Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications. Provided are a communication method and a communication apparatus. In the method, when a second access network device releases a terminal to an inactive state, a first inactive eDRX having a cycle greater than a preset threshold and a second inactive eDRX having a cycle smaller than or equal to the preset threshold are configured for the terminal; when the terminal moves to be within a coverage range of a first access network device only supporting the second inactive eDRX, the first access network device indicates to the second access network device that the terminal currently uses a second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; then, the second access network device indicates to a mobility management network element that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; according to the indication of the second access network device, the mobility management network element pauses MT communication processing and pauses caching of downlink data of the terminal, such that a downlink signaling and the downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in time.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on September 15, 2023, with application number 202311203941.0 and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] Paging can be used to notify a terminal in an inactive state to establish a service (i.e., be called). In order to save power consumption for paging message detection, discontinuous reception (DRX) technology is applied to the non-connected state. In non-connected DRX, the terminal wakes itself up in set time units according to a certain non-connected DRX cycle to detect whether the base station has paged it. In order to further save power consumption, extended DRX (eDRX) technology can be used to extend the DRX cycle, allowing the terminal to enter the sleep state for a longer time. The inactive eDRX configuration only discusses the case where the eDRX cycle is no more than 10.24s. If further power consumption is to be saved, the inactive eDRX cycle can be further extended to more than 10.24s. At this time, in order to avoid the excessive amount of data that needs to be cached at the base station due to excessive sleep time, it can be considered to cache the data at the user plane network element, and at the same time introduce a mobile terminated (MT) communication processing mechanism based on the core network (CN). CN-based MT communication processing means that when the mobility management network element in the core network receives downlink signaling from other core network elements, it will reject the downlink signaling and indicate to the other core network elements that the terminal is currently unreachable.

[0004] However, in some scenarios, such as when a terminal moves from the coverage area of ​​a base station that supports inactive eDRX for a long time to the coverage area of ​​a base station that does not support inactive eDRX for a long time, the core network always performs MT communication processing and data caching, which will result in the terminal's signaling and data not being processed and transmitted in a timely manner.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can enable terminal signaling and data to be processed and transmitted in a timely manner.

[0007] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first access network device, or by a component of the first access network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first access network device.

[0008] The method includes: sending first system information, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive (inactive / inactive) extended eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving first indication information from a terminal, the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the first indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; according to the first indication information, sending second indication information to the second access network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0009] It should be understood that in any aspect, the first inactive eDRX and the second inactive eDRX are two different types of inactive eDRX. The first inactive eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the first inactive eDRX, and similarly, the second inactive eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the second inactive eDRX.

[0010] Optionally, in any aspect, the preset threshold is 10.24 seconds.

[0011] Optionally, in any aspect, the first indication information and the second indication information are the same.

[0012] Optionally, in any aspect, the first indication information may be a medium access control control element (MAC CE), such as a special logical channel identification (LCID). Alternatively, the first indication information may be uplink control information (UCI). Alternatively, the first indication information may be a newly added cause value.

[0013] According to the communication method provided herein, after a terminal's inactive eDRX cycle changes from a first inactive eDRX cycle with a longer cycle to a second inactive eDRX cycle with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX cycle is the second inactive eDRX cycle. The access network device can, based on the terminal's indication, send corresponding indication information to the core network device. Based on the indication information, the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of the terminal's downlink data, thereby enabling timely transmission / processing of the terminal's downlink signaling and downlink data.

[0014] In a possible implementation, sending the second indication information to the second access network device includes: sending a terminal context acquisition request message to the second access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an RRC release message from a first access network device, the RRC release message including the first inactive eDRX configuration and the second inactive eDRX configuration, or the RRC release message including indication information, the indication information instructing the terminal to continue using the previous eDRX configuration.

[0016] This step can be performed after the small data transmission (SDT) ends. By configuring the first inactive eDRX configuration and the second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal when the terminal is released to enter the inactive state, the terminal is prevented from being changed to support only the second inactive eDRX configuration. Thus, when the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​another access network device that supports the first inactive eDRX, the first inactive eDRX configuration can be used for paging detection, thereby improving energy efficiency.

[0017] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a mobile management network element, or by a component of the mobile management network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the mobile management network element.

[0018] The method includes: receiving first communication processing request information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of a terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device is configured with a first inactive discontinuous reception (eDRX) configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; according to the first communication processing request information, suspending mobile station termination (MT) communication processing, and sending third indication information to a user plane network element, where the third indication information instructs the user plane network element to suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal.

[0019] According to the communication method provided herein, after a terminal's inactive eDRX cycle changes from a first inactive eDRX cycle with a longer cycle to a second inactive eDRX cycle with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX cycle is the second inactive eDRX cycle. The access network device can, based on the terminal's indication, send corresponding indication information to the core network device. Based on the indication information, the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of the terminal's downlink data, thereby enabling timely transmission / processing of the terminal's downlink signaling and downlink data.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: starting a timer according to the first communication processing request information; after the timer expires, performing the MT communication processing, and sending fourth indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a fifth indication message from the second access network device, the fifth indication message instructing the mobile management network element to re-perform the MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal; performing the MT communication processing according to the fifth indication message, and sending a fourth indication message to the user plane network element, the fourth indication message instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving second communication processing request information from the second access network device, the second communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of a third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; performing the MT communication processing according to the second communication processing request information, and sending sixth indication information to the user plane network element, the sixth indication information instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0023] Based on this solution, after the terminal's inactive eDRX changes from a second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle to a first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the first inactive eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the terminal's indication; the core network device will resume / resume MT communication processing and cache the terminal's downlink data according to the indication information, thereby improving the terminal's energy-saving performance.

[0024] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal, or by a component of the terminal (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions.

[0025] The method includes: receiving first system information from a first access network device, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal; and sending first indication information to the first access network device according to the first system information, the first indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0026] According to the communication method provided herein, after a terminal's inactive eDRX cycle changes from a first inactive eDRX cycle with a longer cycle to a second inactive eDRX cycle with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX cycle is the second inactive eDRX cycle. The access network device can, based on the terminal's indication, send corresponding indication information to the core network device. Based on the indication information, the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of the terminal's downlink data, thereby enabling timely transmission / processing of the terminal's downlink signaling and downlink data.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the sending of the first indication information to the first access network device includes: sending a radio resource control (RRC) recovery request message to the first access network device, the RRC recovery request message including the first indication information, and the RRC recovery request message being used to request restoration of the RRC connection.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when the terminal moves to the coverage of a third access network device, receiving second system information from the third access network device, the second system information indicating that the third access network device supports the first non-activated eDRX; and sending seventh indication information to the third access network device, the seventh indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second access network device, or by a component of the second access network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the second access network device. The second access network device is the terminal's last serving access network device.

[0030] The method includes: receiving second indication information from a first access network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using a second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration for paging detection, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first access network device does not support the first inactive eDRX but supports the second inactive eDRX; and according to the second indication information, sending first communication processing request information to a mobility management network element, the first communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0031] According to the communication method provided herein, after a terminal's inactive eDRX cycle changes from a first inactive eDRX cycle with a longer cycle to a second inactive eDRX cycle with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX cycle is the second inactive eDRX cycle. The access network device can, based on the terminal's indication, send corresponding indication information to the core network device. Based on the indication information, the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of the terminal's downlink data, thereby enabling timely transmission / processing of the terminal's downlink signaling and downlink data.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: starting a timer according to the second indication information; after the timer expires, sending a fifth indication information to the mobility management network element, the fifth indication information instructing the mobility management network element to re-perform the mobile station termination MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving an eighth indication message from a third access network device, the eighth indication message indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage range of the third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; and sending a second communication processing request message to the mobility management network element according to the eighth indication message, the second communication processing request message indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0034] Based on this solution, after the terminal's inactive eDRX changes from a second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle to a first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the first inactive eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the terminal's indication; the core network device will resume / resume MT communication processing and cache the terminal's downlink data according to the indication information, thereby improving the terminal's energy-saving performance.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the receiving the second indication information from the first access network device includes: receiving a terminal context acquisition request message from the first access network device, the terminal context acquisition request message including the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0036] In the fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a third access network device, or by a component of the third access network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the third access network device.

[0037] The method includes: sending second system information, where the second system information indicates that the third access network device supports a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and a second inactive eDRX, where the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving seventh indication information from a terminal, where the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, and the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; and sending eighth indication information to the second access network device, where the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0038] Based on this solution, after the terminal's inactive eDRX changes from a second inactive eDRX with a shorter cycle to a first inactive eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current inactive eDRX is the first inactive eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the terminal's indication; the core network device will resume / resume MT communication processing and cache the terminal's downlink data according to the indication information, thereby improving the terminal's energy-saving performance.

[0039] In the sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a mobile management network element, or by a component of the mobile management network element (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or by a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the mobile management network element.

[0040] The method includes: receiving first indication information from a second access network device, the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device is configured with a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device in a wireless access network notification area RNA that only supports the second inactive eDRX; according to the first indication information, when a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling is received, second indication information is sent to the second access network device, the second indication information instructing the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second inactive eDRX to page the terminal.

[0041] According to the communication method provided in the present application, the second access network device indicates to the mobility management network element that there is an access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RAN notification area (RNA). The mobility management network element, based on the instruction of the second access network device, instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving a notification of the arrival of downlink data or downlink signaling. The second access network device, based on the instruction of the mobility management network element, notifies the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA to page the terminal. Compared with the current technology in which the mobility management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable based on the first non-activated eDRX configuration, this method uses the second non-activated eDRX with a shorter cycle to page the terminal when data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, it can respond to the paging in a timely manner, thereby entering the connected state in a timely manner or receiving downlink data / downlink signaling through SDT, thereby achieving timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the second indication information includes data volume information, where the data volume information indicates the data volume of a downlink signal, and the downlink signal is the downlink data or the downlink signaling.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second access network device, or by a component of the second access network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the second access network device. The second access network device is the terminal's last serving access network device.

[0044] The method includes: sending first indication information to a mobility management network element, the first indication information indicating that there is an access network device in a wireless access network notification area RNA that only supports the second non-activated extended discontinuous reception eDRX, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device is configured with a first non-activated eDRX configuration and a second non-activated eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first non-activated eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second non-activated eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving second indication information from the mobility management network element, the second indication information instructing the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second non-activated eDRX to page the terminal; according to the second indication information, sending a paging message only to the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, the paging message being used to instruct the access network device to page the terminal, or, according to the second indication information, sending a paging message to the access network device in the RNA, the paging message instructing the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX to page the terminal.

[0045] According to the communication method provided in the present application, the second access network device indicates to the mobility management network element that there is an access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RAN notification area (RNA). The mobility management network element, based on the instruction of the second access network device, instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving a notification of the arrival of downlink data or downlink signaling. The second access network device, based on the instruction of the mobility management network element, notifies the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA to page the terminal. Compared with the current technology in which the mobility management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable based on the first non-activated eDRX configuration, this method uses the second non-activated eDRX with a shorter cycle to page the terminal when data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, it can respond to the paging in a timely manner, thereby entering the connected state in a timely manner or receiving downlink data / downlink signaling through SDT, thereby achieving timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the paging message includes the second inactive eDRX configuration.

[0047] Based on this solution, if the RNA includes an access network device that cannot recognize the indication in the RAN paging message but supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, such as an R17 base station, the terminal can be paging configured according to the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RAN paging message.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a module or unit for executing the method in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0049] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store computer programs or instructions, and the processor being used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to implement a module or unit of the method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes a memory coupled to the processor.

[0051] In a possible implementation, there are one or more processors and / or one or more memories.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0054] Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0055] In a tenth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method of any of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0056] In a specific implementation, the processor may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, or various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, which functions as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0057] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one of the communication devices for executing the methods provided in the first to fifth aspects.

[0058] In the twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one of the communication devices of the methods provided in the sixth and seventh aspects.

[0059] In the thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also called code, or instruction), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute a method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0060] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions). When the computer program runs on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0061] In the fifteenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes a method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects.

[0062] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes an interface and a processor, wherein the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the method in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementation of any one of the aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a DRX reception method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a network paging an inactive terminal when data arrives, according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG4 is a flowchart of a CN-based MT communication process provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] 5 is a flowchart of a terminal triggering connection recovery in an inactive state in a CN-based MT communication process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a terminal movement scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG10 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG11 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG12 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG14 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] 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.

[0078] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In addition, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit them to be different.

[0079] In the various method embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial number does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution 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.

[0080] It is understood that, in this application, expressions such as "under...", "if...", "when...", "if...", and similar expressions may be used interchangeably. Furthermore, these expressions all imply that corresponding actions will be taken under certain objective circumstances, and do not limit the timeframe, require no judgment in implementation, or imply any other limitations.

[0081] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently of other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios as needed. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0082] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in this application, and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0083] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, new radio (NR) and other mobile communication systems that may appear in the future.

[0084] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture suitable for the present application. The following describes each network element involved in the network architecture.

[0085] 1. Terminal 101: A terminal is sometimes also referred to as user equipment (UE). A terminal may be a station, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. A terminal may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a large screen, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, or a terminal in a future-evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0086] 2. (Radio) access network (R)AN) equipment 102: equipment that provides wireless access for terminals.

[0087] The access network device may be a base station. The base station may be a 3G / 4G base station, an evolved nodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation nodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, a new base station that emerges with the evolution of technology, or an access node in a WiFi system. The access network device may also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and may also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU performs the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and may also perform the functions of part or all of the physical layer. For a detailed description of each of the above protocol layers, reference may be made to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, or a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device. The access network device and the terminal can be fixed or movable. The access network device and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal.

[0088] 3. User plane network element 103: used for packet routing and forwarding, and quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data.

[0089] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0090] 4. Data network (DN) 104: a network for transmitting data.

[0091] In future communication systems, the data network may still be a DN, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0092] In the 5G communication system, after the terminal accesses the network, it can establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session, access the DN through the PDU session, and interact with the application function network elements deployed in the DN (application function network elements such as application servers).

[0093] 5. Mobility management network element 105: Mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management network element (MME) except session management, such as lawful interception and access authorization / authentication.

[0094] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the mobility management network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the mobility management network element may still be an AMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0095] 6. Session management network element 106: mainly used for session management, terminal Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management, selection of manageable terminal plane functions, policy control and charging function interface endpoints, and downlink data notification.

[0096] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0097] 7. Policy control network element 107: A unified policy framework used to guide network behavior and provide policy rule information to control plane functional network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).

[0098] In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) network element. As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0099] 8. Application function network element 108: The application function network element can interact with the 5G system through the application function network element to access the network open function network element or interact with the policy framework for policy control, etc.

[0100] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the application function network element may be an application function, AF network element. In future communication systems, the application function network element may still be an AF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0101] 9. Data management network element 109: used to process terminal identification, access authentication, registration and mobility management, etc.

[0102] As shown in Figure 1, in a 5G communication system, the data management network element may be a unified data management (UDM) network element or a unified data repository (UDR) network element. In future communication systems, unified data management may still be a UDM or UDR network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application. The UDM or UDR network element in the embodiment of this application may refer to a user database, which may exist as a single logical repository for storing user data.

[0103] It is understandable that the above-mentioned network elements can also be referred to as network functions (NFs) or functions. The above-mentioned network elements can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). The above-mentioned network elements or functions can be divided into one or more services. Furthermore, there may also be services that exist independently of network functions. In this application, instances of the above-mentioned functions, or instances of services included in the above-mentioned functions, or instances of services that exist independently of network functions can all be referred to as service instances. The communication interfaces between the above-mentioned network elements are only examples, and this application does not exclude the use of other interfaces for communication between network elements.

[0104] In addition, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the above-described system architecture. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other future communication systems, such as the 6th generation (6G) communication system architecture. Furthermore, the names of the various network elements used in the embodiments of the present application may retain the same functions in future communication systems, but the names may be changed.

[0105] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand this application, a brief introduction to the relevant technology is first given.

[0106] 1. Discontinuous reception (DRX)

[0107] The states of the terminal may include an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state, and an RRC connected state. The RRC idle state may be referred to as the idle state, the RRC inactive state may be referred to as the inactive state or the third state, and the RRC connected state may be referred to as the connected state.

[0108] Paging is used to notify idle or inactive terminals to establish a service (i.e., to be called), to notify terminals of system message changes requiring them to reread the changed system broadcast messages, or to notify terminals to receive Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) information. Depending on the originator of the paging message, paging is categorized as core network (CN) paging and RAN paging, initiated by core network and access network equipment, respectively. CN paging is primarily used for paging idle terminals, while RAN paging is used for paging inactive terminals.

[0109] To save power consumption during paging message detection, discontinuous reception (DRX) technology is applied to the non-connected state. Non-connected DRX differs from connected DRX. In connected DRX, each DRX cycle consists of two time periods: the "On Duration" and the "Opportunity for DRX." The "On Duration" can be referred to as a duration, and the "Opportunity for DRX" can be referred to as a DRX opportunity. During the "On Duration," the terminal detects and receives the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). During the "Opportunity for DRX," the terminal remains in sleep mode and does not detect the PDCCH, thus reducing power consumption. In non-connected DRX, there are no defined On Duration or DRX opportunities. Instead, the terminal wakes up at set time units according to a specific non-connected DRX cycle to detect whether the network device is paging it. Since the time units are mutually agreed upon by the network and the terminal, there is no need to set a time length similar to the On Duration to account for potential data reception. If it is detected that the network device is paging itself, the terminal responds to the paging message, such as initiating connection recovery, otherwise, it continues to maintain the current state. The time unit for the above-mentioned terminal to detect paging can be called a paging occasion (PO). For example, in LTE, a paging frame (PF) includes 10 subframes, indexed from 0 to 9. The time domain position of PO can be the subframe with index 7 in PF; in NR, PO is a set of PDCCH monitoring occasions, which is obtained according to the corresponding search space. PO is located in the paging frame or the starting position of PO is located in the paging frame. Regarding how to determine the PF and PO within the DRX cycle, please refer to the existing relevant technologies for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0110] 2. Extended DRX (eDRX)

[0111] In order to further save power consumption, an extended DRX (eDRX) technology may be used to extend the DRX cycle, so that the terminal can enter the sleep state for a longer period of time.

[0112] The idle state eDRX cycle can be extended to more than 3 hours. Considering the long sleep period, errors may be introduced. Referring to the eDRX reception diagram shown in Figure 2, in order to improve the paging reliability, the concept of paging time window (PTW) is introduced. A PTW can cover one or more POs (only the scenario covering multiple POs is shown in the figure). The terminal needs to detect paging messages according to the DRX cycle T within the PTW. Among them, T in Figure 2 is eDRX It is the idle state eDRX cycle.

[0113] The inactive (INACTIVE) eDRX configuration only discusses the case where the eDRX cycle is no longer than 10.24 seconds. For INACTIVE eDRX, the eDRX cycle is used in the same way as the DRX cycle. The terminal wakes up at the PO of the INACTIVE eDRX cycle and detects paging messages. For details on how to determine the PO and PF within the INACTIVE eDRX cycle, please refer to existing related technologies and will not be further explained here.

[0114] For example, Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a network paging an inactive terminal when data arrives. Figure 3 involves the last serving access network device. In this application, the last serving access network device is the access network device that releases the terminal to the inactive state, which stores the terminal context. The last serving access network device can also be called an anchor access network device or an anchor base station. Referring to Figure 3, S301 to S303, after a RAN paging trigger event occurs (downlink data or downlink signaling is received, etc.), the last serving access network device of the terminal notifies other access network devices within the RAN notification area (RAN notification area, RNA) of the terminal to initiate RAN paging at the PO time, and also initiates paging at the PO time. If the terminal detects a paging message from an access network device (access network device #1 in Figure 3), it responds to the paging message and initiates an RRC connection recovery process, which may specifically include S304 to S311. From S304 to S307, the terminal sends an RRC recovery request message to access network device #1. Access network device #1 obtains the terminal context from the last serving access network device and sends an RRC recovery message to the terminal. S308: To prevent the loss of downlink user data buffered in the last serving access network device, access network device #1 provides the last serving access network device with a downlink data forwarding address. From S309 to S310, access network device #1 requests a path switch by sending a path switch request message to the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element responds with a path switch response message. S311: Access network device #1 notifies the last serving access network to release the terminal context.

[0115] To further save power consumption, the INACTIVE eDRX cycle can be extended to more than 10.24s, and PTW can be introduced in the same way as the idle eDRX method, allowing the terminal to stay in sleep mode for a longer period of time. In this case, to avoid excessive data buffering at the access network device due to excessive sleep time, it is possible to consider caching the data at the user plane network element (e.g., UPF) and introduce a mobile terminated (MT) communication processing mechanism based on the core network (CN). For the specific process, please refer to Figures 4 and 5.

[0116] In this article, CN-based MT communication processing refers to the situation where, upon receiving downlink signaling from another core network element (e.g., SMF), the mobility management element in the core network rejects the downlink signaling and indicates to the other core network element that the terminal is currently unreachable. Subsequently, the other core network element will not send any new signaling to the mobility management element until the mobility management element notifies the other core network element that the terminal is reachable. Furthermore, CN-based MT communication processing will sometimes be referred to as MT communication processing below.

[0117] In addition, it should be noted that, for ease of understanding, in some descriptions below, the extended INACTIVE eDRX cycle is referred to as a long INACTIVE eDRX cycle (i.e., a long INACTIVE eDRX cycle), and the non-extended INACTIVE eDRX cycle is referred to as a short INACTIVE eDRX cycle (i.e., a short INACTIVE eDRX cycle). For example, the long INACTIVE eDRX cycle may be greater than 10.24 seconds, and the short INACTIVE eDRX cycle may be less than or equal to 10.24 seconds.

[0118] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of CN-based MT communication processing. First, in S401, the access network device determines the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration and determines to initiate CN-based MT communication processing. Afterwards, the access network device sends an RRC release message including RRC suspend to the terminal. The message is used to release the terminal to the RRC inactive state, and the message includes the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration. This operation can be implemented in S402 or in S407. In S403, the access network device indicates that the terminal is transitioning to an inactive state and the core network needs to process MT communication by sending an N2 message (for example, MT Communication handling request message) to the mobility management network element. In the N2 message, the access network device also provides the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration to the mobility management network element. In S404, the mobility management network element determines to perform MT communication processing based on the N2 message, and executes S405. In step S405, the mobility management network element instructs the user plane network element to enable data caching through the session management network element instead of sending the data directly to the terminal. In step S406, the user plane network element enables / opens data caching according to the instructions of the mobility management network element. After enabling data caching, the user plane network element caches downlink data arriving during the terminal's unreachable period. Optionally, after enabling data caching, the user plane network element may also return a corresponding response message in step S407, indicating that data caching has been enabled. The mobility management network element may return a corresponding N2 response message in step S408.

[0119] Figure 5 shows a flowchart for triggering connection recovery when a terminal is in an inactive state during CN-based MT communication processing. Referring to S501, upon receiving downlink data, the user plane network element buffers it and indicates the arrival of data to the mobility management network element via the session management network element. The mobility management network element then determines whether the terminal is reachable based on the stored long INACTIVE eDRX configuration provided by the access network device. If the terminal is unreachable, the mobility management network element provides an estimated maximum waiting time in a response message based on the long INACTIVE eDRX configuration (skipping steps S502 to S505). If the terminal is deemed reachable, S502 is triggered. In S502, the mobility management network element sends an N2 message (e.g., a downlink data notification message) to the access network device, notifying it of the arrival of data or signaling from the terminal. Based on the N2 message, the access network device sends a paging message in S503 to page the terminal. In S504, the terminal responds to the paging message and restores the RRC connection. The user plane network element then de-buffers the data and transmits data (see S505a) or signaling (see S505b).

[0120] For a terminal in an inactive state, there is a terminal movement scenario and processing flow as shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a scenario of terminal movement. Referring to Figure 6, the terminal 610 is released to an inactive state by the access network device 620, and then moves to the coverage range of the access network device 630. Among them, the access network device 620 supports long INACTIVE eDRX, for example, the supported long INACTIVE eDRX period is 40.96s. The access network device 630 does not support long INACTIVE eDRX, and only supports short INACTIVE eDRX (for example, 10.24s) or DRX. When the access network device 620 releases the terminal to the inactive state, it configures the terminal with long INACTIVE eDRX and short INACTIVE eDRX. Based on the above description, it can be seen that when the access network device 620 serves the terminal 610, the core network device performs MT processing, caches the downlink data of the terminal, and pages the terminal based on long INACTIVE eDRX. At the same time, the terminal 610 performs paging detection based on long INACTIVE eDRX. After the terminal 610 moves to the coverage area of ​​the access network device 630, since the core network does not perceive the movement of the terminal, it still performs MT processing, caches the downlink data of the terminal, and performs paging based on long INACTIVE eDRX. At the same time, since the access network device 630 does not support long INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal 610 performs paging detection based on short INACTIVE eDRX or DRX in the cell supported by the access network device 630.

[0121] In the above scenario, after the terminal 610 moves to the coverage of the access network device 620, although the terminal 610 performs paging detection based on short INACTIVE eDRX or DRX, due to the MT communication processing and data caching operation of the core network device and paging based on long INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal energy-saving performance is sacrificed while still being unable to process / transmit downlink signaling and downlink data in a timely manner.

[0122] In view of this, the present application provides two communication methods that enable timely processing / transmission of downlink signaling and downlink data after an inactive terminal moves from a cell supporting long INACTIVE eDRX to a cell supporting short INACTIVE eDRX or DRX. The methods are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0123] It should be understood that the terminal, first access network device, and second access network device mentioned below may be the terminal 610, access network device 630, and access network device 620 shown in Figure 6, respectively. In addition, the INACTIVE eDRX cycle in this application may also be referred to as a paging cycle or an inactive paging cycle.

[0124] Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 700 may include steps S701 to S705, and the method 700 will be described below in conjunction with each step.

[0125] S701: A first access network device broadcasts system information, which is recorded as first system information, for example.

[0126] The terminal is located within the coverage of the first access network device and can receive the first system information.

[0127] In which, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device. When the second access network device releases the terminal to an inactive state, a first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and a second INACTIVE eDRX configuration are configured for the terminal. The first INACTIVE eDRX and the second INACTIVE eDRX are two different types of INACTIVE eDRX, the period of the first INACTIVE eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second INACTIVE eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold. Optionally, the preset threshold is 10.24s. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX is long INACTIVE eDRX, and the second INACTIVE eDRX is short INACTIVE eDRX. It should be understood that the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the first INACTIVE eDRX, and similarly, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration belonging to the second INACTIVE eDRX. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX period and PTW information. The second INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX period. The INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 40.96 seconds, and the INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 10.24 seconds. It should be understood that the second access network device can be referred to as the terminal's last serving access network device, that is, an anchor access network device or an anchor base station. The first access network device can be referred to as the terminal's receiving access network device or a receiving base station.

[0128] In the core network, before step S705 described below, the mobility management network element performs MT communication processing, and the user plane network element buffers downlink data arriving during the terminal unreachable period. It should be understood that the user plane network element can determine whether the terminal is reachable based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration. For details on how to determine whether the terminal is reachable, reference can be made to existing technologies.

[0129] The first access network device does not support the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. In the first system information, the first access network device indicates that it does not support the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration but supports the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. Based on the first system information, the terminal performs paging detection based on the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration configured on the second access network device within the coverage area of ​​the first access network device.

[0130] S702: The terminal sends a message #1 to the first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the message #1.

[0131] Message #1 is used to request restoration of the RRC connection. Message #1 also includes first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the terminal currently adopts / uses the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0132] Exemplarily, the first indication information may be a MAC CE, such as a special logical channel identification (LCID). Alternatively, the first indication information may be a UCI. Alternatively, the first indication information may be included in an RRC resume request message. For example, the first indication information may be a newly added cause value. That is, the first indication information may be included as part of the RRC resume request message, and the terminal may send the first indication information by sending the RRC resume request message.

[0133] Exemplarily, message #1 may be an RRC recovery request message, or message #1 may include an RRC recovery request message.

[0134] S703: The first access network device sends a message #2 to the second access network device according to the first indication information, where the message #2 includes the second indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the message #2.

[0135] The first access network device may use an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) to identify the second access network device and send message #2 to the second access network device, where message #2 is used to obtain a terminal context and indicate that the terminal currently uses the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection. Exemplarily, message #2 may be a retrieve UE context request message.

[0136] Exemplarily, the second indication information is the first indication information. That is, after receiving the first indication information, the first access network device does not recognize the first indication information and transmits the first indication information to the second access network device via transparent transmission (container). Alternatively, after recognizing the first indication information, for example, when recognizing the above-mentioned LCID, the first access network device may transmit second indication information with the same meaning as the first indication information to the second access network device.

[0137] S704: The second access network device sends first communication processing request information to the mobility management network element according to the second instruction information. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first communication processing request information.

[0138] The first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently adopts the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration to perform paging detection, or the first communication processing request information indicates to suspend MT communication processing and suspend buffering of downlink data of the terminal.

[0139] Exemplarily, the first communication processing request information is an MT communication processing request (MT Communication Handling Request) message. Alternatively, the first communication processing request information may be the second indication information.

[0140] S705: The mobility management network element determines to suspend / not perform / pause MT communication handling based on the first communication processing request information, and sends third indication information to the user plane network element via the session management network element. Accordingly, the session management network element receives the third indication information. The third indication information indicates to suspend caching of downlink data for the terminal.

[0141] As previously mentioned, MT communication processing refers to the fact that when a mobility management element receives downlink signaling from another core network element (e.g., a session management element), it rejects the downlink signaling and indicates to the other core network element that the terminal is currently unreachable. Subsequently, the other core network element will not send new signaling to the mobility management element until the mobility management element notifies the other core network element that the terminal is reachable. Accordingly, suspending / not performing / pausing MT communication processing refers to the fact that the mobility management element processes downlink signaling received from another core network element.

[0142] S706: The user plane network element suspends caching of downlink data of the terminal according to the third instruction information.

[0143] Specifically, according to the third indication information, when receiving the downlink data of the terminal, the user plane network element will send the downlink data instead of buffering the downlink data.

[0144] According to the above-mentioned communication method provided in the present application, after the INACTIVE eDRX of the terminal changes from a first INACTIVE eDRX with a longer cycle to a second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current INACTIVE eDRX is the second INACTIVE eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will suspend MT communication processing and suspend caching of the downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, so that the downlink signaling and downlink data of the terminal can be transmitted / processed in a timely manner.

[0145] In one possible implementation, after S706, downlink signal transmission may be performed according to the method shown in FIG3 , where the downlink signal is downlink data or downlink signaling. That is, when the second access network device receives the downlink data or downlink signaling from the terminal, it paging the terminal to put the terminal into a connected state and then sends the downlink data or downlink signaling to the terminal.

[0146] It should be understood that in this manner, the last serving access network device in FIG. 3 is equivalent to the second access network device in FIG. 7 , and the access network device # 1 in FIG. 3 is equivalent to the first access network device in FIG. 7 .

[0147] In another possible implementation, when the downlink signal from the terminal received by the second access network device is small data, the downlink signal is transmitted using small data transmission (SDT). The downlink signal is downlink data or downlink signaling. This method achieves timely transmission / processing of the downlink signal by transmitting the downlink signal using SDT.

[0148] Furthermore, if the downlink signal is not small data, the terminal may be paged to put the terminal into a connected state before the downlink signal is sent to the terminal.

[0149] It should be understood that small data refers to signals containing data that is less than a certain threshold. This threshold can be determined based on experience or can be a common industry threshold. For example, if the downlink signal is less than 100 bytes, the downlink signal is considered small data; otherwise, the downlink signal is considered not small data.

[0150] For example, the specific process of transmitting downlink signals via SDT is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Optionally, before executing the process shown in Figures 8 or 9, the second access network device may first determine whether to perform anchor point relocation. If it is determined that anchor point relocation is not to be performed, the process shown in Figure 8 may be executed; otherwise, the process shown in Figure 9 may be executed. For details on when to perform / not perform anchor point relocation, please refer to the existing art and this application will not elaborate on this.

[0151] FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 800 transmits downlink signals via SDT without performing anchor point relocation. The method 800 may include S801 to S807. The method 800 is described below in conjunction with each step.

[0152] S801: A second access network device sends a partial terminal context to a first access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the partial terminal context.

[0153] In this step, the second access network device may send a partial terminal context (ie, a portion of the terminal context) to the first access network device, wherein the partial terminal context includes an SDT-related radio link control (RLC) context.

[0154] Exemplarily, the second access network device may send the partial terminal context to the first access network device through a partial UE context transfer message.

[0155] This step may be performed after S703 and before S704, after S704, or simultaneously with S704.

[0156] S802: The first access network device establishes an RLC entity according to a partial terminal context.

[0157] S803: If the downlink data / downlink signaling of the terminal received by the second access network device is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling is sent to the terminal through the first access network device.

[0158] It should be understood that if the downlink data / downlink signaling is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling can be called downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling.

[0159] It should be understood that after S802, the first access network device may also send uplink SDT data to the second access network device, which will then forward it to the user plane network element. The uplink SDT data may be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it may be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. Similarly, the first access network device may also send uplink SDT signaling to the second access network device, which will then forward it to the mobility management network element. The uplink SDT signaling may be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it may be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. It should be understood that uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling refers to small uplink data.

[0160] S804: After detecting that the SDT is ended, the first access network device indicates the end of the SDT to the second access network device.

[0161] When indicating the end of the SDT, the reason for the end of the SDT may also be indicated. For example, the reason may be that this is a "normal" end of the SDT transaction or a radio link problem.

[0162] S805: The second access network device instructs the first access network device to release part of the established terminal context.

[0163] After receiving the instruction from the second access network device, the first access network device releases the established part of the terminal context. Exemplarily, the second access network device may instruct the first access network device to release the established part of the terminal context via a retrieve UE context failure message.

[0164] Optionally, in S805 , the second access network device may further send a first INACTIVE eDRX configuration to the first access network device.

[0165] S806: The first access network device instructs the terminal to release to the inactive state.

[0166] For example, the first access network device may send an RRC release message to the terminal.

[0167] Optionally, the RRC release message may include a suspend indication.

[0168] Optionally, the RRC release message may include the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. Alternatively, the RRC release message may include indication information, which may instruct the terminal to continue using the previous INACTIVE eDRX configuration, that is, to continue using the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0169] By configuring the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for the terminal when the terminal is released to enter the inactive state, the terminal will not be changed to support only the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. In this way, when the terminal enters the coverage of other access network devices that support the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration can be used for paging detection, thereby improving energy saving performance.

[0170] S807: The terminal enters an inactive state according to an instruction of the first access network device.

[0171] In summary, according to the communication method provided in FIG8 , downlink data and / or downlink signaling are transmitted in an SDT manner, so that the downlink data and downlink signaling can be transmitted / processed in a timely manner.

[0172] FIG9 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. Method 900 transmits downlink data via SDT when performing anchor point relocation. Method 900 may include some or all of steps S901 to S907. Method 900 is described below in conjunction with each step.

[0173] S901: The second access network device sends a terminal context to the first access network device.

[0174] This step may be performed after S703 and before S704, after S704, or simultaneously with S704.

[0175] S902: After receiving the terminal context, the first access network device determines to perform small data transmission in an inactive state.

[0176] S903: If the downlink data / downlink signaling of the terminal received by the second access network device is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling is sent to the terminal through the first access network device.

[0177] It should be understood that if the downlink data / downlink signaling is small data, the downlink data / downlink signaling can be called downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling.

[0178] It should be understood that after S902, the first access network device can also send uplink SDT data to the second access network device, and the second access network device will forward it to the user plane network element. The uplink SDT data can be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it can be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. Similarly, the first access network device can also send uplink SDT signaling to the second access network device, and the second access network device will forward it to the mobility management network element. The uplink SDT signaling can be sent by the terminal to the first access network device, or it can be an empty packet sent by the first access network device. In the above process, if the downlink data buffered in the second access network device is to be prevented from being lost, the first access network device can provide a forwarding address to the second access network device, for example, the forwarding address can be provided through an Xn-U address indication message. It should be understood that uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling refers to uplink small data.

[0179] S904: The first access network device performs path switching.

[0180] The first access network device initiates path switching to establish a signaling connection with the mobility management network element. Exemplarily, the first access network device may send a path switching request message to the mobility management network element. After receiving the path switching request message, the mobility management network element may send a path switching response message to the first access network device. After the path switching, uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling / downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling are transmitted between the terminal and the core network through the first access network device. It should be understood that downlink SDT data / downlink SDT signaling refers to downlink small data.

[0181] S905: The first access network device instructs the terminal to release to the inactive state.

[0182] For example, the first access network device may send an RRC release message to the terminal.

[0183] Optionally, the RRC release message may include a suspend indication.

[0184] Optionally, the RRC release message may include the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. Alternatively, the RRC release message may include indication information, which may instruct the terminal to continue using the previous INACTIVE eDRX configuration, that is, to continue using the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0185] By configuring the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for the terminal when the terminal is released to enter the inactive state, the terminal will not be changed to support only the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration. In this way, when the terminal enters the coverage of other access network devices that support the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration can be used for paging detection, thereby improving energy saving performance.

[0186] S906: The terminal enters an inactive state according to an instruction of the first access network device.

[0187] S907: The first access network device instructs the second access network device to release the terminal context.

[0188] For example, the first access network device may send a terminal context release message to the second access network device, instructing the second access network device to release the terminal context.

[0189] This step is optional. The present application does not limit the order between S905 and S907.

[0190] In summary, according to the communication method provided in FIG. 9 , downlink data and / or downlink signaling are transmitted in an SDT manner, so that the downlink data and downlink signaling can be transmitted / processed in a timely manner.

[0191] It should be understood that reference may also be made to the prior art for the specific contents involved in the processes shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 .

[0192] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, the mobility management network element may start / initiate a timer (for example, recorded as timer #1) upon receiving the second indication information. When timer #1 times out / expires, the mobility management network element resumes / resumes MT communication processing and sends fourth indication information to the user plane network element, instructing the user plane network element to resume caching of downlink data for the terminal. Accordingly, after receiving the fourth indication information, the user plane network element resumes caching of the downlink data for the terminal.

[0193] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, the second access network device may start a timer (for example, recorded as timer #2) upon receiving the second indication information. When timer #2 times out / expires, the second access network device may send a fifth indication information to the mobility management network element. The fifth indication information instructs the mobility management network element to re-perform MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal. Accordingly, after receiving the fifth indication information, the mobility management network element resumes / resumes MT communication processing and sends a fourth indication information to the user plane network element, instructing the user plane network element to resume caching of the downlink data of the terminal. Accordingly, after receiving the fourth indication information, the user plane network element resumes caching of the downlink data of the terminal.

[0194] It should be understood that the mobility management network element resuming / resuming MT communication processing in the present application means that if the MT communication processing was previously suspended, the MT communication processing is now started again.

[0195] Optionally, based on any of the above embodiments, when the terminal moves from the coverage area of ​​the first access network device to the coverage area of ​​the third access network device supporting the first INACTIVE eDRX, the process shown in Figure 10 can also be executed.

[0196] Figure 10 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method 1000 may include S1001 to S1006, and the steps are described below.

[0197] S1001: A third access network device broadcasts system information, which is recorded as, for example, second system information.

[0198] The terminal is within the coverage of the third access network device and can receive second system information. The second system information indicates that the terminal supports the first INACTIVE eDRX. Based on the second system information, the terminal performs paging detection based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration configured on the second access network device within the coverage of the third access network device.

[0199] S1002: The terminal sends message #3 to the third access network device. Correspondingly, the first access network device receives message #3.

[0200] Message #3 requests to restore the RRC connection and includes seventh indication information, which indicates that the terminal currently uses the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0201] Exemplarily, the form of the seventh indication information may be similar to the first indication information. For example, the seventh indication information may be a MAC CE, such as a special logical channel identification (LCID). Alternatively, the seventh indication information may be a UCI. Alternatively, the seventh indication information may be included in an RRC resume request message, for example, the seventh indication information may be a newly added cause value. That is, the seventh indication information may be included as part of the RRC resume request message, and the terminal may send the seventh indication information by sending an RRC resume request message.

[0202] Exemplarily, the seventh indication information may be an RRC recovery request message, or message #3 may include an RRC recovery request message.

[0203] S1003: The third access network device sends a message #4 to the second access network device according to the seventh indication information, where the message #4 includes the eighth indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the message #4.

[0204] The third access network device may use the I-RNTI to identify the second access network device and send a message #4 to the second access network device. Message #4 is used to retrieve the terminal context and indicate that the terminal is currently using the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for paging detection. Exemplarily, message #4 may be a retrieve UE context request message.

[0205] Exemplarily, the eighth indication information is the seventh indication information. That is, after receiving the seventh indication information, the third access network device does not recognize the seventh indication information and sends the seventh indication information to the second access network device via transparent transmission (container). Alternatively, after recognizing the seventh indication information, for example, when recognizing the above-mentioned LCID, the first access network device may send the eighth indication information having the same meaning as the seventh indication information to the second access network device.

[0206] S1004: The second access network device sends second communication processing request information to the mobility management network element according to the eighth instruction information. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the second communication processing request information.

[0207] The second communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently adopts the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration to perform paging detection, or the second communication processing request information indicates to perform MT communication processing and buffer downlink data of the terminal.

[0208] Exemplarily, the second communication processing request information is an MT communication processing request (MT Communication Handling Request) message. Alternatively, the second communication processing request information is second indication information.

[0209] S1005: The mobility management network element determines to resume / restore MT communication processing based on the second communication processing request information, and sends sixth indication information to the user plane network element via the session management network element. Accordingly, the session management network element receives the sixth indication information, wherein the sixth indication information instructs to cache downlink data of the terminal.

[0210] S1006: The user plane network element determines to cache the downlink data of the terminal according to the sixth indication information.

[0211] Specifically, the user plane network element caches the downlink data if it receives the downlink data of the terminal during the unreachable period of the terminal according to the sixth indication information.

[0212] According to the above-mentioned communication method provided in the present application, after the INACTIVE eDRX of the terminal changes from the second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle to the first INACTIVE eDRX with a longer cycle, the terminal can indicate to the access network device that its current INACTIVE eDRX is the first INACTIVE eDRX, so that the access network device can send corresponding indication information to the core network device according to the indication of the terminal; the core network device will resume / resume MT communication processing and cache the downlink data of the terminal according to the indication information, thereby improving the energy-saving performance of the terminal.

[0213] This application also provides another communication method, which can also realize timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling of a terminal, as described below with reference to FIG11 and FIG12.

[0214] Figure 11 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided by the present application. The method 1100 may include one or more steps from S1101 to S1106, which are described below.

[0215] S1101: A second access network device sends first indication information to a mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first indication information.

[0216] The second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, that is, the anchor access network device or the anchor base station. When the second access network device releases the terminal to the inactive state, it configures the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration and the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration for the terminal. The first INACTIVE eDRX and the second INACTIVE eDRX are two different types of INACTIVE eDRX. The period of the first INACTIVE eDRX is greater than the preset threshold, and the period of the second INACTIVE eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold. Optionally, the preset threshold is 10.24s. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX is long INACTIVE eDRX, and the second INACTIVE eDRX is short INACTIVE eDRX. It should be understood that the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration of the first INACTIVE eDRX, and similarly, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is a specific configuration of the second INACTIVE eDRX. For example, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX period and PTW information. The second INACTIVE eDRX configuration may include an INACTIVE eDRX cycle. The INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 40.96 seconds, and the INACTIVE eDRX cycle in the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is, for example, 10.24 seconds.

[0217] For the core network, the session management network element performs MT communication processing, and the user plane network element caches the downlink data that arrives during the terminal unreachable period.

[0218] The first indication information indicates that there exists an access network device in the RNA that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX. In other words, the first indication information indicates that there exists an access network device in the RNA that does not support the first INACTIVE eDRX.

[0219] It can be understood that the second access network device can learn whether the other access network devices support the first INACTIVE eDRX by interacting with the other access network devices.

[0220] S1102: Upon receiving a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling, the mobility management network element sends second indication information to the second access network device according to the first indication information. Accordingly, the second access network device receives the second indication information.

[0221] The second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal. That is, the second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal, and the access network device supporting the first INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA does not page the terminal.

[0222] Optionally, the second indication information may further indicate the data volume of a downlink signal, where the downlink signal is downlink data or downlink signaling. The data volume of the downlink signal may refer to the size or data volume of a single quality of service (QoS) flow or a single non-access stratum protocol data unit (NAS PDU) in the downlink signal.

[0223] S1104: The second access network device sends a paging message to the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA.

[0224] According to the second indication message, the second access network device sends a paging message only to the access network devices in the RNA that only support the second INACTIVE eDRX, and does not send a paging message to other access network devices in the RNA. It should be understood that the paging message is a RAN paging message.

[0225] In addition, the second access network device may, based on executing S1104, also page the terminal according to the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration. For example, the second access network device may determine the PO time according to the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, and send a RAN paging message to all access network devices in the RNA at the PO time, so that all access network devices in the RNA page the terminal.

[0226] Optionally, before S1104, the method may further include:

[0227] S1103: The second access network device determines whether to perform SDT.

[0228] The second access network device may determine whether to perform SDT according to the data volume of the downlink signal indicated by the second indication information.

[0229] S1105 : The access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA sends a paging message to the terminal.

[0230] After receiving a paging message from the second access network device, an access network device within the RNA that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX determines the PO time based on the INACTIVE eDRX configuration it supports and sends a paging message at the PO time. Accordingly, if the terminal is within the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection. If the terminal is within the coverage of an access network device that supports the first INACTIVE eDRX, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection.

[0231] In the present application, it is assumed that the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA includes the first access network device, so that the first access network device will send a paging message to the terminal according to the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0232] Optionally, the paging message may instruct the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner. For example, the paging message may include an SDT indication.

[0233] S1106: If the terminal moves into the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal will respond to the paging message.

[0234] For example, in this application, the first access network device will respond to the paging message.

[0235] In one possible implementation, after receiving the paging message, the terminal may initiate RRC connection recovery, thereby receiving downlink data and / or downlink signaling by entering the connected state. The terminal's initiation of the RRC connection recovery process may specifically refer to steps S304 to S311 shown in FIG3 . In this case, access network device #1 and the last serving access network device in FIG3 correspond to the first access network device and the second access network device in FIG11 , respectively.

[0236] In another possible implementation, the paging message received by the terminal instructs the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner, and then initiates a RACH-based SDT process, during which downlink data or downlink signaling can be transmitted.

[0237] The random access channel (RACH)-based SDT process may generally include: first, the terminal sends an RRC recovery request message to the first access network device. Optionally, the RRC recovery request message may include uplink SDT data / uplink SDT signaling. After receiving the RRC recovery request message, the first access network device requests the terminal context from the second access network device. Optionally, the request may also include an SDT indication. Depending on whether anchor point relocation is performed, method 800 or method 900 may be executed to implement downlink data / downlink signaling transmission via SDT. It should be understood that for more detailed information about the RACH-based SDT process, reference may be made to the prior art.

[0238] According to the communication method provided in FIG11 , the second access network device indicates to the mobility management network element that there is an access network device in the RNA that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX. The mobility management network element, based on the instruction of the second access network device, instructs the second access network device to perform paging when receiving a notification of the arrival of downlink data or downlink signaling. The second access network device, based on the instruction of the mobility management network element, notifies the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX to page the terminal. Compared to the current technology in which the mobility management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, the method provided in the present application uses a second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle to page the terminal when data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, it can respond to the paging in a timely manner, thereby entering the connected state in a timely manner or receiving downlink data / downlink signaling through SDT, thereby realizing timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0239] Figure 12 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method provided by the present application. The method 1200 may include one or more steps from S1201 to S1206, which are described below.

[0240] S1201: A second access network device sends first indication information to a mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first indication information.

[0241] This step is the same as S1101 in method 1100, and reference may be made to S1101.

[0242] S1202: Upon receiving a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling, the mobility management network element sends second indication information to the second access network device according to the first indication information. Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the second indication information.

[0243] This step is the same as S1102 in method 1100, and reference may be made to S1102.

[0244] S1204: The second access network device sends a paging message to the access network devices in the RNA according to the second indication information.

[0245] After receiving the second indication message, the second access network device sends a paging message to the access network device of the RNA, the paging message including third indication information, the third indication information instructing only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX to page the terminal. It should be understood that the paging message is a RAN paging message.

[0246] Optionally, the paging message may further include a second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0247] In addition, the second access network device may, based on executing S1204, also page the terminal according to the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration. For example, the second access network device may determine the PO time according to the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, and send a RAN paging message to all access network devices in the RNA at the PO time, so that all access network devices in the RNA page the terminal.

[0248] Optionally, before S1104, the method may further include:

[0249] S1203: The second access network device determines whether to perform SDT.

[0250] This step is the same as S1103 in method 1100, and reference may be made to S1101.

[0251] S1205: The access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA sends a paging message to the terminal.

[0252] If only the access network device supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX within the RNA recognizes the third indication in the RAN paging message, the PO time is determined based on the supported INACTIVE eDRX configuration, and the paging message is sent at the PO time. For example, if an R18 base station recognizes the third indication, the terminal is paged based on the supported INACTIVE eDRX configuration for the R18 base station supporting the second INACTIVE eDRX within the RNA.

[0253] If the RNA includes an access network device that cannot recognize the third indication information in the RAN paging message but supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, such as an R17 base station, the terminal is paged according to the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration in the RAN paging message.

[0254] Accordingly, if the terminal is within the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration, the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection. If the terminal is within the coverage of an access network device that supports the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration is used for paging detection.

[0255] In the present application, it is assumed that the access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX in the RNA includes the first access network device, so that the first access network device will send a paging message to the terminal according to the second INACTIVE eDRX configuration.

[0256] Optionally, the paging message may instruct the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner. For example, the paging message may include an SDT indication.

[0257] S1206: If the terminal moves into the coverage of an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, the terminal will respond to the paging message.

[0258] For example, in this application, the first access network device will respond to the paging message.

[0259] In one possible implementation, after receiving the paging message, the terminal may initiate RRC connection recovery, thereby receiving downlink data and / or downlink signaling by entering the connected state. The terminal's initiation of the RRC connection recovery process may specifically refer to steps S304 to S311 shown in FIG3 . In this case, access network device #1 and the last serving access network device in FIG3 correspond to the first access network device and the second access network device in FIG11 , respectively.

[0260] In another possible implementation, the paging message received by the terminal instructs the terminal to transmit in an SDT manner, and then initiates a RACH-based SDT process, during which downlink data or downlink signaling can be transmitted.

[0261] The RACH-based SDT process can be roughly referred to the above description, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] According to the communication method provided in FIG12 , the second access network device indicates to the mobility management network element that there is an access network device within the RNA that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX. Based on the instruction of the second access network device, the mobility management network element instructs the second access network device to perform paging upon receiving downlink data or downlink signaling arrival notification. Based on the instruction of the mobility management network element, the second access network device sends a RAN paging message to the access network devices within the RNA, and instructs in the RAN paging message that only the access network device that supports the second INACTIVE eDRX should page the terminal. The access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX pages the terminal based on the RAN paging message, while other access network devices do not page the terminal. Compared with the current technology in which the mobile management network element instructs the second access network device to initiate paging only when it determines that the terminal is reachable based on the first INACTIVE eDRX configuration, the method provided in the present application promptly adopts a second INACTIVE eDRX with a shorter cycle to paging the terminal when data / signaling arrives, so that when the terminal moves to an access network device that only supports the second INACTIVE eDRX, it can respond to the paging in a timely manner and enter the connected state in a timely manner or receive downlink data / downlink signaling through SDT, thereby realizing timely transmission / processing of downlink data / downlink signaling.

[0263] It should be noted that, for any of the above embodiments, the second INACTIVE DRX may also be replaced by INACTIVE DRX, and the period of INACTIVE DRX is less than the preset duration. For example, the period of INACTIVE DRX may be 2.56s, 1.28s, 0.64s, or 0.32s.

[0264] Alternatively, for any of the above embodiments, the first access network device does not support the first INACTIVE DRX but supports the second INACTIVE DRX, and the first access network device may also not support the first INACTIVE DRX and the second INACTIVE DRX but only supports INACTIVE DRX. Accordingly, within the coverage of the first access network device, the terminal will perform paging detection based on INACTIVE DRX.

[0265] The above describes the method embodiments provided by this application, and the following describes the device embodiments provided by this application. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, reference can be made to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0266] Figure 13 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 2000 may include a communication unit 2100 and a processing unit 2200. The communication unit 2100 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the communication can be internal communication of the communication device 2000 or communication between the communication device 2000 and other devices; the processing unit 2200 can implement corresponding processing functions. The communication unit 2100 can also be called a communication interface or a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 2200 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0267] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the first access network device in the above-mentioned method 700, method 800, or method 900, or may be a module or chip applied to the first access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the first access network device in the above-mentioned method 700, method 800, or method 900.

[0268] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: send first system information, where the first system information indicates that the communication device 2000 does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, where the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receive first indication information from a terminal, where the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; and send second indication information to the second access network device according to the first indication information, where the second indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0269] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically configured to send a terminal context acquisition request message to the second access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

[0270] Optionally, the preset threshold is 10.24 seconds.

[0271] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the mobility management network element in the above-mentioned method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the mobility management network element. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the mobility management network element in the above-mentioned method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000.

[0272] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is configured to receive a first communication processing request message from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device has configured a first inactive discontinuous reception (eDRX) configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first communication processing request message indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection. The processing unit 2200 is configured to suspend mobile station terminated MT communication processing according to the first communication processing request message, and send a third indication message to the user plane network element, where the third indication message instructs the user plane network element to suspend caching of downlink data of the terminal.

[0273] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 is also used to start a timer according to the first communication processing request information; after the timer expires, the processing unit 2200 is also used to perform the MT communication processing, and the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a fourth indication information to the user plane network element, and the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0274] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically used to receive a fifth indication message from the second access network device, wherein the fifth indication message instructs the mobile management network element to re-perform the MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal; the processing unit 2200 is also used to perform the MT communication processing according to the fifth indication message, and the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a fourth indication message to the user plane network element, wherein the fourth indication message instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0275] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically used to receive a second communication processing request information from the second access network device, the second communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of a third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; the processing unit 2200 is also used to perform the MT communication processing according to the second communication processing request information, and the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a sixth indication information to the user plane network element, the sixth indication information instructing the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0276] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the terminal in the above-mentioned method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the terminal. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the terminal in the above-mentioned method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000.

[0277] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: receive first system information from a first access network device, the first system information indicates that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the communication device 2000 is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the communication device 2000; and sends first indication information to the first access network device according to the first system information, the first indication information indicating that the communication device 2000 is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0278] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically used to: send a radio resource control RRC recovery request message to the first access network device, the RRC recovery request message includes the first indication information, and the RRC recovery request message is used to request restoration of the RRC connection.

[0279] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is also used to: when the communication device 2000 moves to the coverage of a third access network device, receive second system information from the third access network device, the second system information indicating that the third access network device supports the first non-activated eDRX; and send seventh indication information to the third access network device, the seventh indication information indicating that the communication device 2000 is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0280] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the second access network device in the aforementioned method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the second access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the second access network device in the aforementioned method 700, method 800, method 900, or method 1000.

[0281] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: receive second indication information from a first access network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using a second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration for paging detection, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the communication device 2000, the communication device 2000 configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first access network device does not support the first inactive eDRX and supports the second inactive eDRX; according to the second indication information, send a first communication processing request information to the mobility management network element, the first communication processing request information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection of the second indication information.

[0282] Optionally, the processing unit 2200 is used to start a timer according to the second indication information; the communication unit 2100 is also used to send a fifth indication information to the mobile management network element after the timer expires, and the fifth indication information instructs the mobile management network element to re-perform the mobile station termination MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

[0283] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is also used to receive an eighth indication message from a third access network device, the eighth indication message indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of the third access network device that supports the first non-activated eDRX; and according to the eighth indication message, send a second communication processing request message to the mobility management network element, the second communication processing request message indicating that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0284] Optionally, the communication unit 2100 is specifically configured to receive an obtain terminal context request message from the first access network device, where the obtain terminal context request message includes the second indication information, and the obtain terminal context request message is used to obtain the terminal context.

[0285] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the third access network device in the method 1000, or may be a module or chip applied to the third access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the third access network device in the method 1000.

[0286] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to send second system information, where the second system information indicates that the communication device 2000 supports a first non-activated extended discontinuous reception eDRX and a second non-activated eDRX, where the period of the first non-activated eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second non-activated eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receive seventh indication information from the terminal, where the terminal is released to an non-activated state by a second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first non-activated eDRX configuration and a second non-activated eDRX configuration for the terminal, and the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection; and send eighth indication information to the second access network device, where the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the first non-activated eDRX configuration for paging detection.

[0287] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the mobility management network element in the above-mentioned method 1100 or method 1200, or may be a module or chip applied to the mobility management network element. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the mobility management network element in the above-mentioned method 1100 or method 1200.

[0288] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: receive first indication information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, and the second access network device is configured with a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device in the wireless access network notification area RNA that only supports the second inactive eDRX; according to the first indication information, when a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling is received, a second indication information is sent to the second access network device, and the second indication information indicates that the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second inactive eDRX pages the terminal.

[0289] Optionally, the second indication information includes data volume information, where the data volume information indicates the data volume of a downlink signal, and the downlink signal is the downlink data or the downlink signaling.

[0290] In one possible design, the communication device 2000 may be the second access network device in the above-mentioned method 1100 or method 1200, or may be a module or chip applied to the second access network device. The communication device 2000 may be used to execute the steps or processes executed by the second access network device in the above-mentioned method 1100 or method 1200. The communication device 2000 is the terminal's last serving access network device.

[0291] Specifically, the communication unit 2100 is used to: send a first indication message to a mobility management network element, the first indication message indicating that there is an access network device in the wireless access network notification area RNA that only supports the second non-activated extended discontinuous reception eDRX, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, and the communication device 2000 configures a first non-activated eDRX configuration and a second non-activated eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first non-activated eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second non-activated eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receive a second indication message from the mobility management network element, the second indication message indicating that the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second non-activated eDRX pages the terminal; according to the second indication information, send a paging message only to the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, the paging message being used to instruct the access network device to page the terminal, or, according to the second indication information, send a paging message to the access network device in the RNA, the paging message indicating that the access network device that only supports the second non-activated eDRX pages the terminal.

[0292] Optionally, the paging message includes the second inactive eDRX configuration.

[0293] Regarding the steps or processes executed by each unit in the communication device 2000, please refer to the description in the corresponding method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0294] It should be understood that the "unit" in the communication device 2000 can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, and can also be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software implementation. For example, the "unit" can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. For another example, the communication unit 2100 can be replaced by a transceiver transceiver circuit (for example, a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit 2200 can be replaced by a processor or a processing circuit.

[0295] Figure 14 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 3000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 3000 can be a terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a third access network device, a mobility management network element, or a user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments, or can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobility management network element, or the user plane network element to implement the above method. The communication device 3000 can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0296] The communication device 3000 may include one or more processors 3100, which may also be referred to as processing units, and may implement certain control functions. The processor 3100 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control a communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a user chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0297] In an optional design, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data, which can be executed by the processor 3100 so that the communication device 3000 executes the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0298] In another optional design, the communication device 3000 may include a communication interface 3200 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 3200 may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, an interface circuit, or a transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0299] Optionally, the communication device 3000 may include one or more memories 3300, which may store instructions. These instructions may be executed on the processor 3100, causing the communication device 3000 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 3300 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 3100 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 3100 and memory 3300 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0300] It should be understood that, in one possible design, each step in the method embodiment provided in the present application can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0301] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0302] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, 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), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0303] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobility management network element, or the user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0304] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores program code. When the program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the steps or processes performed by the terminal, the first access network device, the second access network device, the third access network device, the mobile management network element or the user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0305] The present application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface, which is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the various steps or processes performed by the terminal, first access network device, second access network device, third access network device, mobile management network element or user plane network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0306] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of a first access network device, a second access network device, a third access network device, a mobility management network element, and a user plane network element.

[0307] The present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one of a terminal, a first access network device, a second access network device, a third access network device, a mobility management network element, and a user plane network element.

[0308] The above-mentioned device embodiments and method embodiments are completely corresponding, and the corresponding steps are performed by the corresponding modules or units. For example, the communication unit or communication interface performs the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment. Other steps except sending and receiving can be performed by the processing unit or processor.

[0309] In the embodiments of this application, each term and English abbreviation is provided for convenience of description and shall not constitute any limitation to this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0310] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are used to represent computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and a computing device can be a component. One or more components can reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and a component can be located on one computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0311] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented using electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0312] 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 be based on the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0313] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0314] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0315] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0316] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit 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 (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are 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 instructions 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 instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center to another 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.). 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)).

[0317] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0318] 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 changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first access network device, the method includes: Sending first system information, where the first system information indicates that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX but supports a second inactive eDRX, where a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving first indication information from a terminal, the terminal being released to an inactive state by a second access network device, the second access network device configuring a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the first indication information indicating that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; According to the first indication information, second indication information is sent to the second access network device, where the second indication information indicates that the terminal is currently using the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending the second indication information to the second access network device includes: Sending a terminal context acquisition request message to the second access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The preset threshold is 10.24 seconds.

4. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a mobility management network element, the method comprises: receiving first communication processing request information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; According to the first communication processing request information, the mobile station terminates the MT communication processing, and sends third indication information to the user plane network element, wherein the third indication information instructs the user plane network element to suspend the buffering of the downlink data of the terminal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Starting a timer according to the first communication processing request information; After the timer expires, the MT communication processing is performed, and fourth indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving fifth indication information from the second access network device, wherein the fifth indication information instructs the mobility management network element to re-perform the MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal; According to the fifth indication information, the MT communication processing is performed, and fourth indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the fourth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second communication processing request information from the second access network device, where the second communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of a third access network device that supports the first inactive eDRX; The MT communication processing is performed according to the second communication processing request information, and sixth indication information is sent to the user plane network element, where the sixth indication information instructs the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal, the method comprises: receiving first system information from a first access network device, the first system information indicating that the first access network device does not support a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and supports a second inactive eDRX, a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, and the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal; Send first indication information to the first access network device according to the first system information, where the first indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The sending first indication information to the first access network device includes: A radio resource control (RRC) recovery request message is sent to the first access network device, where the RRC recovery request message includes the first indication information, and the RRC recovery request message is used to request recovery of the RRC connection.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the terminal moves to a coverage area of ​​a third access network device, receiving second system information from the third access network device, where the second system information indicates that the third access network device supports the first inactive eDRX; Send seventh indication information to the third access network device, where the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the method includes: receiving second indication information from a first access network device, where the second indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses a second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration for paging detection, the terminal is released to an inactive state by the second access network device, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first access network device does not support the first inactive eDRX but supports the second inactive eDRX; According to the second indication information, first communication processing request information is sent to a mobility management network element, where the first communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the second inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Starting a timer according to the second indication information; After the timer expires, fifth indication information is sent to the mobility management network element, where the fifth indication information instructs the mobility management network element to re-perform the mobile station termination MT communication processing and the user plane network element to cache the downlink data of the terminal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving eighth indication information from a third access network device, where the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection, and the terminal is currently located within the coverage of the third access network device that supports the first inactive eDRX; According to the eighth indication information, second communication processing request information is sent to the mobility management network element, where the second communication processing request information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The receiving second indication information from the first access network device includes: A terminal context acquisition request message is received from the first access network device, where the terminal context acquisition request message includes the second indication information, and the terminal context acquisition request message is used to acquire the terminal context.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a third access network device, the method includes: Sending second system information, where the second system information indicates that the third access network device supports a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX and a second inactive eDRX, where a period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and a period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving seventh indication information from a terminal, where the terminal is released to an inactive state by a second access network device, where the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, and where the seventh indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection; Sending eighth indication information to the second access network device, where the eighth indication information indicates that the terminal currently uses the first inactive eDRX configuration for paging detection.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a mobility management network element, the method comprises: receiving first indication information from a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold, and the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second inactive eDRX in a notification area RNA of the radio access network; According to the first indication information, upon receiving a downlink data arrival notification or downlink signaling, sending a second indication information to the second access network device, wherein the second indication information indicates that only the second inactive eDRX access network device is supported in the RNA. The terminal is paged.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The second indication information includes data volume information, where the data volume information indicates the data volume of a downlink signal, and the downlink signal is the downlink data or the downlink signaling.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a second access network device, where the second access network device is the last serving access network device of the terminal, the method includes: Sending first indication information to a mobility management network element, where the first indication information indicates that there is an access network device that only supports the second inactive extended discontinuous reception eDRX in the radio access network notification area RNA, the terminal is currently in an inactive state, the second access network device configures a first inactive eDRX configuration and a second inactive eDRX configuration for the terminal, the period of the first inactive eDRX is greater than a preset threshold, and the period of the second inactive eDRX is less than or equal to the preset threshold; receiving second indication information from the mobility management network element, where the second indication information indicates that only the access network device supporting the second non-activated eDRX in the RNA pages the terminal; According to the second indication information, a paging message is sent only to the access network device in the RNA that only supports the second non-activated eDRX, where the paging message is used to instruct the access network device to page the terminal, or, According to the second indication information, a paging message is sent to the access network device in the RNA, and the paging message indicates that only the access network device that supports the second non-activated eDRX can page the terminal.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The paging message includes the second inactive eDRX configuration.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: A unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to claim 15, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to claim 16 or 17, or a unit comprising the steps of the method according to claim 18 or 19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store programs or instructions, and when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: It comprises a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to send and / or receive signals, so that the processor executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

23. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program or instructions are executed, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that Comprising computer program instructions, the computer program instructions causing the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3, any one of 4-7, any one of 8-10, any one of 11-14, 15, 16 or 17, or 18 or 19.

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