices 110, and each network device 110 may include a different number of terminal devices 120 within its coverage area, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0081] In one embodiment, the communication system 100 may further include other network entities such as a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0082] Among them, the network equipment may include access network equipment and core network equipment. That is, the wireless communication system also includes multiple core networks for communicating with the access network equipment. The access network equipment can be an evolutionary base station (evolutional node B, abbreviated as eNB or e-NodeB) macro base station, micro base station (also called "small base station"), pico base station, access point (AP), transmission point (TP) or new generation base station (new generation Node B, gNodeB), etc. in a long-term evolution (LTE) system, a next-generation (mobile communication system) (next radio, NR) system or an authorized auxiliary access long-term evolution (LAA-LTE) system.

[0083] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, a device having a communication function in a network / system may be referred to as a communication device. Taking the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example, the communication device may include a network device and a terminal device having a communication function. The network device and the terminal device may be specific devices in the embodiments of the present application and will not be described in detail here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system, such as a network controller, a mobility management entity, and other network entities, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0084] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and / or" is simply a description of an association between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Furthermore, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0085] It should be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association between A and B.

[0086] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0087] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described below. The following relevant technologies can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and they all fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0088] Zero-power communication networks are a type of wireless communication technology suitable for short-range, low-speed communications. Zero-power devices primarily combine RF energy harvesting, backscattering, and low-power computing technologies to achieve the advantage of eliminating the need for power supply. Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a zero-power terminal.

[0089] The core of RF energy harvesting is to convert RF energy into DC. The energy can be stored in batteries or capacitors, or it can be directly used to drive logic circuits, digital chips or sensor devices after collection, to complete the modulation and transmission of backscattered signals, the collection and processing of sensor information and other functions and applications.

[0090] With the development of 5G systems, there is a demand for 5G systems to support zero-power terminal access to the network. The main scenarios have the following characteristics:

[0091] -The environment is extreme and not suitable for ordinary terminal work;

[0092] -Use very low power consumption and cost terminals;

[0093] -No battery terminals.

[0094] Zero-power communication systems can be used in scenarios such as wireless industrial sensing networks, smart agriculture, smart warehousing and logistics, and smart homes.

[0095] Based on the energy source and usage of zero-power terminals, zero-power terminals can be divided into the following types:

[0096] 1) Passive zero-power terminal

[0097] Zero-power terminals do not require internal batteries. When they approach network devices (such as RFID readers), they are within the near-field radiation generated by the network device's antenna. Consequently, the zero-power terminal's antenna generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, which drives the low-power chip circuitry in the zero-power terminal. This enables forward link signal demodulation and backward link signal modulation. For backscatter links, the zero-power terminal uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0098] It can be seen that the passive zero-power terminal does not require a built-in battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link, and is a true zero-power terminal.

[0099] Passive zero-power terminals do not require batteries, and the RF circuit and baseband circuit are very simple. For example, they do not require LNA (low noise amplifier), PA (power amplifier), crystal oscillator, ADC and other devices. Therefore, they have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price and long service life.

[0100] Other features of this terminal device include: 1) no battery; 2) obtaining energy from the surrounding environment (such as radio waves, solar energy, wind energy, mechanical kinetic energy, etc.); and 3) no USIM card. While it can store a certain amount of energy from the surrounding environment, the amount of energy is minimal, and therefore the functional logic it supports is much less than that of ordinary mobile phone terminals.

[0101] 2) Semi-passive zero-power terminal

[0102] Semi-passive zero-power terminals do not have conventional batteries themselves, but instead use RF energy harvesting modules to harvest radio wave energy and store it in an energy storage unit (such as a capacitor). This energy is then used to power the low-power chip circuitry in the zero-power terminal, performing tasks such as demodulating forward link signals and modulating backward link signals. For backscatter links, the zero-power terminal uses backscattering to transmit signals.

[0103] It can be seen that the semi-passive zero-power terminal does not require a built-in battery to drive either the forward link or the reverse link. Although energy stored in capacitors is used in operation, the energy comes from the radio energy collected by the energy harvesting module. Therefore, it is also a true zero-power terminal.

[0104] Semi-passive zero-power consumption terminals inherit many advantages of passive zero-power consumption terminals, so they have many advantages such as small size, light weight, very low price, and long service life.

[0105] 3) Active zero-power terminal

[0106] In some scenarios, zero-power terminals can also be active zero-power terminals, which can have built-in batteries. The batteries power the low-power chip circuits in the zero-power terminal, which perform tasks such as demodulating forward link signals and modulating reverse link signals. However, for backscatter links, zero-power terminals use backscattering to transmit signals. Therefore, the zero-power nature of these terminals lies primarily in the fact that reverse link signal transmission does not require the terminal's own power, but rather utilizes backscattering.

[0107] Active zero-power terminals use a built-in battery to power the RFID chip, increasing the tag's read and write distance and improving communication reliability. Therefore, they are suitable for scenarios with relatively high requirements for communication distance and read latency.

[0108] Zero-power terminals can access the base station directly or through a relay device. The former is called direct mode, and the latter is called indirect mode.

[0109] During standardization discussions, zero-power IoT devices are also referred to as AIoT (Ambient Power Enabled IoT) devices, or Ambient IoT for short. In some technical literature, this term is also referred to as passive IoT. AIoT devices are IoT devices that use various environmental energies, such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy, to power themselves. These devices can have no energy storage capacity or very limited energy storage capacity (such as using capacitors with a capacity of tens of microfarads). Compared to existing IoT devices, Ambient IoT devices offer many advantages, including no conventional batteries, no maintenance, small size, low complexity, low cost, and a long lifespan. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture.

[0110] In related technologies, UEs need to support Steering of Roaming (SOR). SOR is a technology that allows the UE's Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) to switch the UE to another Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN). The HPLMN sends the UE a priority list of VPLMNs and access technologies specified by the HPLMN via Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling. Upon receiving this, the UE immediately enters the idle state and uses this list to select a new VPLMN.

[0111] With the development of technology, UEs need to support SOR and SOR-connected mode control information (CMCI). SOR-CMCI contains timers corresponding to each service. The UE enters the idle state and performs network selection after the timer corresponding to the service (which may include multiple services) expires.

[0112] The SOR information sent by the network device to the terminal device may be carried in a SOR transparent container (SOR transparent container) information element (IE). Table 1 below is an example of a format of a SOR transparent container IE.

[0113] Table 1

[0114] Compared to zero-power devices, which are very simple in design, the overall design of SOR is too complex. However, because relevant technologies stipulate that supporting SOR is a mandatory feature of terminal devices, the network expects zero-power terminals to report SOR-related information. However, if the zero-power terminal unilaterally does not support SOR, the network will not receive SOR-related information. In this case, the network will believe that the terminal-side protocol design is incorrect due to the mismatch between expectations and actual conditions, and will then deny the terminal access to the network, affecting the terminal's services.

[0115] Therefore, how to enable zero-power terminals to avoid complex SOR mechanisms is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0116] The embodiments of the present application propose several communication methods, which involve at least one of a terminal device, an access device, a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element. Among them, the terminal device may include a zero-power terminal, such as an AIoT terminal; or, the terminal device may include other types of terminals other than zero-power terminals. The access device may include a base station. The first network element may include core network devices such as AMF. The second network element may include devices such as UDM and UDR. The third network element may include an application function network element related to SOR, such as an SOR application function (SOR-AF, SOR-Application Function), etc. Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application, which involves the aforementioned multiple devices. The method includes at least part of the following content.

[0117] S410: The terminal device sends a registration request message to the first network element. The registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device. The registration request message may also carry a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device. The first indication may be used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. For example, the terminal device sends an RRC message including the registration request message to the first network element.

[0118] The registration request message may be forwarded to the first network element through the access device. In some embodiments, the access device may further identify the access technology used by the terminal device, and send the access technology used by the terminal device and / or the location of the terminal device to the first network element. The location of the terminal device may include the tracking area identity (TAI) where the terminal device is located. If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, and the access technology used by the terminal device is an access technology unique to zero-power terminals, the access device may indicate to the first network element that the terminal device uses an access technology unique to zero-power terminals.

[0119] S430. The first network element can determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the first indication carried in the registration request message and / or based on the access technology used by the terminal device. If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the first network element can send a third message to the second network element, and the third message carries at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication. The first indication can be obtained from the registration request message received by the terminal device, or it can be generated by the first network element based on the access technology used by the terminal device to determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal and the judgment result. In some examples, the third message may include a user data management acquisition (Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get) message or a user equipment context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update) message.

[0120] S440. The second network element determines the SOR information of the terminal device based on at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication. If the second network element cannot determine the SOR information of the terminal device, it may send the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication to a third network element. The third network element determines the SOR information of the terminal device based on this information and feeds back the SOR information of the terminal device to the second network element. If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the second network element or the third network element may determine simplified SOR information for the zero-power terminal.

[0121] Specifically, the methods for simplifying SOR information may include one or more of the following:

[0122] (1) The SOR information does not include access technology.

[0123] For example, if the zero-power terminal uses a specific access technology, the access technology does not need to be included in the PLMN ID and access technology list field of the SOR transparent container, and the field may only include the PLMN list.

[0124] (2) The SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, which are determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0125] For example, the contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0126] In some examples, the PLMN ID and access technology list field of the SOR transparent container may be configured with only the network ID and access technology of the operator in the country or region where the terminal device is currently located, rather than the entire set of the PLMN ID and access technology list, based on the location of the terminal device.

[0127] In some examples, the PLMN ID and access technology list field of the SOR transparent container may only configure the network ID and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device, rather than the entire set of the PLMN ID and access technology list.

[0128] In some examples, the PLMN ID and access technology list field of the SOR transparent container can be configured with only the network identifiers and access technologies that correspond to the operator of the country or region where the terminal device is currently located and the frequency bands supported by the terminal device, rather than the entire set of the PLMN ID and access technology list.

[0129] (3) The SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0130] Since zero-power terminals generally transmit small data such as measurement and location parameters, there is little demand for continuous transmission of services. They can directly enter the idle state after receiving the SOR information. Therefore, SOR-CMCI for each service does not need to be configured.

[0131] For example, the SOR-CMCI indicator in the SOR transparent container can be set to 0, indicating that there is no SOR-CMCI in the SOR information. For example, the length of the SSCMI in the SOR transparent container IE is set to 1 bit. When the SSCMI value is 0, it indicates that there is no SOR-CMCI in the SOR information; when the SSCMI value is 1, it indicates that there is SOR-CMCI in the SOR information. Alternatively, when the SSCMI value is 1, it indicates that there is no SOR-CMCI in the SOR information; when the SSCMI value is 0, it indicates that there is SOR-CMCI in the SOR information.

[0132] (4) The SOR information includes the first timer.

[0133] The first timer can be used to control the time for the terminal device to reselect a network after receiving the SOR message. For example, after receiving the SOR message, the terminal device enters the idle state when the first timer times out and performs network selection.

[0134] (5) The terminal device does not need to feed back an acknowledgment (ACK) message of the SOR information to the network side.

[0135] S450. The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device. The second message may also carry SOR information; the SOR information may be determined by the second network element or the third network element. If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the SOR information may be the simplified SOR information described above; alternatively, if the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the second message sent by the second network element to the first network element may not carry SOR information. The second message may include a response message to the third message, etc.

[0136] S460. The first network element sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

[0137] The registration acceptance message may be forwarded to the terminal device via the access device.

[0138] The registration accept message may carry SOR information. For example, if the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration accept message may carry the simplified SOR information received in step S450. Specifically, the registration request message may carry an SOR transparent container, which carries the SOR information.

[0139] Alternatively, the registration acceptance message may not carry the SOR information. For example, if the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration acceptance message may not carry the SOR information.

[0140] Alternatively, the first network element may also send other messages to the terminal device, such as a first message (not shown in the figure), in which the SOR information is carried. For example, the first message carries an SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information. In some embodiments, the first message may be forwarded to the terminal device via the access device.

[0141] Afterwards, the terminal device can perform subsequent communication processes based on the received information.

[0142] For example, if the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration acceptance message or the first message received by the terminal device may carry SOR information, and the SOR information is a simplified SOR information. The terminal device may not feed back an acknowledgment (ACK) message of the SOR information to the network side. Using the simplified SOR information, the terminal device can enter the idle state and perform network selection after the first timer expires, and in the network selection process, the terminal device can adopt an access technology unique to the zero-power terminal, or adopt the network identifier and access technology list (PLMN ID and access technology list) of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device and / or the supported frequency band, thereby reducing the complexity of the SOR process.

[0143] Alternatively, if the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, in some embodiments, the terminal device will not receive the SOR information, that is, the registration acceptance message received by the terminal device does not carry the SOR information. In this case, the terminal device can directly skip the SOR process, which can also achieve the effect of reducing complexity.

[0144] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the systems shown in FIG1-3 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0145] S510. The terminal device sends a registration request message to the first network element. The registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0146] S520. The terminal device receives a registration acceptance message from the first network element.

[0147] The terminal device may include a zero-power consumption terminal, such as an AIoT terminal; or, the terminal device may include other types of terminals other than a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0148] In some embodiments, the terminal device may send an RRC message including a registration request message to the first network element; the registration request message may also carry a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. In some examples, the registration request message may be forwarded to the first network element through an access device, and the access device may send other relevant information (such as the access technology used by the terminal device and / or the location of the terminal device) to the first network element. The first network element queries the relevant information of the terminal device from the second network element based on the received registration request message and other relevant information; the second network element sends a second message to the first network element, and the second message carries the identification information of the terminal device and may also carry SOR information.

[0149] The first network element sends a registration accept message to the terminal device, and the registration accept message may carry SOR information. For example, the first network element sends the registration accept message to the terminal device. For example, the registration accept message may be forwarded to the terminal device via an access device. In some examples, the registration accept message may carry an SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

[0150] In some examples, the terminal device also receives a first message, where the first message carries SOR information.

[0151] For example, the first message carries a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries SOR information.

[0152] Exemplarily, the first network element sends a first message to the terminal device, for example, the first message may be forwarded to the terminal device via an access device, wherein the first message may include a downlink NAS transport message.

[0153] In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration acceptance message or the first message received by the terminal device may carry SOR information, which may be simplified SOR information; or, the registration acceptance message received by the terminal device may not carry SOR information.

[0154] For the case where the registration acceptance message carries SOR information:

[0155] In some examples, the SOR information does not include access technology.

[0156] In some examples, the SOR information includes a list of network identifiers and access technologies, where the list of network identifiers and access technologies is determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. For example, the list of network identifiers and access technologies may include: the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0157] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0158] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0159] Furthermore, the terminal device may not feed back an acknowledgment (ACK) message of the SOR information to the network side.

[0160] If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal and the registration acceptance message received by the terminal device does not carry SOR information, the terminal device can directly skip the SOR process, which can also achieve the effect of reducing complexity.

[0161] FIG6A is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the systems shown in FIG1-3 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0162] S610. The first network element receives a second message from the second network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0163] S620. The first network element sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

[0164] In some implementations, the first network element may include devices such as AMF, and the second network element may include devices such as UDM or UDR.

[0165] In some examples, the second message includes a response message of a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or a Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message, etc.

[0166] As shown in step S620, in some examples, the registration acceptance message can be forwarded to the terminal device via the access device.

[0167] FIG6B is another schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG6B , before step S610, the method may further include:

[0168] S601: A first network element receives a registration request message, a location of a terminal device, and at least one of a second indication. In some examples, the first network element may receive a registration request message, a location of the terminal device, and at least one of a second indication from a terminal device. For example, the registration request message may be forwarded to the first network element via an access device.

[0169] (1) The registration request message may carry at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and a first indication; wherein the first indication may be used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0170] (2) The location of the terminal device may include the TAI where the terminal device is located.

[0171] (3) The second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first access technology. For example, the first network element may receive at least one of a registration request message, the location of the terminal device, and a second indication; wherein the registration request message may be forwarded by the access device to the first network element, and the location of the terminal device and the second indication may be determined by the access device and sent to the first network element. The first access technology may include the access technology used by the zero-power terminal. The first network element may determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the second indication. For example, if the first network element receives the second indication, since the second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to use an access technology unique to the zero-power terminal (i.e., the first access technology), the first network element may determine that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal.

[0172] It can be seen that the first network element can determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the first indication carried in the registration request message; it can also obtain the access technology used by the terminal device based on the second indication sent by the access device, thereby determining whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal.

[0173] S602: The first network element sends a third message to the second network element, where the third message carries at least one of identification information of the terminal device, a location of the terminal device, a frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication. The third message may include a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or a Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message.

[0174] The information carried in the third message can be used for the second network element or other network elements to determine the SOR information and to feedback the SOR information to the first network element; or, the information carried in the third message is used for the second network element to decide not to feedback the SOR information when it determines that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal.

[0175] The following describes the two methods respectively:

[0176] Method 1: The second network element feeds back SOR information to the first network element:

[0177] The first network element receives a second message from the second network element, where the second message also carries SOR information.

[0178] Accordingly, the registration acceptance message sent by the first network element may carry the SOR information. For example, the registration acceptance message carries an SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

[0179] Alternatively, the first network element may further send a first message, the first message carrying the SOR information. For example, the first message carries an SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information. In some examples, the first network element sends the first message to the first network element, and the first message may be forwarded to the terminal device via the access device.

[0180] In some examples, the first message may include a downlink NAS transmission message.

[0181] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the second message received by the first network element may carry SOR information, and the SOR information may be simplified SOR information. Specifically:

[0182] In some examples, the SOR information does not include access technology.

[0183] In some examples, the SOR information includes a list of network identifiers and access technologies, where the list of network identifiers and access technologies is determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. For example, the list of network identifiers and access technologies may include: the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0185] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0186] In this way, the SOR information can be sent to the terminal device via the first network element. Using the SOR information, the terminal device can enter the idle state and perform network selection after the first timer expires. In the network selection process, it can adopt the access technology unique to the zero-power terminal, or adopt the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the terminal device's location and / or supported frequency band included in the network identifier and access technology list, thereby reducing the complexity of the SOR process.

[0187] Method 2:

[0188] The second network element does not feed back SOR information to the first network element:

[0189] The first network element receives a second message from the second network element, where the second message does not carry SOR information.

[0190] Correspondingly, the registration acceptance message sent by the first network element does not carry SOR information. In this way, the terminal device does not perform the SOR process after receiving the registration acceptance message.

[0191] In this way, the registration acceptance message fed back by the first network element to the terminal device does not carry SOR information, so the terminal device can directly skip the SOR process, which can also achieve the effect of reducing complexity.

[0192] FIG7A is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the systems shown in FIG1-3 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0193] S710. The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0194] In some implementations, the first network element may include devices such as AMF, and the second network element may include devices such as UDM or UDR.

[0195] In some examples, the second message includes a response message of a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or a Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message, etc.

[0196] FIG7B is another schematic flow chart of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7B , before step S710, the method may further include:

[0197] S701. A second network element receives a third message from a first network element, the third message carrying at least one of identification information of a terminal device, a location of the terminal device, a frequency band supported by the terminal device, and a first indication; wherein the first indication may be used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. The location of the terminal device may include the TAI where the terminal device is located. In some examples, the third message may include a user data management acquisition (Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get) message or a user equipment context management update (Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update) message.

[0198] S702: The second network element determines SOR information based on at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication.

[0199] Alternatively, the second network element sends at least one of the terminal device's identification information, the terminal device's location, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication to a third network element; the second network element receives SOR information from the third network element. The third network element may include a SOR-AF, and the SOR information is determined by the third network element based on the received information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S710.

[0200] Alternatively, if the second network element learns, based on the first indication, that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the second network element may determine that the second message does not carry the SOR information and directly execute step S710, i.e., send a second message to the first network element, wherein the second message does not carry the SOR information. In this way, the registration acceptance message fed back by the first network element to the terminal device does not carry the SOR information, and the terminal device can directly skip the SOR process, thereby reducing complexity.

[0201] If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal and the second network element determines or receives the SOR information in step S702, then in step S710, the second message sent by the second network element to the first network element also carries the SOR information. Accordingly, the registration acceptance message sent by the first network element to the terminal device carries the SOR information. The SOR information can be simplified SOR information, specifically:

[0202] In some examples, the SOR information does not include access technology.

[0203] In some examples, the SOR information is determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. For example, the SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, which is determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. For example, the contents of the network identifier and access technology list include: the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0204] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0205] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0206] Using the SOR information, the terminal device can enter the idle state and perform network selection after the first timer expires. During the network selection process, the terminal device can adopt the access technology unique to zero-power terminals, or adopt the network identification and access technology list included in the operator's network identification and access technology corresponding to the terminal device's location and / or supported frequency band, thereby reducing the complexity of the SOR process.

[0207] It should be noted that if a method is adopted that does not require determining the SOR information, the third message may not carry the location of the terminal device and the supported frequency bands (because this information is used to determine the SOR information), but only carry the identification information and the first indication of the terminal device, and the subsequent series of related information may also not carry the location of the terminal device and the supported frequency bands.

[0208] FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 800 according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the systems shown in FIG1-3 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0209] S810. The third network element receives at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and a first indication from the second network element; wherein the first indication can be used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0210] S820. The third network element determines the SOR information of the terminal device.

[0211] The third network element may include a SOR-AF network element, etc. The second network element may include a UDM or UDR network element, etc.

[0212] In some implementations, the method may further include: the third network element sending the SOR information of the terminal device to the second network element.

[0213] If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the SOR information determined and sent by the third network element may be simplified SOR information, specifically:

[0214] In some examples, the SOR information does not include access technology.

[0215] In some examples, the SOR information is determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. For example, the SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, which is determined based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device. For example, the contents of the network identifier and access technology list include: the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0216] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0217] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0218] The SOR information determined by the third network element is sent to the terminal device via the second network element and the first network element. In this way, the terminal device can enter the idle state and perform network selection after the first timer expires. In the network selection process, the terminal device can use the access technology unique to the zero-power terminal, or use the network identifier and access technology of the operator corresponding to the terminal device's location and / or supported frequency band included in the network identifier and access technology list, thereby reducing the complexity of the SOR process.

[0219] FIG9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the systems shown in FIG1-3 , but is not limited thereto. The method includes at least part of the following contents.

[0220] S910: The access device receives a registration request message from a terminal device. The registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0221] S920. The access device forwards the registration request message to the first network element.

[0222] Among them, the access device may include a base station, etc. The first network element may include a network element such as an AMF.

[0223] For example, the access device receives an RRC message including a registration request message from the terminal device.

[0224] In some embodiments, the registration request message carries a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0225] In some implementations, the access device also sends the access technology used by the terminal device and / or the location of the terminal device to the first network element.

[0226] The information sent by the access device to the first network element includes relevant information for determining whether to generate SOR information for the terminal device and the specific content of the SOR information, so that the terminal device can perform a simplified SOR process based on the SOR information, or directly skip the SOR process, thereby reducing the complexity of the terminal device.

[0227] The present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to specific embodiments.

[0228] Example 1:

[0229] In this embodiment, the access device includes a base station, the first network element includes an AMF, the second network element includes a UDM / UDR, and the third network element includes a SOR-AF. However, this example is not intended to limit the present application.

[0230] FIG10 is a flowchart of an implementation of the first embodiment of the present application, including:

[0231] S1010. The terminal device sends an RRC message including a Registration Request message to the AMF. The Registration Request message carries the terminal device's identification information. The Registration Request message may also carry the frequency bands supported by the terminal device and / or information indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal.

[0232] For example, the terminal device may carry the AIoT capability in the registration request message, and the AIoT capability may be used as indication information for indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0233] In some examples, when the AIoT capability value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device has AIoT capabilities and is a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT capability value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not have AIoT capabilities and is not a zero-power terminal. In other examples, when the AIoT capability value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device does not have AIoT capabilities and is not a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT capability value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device has AIoT capabilities and is a zero-power terminal.

[0234] In some examples, the registration request message may be forwarded to the AMF by a base station in the RAN. For example, after the base station receives an RRC message containing the registration request message, if the registration request message carries indication information indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration request message may be forwarded to the AMF and the location of the terminal device may be sent at the same time. The location of the terminal device may be the TAI where the terminal device is located.

[0235] If the registration request message does not carry indication information for indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the base station may forward the registration request message to the AMF and send the location of the terminal device and the access technology used by the terminal device. For example, if the base station indicates to the AMF that the access technology used by the terminal device is a technology specific to zero-power devices, the AMF may determine that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the indication.

[0236] S1030. The AMF requests the UDM / UDR for the terminal device's subscription information. The AMF sends a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or a Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message to the UDM / UDR. This message carries the terminal device's identification information, location, supported frequency bands, and an AIIoT indication. The AIoT indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. In some examples, when the AIoT indication value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT indication value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device is not a zero-power terminal. In other examples, when the AIoT indication value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device is not a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT indication value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. The AIoT indication is an optional parameter. For example, if the UDM / UDR can determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal from the terminal device's identification information and subscription information, the AIoT indication is not required. For example, when the operator obtains network access permission for a terminal device, it can record in the UDM / UDR information such as whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal and the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0237] S1040. If the UDM / UDR cannot obtain the SOR information of the terminal device locally, the UDM / UDR may request the SOR information of the terminal device from the SOR-AF. For example, the UDM / UDR sends at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the AIoT indication to the SOR-AF.

[0238] S1050. SOR-AF determines whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the AIoT indication. If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, SOR-AF determines simplified SOR information for the terminal device and returns a response message to the UDM / UDR. The response message may carry the identification information of the terminal device and the SOR information.

[0239] Simplified methods include one or more of the following:

[0240] (1) If the zero-power terminal uses a specific access technology, it is not necessary to include the access technology in the PLMN ID and access technology list. Only the PLMN list is sent.

[0241] (2) Based on the location of the terminal device, only the PLMN ID and access technology list of the operator in the country or region where the terminal device is currently located is configured, rather than the entire set;

[0242] (3) According to the frequency band supported by the terminal device, only the PLMN ID and access technology list of the operator corresponding to the frequency band is configured, rather than the entire set;

[0243] (4) Do not configure SOR-CMCI; because AIoT devices generally transmit small data such as measurement and location parameters, there is little demand for continuous transmission of services. They can directly enter the idle state after receiving the SOR information, so SOR-CMCI can be configured. Among them, setting the SOR-CMCI indicator to 0 means there is no SOR-CMCI;

[0244] (5) If the HPLMN wants to control the time it takes for the UE to reselect a network, a timer can be configured;

[0245] (6) The network does not require the UE to reply with an ACK message.

[0246] S1060. UDM / UDR replies to AMF with a response message of the Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or the Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message, which includes the identification information (UE ID) and SOR information of the terminal device.

[0247] S1070. The AMF sends a Registration Accept message to the terminal device. For example, the Registration Accept message may be forwarded to the terminal device via the base station, wherein the Registration Accept message includes a SOR transparent container, which includes SOR information. Alternatively, the AMF may send the SOR information after the registration process. For example, after the registration process, the AMF sends a first message to the terminal device, wherein the first message includes a SOR transparent container, which includes SOR information. The first message may include a Downlink NAS transport message.

[0248] Example 2:

[0249] In this embodiment, the access device includes a base station, the first network element includes an AMF, and the second network element includes a UDM / UDR. However, this example is not intended to limit the present application.

[0250] FIG11 is a flowchart of an implementation of the second embodiment of the present application, including:

[0251] S1110. The terminal device sends an RRC message containing a Registration Request message to the AMF. The Registration Request message carries the terminal device's identification information. The Registration Request message may also carry the frequency bands supported by the terminal device and / or information indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal.

[0252] For example, the terminal device may carry the AIoT capability in the registration request message, and the AIoT capability may be used as indication information for indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0253] In some examples, when the AIoT capability value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device has AIoT capabilities and is a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT capability value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not have AIoT capabilities and is not a zero-power terminal. In other examples, when the AIoT capability value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device does not have AIoT capabilities and is not a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT capability value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device has AIoT capabilities and is a zero-power terminal.

[0254] In some examples, the registration request message may be forwarded to the AMF by a base station in the RAN. For example, after receiving an RRC message containing the registration request message, if the registration request message carries indication information indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration request message may be forwarded to the AMF, and the location of the terminal device may be sent at the same time. The location of the terminal device may be the TAI where the terminal device is located.

[0255] If the registration request message does not carry indication information for indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the base station may forward the registration request message to the AMF and send the location of the terminal device and the access technology used by the terminal device. For example, if the base station indicates to the AMF that the access technology used by the terminal device is a technology specific to zero-power devices, the AMF may determine that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the indication.

[0256] S1130. The AMF requests the UDM / UDR for the terminal device's subscription information. The AMF sends a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or a Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message to the UDM / UDR. This message carries the terminal device's identification information, location, supported frequency bands, and an AIIoT indication. The AIoT indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. In some examples, when the AIoT indication value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT indication value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device is not a zero-power terminal. In other examples, when the AIoT indication value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device is not a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT indication value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. The AIoT indication is an optional parameter. For example, if the UDM / UDR can determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal from the terminal device's identification information and subscription information, the AIoT indication is not required. For example, when the operator obtains network access permission for a terminal device, it can record in the UDM / UDR information such as whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal and the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0257] S1140: If the UDM / UDR is able to locally obtain the SOR information of the terminal device, the UDM / UDR determines whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the AIoT indication. If the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the UDM / UDR determines simplified SOR information for the terminal device. The simplified method includes one or more of the following:

[0258] (1) If the zero-power terminal uses a specific access technology, it is not necessary to include the access technology in the PLMN ID and access technology list. Only the PLMN list is sent.

[0259] (2) Based on the location of the terminal device, only the PLMN ID and access technology list of the operator in the country or region where the terminal device is currently located is configured, rather than the entire set;

[0260] (3) According to the frequency band supported by the terminal device, only the PLMN ID and access technology list of the operator corresponding to the frequency band is configured, rather than the entire set;

[0261] (4) Do not configure SOR-CMCI; because AIoT devices generally transmit small data such as measurement and location parameters, there is little demand for continuous transmission of services. They can directly enter the idle state after receiving the SOR information, so SOR-CMCI can be configured. Among them, setting the SOR-CMCI indicator to 0 means there is no SOR-CMCI;

[0262] (5) If the HPLMN wants to control the time it takes for the UE to reselect a network, a timer can be configured;

[0263] (6) The network does not require the UE to reply with an ACK message.

[0264] The UDM / UDR replies to the AMF with a response message of the Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or the Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message, which contains the identification information (UE ID) and SOR information of the terminal device.

[0265] S1150. The AMF sends a Registration Accept message to the terminal device. For example, the Registration Accept message may be forwarded to the terminal device via the base station. The Registration Accept message includes a SOR transparent container, which includes SOR information. Alternatively, the AMF may send the SOR information after the registration process. For example, after the registration process, the AMF sends a first message to the terminal device, which includes a SOR transparent container, which includes SOR information. The first message may include a Downlink NAS transport message.

[0266] Example 3:

[0267] In this embodiment, the access device includes a base station, the first network element includes an AMF, and the second network element includes a UDM / UDR. However, this example is not intended to limit the present application.

[0268] FIG12 is a flowchart of the implementation of the third embodiment of the present application, including:

[0269] S1210. The terminal device sends an RRC message including a registration request message to the terminal device. The registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device. The registration request message may also carry frequency bands supported by the terminal device and / or indication information indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal.

[0270] For example, the terminal device may carry the AIoT capability in the registration request message, and the AIoT capability may be used as indication information for indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0271] In some examples, when the AIoT capability value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device has AIoT capabilities and is a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT capability value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device does not have AIoT capabilities and is not a zero-power terminal. In other examples, when the AIoT capability value is 1, it indicates that the terminal device does not have AIoT capabilities and is not a zero-power terminal; when the AIoT capability value is 0, it indicates that the terminal device has AIoT capabilities and is a zero-power terminal.

[0272] In some examples, the registration request message may be forwarded to the AMF by a base station in the RAN. For example, after the base station receives an RRC message containing the registration request message, if the registration request message carries indication information indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration request message may be forwarded to the AMF.

[0273] If the registration request message does not carry indication information for indicating whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the base station may forward the registration request message to the AMF and send the access technology used by the terminal device at the same time. For example, if the base station indicates to the AMF that the access technology used by the terminal device is a technology specific to zero-power devices, the AMF may determine that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the indication.

[0274] S1230. The AMF requests the UDM / UDR for the terminal device's subscription information. The AMF sends a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or a Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message to the UDM / UDR, which carries the terminal device's identification information and an AIoT indication. The AIoT indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. In some examples, an AIoT indication value of 1 indicates that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal; a value of 0 indicates that the terminal device is not a zero-power terminal. In other examples, an AIoT indication value of 1 indicates that the terminal device is not a zero-power terminal; a value of 0 indicates that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal. The AIoT indication is an optional parameter. For example, if the UDM / UDR can determine whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal from the terminal device's subscription information using the terminal device's identification information, the AIoT indication is not required. For example, when the operator obtains network access permission for a terminal device, it can record in the UDM / UDR information such as whether the terminal device is a zero-power terminal and the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0275] S1240: The UDM / UDR determines that the terminal device is a zero-power terminal based on the AIoT indication. The UDM / UDR decides not to send the SOR information to the terminal side, thereby preventing the terminal device from performing the SOR process. The UDM / UDR sends a response message of the Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_Get message or the Nudm_UEContextManagement_Update message to the AMF, which does not carry the SOR information.

[0276] S1250. The AMF sends a Registration Accept message to the terminal device. For example, the Registration Accept message may be forwarded to the terminal device via the base station. The Registration Accept message does not carry SOR information.

[0277] The present application also provides a terminal device. FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application, including:

[0278] The first sending unit 1301 is used to send a registration request message to the first network element, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0279] The first receiving unit 1302 is configured to receive a registration acceptance message from the first network element.

[0280] In some implementations, the registration accept message SOR information.

[0281] The registration acceptance message may carry a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries SOR information.

[0282] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device 1400 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG14 , the terminal device further includes:

[0283] The second receiving unit 1403 is configured to receive a first message, where the first message carries SOR information.

[0284] The first message may carry a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries SOR information.

[0285] In some implementations, the first message includes a downlink NAS transmission message.

[0286] In some embodiments, the registration request message further carries a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0287] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration acceptance message carries SOR information.

[0288] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the access technology.

[0289] In some implementations, the SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, where the network identifier and the access technology list are determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0290] In some embodiments, the contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0291] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0292] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0293] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the registration acceptance message does not carry SOR information.

[0294] In some embodiments, the terminal device comprises a zero-power terminal.

[0295] It should be understood that the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of the units in the terminal device according to the embodiments of the present application are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the terminal device of the methods of Figures 4 and 5. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0296] The embodiment of the present application further provides a first network element. FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of the first network element 1500 according to the embodiment of the present application, including:

[0297] The third receiving unit 1501 is configured to receive a second message from a second network element, where the second message carries identification information of a terminal device;

[0298] The second sending unit 1502 is configured to send a registration acceptance message.

[0299] In some implementations, the second message further carries roaming control SOR information.

[0300] In some implementations, the registration accept message carries the SOR information.

[0301] The registration acceptance message may carry a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

[0302] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element 1600 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG16 , the first network element may further include:

[0303] The third sending unit 1603 is configured to send a first message, where the first message carries the SOR information.

[0304] The first message may carry a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

[0305] In some implementations, the first message includes a downlink NAS transmission message.

[0306] As shown in FIG16 , the first network element may further include:

[0307] The fourth sending unit 1604 is configured to send a third message to the second network element, where the third message carries at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication; wherein,

[0308] The first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0309] As shown in FIG16 , the first network element may further include:

[0310] The fourth receiving unit 1605 is configured to receive at least one of a registration request message, a location of the terminal device, and a second indication; wherein,

[0311] The second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first access technology.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first access technology includes an access technology used by a zero-power terminal.

[0313] As shown in FIG16 , the first network element may further include:

[0314] The first determining unit 1606 is configured to determine, according to the second indication, whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0315] In some implementations, the registration request message carries at least one of identification information of the terminal device, a frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication.

[0316] In some implementations, the third message includes a user data management acquisition message or a user equipment context management update message.

[0317] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the second message carries SOR information, and the SOR information is determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0318] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the access technology.

[0319] In some implementations, the SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, where the network identifier and the access technology list are determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency bands supported by the terminal device.

[0320] In some embodiments, the contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0321] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0322] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0323] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the second message does not carry SOR information.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0325] In some implementations, the second network element includes a UDM or a UDR.

[0326] In some implementations, the second message comprises a response message.

[0327] It should be understood that the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of the units in the first network element according to the embodiments of the present application are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the first network element in the methods of Figures 4, 6A and 6B. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0328] The embodiment of the present application further provides a second network element. FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element 1700 according to the embodiment of the present application, including:

[0329] The fifth sending unit 1701 is used to send a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0330] In some implementations, the second message also carries SOR information.

[0331] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element 1800 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG18 , the second network element may further include:

[0332] The fifth receiving unit 1802 is configured to receive a third message from the first network element, where the third message carries at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication; wherein,

[0333] The first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0334] As shown in FIG18 , the second network element may further include:

[0335] The sixth sending unit 1803 is configured to send at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication to the third network element;

[0336] The sixth receiving unit 1804 is configured to receive the SOR information from the third network element.

[0337] As shown in FIG18 , the second network element may further include:

[0338] The second determining unit 1805 is configured to determine the SOR information according to at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication.

[0339] In some implementations, the third message includes a user data management acquisition message or a user equipment context management update message.

[0340] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the SOR information does not include access technology.

[0341] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the SOR information is determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0342] In some implementations, the SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, and the network identifier and access technology list are determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0343] In some embodiments, the contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0344] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0345] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0346] As shown in FIG18 , the second network element may further include:

[0347] The third determining unit 1806 is configured to, when the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, determine, by the second network element, that the second message does not carry the SOR information.

[0348] In some implementations, the second network element includes a UDM or a UDR.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0350] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a SOR-AF.

[0351] In some implementations, the second message comprises a response message.

[0352] It should be understood that the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of the units in the second network element according to the embodiments of the present application are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the second network element in the methods of Figures 4, 7A, and 7B. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0353] The present embodiment further provides a third network element. FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of the third network element 1900 according to the embodiment of the present application, including:

[0354] The seventh receiving unit 1901 is used to receive at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device and the first indication from the second network element; wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0355] The fourth determining unit 1902 is configured to determine the SOR information of the terminal device.

[0356] FIG20 is a schematic structural diagram of a third network element 2000 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG20 , the third network element may further include:

[0357] The seventh sending unit 2003 is used to send the SOR information of the terminal device to the second network element.

[0358] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power terminal, the SOR information does not include access technology.

[0359] In some implementations, when the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the third network element determines the SOR information based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0360] In some implementations, the SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list; the third network element determines the network identifier and the access technology list based on the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0361] In some embodiments, the contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

[0362] In some embodiments, the SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

[0363] In some implementations, the SOR message includes a first timer.

[0364] In some embodiments, the third network element includes a SOR-AF.

[0365] In some implementations, the second network element includes a UDM or a UDR.

[0366] It should be understood that the above and other operations and / or functions of the units in the third network element according to the embodiments of the present application are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the third network element in the methods of Figures 4 and 8. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0367] The present application also provides an access device. FIG21 is a schematic structural diagram of an access device 2100 according to an embodiment of the present application, including:

[0368] The eighth receiving unit 2101 is configured to receive a registration request message from a terminal device, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device.

[0369] The eighth sending unit 2102 is configured to forward the registration request message to the first network element.

[0370] In some implementations, the registration request message carries a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device, where the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

[0371] FIG22 is a schematic structural diagram of an access device 2200 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG22 , the access device may further include:

[0372] The ninth sending unit 2203 is used to send the access technology used by the terminal device and / or the location of the terminal device to the first network element.

[0373] In some embodiments, the first network element includes an AMF.

[0374] It should be understood that the above and other operations and / or functions of the units in the access device according to the embodiments of the present application are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the access device in the methods of Figures 4 and 9. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0375] It should be noted that the functions described in the various modules (submodules, units, or components, etc.) in the communication device of the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by different modules (submodules, units, or components, etc.) or by the same module (submodule, unit, or component, etc.). For example, the first receiving module and the second receiving module can be different modules or the same module, and both can implement their corresponding functions in the embodiment of the present application. In addition, the sending module and the receiving module in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by the transceiver of the device, and some or all of the other modules can be implemented by the processor of the device.

[0376] Figure 23 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 2300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2300 shown in Figure 23 includes a processor 2310, which can call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0377] In some implementations, as shown in FIG23 , the communication device 2300 may further include a memory 2320. The processor 2310 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 2320 to implement the communication device in the embodiment of the present application.

[0378] The memory 2320 may be a separate device independent of the processor 2310 or may be integrated into the processor 2310 .

[0379] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 23 , the communication device 2300 may further include a transceiver 2330 , and the processor 2310 may control the transceiver 2330 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 2330 may send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0380] The transceiver 2330 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 2330 may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0381] In some embodiments, the communication device 2300 may be the communication device of an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 2300 may implement the corresponding processes implemented by the communication device in each method of the embodiment of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0382] Figure 24 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 2400 according to an embodiment of the present application. The chip 2400 shown in Figure 24 includes a processor 2410, which can call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0383] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG24 , the chip 2400 may further include a memory 2420 , wherein the processor 2410 may call and execute a computer program from the memory 2420 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0384] The memory 2420 may be a separate device independent of the processor 2410 , or may be integrated into the processor 2410 .

[0385] In some embodiments, the chip 2400 may further include an input interface 2430. The processor 2410 may control the input interface 2430 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0386] In some embodiments, the chip 2400 may further include an output interface 2440. The processor 2410 may control the output interface 2440 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0387] In some embodiments, the chip can be applied to the communication equipment in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the network equipment in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0388] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0389] The processor mentioned above may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor mentioned above may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0390] The memory mentioned above may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM).

[0391] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are exemplary but not restrictive. For example, the memories in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM RAM (DR RAM), etc. In other words, the memories in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0392] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When software is used for implementation, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable devices. The computer instruction can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instruction can be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center by wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0393] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0394] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0395] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising: The terminal device sends a registration request message to the first network element, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device; The terminal device receives a registration acceptance message from the first network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The registration acceptance message carries roaming control SOR information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The registration acceptance message carries SOR information, including: The registration acceptance message carries a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information. 4 . The method according to claim 1 , further includes the terminal device receiving a first message from the first network element, the first message carrying SOR information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The first message carries SOR information, including: The first message carries a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The first message includes a downlink non-access stratum NAS transmission message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The registration request message also carries a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device, wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the registration acceptance message carries SOR information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein: The SOR information does not include access technology.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, and the network identifier and the access technology list are determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: The SOR information does not include the SOR-connection mode control information CMCI.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein: The SOR information includes a first timer.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the registration acceptance message does not carry SOR information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The terminal device includes a zero-power consumption terminal.

16. A communication method, comprising: The first network element receives a second message from the second network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device; The first network element sends a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The second message also carries roaming control SOR information.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: The registration acceptance message carries the SOR information.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The registration acceptance message carries the SOR information, including: The registration acceptance message carries a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising, the first network element sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message carrying the SOR information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein: The first message carries the SOR information, including: The first message carries a SOR transparent container, and the SOR transparent container carries the SOR information.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein: The first message includes a downlink NAS transmission message.

23. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, before the first network element receives the second message from the second network element, further comprising: The first network element sends a third message to the second network element, where the third message carries at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication; wherein, The first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

24. The method according to claim 23, before the first network element sends the third message to the second network element, further comprising: The first network element receives at least one of a registration request message, a location of the terminal device, and a second indication; wherein, The second indication is used to instruct the terminal device to use the first access technology.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The first access technology includes an access technology used by a zero-power consumption terminal.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25 further includes, the first network element determining whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal according to the second indication.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The registration request message carries at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device and the first indication.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, wherein: The third message includes a user data management acquisition message or a user equipment context management update message.

29. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 28, wherein: In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the second message carries SOR information, and the SOR information is determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein: The SOR information does not include access technology.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein: The SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, and the network identifier and the access technology list are determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein: The contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

33. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein: The SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

34. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 33, wherein: The SOR information includes a first timer.

35. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 28, wherein: In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the second message does not carry SOR information.

36. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 35, wherein: The first network element includes AMF.

37. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 36, wherein: The second network element includes UDM or UDR.

38. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 37, wherein: The second message includes a response message.

39. A communication method, comprising: The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein: The second message also carries SOR information.

41. The method according to claim 39 or 40, before the second network element sends the second message to the first network element, further comprising: The second network element receives a third message from the first network element, the third message carrying at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication; wherein, The first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

42. The method according to claim 41 further comprising, The second network element sends at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication to the third network element; The second network element receives the SOR information from the third network element.

43. The method according to claim 41 further comprising, The second network element determines the SOR information according to at least one of the identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and the first indication.

44. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 43, wherein: The third message includes a user data management acquisition message or a user equipment context management update message.

45. The method according to any one of claims 40, 42-44, wherein: In the case where the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the SOR information does not include access technology.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 40, 42-45, wherein: In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the SOR information is determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

47. The method according to any one of claims 40, 42-46, wherein: The SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list, and the network identifier and the access technology list are determined according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein: The contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

49. The method according to any one of claims 40, 42-48, wherein: The SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

50. The method according to any one of claims 40, 42-49, wherein: The SOR information includes a first timer.

51. The method according to claim 41, further comprising, In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the second network element determines that the second message does not carry the SOR information.

52. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 51, wherein: The second network element includes UDM or UDR.

53. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 52, wherein: The first network element includes AMF.

54. The method of claim 42, wherein: The third network element includes a SOR-AF.

55. The method according to any one of claims 39 to 54, wherein: The second message includes a response message.

56. A communication method, comprising: The third network element receives at least one of identification information of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the frequency band supported by the terminal device, and a first indication from the second network element; wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal; The third network element determines the SOR information of the terminal device.

57. The method according to claim 56, further comprising, The third network element sends the SOR information of the terminal device to the second network element.

58. The method of claim 56 or 57, wherein: In the case where the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the SOR information does not include access technology.

59. The method according to any one of claims 56 to 58, wherein: In the case that the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal, the third network element determines the SOR information according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

60. The method according to any one of claims 56 to 59, wherein: The SOR information includes a network identifier and an access technology list; the third network element determines the network identifier and the access technology list according to the location of the terminal device and / or the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein: The contents of the network identification and access technology list include: the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the location of the terminal device; and / or the network identification and access technology of the operator corresponding to the frequency band supported by the terminal device.

62. The method according to any one of claims 56 to 61, wherein: The SOR information does not include the SOR-CMCI.

63. The method according to any one of claims 56 to 62, wherein: The SOR information includes a first timer.

64. The method according to any one of claims 56 to 63, wherein: The third network element includes a SOR-AF.

65. The method according to any one of claims 56 to 64, wherein: The second network element includes UDM or UDR.

66. A communication method, comprising: The access device receives a registration request message from the terminal device, where the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device; The access device forwards the registration request message to the first network element.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein: The registration request message carries a first indication and / or a frequency band supported by the terminal device, wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal.

68. The method according to claim 66 or 67 further includes the access device sending the access technology used by the terminal device and / or the location of the terminal device to the first network element.

69. The method according to any one of claims 66 to 68, wherein: The first network element includes AMF.

70. A terminal device, comprising: A first sending unit, configured to send a registration request message to a first network element, wherein the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device; The first receiving unit is used to receive a registration acceptance message from the first network element.

71. A first network element, comprising: A third receiving unit, configured to receive a second message from a second network element, where the second message carries identification information of a terminal device; The second sending unit is used to send a registration acceptance message to the terminal device.

72. A second network element, comprising: The fifth sending unit is used to send a second message to the first network element, where the second message carries identification information of the terminal device.

73. A third network element, comprising: A seventh receiving unit, configured to receive from a second network element at least one of identification information of a terminal device, a location of the terminal device, a frequency band supported by the terminal device, and a first indication; wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the terminal device is a zero-power consumption terminal; The fourth determining unit is used to determine the SOR information of the terminal device.

74. An access device, comprising: An eighth receiving unit, configured to receive a registration request message from a terminal device, wherein the registration request message carries identification information of the terminal device; An eighth sending unit is used to forward the registration request message to the first network element.

75. A communication device comprising: A processor, a memory and a transceiver, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory and control the transceiver to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1-15, 16-38, 39-55, 56-65, or 66-69.

76. A chip, comprising: A processor, configured to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes a method as described in any one of claims 1-15, 16-38, 39-55, 56-65, or 66-69.

77. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein the computer program causes a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-15, 16-38, 39-55, 56-65, or 66-69.

78. A computer program product comprising computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-15, 16-38, 39-55, 56-65, or 66-69.

79. A computer program, the computer program causing a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-15, 16-38, 39-55, 56-65, or 66-69.

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