Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus, relating to the technical field of communications, and enabling a terminal device in an inactive state or an idle state to better monitor a paging message, thereby improving the reliability of communications. The method comprises: a second network device acquiring first information; and sending the first information to a first network device, wherein the first information is used for instructing sending a notification signal in the case of paging failure, and the notification signal is used for instructing a terminal device to move to a position where signal receiving power or receiving quality is greater than a first threshold value, or the notification signal is used for instructing the terminal device to keep monitoring a paging message, or the notification signal is used for instructing the terminal device to access an access network.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on March 7, 2024, with application number 202410267119.9 and application name “Communication Method and Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to communication methods and devices. Background Art

[0003] In a communication system, network devices can carry paging messages via the physical downlink shared control channel (PDSCH) indicated by the downlink common control channel (PDCCH). Terminal devices in an inactive or idle state can monitor the PDCCH in discontinuous periods, receive paging messages associated with the terminal device, and access the network device. When the signal-to-noise ratio is low, the terminal device may not be able to effectively monitor the paging message and thus cannot effectively respond to the paging message from the network device.

[0004] Therefore, how to enable terminal devices in an inactive or idle state to better monitor paging messages and improve communication reliability has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which can enable a terminal device in an inactive or idle state to better monitor paging messages, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second network device. Unless otherwise specified, the "second network device" in this application can refer to the second network device itself, or a component in the second network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second network device. The method includes: the second network device obtains first information; and sends the first information to the first network device. The first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a position where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network.

[0007] Based on this solution, the second network device can send a first message to the first network device when a paging failure is detected to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal. This application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to monitor the paging message more effectively. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the first network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the first network device to achieve communication with the first network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, the reliability of communication and the user's communication experience.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the second network device sends second information to the first network device; wherein the second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; the expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; the reminder attempt count is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal has been sent.

[0009] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the second network device can implicitly instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal through the second information, providing a feasible solution for the second network device to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal. On the other hand, the first network device can determine the period of sending the reminder signal (that is, the first network device can periodically send the reminder signal); or, the first network device can determine the duration of sending the reminder signal (that is, the first network device can continuously or periodically send the reminder signal during the duration of the reminder signal); or, the first network device can determine the number of repetitions of the reminder signal (that is, the first network device can send multiple reminder signals); or, the first network device can determine the maximum number of times the second network device expects to send the reminder signal; or, the first network device can determine the current number of times the reminder signal is sent (that is, the first network device can determine the number of times the reminder signal has been sent and the number of times the reminder signal needs to be sent). In this case, the first network device can determine, based on the reminder attempt count value, when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the first network device, and then the first network device can send an indication message of the terminal device's response to the reminder signal to the second network device, so that the second network device can determine when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the first network device, and the second network device can determine the expected number of reminder attempts when the first network device sends the reminder signal next time; or, the first network device can determine the area corresponding to the next reminder signal (that is, the first network device can determine the receiving area of ​​the reminder signal to increase the accuracy of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal), thereby increasing the probability of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal and improving the reliability of communication.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the second network device receives first indication information from the core network device, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals; or, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to monitor reminder signals.

[0011] Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can determine that the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals, or can determine that the core network device allows the terminal device to monitor reminder signals. This can avoid as much as possible the situation where the second network device instructs the first network device to send a reminder signal, but the terminal device is unable to monitor it. This can reduce resource waste and improve communication reliability.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the second network device receives capability information from the core network device; wherein the capability information of the core network device is used to indicate whether the core network device supports paging via a reminder signal.

[0013] Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can determine that the core network device supports paging through a reminder signal, so that the access network can trigger paging when paging fails only when the core network supports this capability, avoiding problems such as the core network or terminal device timer being too short or inappropriate due to reminder signal paging.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the second network device receives second indication information from the core network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that the first information is sent to the first network device after the paging fails; and / or the second network device receives third indication information from the core network device; wherein the third indication information is used to indicate that the second network device sends the first information to the first network device after the paging fails when receiving a data packet including an identifier of a first quality of service (QoS) flow.

[0015] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the second network device can determine that when paging fails, the first information is sent to the first network device based on the second indication information, and / or the second network device can send the first information to the first network device when it receives the service quality flow corresponding to the identifier of the first service quality flow and determines that the paging corresponding to the identifier of the first service quality flow fails, thereby providing two feasible communication scenarios for the second network device to send the first information to the first network device, which can improve the flexibility of the second network device to send the first information to the first network device. On the other hand, the second network device can directly send the first information to the first network device after receiving the second indication information and / or the third indication information, so that the first network device directly sends the reminder signal instead of sending the reminder signal after the paging fails, which can reduce the probability of failure of the paging terminal device and thus improve the reliability of communication.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the second indication information is located in a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnel protocol user plane (GTP-U) extension header of the data packet; or, the second indication information is located in a next generation application protocol (NGAP) message.

[0017] Based on this possible implementation, two feasible solutions are provided for realizing the transmission of the second indication information, namely, the core network device can carry the second indication information in the GTP-U extension header and NGAP message of the data packet to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device when the paging fails.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is located in the NGAP message.

[0019] Based on this possible implementation, a feasible solution is provided for transmitting the third indication information.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U extension header further includes fourth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the GTP-U extension header.

[0021] Based on this possible implementation, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second indication information exists in the extended header of GTP-U, the first network device can continue to parse the second indication information in the extended header of GTP-U; or, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second indication information does not exist in the extended header of GTP-U, the first network device can no longer continue to parse the information in the extended header of GTP-U, thereby improving the working efficiency of the first network device.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the second network device sends the first information to the core network device.

[0023] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the core network device can determine that the first network device is paged through a reminder signal, so that the access network device and the core network device can be kept consistent; on the other hand, the core network device can adjust the non-access stratum (NAS) timer to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the second network device sends third information to one or more of the following devices: terminal device, core network device; wherein the third information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, or the number of repetitions of the reminder signal.

[0025] Based on this possible implementation, the second network device sending the third information to the terminal device can synchronize the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal with the first network device sending the monitoring signal, thereby enabling the terminal device to better monitor the reminder signal.

[0026] When the second network device sends the third information to the core network device, on the one hand, the core network device can determine that the first network device is paging through the reminder signal, so that the access network device and the core network device can be kept consistent; on the other hand, the core network device can adjust the NAS timer according to the third information to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0027] In a possible implementation, fifth indication information is sent to the core network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate that paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is further used to indicate the reason why paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0029] Based on this possible implementation, the core network device can determine that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed, and at the same time determine the cause of the failure, and then perform core network paging on a larger scale to increase the probability of successful paging of the terminal device.

[0030] On the second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first network device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first network device" in this application can refer to the first network device itself, or a component in the first network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first network device. The method includes: the first network device receives first information from the second network device; based on the first information, sends one or more reminder signals. The first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a position where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network.

[0031] Based on this solution, the first network device can receive the first information from the second network device and send a reminder signal according to the first information. This application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to monitor the paging message more effectively. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the first network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the first network device to realize communication with the first network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, the reliability of communication and the user's communication experience.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first network device sends a first paging message; or the reminder signal includes the first paging message.

[0033] Based on this possible implementation, the first network device may first send a reminder signal and then send a first paging message, or may send a reminder signal multiple times and include the first paging message in the reminder signal, providing two feasible solutions for the first network device to perform paging through the reminder signal.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first network device receives second information from the second network device; wherein the second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; the expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; the reminder attempt count is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal has been sent.

[0035] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the second network device can implicitly instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal through the second information, providing a feasible solution for the second network device to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal. On the other hand, the first network device can determine the period of sending the reminder signal (that is, the first network device can periodically send a reminder signal); or, the first network device can determine the duration of sending the reminder signal (that is, the first network device can continuously or periodically send a reminder signal during the duration of the reminder signal); or, the first network device can determine the number of repetitions of the reminder signal (that is, the first network device can send multiple reminder signals); or, the first network device can determine the maximum number of times the second network device expects the first network device to send a reminder signal; or, the first network device can determine the current number of times the reminder signal is sent (that is, the first network device can determine the number of times the reminder signal has been sent, and can also determine whether a reminder signal needs to be sent). At the same time, the first network device can determine, based on the reminder attempt count value, when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the first network device, and then send an indication information of the terminal device's response to the reminder signal to the second network device, so that the second network device determines when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the first network device, and the second network device can determine the expected number of reminder attempts when the first network device sends the reminder signal next time; or, the first network device can determine the area corresponding to the next reminder signal (that is, the first network device can determine the receiving area of ​​the reminder signal to increase the accuracy of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal), thereby increasing the probability of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal and improving the reliability of communication.

[0036] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second network device. Unless otherwise specified, the "second network device" in this application can refer to the second network device itself, or a component in the second network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the second network device. The method includes: the second network device receives first information from the core network device; based on the first information, sends one or more reminder signals. The first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a position where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue to monitor the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network.

[0037] Based on this solution, the second network device can receive the first information from the core network device and send a reminder signal according to the first information. This application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to monitor the paging message more effectively. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the second network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the second network device to realize communication with the second network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, the reliability of communication and the user's communication experience.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the second network device sends a first paging message; or the reminder signal includes the first paging message.

[0039] Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can first send a reminder signal and then send the first paging message, or can send a reminder signal multiple times and include the first paging message in the reminder signal, providing two feasible solutions for the second network device to perform paging through the reminder signal.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the second network device receives second information from the core network device; wherein the second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; the expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; the reminder attempt count is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal is sent.

[0041] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the core network device can implicitly instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal through the second information, providing a feasible solution for the core network device to instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal. On the other hand, the second network device can determine the period for sending the reminder signal (that is, the second network device can periodically send the reminder signal); or, the second network device can determine the duration of sending the reminder signal (that is, the second network device can continuously or periodically send the reminder signal during the duration of the reminder signal); or, the second network device can determine the number of repetitions of the reminder signal (that is, the second network device can send multiple reminder signals); or, the second network device can determine the maximum number of times the core network device expects to send the reminder signal; or, the second network device can determine the current number of times the reminder signal is sent (that is, the second network device can determine the number of times the reminder signal has been sent and the number of times the reminder signal needs to be sent). At the same time, the second network device can determine, based on the reminder attempt count value, when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the second network device, and then send an indication message of the terminal device responding to the reminder signal to the core network device, so that the core network device determines when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the second network device, and can enable the core network device to determine the expected number of reminder attempts the next time the second network device sends a reminder signal; or, can enable the second network device to determine the area corresponding to the next reminder signal (that is, the second network device can determine the receiving area of ​​the reminder signal to increase the accuracy of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal), thereby increasing the probability of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal and improving the reliability of communication.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a core network device. Unless otherwise specified, the "core network device" in this application can refer to the core network device itself, or a component in the core network device (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the core network device. The method includes: the core network device sends a first message to the second network device; or, the core network device receives the first message from the second network device. The first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network.

[0043] Based on this solution, when the core network device sends the first information to the second network device, the second network device can send a reminder signal according to the first information. This application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to monitor the paging message more effectively. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the second network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the second network device to realize communication with the second network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, and improving the reliability of communication and the user's communication experience.

[0044] When the core network device receives the first information from the second network device, on the one hand, the core network device can determine that the first network device performs paging through the reminder signal, so that the access network device and the core network device can be kept consistent; on the other hand, the core network device can adjust the NAS timer to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the core network device sends second information to the second network device. The second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: a reminder signal period, a reminder signal duration, a reminder signal repetition count, an expected number of reminder attempts, a reminder attempt count, or an area corresponding to the next reminder signal; the expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; and the reminder attempt count is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal has been sent.

[0046] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the core network device can implicitly instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal through the second information, providing a feasible solution for the core network device to instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal. On the other hand, the second network device can determine the period of sending the reminder signal (that is, the second network device can periodically send the reminder signal); or, the second network device can determine the duration of sending the reminder signal (that is, the second network device can continuously or periodically send the reminder signal during the duration of the reminder signal); or, the second network device can determine the number of repetitions of the reminder signal (that is, the second network device can send multiple reminder signals); or, the second network device can determine the maximum number of times the core network device expects to send the reminder signal; or, the second network device can determine the current number of times the reminder signal is sent (that is, the second network device can determine the number of times the reminder signal has been sent and the number of times the reminder signal needs to be sent). At the same time, the second network device can determine, based on the reminder attempt count value, when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the second network device, and then send an indication message of the terminal device responding to the reminder signal to the core network device, so that the core network device determines when the terminal device responds to the reminder signal sent by the second network device, and the core network device can determine the expected number of reminder attempts when the second network device sends the reminder signal next time; or, the second network device can determine the area corresponding to the next reminder signal (that is, the second network device can determine the receiving area of ​​the reminder signal to increase the accuracy of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal), thereby increasing the probability of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal and improving the reliability of communication.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the core network device receives third information from the second network device, wherein the third information is used to indicate one or more of the following: a period of the reminder signal, a duration of the reminder signal, or a number of repetitions of the reminder signal.

[0048] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the core network device can determine that the first network device is paging through the reminder signal, so that the access network device and the core network device can be kept consistent; on the other hand, the core network device can adjust the NAS timer according to the third information to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the core network device sends a first indication message to the second network device; wherein, the first indication message is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals; or, the first indication message is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to monitor reminder signals.

[0050] Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can determine that the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals, or the second network device can determine that the core network device allows the terminal device to monitor reminder signals. This can avoid as much as possible the situation where the second network device instructs the first network device to send a reminder signal, but the terminal device is unable to monitor it, which can reduce resource waste and improve communication reliability.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the core network device sends capability information of the core network device to the second network device; wherein the capability information of the core network device is used to indicate whether the core network device supports paging via a reminder signal.

[0052] Based on this possible implementation, the second network device can perform paging through a reminder signal with the support of the core network device, and the access network can trigger paging when paging fails only when the core network supports this capability, avoiding problems such as the core network or terminal device timer being too short or inappropriate due to reminder signal paging.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the core network device sends second indication information to the second network device; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device supports paging through a reminder signal; and / or, the core network device sends third indication information to the second network device; wherein the third indication information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device after the paging fails when receiving a data packet including an identifier of a first quality of service flow.

[0054] Based on this possible implementation, on the one hand, the second network device can determine, based on the second indication information, that when paging fails, it sends the first information to the first network device, and / or, the second network device can send the first information to the first network device when it receives the service quality flow corresponding to the identifier of the first service quality flow and determines that the paging corresponding to the identifier of the first service quality flow fails, thereby providing two feasible communication scenarios for the second network device to send the first information to the first network device, which can improve the flexibility of the second network device to send the first information to the first network device. On the other hand, the second network device can directly send the first information to the first network device after receiving the second indication information or the third indication information, so that the first network device directly sends the reminder signal instead of sending the reminder signal after the paging fails, which can reduce the probability of failure of the paging terminal device and thus improve the reliability of communication.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the second indication information is located in a GTP-U extension header of the data packet; or, the second indication information is located in an NGAP message.

[0056] Based on this possible implementation, two feasible solutions are provided for realizing the transmission of the second indication information, namely, the core network device can carry the second indication information in the GTP-U extension header and NGAP message of the data packet to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device when the paging fails.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is located in the NGAP message.

[0058] Based on this possible implementation, a feasible solution is provided for transmitting the third indication information.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U extension header further includes fourth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the GTP-U extension header.

[0060] Based on this possible implementation, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second indication information exists in the extended header of GTP-U, the first network device can continue to parse the second indication information in the extended header of GTP-U; or, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second indication information does not exist in the extended header of GTP-U, the first network device can no longer continue to parse the information in the extended header of GTP-U, thereby improving the working efficiency of the first network device.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the core network device receives capability information from the terminal device; wherein the capability information of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals.

[0062] Based on this possible implementation, the core network device can determine that the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals, and can avoid as much as possible the situation where the core network device instructs the second network device to send a reminder signal while the terminal device is unable to monitor, which can reduce resource waste and improve communication reliability.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the core network device receives fourth information from the second network device and determines the second information based on the fourth information. The fourth information is used to indicate one or more of the following: a period during which the terminal device expects to monitor the reminder signal, a duration during which the terminal device expects to monitor the reminder signal, or a number of repetitions during which the terminal device expects to monitor the reminder signal.

[0064] Based on this possible implementation, the core network device can determine the period, duration, or number of repetitions of the reminder signal that the terminal device expects to monitor, and then determine the second information so that the terminal device can better monitor the reminder signal, thereby improving communication performance.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the core network device receives fifth indication information from the second network device and performs core network paging according to the fifth indication information, wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is further used to indicate the reason why paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0067] Based on this possible implementation, the core network device can determine that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed, and can also determine the cause of the failure, and then can perform core network paging on a larger scale to increase the probability of successful paging of the terminal device.

[0068] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the first aspect. The communication device may be the second network device of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip.

[0069] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the processing module is used to obtain first information; wherein the first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue to monitor the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; the transceiver module is used to send the first information to the first network device.

[0071] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the fifth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the above-mentioned related content.

[0072] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the second aspect. The communication device may be the first network device of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip.

[0073] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0074] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to receive first information from the second network device; wherein the first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue to monitor the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; the transceiver module is also used to send one or more reminder signals based on the first information.

[0075] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the sixth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the above-mentioned related content.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the third aspect. The communication device may be the second network device of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip.

[0077] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0078] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to receive first information from a core network device; wherein the first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue to monitor the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; the transceiver module is used to send one or more reminder signals based on the first information.

[0079] Optionally, the transceiver module and the processing module of the communication device in the seventh aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method example. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be referred to the aforementioned related content.

[0080] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the method of the fourth aspect. The communication device may be the core network device of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the core network device, such as a chip.

[0081] The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0082] In some possible implementations, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Exemplarily, the transceiver module is used to receive first information from the second network device; or, to send first information to the second network device. The first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network.

[0083] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the eighth aspect can also perform the corresponding functions in the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. Please refer to the detailed description in the method example for details. The beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the above-mentioned related content.

[0084] In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to execute the method described in any one of the above aspects or any possible implementations of any one of the aspects by executing computer instructions stored in a memory or through a logic circuit. The communication device may be the second network device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the first network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the second network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip; or, alternatively, the communication device may be the core network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the core network device, such as a chip.

[0085] In some possible implementations, the communication device further includes a memory for storing computer instructions and / or configuration files of logic circuits. Optionally, the memory is integrated with the processor, or the memory is independent of the processor.

[0086] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used to input and / or output signals; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction to enable the communication device to perform the method described in any of the above aspects. The communication device can be the second network device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the first network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the second network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the core network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the core network device, such as a chip.

[0087] In some possible implementations, the communication interface is an interface circuit for reading and writing computer instructions. For example, the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0088] In some possible implementations, the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0089] In some possible implementations, the communication device may be a chip or a chip system. When the device is a chip system, the chip system may include the chip, or may include the chip and other discrete devices.

[0090] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a logic circuit and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to input information and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in any of the above aspects, and process and / or generate output information based on the input information. The communication device can be the second network device in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the first network device in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or a device or component included in the first network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the second network device in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or a device or component included in the second network device, such as a chip; or the communication device can be the core network device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a device or component included in the core network device, such as a chip.

[0091] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the above aspects is executed.

[0092] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which, when executed by a processor, enables the method described in any one of the above aspects to be executed.

[0093] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output information, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input information.

[0094] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any implementation method of the fifth to thirteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and no further details will be given here.

[0095] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising the second network device described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the first network device described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the core network device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. Alternatively, the communication system comprises the second network device described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and the core network device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0096] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial network provided by the present application;

[0097] FIG2 is an interactive diagram of a paging method provided by the present application;

[0098] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0099] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0100] FIG5 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0101] FIG6 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0102] FIG7 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0103] FIG8 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0104] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a GTP-U extension header provided by the present application;

[0105] FIG10 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0106] FIG11 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0107] FIG12 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0108] FIG13 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0109] FIG14 is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0110] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0111] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device provided by the present application;

[0112] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device provided by the present application;

[0113] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0114] The following describes in detail the implementation of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0115] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0116] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or plural.

[0117] In addition, to facilitate the clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0119] It will be understood that the “embodiment” mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It will be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process 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 embodiment of the present application.

[0120] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may, in certain scenarios, be implemented independently of other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features in certain scenarios as needed. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described in detail here.

[0121] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified and there is no logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships. The following description of the embodiments of this application does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0122] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, a brief introduction to the relevant technologies of the present application is first given as follows.

[0123] 1) Non-terrestrial network (NTN)

[0124] The NTN refers to a network or network segment that uses radio frequency (RF) resources on a satellite (or a high altitude platform station (HAPS)).

[0125] Optionally, the synchronous orbit in the NTN can be divided into a non-geosynchronous orbit (NGSO) and a geosynchronous orbit (GSO).

[0126] Among them, NGSO is an Earth-centered orbit whose orbital period does not match the Earth's rotation.

[0127] Exemplarily, NGSOs may include low earth orbit (LEO) (LEO satellites operate at altitudes between 300 km and 1500 km) and medium earth orbit (MEO) (MEO satellites operate at altitudes between approximately 7000 km and 25000 km).

[0128] Among them, GSO is an orbit centered on the earth and synchronized with the earth's rotation, located about 35,786 kilometers from the earth's surface.

[0129] It is understandable that the orbit of GSO is the geostationary orbit, which is a non-inclined geosynchronous orbit located in the equatorial plane of the Earth.

[0130] In one possible implementation, as shown in Figure 1 below, the NTN can be understood as a radio access network (RAN) composed of network devices, such as the NG-RAN. The NTN provides non-terrestrial New Radio (NR) access to terminal devices through the NTN payload and NTN gateway on an airborne or satellite-based NTN carrier. That is, the terminal device can access the NTN through the NR Uu interface provided by the NTN payload and the NTN gateway. In addition, the NTN can access the core network through the NG interface.

[0131] The NTN payload is a network node carried on a satellite or HAPS, providing connectivity between service links and feeder links. The NTN payload can also be understood as a transport network layer (TNL) node.

[0132] The NTN gateway is a ground station located on the Earth's surface that uses feeder links to connect core network (CN) equipment to the NTN payload. The NTN gateway can also be understood as a TNL node.

[0133] It can be understood that the link between the NTN payload and the terminal device is a service link, and the link between the NTN gateway and the NTN payload is a feeder link.

[0134] It is understandable that the NTN payload can forward data packets or protocol data units received from the terminal device to the NTN gateway (i.e., the terminal device sends data packets or protocol data units to the NTN payload through the service link, and further, the NTN payload sends data packets or protocol data units to the NTN gateway through the feeder link). Similarly, the NTN payload can forward data packets or protocol data units received from the NTN gateway to the terminal device.

[0135] It is understandable that one NTN gateway can serve multiple NTN payloads, and correspondingly, one NTN payload can be served by multiple NTN gateways.

[0136] The service links described above can be divided into three types:

[0137] The first type of service link is the Earth fixed service link, provided by a beam that always covers the same geographical area, as in the case of GSO satellites.

[0138] The second type of service link is a quasi-fixed service link, provided by a beam that covers one geographical area during a limited period of time and a different geographical area during another period of time, such as when an NGSO satellite generates a steerable beam.

[0139] The third type of service link is the Earth mobile service link, which is provided by a beam whose coverage area slides over the surface of the Earth, such as in the case of a fixed or non-steerable beam produced by an NGSO satellite.

[0140] Based on the description of the above three service links, when NGSO satellites are used in NTN, network equipment can provide quasi-earth fixed service links or earth mobile service links, while when GSO satellites are used in NTN, network equipment can provide earth fixed service links.

[0141] Another possible implementation is that the NTN satellite has the complete function of accessing network equipment, which is called a regenerative satellite.

[0142] Another possible implementation is that the NTN satellite has the complete functions of the access network equipment and the complete functions or partial functions of the core network equipment.

[0143] 2) Deactivated state

[0144] The working modes of the terminal device can be divided into a connected state, an idle state, and a deactivated state.

[0145] Among them, the deactivated state can be called the deactivated state, or can be called the radio resource control (RRC) deactivated state, or can be called the RRC deactivated state. For the sake of ease of understanding, it is referred to as the deactivated state in this application.

[0146] Among them, the deactivated state is a new RRC state added to the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, which can enable the terminal device in the deactivated state to quickly restore to the RRC connected state without the terminal device re-accessing the network device.

[0147] Among them, the deactivated state is similar to the idle state, that is, the terminal device can receive the content of the public search space (such as paging, broadcast, 5G core network paging, etc.), and the terminal device can reselect the cell. The principle of cell reselection for the terminal device in the deactivated state is the same as the principle of cell reselection for the terminal device in the idle state.

[0148] Exemplarily, the specific steps of a network device triggering a terminal device in a deactivated state to switch to a terminal device in a connected state may be as shown in FIG2 below:

[0149] S201: The second network device triggers access network paging.

[0150] The second network device may be understood as the network device that last served the terminal device in the connected state or the network device that released the terminal device to the deactivated state in the RRC release message.

[0151] It is understandable that the second network device may determine that the terminal device is in an inactive state.

[0152] It is understandable that when the second network device receives a downlink user plane data packet, or receives downlink signaling from the core network device, access network paging will be triggered.

[0153] S202: The second network device sends an access network paging message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the access network paging message from the second network device.

[0154] The first network device may be understood as a network device adjacent to the second network device.

[0155] It is understandable that the second network device can send the access network paging message to one first network device or to multiple first network devices without limitation. For example, the first network device belongs to the RAN notification area of ​​the terminal.

[0156] It is understandable that the second network device can page the terminal device within the coverage of the second network device.

[0157] S203: The first network device sends a paging message.

[0158] The paging message includes an information-radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI).

[0159] S204. The terminal device parses the I-RNTI and attempts to recover from the inactive state.

[0160] Among them, after the terminal device successfully parses the I-RNTI, it can quickly recover from the inactive state to the connected state, and then can communicate with the first network device.

[0161] Based on the above description of NTN and deactivated state, the network device can carry paging messages through the physical downlink shared control channel (PDSCH) indicated by the downlink common control channel (PDCCH). The terminal device in the inactive state or idle state can monitor the PDCCH in a non-continuous period, receive paging messages associated with the terminal device and access the network device.

[0162] According to performance evaluations (e.g., technical report (TR)-38.811), ground loss for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) users participating in NTN communications can reach over 18dB, affecting approximately 10% of users in remote areas and approximately 50% of users in urban areas. In particularly low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions, terminal devices may be unable to effectively monitor paging messages and, consequently, respond effectively to paging calls from network devices.

[0163] Therefore, how to enable terminal devices in an inactive or idle state to better monitor paging messages and improve communication reliability has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0164] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method, comprising: a second network device obtaining first information; and sending the first information to the first network device. The first information is used to instruct a terminal device to send a reminder signal in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring paging messages; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access an access network.

[0165] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network device can send a first message to the first network device when a paging failure is detected to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal. The present application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to monitor the paging message more effectively. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the first network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the first network device to achieve communication with the first network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, the reliability of the communication, and the user's communication experience.

[0166] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be used in various communication systems, which may be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a fourth generation (4G), long term evolution (LTE), 5G, NR, or a system in which LTE and 5G are hybrid networks, or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, or a future mobile communication system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, or a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine to machine (M2M) communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT), a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), other next-generation communication systems, a perception communication integrated system, a satellite communication system, etc. The communication system may also be a non-3GPP communication system, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) system such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), without limitation.

[0167] As shown in Figure 3 below, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided by the present application, the communication system may include at least one terminal device, at least one network device, and at least one core network device.

[0168] Among them, the terminal device in Figure 3, unless otherwise specified, can refer to the terminal device itself, or a component in the terminal device (for example, a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or it can also be a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0169] Among them, the network device in Figure 3, unless otherwise specified, can refer to the network device itself, or a component in the network device (for example, a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or it can also be a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0170] Among them, the core network device in Figure 3, unless otherwise specified, can refer to the core network device itself, or a component in the core network device (for example, a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.), or it can also be a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the core network device.

[0171] Among them, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be located within the beam / cell coverage of the network device, and the network device can provide communication services for the terminal device.

[0172] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device with wireless transceiver functions or a chip or chip system that can be set in the device, which can allow a user to access the network and is a device for providing voice and / or data connectivity to the user. The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), terminal (terminal), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT).

[0173] Optionally, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may be a user-side device for implementing wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal. The terminal may be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent, or a terminal device in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a drone, a robot, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, customer-premises equipment (CPE) or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Alternatively, the terminal may be a terminal with communication functionality in IoT, such as a terminal in V2X (e.g., a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device), a terminal in D2D communication, or a terminal in M2M communication. The terminal may be mobile or fixed.

[0174] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be any device deployed in an access network that can communicate wirelessly with a terminal device, or a chip or chip system that can be provided in the above-mentioned device, or a logical node or a logical module or a function implemented in software, and can be used to implement wireless physical control functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control, and mobility management functions. Specifically, the network device can be a device that supports wired access or a device that supports wireless access.

[0175] Optionally, the network device in the embodiment of the present application is a device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. The network device may be a node in a radio access network (RAN), or may be a base station, which may be referred to as a radio access network node (or device).

[0176] For example, the network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB) or e-NodeB in an LTE system or an enhanced LTE (LTE-advanced, LTE-A) system, such as a traditional macro eNB and a micro eNB in ​​a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, it may include a next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, it may include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a baseband pool (BBU pool), or a Wi-Fi access point (AP). Alternatively, it may include a base station in an NTN, which may be deployed on an aircraft or a satellite. In the NTN, the network device may function as a Layer 1 (L1) relay, a base station, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device may be a device that implements a base station function in IoT, such as a device that implements a base station function in drone communications, V2X, D2D, or machine to machine (M2M).

[0177] A network device may also be a module or unit that implements some of the functions of a base station. For example, a network device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0178] 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, the network device may be a network device or a module of a network device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0179] Exemplarily, a schematic diagram of the segmented architecture of a network device (taking a gNB as an example) may be shown in FIG4 below. A gNB may consist of a CU and one or more DUs, and the CU and the DU may be connected via an F1 interface. In addition, gNBs may be connected via an Xn-C interface, and gNBs and core network devices may be connected via an NG interface.

[0180] Among them, a DU can be connected to one CU or multiple CUs.

[0181] It can be understood that in the network device segmentation architecture shown in Figure 4 above, the CU is a logical node with RRC function, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) function, and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) function; the DU has radio link control (RLC) function, media access control (MAC) function, and physical (PHY) layer function.

[0182] It is understandable that a DU supports one or more cells, but a cell can only be supported by one DU.

[0183] Optionally, the base station in the embodiment of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, home base stations, TRPs, transmitting points (TPs), or mobile switching centers, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0184] Among them, the core network device in the embodiment of the present application can be a core network device in EPC, a core network device in 5GC, a core network device in a future core network, or a core network device in a next-generation core network, without limitation.

[0185] Exemplarily, the core network device may be a network exposure function (NEF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a user plane function (UPF) network element, or a session management function (SMF) network element, etc.

[0186] Among them, the NEF network element is located between the core network and the external third-party application function body, and is responsible for managing all external applications that open network data to the outside world. If you want to access the internal data of the core network, you need to go through the NEF network element.

[0187] Among them, the AMF network element has access and mobility management functions in the core network, performing registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management.

[0188] Among them, the UPF network element is mainly responsible for the routing and forwarding related functions of 5GC user plane data packets.

[0189] Among them, the SMF network element is mainly responsible for processing user services and can be regarded as a combination of the bearer management part of the mobility management entity (MME) and the control plane functions of the serving gateway (SGW) and the packet data network gateway (PGW).

[0190] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0191] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device, the network device, or the core network device can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiment of the present application. These steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps can be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiment of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiment of the present application need to be performed.

[0192] As shown in Figure 5, an interaction diagram of a communication method provided by the present application is provided. The communication method is illustrated by taking the interaction between a terminal device, a first network device, and a second network device as an example. The second network device can be understood as the network device that last served the terminal device in a connected state, or can be understood as the network device that released the terminal device to an inactive state, and the first network device can be understood as the network device adjacent to the second network device.

[0193] In the embodiments of the present application, the steps performed by a single execution subject (e.g., a terminal device, a second network device, or a first network device) may also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution subjects, which may be logically and / or physically separated. For example, referring to FIG5 , the communication method includes the following steps:

[0194] S501: A second network device obtains first information.

[0195] The first information is used to instruct to send a reminder signal corresponding to the first paging message when the paging fails.

[0196] The first information may also be referred to as startup reminder indication information, reminder information, or indication reminder information.

[0197] In one example, the first information may indicate whether (i.e., true or false) a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure. That is, taking the first information as an enumeration value (ENUMERATED) as an example, when the enumeration value is false, it may indicate that the reminder signal corresponding to the first paging message is not sent in the event of a paging failure; when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the reminder signal corresponding to the first paging message is sent in the event of a paging failure.

[0198] In another example, the first information may only indicate sending a reminder signal in case of paging failure, that is, taking the first information as an enumeration value as an example, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate sending a reminder signal corresponding to the first paging message in case of paging failure.

[0199] For paging failure, when the second network device pages the terminal device and does not receive the random access request and / or RRC access request message from the terminal device, the second network device can determine that the paging has failed; or, when the first network device pages the terminal device and does not receive the random access request and / or RRC access request message from the terminal device, the first network device will not send a Retrieve UE Context request message to the second network device, so that the second network device can determine that the paging has failed.

[0200] The reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network.

[0201] It can be understood that the first threshold can be predefined, or the first threshold can be indicated to the terminal device by the second network device in the RRC release message, or the first threshold can be indicated to the terminal device in the system information broadcast of the cell where the terminal device currently resides (the system information can be system information block (SIB) 2, SIB3, or SIB4), or the first threshold can be determined based on the actual communication situation or communication scenario without limitation.

[0202] For example, if the terminal device currently resides under the second network device, the terminal device can determine the first threshold based on the threshold of the system broadcast message broadcast of the second network device; or, if the terminal device currently resides under the first network device, the terminal device can determine the first threshold based on the threshold of the system broadcast message broadcast of the first network device.

[0203] It can be understood that the first threshold may be a reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement threshold, or the first threshold may be a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurement threshold.

[0204] For example, the first threshold may be the RSRP measurement threshold or the RSRQ measurement threshold of the current resident cell; or, the first threshold may be the RSRP measurement threshold or the RSRQ measurement threshold of the resident beam in the current resident cell.

[0205] For example, when the first threshold is the RSRP measurement threshold, the standard value is an integer from 0 to 127. Except for the standard value 127, the actual value is (standard value-156) dBm. In the case of the standard value 127, the actual value is infinity.

[0206] For another example, when the first threshold is the RSRP measurement threshold, the standard value is an integer from 0 to 127, and the actual value is (standard value−87) / 2dB.

[0207] In the first example, taking the reminder signal as an example of instructing the terminal device to move to a position where RSRP is greater than / greater than or equal to a first threshold, when the terminal device listens to the reminder signal, the terminal device can try to move, and during the movement, it can detect the RSRP corresponding to different positions. When the measured RSRP is greater than / greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device can stop moving and continue to listen to the paging message at a position corresponding to the signal reception power or reception quality being greater than / greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0208] In the second example, taking the reminder signal as an example, which is used to instruct the terminal device to continue to monitor the paging message, when the terminal device monitors the reminder signal, it can be determined that the network device is paging itself. The terminal device can continue to monitor the paging message by increasing the receiving power, etc., to increase the probability of monitoring the paging message.

[0209] In the third example, a reminder signal is used to instruct a terminal device to access an access network. When the terminal device detects the reminder signal, it can be restored from an inactive state to a connected state. That is, if the terminal device resides under a first network device, the terminal device can directly access the first network device; wherein, for the communication method shown in FIG13 below, if the terminal device resides under a second network device, the terminal device can directly access the second network device.

[0210] It is understandable that when the terminal device monitors the reminder signal sent by any network device, the terminal device can directly access the network device.

[0211] Optionally, the reminder signal can be a new physical layer signal (for example, a new sequence (such as a Zadoff-Chu sequence, or an M sequence), or a physical layer signal whose signal strength (strength can be understood as signal receiving power or receiving quality) is more robust than that of the paging message); or, the reminder signal can be a paging message sent repeatedly.

[0212] It is understandable that, on the one hand, when the reminder signal is a new physical layer signal, under the condition of low signal-to-noise ratio, the terminal device can more easily monitor the reminder signal. At this time, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold when monitoring the reminder signal to monitor the paging message more effectively; or, the terminal device can directly access the access network when monitoring the reminder signal; or, the terminal device can determine that the network device is paging when monitoring the reminder signal, and then continue to monitor the paging message. On the other hand, when the reminder signal is a paging message that is sent repeatedly, under the condition of low signal-to-noise ratio, the paging message can be sent multiple times to increase the probability of the terminal device monitoring the paging message, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0213] S502: The second network device sends first information to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the first information from the second network device.

[0214] The description of the first information may refer to the description of the first information in S501 and will not be repeated here.

[0215] In one example, when the second network device determines that the paging has failed, such as when it has not received an access request message sent by the terminal device within a specific time; or when it has not received any Retrieve UE context request message sent by the first network device, it can send a first message to the first network device to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal.

[0216] The first information sent by the second network device to the first network device may be carried in an XnAP access network paging request (RAN paging request) message or other XnAP messages, without limitation.

[0217] In another example, when the second network device has not determined that the paging has failed, it can send an access network paging message to the first network device (the access network paging message carries the first information), and the first network device can determine whether to send the reminder signal. For example, the first network device can decide to send the reminder signal immediately, or send one or more paging messages before sending the reminder signal.

[0218] It is understandable that the first information may be located in an XnAP access network paging request (RAN Paging Request) message, or other XnAP messages, or may be transmitted independently without limitation.

[0219] S503. The first network device sends one or more reminder signals according to the first information; correspondingly, the terminal device receives one or more reminder signals from the first network device.

[0220] It can be understood that, for the first information indicating whether to send a reminder signal in the event of paging failure, taking the first information as an enumeration value as an example, assuming that the enumeration value is false, it means that the reminder signal corresponding to the first paging message is not sent in the event of paging failure, and the enumeration value is true, it means that the reminder signal corresponding to the first paging message is sent in the event of paging failure, then, when the enumeration value of the first information is false, the first network device does not send a reminder signal; or, when the enumeration value of the first information is true, the first network device sends a reminder signal.

[0221] Regarding the first information indicating sending a reminder signal in case of paging failure, when the first network device receives the first information, the first network device sends the reminder signal; or when the first network device does not receive the first information, the first network device does not send the reminder signal.

[0222] Optionally, the first network device may first send the reminder signal and then send the first paging message; or, the first network device may repeatedly send the reminder signal multiple times, with the reminder signal carrying the first paging message.

[0223] It can be understood that the terminal device can monitor the reminder signal. When the terminal device receives the reminder signal from the first network device, the terminal device can move to a position greater than / greater than or equal to the first threshold, or the terminal device can continue to monitor the paging message, or the terminal device can directly access the first network device.

[0224] Based on the communication method shown in Figure 5, the second network device can send a first message to the first network device when a paging failure is detected to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal. The present application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to monitor the paging message more effectively. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the first network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the first network device to achieve communication with the first network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, the reliability of communication and the user's communication experience.

[0225] In a possible embodiment, the present application may combine the communication method shown in FIG5 with the paging process shown in FIG2 , and the specific steps may be as shown in FIG6 below:

[0226] S601: The second network device triggers access network paging.

[0227] Among them, S601 can refer to the above S201 and will not be described in detail here.

[0228] S602: The second network device sends an access network paging message to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the access network paging message from the second network device.

[0229] Among them, S602 can refer to the above S202 and will not be described in detail here.

[0230] S603: The first network device sends a paging message.

[0231] Among them, S603 can refer to the above S203 and will not be described in detail here.

[0232] S604: The second network device determines that the paging fails.

[0233] It can be understood that when the second network device does not receive the obtain UE context request message from the first network device, it can be determined that the paging has failed.

[0234] S605: The second network device obtains the first information.

[0235] Among them, S605 can refer to the above S501 and will not be described in detail here.

[0236] S606: The second network device sends the first information to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the first information from the second network device.

[0237] Among them, S606 can refer to the above S502 and will not be described in detail here.

[0238] S607: The first network device sends one or more reminder signals according to the first information.

[0239] Among them, S607 can refer to the above S503 and will not be described in detail here.

[0240] It can be understood that when the terminal device monitors the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to continue monitoring the paging message, or the terminal device can continue to monitor the paging message, or the terminal device can recover from the inactive state to the connected state (i.e., access to the first network device).

[0241] Based on the contents shown in Figures 5 and 6, different from the second network device explicitly instructing the first network device to send a reminder signal in case of paging failure through the first information, optionally, the second network device can implicitly instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal in case of paging failure through the second information; or, the second network device can also instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal in case of paging failure through the first information and the second information.

[0242] Specifically, the second network device sends the second information to the first network device; correspondingly, the first network device receives the second information from the second network device. Further, the first network device sends one or more reminder signals according to the second information.

[0243] The second information may also be referred to as reminder auxiliary information or alarm auxiliary information.

[0244] The second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: a period of the reminder signal, a duration of the reminder signal, a number of repetitions of the reminder signal, an expected number of reminder attempts, a reminder attempt count value, or an area corresponding to the next reminder signal.

[0245] 1) Notification signal cycle (also called notification cycle)

[0246] The period of the reminder signal can be understood as the period during which the first network device (or any network device, including the second network device) sends the reminder signal, or can be understood as the period during which the terminal device monitors the reminder signal.

[0247] Exemplarily, the period of the reminder signal may be any one of the following: 32 frames, 64 frames, 128 frames, 256 frames, . . .

[0248] For example, taking the reminder signal period as 32 frames, the first network device may send the reminder signal once every 32 frames, and correspondingly, the terminal device may monitor the reminder signal once every 32 frames.

[0249] 2) Notification signal duration (also called notification duration or notification window)

[0250] Exemplarily, the duration of the reminder signal may be any one of the following: 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, . . .

[0251] For example, taking the duration of the reminder signal as 2ms, the first network device can continuously send the reminder signal within 2ms or may send the reminder signal within a 2ms window. Accordingly, the terminal device can continuously monitor the reminder signal within 2ms; or, the first network device can send a reminder signal every period of time within 2ms (the period of time can be predefined or determined according to the period of the above-mentioned reminder signal). Accordingly, the terminal device can monitor the reminder signal every period of time within 2ms.

[0252] 3) Notification signal repetition number (also called notification repetition number)

[0253] The number of repetitions of the reminder signal can be understood as the number of times the first network device (or any network device) sends the reminder signal, or can be understood as the number of times the terminal device monitors the reminder signal.

[0254] Exemplarily, the reminder signal may be repeated for any of the following times: 2, 4, 6, ... .

[0255] For example, taking the reminder signal repetition number as 2, the first network device can send the reminder signal twice in one paging cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device can terminate monitoring in the paging cycle after monitoring the reminder signal twice, and then monitor in the next paging cycle.

[0256] For another example, taking the reminder signal repetition number as 2, the first network device can send two reminder signals in one reminder signal cycle. Accordingly, the terminal device can terminate monitoring within the reminder signal cycle after monitoring the reminder signals twice, and then monitor in the next reminder signal cycle.

[0257] For another example, taking the reminder signal repetition number as 2, the first network device can send two reminder signals within the duration of one reminder signal. Accordingly, the terminal device can monitor two reminder signals within the duration of the reminder signal.

[0258] 4) Intended number of notification attempts

[0259] The expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent.

[0260] Exemplarily, the expected number of reminder attempts may be any one of the following: 1, 2, ..., 16, ... .

[0261] It is understandable that the second network device may indicate to the first network device the maximum number of reminder signals expected by the second network device; further, the first network device may determine the number of reminder signal transmissions based on the expected number of reminder attempts.

[0262] 5) Notification attempt count

[0263] The reminder attempt count value is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal is sent.

[0264] It is understood that the reminder attempt count value may be less than or equal to the expected number of reminder attempts.

[0265] Exemplarily, when the expected number of reminder attempts is 16, the reminder attempt count value may be any one of the following: 1, 2, . . . , 16.

[0266] It is understandable that the second network device can use the reminder attempt count value to enable the first network device to determine the current number of reminder signal transmissions (or the first network device can determine the number of reminder signals that have been transmitted and the number of reminder signals that need to be transmitted).

[0267] Exemplarily, the first network device may determine an air interface configuration for sending the reminder signal based on the reminder attempt count. For example, when the reminder attempt count is 16, a more robust modulation and coding or coding sequence may be used to send the reminder signal, whereas when the reminder attempt count is 2, a less robust modulation and coding or coding sequence may be used to send the reminder signal.

[0268] 6) The area corresponding to the next reminder signal (next notification signal area scope, also called next notification area scope)

[0269] It can be understood that the first network device can determine the direction, angle, etc. of sending the next reminder signal based on the area (area) corresponding to the next reminder signal, so that the receiving point where the next reminder signal arrives is the area corresponding to the next reminder signal, which can increase the accuracy of the terminal device monitoring the reminder signal, and thus improve the reliability of communication.

[0270] It is understandable that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal may carry the area information corresponding to the next reminder signal. This application proposes three possible implementations:

[0271] In a first possible implementation, the area information corresponding to the next reminder signal may be an enumeration value, which indicates that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is changed, or that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is the same as the area corresponding to the current reminder signal.

[0272] The second possible implementation is that the area information corresponding to the next reminder signal can be at least two information elements. The first information element can indicate whether the area corresponding to the next reminder signal has changed (it can also be understood as whether the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is the same as the area corresponding to the current reminder signal), and the second information element can indicate the specific area when the area corresponding to the next reminder signal changes.

[0273] For example, for the first cell of the area information corresponding to the next reminder signal, when the enumeration value of the first cell is false, it may indicate that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal does not change; when the enumeration value of the first cell is true, it may indicate that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal changes.

[0274] It can be understood that for the second cell, when the first cell indicates that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal does not change, the second cell can be reserved (such as not assigned a value); when the first cell indicates that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal changes, the second cell can indicate a specific area.

[0275] For example, taking the number of areas as 4 (such as area 0, area 1, area 2, and area 3), when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 0 (such as ENUMERATED(area0)), it can be determined that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is area 0; when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 1 (such as ENUMERATED(area1)), it can be determined that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is area 1; when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 2 (such as ENUMERATED(area2)), it can be determined that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is area 2; when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 3 ( For example, when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 1 and area 2 (such as ENUMERATED(area3)), it can be determined that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is area 3; or, when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 1 and area 2 (such as ENUMERATED(area1,area2)), it can be determined that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is area 1 and area 2; or, when the enumeration value of the second cell is area 0, area 1, area 2, and area 3 (such as ENUMERATED(area1,area2,area3,area4)), it can be determined that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal is area 0, area 1, area 2, and area 3.

[0276] In a third possible implementation, the area information corresponding to the next reminder signal may be an information element, and the information element may indicate a specific area when the area corresponding to the next reminder signal changes.

[0277] In one example, taking the number of areas as 4 (such as area 0, area 1, area 2, and area 3) as an example, that is, the enumeration value of the cell can be area 0, area 1, area 2, and area 3 (such as ENUMERATED(area1, area2, area3, area4)), it can be determined that the areas corresponding to the next reminder signal are area 0, area 1, area 2, and area 3; or, when the cell is reserved (such as not assigned a value), it can indicate that the area corresponding to the next reminder signal does not change.

[0278] It can be understood that the second information can be predefined (i.e., the second information can be pre-stored on the second network device), or the second information can be configured by the second network device (i.e., the second network device can determine the second information based on the actual communication situation and the actual communication scenario, or the second network device can determine the second information based on historical information, or the second network device can determine the second information based on auxiliary information of the second information).

[0279] The historical information may be the second information previously determined by the second network device, or the historical information may be information on the number of times the terminal device responded when the second network device sent the reminder signal.

[0280] The auxiliary information of the second information may be sent by the core network device to the second network device, or the auxiliary information of the second information may be predefined.

[0281] For example, the auxiliary information of the second information may include one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal.

[0282] It can be understood that the information indicated by the second information may be the same as or different from the information indicated by the auxiliary information of the second information, without limitation.

[0283] Optionally, as shown in S701 in Figure 7 below, the second network device can also send a third information to the terminal device so that the terminal device monitors the reminder signal synchronously with the reminder signal sent by the first network device or the second network device, thereby enabling the terminal device to better monitor the reminder signal and at the same time improve the reliability of communication.

[0284] The third information may be called monitoring reminder information or alarm information.

[0285] The third information is used to indicate one or more of the following: a period of the reminder signal, a duration of the reminder signal, or a number of repetitions of the reminder signal.

[0286] The period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, and the number of repetitions of the reminder signal indicated by the third information are the same as the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, and the number of repetitions of the reminder signal indicated by the second information.

[0287] Optionally, the third information may be predefined (i.e., the third information may be pre-stored in the terminal device), or the third information may be located in the RRC release message (i.e., the second network device may send the third information to the terminal device via the RRC release message), or the second network device may send the third information separately to the terminal device that was previously in a connected state, or the third information may be indicated to the terminal device in the system information broadcast of the cell where the terminal device is currently located (e.g., the system information may be SIB2, SIB3, or SIB4), without limitation.

[0288] For example, if the terminal device currently resides under the second network device, the terminal device can determine the third information based on the system broadcast message of the second network device; or, if the terminal device currently resides under the first network device, the terminal device can determine the third information based on the system broadcast message broadcast of the first network device.

[0289] Optionally, as shown in S702 in Figure 7 below, the second network device may also send the first information and / or the third information to the core network device, so that the core network device determines that the second network device and / or the first network device is paged through the reminder signal.

[0290] The first information may refer to the description of the first information in S501 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0291] Among them, the third information can refer to the above description of the third information and will not be repeated here.

[0292] It can be understood that the second network device can send the first information to the core network device (the core network device can determine that the first network device is paged through the reminder signal based on the first information), or the second network device can send the third information to the core network device (the core network device can determine that the first network device is paged through the reminder signal based on the third information), or the second network device can send the first information and the third information to the core network device (the core network device can determine that the first network device is paged through the reminder signal based on the first information and the third information). Furthermore, the access network and the core network can keep the processing of the reminder signal consistent.

[0293] It is understandable that the execution order of S701 and S702 is not limited. S701 may be executed first and then S702; or S702 may be executed first and then S701; or S701 and S702 may be executed simultaneously without limitation.

[0294] It can be understood that the second network device sending the first information and / or third information to the core network device will not affect the second network device sending the third information to the terminal device. S701 and S702 are not necessarily related and can exist at the same time or one of them can exist.

[0295] Optionally, the second network device may send the first information and / or the third information to the core network device, and send the third information to the terminal device after receiving a response from the core network device, as shown in S703-S705 in FIG. 7 below:

[0296] S703. The second network device sends the first information and / or the third information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the first information and / or the third information from the second network device.

[0297] S704. The core network device sends first response information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the first response information from the core network device.

[0298] The first response information is used to respond to the first information and / or the third information. For example, the first response information is used to instruct the core network device to determine that the first network device is paged through the reminder signal.

[0299] S705. The second network device sends third information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information from the second network device.

[0300] Based on the communication method shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 , optionally, the second network device may determine whether to obtain the first information based on the first indication information and / or the capability information of the core network device. The specific steps may be as shown in FIG. 8 below:

[0301] S801. The core network device sends first indication information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the first indication information from the core network device.

[0302] Among them, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals; or, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to monitor reminder signals (it can also be understood that the first indication information is used to indicate whether the core network device allows the terminal device to monitor reminder signals).

[0303] The first indication information may also be referred to as user reminder indication (UE notification indicator) information.

[0304] In one example, taking the first indication information as an enumeration value, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals (or allows the terminal device to monitor reminder signals); when the enumeration value is false, it may indicate that the terminal device does not support monitoring reminder signals (or does not allow the terminal device to monitor reminder signals).

[0305] In one example, taking the first indication information as an enumeration value as an example, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals (or allows the terminal device to monitor reminder signals).

[0306] In another example, when the core network device does not send the first indication information to the second network device, the second network device may assume that the terminal device does not support monitoring reminder signals (or does not allow the terminal device to monitor reminder signals).

[0307] It is understandable that the core network device may proactively send the first indication information to the second network device, or may send the first indication information after the second network device requests it. As shown in S801a in Figure 8, the second network device may send the first request information to the core network device; further, the core network device may send the first indication information to the second network device based on the first request information. The first request information is used to request obtaining the first indication information.

[0308] S802. The core network device sends capability information of the core network device to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives capability information from the core network device.

[0309] The capability information of the core network device is used to indicate whether the core network device supports paging through a reminder signal.

[0310] The capability information of the core network device may also be referred to as core network notification indicator information or core network notification support indicator information.

[0311] In one example, taking the capability information of the core network device as an enumeration value, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the core network device supports paging through reminder signals; when the enumeration value is false, it may indicate that the core network device does not support paging through reminder signals.

[0312] In one example, taking the capability information of the core network device as an enumeration value as an example, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the core network device supports paging through reminder signals.

[0313] In another example, when the core network device does not send the capability information of the core network device to the second network device, the second network device may assume that the core network device does not support paging through the reminder signal.

[0314] It is understood that the core device may proactively send the capability information of the core network device to the second network device, or may send the capability information of the core network device after the second network device requests it. As shown in S802a of Figure 8, the second network device may send a second request message to the core network device; further, the core network device may send the capability information of the core network device to the second network device based on the second request message. The second request message is used to request whether the core network device supports the capability of paging via an alert signal.

[0315] It can be understood that the capability information of the core network device may refer to the capability information of the AMF network element, or the capability information of the core network device may refer to the capability information of the SMF network element, or the capability information of the core network device may refer to the capability information of the UPF network element, or the capability information of the core network device may refer to the capability information of any two network elements or all network elements among the AMF network element, the SMF network element, and the UPF network element, without limitation.

[0316] It is understandable that the execution order of S801 and S802 is not limited. S801 may be executed first and then S802; or S802 may be executed first and then S801; or S801 and S802 may be executed simultaneously without limitation.

[0317] It can be understood that only S801 can be executed, or only S802 can be executed, or both S801 and S802 can be executed (for example, the capability information of the core network device can be located in the first indication information, or the first indication information can be located in the capability information of the core network device, or the first indication information and the capability information of the core network device can be transmitted separately, or the first indication information and the capability information of the core network device can be transmitted in the same information).

[0318] Based on the communication method shown in FIG8 , on the one hand, the second network device can determine that the terminal device supports monitoring the reminder signal, or can determine that the core network device allows the terminal device to monitor the reminder signal, thereby minimizing the situation where the second network device instructs the first network device to send a reminder signal, but the terminal device is unable to monitor it, thereby reducing resource waste and improving communication reliability. On the other hand, the second network device can determine that the core network device supports paging via the reminder signal, thereby ensuring that the access network device and the core network device maintain consistency in their processing of the reminder signal.

[0319] Based on the communication methods shown in FIG6 to FIG8 , the core network device may optionally instruct the second network device to send the first information through different indication information. This application proposes several possible implementations of the core network device instructing the second network device to send the first information to the first network device and / or the second network device to send a reminder signal:

[0320] In a first possible implementation, the core network device may instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device and / or the second network device to send a reminder signal after the paging fails, through the second indication information.

[0321] The second indication information is used to indicate that the first information is sent to the first network device after the paging fails, or the second indication information is used to indicate that the second network device sends a reminder signal after the paging fails, or the second indication information is used to indicate that the second network device sends the first information to the first network device and the second network device sends a reminder signal after the paging fails.

[0322] The second indication information may be described as notification indicator information.

[0323] Specifically, the core network device sends the second indication information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the second indication information from the core network device. Further, the second network device sends the first information to the first network device after the paging fails.

[0324] It is understandable that, when receiving the second indication information, the second network device may send the first information to the first network device after the paging fails, and / or may send a reminder signal after the paging fails.

[0325] Optionally, the second indication information may be located in an extended header of a GTP-U; or, the second indication information may be located in an NGAP message. This application proposes two possible implementations:

[0326] In a first possible implementation, the second indication information may be located in an NGAP message.

[0327] In one example, taking the second indication information as an enumeration value as an example, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the second network device sends the first information and / or sends a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails; when the enumeration value is false, it may indicate that the second network device does not send the first information and / or does not send a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails.

[0328] In one example, taking the second indication information as an enumeration value as an example, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the second network device sends the first information and / or sends a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails.

[0329] In another example, when the core network device does not send the second indication information to the second network device, the second network device may default to not sending the first information to the first network device after the paging fails.

[0330] In a second possible implementation, the second indication information may be located in an extended header of the GTP-U.

[0331] In one example, taking the second indication information as one bit, when the bit value is 0, it may indicate that the second network device sends the first information and / or sends a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails; when the bit value is 1, it may indicate that the second network device does not send the first information and / or does not send a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails. Alternatively, when the bit value is 1, it may indicate that the second network device sends the first information and / or sends a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails; when the bit value is 0, it may indicate that the second network device does not send the first information and / or does not send a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails.

[0332] In another example, when the core network device does not send the second indication information to the second network device, the second network device may default to not sending the first information and / or not sending the reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails.

[0333] It can be understood that the second indication information can also be used to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device, that is, after receiving the second indication information, the second network device directly sends the first information to the first network device, and there is no need to wait for the paging failure before sending the first information to the first network device.

[0334] Alternatively, the second indication information may also be used to instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal, that is, the second network device directly sends a reminder signal after receiving the second indication information, without having to wait for paging failure before sending the reminder signal.

[0335] Alternatively, the second indication information can also be used to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device and the second network device to send a reminder signal, that is, after receiving the second indication information, the second network device directly sends the first information and the reminder signal to the first network device, without waiting for the paging failure to send the first information and the reminder signal to the first network device.

[0336] Based on the second possible implementation, in one possible embodiment, taking the second indication information being located in the extended header of GTP-U as an example, the structure of the extended header of GTP-U can be as shown in Figure 9 below. The extended header of GTP-U can occupy two bytes (one byte is 8 bits), and the second indication information can be carried in the second byte of the extended header of GTP-U (that is, the second indication information can be any one or more bits in the second byte).

[0337] Among them, bits [4] to [7] of the first byte in the GTP-U extension header are used to indicate the type of the protocol data unit.

[0338] Optionally, the GTP-U extension header may further include fourth indication information.

[0339] The fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the extended header of the GTP-U.

[0340] Exemplarily, taking the fourth indication information as one bit, when the bit value is 0, it may indicate that the second indication information exists in the GTP-U extension header; when the bit value is 1, it may indicate that the second indication information does not exist in the GTP-U extension header. Alternatively, when the bit value is 1, it may indicate that the second indication information exists in the GTP-U extension header; when the bit value is 0, it may indicate that the second indication information does not exist in the GTP-U extension header.

[0341] For example, the structure of the GTP-U extension header can be as shown in Figure 9 above, and the fourth indication information can be carried in the first byte of the GTP-U extension header, that is, the fourth indication information can be carried on any one of the bits [0] to [3] in the first byte (such as bit [0]).

[0342] It can be understood that when the fourth indication information indicates that the second indication information exists in the extended header of GTP-U, the first network device can continue to parse the second indication information in the extended header of GTP-U; or, when the fourth indication information indicates that the second indication information does not exist in the extended header of GTP-U, the first network device can no longer continue to parse the information in the extended header of GTP-U, thereby improving the working efficiency of the first network device.

[0343] In a second possible implementation, the core network device may instruct the second network device to send the first information and / or send a reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails, through the third indication information.

[0344] Among them, the third indication information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device after the paging fails when it receives a data packet including the identifier of the first service quality flow, or the third indication information is used to instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal after the paging fails when it receives a data packet including the identifier of the first service quality flow, or the third indication information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first information and the reminder signal to the first network device after the paging fails when it receives a data packet including the identifier of the first service quality flow.

[0345] Optionally, the third indication information may be located in the NGAP message.

[0346] It can be understood that when the core network device sends a data packet to the terminal device, the core network device can send the data packet to the second network device through different service quality flows. Further, the second network device can send the data packet to the terminal device through different data radio bearers (logical channels, DRBs).

[0347] Exemplarily, the core network device can configure the third indication information through a four-level structure (QoS flow setup request list > QoS flow setup request item > QoS flow identifier > notification indicator).

[0348] Different quality of service flows can be distinguished by different quality of service flow identifiers.

[0349] Exemplarily, the identifier of the quality of service flow may be an index of the quality of service flow, such as 0, 1, 2, . . .

[0350] It is understandable that when the service quality flow identifier included in the data packet received by the second network device is the identifier of the first service quality flow and the paging corresponding to the data packet fails, the second network device can send the first information and / or send a reminder signal to the first network device.

[0351] It can be understood that the third indication information can also be used to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device when it receives a data packet including the identification information of the first service quality flow, that is, when the second network device receives a data packet corresponding to the identification of the first service quality flow, the second network device can directly send the first information to the first network device, and the second network device does not need to wait for the paging failure before sending the first information to the first network device.

[0352] Alternatively, the third indication information can also be used to instruct the second network device to send the first information when it receives a data packet including identification information of the first service quality flow, that is, when the second network device receives a data packet corresponding to the identification of the first service quality flow, the second network device can directly send a reminder signal without waiting for the paging to fail before sending a reminder signal.

[0353] Alternatively, the third indication information can also be used to instruct the second network device to send the first information and the reminder signal to the first network device when it receives a data packet including the identification information of the first service quality flow. That is, when the second network device receives the data packet corresponding to the identification of the first service quality flow, the second network device can directly send the first information and the reminder signal to the first network device, without having to wait for the paging to fail before sending the first information and the reminder signal to the first network device.

[0354] Based on the above two possible implementations, on the one hand, the second network device can determine, based on the second indication information, that when paging fails, it sends the first information and / or sends a reminder signal to the first network device, and / or the second network device can send the first information and / or send a reminder signal to the first network device when it receives the service quality flow corresponding to the identifier of the first service quality flow and determines that the paging corresponding to the identifier of the first service quality flow fails, providing two feasible communication scenarios for the second network device to send the first information to the first network device, which can improve the flexibility of the second network device to send the first information to the first network device. On the other hand, the second network device can directly send the first information to the first network device after receiving the second indication information and / or the third indication information, so that the first network device directly sends the reminder signal, rather than sending the reminder signal after the paging fails, which can reduce the probability of failure of the paging terminal device and thereby improve the reliability of communication.

[0355] In a third possible implementation, when the second network device receives a data packet corresponding to a voice service or an emergency service from the core network device, the second network device may send a first message and / or a reminder signal to the first network device after paging fails.

[0356] Among them, the data packet corresponding to the voice service can be determined by the value of the 5G service quality (quality of service, QoS) indication (5GQoS Identifier, 5QI) in the data packet (that is, when the value of 5QI is 1, it can be represented as a data packet corresponding to the voice service); the data packet corresponding to the emergency service can be determined by the value of the allocation and retention priority (ARP).

[0357] It is understandable that when the second network device receives a data packet corresponding to a voice service or a data packet corresponding to an emergency service from the core network device, the second network device may directly send the first information and / or directly send a reminder signal to the first network device.

[0358] It is understandable that the above three possible implementations can be used in combination, can be used separately, or any two possible implementations can be used in combination without limitation.

[0359] Based on the communication method shown in Figures 5 to 8 above, the first network device can perform paging through a reminder signal, but the paging corresponding to the reminder signal may still fail. Therefore, after the first network device fails to perform paging through the reminder signal, it can directly send a fifth indication message to the core network device to enable the core network device to determine that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed. Accordingly, the core network device can trigger core network paging when it determines that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed; or, the first network device does not receive the UE context acquisition message, causing the second network device to determine that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed. Further, the second network device can send a fifth indication message to the core network device to enable the core network device to determine that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed. Accordingly, the core network device can trigger core network paging when it determines that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal has failed.

[0360] The fifth indication information is used to indicate that paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0361] For the convenience of description, this application takes the second network device sending the fifth indication information to the core network device as an example, so that the core network device determines that the paging corresponding to the reminder signal fails. Further, the core network device can trigger the core network paging. The specific steps can be shown in Figure 10 below:

[0362] S1001. The second network device sends fifth indication information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the fifth indication information from the second network device.

[0363] In one example, taking the fifth indication information as an enumeration value, when the enumeration value is false, it may indicate that paging through the reminder signal fails; when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that paging through the reminder signal succeeds.

[0364] In an example, taking the fifth indication information as an information element, when the value of the information element is Notification Error, it may indicate that paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0365] In another example, when the second network device does not send the fifth indication information to the core network device, the core network device may default to a paging success through the reminder signal.

[0366] It can be understood that the fifth indication information can be located in a UE context release request message, or the fifth indication information can be located in an NGAP message, or the fifth indication information can be transmitted separately, without limitation.

[0367] Optionally, the fifth indication information may also be used to indicate the reason why paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0368] Exemplarily, the reason for the failure of the reminder signal paging can be indicated by a cause value, for example, the cause value can be any one of the following: reminder paging failure, reminder signal failure, UE in RRC_INACTIVE state not reachable with notification signal, or UE in RRC_INACTIVE state not reachable with notification paging.

[0369] S1002. The core network device triggers core network paging according to the fifth indication information.

[0370] Among them, the core network device can send a core network paging message to other access network devices so that other core network devices instruct more network devices to perform paging (which can be understood as expanding the scope of paging), or the core network device can send a sixth indication message to the second network device.

[0371] The sixth indication information is used to indicate that the reminder signal with a sending period of the first period or to indicate a more robust sequence.

[0372] The duration of the first cycle is greater than the duration of the cycle indicated by the second information.

[0373] The duration of the first cycle is greater than / greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0374] It is understandable that the second threshold may be predefined, or the second threshold may be determined according to an actual communication situation or communication scenario, without limitation.

[0375] Further, the second network device may send a reminder signal with a period of the first period according to the sixth indication information, or the second network device may send the sixth indication information to the first network device to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal with a period of the first period.

[0376] Furthermore, the terminal device monitors the reminder signal according to the first period or a more robust sequence.

[0377] Based on the communication method shown in Figure 10, the core network device can determine that paging through the reminder signal has failed, and at the same time, the cause of the failure can be determined, and then a larger range of paging can be performed or the network device can be instructed to send a reminder signal with a shorter period. The probability of the terminal device successfully monitoring the reminder signal or paging message can be increased, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0378] Based on the communication method shown in Figures 5 to 8 above, due to the long delay of the reminder signal, the terminal device often experiences a long delay before it can access the network. This causes the core network device to fail to receive a response from the terminal device within the normally set NAS timer, thereby triggering corresponding fault tolerance processing or fault recovery processing. Therefore, different from the communication method shown in Figure 10 (i.e., the core device performs core network paging), the present application also proposes a communication method that can enable the core network device to adjust the NAS timer (such as increasing the duration of the NAS timer) when the first network device sends the first information and / or sends a reminder signal, so as to avoid the situation where the terminal device times out of response as much as possible. The specific steps can be shown in Figure 11 below:

[0379] S1101. The second network device sends first information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the first information from the second network device.

[0380] The first information may refer to the description of the first information in S501 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0381] S1102. The core network device adjusts or sets a NAS timer according to the first information.

[0382] Optionally, the second network device can send the first information to the AMF network element, and further, the AMF network element can send the first information to the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element can adjust or set the NAS timer; or, after the SMF network element receives the first information from the AMF network element, it can send the first information to the UPF network element, so that the UPF network element can adjust or set the NAS timer or start caching downlink data and suspend sending downlink data to the second network device.

[0383] Based on S1101 and S1102, the core network device can adjust or set the NAS timer to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0384] Optionally, different from the second network device sending the first information to the core network device, the second network device may also send the second information to the core network device:

[0385] S1103. The second network device sends third information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the third information from the third network device.

[0386] S1104. The core network device adjusts or sets the NAS timer according to the third information.

[0387] Optionally, the second network device can send the first information to the AMF network element, and further, the AMF network element can send the third information to the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element can adjust or set the NAS timer; or, after the SMF network element receives the third information from the AMF network element, it can send the third information to the UPF network element, so that the UPF network element can adjust or set the NAS timer or cache the downlink data and suspend sending downlink data to the second network device.

[0388] Based on S1103 and S1104, the core network device can determine the period, duration and other information of the reminder signal according to the third information, and thus better adjust the NAS timer to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0389] It can be understood that the second network device can send the first information to the core network device (i.e., only S1101 and S1102 exist), can send the third information to the core network device (i.e., only S1103 and S1104 exist), or can send the first information and the third information to the core network device (i.e., S1101, S1102, S1103, and S1104 exist).

[0390] Optionally, different from the second network device sending the first information (and / or third information) to the core network device, the second network device may send the capability information of the second network device to the core network device, so that the core network device determines whether the second network device supports paging through the reminder signal, and further determines whether to adjust the NAS timer:

[0391] S1105. The second network device sends capability information to the core network device. Correspondingly, the core network device receives the capability information from the second network device.

[0392] The capability information of the second network device is used to indicate whether the second network device supports paging through the reminder signal.

[0393] In one example, taking the capability information of the second network device as an enumeration value, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the second network device supports paging through reminder signals; when the enumeration value is false, it may indicate that the second network device does not support paging through reminder signals.

[0394] In an example, taking the capability information of the second network device as an enumeration value as an example, when the enumeration value is true, it may indicate that the second network device supports paging through a reminder signal.

[0395] In another example, when the second network device does not send capability information, the core network device may default to the second network device not supporting paging through the reminder signal.

[0396] It can be understood that the capability information of the second network device can be located in the NG setup request message, or the capability information of the second network device can be located in the NG access network configuration update message, or the capability information of the second network device can be transmitted separately without restriction.

[0397] Optionally, the capability information of the second network device may also be used to indicate whether one or more tracking area codes (TACs) of the second network device support paging through an alert signal.

[0398] TAC is a unique identifier used to indicate the location of the terminal device.

[0399] Exemplarily, the second network device may configure the capability information of the second network device according to a four-level structure (supported tracking area (TA) list > supported TA item > TAC > notification indication).

[0400] Optionally, the capability information of the second network device may also be used to indicate whether one or more cells of the second network device support paging through a reminder signal.

[0401] For example, taking the cell of the second network device indicated by the capability information of the second network device as an example, it is assumed that there are three cells (such as cell 0, cell 1, and cell 2. When the supported cell list is cell 0 and cell 1 (such as (cell 0, cell 1)), it can be indicated that cell 0 and cell 1 support paging through reminder signals, while cell 2 does not support paging through reminder signals; or, when the supported cell list is cell 0, cell 1, and cell 2 (such as (cell 0, cell 1, cell 2)), it can be indicated that cell 0, cell 1, and cell 2 support paging through reminder signals; or, the unsupported cell list is (cell 0, cell 1)), it can be indicated that cell 0 and cell 1 do not support paging through reminder signals.

[0402] It can be understood that the second network device can actively send capability information to the core network device, or send capability information after the core network device requests it. As shown in S1105a in Figure 11, the core network device can send a third request information to the second network device; accordingly, the second network device can send the capability information of the second network device to the core network device based on the third request information, and the third request information is used to request whether the second network device supports the ability to paging through a reminder signal.

[0403] S1106. The core network device adjusts the NAS timer according to the capability information of the second network device.

[0404] Optionally, the second network device can send the capability information of the second network device to the AMF network element. Further, the AMF network element can send the capability information of the second network device to the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element can adjust or set the NAS timer; or, after the SMF network element receives the capability information of the second network device from the AMF network element, it can send the capability information of the second network device to the UPF network element, so that the UPF network element can adjust or set the NAS timer or start caching downlink data and suspend sending downlink data to the second network device.

[0405] Based on S1105 and S1106, the core network device can determine that the second network device is paging through the reminder signal, and then the core network device can adjust or set the NAS timer to ensure that the terminal device responds to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0406] It is understandable that the communication method shown in FIG. 11 may be performed before S501 or before S602 .

[0407] It is understandable that the execution order of S1101 , S1103 , and S1105 is not limited.

[0408] It is understandable that S1101, S1103, and S1105 can exist at the same time, or can exist separately, or any two of them can exist at the same time, without limitation.

[0409] Based on the communication method shown in FIG11 , the core network device may adjust the NAS timer to enable the terminal device to respond to the paging corresponding to the reminder signal within the NAS timer as much as possible, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0410] Optionally, unlike the second network device sending the first information to the first network device to instruct the first network device to send a reminder signal, the present application also proposes a communication method, in which the core network device can send the first information to the second network device (it should be noted that, in this communication method, the core network device can send the first information to any network device (for example, the core network device can also send the first information to the first network device). For ease of understanding, this application takes the core network device sending the first information to the second network device as an example). The second network device can send a reminder signal based on the first information. The specific steps can be shown in Figure 12 below:

[0411] S1201. The core network device obtains first information.

[0412] The first information may refer to the description of the first information in S501 above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0413] It is understandable that the core network device can be an AMF network element.

[0414] S1202. The core network device sends first information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device receives the first information from the core network device.

[0415] It is understandable that the core network device can send the first information to the second network device after detecting the paging failure (as shown in S1200 in Figure 12), or the core network device can directly send the first information to the second network device (that is, without detecting whether the paging fails, directly instructing the second network device to send a reminder signal).

[0416] Optionally, the core network device may send the second information to the second network device; correspondingly, the second network device may receive the second information from the core network device.

[0417] The second information may refer to the above description of the second information and will not be elaborated here.

[0418] It can be understood that the core network device can send the first information to the second network device to explicitly instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal; or, the core network device can send the second information to the second network device to implicitly instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal; or, the core network device can send the first information and the second information to the second network device to explicitly instruct the second network device to send a reminder signal.

[0419] S1203: The second network device sends one or more reminder signals according to the first information.

[0420] Among them, S1203 is similar to S503 and is not described in detail here.

[0421] Based on the communication method shown in Figure 12, the core network device can send a first information to the second network device so that the second network device sends a reminder signal according to the first information. The present application introduces a reminder signal to enable the terminal device to better monitor the paging message when the signal-to-noise ratio is low. That is, after monitoring the reminder signal, the terminal device can move to a position where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than the first threshold to more effectively monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine that the second network device will send a paging message after monitoring the reminder signal and continue to monitor the paging message. Alternatively, the terminal device can directly access the second network device to realize communication with the second network device, thereby improving the robustness of the paging message, and improving the reliability of communication and the user's communication experience.

[0422] Based on the communication method shown in FIG12 , optionally, the core network device may determine whether to send the first information (and / or the second information) to the second network device according to the capability information of the terminal device (for convenience of description, this application takes whether the core network device sends the first information as an example). The specific steps may be as shown in FIG13 below:

[0423] S1301. The terminal device sends capability information of the terminal device to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the capability information from the terminal device.

[0424] The capability information of the terminal device is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals.

[0425] In one example, taking the capability information of the terminal device as one bit, when the ratio is 0, it can indicate that the terminal device does not support the monitoring reminder signal; when the ratio is 1, it can indicate that the terminal device supports the monitoring reminder signal. Alternatively, when the ratio is 1, it can indicate that the terminal device does not support the monitoring reminder signal; when the ratio is 0, it can indicate that the terminal device supports the monitoring reminder signal.

[0426] In another example, when the terminal device does not send the capability information of the terminal device, the core network device may assume that the terminal device does not support monitoring reminder signals.

[0427] It is understandable that the capability information of the terminal device may be located in an uplink NAS message (eg, a registration request message, a service request message, a registration update request message, etc.).

[0428] It is understandable that the terminal device can send capability information directly to the core network device, or send capability information to the core network device after receiving the request information from the core network device:

[0429] S1301a. The core network device sends a fourth request message to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth request message from the core network device.

[0430] The fourth request information is used to request whether the terminal device supports the capability of monitoring reminder signals.

[0431] Based on S1301 and S1301a, the core network device can determine that the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals, and can avoid as much as possible the situation where the core network device instructs the second network device to send a reminder signal while the terminal device cannot monitor, thereby reducing resource waste.

[0432] Optionally, the core network device may further determine whether to send the first information to the second network device according to the fourth information sent by the terminal device, as shown in S1302:

[0433] S1302. The terminal device sends fourth information to the core network device; correspondingly, the core network device receives the fourth information from the terminal device.

[0434] The fourth information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period during which the terminal device expects to monitor the reminder signal, the duration during which the terminal device expects to monitor the reminder signal, or the number of times the terminal device expects to monitor the reminder signal.

[0435] For example, the period of the terminal device's expected monitoring reminder signal can be any one of the following: 32 frames, 64 frames, 128 frames, 256 frames, ...; or, the duration of the terminal device's expected monitoring reminder signal can be any one of the following: 2ms, 4ms, 6ms, ...; or, the number of repetitions of the terminal device's expected monitoring reminder signal can be any one of the following: 2, 4, 6, ...

[0436] Optionally, the core network device may determine the second information based on the fourth information.

[0437] It can be understood that the core network device can determine the period, duration, or number of repetitions of the terminal device's expected monitoring reminder signal based on the fourth information, and then determine the second information so that the terminal device can better monitor the reminder signal and improve communication performance.

[0438] It is understandable that the order of S1301 and S1302 is not important.

[0439] It is understandable that S1301 and S1302 may exist at the same time, or only one of them may exist, without limitation.

[0440] Based on the communication method shown in Figure 13, the core network device can determine whether to send the first information (and / or the second information) to the second network device based on the capability information or the fourth information of the terminal device, so as to avoid as much as possible the situation where the core network device instructs the second network device to send a reminder signal while the terminal device is unable to monitor the reminder signal, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0441] Optionally, the communication method shown in this application can also be used in a CU / DU split scenario, that is, the CU can send first information to the DU, and the DU can send a reminder signal based on the first information. The specific steps can be shown in Figure 14 below:

[0442] S1401. CU obtains first information.

[0443] Among them, S1401 is similar to the above-mentioned S501 and is not described in detail here.

[0444] S1402. The CU sends first information to the DU; correspondingly, the DU receives the first information from the CU.

[0445] It can be understood that the first information can be located in the FI (FI is the interface between CU and DU) paging message.

[0446] Optionally, the CU may send the second information to the DU; correspondingly, the DU may receive the second information from the CU.

[0447] The second information may refer to the above description of the second information and will not be elaborated here.

[0448] It can be understood that the CU can send the first information to the DU to instruct the DU to send a reminder signal; or, the CU can send the second information to the DU to instruct the DU to send a reminder signal; or, the CU can send the first information and the second information to the DU to instruct the DU to send a reminder signal.

[0449] It is understandable that the CU may send the first information to the DU after detecting the paging failure (as shown in S1400 ), or the CU may directly send the first information to the DU.

[0450] S1403. The DU sends one or more reminder signals according to the first information.

[0451] Among them, S1403 is similar to the above S503 and is not described here in detail.

[0452] It should be noted that the various embodiments of this application can be implemented independently or in combination, without limitation. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of the different embodiments provided in this application are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0453] It is understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be performed in a different order than those presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be performed.

[0454] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided by this application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. Accordingly, this application also provides a communication device, which is used to implement the various methods described above. The communication device can be the second network device in the above method embodiments, or a device that includes the above second network device, or a component that can be used for the second network device; alternatively, the communication device can be the first network device involved in the above method embodiments, or a device that includes the first network device, or a component that can be used for the first network device.

[0455] In specific implementations, the various terminal devices, network devices, and core network devices shown in Figures 3-14 may adopt the structure shown in Figure 15, or include the components shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 150 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 150 may be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-chip in a terminal device; it may also be a network device or a chip or system-on-chip in a network device; it may also be a core network device or a chip or system-on-chip in a core network device.

[0456] As shown in FIG15 , the communication device 150 includes one or more processors 1501. Furthermore, the communication device 150 may also include a communication bus 1502 and at least one communication interface ( FIG15 is merely exemplary, illustrating the communication device 150 including a communication interface 1504 and one processor 1501). Optionally, the communication device 150 may also include a memory 1503.

[0457] Processor 1501 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application, or a processing core for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions). The processor can be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor.

[0458] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1501 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG15 .

[0459] Communication bus 1502 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, for example. Such a bus may be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, or the like. For ease of illustration, FIG15 shows only one thick line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or type of bus. Communication bus 1502 is used to connect the various components of communication device 150, enabling communication and interaction between the various components.

[0460] Communication interface 1504 may be a transceiver module for communicating with other devices or a communication network, such as Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), or a wireless local area network (WLAN). Exemplarily, communication interface 1504 may be a device such as a transceiver or a transceiver. Alternatively, communication interface 1504 may be a transceiver circuit within processor 1501 for implementing signal input and output to the processor.

[0461] The memory 1503 may be a device having a storage function. For example, it may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via the communication bus 1502. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0462] Exemplarily, the memory 1503 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 1501. The processor 1501 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1503, thereby implementing the method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0463] Alternatively, optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the processor 1501 may also perform processing-related functions in the method provided in the following embodiments of the present application, and the communication interface 1504 is responsible for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0464] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0465] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 150 may further include an output device 1505 and an input device 1506. The output device 1505 communicates with the processor 1501 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 1505 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 1506 communicates with the processor 1501 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 1506 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0466] It should be noted that the composition structure shown in Figure 15 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 15, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0467] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0468] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0469] In one implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the second network device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG16 shows a schematic structural diagram of a second network device 160. The second network device 160 includes a processing module 1601 and a transceiver module 1602.

[0470] In some embodiments, the second network device 160 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 16 ) for storing program instructions and data.

[0471] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1602, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement a transmitting and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 1602 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0472] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1602 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the second network device in the above method embodiment, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 1601 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the second network device in the above method embodiment, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0473] Exemplarily, the processing module 1601 is used to obtain first information; wherein the first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; the transceiver module 1602 is used to send the first information to the first network device.

[0474] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1602 is further used to send second information to the first network device; wherein the second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; the expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; the reminder attempt count is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal has been sent.

[0475] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1602 is further used to receive a first indication message from a core network device, wherein the first indication message is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring reminder signals; or, the first indication message is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to monitor reminder signals.

[0476] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1602 is further configured to receive capability information from a core network device; wherein the capability information of the core network device is used to indicate whether the core network device supports paging via a reminder signal.

[0477] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1602 is further used to receive a second indication message from the core network device; wherein the second indication message is used to indicate that the first information is sent to the first network device after the paging fails; and / or, the transceiver module 1602 is further used to receive a third indication message from the core network device; wherein the third indication message is used to indicate that the second network device sends the first information to the first network device after the paging fails when receiving a data packet including an identifier of the first quality of service flow.

[0478] In a possible implementation, the second indication information is located in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Tunneling Protocol user plane GTP-U of a data packet; or, the second indication information and / or the third indication information is located in a Next Generation Application Protocol NGAP message.

[0479] In a possible implementation, the GTP-U extension header further includes fourth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the GTP-U extension header.

[0480] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1602 is further configured to send the first information to the core network device.

[0481] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1602 is also used to send third information to one or more of the following devices: terminal devices, core network devices; wherein the third information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, or the number of repetitions of the reminder signal.

[0482] One possible implementation is to send fifth indication information to the core network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate that paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0483] In a possible implementation, the fifth indication information is further used to indicate the reason why paging through the reminder signal fails.

[0484] In the present application, the second network device 160 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. Here, "module" can refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0485] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the second network device 160 may take the form of the communication device 150 shown in FIG. 15 .

[0486] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 1601 in FIG16 can be implemented by the processor 1501 in the communication device 150 shown in FIG15 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1503. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1602 in FIG16 can be implemented by the communication interface 1504 in the communication device 150 shown in FIG15.

[0487] In some embodiments, when the second network device 160 in Figure 16 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1602 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1601 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0488] Since the second network device 160 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0489] In another implementation scenario, taking the communication device as the first network device in the above method embodiment as an example, FIG17 shows a schematic structural diagram of a first network device 170. The first network device 170 includes a processing module 1701 and a transceiver module 1702.

[0490] In some embodiments, the first network device 170 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 17 ) for storing program instructions and data.

[0491] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1702, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement a transmitting and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 1702 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0492] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1702 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the receiving and sending steps performed by the first network device in the above method embodiment, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 1701 may be used to execute the processing steps (such as determination, generation, etc.) performed by the first network device in the above method embodiment, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0493] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1702 is used to receive first information from a second network device; wherein the first information is used to indicate that a reminder signal is sent in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal receiving power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; the transceiver module 1702 is also used to send one or more reminder signals based on the first information.

[0494] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1702 is further configured to send a first paging message; or the reminder signal includes the first paging message.

[0495] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1702 is further used to receive second information from the second network device; wherein the second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; the expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; the reminder attempt count is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal has been sent.

[0496] In the present application, the first network device 170 is presented in the form of various functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0497] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the first network device 170 may take the form of the communication apparatus 150 shown in FIG. 15 .

[0498] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 1701 in FIG17 can be implemented by the processor 1501 in the communication device 150 shown in FIG15 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1503. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 1702 in FIG17 can be implemented by the communication interface 1504 in the communication device 150 shown in FIG5.

[0499] In some embodiments, when the first network device 170 in Figure 17 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 1702 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 1701 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0500] Since the first network device 170 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0501] As a possible product form, the second network device or the first network device described in the embodiment of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described throughout this application.

[0502] As another possible product form, the second network device or the first network device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 18, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 180 provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 180 includes a processor 1801 and a transceiver 1802. The communication device 180 can be a second network device, or a chip or module therein; or, the communication device 180 can be a first network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 18 only shows the main components of the communication device 180. In addition to the processor 1801 and the transceiver 1802, the communication device may further include a memory 1803. Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor.

[0503] Optionally, processor 1801 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 1803 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 1802 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0504] Optionally, the processor 1801 , the transceiver 1802 , and the memory 1803 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0505] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1801 can read the software program in the memory 1803, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1801 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves via the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1801. The processor 1801 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0506] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be remotely arranged independent of the communication device.

[0507] In some embodiments, the present application also provides a communication device, which includes a processor, configured to implement the method in any of the above method embodiments. The communication device may be the second network device or the first network device in the above method embodiments.

[0508] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may invoke the instructions in the computer program stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to perform any of the above-described method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be located in the communication device.

[0509] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0510] As another possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, where the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0511] It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0512] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0513] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0514] It is understood that the systems, devices, and methods described in this application may also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. 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. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0515] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, i.e., they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the objectives of this embodiment as needed.

[0516] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0517] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes (or functions) described in the embodiments of the present application are implemented. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that contains one or more media that can be integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive (SSD)). In the embodiment of the present application, the computer may include the aforementioned device.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Obtaining first information; wherein the first information is used to instruct sending a reminder signal in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; The first information is sent to the first network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information to the first network device; The second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; The expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; The reminder attempt count value is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal is sent.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Before obtaining the first information, the method further includes: Receive first indication information from a core network device, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device supports monitoring the reminder signal; or, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the terminal device is allowed to monitor the reminder signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Before obtaining the first information, the method further includes: Receive capability information from a core network device; wherein the capability information of the core network device is used to indicate whether the core network device supports paging through the reminder signal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Before sending the first information to the first network device, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from a core network device; wherein the second indication information is used to instruct to send the first information to the first network device after the paging fails; and / or, Receive third indication information from the core network device; wherein the third indication information is used to instruct the second network device to send the first information to the first network device after paging fails when receiving a data packet including an identifier of the first quality of service flow.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The second indication information is located in an extension header of a General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol User Plane GTP-U of a data packet; or, The second indication information and / or the third indication information is located in a Next Generation Application Protocol NGAP message.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The GTP-U extension header also includes fourth indication information; wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate whether the second indication information exists in the GTP-U extension header.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send the first information to the core network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The third information is sent to one or more of the following devices: the terminal device, the core network device; wherein the third information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, or the number of repetitions of the reminder signal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send fifth indication information to the core network device; wherein the fifth indication information is used to indicate that paging through the reminder signal fails.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The fifth indication information is further used to indicate the reason why the paging through the reminder signal fails.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving first information from a second network device; wherein the first information is used to instruct sending a reminder signal in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; The reminder signal is sent once or multiple times according to the first information.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that Sending a first paging message; or The reminder signal includes a first paging message.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second information from the second network device; The second information is used to indicate one or more of the following: the period of the reminder signal, the duration of the reminder signal, the number of repetitions of the reminder signal, the expected number of reminder attempts, the reminder attempt count, or the area corresponding to the next reminder signal; The expected number of reminder attempts is used to indicate the maximum number of times the reminder signal is expected to be sent; The reminder attempt count value is used to indicate the current number of times the reminder signal is sent.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processing module, configured to obtain first information; wherein the first information is used to instruct sending a reminder signal in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; The transceiver module is used to send the first information to the first network device.

16. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to receive first information from a second network device; wherein the first information is used to instruct the sending of a reminder signal in the event of a paging failure; the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to move to a location where the signal reception power or reception quality is greater than a first threshold; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to continue monitoring the paging message; or, the reminder signal is used to instruct the terminal device to access the access network; The transceiver module is further configured to send the reminder signal once or multiple times according to the first information.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction, or to use a logic circuit to enable the communication device to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or to enable the communication device to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, which, when executed on a computer, enable the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to be executed, or enable the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 to be executed.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are executed, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is executed, or the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 is executed.

20. A chip, characterized in that: include: a memory for storing computer program instructions; A processor, configured to execute the computer program instructions so that a communication device including the chip performs the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or so that a communication device including the chip performs the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

21. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a second network device and a first network device; wherein the second network device is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the first network device is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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