Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a core network device sends a first paging message to an access network device; the access network device sends a first message to the core network device; and the core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device. The first message comprises a cause value, and the cause value is used for indicating the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message. The second paging message is sent on the basis of the cause value. According to the method, an access network device can notify a core network device of the reason why the access network device did not send a first paging message, enabling the core network device to decide, on the basis of the reason provided by the access network device, how to subsequently send a paging message. Paging load on the access network device can be alleviated, thereby reducing the influence on a service of a terminal device.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on October 31, 2023, with application number 202311440450.8 and application name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of paging technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] In core network paging, core network devices send paging messages to access network devices, which then forward the paging messages to terminal devices. In some scenarios, access network devices may become overloaded with paging messages (referred to as paging overload). For example, when a radio access network (RAN) is shared, multiple core network devices may send paging messages to the shared access network device, potentially causing paging overload on the access network device.

[0005] When access network equipment experiences paging overload, it discards some paging messages, resulting in a failure to page certain devices. This causes the core network equipment to page these devices again. This repeated overload of access network equipment can lead to persistent failures in paging some devices, impacting normal service.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the overload of paging messages of access network equipment and reducing the impact on the normal services of terminal equipment.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0009] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be an access network device, or a component used to implement the functions of the access network device. For example, the first communication device can be a unit / module, circuit, or chip within the access network device. The method provided in the first aspect is described below using the access network device as an example.

[0010] The communication method includes: an access network device receives a first paging message, sends a first message to a core network device, and receives a second paging message. The first message includes a cause value, and the cause value is used to indicate the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message.

[0011] It is understandable that in core network paging, the access network device receives a paging message from the core network device and sends the received paging message to the terminal device. However, the access network device may be overloaded. In this case, the access network device may notify the core network device of the reason for not sending a paging message (such as the first paging message). For example, the cause value indicates that the access network device is in a paging overload state. This solution can assist the core network device in clarifying how to send the second paging message to reduce the paging load of the access network device and reduce the impact on the normal business of the terminal device.

[0012] In one implementation, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

[0013] In this method, the access network device may also notify the core network device of the duration of the access network device's paging message overload, assisting the core network device in adopting an appropriate strategy to send a second paging message, thereby maximally alleviating the access network device's paging load and enabling the terminal device to resume normal service. Furthermore, the first time information indicates the first duration of the access network device's paging message overload, implicitly indicating that the access network device is in a paging overload state. Therefore, the first message includes the first time information but may not include a cause value.

[0014] In one implementation, a second duration is separated from the time the second paging message is sent by the first paging message, where the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the duration corresponding to the interval between the core network device sending paging messages before the access network device experiences a paging overload. Alternatively, a second duration is separated from the time the second paging message is received by the first paging message, where the second duration is greater than the third duration, and the third duration is the duration corresponding to the interval between the access network device receiving paging messages before the access network device experiences a paging overload.

[0015] As a strategy for core network devices to send the second paging message, the core network device sends paging messages at a longer interval. Accordingly, the access network device receives paging messages at a longer interval, leaving more time for the access network device to send the received paging messages, thereby reducing the paging load on the access network device.

[0016] Optionally, the first duration may be determined according to the first time information to more quickly reduce the paging load of the access network device.

[0017] In one implementation, the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging zone, and the first paging zone is an area paged by the first paging message.

[0018] As another strategy for the core network device to send the second paging message, the core network device continues paging in the original paging area. Compared with expanding the paging area, this can avoid increasing the paging message load of other access network devices in the tracking area (TA) list.

[0019] In one implementation, the second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0020] In this method, the second time information carried in the second paging message can assist the access network device in determining how to send the second paging message to the terminal device, for example, by delaying the transmission of the received second paging message. This allows the access network device to prioritize the transmission of paging messages received earlier. Compared to the access network device indiscriminately discarding already received paging messages, this reduces the paging load on the access network device and also minimizes the impact on the services of some terminal devices.

[0021] In one implementation, the first message further includes: a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message sent by the access network device.

[0022] In this method, the access network device can also notify the core network device which paging messages have been sent or which paging messages have not been sent, so that the core network device will not resend the paging messages that the access network device has already sent, thereby reducing signaling waste.

[0023] Optionally, the first message may include the cause value and / or the first list (or the second list). For example, the first message may include only the first list or the second list; or, the first message may include only the cause value; or, the first message may include both the cause value and the first list (or the second list).

[0024] In one implementation, the first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0025] When the first message is a response message to the first paging message, the access network device sends the first message as soon as it receives the first paging message; or the sending of the first message is triggered by the first paging message. This solution does not require the access network device to determine the timing of sending the first message, reducing the complexity of the access network device.

[0026] In one implementation, the first message is a RAN configuration update message, and the RAN configuration update message may include a cause information element for carrying the cause value.

[0027] In one implementation, the first message is a (protocol for NG interface, NGAP) message, which may be an ERROR INDICATION message. The ERROR INDICATION message includes a cause information element for carrying the cause value. The cause value may be a newly added cause value to the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message.

[0028] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a core network device, or a component used to implement the functions of the core network device. For example, the second communication device can be a unit / module, circuit, or chip within the core network device. The method provided in the second aspect is described below using the core network device itself as an example.

[0029] The communication method includes: the core network device sends a first paging message to the access network device and receives the first message, the first message including a reason value, the reason value indicating the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; the core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device according to the reason value.

[0030] In one implementation, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

[0031] In one implementation, the core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device according to the cause value, including:

[0032] After sending the first paging message, a second paging message is sent at an interval of a first duration, the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration corresponding to the paging message sent by the core network device before the access network device is overloaded; or,

[0033] A second paging message is sent to the access network device, where the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is the area paged by the first paging message.

[0034] In one implementation, the second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0035] In one implementation, the first message also includes: a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message already sent by the access network device.

[0036] In one implementation, the first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0037] In one implementation, the first message is a RAN configuration update message or an error indication message.

[0038] Regarding the beneficial effects of the second aspect and its various implementations, reference may be made to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various implementations, which will not be repeated here.

[0039] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that can be performed by a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device can be an access network device, or a component used to implement the functions of the access network device. For example, the first communication device can be a unit / module, circuit, or chip within the access network device. The second communication device can be a core network device, or a component used to implement the functions of the core network device. For example, the second communication device can be a unit / module, circuit, or chip within the core network device. The first communication device has the function of implementing the actions described in the example method of the first aspect, and the second communication device has the function of implementing the actions described in the example method of the second aspect. For example, assuming that the first communication device is the access network device itself and the second communication device is the core network device itself, the communication method includes: the core network device sending a first paging message to the access network device; the access network device sending a first message to the core network device, the first message including a cause value indicating the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; the core network device sending a second paging message to the access network device; and the access network device sending the second paging message to a terminal device.

[0040] For the beneficial effects of the third aspect, reference may be made to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various implementation methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0041] In the fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the first aspect or the second aspect above. The beneficial effects can be found in the relevant description of the first aspect or the second aspect and will not be repeated here. For example, the communication device can be the first communication device in the first aspect, such as an access network device; for another example, the communication device can be the second communication device in the second aspect, such as a core network device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a device that can support the access network device to implement the functions required by the method provided in the first aspect, for example, the communication device can be a chip or chip system in the access network device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a device that can support the core network device to implement the functions required by the method provided in the second aspect, for example, the communication device can be a chip or chip system in the core network device.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means (means) or modules for executing the method of the first aspect or the second aspect. For example, the communication device: includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module or processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module or transceiver). The transceiver unit can realize the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit realizes the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit realizes the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional unit, which is called a transceiver unit, and the functional unit can realize the sending function and the receiving function; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional units, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional units. These units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the first aspect or the second aspect above. Please refer to the detailed description in the method examples for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the communication device in the fourth aspect of the above-mentioned embodiment, or a chip or chip system provided in the communication device in the fourth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, further includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs or instructions or data, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be an access network device or a functional module in the access network device, such as a baseband chip and a radio frequency chip. Alternatively, when the processor reads the computer program or instructions or data, the communication device executes the method executed by the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For example, the communication device may be a core network device or a functional module in the core network device.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a communication interface for implementing the method described in any of the first aspect or the second aspect. Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs (also referred to as codes, or instructions). The processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory so that the device equipped with the chip system executes the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, or causes the device equipped with the chip system to execute the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device comprising an input / output interface and a logic circuit. The input / output interface is used to input and / or output information. The input / output interface can be an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or related circuits. The logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the first or second aspect.

[0047] In a specific implementation, the communication device may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the logic 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, respectively, at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the input and output interfaces and logic circuits.

[0048] In one implementation, when the communication apparatus is a wireless communication device, the wireless communication device may be an access network device such as a base station. The interface circuit may be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit may be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0049] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising an access network device, a core network device, and a terminal device. The access network device is configured to implement the functions of the method described in the first aspect, and the core network device is configured to implement the functions of the method described in the second aspect. For example, the core network device sends a first paging message to the access network device; the network device sends a first message to the core network device, the first message including a cause value indicating the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; the core network device sends a second paging message to the network device; the access network device sends the second paging message; and the terminal device receives the second paging message from the access network device.

[0050] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store computer programs or instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed, the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof is implemented, or the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof is implemented.

[0051] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when run on a computer, enables the method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented, or enables the method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0052] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned fourth to tenth aspects and their implementation methods can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first to second aspects and any possible implementation methods thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG4 is another schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In the embodiment of the present application, the core network device can decide how to send a subsequent paging message based on the reason why the access network device did not send a paging message, thereby alleviating or even resolving the paging overload problem of the access network device and reducing the impact on the normal service of the terminal device. The solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to communication systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, the sixth generation (5G) mobile communication system, or can also be applied to other next-generation mobile communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) communication system, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include wireless fidelity (WIFI), vehicle to everything (V2X), Internet of Things (IoT) system, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, and the like.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1 , a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication system includes a radio access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include the Internet 300 (Figure 1 uses this as an example).

[0060] The wireless access network 100 may include at least one access network device and at least one terminal device. For example, the wireless access network 100 includes two network devices 110a and 110b and terminal devices 120a through 120j. The network architecture shown in FIG1 is merely illustrative, and the number of terminal devices and / or access network devices may be fewer or greater. The communication system described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication systems to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in FIG1. ​​Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that as network architecture evolves, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application to other communication systems, the devices, components, and modules in the embodiments may be replaced with corresponding devices, components, and modules in other communication systems without limitation.

[0061] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network device refers to a RAN device. The RAN may be a cellular system related to 3GPP, such as a 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN may also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a virtualized radio access network (vRAN). The RAN may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. The RAN device may also be referred to as a RAN node, a RAN entity, or an access node.

[0062] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node / host node, or a wireless controller. A RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an onboard device. For example, a RAN node in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0063] In another possible scenario, the RAN node may be a module or unit that performs part of the functions of the base station; or multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively perform part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The functions of the CU may be implemented by one entity, or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU may be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane may be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity may be coupled with the DU to jointly perform the functions of the RAN node. The CU and DU may be set separately, or may be included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU).

[0064] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0065] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and the protocol layers above it (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, etc.); the DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the radio link control (RLC), the media access control (MAC) layer, and / or the physical (PHY) layer, etc.). For another example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer), and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers below it (such as the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer, etc.). For a detailed description of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols. The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and can also be divided in other ways, which is not limited in this application.

[0066] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the access network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a device that can support the access network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the access network device. The device can be installed in the network device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the access network device.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, any device that can communicate data with a base station can be considered a terminal device. Terminal devices are also referred to as terminals, terminal devices, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, or mobile terminals. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, terminal devices can be: mobile phones, computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, station (STA) robotic arms, cameras, robots, or smart home devices (such as TVs, air conditioners, sweepers, speakers, set-top boxes), relays, customer premise equipment (CPEs), vehicle-mounted terminals, etc.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components capable of implementing the functions of the terminal device, which can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the terminal device.

[0069] The core network 200 includes at least one core network device. Core network devices may correspond to different devices in different systems. For example, in a 4G system, the core network device may be a mobility management entity (MME) and / or a serving gateway (S-GW). In a 5G system, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), or a user plane function (UPF).

[0070] The core network device can notify the terminal device in the RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) to receive data or signaling through paging. The basic process of core network paging is: the core network device can select the area to send paging (referred to as the paging area) and send a paging message to the access network device. The paging area corresponding to the paging message is the paging area selected by the core network device; the access network device receives the paging message from the core network device and forwards the paging message to the terminal device. For terminal devices in the RRC idle state, the core network device can use the registration area (registration area) to which the terminal device belongs as the paging area. The registration area may include a tracking area identity (TAI) list. The TAI list includes at least one TA, and each tracking area TA includes at least one cell. When the terminal device is in the RRC idle state, the core network device can send a paging message to all cells under all TAs in the TAI list. If the core network device cannot page the terminal device, it can expand the paging area by paging the terminal device again. For example, if the core network device pages the cell of the previous serving node for the first time and the terminal device is not paged by the first paging, the core network device can expand the paging to the area surrounding the previous serving node. If the second paging does not page the terminal device, the core network device can expand the paging to the TA for the third time. If the third paging does not page the terminal device, the core network device can expand the paging to the TA list for the fourth time.

[0071] If the core network device knows the last cell in which the terminal device was located, it can first attempt to page the terminal device in that last cell. If the terminal device does not respond, it can then attempt to page the terminal device in the TA. It is understood that when the terminal device context is released, the access network device may provide the core network device with auxiliary information for paging. For example, the access network device may provide the core network device with a recommended cell and NG-RAN node list. The core network device can use this auxiliary information to determine the last cell in which the terminal device was located.

[0072] The paging message sent by the core network device may include paging attempt information consisting of a paging attempt count and the expected number of paging attempts. If the paging message contains paging attempt information, the paging attempt count increases by 1 for each paging attempt. If the terminal device has changed its state to the connection management (CM) connected state, the paging attempt count will be reset. The paging message sent by the core network device may also include the next paging area range, indicating whether the core network device plans to modify the currently selected paging area at the next paging attempt.

[0073] Considering the cost of network construction, RAN sharing has been proposed. Two typical RAN sharing models are multi-operator core network (MOCN) and gateway core network (GWCN). MOCN means that a RAN can connect to multiple operator core network nodes. Multiple operators can collaborate to build a RAN, or one operator can independently build a RAN, while other operators lease that operator's RAN network. GWCN refers to sharing RAN in addition to partially sharing the core network (MSCs / SGSN / MME).

[0074] When RAN is shared, multiple core network devices may send paging messages to the same access network device. Due to the limited air interface capabilities of the access network device, this can lead to an overload of paging messages on the access network device (referred to as paging overload). This is especially true if a core network device fails and the connection with the access network device is lost. When the core network device recovers, it will send all the paging messages that should have been sent during the failure period to the access network device (this phenomenon is also known as a paging storm), which can quickly cause an access network device paging overload.

[0075] Once the access network device is overloaded with paging, it will perform flow control. In one flow control method, the access network device indiscriminately discards received paging messages. For example, the access network device may discard paging messages from core network device A, and it may also discard paging messages from core network device B. If the core network device does not receive a paging response from the terminal device, it will page the terminal device again or send a paging message to page the terminal device again. This repeated paging process will cause the access network device to continue to be overloaded, resulting in some terminal devices never being paged, affecting the normal service of the terminal devices.

[0076] Normally, if the core network device does not receive a response from the terminal device to the paging message, it will assume that the terminal device has no response (for example, the terminal device is not in the paging area), and will not assume that the access network device has not forwarded the paging message. Therefore, in order to improve the paging success rate, the paging area corresponding to the paging message sent again by the core network device will be expanded. Take the example where core network device A sends paging message 1 for the first time, and paging message 1 is used to paging terminal device 1, and paging message 1 corresponds to paging area 1. If core network device A does not receive a response message to paging message 1, it will resend paging message 2 for paging terminal device 1, and paging message 2 corresponds to paging area 2, which is larger than paging area 1. Even more, if core network device A does not receive a response message to paging message 2, it will resend paging message 3 for paging terminal device 1, and paging message 3 corresponds to paging area 3, which is larger than paging area 2. For example, paging area 3 can be extended to the TA list.

[0077] It is understandable that the paging area can be indicated by two IEs, TAI List for Paging and Assistance Data for Recommended Cells. For example, for the message where the paging terminal device last resided, the TAI List for Paging may contain only one TAI, and the Assistance Data for Recommended Cells may contain only one cell identifier, such as a global cell identifier (cell global identifier, CGI). For another example, for the area composed of the cell where the paging terminal device last resided and the surrounding cells, the TAI List for Paging may contain only one TAI, and the Assistance Data for Recommended Cells may contain multiple cell identifiers (such as CGI). For another example, for the entire TAI area where the cell where the paging terminal device last resided is located, the TAI List for Paging may contain only one TAI and does not contain Assistance Data for Recommended Cells.

[0078] The expansion of the paging area will cause paging overload on other access network devices within the TA, causing them to discard received paging messages. This will affect the probability of successful paging of all terminal devices in the network and affect the normal service transmission of all terminal devices in the network.

[0079] To this end, a solution is provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the access network device may notify the core network device of the reason for not sending a paging message. For example, when the access network device is overloaded with paging, the core network device may be notified that the access network device is in a paging overload state. Based on the reason provided by the access network device, the core network device decides how to send subsequent paging messages, thereby reducing the paging load on the access network device and minimizing the impact on normal terminal device services.

[0080] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0081] In various embodiments of the present application, "when," "if," and "if" all indicate that the device will take corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances. They do not limit the time, do not require the device to make a judgment when implementing, and do not imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" are interchangeable, and "when" and "in the case of" are interchangeable. "When" and "if" / "if" are interchangeable. "Paging message overload" and "paging overload" are interchangeable.

[0082] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0083] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish between multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first group of terminal devices and the second group of terminal devices refer to two different terminal device groups, and do not indicate the difference in content, priority or importance of the two terminal device groups. For a technical feature, "A", "B", "C" and "D" are used to distinguish the technical features in the technical feature, and there is no order of precedence or order of importance between the technical features described by "A", "B", "C" and "D". For example, the strategies A and B in this article are only used to distinguish different strategies for sending paging messages, and do not limit the order of precedence or order of priority or importance between method A and method B.

[0084] The following describes the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application by an access network device and a core network device as an example. The steps performed by the access network device can be implemented by the RAN device itself, or by components in the RAN device (such as a baseband chip, or other processing units or processor modules). For example, the access network device can be the access network device in Figure 1, such as the access network device 110a, or it can also be a chip (system) in the access network device in Figure 1. The steps performed by the core network device can be implemented by the core network device itself, or by components in the core network device (such as chips, processing units, or processor modules). The core network device can be a device in the core network 200 shown in Figure 1, such as an AMF, or it can also be a chip (system) in the core network device in Figure 1.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic flow diagram of a communication method 0 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 describes the method from the perspective of interaction between an access network device and a core network device. It should be understood that the communication method can also be implemented by other devices, such as a chip or communication device with communication capabilities. As shown in Figure 2, the communication method process includes the following steps.

[0086] S201. A core network device sends a first paging message to an access network device.

[0087] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a first paging message from the core network device. When the core network device needs to page a terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device), it may send a first paging message to the access network device. This first paging message is used to page the first terminal device. The first paging message can be considered an initial paging message sent to the first terminal device, or it can be a paging message that pages the first terminal device again.

[0088] S202: The access network device sends a first message to the core network device. The first message includes a cause value, where the cause value indicates a reason why the access network device does not send the first paging message.

[0089] The access network device receives the first paging message. If the access network device is overloaded, the access network device may discard the first paging message and will not send the first paging message to the terminal device. When the access network device does not send the first paging message, it can indicate to the core network device the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message, so as to assist the core network device in deciding how to send subsequent paging messages. For example, if the reason why the access network device does not send the first paging message is that the access network device is overloaded, the core network device can send a paging message using a strategy that can alleviate or even solve the problem of paging overload of the access network device. Compared with the core network device indiscriminately expanding the paging area and sending the paging message again, it can reduce the paging load of the access network device and reduce the impact on the normal business of the terminal device.

[0090] For example, the access network device may send a first message to the core network device, and the core network device may receive the first message in response. The first message may include a cause value, which may indicate why the access network device did not send the first paging message. For example, the cause value indicates that the access network device is paging overloaded or that the access network device is in a paging overload state.

[0091] In one implementation, the first message may also include first time information, which is used to indicate the first duration of time that the access network device is in a paging message overload state. The access network device notifies the core network device of the first duration of time that the access network device is in a paging message overload state, and may assist the core network device in adopting an appropriate strategy to send subsequent paging messages, so as to reduce the paging overload state of the access network device as quickly as possible and restore the transmission of normal services of the terminal device. For example, the core network device may not send a paging message within the first duration, so that the access network device may send the stored paging message within the first duration, thereby reducing the paging load of the access network device more quickly. The first time information may include a start time and an end time; or, the first time information may include a start time and a first duration; or, the first time information may include an end time and a first duration.

[0092] In one implementation, the first message may also include a first list or a second list. The first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, or the first list may indicate one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message (discarded paging message) not sent by the access network device. The second list may indicate one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent. Through the first list or the second list, the access network device can also notify the core network device which paging messages have been sent or which paging messages have not been sent. In this way, the core network device can initiate paging again for the paging messages that the access network device has not sent; paging will not be initiated again for the paging messages that the access network device has already sent, which can save signaling overhead and further reduce the paging load of the access network device.

[0093] It should be noted that the content included in the first message may be one or more of the following: a cause value, first time information, and a first list (or second list). For example, the first message may include only the cause value; or, the first message may include only the first time information; or, the first message may include only the first list or the second list; or, the first message may include the cause value and the first time information; or, the first message may include the cause value and the first list (or the second list); or, the first message may include the cause value and the first list (or the second list); or, the first message may include the cause value, the first time information, and the first list (or the second list).

[0094] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation of the first message, including but not limited to the following three methods.

[0095] Mode 1: The first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0096] In this approach, the access network device receives a first paging message and, in response to it, sends a first message to the core network device. The sending of the first message can be considered triggered by the first paging message. From this perspective, the first message is considered a Class 1 message. Class 1 messages are relative to Class 2 messages. Elementary procedures (EPs) on the NGAP interface are defined separately, and there are two types of EPs: Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 refers to elementary procedures with responses (success and / or failure), and accordingly, Class 1 messages are bidirectional. In a Class 1 procedure, a received message is guaranteed to receive a response message. "Success" indicates a message explicitly indicating that the elementary procedure successfully completed the response. "Failure" explicitly indicates that the EP failed or a supervisory failure occurred (i.e., no response was expected). "Success and failure" means that a message reports both successful and unsuccessful results, and the response message used is the one defined for a successful result. Class 2 refers to elementary procedures without a response, and accordingly, Class 2 messages are unidirectional.

[0097] In approach 1, since the first message is a response to the first paging message, the access network device does not need to determine when to send the first message, thus reducing the complexity of the access network device. Since the access network device must respond to the first paging message upon receiving it, approach 1 allows the core network device to promptly perceive the paging message load on the access network device, thereby promptly adjusting the paging message sending strategy and more quickly reducing the paging load on the access network device.

[0098] Method 2: The first message is a Class 1 message.

[0099] When the access network device experiences a paging overload, it sends a first message to the core network device. Accordingly, the core network device, in response to the first message, sends a response message to the access network device. This means that the core network device executes S203 in Figure 2. It is understood that when the first message is implemented using Method 1, the core network device does not need to execute S203. Therefore, S203 is not mandatory and is indicated by a dotted line in Figure 2.

[0100] In the second approach, the core network device sends a response message to the access network device in response to the first message, indicating that the core network device has received the first message. Furthermore, the response message to the first message may instruct the access network device to delay sending a paging message, or indicate to the access network device that the core network device will implement a specific strategy to alleviate paging overload on the access network device, etc.

[0101] Optionally, the first message may be a newly defined / newly added Class 1 message, or the first message may reuse an existing Class 1 message, such as the first message is implemented in the following manner three.

[0102] In a third approach, the first message is a RAN Configuration Update message, which may include an information element for carrying a cause value. For example, a cause information element may be added to the information elements currently included in the RAN Configuration Update message to carry the cause value.

[0103] Mode 4: The first message is a Class 2 message.

[0104] In mode 4, when the access network device is overloaded with paging, it actively sends a first message to the core network device, which can reduce the sending of the first message, that is, save signaling overhead. The first message can be a newly added Class2 message. Or it can be an existing message. For example, the first message is an ERROR INDICATION message, and the cause value can be carried in the cause information element included in the ERROR INDICATION message. In other words, the cause information element included in the ERROR INDICATION message is reused to carry the cause value included in the first message. For example, the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message adds a new cause value (for example, cause value 1), and the cause value included in the first message can be the cause value 1.

[0105] Optionally, the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message may also include a new cause value (e.g., cause value 2) to indicate that the access network device has recovered from the paging overload state. When the access network device changes from the paging overload state to the paging no-overload state, the access network device may receive a paging message and send an ERROR INDICATION message with the cause value 2 carried in the cause information element of the ERROR INDICATION message.

[0106] S204: The core network device sends a second paging message to the access network device.

[0107] When a core network device needs to page a terminal device, it can send a second paging message to the access network device to page that terminal device. Because the first paging message was not received by the access network device, the core network device will not receive a response from the terminal device corresponding to the first paging message. The core network device can then re-page the terminal device corresponding to the first paging message. The second paging message can be used to page the terminal device corresponding to the first paging message, or to page other terminal devices.

[0108] Based on the first message, the core network device can determine the reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message, for example, due to paging overload on the access network device. To reduce the paging load on the access network device and address the paging overload issue, the core network device can use an appropriate policy to send the second paging message. For example, the policies that the core network device can use include one or more of the following:

[0109] Strategy 1: The core network device sends the second paging message at a longer interval, or the core network device delays sending the second paging message.

[0110] When an access network device experiences paging overload, the core network device can delay sending subsequent paging messages. For example, it can delay sending the second paging message and then further delay sending subsequent paging messages. This allows the access network device more time to send received paging messages, alleviating the pressure on the access network device's stored paging messages and alleviating paging overload.

[0111] Delayed detection of paging messages by the core network device means that after an access network device experiences a paging overload, the core network device sends longer intervals between different paging messages. For example, the interval between the time the core network device sends the second paging message and the time it sends the first paging message is a second duration, which is greater than a third duration. The third duration is the interval between paging messages sent by the core network device before the access network device experiences a paging overload. In other words, if the core network device sends paging messages at an interval of the third duration before the access network device experiences a paging overload, then after sending the first paging message, the core network device sends the second paging message at an interval of the second duration, which is greater than the third duration. Accordingly, the interval between the time the access network device receives the second paging message and the time it receives the first paging message is a second duration, which is greater than the third duration. This increases the interval between the access network device receiving paging messages, allowing the access network device more time to send received paging messages, thereby reducing the paging load on the access network device.

[0112] Optionally, the first duration can be determined based on the first time information to more quickly reduce the paging load on the access network device. For example, if the first duration is longer, then the second duration is also longer. If the first duration is shorter, then the second duration is also shorter to minimize the paging delay on the terminal device.

[0113] Optionally, when the first message is a Class 1 message, for example, the first message is implemented in the aforementioned manner. In this case, if the core network device sends the second paging message and then receives a response message from the access network device to the second paging message, which still indicates that the access network device is in a paging overload state, the core network device may adjust the second duration to a fourth duration, and send subsequent paging messages at intervals of the fourth duration. The fourth duration is greater than the second duration, so as to reduce the paging load of the access network device more quickly. On the contrary, if the response message to the second paging message indicates that the access network device is not in a paging overload state, the core network device may adjust the second duration to a fifth duration, which is less than the second duration, so as to minimize the delay of the paging terminal device. Optionally, the fifth duration may be equal to the third duration.

[0114] Optionally, when the first message is a Class 1 message, for example, the first message is implemented in the aforementioned method 2. In this case, the response message to the first message sent by the core network device to the access network device may instruct the access network device to delay sending the paging message.

[0115] Strategy 2: The core network device does not expand the paging range, that is, the paging area corresponding to the second paging message is the same as the paging area corresponding to the first paging message. For example, the second paging message corresponds to information of the first paging area, which is the paging area corresponding to the first paging message.

[0116] When an access network device experiences paging overload, the core network device may not expand the paging range. For example, the core network device may continue paging within the original paging area. Compared to expanding the paging area, this can avoid increasing the paging load on other access network devices within the TA, reducing the possibility of paging overload on other access network devices. The information that the second paging message corresponds to the first paging area indicates that the second paging message is used for paging within the first paging area.

[0117] Strategy 3: The core network device expands the paging range but instructs the access network device to delay sending the paging message. For example, the second paging message corresponds to the second paging area, and the first paging message corresponds to the first paging area. The second paging area is larger than the first paging area, but the second paging message may instruct the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0118] Under strategy three, although the core network device expands the paging range, it instructs the access network device to delay sending the received paging message, which can still reduce the paging load of the access network device to a certain extent. The access network device delays sending the received paging message means that after the access network device receives the paging message, it may not respond to the paging message immediately, but respond to the paging message after a period of time (that is, send the paging message to the terminal device after a period of time). In this way, even if the access network device is overloaded with paging, the access network device may not discard the paging message when it receives the paging message from the core network device, but wait for a period of time before storing the paging message. During this period of time, the access network device can send at least one paging message that has been stored. Through strategy three, the number of discarded paging messages can be reduced, thereby reducing the core network device from resending the paging message due to not receiving a response message to the paging message, that is, saving signaling overhead.

[0119] In one implementation, when the second paging area corresponding to the second paging message is larger than the first paging area, the access network device may be implicitly instructed to delay sending the second paging message. Alternatively, when the second paging area corresponding to the second paging message is larger than the first paging area, the access network device may be implicitly instructed to delay responding to the second paging message from the core network device. Upon receiving the second paging message from the core network device, the access network device may not discard the second paging message but instead store it for a period of time.

[0120] When the access network device is overloaded with paging, the core network device selects any one of the three strategies or multiple strategies to send subsequent paging messages. The embodiment of the present application does not limit which strategy to use first or which strategy to use next.

[0121] In one implementation, under any of the three strategies described above, the second paging message may include second time information, which is used to indicate the time at which the access network device delays sending the second paging message. For example, the access network device receives the second paging message, and within the time indicated by the second time information, the access network device sends the stored paging message. If the access network device can change from a paging overload state to a paging non-overload state, the access network device may not discard the second paging message and send the second paging message within the time indicated by the second time information. If the access network device is still in a paging overload state within the time indicated by the second time information, the access network device may discard the second paging message. In this way, the access network device gives priority to sending paging messages received earlier, while also trying not to discard paging messages. Compared to the access network device indiscriminately discarding received paging messages, this can reduce the paging load on the access network device while also reducing the impact on the services of some terminal devices.

[0122] The access network device receives the second paging message and may send the second paging message to the terminal device. If the second paging message includes second time information, the access network device delays sending the second paging message according to the second time information.

[0123] Optionally, if the first message is implemented in the aforementioned second manner, the response message to the first message sent by the core network device to the access network device may include the aforementioned second time information. In this case, the second paging message may include the second time information or may not include the second time information.

[0124] In this communication method, the access network device can notify the core network device of the reason for not sending a paging message. The core network device then uses the reason provided by the access network device to decide how to send a paging message. This communication method can reduce the paging load on the access network device and minimize the impact on terminal device services.

[0125] The embodiments provided in the present application described above respectively introduce the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between the access network device and the core network device. Among them, the steps performed by the core network device can be implemented by different functional entities that constitute the core network device. The steps performed by the access network device can be implemented by different functional entities that constitute the access network device. For example, the access network device can be a CU-DU architecture, the CU can generate a first message, and the DU can send a first message. In order to implement the various functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application described above, the terminal device and the network device may include a hardware structure and / or a software module to implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is performed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0126] The following describes the communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiment of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the above contents can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated contents will not be repeated.

[0127] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 300 may be the access network device or core network device described in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the communication device 300 may be the access network device or the device in the core network 200 described in Figure 1; alternatively, the communication device 300 may be a chip (system) in the access network device or the chip (system) in the core network device; or alternatively, the communication device 300 may be a software module in the access network device or the core network device. The communication device 300 may implement the functions or steps implemented by the core network device or the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. The communication device 300 may include a processing module 310 and a transceiver module 320. Optionally, the communication device 300 may also include a storage module, which may be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The storage module may be, for example, a memory. The processing module 310 and the transceiver module 320 may be coupled to the storage module. For example, the processing module 310 may read the instructions (code or program) and / or data in the storage module to implement the corresponding method. When the communication device 300 is a chip in a core network device, the storage module may be a storage module within the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. For example, the storage module may also be a storage module located outside the chip within the access network device / core network device, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc. The above-mentioned units may be independently provided or partially or fully integrated.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the processing module 310 may be a processor or controller, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like. The transceiver module 320 is a transceiver, an interface circuit, a bus, a pin, or other possible communication interface for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the transceiver module 320 is an interface circuit for the chip to receive signals from other chips or devices, or an interface circuit for the chip to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0129] For example, the communication device 300 can implement the behaviors and functions of the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The communication device 300 can be an access network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the access network device, or a chip or chipset in the access network device, or a part of the chip used to perform the functions of the relevant method, or a software module capable of implementing the method performed by the access network device in the above-mentioned method, without limitation.

[0130] For example, the communication device 300 may implement the method performed by the access network device in the embodiment of Figure 2. For example, the transceiver module 320 may be used to perform S201-S204 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; the processing module 310 may be used to perform other processes for performing the technology described herein in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0131] In one implementation, the processing module 310 is configured to generate a first message including a cause value indicating why the communication device did not send the first paging message. The transceiver module 320 is configured to send the first message to the core network device and receive the second paging message.

[0132] As an optional implementation manner, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the communication apparatus 300 is in a paging message overload state.

[0133] As an optional implementation, the second paging message is sent at a second time interval from the first paging message, the second time interval is greater than the third time interval, and the third time interval is the interval duration corresponding to the core network device sending the paging message before the communication device 300 is overloaded. Alternatively, the second paging message is received at a second time interval from the first paging message, the second time interval is greater than the third time interval, and the third time interval is the interval duration corresponding to the communication device 300 receiving the paging message before the paging overload.

[0134] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message corresponds to information of the first paging area, and the first paging area is the area paged by the first paging message.

[0135] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message includes second time information, and the second time information is used to instruct the communication apparatus 300 to delay the time of sending the second paging message.

[0136] As an optional implementation method, the first message also includes a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the communication device 300 has sent.

[0137] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0138] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a RAN configuration update message or an error indication message.

[0139] For another example, the communication device 300 can implement the behaviors and functions of the core network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The communication device 300 can be a core network device, or a component (such as a chip or circuit) used in the core network device, or a chip or chipset in the core network device or a part of the chip used to perform the functions of the relevant method, or a software module capable of implementing the method performed by the core network device in the above-mentioned method, without limitation.

[0140] For example, the communication device 300 may implement the method performed by the access network device in the embodiment of Figure 2. For example, the transceiver module 320 may be used to perform S201-S204 in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein; the processing module 310 may be used to perform other processes for performing the technology described herein in the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0141] In one implementation, the transceiver module 320 is configured to send a first paging message to an access network device and receive the first message, the first message including a cause value indicating why the access network device did not send the first paging message. The processing module 310 is configured to determine the cause value. The transceiver module 320 is further configured to send a second paging message to the access network device, the second paging message being determined based on the cause value.

[0142] As an optional implementation manner, the first message further includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

[0143] As an optional implementation method, the transceiver module is specifically used to: send the second paging message after sending the first paging message at an interval of a first time length, the second time length is greater than a third time length, and the third time length is the interval length for the communication device to send the paging message before the access network device is overloaded.

[0144] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is the area paged by the first paging message.

[0145] As an optional implementation manner, the second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

[0146] As an optional implementation method, the first message also includes a first list or a second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message already sent by the access network device.

[0147] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a response message to the first paging message, or the first message is used to respond to the first paging message.

[0148] As an optional implementation manner, the first message is a RAN configuration update message or an error indication message.

[0149] When the communication device 300 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing module may be an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0150] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 400 may be an access network device or a core network device in the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the communication device 400 may be an access network device or a device in the core network 200 in Figure 1; or the communication device 400 may be a chip (system) in an access network device or a core network device. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. For specific functions, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0151] The communication device 400 includes one or more processors 401, which are used to implement or support the communication device 400 to implement the functions of the core network device or access network device in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details, which will not be repeated here. The processor 401 can also be called a processing unit or a processing module, which can implement certain control functions. The processor 401 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. For example, it includes: a baseband processor, a central processing unit, an application processor, a modem processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a digital signal processor, a video codec processor, a controller, a memory, and / or a neural network processor. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 400 (such as a network device or a terminal device), execute software programs and / or process data. Different processors can be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated into one or more dedicated integrated circuits.

[0152] In one design, processor 401 may include a program 403 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions), which may be executed on processor 401 to cause communication apparatus 400 to perform the methods described in the following embodiments. In yet another possible design, communication apparatus 400 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG4 ) configured to implement the access network device or core network device functions described in the above embodiments.

[0153] In one design, the communication device 400 may include one or more memories 402 on which a program 404 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions) is stored. The program 404 can be run on the processor 401, so that the communication device 400 performs the method described in the above method embodiment, such as the process shown in Figure 2.

[0154] In one design, the processor 401 and / or the memory 402 may include an artificial intelligence (AI) module 407 and an AI module 408, each configured to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​module may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI ​​module may include a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, the AI ​​module may be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0155] In a possible design, data may also be stored in the processor 401 and / or the memory 402. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0156] In one possible design, the communication device 400 may further include a transceiver 405 and / or an antenna 406. The processor 401 may also be sometimes referred to as a processing unit, and controls the communication device 400. The transceiver 405 may also be sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, and is configured to implement the transceiver function of the communication device through the antenna 406.

[0157] In one possible design, the communication device 400 may further include one or more of the following components: a wireless communication module, an audio module, an external memory interface, an internal memory, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a power management module, an antenna, a speaker, a microphone, an input / output module, a sensor module, a motor, a camera, or a display screen, etc. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the communication device 400 may include more or fewer components, or some components may be integrated or separated. These components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0158] The communication device in the above embodiments may be a core network device (or access network device), a circuit, a chip used in a core network device (or access network device), or other combined devices or components with the above core network device (or access network device). When the communication device is a core network device (or access network device), the transceiver module may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc., and the processing module may be a processor, such as a CPU. When the communication device is a component having the functions of the above core network device (or access network device), the transceiver module may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module may be a processor. When the communication device is a system-on-chip, the communication device may be an FPGA, a dedicated ASIC, a system-on-chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a DSP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chip. The processing module may be the processor of the system-on-chip. The transceiver module or communication interface may be an input / output interface or interface circuit of the system-on-chip. For example, the interface circuit may be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in a memory and can be read directly from the memory or read from the memory via another device) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can be used to execute the code instructions to perform the method in the above method embodiment. For example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver.

[0159] The present application also provides a communication system. Specifically, the communication system includes access network equipment and core network equipment. Exemplarily, the communication system includes core network equipment and access network equipment for implementing the functions related to FIG. 2 . The communication system may also include a terminal device. For details, please refer to the relevant description in the above method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0160] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method performed by the core network device or the access network device in Figure 2.

[0161] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method performed by the core network device or the access network device in Figure 2.

[0162] The embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the functions of the access network device or core network device in the aforementioned method. The chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0163] To implement the functions of the communication device shown in Figures 3 and 4 above, embodiments of the present application further provide a chip including a processor for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions of the core network device or access network device in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to or includes a memory, which is used to store computer programs, instructions, and data necessary for the communication device.

[0164] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0165] 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, computer software, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed 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.

[0166] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0167] 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.

[0168] 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.

[0169] 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 part that essentially contributes to the technical solution of the present application or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or 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 USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks or optical disks.

[0170] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a first paging message; Sending a first message to a core network device, where the first message includes a cause value, where the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; A second paging message is received.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The sending time of the second paging message is separated from the sending time of the first paging message by a second duration, the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration corresponding to the paging message sent by the core network device before the access network device is paging overloaded; or, The second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first message is a radio access network RAN ​​configuration update message or an error indication message.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first paging message to the access network device; receiving a first message, where the first message includes a cause value, where the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the access network device does not send the first paging message; Send a second paging message to the access network device according to the cause value.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that Sending a second paging message to the access network device according to the cause value includes: After sending the first paging message, the second paging message is sent at a second interval, the second interval is greater than the third interval, and the third interval is the interval between the core network device sending paging messages before the access network device is overloaded; or, A second paging message is sent to the access network device, where the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The first message is a radio access network RAN ​​configuration update message; or an error indication message.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to receive a first paging message; A processing module, configured to generate a first message, wherein the first message includes a cause value, and the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the communication device does not send the first paging message; The transceiver module is used to send the first message to the core network device and receive the second paging message.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

17. The device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The sending time of the second paging message is separated from the sending time of the first paging message by a second duration, the second duration is greater than a third duration, and the third duration is the interval duration used by the core network device to send paging messages before the access network device is paging overloaded; or, The second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

19. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

20. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

21. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that The first message is a radio access network RAN ​​configuration update message or an error indication message.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to send a first paging message to an access network device, and receive a first message, wherein the first message includes a cause value, and the cause value is used to indicate a reason why the access network device did not send the first paging message; A processing module, used for determining the cause value; The transceiver module is further used to send a second paging message to the access network device, where the second paging message is determined according to the cause value.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The first message also includes first time information, where the first time information is used to indicate a first duration during which the access network device is in a paging message overload state.

24. The device according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The transceiver module is specifically used for: sending the second paging message at a second interval after sending the first paging message, the second interval being greater than the third interval, and the third interval being the interval at which the communication device sends paging messages before the access network device is overloaded; or, A second paging message is sent to the access network device, where the second paging message corresponds to information of a first paging area, and the first paging area is an area paged by the first paging message.

25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that The second paging message includes second time information, where the second time information is used to indicate a time for the access network device to delay sending the second paging message.

26. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The first message also includes: The first list or the second list, wherein the first list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the first paging message, and the second list indicates one or more terminal devices corresponding to the paging message that the access network device has sent.

27. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that The first message is a response message to the first paging message.

28. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that The first message is a radio access network RAN ​​configuration update message or an error indication message.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

31. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

32. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system comprises: A processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to call and run instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, the following is achieved: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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