Communication method, apparatus, and system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, an apparatus, and a system, for use in allowing a base station to page UEs within partial regions in a cell. Further, in the embodiments of the present application, a paging message can be used to page terminal devices within a coverage area smaller than that of a cell, and is applicable to the field of satellite communications, for example, non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication scenarios. The method comprises: receiving a paging message, the paging message indicating at least one MBS and region information respectively corresponding to the at least one MBS, and the region information indicating one or more regions in a first cell associated with a related MBS, wherein the one or more regions are partial regions in the first cell, and the coverage area of any region in the first cell is smaller than that of the first cell; and receiving, in a first region, data corresponding to an MBS associated with the first region, wherein the first region belongs to the first cell.

Description

Communication method, apparatus and system

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411120485.8, filed on August 14, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, apparatus and system", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a session communication method, apparatus and system. BACKGROUND

[0003] A base station can wake up a user equipment (UE) in the coverage range of at least one cell through paging. The paging message sent by the base station can include a multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier. After receiving the paging message, the UE can trigger a resume radio resource control (RRC) connection to receive data corresponding to the MBS if the UE is interested in the MBS indicated by the MBS identifier, so as to realize that the network provides the MBS for the UE.

[0004] How to reasonably perform paging to reduce the energy consumption of the base station and the UE becomes a technical problem to be solved urgently. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus and system for the base station to page the UE in part of the area of one cell, which can reduce the energy consumption.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The apparatus performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, a chip system, a module or a component, etc., applied in the terminal device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: receiving a paging message, the paging message indicating at least one multicast broadcast service (MBS) and area information corresponding to the at least one MBS respectively, the area information indicating one or more areas in a first cell associated with the related MBS, wherein the one or more areas are part of the first cell, and the coverage range of any area in the first cell is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell; and receiving data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area in the first area, wherein the first area belongs to the first cell.

[0008] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the paging message can be used to indicate the area information corresponding to the at least one MBS, so that the terminal devices located in one or more areas in the first cell associated with the MBS can be paged. Since the one or more areas are part of the first cell, the paging message can be used to page the terminal devices in the coverage range smaller than the first cell, which is suitable for the NTN scenario. This is because in the NTN scenario, the coverage range of a cell is very wide, and if the terminal devices in one or more cells are paged, the number of paged terminal devices will be too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices will also be paged. In addition, the terminal devices located in the first area can only receive the data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area, without receiving the data corresponding to the MBS associated with the other areas in the first cell except the first area, so that the terminal devices receive less redundant information, which is beneficial to the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal devices.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the paging message includes an MBS identifier of each MBS in the at least one MBS, and the area information related to the each MBS. In this scheme, one MBS identifier can be used to identify or indicate one MBS, in other words, one MBS identifier can correspond to one MBS.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation, the MBS identifier is a temporary mobile group identifier (TMGI). Exemplarily, the MBS identifier can also be an IP address or a port number of a data server, such as a source specific IP multicast address. Further, the MBS identifier can also be other MBS session identifiers, or a value that identifies one MBS, which is not limited in the present application.

[0011] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the inactive state when the terminal device is located in the at least one second area. Generally, the terminal device can only receive data in the connected state, that is, the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the MBS from the network device only after the RRC connection is established between the terminal device and the network device. Since the number of RRC connections that can be established by the network device is limited, the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS from the network device is also limited. In this scheme, the terminal device located in the second area is allowed to receive data in the inactive state, thereby increasing the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS, that is, increasing the number of terminal devices (that is, the receiving end of data in the MBS) that accept the MBS.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the inactive state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area. For example, the first field can be an inactive reception allowed (inactiveReceptionAllowed) field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The second field can be an associated area (Accosicated_Area) field.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; receiving data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area in the first area comprises: when the at least one second area comprises the first area, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the inactive state; or when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the inactive state within a first time period. This scheme can be applied to a scenario in which the distance between the network device and the terminal device changes over time, such as a network device deployed on a satellite or a network device being a satellite with communication function. In this scheme, the network device can determine the first time period based on the distance between the network device and the terminal device. The first time period can meet the condition that the distance between the network device and the terminal device is relatively close and the link budget is good, thereby guaranteeing the reliability of data transmission.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. For example, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The third field can comprise a time point, and the first time period is a time period before or after the time point. Alternatively, the third field can comprise two time points, and the first time period is a time period between the two time points.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; receiving, in the first area, data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area comprises: receiving, in the deactivated state, data corresponding to the first MBS within the first time period; or receiving, in the connected state, data corresponding to the first MBS in a time period outside the first time period. In this scheme, in the time period outside the first time period, the distance between the network device and the terminal device is far, and the link budget is poor. In order to ensure the reliability of data transmission, the terminal device can receive data in the connected state. When the link budget is poor, the initial transmission of data can fail, and then the network device needs to retransmit the data. The terminal device receives data in the connected state, which is beneficial to improve the probability of successful reception of data by the terminal device, that is, to improve the success rate of data retransmission, and then to improve the reliability of data transmission.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state when a terminal device is located in an area of at least one second area within the first time period. In this scheme, the terminal device located in the second area is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, which can increase the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS, that is, the number of terminal devices that accept the MBS. In addition, the network device can determine the first time period based on the distance between the terminal device and the network device to ensure the reliability of data transmission.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. For example, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The second field can be an Accosicated_Area field. The third field can comprise one time point, and the first time period is a time period before or after the time point. Alternatively, the third field can comprise two time points, and the first time period is a time period between the two time points.

[0019] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; and the receiving, in the first area, data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area comprises: receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second area comprises the first area; or receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area, or in a time period other than the first time period.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; and the method further comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. In this solution, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can stop detecting a channel carrying data corresponding to the first MBS associated with the first area, until the first MBS associated with the first area is activated again.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of paging occasions (POs) and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell, and the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource used to send a paging message; and receiving, in a first area, a paging message in a PO corresponding to the first area according to the association relationship, wherein the first area belongs to the N areas.

[0022] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the plurality of POs can be associated with the N regions constituting the first cell, so that the terminal device in the first region can detect the channel carrying the paging message only in the PO corresponding to the first region to receive the paging message, without the need to detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO corresponding to the other regions in the first cell except the first region, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, the paging message can be used to page the terminal device in the first region. Since the coverage range of the first region is smaller than that of the first cell, this implementation mode is suitable for the NTN scenario, and can avoid the problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices to be paged are also paged.

[0023] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation mode, the association relationship is an association relationship between each PO in the plurality of POs and one or more regions in the N regions; the association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each PO in the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each bit in the N bits corresponds to a region, and each bit in the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap; or the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each PO in the plurality of POs corresponds to a table item, the table item includes information of the corresponding PO and information of one or more regions associated with the PO corresponding to the table item.

[0024] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation mode, in the first region, before receiving the paging message in the PO corresponding to the first region according to the association relationship, the method further includes: receiving a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first region. In this scheme, the transmission of the PEI occurs before the transmission of the paging message. When the PEI indicates that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first region, the terminal device can receive the paging message in the PO. When the PEI indicates that the PO does not carry the paging message corresponding to the first region, the terminal device can not detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO. In addition, the terminal device has less overhead in parsing the PEI, and thus the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device can be achieved.

[0025] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation mode, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device located in the region in the at least one second region is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state. The technical effect of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0026] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect above, and are not described herein again.

[0027] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier; the method further comprises: when the at least one second area comprises the first area, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0028] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state within a first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect above, and are not described herein again.

[0029] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect above, and are not described herein again.

[0030] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; the method further comprises: within the first time period, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or within a time period other than the first time period, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect above, and are not described herein again.

[0031] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state when a region located in the at least one second area within a first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect above, and are not described herein again.

[0032] With reference to the second aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect above, and are not described herein again.

[0033] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the method further comprises: receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state when the at least one second area comprises the first area; or receiving, in the first time period or in a time period other than the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area.

[0034] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the method further comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. The technical effects of this solution can be found in the related description of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0035] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: obtaining a first association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; obtaining a second association relationship between the plurality of MBS identifiers and a plurality of paging occasions (POs), wherein the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource used to send a paging message; in a first area, when interested in a first MBS associated with the first area, receiving a paging message in a PO associated with the first MBS, wherein the first area belongs to the N areas, and the first MBS identifier belongs to the plurality of MBS identifiers.

[0036] In the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device and the network device can also transmit the paging message according to the association relationship between the MBS identifier and the area and the association relationship between the MBS identifier and the PO. Therefore, when the terminal device in the first area is interested in the first MBS associated with the first area, the terminal device can only detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO associated with the first MBS identifier to receive the paging message, without detecting the channel carrying the paging message in the PO associated with other MBS identifiers than the first MBS identifier, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, the paging message can be used to page the terminal device in the first area. Since the coverage range of the first area is smaller than that of the first cell, the implementation mode is suitable for the NTN scenario, and can avoid the problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices are also paged.

[0037] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, before receiving the paging message in the PO associated with the first MBS, the method further includes: receiving a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first MBS. In this scheme, the transmission of the PEI occurs before the transmission of the paging message. When the PEI indicates that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first MBS, the terminal device can receive the paging message in the PO. When the PEI indicates that the PO does not carry the paging message corresponding to the first MBS, the terminal device can not detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO. In addition, the terminal device has less overhead in parsing the PEI, and therefore the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device can be achieved.

[0038] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that the data in the deactivation state is allowed to be received when the terminal device is located in the area of the at least one second area. The technical effect of this scheme can be seen in the related description of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0039] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the data in the deactivation state is allowed to be received, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area. The technical effect of this scheme can be seen in the related description of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0040] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: when the at least one second area includes the first area, receiving the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivation state; or when the at least one second area does not include the first area, receiving the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connection state.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state within the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0042] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further comprises: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state within a time period other than the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region within the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further comprises: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second region comprises the first region within the first time period; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state when the at least one second region does not comprise the first region within the first time period, or within a time period other than the first time period.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further comprises: receiving first indication information used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated.

[0048] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method can be performed by a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, or a chip system, or a module, or a component, etc., which is applied to the terminal device to implement a communication function. The communication method comprises: receiving a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating whether a paging message corresponding to each of N regions is carried in a next paging occasion (PO), wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; a coverage range of any region in the N regions is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; and when the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to a first region is carried in the PO, receiving the paging message on the PO in the first region, wherein the first region belongs to the N regions.

[0049] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the PEI can be used to indicate whether the paging message corresponding to each of the N regions constituting the first cell is carried in the next PO. On the one hand, when the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first region where the terminal device is located is carried in the next PO, the terminal device can receive the paging message in the next PO. When the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first region where the terminal device is located is not carried in the next PO, the terminal device can not detect the channel carrying the paging message in the next PO. In addition, the terminal device has less overhead in parsing the PEI, so as to achieve the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, the paging message can be used to page the terminal devices in the first region. Since the coverage range of the first region is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell, the implementation is suitable for the NTN scenario, and can avoid the problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices are also paged.

[0050] In combination with the fourth aspect described above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0051] In combination with the fourth aspect described above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region. The technical effects of this scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0052] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier; and the method further comprises: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period when the at least one second area comprises the first area; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area.

[0053] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state within a first time period. The technical effects of this solution can be found in the description of the first aspect above, and are not repeated here.

[0054] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The technical effects of this solution can be found in the description of the first aspect above, and are not repeated here.

[0055] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the method further comprises: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state within a time period outside the first time period. The technical effects of this solution can be found in the description of the first aspect above, and are not repeated here.

[0056] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state when a region located in the at least one second area within a first time period. The technical effects of this solution can be found in the description of the first aspect above, and are not repeated here.

[0057] With reference to the fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The technical effects of this solution can be found in the description of the first aspect above, and are not repeated here.

[0058] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the method further comprises: receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state when the at least one second area comprises the first area; or receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area or in a time period other than the first time period.

[0059] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the method further comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. The technical effects of the scheme can be referred to the related description in the first aspect, and will not be described herein.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, or a chip system, or a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service control channels (MBS control channels, MCCHs) and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; a coverage range of any area in the N areas is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; and in a first area, receiving first configuration information through a first MCCH associated with the first area, wherein the first configuration information is multicast broadcast service (MBS) configuration information associated with the first area, the first area belongs to the N areas, and the first MCCH belongs to the plurality of MCCHs.

[0061] In the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the plurality of MCCHs can be associated with the N areas, so that the terminal device in the first area can receive the MBS configuration information associated with the first area through the first MCCH associated with the first area, without detecting the MCCHs other than the first MCCH in the plurality of MCCHs, thereby avoiding the terminal device from receiving the MBS configuration information associated with the areas other than the first area. On the one hand, the terminal device only needs to detect the first MCCH, and the detection time is shorter, which is beneficial to saving the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, the terminal device receives less redundant information, which is beneficial to the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0062] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the plurality of MCCHs are located in one MCCH period in the time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, the first length being a length of the MCCH period. Exemplarily, the MCCH period can be a modification period.

[0063] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the MBS configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with one or more areas in a next MCCH period is updated; in a case where the one or more areas include the first area, receiving, in a first period, second configuration information through a second MCCH, the second configuration information being the updated MBS configuration information associated with the first area, the first period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH being the MCCH associated with the first area in the first period. In this scheme, when the MBS configuration information associated with the first area is updated, the terminal device located in the first area can receive the updated MBS configuration information associated with the first area through the second MCCH according to the first indication information, without detecting the MCCH associated with other areas than the first area in the first period, thereby further saving the power consumption of the terminal device, and facilitating the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0064] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving third configuration information through a third MCCH, the third configuration information being common MBS configuration information associated with the first area and at least one third area, the third area being an area other than the first area. In this scheme, when there is more common MBS configuration information, the common MBS configuration information is transmitted through the third MCCH, which can reduce the amount of information carried on the first MCCH and the MCCH associated with the third area. In addition, compared with the scheme in which the MBS configuration information associated with the first area is carried on the first MCCH associated with the first area, and the MBS configuration information associated with the third area is carried on the MCCH associated with the third area, this scheme can significantly reduce the amount of information to be transmitted as a whole.

[0065] With reference to the fifth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. In this scheme, after receiving the second indication information, the terminal device can stop detecting a channel carrying data of the first MBS corresponding to the first area, until the first MBS associated with the first area is activated again.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, or a chip system, or a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identities and a plurality of MBS control channels (MCCHs); and receiving first configuration information through a first MCCH associated with a first MBS identity, wherein the first MCCH belongs to the plurality of MCCHs, the first configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identity, and the first MBS is an interested MBS.

[0067] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the plurality of MCCHs can be associated with the plurality of MBS identities, so that the terminal device interested in the first MBS can receive the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identity through the first MCCH associated with the first MBS identity. The terminal only needs to detect the MCCH associated with the MBS identity corresponding to the interested MBS, and does not need to detect the MCCH associated with the MBS identity corresponding to the uninterested MBS. On the one hand, this is conducive to saving the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, the terminal device receives less redundant information, which is conducive to the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0068] In combination with the sixth aspect described above, in a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information indicates one or more areas in a first cell associated with the first MBS; the one or more areas are part of the first cell, and the coverage of any area in the first cell is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0069] In combination with the sixth aspect described above, in a possible implementation manner, the plurality of MCCHs are located in one MCCH period in the time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, and the first length is the time length of the MCCH period. Exemplarily, the MCCH period can be a modification period.

[0070] In a possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating that configuration information carried on a MCCH associated with one or more MBS identifiers in a next MCCH period is updated; in a case where the one or more MBS identifiers includes the first MBS identifier, receiving second configuration information through a second MCCH in a first period; the second configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier after the update, the first period is a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH is a MCCH associated with the first MBS identifier in the first period. In this scheme, when the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier is updated, the terminal device can receive the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier after the update through the second MCCH according to the first indication information, without detecting a MCCH corresponding to an MBS identifier other than the first MBS identifier in the first period, thereby further saving power consumption of the terminal device and facilitating the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0071] In a possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the method further includes: in the first region, receiving second indication information, the second indication information indicating that configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identifiers associated with one or more regions in a next MCCH period is updated; in a case where the one or more MBS identifiers associated with the one or more regions includes the first MBS identifier associated with the first region, receiving third configuration information through a third MCCH in a second period; the third configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first region after the update, the second period is a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the second indication information is located, and the third MCCH is a MCCH associated with the first MBS in the second period.

[0072] In this scheme, when the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first region is updated, the terminal device located in the first region can receive the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first region after the update through the third MCCH according to the second indication information, without detecting a MCCH corresponding to an MBS identifier other than the first MBS identifier in the second period, thereby further saving power consumption of the terminal device and facilitating the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0073] With reference to the sixth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving fourth configuration information through a fourth MCCH, the fourth configuration information being MBS configuration information common to the first MBS and at least one second MBS, the second MBS being an MBS other than the first MBS. In this solution, when the common MBS configuration information is more, the common MBS configuration information is transmitted through the fourth MCCH, which can reduce the amount of information carried on the first MCCH and the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier. In addition, compared with the solution that the first MBS identifier-associated first MCCH carries the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier, the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier carries the MBS configuration information corresponding to the second MBS identifier, this solution can significantly reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted as a whole.

[0074] With reference to the sixth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. In this solution, after receiving the third indication information, the terminal device can stop detecting a channel carrying data corresponding to the first MBS associated with the first area, until the first MBS associated with the first area is activated again.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method includes: receiving a paging message; wherein the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state when located in at least one second area, and the paging message includes a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; when the at least one second area includes a first area, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state; or when the at least one second area does not include the first area, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state; wherein the first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0076] Generally, a terminal device can only receive data in a connected state, i.e., the terminal device can receive data corresponding to an MBS from a network device only after the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the network device. Since the number of RRC connections that can be established by a network device is limited, the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to an MBS from the network device is also limited. In the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, a terminal device located in a second area is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, so that the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to an MBS can be increased, i.e., the number of terminal devices that accept an MBS (i.e., the receiving end of data in the MBS) can be increased.

[0077] In combination with the seventh aspect described above, in a possible implementation, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area. Exemplarily, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The second field can be an Accosicated_Area field.

[0078] In combination with the seventh aspect described above, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. In this solution, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can stop detecting a channel carrying data corresponding to the first MBS associated with the first area until the first MBS associated with the first area is activated again.

[0079] The eighth aspect provides a communication method. An apparatus performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement a communication function of the terminal device. The communication method includes: receiving a paging message; the paging message is used to allow data to be received in a deactivated state within a first time period, and the paging message includes a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; within the first time period, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or, outside the first time period, receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state.

[0080] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a scenario in which the distance between the network device and the terminal device changes over time, for example, the network device is deployed on a satellite, or the network device is a satellite with a communication function. In this solution, the network device can determine a first time period based on the distance between the network device and the terminal device. The first time period can meet the condition that the distance between the network device and the terminal device is relatively short and the link budget is good, thereby ensuring the reliability of data transmission. In a time period other than the first time period, the distance between the network device and the terminal device is relatively long and the link budget is poor. In order to ensure the reliability of data transmission, the terminal device can receive data in a connected state. When the link budget is poor, the initial transmission of data can be unsuccessful, and then the network device needs to retransmit the data. The terminal device receives data in a connected state, which is conducive to improving the probability of successful reception of data by the terminal device, that is, improving the success rate of data retransmission, and thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0081] With reference to the eighth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. Exemplarily, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The third field can comprise a time point, and the first time period is a time period before or after the time point. Alternatively, the third field can comprise two time points, and the first time period is a time period between the two time points.

[0082] With reference to the eighth aspect above, in a possible implementation, the method further comprises: in the first area, receiving first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated, and the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell. In this solution, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can stop detecting a channel carrying data of the first MBS associated with the first area until the first MBS associated with the first area is activated again.

[0083] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a terminal device, or a module, such as a chip, or a chip system, or a module, or a component, etc., applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function of the terminal device. The communication method includes: receiving a paging message; wherein the paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state within a first time period when a terminal device is located in at least one second area, and the paging message includes a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; within the first time period, when the at least one second area includes a first area, the data corresponding to the first MBS is received in a deactivated state; or, within the first time period, when the at least one second area does not include the first area, or within a time period other than the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS is received in a connected state; wherein the first area is an area where the terminal device is located, and the first area belongs to a first cell, and the first cell is composed of N areas, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0084] In the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device located in the second area is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, which can increase the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS, that is, the number of terminal devices that accept the MBS. In addition, the network device can determine the first time period based on the distance between the terminal device and the network device to ensure the reliability of data transmission.

[0085] In combination with the ninth aspect described above, in a possible implementation manner, the paging message includes a first field, a second field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. For example, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The second field can be an Accosicated_Area field. The third field can include a time point, and the first time period is a time period before or after the time point. Alternatively, the third field can include two time points, and the first time period is a time period between the two time points.

[0086] In conjunction with the ninth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated. In this scheme, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device may stop detecting the channel carrying data corresponding to the first MBS associated with the first region until the first MBS associated with the first region is reactivated.

[0087] In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The apparatus for executing the communication method can be a network device, or a module applied in the network device to implement its communication function, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, or a component. The communication method includes: sending a paging message indicating at least one multicast broadcast service (MBS), and area information corresponding to the at least one MBS, the area information indicating one or more areas in a first cell associated with the relevant MBS, wherein the one or more areas are partial areas in the first cell, and the coverage area of ​​any area in the first cell is smaller than the coverage area of ​​the first cell; and sending data corresponding to the at least one MBS.

[0088] In conjunction with the tenth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the at least one MBS includes a first MBS; sending the data corresponding to the at least one MBS includes sending the data corresponding to the first MBS to terminal devices in one or more areas associated with the first MBS. In this scheme, the data corresponding to the first MBS can be sent only to terminal devices in one or more areas associated with the first MBS, and not to terminal devices in other areas, which is beneficial for the network to provide more accurate and targeted MBS to terminal devices.

[0089] In conjunction with the tenth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the paging message includes the MBS identifier of each MBS in the at least one MBS, and the area information associated with each MBS.

[0090] In conjunction with the tenth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the MBS identifier is a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI).

[0091] In conjunction with the tenth aspect above, in one possible implementation, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when it is located in an area of ​​at least one second region.

[0092] In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0093] In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within the first time period.

[0094] In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0095] In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in an area of the at least one second area within the first time period.

[0096] In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0097] In a possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; the method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0098] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the first aspect or different implementation manners of the first aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0099] In an eleventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, a module, a chip, a chip system, a module, a component, or the like, which is applied to the network device to implement the communication function. The communication method comprises: obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of paging occasions (POs) and N regions, wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the coverage of any region in the N regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell, the PO is a time-frequency resource for sending a paging message, and according to the association relationship, the paging messages corresponding to the N regions are sent in the plurality of POs.

[0100] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the association relationship is an association relationship between each PO in the plurality of POs and one or more regions in the N regions, the association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each PO in the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each bit in the N bits corresponds to a region, and each bit in the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap; or the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each PO in the plurality of POs corresponds to a table item, the table item includes information of the corresponding PO and information of one or more regions associated with the PO corresponding to the table item.

[0101] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, according to the association relationship, the paging messages corresponding to the N regions are sent in the plurality of POs, which comprises: according to the association relationship, the paging messages corresponding to one or more associated regions are sent in each PO in the plurality of POs.

[0102] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the N regions include a first region, and before the paging messages corresponding to the N regions are sent in the plurality of POs according to the association relationship, the method further comprises: sending a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the paging message corresponding to the first region is carried in the PO corresponding to the first region.

[0103] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of at least one second region.

[0104] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0105] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within the first time period.

[0106] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0107] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when the terminal device is located in an area of the at least one second area within the first time period.

[0108] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0109] In a possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the paging message comprises a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier, and the first MBS is associated with a first area of the N areas; the method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0110] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the second aspect or different implementation manners of the second aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0111] In a twelfth aspect, a communication method is provided. The device performing the communication method can be a network device, a module, a chip or a chip system, a module or a component, etc. The communication method includes: obtaining, by a network device, a second association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers and a plurality of paging occasions (POs), wherein the PO is a time-frequency resource for sending a paging message, the plurality of MBS identifiers have a first association relationship with N areas, the N areas form a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, a coverage range of any area in the N areas is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; and sending, according to the second association relationship, a paging message corresponding to the plurality of MBSs in the plurality of POs.

[0112] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the second association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more MBS identifiers; and the sending, according to the second association relationship, of the paging message corresponding to the plurality of MBSs in the plurality of POs includes: sending, according to the second association relationship, a paging message corresponding to one or more MBSs associated with each of the plurality of POs.

[0113] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the plurality of MBS identifiers includes a first MBS identifier; and before the sending, according to the second association relationship, of the paging message corresponding to the plurality of MBSs in the plurality of POs, the method further includes: sending a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the first MBS identifier corresponds to a PO carrying a paging message corresponding to the first MBS.

[0114] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in an area of the at least one second area.

[0115] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0116] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

[0117] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0118] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when being located in a region of the at least one second region within the first time period.

[0119] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0120] In a possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier, and the first MBS is associated with a first region of the N regions; the method further comprises: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0121] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twelfth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the third aspect or different implementation manners of the third aspect, which will not be described here.

[0122] The thirteenth aspect provides a communication method. An apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, can be a module, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, or a component, applied to the network device to implement a communication function of the network device. The communication method comprises: sending a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating whether a paging message corresponding to each region of N regions is carried in a next paging occasion (PO), wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage range of any region of the N regions is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; and sending the paging message corresponding to one or more regions of the N regions in the PO.

[0123] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when being located in a region of the at least one second region.

[0124] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0125] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within the first time period.

[0126] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0127] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when the terminal device is located in an area of the at least one second area within the first time period.

[0128] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0129] In a possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier, and the N areas comprise a first area; the method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0130] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fourth aspect or different implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0131] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, a module, a chip, a chip system, a module, a component, or the like. The communication method includes: obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service control channels (MBS control channels, MCCHs) and N regions, wherein the N regions form a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, a coverage range of any region in the N regions is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; and transmitting MBS configuration information associated with the N regions on the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0132] In a possible implementation manner of the fourteenth aspect, the association relationship is an association relationship between each MCCH in the plurality of MCCHs and one or more regions in the N regions; and the transmitting the MBS configuration information associated with the N regions on the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship includes: transmitting the MBS configuration information associated with the one or more regions on each MCCH in the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0133] In a possible implementation manner of the fourteenth aspect, the plurality of MCCHs are located in one MCCH period in a time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, and the first length is a length of the MCCH period.

[0134] In a possible implementation manner of the fourteenth aspect, the N regions include a first region; and the method further includes: transmitting first indication information, the first indication information indicating that MBS configuration information carried on one or more regions associated MCCH in a next MCCH period is updated; and in a case where the one or more regions include the first region, transmitting second configuration information through a second MCCH in a first period, the second configuration information being updated MBS configuration information associated with the first region, the first period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH being an MCCH associated with the first region in the first period.

[0135] In a possible implementation manner of the fourteenth aspect, the N regions include a first region; and the method further includes: transmitting third configuration information through a third MCCH, the third configuration information being common MBS configuration information associated with the first region and at least one third region, and the third region being a region other than the first region.

[0136] With reference to the thirteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the N regions include a first region, and the first region is associated with a first MBS; and the method further includes: sending second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0137] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the fourteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fifth aspect or different implementation manners of the fifth aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0138] The fifteenth aspect provides a communication method. An apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, can be a module, such as a chip or a chip system or a module or a component, applied to the network device to implement a communication function of the network device. The communication method includes: obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of MBS identifiers and a plurality of MCCHs; and according to the association relationship, sending MBS configuration information corresponding to the plurality of MBS identifiers on the plurality of MCCHs.

[0139] With reference to the fifteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of MCCHs and one or more sessions; and according to the association relationship, the sending of the MBS configuration information corresponding to the plurality of MBS identifiers on the plurality of MCCHs includes: according to the association relationship, sending MBS configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identifiers associated with each of the plurality of MCCHs on the MCCH.

[0140] With reference to the fifteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the plurality of MBS identifiers include a first MBS identifier, and MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier is first configuration information, and the first configuration information indicates one or more regions in a first cell associated with the first MBS; the one or more regions are part of the first cell, and a coverage range of any region in the first cell is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell.

[0141] With reference to the fifteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the plurality of MCCHs are located within one MCCH period in a time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, and the first length is a time length of the MCCH period.

[0142] In a possible implementation manner of the fifteenth aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification; and the method further includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating that configuration information carried on MCCH associated with one or more MBS identifications in a next MCCH period is updated; and in a case where the one or more MBS identifications include the first MBS identification, sending second configuration information through a second MCCH in a first period, the second configuration information being MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identification after the update, the first period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH being an MCCH associated with the first MBS identification in the first period.

[0143] In a possible implementation manner of the fifteenth aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification, the first MBS identification being associated with a first area; and the method further includes: sending second indication information, the second indication information indicating that configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identifications associated with one or more areas in a next MCCH period is updated; and in a case where the one or more MBS identifications associated with the one or more areas include the first MBS identification associated with the first area, sending third configuration information through a third MCCH in a second period, the third configuration information being MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identification associated with the first area after the update, the second period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the second indication information is located, and the third MCCH being an MCCH associated with the first MBS in the second period.

[0144] In a possible implementation manner of the fifteenth aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification; and the method further includes: sending fourth configuration information through a fourth MCCH, the fourth configuration information being MBS configuration information common to the first MBS and at least one second MBS, the second MBS being an MBS other than the first MBS.

[0145] In a possible implementation manner of the fifteenth aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification, the first MBS identification being associated with a first area; and the method further includes: sending third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0146] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the fifteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the sixth aspect or different implementation manners of the sixth aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0147] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, or a module, such as a chip, or a chip system, or a module, or a component, etc., applied in the network device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: sending a paging message; wherein the paging message is used to indicate that a terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of at least one second region, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and sending data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0148] In a possible implementation manner of the above sixteenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region.

[0149] In a possible implementation manner of the above sixteenth aspect, the first MBS is associated with a first region, the first region belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N regions, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any region of the N regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0150] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the sixteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the above seventh aspect or different implementation manners of the seventh aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0151] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, or a module, such as a chip, or a chip system, or a module, or a component, etc., applied in the network device to implement the communication function thereof. The communication method comprises: sending a paging message; wherein the paging message is used to allow a terminal device to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and sending data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0152] In a possible implementation manner of the above seventeenth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0153] With reference to the seventeenth aspect above, in a possible implementation form of the seventeenth aspect, the first MBS is associated with a first area, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than a coverage of the first cell; and the method further includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0154] The technical effects brought by any of the possible implementation forms of the seventeenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the eighth aspect or the different implementation forms of the eighth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0155] The eighteenth aspect provides a communication method. An apparatus performing the communication method can be a network device, can be a module, such as a chip or a chip system or a module or a component, etc., applied to the network device to implement a communication function of the network device. The communication method includes: sending a paging message; wherein the paging message is used to indicate that a terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when the terminal device is located in an area of at least one second area within a first time period, and the paging message includes a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and sending data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0156] With reference to the eighteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation form of the eighteenth aspect, the paging message includes a first field, a second field, and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0157] With reference to the eighteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation form of the eighteenth aspect, the first MBS is associated with a first area, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than a coverage of the first cell; and the method further includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0158] The technical effects brought by any of the possible implementation forms of the eighteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the ninth aspect or the different implementation forms of the ninth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0159] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method described above. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the modules, units, or means for implementing the method described above, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software with hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0160] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the communication apparatus includes: a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to receive a paging message, the paging message indicating at least one multicast broadcast service (MBS) and area information corresponding to each of the at least one MBS, the area information indicating one or more areas in a first cell associated with a related MBS, wherein the one or more areas are partial areas in the first cell, and a coverage of any area in the first cell is smaller than a coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver is further configured to receive data corresponding to the MBS associated with a first area in the first area, wherein the first area belongs to the first cell.

[0161] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the paging message includes an MBS identifier of each of the at least one MBS and the area information related to the each of the at least one MBS.

[0162] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the MBS identifier is a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI).

[0163] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in an area of at least one second area.

[0164] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0165] With reference to the nineteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; and the receiving, in the first area, data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area comprises: receiving, when the at least one second area comprises the first area, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or receiving, when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0166] With reference to the nineteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within the first time period.

[0167] With reference to the nineteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0168] With reference to the nineteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; and the receiving, in the first area, data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area comprises: receiving, within the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or receiving, within a time period other than the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0169] With reference to the nineteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when the transceiver is located in an area of the at least one second area within the first time period.

[0170] With reference to the nineteenth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0171] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the at least one MBS includes a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; and the receiving, in the first area, data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area includes: receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state when the at least one second area includes the first area; or receiving, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second area does not include the first area or in a time period other than the first time period.

[0172] In a possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect, the at least one MBS includes a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first area; and the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0173] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation of the nineteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the first aspect or different implementations of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0174] The twentieth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0175] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the communication apparatus includes an obtaining module and a transceiver module; the obtaining module is configured to obtain an association relationship between a plurality of paging occasions (POs) and N areas, where the N areas constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the PO is a time-frequency resource used to send a paging message; and the transceiver module is configured to receive, in a first area, a paging message in a PO corresponding to the first area according to the association relationship, where the first area belongs to the N areas.

[0176] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more of the N regions; the association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to a region, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap; or the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a table entry, the table entry includes information of the corresponding PO and information of one or more regions associated with the PO corresponding to the table entry.

[0177] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first region.

[0178] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region.

[0179] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver module is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region.

[0180] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the paging message includes a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier; the transceiver module is further configured to receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second region includes the first region, or receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state when the at least one second region does not include the first region.

[0181] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver module is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within a first time period.

[0182] In a possible implementation of the twentieth aspect, the paging message includes a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver module is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0183] In a possible implementation manner of the twentieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to: receive, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or receive, in a time period other than the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0184] In a possible implementation manner of the twentieth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region in the first time period.

[0185] In a possible implementation manner of the twentieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0186] In a possible implementation manner of the twentieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to: receive, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second region comprises the first region; or receive, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state when the at least one second region does not comprise the first region, or in a time period other than the first time period.

[0187] In a possible implementation manner of the twentieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0188] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twentieth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the second aspect or different implementation manners of the second aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0189] The twenty-first aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0190] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: an obtaining module and a transceiver module; the obtaining module is configured to obtain a first association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identities and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage range of any area in the N areas is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; the obtaining module is further configured to obtain a second association relationship between the plurality of MBS identities and a plurality of paging occasions (POs), wherein the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource for sending a paging message; and the transceiver module is configured to, in a first area, receive a paging message in a PO associated with a first MBS when interested in the first MBS, wherein the first area belongs to the N areas, and the first MBS identity belongs to the plurality of MBS identities.

[0191] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a paging early indication (PEI), and the PEI indicates the paging message corresponding to the first MBS in the PO.

[0192] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in at least one second area.

[0193] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver module is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0194] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state when the at least one second area comprises the first area; or receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area.

[0195] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver module is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

[0196] In a possible implementation of the twenty-first aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver module is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0197] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-first aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive, in the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or receive, in a time period other than the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0198] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-first aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive the data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region in the first time period.

[0199] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-first aspect, the paging message includes a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive the data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0200] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-first aspect, the transceiver is further configured to: receive, in the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second region includes the first region; or receive, in the first time period when the at least one second region does not include the first region, or in a time period other than the first time period, the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0201] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-first aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0202] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-first aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the third aspect or different implementation manners of the third aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0203] The twenty-second aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0204] In a possible implementation of the twenty-second aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver, configured to receive a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating whether a paging message corresponding to each of N regions is carried in a next paging occasion (PO), wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; a coverage range of any region in the N regions is less than a coverage range of the first cell; and the transceiver is further configured to receive, in a first region, the paging message on the PO when the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first region is carried in the PO, wherein the first region belongs to the N regions.

[0205] In a possible implementation of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region.

[0206] In a possible implementation of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region.

[0207] In a possible implementation of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to: receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state when the at least one second region comprises the first region; or receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second region does not comprise the first region.

[0208] In a possible implementation of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

[0209] In a possible implementation of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0210] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to: receive, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state; or receive, in a time period other than the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0211] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region in the first time period.

[0212] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0213] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to: receive, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second region comprises the first region; or receive, in the first time period, data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state when the at least one second region does not comprise the first region, or in a time period other than the first time period.

[0214] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-second aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; and the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0215] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-second aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fourth aspect or different implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0216] The twenty-third aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the method described above. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the method described above, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0217] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-third aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: an obtaining module and a transceiver module; the obtaining module is configured to obtain an association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service control channels (MBS control channels, MCCHs) and N regions, wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the coverage of any region in the N regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver module is configured to receive, in a first region, first configuration information through a first MCCH associated with the first region, wherein the first configuration information is multicast broadcast service (MBS) configuration information associated with the first region, the first region belongs to the N regions, and the first MCCH belongs to the plurality of MCCHs.

[0218] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-third aspect, the plurality of MCCHs are located in one MCCH period in a time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, the first length being a time length of the MCCH period.

[0219] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-third aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating that MBS configuration information carried on one or more MCCHs associated with one or more regions in a next MCCH period is updated; and in a case where the one or more regions include the first region, receive, in a first period, second configuration information through a second MCCH, the second configuration information being updated MBS configuration information associated with the first region, the first period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH being an MCCH associated with the first region in the first period.

[0220] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-third aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive, through a third MCCH, third configuration information, the third configuration information being common MBS configuration information associated with the first region and at least one third region, the third region being a region other than the first region.

[0221] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-third aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that a first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0222] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-third aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fifth aspect or different implementation manners of the fifth aspect, which will not be described here.

[0223] In a twenty-fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method described above. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the modules, units, or means for implementing the method described above, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0224] With reference to the twenty-fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the communication apparatus includes an obtaining module and a transceiver module; the obtaining module is configured to obtain an association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identities and a plurality of MBS control channels (MCCHs); and the transceiver module is configured to receive first configuration information through a first MCCH associated with a first MBS identity, where the first MCCH belongs to the plurality of MCCHs, the first configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identity, and the first MBS is an MBS of interest.

[0225] With reference to the twenty-fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information indicates one or more areas in a first cell associated with the first MBS; the one or more areas are part of the first cell, and a coverage range of any area in the first cell is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell.

[0226] With reference to the twenty-fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the plurality of MCCHs are located within one MCCH period in a time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, where the first length is a time length of the MCCH period.

[0227] With reference to the twenty-fourth aspect above, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is further configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that configuration information carried on an MCCH associated with one or more MBS identities in a next MCCH period is updated; and the transceiver module is further configured to receive second configuration information through a second MCCH in a first period in a case where the one or more MBS identities include the first MBS identity, where the second configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identity after the update, the first period is a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH is an MCCH associated with the first MBS identity in the first period.

[0228] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive, in the first area, second indication information indicating that configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identifiers associated with one or more areas in a next MCCH period is updated; and the transceiver is further configured to receive, in a case where the one or more MBS identifiers associated with the one or more areas include the first MBS identifier associated with the first area, third configuration information through a third MCCH in a second period, the third configuration information being updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first area, the second period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the second indication information is located, and the third MCCH being a MCCH associated with the first MBS in the second period.

[0229] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive fourth configuration information through a fourth MCCH, the fourth configuration information being MBS configuration information common to the first MBS and at least one second MBS, the second MBS being an MBS other than the first MBS.

[0230] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive third indication information indicating that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0231] The twenty-fourth aspect can be implemented in a manner similar to the sixth aspect or the different implementation manners of the sixth aspect, and thus the technical effects brought by the twenty-fourth aspect can be refer to the technical effects brought by the sixth aspect or the different implementation manners of the sixth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0232] The twenty-fifth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0233] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-fifth aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to receive a paging message; the paging message is used to indicate that the communication apparatus is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in at least one second area, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identities; the transceiver is further configured to: receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second area comprises a first area; or receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area; the first area is an area where the communication apparatus is located, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage range of any area of the N areas is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell.

[0234] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-fifth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0235] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-fifth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0236] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-fifth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the seventh aspect or different implementation manners of the seventh aspect, which will not be described here.

[0237] The twenty-sixth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0238] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-sixth aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to receive a paging message; the paging message is used to allow the transceiver to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identities; the transceiver is further configured to: receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period; or receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state within a time period other than the first time period.

[0239] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-sixth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0240] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-sixth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information in a first area; the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated, and the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0241] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-sixth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the eighth aspect or different implementation manners of the eighth aspect, which will not be described here.

[0242] The twenty-seventh aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0243] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-seventh aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to receive a paging message; the paging message is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when the transceiver is located in a region of at least one second region within a first time period; the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and the transceiver is further configured to: receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state when the at least one second region comprises a first region within the first time period; or receive data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state when the at least one second region does not comprise the first region within the first time period or within a time period other than the first time period; wherein the first region is a region where the communication apparatus is located, the first region belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N regions, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage range of any region of the N regions is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell.

[0244] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-seventh aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the transceiver is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0245] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-seventh aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0246] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-seventh aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the ninth aspect or different implementation manners of the ninth aspect, which will not be described here.

[0247] In the twenty-eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0248] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to send a paging message, the paging message indicating at least one multicast broadcast service (MBS) and area information corresponding to each of the at least one MBS, the area information indicating one or more areas in a first cell associated with a related MBS, wherein the one or more areas are partial areas in the first cell, and the coverage of any area in the first cell is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver is further configured to send data corresponding to the at least one MBS.

[0249] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS; and the transceiver configured to send data corresponding to the at least one MBS comprises: the transceiver configured to send the data corresponding to the first MBS to a terminal device in one or more areas associated with the first MBS.

[0250] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message comprises an MBS identifier of each MBS in the at least one MBS and the area information related to the each MBS.

[0251] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the MBS identifier is a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI).

[0252] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in at least one second area.

[0253] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

[0254] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

[0255] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0256] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region within the first time period.

[0257] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0258] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect, the at least one MBS comprises a first MBS, and the first MBS is associated with the first region; the transceiver is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0259] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the twenty-eighth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the first aspect or different implementation manners of the first aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0260] The twenty-ninth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0261] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the communication apparatus comprises an obtaining module and a transceiver; the obtaining module is configured to obtain an association relationship between a plurality of paging occasions (POs) and N regions, wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the coverage of any region in the N regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell, and the PO is a time-frequency resource used to send a paging message; and the transceiver is configured to send, according to the association relationship, paging messages corresponding to the N regions in the plurality of POs.

[0262] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more of the N regions; the association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to a region, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap; or the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a table entry, the table entry includes information of the corresponding PO and information of one or more regions associated with the PO corresponding to the table entry.

[0263] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the transceiver is specifically configured to send, in each of the plurality of POs, a paging message corresponding to one or more regions associated according to the association relationship.

[0264] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the N regions include a first region; and the transceiver is further configured to send a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the paging message corresponding to the first region is carried in a PO corresponding to the first region.

[0265] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region.

[0266] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region.

[0267] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

[0268] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the paging message includes a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0269] In a possible implementation manner of the twenty-ninth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region within a first time period.

[0270] In a possible implementation of the above-mentioned 29th aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0271] In a possible implementation of the above-mentioned 29th aspect, the paging message comprises a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier, and the first MBS is associated with a first area of the N areas; the transceiver is further configured to send first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0272] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation of the 29th aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the above-mentioned second aspect or different implementations of the second aspect, which will not be described here.

[0273] The 30th aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above-mentioned method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software or corresponding software executed by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0274] In a possible implementation of the above-mentioned 30th aspect, the communication apparatus comprises an acquisition module and a transceiver; the acquisition module is configured to acquire a second association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers and a plurality of paging occasions (POs), wherein the PO is a time-frequency resource used to send a paging message, the plurality of MBS identifiers have a first association relationship with N areas, the N areas constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver is configured to send paging messages corresponding to the plurality of MBSs in the plurality of POs according to the second association relationship.

[0275] In a possible implementation of the above-mentioned 30th aspect, the second association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more MBS identifiers; and the transceiver is specifically configured to send paging messages corresponding to the associated one or more MBSs in each of the plurality of POs according to the second association relationship.

[0276] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the plurality of MBS identifications comprises a first MBS identification; and the transceiver is further configured to send a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the first MBS identification corresponds to a PO carrying a paging message of the first MBS.

[0277] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region.

[0278] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region.

[0279] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within a first time period.

[0280] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0281] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region within a first time period.

[0282] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0283] In a possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identification, the first MBS being associated with a first region of the N regions; and the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0284] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirtieth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the thirtieth aspect or different implementation manners of the thirtieth aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0285] In a thirty-first aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the method described above. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the modules, units, or means for implementing the method described above, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0286] With reference to the thirty-first aspect above, in a possible implementation, the communication apparatus includes: a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to send a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating whether a paging message corresponding to each of N regions is carried in a next paging occasion (PO), wherein the N regions constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; a coverage range of any region in the N regions is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; and the transceiver is further configured to send, in the PO, the paging message corresponding to one or more regions in the N regions.

[0287] With reference to the thirty-first aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is configured to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region.

[0288] With reference to the thirty-first aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; the first field is configured to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is configured to indicate the at least one second region.

[0289] With reference to the thirty-first aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is configured to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

[0290] With reference to the thirty-first aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message includes a first field and a third field; the first field is configured to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the third field is configured to indicate the first time period.

[0291] With reference to the thirty-first aspect above, in a possible implementation, the paging message is configured to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region within a first time period.

[0292] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-first aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0293] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-first aspect, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier, and the N areas comprise a first area; the method further comprises: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0294] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirty-first aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fourth aspect or different implementation manners of the fourth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0295] The thirty-second aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the method described above. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the method described above, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0296] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect, the communication apparatus comprises an acquisition module and a transceiver module; the acquisition module is configured to acquire an association relationship between a plurality of MCCHs and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver module is configured to send MBS configuration information associated with the N areas on the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0297] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect, the association relationship is an association relationship between each MCCH in the plurality of MCCHs and one or more areas in the N areas; and the transceiver module is specifically configured to send MBS configuration information associated with the one or more areas on each MCCH in the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0298] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect, the plurality of MCCHs are located in one MCCH period in the time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, the first length being a length of the MCCH period.

[0299] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect, the N regions include a first region; the transceiver is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information indicating that MBS configuration information carried on an MCCH associated with one or more regions in a next MCCH period is updated; and the transceiver is further configured to, in a case where the one or more regions include the first region, send second configuration information through a second MCCH in a first period, the second configuration information being updated MBS configuration information associated with the first region, the first period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH being an MCCH associated with the first region in the first period.

[0300] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect, the N regions include a first region; the transceiver is further configured to send third configuration information through a third MCCH, the third configuration information being common MBS configuration information associated with the first region and at least one third region, the third region being a region other than the first region.

[0301] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect, the N regions include a first region, the first region being associated with a first MBS; and the transceiver is further configured to send second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0302] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirty-second aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the fifth aspect or different implementation manners of the fifth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0303] The thirty-third aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the method described above. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above-mentioned method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

[0304] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: an obtaining module and a transceiver; the obtaining module is configured to obtain an association relationship between a plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identities and a plurality of MBS control channels (MCCHs); and the transceiver is configured to transmit MBS configuration information corresponding to the plurality of MBS identities on the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0305] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of MCCHs and one or more sessions; and the transceiver is specifically configured to transmit MBS configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identities associated with each of the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0306] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the plurality of MBS identities comprises a first MBS identity, the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identity is first configuration information, and the first configuration information indicates one or more areas in a first cell associated with the first MBS; the one or more areas are partial areas in the first cell, and a coverage range of any area in the first cell is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell.

[0307] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the plurality of MCCHs are located within one MCCH period in a time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, and the first length is a time length of the MCCH period.

[0308] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the plurality of MBS identities comprises a first MBS identity; the transceiver is further configured to transmit first indication information, the first indication information indicating that configuration information carried on an MCCH associated with one or more MBS identities in a next MCCH period is updated; and the transceiver is further configured to, in a case where the one or more MBS identities comprises the first MBS identity, transmit second configuration information through a second MCCH in a first period; the second configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identity after the update, the first period is a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH is an MCCH associated with the first MBS identity in the first period.

[0309] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification, the first MBS identification being associated with a first area; the transceiver is further configured to send second indication information, the second indication information indicating that configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identifications associated with one or more areas is updated in a next MCCH period; and the transceiver is further configured to, in a case where the one or more MBS identifications associated with the one or more areas include the first MBS identification associated with the first area, send third configuration information through a third MCCH in a second period, the third configuration information being updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identification associated with the first area, the second period being a next MCCH period of a MCCH period in which the second indication information is located, and the third MCCH being a MCCH associated with the first MBS in the second period.

[0310] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification; and the transceiver is further configured to send fourth configuration information through a fourth MCCH, the fourth configuration information being MBS configuration information common to the first MBS and at least one second MBS, the second MBS being an MBS other than the first MBS.

[0311] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect, the multiple MBS identifications include a first MBS identification, the first MBS identification being associated with a first area; the transceiver is further configured to send third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0312] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirty-third aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the sixth aspect or different implementation manners of the sixth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0313] The thirty-fourth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0314] In a possible implementation manner of the 34th aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver module; the transceiver module is configured to send a paging message; the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and the transceiver module is further configured to send data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0315] In a possible implementation manner of the 34th aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region.

[0316] In a possible implementation manner of the 34th aspect, the first MBS is associated with a first region, the first region belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N regions, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any region of the N regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver module is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

[0317] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the 34th aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the 7th aspect or different implementation manners of the 7th aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0318] The 35th aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0319] In a possible implementation manner of the 35th aspect, the communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver module; the transceiver module is configured to send a paging message; the paging message is used to allow the terminal device to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and the transceiver module is further configured to send data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0320] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-fifth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0321] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-fifth aspect, the first MBS is associated with a first area, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; the transceiver is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0322] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirty-fifth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the eighth aspect or different implementation manners of the eighth aspect, which will not be described here.

[0323] The thirty-sixth aspect provides a communication apparatus for implementing the above method. The communication apparatus comprises modules, units, or means corresponding to the above method, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0324] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-sixth aspect, the communication apparatus comprises a transceiver; the transceiver is configured to send a paging message; the paging message is used to indicate that a terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when the terminal device is located in an area of at least one second area within a first time period, and the paging message comprises a first plurality of multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifiers; and the transceiver is further configured to send data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0325] In a possible implementation manner of the thirty-sixth aspect, the paging message comprises a first field, a second field, and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0326] In a possible implementation manner of the above-mentioned thirty-sixth aspect, the first MBS is associated with a first area, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and a coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than a coverage of the first cell; and the transceiver is further configured to send first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0327] The technical effects brought by any possible implementation manner of the thirty-sixth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the ninth aspect or different implementation manners of the ninth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0328] In the thirty-seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including a processor coupled with a memory and configured to execute the method in any one of the eleventh aspect to the eighteenth aspect and possible implementation manners thereof. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the communication interface.

[0329] In an implementation manner, the communication apparatus is a satellite. When the communication apparatus is a satellite, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0330] In an implementation manner, the communication apparatus is a terminal device.

[0331] In another implementation manner, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. When the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip or the chip system. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0332] In the thirty-eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including a processor. The processor is coupled with a memory and configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in any one of the first aspect to the tenth aspect and possible implementation manners thereof. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled with the communication interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0333] In an implementation manner, the communication apparatus is a terminal device. When the communication apparatus is a terminal device, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0334] In another implementation, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. When the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or related circuit on the chip or chip system, etc. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0335] In a thirty-ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes an input circuit, an output circuit and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that any one of the first aspect to the eighteenth aspect and the method in any possible implementation of the aspects are implemented.

[0336] In the implementation, the communication apparatus can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop, a logic circuit or the like. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by a receiver, for example, but is not limited thereto. The output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by a transmitter, for example, but is not limited thereto. The input circuit and the output circuit can be different circuits or the same circuit, in which case the circuit is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0337] In a fortieth aspect, a processing apparatus is provided, which includes a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory and can receive a signal through a receiver and transmit a signal through a transmitter to execute the method in any one of the first aspect to the eighteenth aspect and any possible implementation of the aspects.

[0338] Optionally, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0339] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor can be separately arranged.

[0340] In the implementation, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as a read only memory (ROM), which can be integrated on the same chip as the processor or arranged on different chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor.

[0341] It should be understood that the relevant data interaction process, for example, sending a paging message, can be a process of outputting a paging message from a processor, and receiving a paging message can be a process of receiving an input paging message by the processor. Specifically, the data processed for output can be output to a transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from a receiver. Among them, the transmitter and the receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0342] The processor in the above-mentioned forty-first aspect can be a chip, which can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading software codes stored in a memory. The memory can be integrated in the processor or exist independently outside the processor.

[0343] In a forty-first aspect, a processing device is provided, including a communication interface and a processing circuit.

[0344] The communication interface is configured to receive a paging message according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and the processing circuit is configured to determine a PO for receiving the paging message according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect to the fourth aspect; or

[0345] The communication interface is configured to receive MBS configuration information according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, and the processing circuit is configured to determine a MCCH for receiving the MBS configuration information according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect to the sixth aspect; or

[0346] The communication interface is configured to receive data corresponding to the MBS according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect to the ninth aspect, and the processing circuit is configured to determine whether the processing device is in an active state or a deactivation state when receiving the data corresponding to the MBS according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect to the ninth aspect.

[0347] In a forty-second aspect, a processing device is provided, including a communication interface and a processing circuit. The communication interface is configured to send a paging message according to the method in any possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect to the eighteenth aspect, and the processing circuit is configured to generate the paging message.

[0348] In a forty-third aspect, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed, causes a computer to execute the method in any one of the first aspect to the eighteenth aspect and any possible implementation manner of the above aspects.

[0349] In a forty-fourth aspect, a computer readable medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect, and any possible implementation of the aspects.

[0350] In a forty-fifth aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises the satellite and the terminal device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0351] FIG. 1 is a state transition diagram of an MBS session specified in a 3GPP protocol;

[0352] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication network system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0353] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0354] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0355] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a first cell and a region provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0356] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0357] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a region managed by a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0358] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0359] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0360] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a paging message transmitted in a PE I and a PO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0361] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0362] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0363] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0364] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0365] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an association relationship between a plurality of MCCHs and N regions provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0366] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a ninth communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0367] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the association between multiple MBS identifications and multiple MCCHs according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0368] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a second structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0369] Before introducing the technical solutions of the present application, the related technical terms involved in the present application are explained and described. It can be understood that these explanations and descriptions are for the purpose of making the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0370] 1. Multicast and broadcast services (MBS)

[0371] MBS is a point-to-multipoint service, i.e., the sending end of data is a single device, and the receiving end of data is multiple terminal devices. MBS can include multicast (or groupcast) services and broadcast services. That is, the receiving end of data can be multiple terminal devices in a broadcast area, or multiple terminal devices that have joined a multicast group.

[0372] It can be understood that the services in this paper can also be referred to as businesses, such as weather forecast business, live broadcast business, emergency broadcast business, or public safety business. The present application only exemplarily collectively refers to services that can be divided into multicast services and broadcast services as MBS, and the name of MBS is not specifically limited by the present application. With the evolution of wireless communication technology, MBS can also have other names, for example, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS).

[0373] When the network provides MBS, the radio access network (RAN) node can simultaneously distribute or transmit the same data to multiple terminals through a common channel to improve the utilization of resources and save air interface bandwidth.

[0374] 2. MBS session

[0375] When the network provides MBS, the transmission path of data can be: data server (or MBS server) → core network → RAN node → multiple terminals. The related descriptions of the core network, the RAN node and the terminal can be referred to below. The data sent by the core network to the RAN node can be transmitted through an MBS session.

[0376] Exemplarily, FIG. 1 shows a state transition diagram of an MBS session specified in a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) protocol. Starting from a null value, the core network can realize a configured MBS session by creating a configuration parameter. When a certain condition is met, the core network can realize a configured MBS session into an activated MBS session or a deactivated MBS session by using the configuration parameter through an establishment process. Alternatively, starting from a null value, the core network can directly use the configuration parameter through the establishment process to realize an activated MBS session. The core network can activate a deactivated MBS session to obtain an activated MBS session. The core network can also deactivate an activated MBS session to obtain a deactivated MBS session. The core network can also realize an activated MBS session or a deactivated MBS session into a configured MBS session through a release process. The core network can also realize an activated MBS session, a deactivated MBS session, or a configured MBS session into a null value through a delete process, and end the state transition.

[0377] In the embodiments of the present application, the identifier of the MBS session can also be referred to as an MBS identifier. The MBS identifier can be, for example, a temporary mobile group identifier (TMGI). Exemplarily, the MBS corresponding to TMGI 1 can be a weather forecast service; the MBS corresponding to TMGI 2 can be a live broadcast service; the MBS corresponding to TMGI 3 can be an emergency broadcast service; and the MBS corresponding to TMGI 4 can be a public safety service.

[0378] The TMGI can be carried in a paging message. After receiving the paging message, if the terminal device is interested in the MBS corresponding to the TMGI, the terminal device will trigger an RRC establishment or re-establishment process to receive data corresponding to the MBS in a connected state.

[0379] 3. Non-terrestrial network (NTN)

[0380] The NTN refers to a communication network that realizes signal coverage through non-terrestrial devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles or satellites. The NTN can cover places where the ground base station has no coverage, such as the sea, desert, or air. Hereinafter, the satellite is taken as an example of the non-terrestrial device in the NTN network to introduce the technologies related to the NTN. In the NTN, one or more beams transmitted by the satellite correspond to a cell of a base station.

[0381] An NTN can make up for the deficiency of a terrestrial network (TN) to meet the demand of terminal devices for communication at places such as the sea and the desert. However, in an NTN, communication between a base station and a terminal device will also encounter new problems. For example, in a TN, a base station can initiate paging for UEs in one or more cells, that is, the base station initiates paging in a cell as a granularity. However, the cell coverage of the base station in an NTN is larger, with a diameter of tens or hundreds of kilometers, much larger than the coverage of a TN cell. If the base station still initiates paging in a cell as a granularity, there will be a problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some terminal devices that do not need to be paged will also be paged.

[0382] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; in the present application, "and / or" is only a description of the associated relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of the items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different. At the same time, in the embodiments of the present application, "exemplary" or "for example" means to present as an example, illustration or explanation. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, "exemplary" or "for example" is used to present the relevant concept in a specific manner, for understanding.

[0383] The communication system provided by the embodiments of the present application can include a terminal device, or include a network device, or include a terminal device and a network device.

[0384] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as an access terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a user terminal device, a terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user apparatus. The UE in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a smart watch, a pad, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios.

[0385] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as an access network device, which can be any kind of device with wireless transceiver function. The device includes but is not limited to a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), etc., and can also be one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system or a future communication system, or can also be a satellite, etc.

[0386] The following will take a satellite communication system as an example to introduce the technical solutions of the present application in detail.

[0387] In the satellite communication system, the network device can include a satellite.

[0388] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) system or a new radio (NR), a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine communication system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system, a satellite communication system, or a future communication system, etc.

[0389] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a user equipment, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user apparatus. The terminal device can also be a satellite phone, 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 function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0390] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. The network device can be a base station (base transceiver station, BTS) in a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, can be a base station (NodeB, NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, can be an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, can be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device assuming a base station function in D2D communication or machine communication, and a network device in a 5G network or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network. The embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0391] The 3GPP standard organization has published a 5G technology standard, and studies a space-ground integrated communication technology. The space-ground integrated communication technology mainly integrates an existing 5G standard and satellite communication technology to meet full coverage in a global range. Meanwhile, the 3GPP integrates satellite communication and 5G technology, and proposes a satellite communication network system architecture diagram as shown in FIG. 2. In the diagram, a terminal device on the ground can access an access network device through an air interface. The access network device can be connected to a core network device on the ground through a wireless link. The access network device can be deployed on a satellite, or the access network device can be a satellite with a communication function. For example, the core network device can include a control plane processing unit and a user plane processing unit, which will be described in detail in the following network element introduction. Alternatively, because the access network device is deployed on a satellite or the access network device is a satellite with a communication function, the satellites can complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between the access network devices.

[0392] For the application scenario provided in FIG. 2, the following network elements or interfaces can be included:

[0393] The terminal device on the ground can be a mobile device supporting new radio. Typically, the mobile device can be a mobile phone or a Pad, which can access a satellite network through an air interface and initiate a call, access the Internet, and perform other services.

[0394] The access network device, the radio access network (RAN) node, or the network device can be a 5G base station, mainly provides wireless access services, schedules wireless resources to the ground terminal device, and can provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc.

[0395] The core network device can be a 5G core network device, mainly used for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, charging, and other services. The user plane processing unit in the core network device, for example, can be a user plane network element, used for managing the transmission of user plane data and traffic statistics. The user plane network element, for example, can be a user plane function (UPF) in the 5G system. The control plane processing unit in the core network device can include a mobility management network element and a session management network element. The mobility management network element is used for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management, and can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) in the 5G system. The session management network element is used for managing the session of the terminal device (such as session establishment, modification, and release), IP address allocation and management, and selection and control of the user plane network element. The session management network element, for example, can be a session management function (SMF) in the 5G system.

[0396] The ground station is responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the access network device and the core network device.

[0397] The air interface is a wireless link between the ground terminal device and the access network device.

[0398] The Xn interface is an interface between access network devices, used for interaction of handover signaling, etc.

[0399] The next generation (NG) interface is an interface between the access network device and the core network device, used for interaction of non-access layer (NAS) signaling and service data of the core network device.

[0400] In this application, the access network device deployed on the satellite can be alternatively described as a 5G base station deployed on the satellite, a satellite with communication function, a satellite base station, a satellite access network device, a satellite access network apparatus or a satellite communication apparatus, etc., without limitation. FIG. 2 takes the 5G system as an example for illustration, and the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) communication system or a future-oriented evolution system, without limitation.

[0401] It should be noted that if the application scenario provided in FIG. 2 is applied to a 4G communication system, Xn can be replaced by X2, and NG can be replaced by S1.

[0402] The related functions of the terminal device or the network device involved in the present application can be implemented by one device, or can be implemented by multiple devices together, or can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a device, or can be one or more chips, or can be a system on chip (SOC) or a chip system, which can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitation.

[0403] It can be understood that the above functions can be network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on a special hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform).

[0404] For example, the related functions of the terminal device or the network device in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by the communication apparatus 110 in FIG. 3.

[0405] FIG. 3 shows a structural schematic diagram of a possible communication apparatus 110. It can be understood that the communication apparatus 110 includes means of necessary forms such as modules, units, elements, circuits or interfaces, etc., which are properly configured together to execute the present solution. The communication apparatus 110 can be a network device or a terminal device in FIG. 2, or a component (such as a chip) of these devices, to implement the methods described in the following method embodiments. The communication apparatus 110 includes one or more processors 111. The processor 111 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication apparatus 110, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

[0406] Optionally, in one design, the processor 111 can include a program 113 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 111 to cause the communication apparatus 110 to perform the methods described in the following embodiments. In yet another possible design, the communication apparatus 110 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0407] Optionally, the communication apparatus 110 can include one or more memories 112 having a program 114 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions) stored thereon, which can be run on the processor 111 to cause the communication apparatus 110 to perform the methods described in the following method embodiments.

[0408] Optionally, the processor 111 and / or the memory 112 can include an AI module 117, 118 for implementing AI-related functions. The AI module can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the AI module can include a RAN intelligence controller (RIC) module. For example, the AI module can be a near-real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0409] Optionally, the processor 111 and / or the memory 112 can also store data. The processor and the memory can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0410] Optionally, the communication apparatus 110 can also include a transceiver 115 and / or an antenna 116. The processor 111 can also be referred to as a processing unit, which controls the communication apparatus 110. The transceiver 115 can also be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, or a transceiver, etc., which is used to realize the transceiving function of the communication apparatus through the antenna 116.

[0411] In addition, the constituent structures shown in FIG. 3 do not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus can include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 3, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements.

[0412] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

[0413] In the embodiments of the present application, “at least one” and “one or more” can be replaced with each other, and the following will not be described in detail.

[0414] It should be understood that the terminal device can perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the terminal device can be a terminal device or a module applied to a terminal device to implement the communication function thereof, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, a component, or the like. In the subsequent description of the communication method and the corresponding technical effects, the execution subject is taken as an example of the terminal device, but this does not constitute any limitation on the execution subject.

[0415] It should be understood that the network device can perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the network device can be a network device or a module applied to a network device to implement the communication function thereof, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, a component, or the like. In the subsequent description of the communication method and the corresponding technical effects, the execution subject is taken as an example of the network device, but this does not constitute any limitation on the execution subject.

[0416] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0417] Step S401, the network device sends a paging message. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device.

[0418] The paging message indicates at least one MBS and area information corresponding to the at least one MBS, and the area information indicates one or more areas in a first cell associated with the related MBS.

[0419] As described above, for example, one MBS can be a weather forecast service, a live service, an emergency broadcast service, or a public safety service. The at least one MBS can be one or more of the weather forecast service, the live service, the emergency broadcast service, or the public safety service.

[0420] The one or more areas are part of the areas in the first cell, and the coverage of each area in the first cell is smaller than the coverage of the first cell. In other words, the first cell is composed of N areas, and the one or more areas are part of the N areas, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0421] It should be noted that the first cell is composed of N areas, which can be understood as that the first cell is divided into N areas, and the coverage of the N areas can overlap or not overlap, which is not limited.

[0422] Exemplarily, FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a first cell and regions. The cells managed by the network device include the first cell, which can be composed of 13 regions. The network device is deployed on a satellite, or the network device is a satellite with communication function.

[0423] Optionally, the paging message includes at least one MBS identifier of each MBS, and region information related to each MBS. In this scheme, one MBS identifier can be used to identify or indicate one MBS, in other words, one MBS identifier can correspond to one MBS.

[0424] Exemplarily, the MBS corresponding to the MBS identifier 1 can be a weather forecast service; the MBS corresponding to the MBS identifier 2 can be a live broadcast service; the MBS corresponding to the MBS identifier 3 can be an emergency broadcast service; and the MBS corresponding to the MBS identifier 4 can be a public safety service.

[0425] Optionally, the MBS identifier is a TMGI. Exemplarily, the MBS identifier can also be an IP address or a port number of a data server, such as a source specific IP multicast address. Further, the MBS identifier can also be other MBS session identifiers, or a value that can identify one MBS, which is not limited in the present application.

[0426] Optionally, in the case where the shape of the region is a circle or approximately a circle, the region information can include the position information of the center of the circle, and the radius of the circle. Alternatively, the region information can include the number (or index) of the region in the N regions constituting the first cell. Alternatively, the region information can include the position information of the boundary point of the region. The position information can include longitude and latitude.

[0427] Optionally, step S401 can be performed when the session corresponding to the at least one MBS changes from the deactivated state to the activated state.

[0428] Exemplarily, assuming that the first cell is divided into 17 regions (i.e., N = 17), which are region 1 to region 17, and the at least one MBS is a weather forecast service. When the session corresponding to the weather forecast service changes from the deactivated state to the activated state, the network device can page the terminal devices located in one or more regions in the first cell, for example, the network device can page the terminal devices located in region 1, region 2 and region 3. In this case, the paging message can include the TMGI corresponding to the weather forecast service, and the identification information of region 1, region 2 and region 3.

[0429] Exemplarily, an example of an information element (IE) of the paging message is as follows:

[0430] In the example of the paging message described above, the paging message can be a group paging message, which includes multiple paging messages, i.e., Target_MBS. The MBS_Identity and MBS_Area are included in each paging message. The MBS_Identity is TMGI or MBS identifier, and the MBS_Area is Accosicated_Area or MBS-related area information.

[0431] At step S402, the network device sends data corresponding to at least one MBS.

[0432] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device sends the data corresponding to the at least one MBS in a multicast or broadcast manner.

[0433] In a possible implementation, the network device can send the data corresponding to the at least one MBS to terminal devices within a coverage range.

[0434] In another possible implementation, the at least one MBS includes a first MBS, and step S402 includes: the network device sends the data corresponding to the first MBS to terminal devices within one or more areas associated with the first MBS. Hereinafter, when the network device sends the data corresponding to the first MBS, the network device can send the data to terminal devices within a coverage range of the network device, or send the data to terminal devices within only the one or more areas associated with the first MBS. Here, the two cases are collectively described, and the following description is not repeated.

[0435] At step S403, the terminal device receives, in the first area, data corresponding to an MBS associated with the first area from the network device, where the first area belongs to the first cell.

[0436] In other words, the terminal device can be located in the first area, or the area where the terminal device is located (or belongs to) can be the first area.

[0437] Optionally, the terminal device receives, in the first area, data corresponding to an MBS associated with the first area and interested by the terminal device.

[0438] The terminal device in the first cell receives the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the first cell if the prior art is applied. That is, the terminal device in the region 3 needs to receive the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the regions 1 to 17. In this way, the terminal device receives more redundant information, and the data corresponding to the weather forecast services of the regions 1, 2, 4 to 17 is redundant information. If the communication method provided in the present application is applied, the terminal device in the region 3 can only receive the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the region 3, thereby providing more accurate and more targeted weather forecast services for the terminal device.

[0439] If the prior art is applied, the terminal device located in the first cell is paged, and receives the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the first cell. That is, the terminal device located in the region 3 needs to receive the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the regions 1 to 17. In this way, the terminal device receives more redundant information, and the data corresponding to the weather forecast services of the regions 1, 2, 4 to 17 is redundant information. If the communication method provided in the present application is applied, the terminal device in the region 3 can only receive the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the region 3, thereby providing more accurate and more targeted weather forecast services for the terminal device.

[0440] In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the paging message can be used to indicate the region information corresponding to at least one MBS respectively, so as to page the terminal devices located in one or more regions in the first cell associated with the MBS. Since the one or more regions are part of the first cell, the paging message can be used to page the terminal devices in the coverage range smaller than the first cell, which is suitable for the NTN scenario. This is because in the NTN scenario, the coverage range of a cell is very wide, and if the terminal devices in one or more cells are paged, the number of paged terminal devices will be too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices will also be paged. In addition, the terminal device located in the first region can only receive the data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first region, without receiving the data corresponding to the MBS associated with other regions in the first cell except the first region, so that the terminal device receives less redundant information, and the network provides more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0441] Optionally, the MBS associated with the first area includes a first MBS, that is, the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the first area. Whether the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state can be indicated by the paging message, or the RRC release message, or other messages. For how the terminal device determines the state in which the terminal device is located when receiving data according to the paging message, please refer to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0442] Optionally, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. In this scheme, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can stop detecting a channel carrying data corresponding to the first MBS associated with the first area until the first MBS associated with the first area is activated again.

[0443] Exemplarily, the first indication information can be carried in a stopMonitoringRNTI field. The stopMonitoringRNTI field can be included in an MBS-SessionInfoListMulticast field; the MBS-SessionInfoListMulticast field can be included in an MBSMulticastConfiguration field; and the MBSMulticastConfiguration field can be included in a MulticastMCCH-Message field.

[0444] Exemplarily, the stopMonitoringRNTI field can correspond to the first MBS, and the stopMonitoringRNTI field can be represented by a bitmap. The number of bits constituting the bitmap can be the same as the number of areas associated with the first MBS. The first indication information can be a bit in the bitmap corresponding to the first area. The value of the bit is 1 (or 0) can indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated.

[0445] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device can receive the paging message in each of the plurality of paging occasions (POs). In another possible implementation, the plurality of POs can be associated with the N regions constituting the first cell, so that the terminal device in the first region can only detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO corresponding to the first region to receive the paging message, without the need to detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO corresponding to the other regions in the first cell, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, the paging message can be used to page the terminal device in the first region, and since the coverage of the first region is smaller than that of the first cell, this implementation is suitable for the NTN scenario, and can avoid the problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices are also paged. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0446] In step S601, the terminal device and the network device obtain the association relationship between the plurality of POs and the N regions.

[0447] In the embodiment, the N regions constitute the first cell, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage of any region in the N regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; and the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource for sending a paging message.

[0448] In one possible implementation, the network device can generate the association relationship between the plurality of POs and the N regions, and send the association relationship to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the association relationship from the network device.

[0449] In another possible implementation, the protocol can specify the association relationship between the plurality of POs and the N regions. The terminal device and the network device can obtain the association relationship according to the protocol.

[0450] In the embodiment, the descriptions of the region and the first cell can refer to those in step S401, and are not repeated here.

[0451] Optionally, the association relationship is the association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more regions in the N regions.

[0452] In one possible implementation, the association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, and the bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to a region, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap.

[0453] For example, bit "0" is used to indicate that the corresponding area is not associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap, and bit "1" is used to indicate that the corresponding area is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap; or, bit "1" is used to indicate that the corresponding area is not associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap, and bit "0" is used to indicate that the corresponding area is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap, without limitation.

[0454] In another possible implementation, the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, and each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a table entry, the table entry including information of the corresponding PO and information of one or more areas associated with the corresponding PO.

[0455] For example, the information of the PO corresponding to the table entry can be the number (or index) of the PO in the plurality of POs, and the information of the one or more areas can be the numbers of the one or more areas in the N areas constituting the first cell.

[0456] Suppose the plurality of POs are PO1 and PO2, N=5, PO1 is associated with area 1, area 3 and area 5, and PO2 is associated with area 2 and area 4.

[0457] In the case where the association relationship is represented by the bitmap, PO 1 and PO 2 can correspond to a bitmap composed of 5 bits respectively. In the case where bit "0" is used to indicate that the corresponding area is not associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap, and bit "1" is used to indicate that the corresponding area is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap, the bitmap corresponding to PO 1 can be 10101, and the bitmap corresponding to PO 2 can be 01010.

[0458] In the case where the association relationship is represented by the mapping table, PO 1 and PO 2 can correspond to a table entry respectively, the table entry corresponding to PO 1 can include the number 1 of the PO and the numbers 1, 3 and 5 of the areas, and the table entry corresponding to PO 2 can include the number 2 of the PO and the numbers 2 and 4 of the areas.

[0459] In step S602, the network device sends the paging message corresponding to the N areas in the plurality of POs according to the association relationship.

[0460] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device sends the paging message corresponding to the N areas in the plurality of POs in the form of multicast or broadcast.

[0461] Optionally, the association relationship is the association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more areas of the N areas; and the network device sends the paging message corresponding to the N areas in the plurality of POs according to the association relationship, including: the network device sends the paging message corresponding to the associated one or more areas in each of the plurality of POs according to the association relationship.

[0462] Assuming that the multiple POs are PO 1 and PO 2, N = 5, PO 1 is associated with region 1, region 3 and region 5, and PO 2 is associated with region 2 and region 4. The network device can send the paging messages corresponding to region 1, region 3 and region 5 in PO 1; and the network device can send the paging messages corresponding to region 2 and region 4 in PO 2.

[0463] In step S603, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device in the PO corresponding to the first region according to the association relationship, wherein the first region belongs to the N regions.

[0464] Assuming that the multiple POs are PO 1 and PO 2, N = 5, PO 1 is associated with region 1, region 3 and region 5, and PO 2 is associated with region 2 and region 4, and the first region where the terminal device is located is region 3. Then, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device in the PO corresponding to region 3, i.e. PO 1, according to the association relationship, and does not need to detect the channel carrying the paging message in PO 2, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0465] Optionally, before step S602 and step S603, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application further includes: the network device sends a paging early indication (PEI) to the terminal device, the PEI indicating that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first region. In this scheme, the transmission of the PEI occurs before the transmission of the paging message. When the PEI indicates that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first region, the terminal device can receive the paging message in the PO. When the PEI indicates that the PO does not carry the paging message corresponding to the first region, the terminal device can not detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO. In addition, the terminal device has less overhead in parsing the PEI, and thus the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device can be achieved.

[0466] Exemplarily, the PEI can include one bit, and bit "0" (or bit "1") is used to indicate that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first region, and bit "1" (or bit "0") is used to indicate that the PO does not carry the paging message corresponding to the first region.

[0467] In the embodiments of the present application, the paging message can include at least one MBS identifier. The related description of the MBS identifier can refer to the related description in step S401 described above, and will not be repeated. After receiving the paging message, the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the first MBS in which the terminal device is interested. For example, the terminal device receives a paging message from the network device in PO 1, and the paging message includes a weather forecast service identifier and a live service identifier. If the terminal device is interested in the weather forecast service, the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with region 3. Whether the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state can be indicated by the paging message, or an RRC release message, or other messages. Taking the paging message as an example, how the terminal device determines the state in which the terminal device is located when receiving data is described in detail below.

[0468] Optionally, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when the terminal device is located in a region of the at least one second region. Generally, the terminal device can only receive data in the connected state, that is, the terminal device can only receive data corresponding to the MBS from the network device after the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the network device. Since the number of RRC connections that can be established by one network device is limited, the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS from the network device is also limited. In this scheme, the terminal device located in the second region is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, so that the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS can be increased, that is, the number of terminal devices (i.e., the receiving end of data in the MBS) that accept the MBS can be increased.

[0469] In the embodiments of the present application, one second region can be located in the first cell or in a cell other than the first cell, that is, one second region can be a region included in the first cell, or a region included in a cell other than the first cell. The plurality of second regions can all be located in the first cell, or all be located in a cell other than the first cell, or a part of the second regions are located in the first cell and the other part of the second regions are located in a cell other than the first cell, which is not limited.

[0470] Alternatively, a part of one second region is located in the first cell and the other part is located in a cell other than the first cell.

[0471] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a network device managed area. In the diagram, the network device is deployed on a satellite, or the network device is a satellite with communication function. The network device managed area can be divided into an area where inactive reception of data by the terminal device is allowed, and an area where inactive reception of data by the terminal device is not allowed. The area where inactive reception of data by the terminal device is allowed is the second area.

[0472] Optionally, the paging message comprises a first field and a second field; the first field is used to indicate that inactive reception of data by the terminal device is allowed, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area. For example, an example of an IE of the paging message is given below. In the example, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The second field can be an Accosicated_Area field. The second area can be determined by a geolocation, the position of the center can be determined by an AreaReferenceLocation-r18, and the radius can be determined by an AreaDistanceRadius-r18.

[0473] Optionally, the paging message comprises a first MBS identifier; the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application further comprises: the network device sends data corresponding to the first MBS; when the at least one second area comprises the first area, the terminal device receives the data corresponding to the first MBS in the inactive state; or when the at least one second area does not comprise the first area, the terminal device receives the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0474] Optionally, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state within the first time period. This scheme can be applied to scenarios in which the distance between the network device and the terminal device changes over time, such as when the network device is deployed on a satellite, or when the network device is a communication-capable satellite. In this scheme, the network device can determine the first time period based on the distance between the network device and the terminal device. The first time period can satisfy the condition that the distance between the network device and the terminal device is short and the link budget is good, thereby ensuring the reliability of data transmission. In time periods other than the first time period, the distance between the network device and the terminal device is far, and the link budget is poor. In order to ensure the reliability of data transmission, the terminal device can receive data in the connected state. When the link budget is poor, the initial transmission of data can be unsuccessful, and the network device needs to retransmit the data. The terminal device receives data in the connected state, which is beneficial to improving the probability of successful reception of data by the terminal device, i.e., improving the success rate of data retransmission, and thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0475] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. Exemplarily, the first field can be an inactiveReceptionAllowed field, and the value of the inactiveReceptionAllowed field can be true. The third field can include a time point, and the first time period is a time period before or after the time point. Alternatively, the third field can include two time points, and the first time period is a time period between the two time points.

[0476] In the embodiments of the present application, in the case where the third field includes a time point, the start time or the end time of the first time period can be the time point. Exemplarily, the third field can include 4 p.m. on a certain day. The first time period can be a time period up to 4 p.m. on that day, or the first time period can be a time period starting from 4 p.m. on that day.

[0477] Optionally, the paging message includes a first MBS identifier; the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes: the network device sends data corresponding to the first MBS; and the terminal device receives the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period, or receives the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state in a time period other than the first time period.

[0478] Optionally, the paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in a region of the at least one second region within the first time period. In this scheme, allowing the terminal device located in the second region to receive data in the deactivated state can increase the number of terminal devices that can receive data corresponding to the MBS, that is, the number of terminal devices receiving the MBS can be increased. In addition, the network device can determine the first time period based on the distance between the terminal device and the network device to ensure the reliability of data transmission.

[0479] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field, a second field and a third field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period. The related description of the first field, the second field and the third field can be referred to the above description, and will not be repeated here.

[0480] Optionally, the paging message includes a first MBS identifier; the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application further includes: the network device sends data corresponding to the first MBS; and the terminal device receives the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period when the at least one second region includes the first region; or receives the data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state within the first time period when the at least one second region does not include the first region, or within a time period other than the first time period.

[0481] Optionally, the paging message includes a first MBS identifier; the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. The related description of the first indication information can be referred to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0482] The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 describes that the terminal device and the network device perform transmission of the paging message according to the association relationship between the PO and the area. In another possible implementation, the terminal device and the network device can also perform transmission of the paging message according to the association relationship between the MBS identifier and the area and the association relationship between the MBS identifier and the PO. Thus, when the terminal device in the first area is interested in the first MBS associated with the first area, the terminal device can only detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO associated with the first MBS identifier to receive the paging message, without detecting the channel carrying the paging message in the PO associated with the MBS identifier other than the first MBS identifier, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, the paging message can be used to page the terminal device in the first area. Since the coverage range of the first area is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell, this implementation is suitable for the NTN scenario, and can avoid the problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices are also paged. FIG. 8 is a flowchart three of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0483] In step S801, the terminal device acquires a first association relationship between a plurality of MBS identifiers and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; and the coverage range of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell.

[0484] The description of the area and the first cell can be referred to the description of step S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0485] In a possible implementation, the network device can generate the first association relationship and send the first association relationship to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first association relationship from the network device.

[0486] In another possible implementation, the protocol can specify the first association relationship. The terminal device and the network device can acquire the first association relationship according to the protocol.

[0487] For example, the first association relationship can be carried in the MBS configuration information corresponding to each MBS identifier in the plurality of MBS identifiers.

[0488] Optionally, the first association relationship is an association relationship between each MBS identifier in the plurality of MBS identifiers and one or more areas in the N areas.

[0489] In a possible implementation, the first association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of MBS identifiers corresponds to a bitmap, and each bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to a region, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the MBS identifier corresponding to the bitmap. For specific description of the bitmap, refer to the related description in step S601, which is not repeated here.

[0490] In another possible implementation, the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each of the plurality of MBS identifiers corresponds to a table entry, and the table entry includes the corresponding MBS identifier and information about one or more regions associated with the MBS identifier corresponding to the table entry. For specific description of the mapping table, refer to the related description in step S601, which is not repeated here.

[0491] In step S802, the terminal device and the network device obtain a second association relationship between a plurality of MBS identifiers and a plurality of POs, wherein the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource used to send a paging message.

[0492] For related description of the MBS identifier, refer to the related description in step S401, which is not repeated here.

[0493] In a possible implementation, the network device can generate the second association relationship and send the second association relationship to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the second association relationship from the network device.

[0494] In another possible implementation, the protocol can specify the second association relationship. The terminal device and the network device can obtain the second association relationship according to the protocol.

[0495] In step S803, the network device sends a plurality of paging messages corresponding to a plurality of MBSs in a plurality of POs according to the second association relationship.

[0496] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device sends the paging messages corresponding to the plurality of MBSs in the plurality of POs in a multicast or broadcast manner.

[0497] Optionally, the second association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more MBS identifiers, and the network device sends the paging messages corresponding to the plurality of MBSs in the plurality of POs according to the second association relationship, including: the network device sends the paging messages corresponding to the one or more MBSs associated with each of the plurality of POs according to the second association relationship.

[0498] Assuming that the plurality of POs are PO 1 and PO 2, and the second association relationship is: PO 1 is associated with TMGI 1 and TMGI 2; and PO 2 is associated with TMGI 3. The network device can send a paging message including TMGI 1 and TMGI 2 in PO 1; and the network device can send a paging message including TMGI 3 in PO 2.

[0499] In step S804, the terminal device receives a paging message in a PO associated with a first MBS in a first area when interested in the first MBS, wherein the first area belongs to the N areas, and the first MBS is identified from the plurality of MBS identifiers.

[0500] Assuming that N = 5, the first association relationship is: TMGI 1 is associated with area 1, area 3 and area 5; TMGI 2 is associated with area 3 and area 4; and TMGI 3 is associated with area 2. In addition, the plurality of POs are PO 1 and PO 2, and the second association relationship is: PO 1 is associated with TMGI 1 and TMGI 2, and PO 2 is associated with TMGI 3. If the first area where the terminal device is located is area 3, the terminal device can select an interested MBS from the MBSs corresponding to TMGI 1 and TMGI 2 associated with area 3, for example, the terminal device is interested in the MBS corresponding to TMGI 2. Then, the terminal device can receive a paging message in PO 1 associated with TMGI 2. The terminal device does not need to detect a channel carrying a paging message in PO 2, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0501] Optionally, before step S803 and step S804, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends a PEI to the terminal device, the PEI indicating that the PO carries a paging message corresponding to a first MBS. In this scheme, the transmission of the PEI occurs before the transmission of the paging message. When the PEI indicates that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first MBS, the terminal device can receive the paging message in the PO. When the PEI indicates that the PO does not carry the paging message corresponding to the first MBS, the terminal device can not detect a channel carrying a paging message in the PO. In addition, the terminal device has less overhead in parsing the PEI, thereby achieving the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0502] Illustratively, the PEI can include one bit, and bit "0" (or bit "1") is used to indicate that the PO carries the paging message corresponding to the first MBS, and bit "1" (or bit "0") is used to indicate that the PO does not carry the paging message corresponding to the first MBS.

[0503] In the embodiment of the present application, the paging message can include the first MBS identifier. The related description of the MBS identifier can be referred to the related description in the step S401, and will not be repeated here. After receiving the paging message, the terminal device can receive the data corresponding to the first MBS. Whether the terminal device can receive the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state can be indicated by the paging message, or the RRC release message, or other messages. The related description of how the terminal device determines the state in which the terminal device is located when receiving the data according to the paging message can be referred to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0504] Optionally, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. The related description of the first indication information can be referred to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0505] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the PEI is used to indicate whether the paging message corresponding to the first area is carried in the PO. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the PEI is used to indicate whether the paging message corresponding to the first MBS is carried in the PO. In another possible implementation, the PEI can be used to indicate whether the paging message corresponding to each area of the N areas constituting the first cell is carried in the next PO. On the one hand, when the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first area in which the terminal device is located is carried in the next PO, the terminal device can receive the paging message in the next PO. When the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first area in which the terminal device is located is not carried in the next PO, the terminal device can not detect the channel carrying the paging message in the next PO. In addition, the terminal device has less overhead in parsing the PEI, so as to achieve the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, the paging message can be used to page the terminal devices in the first area. Since the coverage range of the first area is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell, this implementation is suitable for the NTN scenario, and can avoid the problem that the number of terminal devices to be paged is too large, and some unnecessary terminal devices are also paged. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0506] In step S901, the network device sends the PEI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the PEI from the network device.

[0507] The PEI indicates whether the paging message corresponding to each area of the N areas is carried in the next PO, wherein the N areas constitute the first cell, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage range of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell.

[0508] The description of the region and the first cell can refer to step S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0509] In the embodiments of the present application, the next PO of the PEI can also be referred to as the PO corresponding to the PEI.

[0510] Optionally, the PEI is characterized by a bitmap, and the bitmap is composed of N bits, each bit of the N bits is associated with a region, and each bit of the N bits is used to indicate whether the paging message corresponding to the associated region is carried in the next PO.

[0511] For example, the bit "0" (or the bit "1") is used to indicate that the paging message corresponding to the associated region is carried in the next PO, and the bit "1" (or the bit "0") is used to indicate that the paging message corresponding to the associated region is not carried in the next PO.

[0512] In step S902, the network device sends the paging message corresponding to one or more regions of the N regions in the PO.

[0513] In step S903, the terminal device receives the paging message in the PO when the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first region is carried in the PO.

[0514] The first region belongs to the N regions.

[0515] FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the PEI and the paging message transmitted in the PO. Assuming that N = 6, the PEI is represented as 101011, the bit "1" is used to indicate that the paging message corresponding to the associated region is carried in the next PO, and the bit "0" is used to indicate that the paging message corresponding to the associated region is not carried in the next PO. Then, in the PO, the network device can send the paging message corresponding to the region 1, the region 3, the region 5 and the region 6. The terminal device in the region 1, the region 3, the region 5 or the region 6 can receive the paging message in the PO. The terminal device in the region 2 or the region 4 can not detect the channel carrying the paging message in the PO, so as to achieve the technical effect of saving the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, only the terminal devices in the region 1, the region 3, the region 5 or the region 6 can be paged, and the coverage of these four regions is smaller than the coverage of the first cell, so it is suitable for the NTN scenario, and the number of paged terminal devices can be reduced, and some unnecessary paged terminal devices can also be paged.

[0516] In the embodiments of the present application, the paging message can include at least one MBS identifier. The related description of the MBS identifier can be referred to the related description in the step S401 described above, and will not be repeated here. After receiving the paging message, the terminal device can receive data corresponding to the first MBS of interest in at least one MBS. For example, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device in the PO in the area 3, and the paging message includes the weather forecast service identifier and the live service identifier. If the terminal device is interested in the weather forecast service, the data corresponding to the weather forecast service associated with the area 3 can be received. Whether the terminal device can receive the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state can be indicated by the paging message, or the RRC release, or other messages. The related description of how the terminal device determines the state in which the data is received according to the paging message can be referred to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0517] Optionally, the paging message includes the first MBS identifier; the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. The related description of the first indication information can be referred to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0518] It is mentioned in the embodiments shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 that the paging message is used to indicate whether the terminal device can receive the data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state. It should be noted that the paging message with this function can also be implemented separately, as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13. The related description of FIG. 11 to FIG. 13 can be referred to the related description of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0519] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart five of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0520] Step S1101, the network device sends a paging message. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device.

[0521] The paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state when located in the area of at least one second area, and the paging message includes the first MBS identifier.

[0522] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field and a second field; wherein the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate at least one second area.

[0523] Step S1102, the network device sends data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0524] After step S1102 is performed, step S1103a or step S1103b can be performed.

[0525] Step S1103a, when the at least one second area includes the first area, the terminal device receives data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state.

[0526] The first area is an area where the terminal device is located, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell. For related descriptions of the area and the first cell, please refer to the above step S401, which will not be described here.

[0527] Step S1103b, when the at least one second area does not include the first area, the terminal device receives data corresponding to the first MBS in the connected state.

[0528] Optionally, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. For related descriptions of the first indication information, please refer to the related descriptions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, which will not be described here.

[0529] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the application, including the following steps:

[0530] Step S1201, the network device sends a paging message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device.

[0531] The paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period, and the paging message includes a first MBS identifier.

[0532] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0533] Step S1202, the network device sends data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0534] After step S1202 is performed, step S1203a or step S1203b can be performed.

[0535] Step S1203a, the terminal device receives data corresponding to the first MBS in the deactivated state within the first time period.

[0536] Step S1203b, the terminal device receives, in a connected state, data corresponding to the first MBS in a time period outside the first time period.

[0537] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes: in the first area, receiving first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that a first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell. The description of the area and the first cell can be referred to the description of step S401, and will not be repeated here. The description of the first indication information can be referred to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0538] In combination with FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, FIG. 13 shows a flowchart seven of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0539] Step S1301, the network device sends a paging message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the paging message from the network device.

[0540] The paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when being located in an area of the at least one second area in the first time period, and the paging message includes a first MBS identifier.

[0541] Optionally, the paging message includes a first field, a second field and a third field; the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

[0542] Step S1302, the network device sends data corresponding to the first MBS.

[0543] After step S1302 is performed, step S1303a or step S1303b can be performed.

[0544] Step S1303a, the terminal device receives, in the deactivated state, data corresponding to the first MBS in the first time period when the at least one second area includes the first area.

[0545] The first area is an area where the terminal device is located, the first area belongs to a first cell, the first cell is composed of N areas, N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the coverage of any area of the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0546] Step S1303b, the terminal device receives data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state in the first time period when the at least one second area does not include the first area, or in a time period other than the first time period.

[0547] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. The related description of the first indication information can be referred to the related description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, which is not described here again.

[0548] In the embodiments of the present application, the plurality of MCCHs can be associated with the N areas, so that the terminal device in the first area can receive the MBS configuration information associated with the first area through the first MCCH associated with the first area, without detecting the MCCHs other than the first MCCH in the plurality of MCCHs, thereby avoiding the terminal device receiving the MBS configuration information associated with the areas other than the first area. On the one hand, the terminal only needs to detect the first MCCH, and the detection time is shorter, which is beneficial to save the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, the terminal device receives less redundant information, which is beneficial to the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device. FIG. 14 shows a flow chart eight of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0549] Step S1401, the network device and the terminal device obtain the association relationship between the plurality of MCCHs and the N areas.

[0550] Wherein, the N areas constitute a first cell, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell.

[0551] Wherein, the related description of the area and the first cell can be referred to the above step S401, which is not described here again.

[0552] Optionally, the plurality of MCCHs are located in one MCCH period in the time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, and the first length is the time length of the MCCH period. Exemplarily, the MCCH period can be a modification period. As shown in FIG. 15, N=4, the length of modification period 1 is the same as that of modification period 2. Each modification period can include time domain resources occupied by 4 MCCHs, which are the MCCH associated with area 1, the MCCH associated with area 2, the MCCH associated with area 3, and the MCCH associated with area 4, respectively.

[0553] In a possible implementation, the network device can generate the association relationship between the plurality of MCCHs and the N regions, and send the association relationship to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device can receive the association relationship from the network device.

[0554] In another possible implementation, a protocol can specify the association relationship between the plurality of MCCHs and the N regions. The terminal device and the network device can obtain the association relationship according to the protocol.

[0555] Optionally, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of MCCHs and one or more of the N regions.

[0556] In a possible implementation, the association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of MCCHs corresponds to a bitmap, and each bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to a region, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding region is associated with the MCCH corresponding to the bitmap. For specific description of the bitmap, reference can be made to the related description in step S601, and no further description is given.

[0557] In another possible implementation, the association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each of the plurality of MCCHs corresponds to a table item, the table item includes information of the corresponding MCCH, and information of one or more regions associated with the MCCH corresponding to the table item. For specific description of the mapping table, reference can be made to the related description in step S601, and no further description is given.

[0558] In step S1402, the network device sends the MBS configuration information associated with the N regions on the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0559] Optionally, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of MCCHs and one or more of the N regions; and the network device sends the MBS configuration information associated with the N regions on the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship, including: the network device sends the MBS configuration information associated with the one or more regions on each of the plurality of MCCHs according to the association relationship.

[0560] In combination with FIG. 15, taking the MCCH associated with the region 1 located in the change period 1 in the time domain as an example, the network device can send the MBS configuration information associated with the region 1 on the MCCH. When the MBS configuration information associated with the region 1 involves a plurality of MBSs, the configuration information corresponding to different MBSs can be distinguished by the carried MBS identifier.

[0561] In step S1403, the terminal device receives the first configuration information in the first region through the first MCCH associated with the first region.

[0562] The first configuration information is MBS configuration information associated with the first area, the first area belongs to the N areas, and the first MCCH belongs to the plurality of MCCHs.

[0563] In combination with FIG. 15, assuming that the first area where the terminal device is located is area 3, the first MCCH can be the MCCH associated with area 3 located in the change period 1 in the time domain. The terminal device does not need to detect the MCCHs associated with area 1, area 2, and area 4 located in the change period 1 in the time domain, so that the detection time is shorter, which is beneficial to save the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, the terminal device does not receive the MBS configuration information associated with area 1, area 2, and area 4, and receives less redundant information, which is beneficial to the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0564] Optionally, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the MBS configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with one or more areas in the next MCCH period is updated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. In the case that the one or more areas include the first area, the terminal device receives, in the first period, second configuration information through a second MCCH, the second configuration information being the updated MBS configuration information associated with the first area, the first period being the next MCCH period of the MCCH period where the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH being the MCCH associated with the first area in the first period. In this scheme, when the MBS configuration information associated with the first area is updated, the terminal device located in the first area can receive the updated MBS configuration information associated with the first area through the second MCCH according to the first indication information, without the need to detect the MCCH associated with other areas except the first area in the first period, so that the power consumption of the terminal device can be further saved, and the network can provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0565] Exemplarily, the first indication information can be carried in downlink control information (DCI).

[0566] Optionally, the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the DCI can be scrambled by a dedicated RNTI, such as MCCH-RNTI or multicast MCCH-RNTI.

[0567] In a possible implementation, the first indication information is represented by a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to a region, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the MBS configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with the corresponding region in the next MCCH period is updated.

[0568] In another possible implementation, the first indication information can include information of one or more regions. For example, the information of the one or more regions can be the number of the one or more regions in the N regions constituting the first cell.

[0569] In combination with FIG. 15, the MCCH period in which the first indication information is located can be the change period 1, and the first period can be the change period 2. The first indication information indicates that the MBS configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with the regions 3 and 4 in the change period 2 is updated. Then, the terminal device located in the region 3 can receive the updated MBS configuration information associated with the region 3 by using the second MCCH, i.e., the MCCH associated with the region 3 in the change period 2.

[0570] For example, the first indication information can be 0011, where the bit "0" indicates that the MBS configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with the corresponding region in the change period 2 is not updated, and the bit "1" indicates that the MBS configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with the corresponding region in the change period 2 is updated. Alternatively, the first information can include the numbers of the regions 3 and 4, i.e., 3 and 4.

[0571] Optionally, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends third configuration information through a third MCCH. The third configuration information is the common MBS configuration information associated with the first region and at least one third region, and the third region is a region other than the first region. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third configuration information from the network device through the third MCCH. In this scheme, when the common MBS configuration information is relatively large, the common MBS configuration information is transmitted through the third MCCH, which can reduce the amount of information carried on the first MCCH and the MCCH associated with the third region. In addition, compared with the scheme that the MBS configuration information associated with the first region is carried on the first MCCH associated with the first region, the MBS configuration information associated with the third region is carried on the MCCH associated with the third region, the scheme can significantly reduce the amount of information to be transmitted as a whole.

[0572] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the number of the third areas is 1, the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first area contains 100 parameters, the MBS configuration information corresponding to the third area contains 101 parameters, and 95 parameters are the same. Then, the 95 common parameters can be carried on the third MCCH, only 5 parameters can be carried on the first MCCH associated with the first area, and only 6 parameters can be carried on the MCCH associated with the third area. Obviously, the amount of information carried on the first MCCH and the MCCH associated with the third area can be reduced. The total number of parameters transmitted is (95+5+6) = 106. If 100 parameters are carried on the first MCCH and 101 parameters are carried on the MCCH associated with the third area, the total number of parameters transmitted is (100+101) = 201. Therefore, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can significantly reduce the amount of information to be transmitted as a whole.

[0573] In combination with FIG. 15, the first area is area 3, and the at least one third area is area 1, area 2 and area 4. If the common MBS configuration information associated with area 1 to area 4 is more, the common MBS configuration information can be carried on the third MCCH. The third MCCH is located in the change period 1 in the time domain, which is not shown in FIG. 15. Among the MBS configuration information associated with area 1 to area 4, the MBS configuration information other than the third configuration information can be carried on the MCCH associated with area 1 to area 4, respectively.

[0574] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second indication information from the network device. The related description of the second indication information can be referred to the related description of the first indication information in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, which will not be described here.

[0575] In the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of MCCHs can be associated with a plurality of MBS identifiers, so that the terminal device interested in the first MBS can receive the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier through the first MCCH associated with the first MBS identifier. The terminal only needs to detect the MCCH associated with the MBS identifier corresponding to the MBS of interest, and does not need to detect the MCCH associated with the MBS identifier corresponding to the MBS of no interest. On the one hand, it is beneficial to save the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, the terminal device receives less redundant information, which is beneficial for the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device. FIG. 16 shows a flowchart of the ninth communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, which includes the following steps:

[0576] In step S1601, the terminal device and the network device obtain the association relationship between a plurality of MBS identifiers and a plurality of MCCHs.

[0577] Optionally, the plurality of MCCHs are located in a MCCH period in the time domain, and the plurality of MCCHs are repeated in the time domain with a first length, the first length being a length of the MCCH period. Exemplarily, the MCCH period can be a modification period. As shown in FIG. 17, the length of the modification period 1 is the same as that of the modification period 2. Each modification period can include time domain resources occupied by 4 MCCHs, the 4 MCCHs being respectively an MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 1, an MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 2, an MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 3, and an MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 4.

[0578] In a possible implementation, the network device can generate an association relationship between the plurality of MBS identifiers and the plurality of MCCHs, and send the association relationship to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the association relationship from the network device.

[0579] In another possible implementation, a protocol can specify the association relationship between the plurality of MBS identifiers and the plurality of MCCHs. The terminal device and the network device can obtain the association relationship according to the protocol.

[0580] Optionally, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of MCCHs and one or more sessions.

[0581] Step S1602, the network device sends, according to the association relationship, MBS configuration information corresponding to the plurality of MBS identifiers on the plurality of MCCHs.

[0582] Optionally, the association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of MCCHs and one or more sessions; and the network device sends, according to the association relationship, MBS configuration information corresponding to the plurality of MBS identifiers on the plurality of MCCHs, including: the network device sends, according to the association relationship, MBS configuration information corresponding to the associated one or more MBS identifiers on each of the plurality of MCCHs.

[0583] In combination with FIG. 17, taking the MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 1 located in the modification period 1 in the time domain as an example, the network device can send MBS configuration information associated with the MBS identifier 1 on the MCCH. When the MBS configuration information associated with the MBS identifier 1 involves a plurality of areas, the configuration information corresponding to different areas can be distinguished by a logical channel identity (LCID) carried.

[0584] Step S1603, the terminal device receives first configuration information through a first MCCH associated with a first MBS identifier.

[0585] The first MCCH belongs to multiple MCCHs, the first configuration information is MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier, and the first MBS is an MBS of interest.

[0586] In combination with FIG. 17, it is assumed that the terminal device is interested in only an MBS corresponding to MBS identifier 2, that is, the first MBS identifier is MBS identifier 2, and then the first MCCH can be an MCCH associated with MBS identifier 2 in the modification period 1.

[0587] Optionally, the first configuration information indicates one or more areas in the first cell associated with the first MBS; the one or more areas are partial areas in the first cell, and a coverage range of any area in the first cell is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell. Wherein, the related description of the area and the first cell can be referred to the above step S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0588] In a possible implementation, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. Wherein, the first indication information indicates that the configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with one or more MBS identifiers in the next MCCH period has been updated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device. In the case that the one or more MBS identifiers includes the first MBS identifier, the terminal device receives the second configuration information through the second MCCH in the first period; the second configuration information is the updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier, the first period is the next MCCH period of the MCCH period in which the first indication information is located, and the second MCCH is the MCCH associated with the first MBS identifier in the first period. In this scheme, when the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier is updated, the terminal device can receive the updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier through the second MCCH according to the first indication information, without the need to detect the MCCH corresponding to the MBS identifier other than the first MBS identifier in the first period, so as to further save the power consumption of the terminal device, and facilitate the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0589] The first indication information in the embodiment of the present application can include one or more MBS identifiers.

[0590] Exemplarily, the first indication information can be carried in DCI.

[0591] Optionally, the CRC of the DCI can be scrambled by a dedicated RNTI, such as MCCH-RNTI or multicast MCCH-RNTI.

[0592] In combination with FIG. 17, the MCCH period in which the first indication information is located can be a change period 1, and the first period can be a change period 2. The first indication information indicates that the configuration information carried on the MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 2 in the change period 2 is updated. Then, if the terminal device is interested in the MBS corresponding to the MBS identifier 2, the updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the MBS identifier 2 can be received through the second MCCH, that is, the MCCH associated with the MBS identifier 2 in the change period 2.

[0593] In another possible implementation, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further includes: the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device. The second indication information indicates that the configuration information corresponding to one or more MBS identifiers associated with one or more areas in the next MCCH period is updated. Accordingly, the terminal device is in a first area, and receives the second indication information from the network device. In a case where the one or more MBS identifiers associated with the one or more areas include a first MBS identifier associated with the first area, the terminal device receives third configuration information through a third MCCH in a second period; the third configuration information is updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first area, the second period is the next MCCH period of the MCCH period in which the second indication information is located, and the third MCCH is the MCCH associated with the first MBS in the second period. In this scheme, when the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first area is updated, the terminal device located in the first area can receive the updated MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier associated with the first area through the third MCCH according to the second indication information, without detecting the MCCH corresponding to the MBS identifier other than the first MBS identifier in the second period, thereby further saving the power consumption of the terminal device, and facilitating the network to provide more accurate and more targeted MBS for the terminal device.

[0594] The above implementation can be implemented based on the association relationship between the one or more MBS identifiers and the one or more areas. For example, TMGI1 is associated with the area 1, the area 3, and the area 5. The second indication information can indicate that the configuration information corresponding to TMGI1 associated with the area 1 in the next MCCH period is updated.

[0595] The second indication information in the embodiment of the present application can include one or more MBS identifiers, and one or more areas associated with each MBS in the one or more MBS identifiers.

[0596] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes: the network device sends fourth configuration information through a fourth MCCH, the fourth configuration information being MBS configuration information common to the first MBS and at least one second MBS, the second MBS being an MBS other than the first MBS. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth configuration information through the fourth MCCH. In this scheme, when the common MBS configuration information is relatively large, the common MBS configuration information is transmitted through the fourth MCCH, which can reduce the amount of information carried on the first MCCH and the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier. In addition, compared with the scheme in which the first MCCH associated with the first MBS identifier carries the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier, and the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier carries the MBS configuration information corresponding to the second MBS identifier, this scheme can significantly reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted as a whole.

[0597] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the number of second MBS identifiers is 1, the MBS configuration information corresponding to the first MBS identifier contains 100 parameters, and the MBS configuration information corresponding to the second MBS contains 101 parameters, of which 95 parameters are the same. Then, the common 95 parameters can be carried on the fourth MCCH, the first MCCH associated with the first MBS identifier can carry only 5 parameters, and the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier can carry only 6 parameters, which obviously can reduce the amount of information carried on the first MCCH and the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier. This scheme transmits a total of (95+5+6) = 106 parameters. If the first MCCH carries 100 parameters and the MCCH associated with the second MBS identifier carries 101 parameters, a total of (100+101) = 201 parameters are transmitted. Therefore, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can significantly reduce the amount of information that needs to be transmitted as a whole.

[0598] In combination with FIG. 17, the first MBS is the MBS corresponding to MBS identifier 1, and the at least one second MBS is the MBS corresponding to MBS identifier 2, MBS identifier 3 and MBS identifier 4. If the MBS configuration information common to the MBSs corresponding to MBS identifier 1 to MBS identifier 4 is relatively large, the common MBS configuration information can be carried on the fourth MCCH. The fourth MCCH can be located in the first change period in the time domain, which is not shown in FIG. 17. Of the MBS configuration information corresponding to MBS identifier 1 to MBS identifier 4, the MBS configuration information other than the third configuration information can be carried on the MCCH associated with MBS identifier 1 to MBS identifier 4, respectively.

[0599] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application further includes: the network device sends third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information is used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first area is deactivated. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third indication information from the network device. The related description of the third indication information can be referred to the related description of the first indication information in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0600] It can be understood that, in each of the above embodiments, the terminal device can be a terminal device, or a module applied to the terminal device to implement the communication function of the terminal device, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, a component, etc. Similarly, the network device can be a network device, or a module applied to the network device to implement the communication function of the network device, such as a chip, a chip system, a module, a component, etc.

[0601] It can be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, the terminal device or the network device includes a hardware structure and / or a software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is driven by hardware or computer software to drive hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0602] The embodiments of the present application can divide the terminal device or the network device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments, 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 integrated module can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical function division. Actual implementation can have another division manner.

[0603] For example, the terminal device or the network device in the embodiments of the present application can be realized in the form of the communication device 180 shown in FIG. 18. The communication device 180 can include a transceiver module 1801. Optionally, the communication device 180 can further include an acquisition module 1802. The communication device 180 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, and FIG. 16.

[0604] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 180 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the transceiver module 1801 is configured to receive the paging message; and the transceiver module 1801 is further configured to receive data corresponding to the MBS associated with the first area in the first area.

[0605] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 180 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the communication apparatus 180 comprises an acquisition module 1802 configured to acquire the association relationship between the plurality of POs and the N areas; and the transceiver module 1801 is configured to receive the paging message in the first area according to the association relationship in the PO corresponding to the first area.

[0606] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 180 is configured to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the transceiver module 1801 is configured to send the paging message; and the transceiver module 1801 is further configured to send data corresponding to at least one MBS.

[0607] Exemplarily, when the communication apparatus 180 is configured to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the communication apparatus 180 comprises an acquisition module 1802 configured to acquire the association relationship between the plurality of POs and the N areas; and the transceiver module 1801 is configured to send the paging message corresponding to the N areas in the plurality of POs according to the association relationship.

[0608] For more detailed description of the transceiver module 1801 and the acquisition module 1802, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, and FIG. 16.

[0609] In this embodiment, the communication apparatus 180 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here can refer to a specific application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and a memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0610] In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art can conceive that the communication apparatus 180 can take the form of the communication apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 3.

[0611] For example, the processor 111 in the communication device 110 shown in FIG. 3 can cause the communication device 180 to perform the communication method in the above method embodiments by invoking the program stored in the memory 112. Specifically, part of the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1801 in FIG. 18 can be implemented by the transceiver 115. Part of the functions / implementation processes of the obtaining module 1802 in FIG. 18 can be implemented by the processor 111 in the communication device 110 shown in FIG. 3 invoking the program stored in the memory 112; or part of the functions / implementation processes of the obtaining module 1802 in FIG. 18 can be implemented by the transceiver 115.

[0612] Since the communication device 180 provided in the embodiment can perform the above communication method, the technical effects it can obtain can refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0613] It should be noted that one or more of the above modules or units can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented in software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in the memory, and the processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can be built in the SoC (system on chip) or ASIC, or be a separate semiconductor chip. The processor further includes a necessary hardware accelerator, such as field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), or a logic circuit implementing special logic operation.

[0614] When any of the above modules or units is implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, special purpose digital circuit, hardware accelerator or non-integrated discrete device, which can run necessary software or be independent of software to execute the above method flow.

[0615] Optionally, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, comprising: at least one processor and an interface, the at least one processor is coupled with a memory through the interface, when the at least one processor executes a computer program or an instruction in the memory, the method in any of the above method embodiments is executed. In a possible implementation manner, the communication device further comprises the memory. Optionally, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices, and the embodiment of the present application does not make a specific limitation hereon.

[0616] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be realized by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When realized by software, all or part of the embodiments can be realized in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises 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 generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through a wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device comprising one or more servers, data centers, etc. integrated with the medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0617] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, other variations of the disclosed embodiments can be understood and implemented by those skilled in the art through viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "one" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Some measures described in mutually different dependent claims can be combined and produce a good result.

[0618] Although the present application has been described in connection with certain specific features and embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited to the features and embodiments specifically described, but rather can be practiced with modification and alteration within the scope of the claims and the scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense. It is to be understood that the application is not to be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving a paging message, the paging message indicating at least one multicast broadcast service (MBS) and area information corresponding to the at least one MBS respectively, the area information indicating one or more areas in a first cell associated with a related MBS, wherein the one or more areas are partial areas in the first cell, and a coverage range of any area in the first cell is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; receiving, in a first area, data corresponding to an MBS associated with the first area, wherein the first area belongs to the first cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The paging message includes an MBS identifier of each MBS in the at least one MBS, and the area information related to each MBS.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The MBS identifier is a temporary mobile group identifier (TMGI).

4. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: Obtaining an association relationship between a plurality of paging occasions (POs) and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage range of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage range of the first cell; the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource for sending a paging message; In a first area, receiving a paging message in a PO corresponding to the first area according to the association relationship, wherein the first area belongs to the N areas.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more areas in the N areas; The association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to an area, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding area is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap. Alternatively, The association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a table entry, the table entry includes information of the corresponding PO, and information of one or more areas associated with the PO corresponding to the table entry.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, Before the receiving, in a first area, a paging message in a PO corresponding to the first area according to the association relationship, the method further comprises: Receiving a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicating that the paging message corresponding to the first area is carried in the PO.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The paging message is used to indicate that it is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in at least one second area.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The paging message includes a first field and a second field; Wherein, the first field is used to indicate that it is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The paging message includes a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier; and the method further includes: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state within the first time period; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state within a time period other than the first time period.

10. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state within a first time period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The paging message includes a first field and a third field; The first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The paging message includes a first MBS identifier; and the method further includes: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state within the first time period; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state within a time period other than the first time period.

13. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The paging message is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state when a region in at least one second region within a first time period.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The paging message includes a first field, a second field, and a third field; The first field is used to indicate that data is allowed to be received in a deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second region, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The paging message includes a first MBS identifier; and the method further includes: receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a deactivated state within the first time period when the at least one second region includes the first region; or receiving data corresponding to the first MBS in a connected state within the first time period when the at least one second region does not include the first region, or within a time period other than the first time period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 4-15, characterized in that, The paging message includes a first MBS identifier; and the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first MBS associated with the first region is deactivated.

17. A method of communication, comprising: includes: sending a paging message, the paging message indicating at least one multicast broadcast service (MBS) and region information corresponding to the at least one MBS respectively, the region information indicating one or more regions in a first cell associated with a related MBS, wherein the one or more regions are part of the first cell, and a coverage range of any region in the first cell is smaller than a coverage range of the first cell; sending data corresponding to the at least one MBS.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The at least one MBS includes a first MBS; and the sending of the data corresponding to the at least one MBS includes: sending data corresponding to the first MBS to a terminal device in one or more regions associated with the first MBS.

19. The method of claim 17 or 18, wherein, The paging message includes an MBS identifier of each of the at least one MBS and the area information related to each of the MBSs.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The MBS identifier is a temporary mobile group identifier (TMGI).

21. A method of communication, comprising: Comprise: Obtain an association relationship between a plurality of paging occasions (POs) and N areas, wherein the N areas constitute a first cell, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; the coverage of any area in the N areas is smaller than the coverage of the first cell; the paging occasion is a time-frequency resource for sending a paging message; According to the association relationship, the paging messages corresponding to the N areas are sent in the plurality of POs.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The association relationship is an association relationship between each of the plurality of POs and one or more areas in the N areas; The association relationship is represented by a bitmap, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a bitmap, the bitmap is composed of N bits, each of the N bits corresponds to an area, and each of the N bits is used to indicate whether the corresponding area is associated with the PO corresponding to the bitmap. Or, The association relationship is represented by a mapping table, each of the plurality of POs corresponds to a table item, the table item includes information of the corresponding PO, and information of one or more areas associated with the PO corresponding to the table item.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, According to the association relationship, the paging messages corresponding to the N areas are sent in the plurality of POs. According to the association relationship, the paging messages corresponding to the N areas are sent in the plurality of POs.

24. The method of any one of claims 21-23, wherein, The N areas include a first area; before the method according to the association relationship, the method further comprises: Send a paging early indication (PEI), the PEI indicates that the paging message corresponding to the first area is carried in the PO corresponding to the first area, and the first area belongs to the N areas.

25. The method of any one of claims 21-24, wherein, The paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in an area in at least one second area.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The paging message includes a first field and a second field; Wherein, the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area.

27. The method of any one of claims 21-24, wherein, The paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state within a first time period.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein, The paging message includes a first field and a third field; Wherein, the first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

29. The method of any one of claims 21-24, wherein, The paging message is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in a deactivated state when located in an area in at least one second area within a first time period.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The paging message comprises a first field, a second field and a third field; The first field is used to indicate that the terminal device is allowed to receive data in the deactivated state, the second field is used to indicate the at least one second area, and the third field is used to indicate the first time period.

31. The method of any one of claims 21-30, wherein, The paging message comprises a first multicast broadcast service (MBS) identifier, and the first MBS is associated with a first area of the N areas. The method further comprises: The communication device comprises a module or unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-3; or a module or unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 4-16; or a module or unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 17-20; or a module or unit for implementing the method of any one of claims 21-31.

32. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises:

33. A communications device, characterized by A memory and a processor coupled to the memory, the memory being configured to store a program, and the processor being configured to execute the program stored in the memory; when the communication device is running, the processor executes the program, so that the communication device executes the method of any one of claims 1-3; or so that the communication device executes the method of any one of claims 4-16; or so that the communication device executes the method of any one of claims 17-20; or so that the communication device executes the method of any one of claims 21-31. The communication system comprises a terminal device and / or a network device; wherein, 34. A communication system, characterized by The terminal device is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1-3, and the network device is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 17-20; or The terminal device is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 4-16, and the network device is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 21-31. The computer program is stored on the computer and causes the computer to execute the method of any one of claims 1-3; or the computer program is stored on the computer and causes the computer to execute the method of any one of claims 4-16; or the computer program is stored on the computer and causes the computer to execute the method of any one of claims 17-20; or the computer program is stored on the computer and causes the computer to execute the method of any one of claims 21-31.

35. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, ​ 36. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 4-16, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 17-20, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 21-31.

37. A chip, characterized by The chip comprises a processor and a memory, the memory being configured to store instructions, and the processor being configured to run the instructions to cause an apparatus comprising the chip to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3, or to cause an apparatus comprising the chip to perform the method of any one of claims 4-16, or to cause an apparatus comprising the chip to perform the method of any one of claims 17-20, or to cause an apparatus comprising the chip to perform the method of any one of claims 21-31.

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