Communication method, and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications. Disclosed are a communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: sending an eighth message to a first terminal, the eighth message being used for suspending an RRC connection; and sending a first message to the first terminal, the first message comprising first information, the first information being used for indicating an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) radio resource, and the AIoT radio resource being used for the terminal to execute a first AIoT service in an RRC Inactive state. The present application can support terminals to execute AIoT services in an RRC Inactive state.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411341074.1 filed on September 24, 2024 and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) defines ambient internet of things (AIoT) technology. In the AIoT technology, an AIoT device can be located within the coverage provided by a reader, which can be a base station or a terminal.

[0004] How a terminal performs AIoT service in an RRC Inactive state when acting as a reader is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can support a terminal to perform AIoT service in an RRC Inactive state.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to an access network device or a chip in the access network device, and the method comprises: sending an eighth message to a terminal (or referred to as a first terminal), the eighth message being used for suspending an RRC connection; and sending a first message to the terminal, the first message comprising first information, the first information being used for indicating an ambient internet of things (AIoT) wireless resource (or referred to as a first AIoT wireless resource), the AIoT wireless resource being used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC deactivation state.

[0007] In a possible design, the first message further includes at least one of the following: second information used to indicate whether the terminal (or referred to as a first terminal) continues to perform the first AIoT service; third information used to indicate a first condition or a first value, where the first value is used to indicate the first condition, and the first condition is a condition for transmitting data or signaling related to the first AIoT service; fourth information used to indicate whether a first signaling radio bearer (SRB) is configured for SDT, and the first SRB is used to transmit AIoT service-related data / signaling; and fifth information used to indicate whether a first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured for SDT, and the first DRB is used to transmit AIoT service-related data / signaling.

[0008] Optionally, the first value includes at least one of the following: a maximum number of AIoT device identifications, a size of the tenth information, a size of the tenth information, a length of the tenth information, and a threshold of the tenth information.

[0009] Optionally, the tenth information is AIoT service data or signaling.

[0010] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a second message, where the second message includes sixth information used to request to enter an RRC Inactive state, and / or request the AIoT radio resource.

[0011] Optionally, the sixth information is further used to indicate that the terminal enters an RRC Inactive state to perform the first AIoT service.

[0012] Optionally, the sixth information is further used to indicate a first time, where the first time is used to indicate a time at which the terminal is expected to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service, or a time at which the terminal is expected to remain in the RRC Inactive state.

[0013] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a third message, where the third message is used to indicate that data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service is related to a first protocol data unit session and / or a first quality of service flow.

[0014] The third message includes at least one of the following: a protocol data unit session identifier, a quality of service flow identifier, seventh information used to indicate the first AIoT service, and fourth information used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0015] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to a core network (e.g., a first core network element), a fifth message, where the fifth message includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to indicate that the terminal enters an RRC deactivation state.

[0016] In a possible design, the AIoT wireless resource (or AIoT wireless resource) includes at least one of the following: a second AIoT wireless resource, where the second AIoT wireless resource is used for the terminal to communicate with an AIoT device in a first cell, the first cell is provided by a first access network device, and the first cell includes one or more; and a third AIoT wireless resource, where the third AIoT wireless resource is used for the terminal to communicate with an AIoT device in a process of accessing a second cell from the first cell, or in a process of accessing a second access network device from the first access network device.

[0017] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to the terminal, a paging message, where the paging message includes ninth information, and the ninth information is used to instruct the terminal to perform AIoT service.

[0018] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, to a core network (e.g., a first core network element), a sixth message, where the sixth message is used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0020] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service includes one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network device; and acting as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0021] In a second aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which has the function of implementing the method in the first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The apparatus includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method in the first aspect. For example, the communication apparatus includes: a module for sending the eighth message; and a module for sending the first message, where the first message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate an AIoT wireless resource, where the AIoT wireless resource is used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC deactivation state.

[0022] In a possible design, the first message further includes at least one of the following: second information used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service; third information used to indicate a first condition or a first value used to indicate the first condition, the first condition being a condition under which the terminal transmits data or signaling related to the first AIoT service; fourth information used to indicate whether a first signaling radio bearer (SRB) is configured for SDT, the first SRB being used to transmit AIoT service-related data / signaling; fifth information used to indicate whether a first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured for SDT, the first DRB being used to transmit AIoT service-related data / signaling.

[0023] Optionally, the first value includes at least one of the following: a maximum number of AIoT device identifications, a size of the tenth information, a size of the tenth information, a length of the tenth information, and a threshold of the tenth information. The tenth information is related to the first AIoT service. Optionally, the tenth information includes AIoT service data or signaling.

[0024] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for receiving a second message, the second message including sixth information used to request to enter an RRC Inactive state and / or request the AIoT radio resource.

[0025] Optionally, the sixth information is further used to indicate that the terminal enters an RRC Inactive state to perform the first AIoT service.

[0026] Optionally, the sixth information is further used to indicate a first time, the first time being used to indicate a time at which the terminal is expected to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service or a time at which the terminal is expected to remain in the RRC Inactive state.

[0027] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for receiving a third message, the third message being used to indicate that data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service is related to a first protocol data unit (PDU) session and / or a first quality of service (QoS) flow.

[0028] The third message includes at least one of the following: a PDU session identifier, a QoS flow identifier, seventh information used to indicate the first AIoT service, and fourth information used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0029] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for sending a fifth message, where the fifth message includes eighth information, and the eighth information is used to instruct the terminal to enter an RRC deactivation state.

[0030] In a possible design, the AIoT wireless resource (first AIoT wireless resource) includes at least one of the following: a second AIoT wireless resource, where the second AIoT wireless resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in a first cell, the first cell is provided by a first access network device, and the first cell includes one or more.

[0031] a third AIoT wireless resource, where the third AIoT wireless resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in a process of accessing a second cell from the first cell, or in a process of accessing a second access network device from the first access network device.

[0032] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for sending a paging message, where the paging message includes ninth information, and the ninth information is used to instruct to page the terminal to perform AIoT service.

[0033] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for sending a sixth message, where the sixth message is used to instruct to accept or reject performing the first AIoT service.

[0034] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a module for receiving a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to instruct to accept or reject performing the first AIoT service.

[0035] Optionally, the above module for sending can be implemented by one sending module, and the module for receiving can be implemented by one receiving module.

[0036] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, when the computer instructions are executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a memory, where the memory stores the computer instructions.

[0037] Exemplarily, the apparatus includes one or more processors, a memory configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions, and when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method in any one of the first aspect.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a processing circuitry and an interface circuitry; wherein the interface circuitry is configured to couple with a memory outside the communication apparatus and provide a communication interface for the processing circuitry to access the memory; and the processing circuitry is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method in any of the first aspect.

[0039] In the implementation process, 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 circuitry can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0040] In an implementation manner, the communication apparatus can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a base station. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a modem or a baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or a radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuitry can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuitry can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0041] In another implementation manner, the communication apparatus can be part of a device in a wireless communication device, such as a network chip or a communication chip. The interface circuitry 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 chip network. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0042] Exemplarily, in the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0043] The communication apparatus in any of the above second aspect to fourth aspect can be an access network device or a chip in an access network device.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, causing the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in an access network device or a device (for example, a chip) built in the access network device, causing the access network device to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0045] It can be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by any of the second aspect to the fifth aspect provided above can refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, applied to a terminal or a chip in the terminal, comprising: receiving an eighth message; receiving a first message, the first message comprising first information, the first information being used to indicate an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) wireless resource, the AIoT wireless resource being used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC Inactive state.

[0047] In a possible design, the method further comprises: sending, to the access network device, a second message, the second message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used to request to enter the RRC Inactive state and / or request the AIoT wireless resource.

[0048] In a possible design, the method further comprises: sending, to the access network device, a seventh message, the seventh message being used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0049] In a possible design, the terminal is preconfigured with a fourth AIoT wireless resource, the fourth AIoT wireless resource being used for the terminal to communicate with an AIoT device when the terminal is outside coverage of the access network device or is not connected to the access network device.

[0050] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the access network device; and acting as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0051] The specific contents and beneficial effects of the communication method provided in the sixth aspect can refer to those described in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which has the function of implementing the method of the sixth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The apparatus includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method of the sixth aspect, for example, the communication apparatus includes: a module for receiving a first message, the first message including first information, the first information being used for indicating an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) wireless resource, the AIoT wireless resource being used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC deactivation state.

[0053] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for sending, for example, a module for sending a second message, a seventh message, etc.

[0054] Optionally, the above module for sending can be implemented by one sending module, and the module for receiving can be implemented by one receiving module.

[0055] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication apparatus, which includes: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, when the computer instructions are executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a memory, which stores the computer instructions.

[0056] For example, the apparatus includes: one or more processors; a memory configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions; when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to implement the method in any one of the sixth aspect.

[0057] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes: a processing circuit and an interface circuit; wherein the interface circuit is configured to couple with a memory outside the communication apparatus, and provide a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory; and the processing circuit is configured to execute program instructions in the memory, to implement the method in any one of the sixth aspect.

[0058] In the implementation process, 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, various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0059] In an implementation, the communication apparatus can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a terminal. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a modem or baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0060] In yet another implementation, the communication apparatus can be part of a device in a wireless communication device, such as a network chip or a communication chip, etc. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit, etc. on the chip or chip network. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0061] By way of example, in the eighth aspect and the ninth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0062] The communication apparatus described in any one of the above eighth aspect to ninth aspect can be a terminal or a chip in a terminal.

[0063] In the tenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a terminal or an apparatus (e.g., a chip) built in the terminal, the terminal implements the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0064] It can be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by any one of the above seventh aspect to tenth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects of the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0065] Eleventhly, this application provides a communication method applied to a terminal or a chip in a terminal, the method comprising: executing a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device; during the execution of the first AIoT service, accessing a second access network device; and in response to accessing the second access network device, determining whether to continue executing the first AIoT service.

[0066] In one possible design, the method further includes: if it is determined that the first AIoT service will continue to be executed, sending data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or the first core network device, wherein the first core network device is the core network device serving the second access network device.

[0067] Optionally, the execution of the first AIoT service includes one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network device; and acting as a reader / writer for the first AIoT service.

[0068] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing the method described in the eleventh aspect above. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method described in the eleventh aspect above. For example, the communication device includes: a module for executing a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service; a module for accessing a second access network device during the execution of the first AIoT service; and a module for determining whether to continue executing the first AIoT service in response to accessing the second access network device, etc.

[0069] In one possible design, the apparatus further includes a module for sending data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or the first core network device if it is determined that the first AIoT service should continue to be executed, wherein the first core network device is a core network device serving the second access network device.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, wherein when the computer instructions are executed, the device performs the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory storing the computer instructions.

[0071] Exemplarily, the apparatus comprises one or more processors; a memory for storing one or more computer programs or instructions; when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method according to any one of the eleventh aspect.

[0072] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a processing circuit and an interface circuit; wherein the interface circuit is configured to couple with a memory outside the communication apparatus and provide a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory; and the processing circuit is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method according to any one of the eleventh aspect.

[0073] In the implementation process, 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, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0074] In an implementation manner, the communication apparatus can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a terminal. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a modem or a baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or a radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0075] In another implementation manner, the communication apparatus can be part of a device in a wireless communication device, such as a network chip or a communication chip. The interface circuit 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 chip network. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0076] Exemplarily, in the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0077] The communication apparatus described in any of the above twelfth to fourteenth aspects can be a terminal or a chip in a terminal.

[0078] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, causing the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a terminal or a device (for example, a chip) built in a terminal, causing the terminal to implement the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0079] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the above-provided twelfth to fifteenth aspects can refer to the beneficial effects of the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be described here.

[0080] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal or a chip in a terminal, and the method includes: performing a first AIoT service, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device; in the performance of the first AIoT service, accessing a second access network device; in response to accessing the second access network device, sending a first message to the second access network device, the first message including first information, the first information being used to request whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service.

[0081] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a second message, the second message including second information, the second information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0082] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service includes one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network device; serving as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0083] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus has the function of implementing the method of the sixteenth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The apparatus includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method of the sixteenth aspect. For example, the communication apparatus includes: a module for performing a first AIoT service in a first environment, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device; a module for accessing a second access network device in the execution of the first AIoT service; a module for sending a first message to the second access network device in response to accessing the second access network device, the first message including first information, the first information being used to request whether to continue the execution of the first AIoT service.

[0084] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes: a module for receiving, such as receiving a second message, the second message including second information, the second information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues the execution of the first AIoT service.

[0085] Optionally, the above module for sending can be implemented by a sending module, and the module for receiving can be implemented by a receiving module.

[0086] In an eighteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, when the computer instructions are executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a memory configured to store the computer instructions.

[0087] For example, the apparatus includes: one or more processors; a memory configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions; when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to implement the method in any one of the sixteenth aspect.

[0088] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: processing circuitry and interface circuitry; the interface circuitry is configured to couple to a memory external to the communication apparatus and provide a communication interface for the processing circuitry to access the memory; and the processing circuitry is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method in any one of the sixteenth aspect.

[0089] In the implementation process, the communication device 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, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which 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.

[0090] In an implementation manner, the communication device can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a terminal. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a modem or a baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or a radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0091] In another implementation manner, the communication device can be part of a device in a wireless communication device, such as a network chip or a communication chip. The interface circuit 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 chip network. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0092] For example, in the eighteenth aspect and the nineteenth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0093] The communication device in any of the above eighteenth aspect to the nineteenth aspect can be a terminal or a chip in a terminal.

[0094] In the twentieth aspect, the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a terminal or a device (for example, a chip) built in the terminal, the terminal implements the method as described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0095] It can be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by any one of the seventeenth aspect to the twentieth aspect provided above can refer to the beneficial effects in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0096] In a twenty-first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method is applied to a second access network device or a chip in the second access network device. The method includes: receiving a first message, the first message including first information, the first information being used to request whether to continue to perform a first AIoT service; and sending, to a terminal, a second message, the second message including second information, the second information being used to instruct the terminal whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service.

[0097] In a possible design, the first message includes a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0098] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving a third message, the third message including a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0099] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service includes one or more of the following: transmitting, with the AIoT device, data or signaling of the first AIoT service; transmitting, with the access network device, data or signaling of the first AIoT service; and acting as a reader-writer of the first AIoT service.

[0100] In a twenty-second aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus has the function of implementing the method in the twenty-first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The apparatus includes one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method in the twenty-first aspect. For example, the communication apparatus includes: a module for receiving a first message; and a module for sending a second message.

[0101] In a possible design, the first message includes a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0102] In a possible design, the apparatus further includes: a module for receiving a third message, the third message including a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0103] In a twenty-third aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to perform the method of the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a memory configured to store the computer instructions.

[0104] In an example, the apparatus comprises: one or more processors; a memory configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions; and the one or more computer programs or instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any one of the twenty-first aspect.

[0105] In a twenty-fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a processing circuit and an interface circuit; wherein the interface circuit is configured to couple with a memory outside the communication apparatus and provide a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory; and the processing circuit is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method of any one of the twenty-first aspect.

[0106] In a specific 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, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0107] In an implementation, the communication apparatus can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a base station. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is sometimes also referred to as a modem or a baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is sometimes also referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or a radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0108] In yet another implementation, the communication apparatus can be part of a wireless communication device, such as an integrated circuit product including a network chip or a communication chip. The interface circuit 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 a network of chips. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0109] In the twenty-third and twenty-fourth aspects, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0110] The communication apparatus described in any of the twenty-second to twenty-fourth aspects can be an access network device or a chip in an access network device.

[0111] In the twenty-fifth aspect, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in an access network device or a device (for example, a chip) built in the access network device, the access network device implements the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0112] It can be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by any of the twenty-second to twenty-fifth aspects described above can refer to the beneficial effects of the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be described here.

[0113] In the twenty-sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to a first access network device or a chip in the first access network device, including: receiving a fourth message, the fourth message including third information, the third information being used to request whether to continue to perform a first AIoT service; and sending a fifth message to a second access network device, the fifth message including fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0114] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service includes one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network device; and being a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0115] In a twenty-seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus having the function of implementing the method of the twenty-sixth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The apparatus comprises one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method of the twenty-sixth aspect. For example, the communication apparatus comprises a module for receiving the fourth message and a module for sending the fifth message.

[0116] Optionally, the module for sending can be implemented by one sending module and the module for receiving can be implemented by one receiving module.

[0117] In a twenty-eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus comprising a processor configured to execute computer instructions, which when executed cause the apparatus to perform the method of the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a memory configured to store the computer instructions.

[0118] For example, the apparatus comprises one or more processors, a memory configured to store one or more computer programs or instructions, and when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors are caused to implement the method of any one of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0119] In a twenty-ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus comprising a processing circuit and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to couple with a memory outside the communication apparatus and provide a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory, and the processing circuit is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method of any one of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0120] In the implementation process, 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, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The present application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0121] In an implementation, the communication apparatus can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a base station. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a modem or baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0122] In yet another implementation, the communication apparatus can be part of a device in a wireless communication device, such as a network chip or a communication chip. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip network. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0123] By way of example, in the twenty-eighth aspect and the twenty-ninth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0124] The communication apparatus described in any of the above twenty-eighth aspect to the twenty-ninth aspect can be an access network device or a chip in an access network device.

[0125] In the thirtieth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in an access network device or an apparatus (e.g., a chip) built in the access network device, the access network device implements the method as described in the twenty-sixth aspect or any possible design of the twenty-sixth aspect.

[0126] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by any of the twenty-seventh aspect to the thirtieth aspect provided above can refer to the beneficial effects of the twenty-sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0127] In a thirty-first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, applied to a core network device or a chip in the core network device, the method comprising: receiving a sixth message, the sixth message comprising fifth information, the fifth information being used for requesting whether to continue to perform a first AIoT service; and sending a seventh message to a second access network device, the seventh message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used for indicating whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0128] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the access network device; and serving as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0129] In a thirty-second aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus having a function of implementing the method of the thirty-first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The apparatus comprises one or more units or modules for implementing the function of the method of the thirty-first aspect, for example, the communication apparatus comprises: a module for receiving the sixth message; and a module for sending the seventh message.

[0130] In a thirty-third aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a processor configured to execute computer instructions, when the computer instructions are executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method of the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further comprises a memory, the memory storing the computer instructions.

[0131] Illustratively, the apparatus comprises: one or more processors; a memory for storing one or more computer programs or instructions; when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to implement the method of any one of the thirty-first aspect.

[0132] In a thirty-fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: processing circuitry and interface circuitry; wherein the interface circuitry is configured to couple with a memory outside the communication apparatus and provide a communication interface for the processing circuitry to access the memory; and the processing circuitry is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method of any one of the thirty-first aspect.

[0133] In a specific 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, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which 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.

[0134] In an implementation, the communication apparatus can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device supporting wireless communication function. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a wireless access network device such as a base station. The network chip can also be referred to as a system on chip (SoC), or simply SoC chip. The communication chip can include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency processing chip. The baseband processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a modem or baseband chip. The radio frequency processing chip is also sometimes referred to as a radio frequency transceiver or radio frequency chip. In physical implementation, part or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated inside the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated in the SoC chip, and the radio frequency processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0135] In yet another implementation, the communication apparatus can be part of a device in a wireless communication device, such as a network chip or a communication chip, etc. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip network. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0136] By way of example, in the thirty-third aspect and the thirty-fourth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect.

[0137] The communication apparatus described in any one of the above thirty-second aspect to the thirty-fourth aspect can be an access network device or a chip in an access network device.

[0138] In a thirty-fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, comprising: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are executed, the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are executed in an access network device or a device (for example, a chip) built in the access network device, the access network device implements the method described in the thirty-first aspect or any possible design of the thirty-first aspect.

[0139] It can be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by any of the thirty-second aspect to the thirty-fifth aspect provided above can refer to the beneficial effects of the thirty-first aspect and any possible design thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0140] Optionally, the units or modules included in any of the communication devices mentioned above are only examples, and these units or modules can also be in other divisions.

[0141] In a thirty-sixth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed, can implement the method described in the first aspect, or the sixth aspect, or the eleventh aspect, or the sixteenth aspect, or the twenty-first aspect, or the twenty-sixth aspect, or the thirty-first aspect, and any possible design thereof.

[0142] In a thirty-seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processing circuit and an interface circuit; wherein the interface circuit is used to couple with a memory outside the chip and provide a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory; and the processing circuit is used to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method described in the first aspect, or the sixth aspect, or the eleventh aspect, or the sixteenth aspect, or the twenty-first aspect, or the twenty-sixth aspect, or the thirty-first aspect, and any possible design thereof.

[0143] In a thirty-eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, comprising: a terminal, an AIoT device, an access network device, and a core network device; each network element corresponds to execute the corresponding steps.

[0144] It can be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by the thirty-sixth aspect to the thirty-eighth aspect provided above can refer to the beneficial effects described in the first aspect to the thirty-fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0145] FIG. 1 shows a composition schematic diagram of an AIoT network architecture topology 1 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0146] FIG. 2 shows a composition schematic diagram of an AIoT network architecture topology 2 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0147] FIG. 3 shows a composition diagram of AIoT network architecture topology 3 provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0148] FIG. 4 shows a composition diagram of AIoT network architecture topology 4 provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0149] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system;

[0150] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an application framework involving a RIC module under an O-RAN architecture;

[0151] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0152] FIG. 8 shows another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0153] FIG. 9 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0154] FIG. 10 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0155] FIG. 11 shows a protocol stack corresponding to a terminal RRC-based solution under topology 2 provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0156] FIG. 12 shows a protocol stack corresponding to a terminal NAS-based solution under topology 2 provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0157] FIG. 13 shows a protocol stack corresponding to a terminal PDU session-based solution under topology 2 provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0158] FIG. 14 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0159] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of architecture 1;

[0160] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of architecture 2;

[0161] FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of architecture 3;

[0162] FIG. 18 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0163] FIG. 19 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0164] FIG. 20 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0165] FIG. 21 shows yet another flow diagram of a communication method provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0166] FIG. 22 shows another flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0167] FIG. 23 is a structural diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0168] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are merely intended to distinguish descriptions, and are not intended to particularly limit a certain feature. That is, the first or the second can include more content, rather than being limited to a certain specific concept. The term "and / or" describes a relationship between associated objects, and means that three relationships can exist, for example, A and / or B can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally means that the associated objects before and after the character " / " are in an "or" relationship. At least one means one or more; and multiple means two or more. The embodiments of the present application can perform fewer steps than all the steps, or perform more steps, without limitation. The term "at least one of" or the like is used to mean any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B, and (or) C can mean that A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist together, B and C exist together, A and C exist together, or A, B, and C exist together, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0169] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application belongs. The terminology used in the description of the specification of the present application is only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present application.

[0170] With the development of communication technology, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) defines ambient internet of things (AIoT) technology. AIoT in AIoT technology includes network devices and first-type terminals, or in other words, an AIoT-based communication system includes network devices and first-type terminals. The first-type terminals can be devices with the functions of AIoT devices. AIoT technology can be used to implement one or more of the following services: inventory, positioning, sensing, and command. It can be understood that the command service can be a service that implements a write process or a lock process. In terms of application scope, AIoT technology can be applied to scenarios such as logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity recognition, or environmental monitoring.

[0171] For example, similar to radio frequency identification (RFID), an RFID system generally includes an interrogator and a tag. The tag is a terminal that can be deployed in a specific application scenario to assist in implementing certain application functions. The interrogator can interact with the tag to manage the tag. For example, in a logistics and warehousing application scenario, the deployment of tags can realize functions such as inventory and tracking of goods, monitoring of the environment and the state of goods during transportation, and the like. Or, in an industrial manufacturing application scenario, the deployment of tags can realize functions such as monitoring of the environment and the state of equipment.

[0172] In AIoT technology, both the interrogator and the AIoT device can be implemented based on infrastructure in a cellular network. In other words, both the interrogator and the AIoT device can be devices in a cellular network. For example, the functions of the interrogator can be implemented by a network device, such as a base station. The AIoT device can be implemented by a terminal in a cellular network, such as an extremely low-power, extremely low-complexity Internet of Things terminal, i.e., a first type of terminal. Non-contact data communication can be performed between the network device and the first type of terminal, so as to read information from the first type of terminal and / or write information to be stored into the first type of terminal.

[0173] In AIoT technology, the AIoT device can be located within the coverage provided by the interrogator, and the interrogator can be a base station or a terminal. When the interrogator is a terminal, the communication between the AIoT device and the terminal can be regarded as transmission between terminals; when the interrogator is a base station, the communication between the AIoT device and the base station is a uu interface, i.e., air interface communication.

[0174] Based on different implementations of the interrogator, the AIoT network architecture can include topologies 1 to 4.

[0175] FIG. 1 shows a composition diagram of AIoT network architecture topology 1 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, in topology 1, the AIoT device directly communicates with the network device (or referred to as an access network device, such as a base station) in both directions. The communication between the network device and the AIoT device includes data and / or signaling of AIoT services. The topology 1 includes a network device that sends to the AIoT device and a network device that receives from the AIoT device, i.e., there is uplink / downlink data / signaling between the network device and the AIoT device.

[0176] FIG. 2 shows a composition diagram of AIoT network architecture topology 2 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, in topology 2, the AIoT device communicates with an intermediate node in both directions. The intermediate node can be a repeater, an IAB node, a UE, etc., and can implement AIoT. The intermediate node transmits AIoT services and / or signaling between the network device and the AIoT device.

[0177] FIG. 3 shows a composition diagram of AIoT network architecture topology 3 provided by embodiments of the present application. In topology 3, as shown in (a) of FIG. 3, the AIoT device sends data / signaling to the network device and receives data / signaling from the secondary node; or as shown in (b) of FIG. 3, the AIoT device receives data / signaling from the network device and sends data / signaling to the secondary node. In topology 3, the secondary node can be a repeater, an IAB, a UE, etc., which can implement AIoT.

[0178] FIG. 4 shows a composition diagram of AIoT network architecture topology 4 provided by embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, in topology 4, the AIoT device communicates with the terminal in both directions. The communication between the terminal and the AIoT device includes AIoT traffic and / or signaling.

[0179] Embodiments of the present application can be applied to the network architecture of topologies 2 and / or 4 described above. When the terminal acts as a reader / writer, it can enter the radio resource control (RRC) inactive state to perform AIoT traffic.

[0180] By way of example, in embodiments of the present application, the terminal, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity for users. For example, handheld devices having wireless connection capabilities, devices mounted on vehicles, etc. Currently, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart city, wireless terminals in smart home, etc.

[0181] An access network device refers to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, which can also be referred to as a base station. Currently, some examples of RAN nodes are: a continued evolution of a node B (gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), an evolved node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (for example, a home evolved node B, or home node B (HNB)), a baseband unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP), and the like. In addition, in a network structure, an access network device can include a centralized unit (CU) node, or a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node. The RAN device including the CU node and the DU node splits the protocol layers of the eNB in the long term evolution (LTE) system, and the functions of part of the protocol layers are placed in the CU for centralized control, and the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU. The access network device can also be a reader device, and the present application mainly aims at the scenario in which the terminal is a reader.

[0182] An AIoT device can be a passive IoT terminal or a passive tag, or referred to as a passive device, or a terminal for passive communication. For example, the AIoT device can include, but is not limited to, a radio frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Zigbee, and the like, a power-free terminal tag, and the like. Such a passive tag can collect energy through a backscattering technology to receive and transmit messages.

[0183] The AIoT device can also be a semi-passive device, or an active device, or a terminal for active communication or non-passive communication. Among them, the semi-passive device refers to a device with a battery or a power supply device, which can be activated by the battery or the power supply, but the device itself does not send signals, and they will only activate and reply data when receiving the signal of the reader. The active device can be a device with wireless transceiver function, such as mobile phone, pad, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, terminal in 5G mobile communication system or terminal in future evolution network, etc.

[0184] The specific product form of the AIoT device is not limited in the present application.

[0185] Optionally, AIoT devices can be classified into three categories: Device A, Device B, and Device C. Device A (similar to passive tag) has no energy storage and cannot independently generate signals, and uses backscatter to transmit signals. Device B (similar to semi-passive tag) has energy storage, but cannot independently generate signals, and uses backscatter to transmit signals, and the stored energy can amplify the reflected signals. Device C (similar to active tag) has energy storage, can independently generate signals, and has active radio frequency elements for transmission. For device A (passive tag / device) and B (semi-passive tag / device), the tag needs to obtain a carrier signal from the outside for backscatter communication; for device C (active tag / device), the carrier can be generated actively, so it does not need to rely on external devices / nodes for active communication.

[0186] In addition, RAN1#116 further defines the following three categories of AIoT devices: Device 1, Device 2a, and Device 2b. Device 1: ~1 μW peak power consumption, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and cannot amplify DL and UL signals. It needs to obtain a carrier signal from the outside for backscatter communication to perform uplink transmission. Device 2a: peak power consumption less than or equal to a few hundred μW, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and can amplify DL and / or UL signals. It needs to obtain a carrier signal from the outside for backscatter communication to perform uplink transmission. Device 2b: peak power consumption less than or equal to a few hundred μW, with energy storage function, initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) up to 10X ppm, and can amplify DL and / or UL signals. The device can perform uplink transmission without relying on externally provided carriers. For device 1 and device 2a, the tag needs to obtain a carrier signal from the outside for backscatter communication; for device 2b, the carrier can be generated actively, so it does not need to rely on external devices / nodes for active communication.

[0187] Optionally, in embodiments of the present application, the access network device can also be implemented based on an Open RAN (O-RAN) architecture. For example, in embodiments of the present application, the support for the terminal entering the RRC inactive state to perform the AIoT service can be implemented based on the CU-DU separation architecture in the O-RAN. The difference from the traditional access network architecture is that the information sent by the CN to the access network device and the information sent by the terminal to the access network device are exchanged on the F1AP between the CU and the DU.

[0188] The O-RAN architecture will be briefly introduced below.

[0189] For example, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system. As shown in FIG. 5, the access network device (RAN, which can be an eNB or a gNB or a next-generation access network device) communicates with the core network (CN) through a backhaul link and communicates with the user equipment (UE) through an air interface. The access network device can include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU).

[0190] In some examples, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network device. The CU is connected to network nodes such as the core network through some interfaces, which can be E2 interfaces or the like. Optionally, the CU can have part of the functions of the core network. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers) is connected to the DU (e.g., the RLC layer and lower layers) through some interfaces, which can be F1 interfaces or the like. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). The F1AP is an application protocol for the F1 interface, which defines the signaling procedures of the F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports the control plane F1-C and the user plane F1-U.

[0191] In some examples, the CU can be split into a CU-CP (Control Unit-Control Plane) and a CU-UP (Control Unit-User Plane), where the CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and the PDCP-C (Control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element in the core network used to implement the control plane function. The network element in the core network used to implement the control plane function can be an access and mobility function network element, such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is used to be responsible for mobility management in a mobile network, such as location updating of a terminal, registration network of a terminal, handover of a terminal, etc. The CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and the PDCP-U (User plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element in the core network used to implement the user plane function. The network element in the core network used to implement the user plane function, for example, a User Plane Function (UPF) in a 5G system, is used to be responsible for forwarding and receiving data in a terminal. The above configuration of the CU and the DU is only an example, and the CU and the DU can have other functions according to needs. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, partial functions of the RLC layer and functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, according to the delay, and functions that need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the DU, and functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0192] In some examples, the DU is a logical node carrying a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, a Higher Physical Layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces, which can be a front-haul interface. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes part of the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.

[0193] In some examples, an RU is a logical node that hosts lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, an RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP) or a remote radio head (RRH) or other similar functional entity. In some examples, a Low-PHY includes portions of PHY processing such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. An RU communicates with one or more UEs over a wireless link.

[0194] A DU and an RU can or can not be co-located. A DU and an RU exchange control plane information and user plane information over a lower-layer split-control, user and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface via a fronthaul link. The LLS-CUS can include a LLS-C interface and a LLS-U interface that provide a control plane (C-Plane) and a user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, a control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between a DU and an RU. A DU and an RU have a LLS-M interface of the fronthaul link to exchange management information, and a management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and the RU.

[0195] A DU and an RU can cooperate to collectively implement the functionality of a PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functionality of a DU and an RU can be configured in a number of ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functionality and an RU can be configured to implement mid- RF functionality. As another example, a DU can be configured to implement high-layer functionality in a PHY layer and an RU can be configured to implement low-layer functionality in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functionality and RF functionality. High-layer functionality in a PHY layer can include a portion of functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to a MAC layer, and low-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include another portion of functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to a mid-RF side.

[0196] In addition, a CU can be divided into an access network device in an access network or a core network (CN) device in a core network, and the present application does not limit the same.

[0197] Optionally, the O-RAN system can include other components in addition to the components shown in FIG. 5.

[0198] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an application framework involving RIC modules under the O-RAN architecture. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). The RIC includes a near-real time RIC (near-RT RIC) and a non-real time RIC (Non-RT RIC). The near-RT RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, the near-RT RIC is used for training an AI model and inference using the AI model. The near-RT RIC can obtain network side and / or terminal side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. The information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near-RT RIC can deliver inference results to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. The inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs. For example, the near-RT RIC delivers inference results to a DU, and the DU transmits the inference results to an RU. The Non-RT RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, the Non-RT RIC is used for training an AI model and inference using the AI model. The Non-RT RIC can obtain network side and / or terminal side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, DUs, and / or RUs) and / or terminals. The information can be used as training data or inference data. The inference results can be delivered to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, the inference results can be exchanged between CUs and DUs, and / or between DUs and RUs. For example, the Non-RT RIC delivers inference results to a DU, and the DU transmits the inference results to an RU.

[0199] The near-RT RIC and the Non-RT RIC can also be separately provided as a network element. Optionally, the near-RT RIC and the Non-RT RIC can also be part of other devices. For example, the near-RT RIC can be provided in a RAN node (e.g., a CU or a DU), and the Non-RT RIC can be provided in an OAM, a cloud server, a core network device, or another network device.

[0200] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the core network can include an AIoT CN, which can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a tag management function (TMF) network element. The TMF can also be replaced by an Ambient IoT Function (AIoTF) network element, an Ambient IoT Management Function (AIoTMF) network element, or other core network network elements / nodes / devices that support / enable AIoT, and the specific name is not limited.

[0201] Optionally, when the AIoT CN is an AMF, the information exchanged between the AMF and the access network device is included in the NGAP msg. When the AIoT CN is a TMF / AIOTF / AIOTMF or other core network network elements / nodes / devices that support / enable AIoT, the interface between the access network device and the AIOT CN is a first interface (such as an XX interface); the first interface can be an NG interface, and the information exchanged on the first interface is included in the NGAP msg; the first interface can also be an interface defined between the access network device and the AIOT CN, and the information exchanged on the first interface is included in the XXAP msg, which can be the NGAP, a simplified version of the NGAP, or an application protocol defined for the first interface, used to provide signaling services between the access network device and the AIOT CN.

[0202] Optionally, the present application can be applied to WCDMA systems, LTE systems, LTE-advanced (LTE-A) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), 5G NR systems, and other wireless communication systems using OFDM technology, or can also be a future 6th generation mobile information technology (6G) network communication system, and the present application does not limit the specific type of the communication system.

[0203] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are exemplarily described below. The processes described below as performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into processes performed by multiple execution subjects, which can be logically and / or physically separated. It should also be understood that, as network architectures evolve and new business scenarios emerge, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0204] Exemplarily, in the embodiments of the present application, the steps performed by the access network device can be specifically performed by the access network device or by an apparatus (for example, a chip) built in the access network device. The steps performed by the terminal can be specifically performed by the terminal or by an apparatus (for example, a chip) built in the terminal. The steps performed by the core network (network element / device) can be specifically performed by the core network (network element / device) or by an apparatus (for example, a chip) built in the core network (network element / device).

[0205] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, in which the access network device can send an eighth message to the terminal, the eighth message being used to suspend an RRC connection; the access network device can send a first message to the terminal, and the terminal can perform an AIoT service as a reader and an AIoT device. Correspondingly, the terminal can receive the first message. The first message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate AIoT wireless resources, the AIoT wireless resources being used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC inactive state.

[0206] Optionally, the terminal can also be referred to as a first terminal, and the AIoT wireless resources indicated by the first information can be referred to as first AIoT wireless resources.

[0207] Exemplarily, the AIoT service can include at least one of the following: inventory service, positioning, sensing, command (command), read (read) service, write (write) service, kill service, lock (lock) service, and the like.

[0208] In the inventory business, an AIoT device in a coverage range is accessed by a reader (such as a terminal), and the device that successfully accesses the reader needs to send its own unique identifier (which can be identified by a network, such as an EPC in an RFID) to the reader. The inventory business can also be referred to as an inventory operation, which can obtain identification information of a tag, for example, a reader can obtain identification information of a tag by using a query, acknowledgment (ACK), or the like. In order to facilitate inventory of the tag, the tag includes a total of four session identifiers, and each session identifier corresponds to two inventory states: A and B. The inventory state is indicated by an inventory flag (sessInventoried flag). When a reader selects a tag, a select command sent to the tag carries a session identifier, and the tag stores the session identifier. When the reader performs an inventory business on the tag, a query command sent to the tag includes the session identifier, and at this time, the tag can flip the inventory state corresponding to the session identifier from A to B. If the reader sends a query command again to perform the inventory business, since the inventory state in the tag is B, the tag will not respond to the reader, thereby avoiding that the same tag is inventoried multiple times in one inventory cycle.

[0209] Positioning is to position the position of the tag by using some positioning signals.

[0210] Sensing is to report sensing data such as temperature data to the base station by the tag.

[0211] The command can be an operation instruction. Understandably, the command business can include at least one of a read business, a write business, a disable business, or a lock business:

[0212] The read business can read an electronic product code (EPC) of the tag, a tag identifier (TID), content stored in a reserved area of the tag, or content stored in a user storage area.

[0213] The write business can perform a write operation on the storage area of the tag, that is, the BS sends a downlink instruction and data, and instructs the tag to write the data into its own memory.

[0214] The disable business can temporarily disable or permanently disable the tag.

[0215] The inactivation business can make the tag never work.

[0216] The lock service can lock the information of the tag, and can prevent the read service or the write service on the tag. Alternatively, the lock service can also lock the storage area, and can prevent or allow the read service or the write service on the storage area.

[0217] The above is only an example, and other services or operations can also be performed between the terminal and the AIoT device, which will not be illustrated one by one here.

[0218] In a possible design, the first message can be an RRC release (RRC Release) message carrying a suspension indication (SuspendConfig). After receiving the first message, the terminal can enter the RRC inactive state. The RRC Release (carrying SuspendConfig) is used for suspending the RRC connection.

[0219] For example, FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the method can include S701-S703.

[0220] S701. The access network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal, and the RRC release message carries or includes a suspension indication (SuspendConfig) and first information, the first information being used to indicate AIoT wireless resources, and the suspension indication being used to indicate that the UE switches from the RRC connected / activated (CONNECTED) state to the RRC deactivated (inactive) state.

[0221] The AIoT wireless resources are used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in the RRC inactive state.

[0222] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the RRC release message (i.e., the first message).

[0223] Optionally, the terminal can originally be in the RRC CONNECTED state (RRC connected state). After receiving the message, the terminal can enter the RRC Inactive state to perform the AIoT service. For example, the terminal performs a first AIoT service in the RRC inactive state.

[0224] Optionally, the RRC release message can be the eighth message described above, and the first message and the eighth message can be the same message or different messages.

[0225] Optionally, please continue to refer to FIG. 7, the method can include:

[0226] S702. The terminal sends an RRC resume request message (for example, RRCResumeRequest) and an SDT indication to the access network device.

[0227] S702 can enter a small data transmission (SDT) procedure. Then, the terminal can perform S703, and transmit, to the core network through the access network device, data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0228] Optionally, the RRC resume request message includes at least one of the following information: SDT (such as MT-SDT), a first AIoT service report indication, such as an inventory report indication (Inventory Report Indication), an AIoT indication (AIoT Indication).

[0229] Optionally, the SDT indication can include uplink SDT data (UL SDT data) and / or uplink SDT signaling (UL SDT signalling).

[0230] S703. The terminal transmits, to the core network through the access network device, data or signaling related to the first AIoT service.

[0231] In some other possible designs, the first message can also be another RRC message sent by the access network device to the terminal, or a message in the SDT procedure, such as SDT data / signaling sent by the access network device to the terminal, which is not limited in the present application.

[0232] Optionally, the first message can further include at least one of the following: second information, third information, fourth information, and fifth information. The second information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service; the third information is used to indicate a first condition or a first value, and the first value is used to indicate the first condition, and the first condition is a condition for transmitting data or signaling related to the first AIoT service. The fourth information is used to indicate whether a first signal radio bearer (SRB) is configured for SDT, and the first SRB is used to transmit AIoT service related data / signaling. The fifth information is used to indicate whether a first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured for SDT, and the first DRB is used to transmit AIoT service related data / signaling.

[0233] Exemplarily, the second information can be used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0234] The third information can indicate a condition that needs to be met by the terminal for reporting / transmitting the first AIoT service related data or signaling, which can be referred to as a first condition. For example, the first condition can include at least one of the following: when the terminal receives N AIoT device identifiers (Device IDs), transmitting the first AIoT service related data or signaling to the access network device or the core network, or when the AIoT service data or signaling received by the terminal reaches a certain size / size / length / threshold, transmitting the first AIoT service related data or signaling to the access network device or the core network. Wherein, N or the aforementioned certain size / size / length / threshold can be referred to as a first value. The third information can also indicate the first value. At this time, the first value can include at least one of the following: the maximum number of AIoT device identifiers, the size of the tenth information, the size of the tenth information, the length of the tenth information, and the threshold of the tenth information. The tenth information is related to the first AIoT service. Optionally, the tenth information is AIoT service data or signaling.

[0235] Through the indication of the third information, the terminal can avoid reporting all Device IDs to the access network device again, resulting in low transmission efficiency (or large delay) of NR Uu, and improving data transmission efficiency by reporting Device IDs in batches.

[0236] The fourth information and / or the fifth information described above can be a field respectively, the fourth information indicates whether the first SRB is configured for SDT, and the fifth information indicates whether the first DRB is configured for SDT. The fourth information can be, for example, a sdt-SRBx-Indication field, x is a number, and x does not include 1 / 2.

[0237] The terminal in the RRC inactive state can transmit AIoT service related data / signaling (such as Inventory Report) through the first SRB or the first DRB.

[0238] In a possible design, the access network device can decide whether it needs to indicate the terminal to enter the RRC inactive state to perform the AIoT service, and the access network device can actively send the first message to the terminal.

[0239] In another possible design, the terminal can also decide whether it needs to enter the RRC inactive state to perform the AIoT service, and when the terminal decides that it needs to enter the RRC inactive state to perform the AIoT service, the terminal can send a second message to the access network device to request to enter the RRC inactive state and / or request AIoT radio resources.

[0240] Exemplarily, taking the first message as the RRC release message as an example, FIG. 8 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the method can include S801-S804.

[0241] S801. The terminal sends a second message to the access network device, the second message including sixth information, the sixth information being used for requesting to enter the RRC Inactive state and / or requesting the AIoT radio resource.

[0242] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the second message.

[0243] Optionally, S801 can also not be performed or not exist, being an optional step.

[0244] Exemplarily, the sixth information can be used for requesting to enter the RRC Inactive state, thereby indirectly instructing the access network device to allocate or schedule the AIoT radio resource to the terminal. Alternatively, the sixth information can also be used for requesting the AIoT radio resource, to directly instruct the access network device to allocate or schedule the AIoT radio resource to the terminal.

[0245] Optionally, the sixth information is also used for instructing the terminal to perform the first AIoT service in the RRC Inactive state.

[0246] Optionally, the sixth information is also used for instructing a first time (or a first time length), the first time being used for instructing the time (or the time length) at which the terminal is expected to transmit the data or signaling related to the first AIoT service, or being used for instructing the time (or the time length) at which the terminal is expected to keep the RRC Inactive state.

[0247] Exemplarily, the time (or the time length) at which the terminal is expected to transmit the data or signaling related to the first AIoT service can be the time (or the time length) at which the terminal is expected to collect the Device ID(s) for reporting. The time (or the time length) at which the terminal is expected to keep the RRC Inactive state can be the time (or the time length) at which the terminal is expected to end the execution of the first AIoT service in the RRC Inactive state.

[0248] It should be understood that the above-described sixth information can include one or more information, different information implementing different functions. For example, the sixth information can include AIoT Indication / execution AIoT service indication information or field, used for instructing the terminal to enter the RRC Inactive state to execute the first AIoT service. The sixth information can also include the above-described first time, etc.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the second message can be (UE Assistance Information, UAI). In other possible implementations, the second message can also be other RRC messages, which are not limited in the application.

[0250] Optionally, in the embodiments of the application, the terminal can determine whether the AIoT data that has been inventoried can be transmitted through the SDT process after entering the RRC Inactive state. For example, if the UE determines that the AIoT data is small, the UE can enter the RRC Inactive state and send the AIoT data to the base station through the SDT process, which is more energy-efficient than the UE transmitting in the RRC connected state.

[0251] S802. The access network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal, and the RRC release message carries or includes a suspend indication (SuspendConfig) and first information, the first information being used to indicate AIoT radio resources, and the suspend indication being used to indicate that the UE switches from the RRC connected / active state to the RRC inactive state.

[0252] S803. The terminal sends an RRC resume request message (for example, RRCResumeRequest) and an SDT indication to the access network device.

[0253] S804. The terminal transmits first AIoT service related data or signaling to the core network through the access network device.

[0254] S802-S804 can refer to S701-S703, which are not described herein again.

[0255] In a possible design, the access network device can also receive a third message, which can come from the core network. The third message is used to indicate that the data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service is related to the first protocol data unit session and / or the first quality of service flow.

[0256] For example, taking the first message as the RRC release message and the second message as the UAI as an example, FIG. 9 shows another flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the application. As shown in FIG. 9, the method can include S901-S905.

[0257] S901. The terminal sends a second message to the access network device, and the second message includes sixth information, the sixth information being used to request to enter the RRC Inactive state and / or request AIoT radio resources.

[0258] S901 can refer to S801, which is not described herein again.

[0259] Optionally, S901 can also not be performed or not exist, and is an optional step.

[0260] S902. The core network (CN, for example, an AMF or an AIoTF, or referred to as a first core network network element) sends a third message to the access network device, and the third message is used to indicate data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service, and is related to the first protocol data unit session and / or the first quality of service flow.

[0261] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the third message.

[0262] Optionally, the CN can be an AMF, or a TMF. The TMF can also be replaced with an AIoT function (AIoTF) network element, an AIoT management function (AIoTMF) network element, or other core network network elements / nodes / devices supporting / enabling AIoT, and the specific name is not limited.

[0263] Optionally, the third message can include at least one of the following: a protocol data unit session identifier (PDU Session ID), a quality of service flow identifier (QoS Flow ID), seventh information used to indicate the first AIoT service, and a fourth message used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0264] Exemplarily, the seventh information can be an AIoT indication. The fourth message can be a request message for performing the first AIoT service, for example, an inventory request (Inventory Request), which can be seen from the following description.

[0265] In some implementations, the above third message can be an NGAP / XXAP msg sent by the CN to the access network device.

[0266] In some other implementations, the above third message can also be the fourth message, and the fourth message can carry the PDU Session ID and / or the QoS Flow ID.

[0267] In some other implementations, the above third message can also be a PDU session resource establishment request (PDU SESSION RESOURCE SETUP REQUEST), and the PDU SESSION RESOURCE SETUP REQUEST can carry the above seventh information.

[0268] The core network sends the third message to the access network device, which can indicate which PDU session / QoS flow is used to transmit the data and / or signaling of the current AIoT service (such as the first AIoT service) of the access network device, so that the access network device can configure the DRB / SRB corresponding to the PDU session and / or QoS flow as the SDT DRB / SDT SRB, which is used by the RRC Inactive state UE to transmit the AIoT service related data / signaling (such as the Inventory Report) through the SDT DRB / SDT SRB.

[0269] Optionally, S902 can also not be performed or not exist, which is an optional step. Alternatively, S902 can also be performed before S901, which is not limited.

[0270] S903. The access network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal, and the RRC release message carries or includes a suspend indication (SuspendConfig) and first information, the first information being used to indicate AIoT radio resources, and the suspend indication being used to indicate that the UE switches from the RRC connected / active state to the RRC inactive state.

[0271] S904. The terminal sends an RRC resume request message (for example, RRCResumeRequest) and an SDT indication to the access network device.

[0272] S905. The terminal transmits the first AIoT service related data or signaling to the core network through the access network device.

[0273] S903-S905 can refer to S701-S703, which will not be repeated.

[0274] Optionally, before S902, the access network device can also send indication information of the terminal entering the RRC Inactive state to the CN. For example, the method can also include: the access network device sends a fifth message to the core network, and the fifth message includes eighth information used to indicate that the terminal enters the RRC Inactive state. This step will not be represented in the figure.

[0275] It can be understood that the CN can not know which RRC state / mode the terminal is in, and the access network device can first send the indication information of the terminal entering the RRC Inactive state to the CN, and then the CN can send the third message to the access network device, so that the access network device can configure the SDT DRB / SRB for AIoT, and send the fourth information and / or the fifth information to the terminal.

[0276] Optionally, the AIoT radio resource (or referred to as first AIoT radio resource) described above can include at least one of the following: a second AIoT radio resource, a third AIoT radio resource.

[0277] The second AIoT radio resource is used for the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in the first cell. The first cell is provided by the first access network device, and the first cell includes one or more. The first cell can refer to a serving cell currently accessed by the terminal.

[0278] For example, the first information described above can be AIoT radio resource configuration / indication information only for the current cell, and the first AIoT radio resource is used for the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in the first cell. That is, the terminal communicates with the AIoT device in D2R (Device-to-Reader) and / or R2D (Reader-to-Device) mode.

[0279] Optionally, the first information can include time domain and frequency domain resource configuration information, and the second AIoT radio resource can include time domain and frequency domain resources. The second AIoT radio resource can also include the maximum power of the terminal to the AIoT device. In the time domain, the time domain resource can be a duration. If the terminal determines that the duration configured by the access network device is insufficient to complete the AIoT service, the terminal can request the access network device for AIoT radio resource / duration, and the access network device can allocate / schedule AIoT radio resource / duration to the terminal.

[0280] For example, the first information described above can also be AIoT radio resource configuration / indication information for multi-cell (or cell list), and the terminal can communicate with the AIoT device in multiple cells under the control of the access network device using the second AIoT radio resource. In this way, the first information can carry multiple cell IDs or a cell list.

[0281] The third AIoT radio resource is used for the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in the process of accessing the second cell from the first cell, or in the process of accessing the second access network device from the first access network device.

[0282] Exemplarily, the first information can also indicate an exceptional resource pool for AIoT. The access network device can configure the exceptional resource pool for the terminal through system messages (SIBs) or RRC signaling, which can be used by the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device during the process of leaving the current cell to go to other cells or the process of switching from the current base station to other base stations / accessing other base stations. In the embodiments of the present application, both the source base station and the new base station can configure the exceptional resource pool for AIoT for the terminal in this way.

[0283] In some possible implementation manners, the terminal is pre-configured with fourth AIoT wireless resources, which are used by the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device when the terminal is outside the coverage of the access network device or is not served by the access network device.

[0284] Exemplarily, the CN can configure the fourth AIoT wireless resources for the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device. The configuration manner can be that the CN configures the fourth AIoT wireless resources in the SIM card of the terminal (or in the ME / UICC of the terminal), so that the terminal can use the AIoT resources configured by the CN to communicate with the AIoT device when the terminal is outside the coverage of the access network device or is not served by the gNB.

[0285] In some other manners, the CN can also configure the fourth AIoT wireless resources for the terminal through signaling, such as sending the fourth AIoT wireless resource configuration information (transmitting the access network device) to the terminal through NAS / PDU Session, or first sending the fourth AIoT wireless resource configuration information to the base station through XXAP / NGAP, and then forwarding the fourth AIoT wireless resource configuration information to the terminal through RRC messages, which is not limited herein.

[0286] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal in the RRC Inactive state can transmit AIoT service related data / signaling through the existing SDT DRB / SRB, or through the SDT SRB / DRB for AIoT configured in the foregoing, which is not limited herein.

[0287] The above embodiments introduce that the access network device can send a first message to the terminal, and indicate the AIoT wireless resource through the first information. The AIoT wireless resource is used for the terminal to perform the first AIoT service in the RRC inactive state and some specific implementation of the AIoT device. It should be understood that in the AIoT service scenario, the core network can initiate a request to perform the first AIoT service to trigger the terminal to perform the first AIoT service. In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal can switch to the RRC inactive state to continue to perform the RRC inactive state in the process of performing the first AIoT service.

[0288] In the scenario of the embodiments of the present application, when the core network initiates a request to perform the first AIoT service, the terminal can be in the RRC inactive state or in the RRC CONNECTED state. The implementation process of the core network initiating the request to perform the first AIoT service when the terminal is in the RRC inactive state or the RRC CONNECTED state is introduced below.

[0289] For the scenario that the terminal is in the RRC inactive state, another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the method can include S1001-S1012.

[0290] S1001. The AIoT CN sends a first request message to the access network device through XXAP / NGAP msg, and the first request message is used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0291] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first request message.

[0292] Exemplarily, the first AIoT service can be the inventory service, and the first request message can be the Inventory Request.

[0293] The first request message can include or carry the device identity information (Device Identification), such as mask / group ID, etc., which is used to identify one / group or all AIoT devices.

[0294] Optionally, the first request message can also carry the following information: service ID / session ID / task ID / transaction ID, which is used to identify the AIoT service.

[0295] It should be noted that according to the progress of RAN3 and SA2, there can be three data transmission solutions for transmitting AIoT service related data / signaling under the Topology 2 architecture, which are "Solution 1: RRC based solution", "Solution 2: NAS based solution", and "Solution 3: UP(user plane, user plane) based solution".

[0296] Please refer to FIG. 11, which shows the protocol stack corresponding to RRC based solution under Topology 2. In "Solution 1: RRC based solution", AIoT service related messages / data / signaling are transmitted between the access network device (gNB) and the terminal (UE Reader) through NR Uu RRC msg. When the gNB receives the AIoT service related messages / data / signaling sent by the AIoT CN through XXAP, the gNB forwards the related information to the UE Reader through NR Uu RRC; when the gNB receives the AIoT service related data / signaling sent by the UE Reader through NR Uu RRC; the gNB further transmits the related information to the AIoT CN through XXAP.

[0297] Please refer to FIG. 12, which shows the protocol stack corresponding to NAS based solution under Topology 2. In "Solution 2: NAS based solution", AIoT service related messages / data / signaling between the AIoT CN and the UE Reader are transmitted on the DL / UL NAS package of the UE Reader (transmitting through the gNB), and the gNB processes the NAS package of the UE Reader through the existing DL NAS Transport msg and UL NAS Transport msg on the NGAP.

[0298] Please refer to FIG. 13, which shows the protocol stack corresponding to UP(user plane, user plane) based solution under Topology 2. In "Solution 3: UP(user plane, user plane) based solution", AIoT service related messages / data / signaling between the AIoT CN and the UE Reader are transmitted on the PDU Session of the UE Reader (transmitting through the gNB), and the gNB processes the user plane data of the UE Reader through the NG-U GTP-U channel.

[0299] It should be understood that the above protocol stack is only one possible protocol stack for the Topology 2 RRC / NAS / UP three transmission solutions. The UE Reader shown in the figure can also be referred to as an AIoT-enabled UE, and the gNB can also be referred to as an AIoT-enabled gNB.

[0300] In S1001, the terminal is in an RRC inactive state, and the AIoT CN can send a first request message to the access network device through XXAP / NGAP msg.

[0301] In S1002, the access network device sends a paging message, such as Uu Paging, to the terminal, and the paging message includes or carries a ninth information, which is used to instruct the terminal to perform AIoT service.

[0302] Optionally, the paging message can also not include the ninth information, which is not limited here.

[0303] Illustratively, the gNB can send a Uu Paging to the UE to page the UE. The ninth information, such as AIoT Indication, can be carried in the Paging message to indicate that the UE is currently paged because of AIoT service.

[0304] Optionally, S1002 can also not be performed or not exist, which is an optional step.

[0305] In S1003, the terminal receives the paging message and performs a random access procedure.

[0306] In S1004, the terminal initiates an RRC resume procedure and enters an RRC connected state.

[0307] In S1005, the access network device sends a second request message to the terminal, and the second request message is used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0308] The second request message can refer to the first request message, which will not be described again. It should be understood that the second request message can be a transparent first request message of the access network device (included in the NAS / PDU Session), or a new message sent by the access network device to the terminal through the RRC message after receiving the first request message through the NGAP / XXAP, which can be referred to the three transmission solutions under the above-mentioned Topology 2 architecture.

[0309] Optionally, the above-mentioned second request message can also be implemented in the paging message, which is not limited in the present application.

[0310] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second request message. The terminal can select whether to perform the first AIoT service, and perform S1006.

[0311] S1006. The terminal sends a seventh message to the access network device, the seventh message being used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0312] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the seventh message.

[0313] Exemplarily, the seventh message can be a response message of the second request message. Alternatively, the seventh message can also not indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0314] S1007. The access network device sends a sixth message to the AIoT CN, the sixth message being used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0315] Exemplarily, in one possible implementation, the terminal and the AIoT CN can transmit data in the above-mentioned Option 1 (RRC based solution) manner. For example, the terminal first sends a seventh message to the gNB, the seventh message being a response message of the second request message, such as an Inventory Response, and simultaneously carrying an acceptance / rejection of the current AIoT service indication (optionally, or the acceptance / rejection of the current AIoT service indication can also not be carried). Then, the gNB can send a sixth message to the CN through XXAP / NGAP, the sixth message being a response message of the first request message, such as also being an Inventory Response, and also carrying the acceptance / rejection of the current AIoT service indication, that is, indicating acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0316] In another possible implementation, the terminal and the AIoT CN can transmit data in the above-mentioned Option 2 (NAS / UP based solution) manner. For example, the terminal sends a seventh message to the CN through NAS / PDU Session, and the seventh message is transmitted to the AIoT CN through the base station. That is, the sixth message is the seventh message transmitted in a transparent manner.

[0317] Optionally, the above-mentioned seventh message and / or sixth message can also carry the following information: service ID / session ID / task ID / transaction ID, used to identify the AIoT service.

[0318] Optionally, S1006 can also not be performed, and the access network device directly sends a sixth message to the AIoT CN, the sixth message being used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service. Herein, no limitation is made.

[0319] S1008. The terminal sends a second message to the access network device, the second message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used for requesting to enter the RRC Inactive state, and / or requesting the AIoT radio resource.

[0320] Optionally, S1008 can also not be performed or does not exist, which is an optional step.

[0321] S1009. The core network (for example, the AMF or the AIoTF) sends a third message to the access network device, the third message being used for indicating that the data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service is related to the first protocol data unit session and / or the first quality of service flow.

[0322] Optionally, S1009 can also not be performed or does not exist, which is an optional step.

[0323] S1010. The access network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal, the RRC release message carrying or comprising a suspend indication (SuspendConfig) and first information, the first information being used for indicating the AIoT radio resource, and the suspend indication being used for indicating that the UE is switched from the RRC connected / active state to the RRC inactive state.

[0324] S1011. The terminal sends an RRC resume request message (for example, RRCResumeRequest) and an SDT indication to the access network device.

[0325] S1012. The terminal transmits, through the access network device, the data or signaling related to the first AIoT service to the core network.

[0326] S1008-S1012 can refer to S901-S905, which will not be repeated here.

[0327] The above introduces the scenario in which the terminal is in the RRC inactive state. For the scenario in which the terminal is in the RRC CONNECTED state, refer to FIG. 14, which is another flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 14, the method can include S1401-S1409.

[0328] S1401. The AIoT CN sends a first request message to the access network device, the first request message being used for requesting the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0329] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first request message. The first request information can refer to the description above, which will not be repeated here.

[0330] S1402. The access network device sends a second request message to the terminal, the second request message being used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0331] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second request message.

[0332] The second request message can refer to the first request message, which will not be repeated. It should be understood that the second request message can be the first request message transmitted in a transparent manner, or a new message sent by the access network device based on the first request message. Specifically, it can refer to the three transmission solutions under the topology 2 architecture described above. For example, the AIoT CN sends the first request message to the access network device through XXAP / NGAP. Then, the gNB can send the second request message to the terminal. For another example, the AIoT CN sends the first request message to the access network device through NAS / PDU Session, which is transmitted to the terminal through the gNB, that is, the second request message is the first request message transmitted in a transparent manner.

[0333] S1403. The terminal sends a seventh message to the access network device, the seventh message being used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0334] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the seventh message.

[0335] Exemplarily, the seventh message can be a response message of the second request message described above. Alternatively, the seventh message can also not indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0336] S1403 can also be implemented as an optional step.

[0337] S1404. The access network device sends a sixth message to the AIoT CN, the sixth message being used to indicate acceptance or rejection of performing the first AIoT service.

[0338] S1405. The terminal sends a second message to the access network device, the second message including sixth information, the sixth information being used to request to enter the RRC Inactive state and / or request AIoT radio resources.

[0339] S1406. The core network (for example, the AMF or the AIoTF) sends a third message to the access network device, the third message being used to indicate that the data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service are related to the first protocol data unit session and / or the first quality of service flow.

[0340] Optionally, S1405 and / or S1406 can also not be performed or not exist, which are optional steps.

[0341] S1407. The access network device sends an RRC release message to the terminal, the RRC release message carrying or including a suspend indication (SuspendConfig) and first information, the first information being used to indicate AIoT radio resources, and the suspend indication being used to indicate that the UE switches from an RRC connected / active state to an RRC inactive state.

[0342] S1408. The terminal sends an RRC resume request message (for example, RRCResumeRequest) and an SDT indication to the access network device.

[0343] S1409. The terminal transmits first AIoT service related data or signaling to the core network through the access network device.

[0344] S1403-S1409 can be described with reference to S1006-S1012, and will not be described here.

[0345] Compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the terminal originally receives a request to perform AIoT service in an RRC connected state.

[0346] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned request to perform the first AIoT service can be triggered by the AIOT CN or the AMF, such as the above-mentioned first request message, for example, the request to perform the first AIoT service can be a trigger inventory request / Command / other AIoT service request.

[0347] Exemplarily, according to the SA2 progress, for Topology 2, according to the CN architecture, there are three system architectures, which are referred to as architecture 1, architecture 2 and architecture 3 here.

[0348] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of architecture 1. As shown in FIG. 15, the access network device (gNB) can be directly connected to an AIoTF (AIoT CN), which is also a CN network element / function / node / device, and can support an AIoT device (there is an upper layer between the AIoTF and the Device, which is used to transmit AIoT data / signaling, and the gNB is transparent). The interface between the gNB and the AIoT CN is a first interface, and correspondingly, XXAP is an application protocol on the first interface (or referred to as XX interface), which is used to provide signaling services between the gNB and the AIoT CN, and the AIoT data / signaling exchanged between the two is included in the XXAP msg.

[0349] Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of architecture 2. As shown in Figure 16, the gNB and the AIoTF (AIoT CN) are not directly connected, so there is no XX interface between the gNB and the AIoTF in Figure 15, and information exchange between the gNB and the AIoTF needs to be forwarded through the AMF.

[0350] Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of architecture 3. As shown in Figure 17, the gNB is connected to an enhanced AMF, which can serve both the UE and the AIoT Device. There is an upper layer between the AMF and the AIoT Device for transmitting AIoT data / signaling, which is transparent to the gNB, and the AIoT CN can be the AMF.

[0351] In the architectures shown in Figures 15 or 16 above, the inventory request / command / other AIoT service request is triggered by the AoT CN, and in the architecture shown in Figure 17, the inventory request / command / other AIoT service request is triggered by the AMF, i.e., the AIoT service process is triggered.

[0352] The above embodiments mainly introduce a scheme in which the access network device can send a first message to the terminal, indicate AIoT wireless resources through first information, and the terminal performs a first AIoT service based on the AIoT wireless resources in the RRC inactive state and the AIoT device. The present application also provides a communication method, which can be applied to the scenario of cell reselection or RAN-based notification area (RNA) update of the terminal in the RRC inactive state, and gives an implementation scheme for whether to continue the previous AIoT service, and / or whether to report / transmit the previous AIoT data / signaling, and / or whether to still serve as a reader when the terminal in the RRC inactive state moves to a cell controlled by a new station and loses control of the original station.

[0353] In the present embodiment, whether to continue the previous AIoT service, and / or whether to report / transmit the previous AIoT data / signaling, and / or whether to still serve as a reader can be determined by the terminal, or the new station, or the original station, or the CN. The following will be introduced respectively. It should be understood that in the following embodiments, for the convenience of description, some messages or information are still described as first message, second message, first information, second information, etc., but the specific functions of these messages or information are different from those described in the above embodiments, and should be considered in combination with the specific scheme.

[0354] Optionally, in embodiments of the present application, the performing the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the access network device; and serving as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0355] In a possible design, after the cell reselection / RNA update, the terminal can determine whether to continue performing the first AIoT service.

[0356] For example, FIG. 18 shows another flow diagram of a communication method according to embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 18, the communication method can include S1801-S1803 in embodiments of the present application. S1801-S1803 can be applied to a terminal or a chip in a terminal. In the terminal, the terminal accesses a first access network device.

[0357] S1801. Perform a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service.

[0358] S1802. In the first AIoT service performing, access to a second access network device.

[0359] The first access network device can be an old base station or a last base station, and the second access network device can be a new base station or a new station, or a current base station.

[0360] S1803. In response to the access to the second access network device, determine whether to continue performing the first AIoT service.

[0361] For example, the terminal can obtain a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service. The terminal can determine whether to move out of a range of the first area, and then determine whether to continue performing the first AIoT service. For example, when moving out of the range of the first area, it can be determined that the first AIoT service is no longer continued; or when not moving out of the range of the first area, it can be determined that the first AIoT service is continued. The present application does not limit the judgment logic.

[0362] Optionally, when it is determined that the first AIoT service is no longer continued, the terminal can continue to transmit data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the access network device.

[0363] Optionally, in the flow shown in FIG. 18, the method further includes: if it is determined that the first AIoT service is continued, sending data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the second access network device or a first core network device, the first core network device being a core network device serving the second access network device.

[0364] The sending of the data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the second access network device can refer to the sending of the data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the second access network device. The second access network device can continue to send the data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the core network device through XXAP / NGAP.

[0365] The sending of the data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service to the first core network device can refer to the sending of the data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service by the first core network device through NAS / PDU Session (transparent access network device). The specific principle can be referred to the description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0366] In another possible design, after the cell reselection / RNA update of the terminal, the second access network device (new base station) can determine whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service.

[0367] For example, FIG. 19 shows another flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, the communication method can include S1901-S1904. In S1901-S1904, the steps corresponding to the terminal can be performed by the terminal or a chip in the terminal. The steps corresponding to the second access network device can be performed by the second access network device or a chip in the second access network device.

[0368] S1901. The terminal performs a first environmental Internet of Things (AIoT) service, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device.

[0369] S1902. In the execution of the first AIoT service, the terminal accesses a second access network device.

[0370] S1901-S1902 can refer to S1801-S1802, which will not be repeated here.

[0371] S1903. In response to the access to the second access network device, the terminal sends a first message to the second access network device, the first message including first information, the first information being used to request whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service.

[0372] Correspondingly, the second access network device receives the first message.

[0373] Exemplarily, the first message can be an RRC ResumeRequest message, or UAI, or other RRC messages.

[0374] For example, the RRC ResumeRequest message can include first information, which can be an Inventory report Indication and / or resource invalidation after the second access network device, such as resources can include AIoT radio resources and / or NR Uu interface resources. It can be understood that the resource invalidation after the second access network device described herein can mean that after the terminal is reselected to the second access network device by the first access network device, the resources are invalid.

[0375] Optionally, the first message can further include at least one of the following: whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service request (such as service continue or not), whether to report previous AIoT data / signaling (such as Inventory Report), service ID / session ID / task ID / transaction ID.

[0376] The second access network device can determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service, and perform S1904. The determination logic can refer to the determination logic of the terminal described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0377] S1904. The second access network device sends a second message to the terminal, and the second message includes second information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0378] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second message.

[0379] The second message can be an RRC Resume message, or other RRC messages.

[0380] In an implementation manner, the first message can include a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service. In other words, the second access network device can determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service based on the first area carried in the first message.

[0381] In another implementation manner, the second access network device can also obtain the first area from the first access network device or the core network. For example, FIG. 20 shows another flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 20, in the embodiment, the communication method can include S2001-S2005. In S2001-S2005, the steps corresponding to the terminal can be performed by the terminal or a chip in the terminal. The steps corresponding to the second access network device can be performed by the second access network device or a chip in the second access network device. The steps corresponding to the first access network device can be performed by the first access network device or a chip in the first access network device.

[0382] S2001. The terminal performs a first environmental AIoT service, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device.

[0383] S2002. In the first AIoT service execution, the terminal accesses a second access network device.

[0384] S2003. In response to the access to the second access network device, the terminal sends a first message to the second access network device, the first message including first information, the first information being used to request whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service.

[0385] S2001-S2003 can refer to S1901-S1903, which will not be repeated here.

[0386] S2004. The first access network device sends a third message to the second access network device, the third message including a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, the first area being used to determine whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0387] Exemplarily, the third message can include a Retrieve UE Context Response message.

[0388] Optionally, before the first access network device sends the third message to the second access network device, the second access network device can send a request message, for example, a Retrieve UE Context Request message, to the first access network device, which will not be described here.

[0389] S2005. The second access network device sends a second message to the terminal, the second message including second information, the second information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0390] In yet another possible design, after the terminal performs cell reselection / RNA update, the first access network device (old base station or last base station) can also determine whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service. For example, in this design, the method can include: the second access network device sends a fourth message to the first access network device, the fourth message including third information, the third information being used to request whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service; the first access network device sends a fifth message to the second access network device, the fifth message including fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0391] Exemplarily, FIG. 21 shows another flow diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 21, in the embodiment, the communication method can include S2101-S2106. In S2101-S2106, the steps corresponding to the terminal can be executed by the terminal or a chip in the terminal. The steps corresponding to the second access network device can be executed by the second access network device or a chip in the second access network device. The steps corresponding to the first access network device can be executed by the first access network device or a chip in the first access network device.

[0392] S2101. The terminal performs a first environmental AIoT service, wherein the terminal accesses the first access network device.

[0393] S2102. In the first AIoT service execution, the terminal accesses the second access network device.

[0394] S2103. In response to accessing the second access network device, the terminal sends a first message to the second access network device, wherein the first message includes first information, and the first information is used to request whether to continue to execute the first AIoT service.

[0395] Optionally, the first message can also not request whether to continue to execute the first AIoT service.

[0396] S2101-S2103 can refer to S1901-S1903, and will not be described here.

[0397] S2104. The second access network device sends a fourth message to the first access network device, wherein the fourth message includes third information, and the third information is used to request whether to continue to execute the first AIoT service.

[0398] Exemplarily, the fourth message can be a Retrieve UE Context Request message.

[0399] After receiving the fourth message, the first access network device can determine whether the terminal continues to execute the first AIoT service, and returns the result to the second access network device through S2105. The determination logic can refer to the foregoing, and will not be described here.

[0400] S2105. The first access network device sends a fifth message to the second access network device, wherein the fifth message includes fourth information, and the fourth information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to execute the first AIoT service.

[0401] Exemplarily, similar to the third message, the fifth message can also be a Retrieve UE Context Response message, or can also be other messages, which are not limited.

[0402] S2106. The second access network device sends a second message to the terminal, and the second message comprises second information, where the second information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0403] Optionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, the first access network device already has the first area, or the first access network device can also obtain the first area from the terminal or the core network, and details are not described herein.

[0404] In yet another possible design, after the terminal performs cell reselection / RNA update, the core network device, such as the first core network device, can also determine whether the first AIoT service continues to be performed. For example, in this design, the method can include: the second access network device sends a sixth message to the core network device, where the sixth message comprises fifth information, and the fifth information is used to request whether the first AIoT service continues to be performed; and the core network device sends a seventh message to the second access network device, where the seventh message comprises sixth information, and the sixth information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0405] Exemplarily, FIG. 22 shows another flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, the communication method can include S2201-S2206. In S2201-S2206, the steps corresponding to the terminal can be performed by the terminal or a chip in the terminal. The steps corresponding to the second access network device can be performed by the second access network device or a chip in the second access network device. The steps corresponding to the first access network device can be performed by the first access network device or a chip in the first access network device. The steps corresponding to the core network device can be performed by the core network device or a chip in the core network device.

[0406] S2201. The terminal performs a first environmental Internet of Things (AIoT) service, where the terminal accesses a first access network device.

[0407] S2202. In the execution of the first AIoT service, the terminal accesses a second access network device.

[0408] S2203. In response to accessing the second access network device, the terminal sends a first message to the second access network device, where the first message comprises first information, and the first information is used to request whether the first AIoT service continues to be performed.

[0409] Optionally, the first message can also not request whether the first AIoT service continues to be performed.

[0410] S2201-S2203 can refer to S1901-S1903, and details are not described herein.

[0411] S2204. The second access network device sends a sixth message to the core network device, the sixth message comprising fifth information, the fifth information being used to request whether to continue to perform the first AIoT service.

[0412] Exemplarily, the sixth message can be a PATH SWITCH REQUEST message.

[0413] After the core network device receives the sixth message, the core network device can judge whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service, and returns a result to the second access network device through S2205. The judgment logic is referred to the foregoing, and will not be described herein.

[0414] S2205. The core network device sends a seventh message to the second access network device, the seventh message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0415] Exemplarily, the seventh message can be a PATH SWITCH REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message.

[0416] S2206. The second access network device sends a second message to the terminal, the second message comprising second information, the second information being used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

[0417] Optionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 22, the core network device already has the first area, or the core network device can also obtain the first area from the terminal or the first access network device, and will not be described herein.

[0418] Optionally, the first message, the second message, the third message, the fourth message, the fifth message, the sixth message, the seventh message and the like can carry the following information: service ID / session ID / task ID / transaction ID, which is used to identify the AIoT service.

[0419] Optionally, in the SDT procedure, when the AMF sends the PATH SWITCH REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message to the (Receiving) gNB, one or more of the following can be carried: UE Reader authorization indication; PDU Session ID and / or QoS Flow ID (QFI); service / session / task / transaction ID; AIoT Indication. Further, after receiving the above information, the (Receiving) gNB can send an RRCRelease (carrying SuspendConfig) to the RRC Inactive state UE, or other base station RRC message to the UE, or can also include the configuration of AOIT resources, SDT DRB in the SDT procedure, such as including in the SDT data / signaling sent by the base station to the UE.

[0420] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiments of the application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that each network element includes a hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function in order to achieve the above functions.

[0421] FIG. 23 is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic device provided by an embodiment of the application. The electronic device 2300 can be any of the aforementioned network elements, such as a terminal, an access network device, a core network device, and the like. As shown in FIG. 23, the electronic device 2300 includes a processor 2301, a transceiver 2302, and a communication line 2303.

[0422] The processor 2301 is configured to perform any of the steps in the foregoing method embodiments, and when performing a process such as sending physical layer dedicated configuration information, the transceiver 2302 and the communication line 2303 can be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operation.

[0423] Further, the electronic device 2300 can further include a memory 2304. The processor 2301, the memory 2304, and the transceiver 2302 can be connected through the communication line 2303.

[0424] The transceiver 2302 is configured to communicate with other devices or other communication networks, which can be an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), and the like. The transceiver 2302 can be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any device capable of communication.

[0425] The transceiver 2302 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving messages, etc., and can include a transmitter and a receiver for transmitting and receiving messages, respectively. Operations other than message transmission and reception are implemented by the processor, such as generating a transmission frame, etc.

[0426] The communication line 2303 is used to transmit information between components included in the electronic device 2300.

[0427] In one design, the processor can be regarded as a logic circuit, and the transceiver can be regarded as an interface circuit.

[0428] The memory 2304 is used to store instructions. The instructions can be a computer program.

[0429] It should be noted that the memory 2304 can exist independently of the processor 2301, or can be integrated with the processor 2301. The memory 2304 can be used to store instructions or program codes or some data, etc. The memory 2304 can be located in the electronic device 2300 or outside the electronic device 2300, without limitation. The processor 2301 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 2304 to implement the methods provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0430] In one example, the processor 2301 can include one or more processors, such as the processor 0 and the processor 1 in FIG. 23.

[0431] As an optional implementation, the electronic device 2300 includes multiple processors, for example, in addition to the processor 2301 in FIG. 23, the processor 2307 can also be included.

[0432] As an optional implementation, the electronic device 2300 further includes an output device 2305 and an input device 2306. Exemplarily, the input device 2306 is a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or a joystick, etc. The output device 2305 is a display screen, a speaker, etc.

[0433] It should be noted that the electronic device 2300 can be a chip system or a device having a similar structure as in FIG. 23. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. The actions, terms, etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application can be mutually referenced, without limitation. The message name or parameter name in the message exchanged between devices in the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and other names can also be used in specific implementations, without limitation. In addition, the constituent structure shown in FIG. 23 does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device 2300, and the electronic device 2300 can include more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 23, or combine certain components, or have a different component arrangement.

[0434] The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit, a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0435] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the device according to the above method examples, for example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one module. The integrated module can be implemented 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 functional division. When actually implemented, another division method can be used.

[0436] For example, the embodiments of the present application can provide a communication device, which can include a sending module and a receiving module. The device can be applied to any of the above network elements, the sending module is used to realize the sending function of the network element, and the receiving module is used to realize the receiving function of the network element.

[0437] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application can provide a communication device, which is applied to an access network device or a chip in an access network device, and the device includes a sending module, which is used to send an eighth message to a terminal, the eighth message is used to suspend an RRC connection, and a first message is sent to the terminal, the first message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) wireless resource, the AIoT wireless resource is used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC deactivation state.

[0438] The first message further includes at least one of: second information used to indicate whether the terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service; third information used to indicate a first condition or a first value used to indicate the first condition, the first condition being a condition for the terminal to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service; fourth information used to indicate whether a first signaling radio bearer (SRB) is configured for SDT, the first SRB being used to transmit AIoT service related data / signaling; fifth information used to indicate whether a first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured for SDT, the first DRB being used to transmit AIoT service related data / signaling.

[0439] The first value includes at least one of: a maximum number of AIoT device identifications, a size of the tenth information, a size of the tenth information, a length of the tenth information, and a threshold of the tenth information. The tenth information is related to the first AIoT service. Optionally, the tenth information includes AIoT service data or signaling.

[0440] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a receiving module configured to receive a second message, the second message including sixth information used to request to enter an RRC Inactive state and / or request the AIoT radio resource.

[0441] The sixth information is further used to indicate that the terminal enters an RRC Inactive state to perform the first AIoT service.

[0442] The sixth information is further used to indicate a first time, the first time being used to indicate a time at which the terminal is expected to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT service or a time at which the terminal is expected to remain in an RRC Inactive state.

[0443] Optionally, the receiving module is further configured to receive a third message, the third message being used to indicate that data and / or signaling of the first AIoT service is related to a first protocol data unit session and / or a first quality of service flow; the third message including at least one of: a protocol data unit session identification, a quality of service flow identification, seventh information used to indicate the first AIoT service, and fourth information used to request the terminal to perform the first AIoT service.

[0444] Optionally, the sending module is further configured to send a fifth message to a core network, the fifth message including eighth information used to indicate that the terminal enters an RRC Inactive state.

[0445] Optionally, the AIoT wireless resource (the first AIoT wireless resource) comprises at least one of the following: a second AIoT wireless resource, the second AIoT wireless resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in a first cell, the first cell being provided by a first access network device, the first cell comprising one or more.

[0446] a third AIoT wireless resource, the third AIoT wireless resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in a process of accessing a second cell from the first cell, or in a process of accessing a second access network device from the first access network device.

[0447] Optionally, the sending module is further configured to send a paging message to the terminal, the paging message comprising ninth information, the ninth information being used to instruct the terminal to perform AIoT service.

[0448] Optionally, the sending module is further configured to send a sixth message to the core network, the sixth message being used to instruct to accept or reject to perform the first AIoT service.

[0449] Optionally, the receiving module is further configured to receive a seventh message, the seventh message being used to instruct to accept or reject to perform the first AIoT service.

[0450] Exemplarily, the embodiment of the present application can provide a communication device, the device being applied to a terminal or a chip in a terminal, the device comprising: a receiving module, configured to receive a first message, the first message comprising first information, the first information being used to instruct an environment Internet of Things (AIoT) wireless resource, the AIoT wireless resource being used for the terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC deactivation state.

[0451] Optionally, the device further comprises: a sending module, configured to send a second message to an access network device, the second message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used to request to enter an RRC Inactive state and / or request the AIoT wireless resource.

[0452] Optionally, the sending module is further configured to send a seventh message to the access network device, the seventh message being used to instruct to accept or reject to perform the first AIoT service.

[0453] The terminal is pre-configured with a fourth AIoT wireless resource, the fourth AIoT wireless resource being used for the terminal to communicate with the AIoT device when the terminal is out of coverage of the access network device or is not accessing the access network device.

[0454] Exemplarily, embodiments of the present application can provide a communication apparatus, which is applied to a terminal or a chip in the terminal, and the apparatus comprises: a processing module, configured to execute a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device; an access module, configured to access a second access network device in the execution of the first AIoT service; and the processing module is further configured to determine whether to continue executing the first AIoT service in response to accessing the second access network device.

[0455] Optionally, the execution of the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network device; and acting as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0456] In a possible design, the sending module is further configured to send, to the access network device, a second message comprising sixth information, where the sixth information is used to request to enter an RRC Inactive state and / or request the AIoT wireless resource.

[0457] In a possible design, the sending module is further configured to send, to the access network device, a seventh message used to indicate acceptance or rejection of the execution of the first AIoT service.

[0458] In a possible design, the terminal is preconfigured with fourth AIoT wireless resources used for communication with the AIoT device when the terminal is out of coverage of the access network device or is not accessing the access network device.

[0459] Exemplarily, embodiments of the present application can provide a communication apparatus, which is applied to a terminal or a chip in the terminal, and the apparatus comprises: a processing module, configured to execute a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service, wherein the terminal accesses a first access network device; an access module, configured to access a second access network device in the execution of the first AIoT service; and a sending module, configured to send, to the second access network device, a first message comprising first information in response to accessing the second access network device, where the first information is used to request whether to continue executing the first AIoT service.

[0460] Optionally, the execution of the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network device; and acting as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0461] Exemplarily, the embodiment of the present application can provide a communication device, the device is applied to a second access network equipment or a chip in the second access network equipment, the device comprises: a receiving module, configured to receive a first message, the first message comprises first information, the first information is used to request whether to continue to execute a first AIoT service; a sending module, configured to send a second message to a terminal, the second message comprises second information, the second information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to execute the first AIoT service.

[0462] Optionally, the execution of the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network equipment; being a reader-writer of the first AIoT service.

[0463] Exemplarily, the embodiment of the present application can provide a communication device, the device is applied to a first access network equipment or a chip in the first access network equipment, the device comprises: a receiving module, configured to receive a fourth message, the fourth message comprises third information, the third information is used to request whether to continue to execute a first AIoT service; a sending module, configured to send a fifth message to a second access network equipment, the fifth message comprises fourth information, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to execute the first AIoT service.

[0464] Optionally, the execution of the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network equipment; being a reader-writer of the first AIoT service.

[0465] Optionally, the execution of the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with an access network equipment; being a reader-writer of the first AIoT service.

[0466] Exemplarily, the embodiment of the present application can provide a communication device, the device is applied to a core network equipment or a chip in the core network equipment, the device comprises: a receiving module, configured to receive a sixth message, the sixth message comprises fifth information, the fifth information is used to request whether to continue to execute a first AIoT service; a sending module, configured to send a seventh message to a second access network equipment, the seventh message comprises sixth information, the sixth information is used to indicate whether the terminal continues to execute the first AIoT service.

[0467] Optionally, the performing the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the AIoT device; transmitting data or signaling of the first AIoT service with the access network device; and serving as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

[0468] It is understood that the division of units in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated when actually implemented. The units in the apparatus can all be implemented in the form of software invoked by a processing element; or all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units are implemented in the form of software invoked by a processing element and some units are implemented in the form of hardware.

[0469] For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or can be integrated in a chip of the apparatus, and in addition, can be stored in the form of a program in a memory, and the function of the unit is invoked and executed by a processing element of the apparatus. In addition, all or part of these units can be integrated together or independently implemented. The processing element mentioned herein can also be referred to as a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each unit can be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware in the processing element or in the form of software invoked by the processing element.

[0470] In one example, the units in any of the above apparatuses can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processing (DSP) circuits, or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0471] For another example, when the units in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduling program, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU or other processor that can invoke a program. For another example, these units can be integrated together to implement in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0472] The above receiving unit is an interface circuit or input circuit of the apparatus for receiving signals from other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the receiving unit is an interface circuit or input circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or apparatuses. When the communication apparatus includes a unit for transmitting, the unit for transmitting is an interface circuit or output circuit of the apparatus for transmitting signals to other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit or output circuit of the chip for transmitting signals to other chips or apparatuses.

[0473] For example, the embodiments of the present application can also provide a communication apparatus, which can include a processor and an interface circuit. The processor can include one or more.

[0474] When the communication apparatus is applied to the above network element, the processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses through the interface circuit, and perform each step of the method performed by the corresponding network element in the above method.

[0475] In one implementation, the units for implementing each step of the corresponding network element in the above method can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the apparatus of the corresponding network element can include a processing element and a storage element, and the processing element invokes the program stored in the storage element to perform the method performed by the corresponding network element in the above method embodiment. The storage element can be a storage element on the same chip as the processing element, i.e., an on-chip storage element.

[0476] In another implementation, the program for performing the method performed by the corresponding network element in the above method can be in a storage element on a different chip from the processing element, i.e., an off-chip storage element. At this time, the processing element invokes or loads the program from the off-chip storage element to the on-chip storage element to invoke and execute the method performed by the corresponding network element in the above method embodiment.

[0477] For example, the embodiments of the present application can also provide a communication apparatus, which can include a processor for executing computer instructions stored in a memory, when the computer instructions are executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method performed by the corresponding network element above. The memory can be located in the communication apparatus or outside the communication apparatus. And the processor includes one or more.

[0478] In yet another implementation, the units for implementing each step of the above method can be configured as one or more processing elements, which can be correspondingly arranged on the corresponding network element. The processing element here can be an integrated circuit, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these integrated circuits. These integrated circuits can be integrated together to form a chip.

[0479] The units implementing the steps in the above method can be integrated together to implement the corresponding method in the form of a SOC chip. The chip can integrate at least one processing element and a storage element, and the corresponding method can be implemented in the form of the processing element calling the stored program of the storage element; or the chip can integrate at least one integrated circuit for implementing the corresponding method; or a combination of the above implementation manners can be used, and part of the functions of the units are implemented in the form of a processing element calling a program, and part of the functions of the units are implemented in the form of an integrated circuit.

[0480] The processing element herein can be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, and can also be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more ASICs, or one or more microprocessors DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or the like, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0481] The storage element can be a memory, or a collective name of a plurality of storage elements.

[0482] For example, the embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which can be applied to any network element described above. The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; the interface circuit and the processor are interconnected through a line; the processor receives and executes computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuit to implement the method performed by the corresponding network element in the above method embodiment.

[0483] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, only the above division of functional modules is taken as an example, and in actual application, the above functions can be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0484] In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiment described above is only illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division, and in actual implementation, another division mode can be used, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the shown or discussed each other can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0485] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components displayed as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, i.e., may be located in one place, or may also be distributed to multiple different places. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0486] In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0487] The integrated unit, if realized in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application essentially or the parts that make contributions to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product, such as a program. The software product is stored in a program product, such as a computer readable storage medium, and includes a plurality of instructions for causing an apparatus (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various storage media that can store program codes.

[0488] For example, the embodiments of the present application can also provide a computer readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the steps performed by the network element in the method described in the foregoing embodiments are realized.

[0489] Exemplarily, when the computer software instructions are run in the first access network device or a device (for example, a chip) built in the first access network device, the first access network device realizes the steps performed by the first access network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0490] Or, when the computer software instructions are run in the second access network device or a device (for example, a chip) built in the second access network device, the second access network device realizes the steps performed by the second access network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0491] Or, when the computer software instructions are run in the terminal or a device (for example, a chip) built in the terminal, the terminal realizes the steps performed by the terminal in the foregoing embodiments.

[0492] Alternatively, when the computer software instructions are run in a core network device or a device (e.g., a chip) built in the core network device, the core network device is caused to implement the steps performed by the core network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0493] Optionally, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which, when executed, can implement the method performed by any of the network elements described above.

[0494] Based on the foregoing embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which comprises at least one network element described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0495] It should be understood that the description of technical features, technical solutions, advantages or similar language in the present application does not imply that all features and advantages can be realized in any single embodiment. On the contrary, it can be understood that the description of a feature or advantage means that the specific technical feature, technical solution or advantage is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the description of technical features, technical solutions or advantages in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the technical features, technical solutions and advantages described in the embodiments can be combined in any appropriate manner. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments can be implemented without one or more specific technical features, technical solutions or advantages of a specific embodiment. In other embodiments, additional technical features and advantages can be identified in specific embodiments that do not embody all embodiments.

[0496] The above is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any change or replacement within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to an access network device or a chip in the access network device, and the method comprises: sending an eighth message to a first terminal, the eighth message being used for suspending an RRC connection; sending a first message to the first terminal, the first message comprising first information, the first information being used for indicating first environment AIoT wireless resources, the first AIoT wireless resources being used for the first terminal to perform first AIoT services in an RRC deactivation state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first message further comprises at least one of the following: second information, the second information being used for indicating whether the first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT services; third information, the third information being used for indicating a first condition or a first value, the first value being used for indicating the first condition, the first condition being a condition related to transmission of data or signaling of the first AIoT services; fourth information, the fourth information being used for indicating whether a first signaling radio bearer (SRB) is configured for SDT, the first SRB being used for transmission of AIoT service-related data / signaling; fifth information, the fifth information being used for indicating whether a first data radio bearer (DRB) is configured for SDT, the first DRB being used for transmission of AIoT service-related data / signaling.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first value comprises at least one of the following: a maximum number of AIoT device identifications, a size of tenth information, a size of the tenth information, a length of the tenth information, a threshold of the tenth information, the tenth information being related to the first AIoT services.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a second message, the second message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used for requesting to enter an RRC Inactive state and / or requesting the AIoT wireless resources.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The sixth information is further used for indicating that the first terminal enters the RRC deactivation state to perform the first AIoT services.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The sixth information is further used for indicating a first time, the first time being used for indicating a time at which the first terminal is expected to transmit data or signaling related to the first AIoT services, or being used for indicating a time at which the first terminal is expected to remain in the RRC deactivation state.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving a third message, the third message being used for indicating that data and / or signaling of the first AIoT services are related to a first protocol data unit (PDU) session and / or a first quality of service (QoS) flow; The third message comprises at least one of the following: a PDU session identifier (ID), a QoS flow ID, and seventh information, the seventh information being used for indicating the first AIoT services.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method further comprises: sending a fifth message to a first core network element, the fifth message comprising eighth information, the eighth information being used for indicating that the first terminal enters the RRC deactivation state.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first AIoT wireless resources comprise at least one of the following: second AIoT wireless resources, the second AIoT wireless resources being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device in a first cell, the first cell being provided by a first access network device, the first cell comprising one or more The third AIoT wireless resource is used for the first terminal to communicate with the AIoT device in a process of accessing a second cell by the first cell, or a process of accessing a second access network device by the first access network device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending, to the terminal, a first paging message, the first paging message including ninth information used to instruct the first terminal to perform a first AIoT service.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending, to a first core network element, a sixth message used to instruct to accept or reject performing the first AIoT service.

12. [Amended according to Rule 91 on 15.10.2025] The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving a seventh message used to instruct to accept or reject performing the first AIoT service.

13. [Amended according to Rule 91 on 15.10.2025] A communication method characterized by, The method is applied to a first terminal or a chip in the first terminal, and the method includes: receiving an eighth message used to suspend an RRC connection; receiving a first message including first information used to instruct a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) wireless resource, the first AIoT wireless resource being used for the first terminal to perform a first AIoT service in an RRC inactive state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further includes: sending, to an access network device, a second message including sixth information used to request to enter an RRC Inactive state and / or request the first AIoT wireless resource.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending, to an access network device, a seventh message used to instruct to accept or reject performing the first AIoT service.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that, The first terminal is preconfigured with a fourth AIoT wireless resource, the fourth AIoT wireless resource being used for the first terminal to communicate with an AIoT device when the first terminal is out of coverage of an access network device or is not accessing the access network device.

17. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first terminal or a chip in the first terminal, and the method includes: performing a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service, wherein the first terminal accesses a first access network device; in the performing of the first AIoT service, accessing a second access network device; in response to accessing the second access network device, determining whether to continue performing the first AIoT service.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further includes: if it is determined to continue performing the first AIoT service, sending, to the second access network device or a first core network device, data and / or signaling corresponding to the first AIoT service, the first core network device being a core network device serving the second access network device.

19. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first terminal or a chip in the first terminal, and the method includes: performing a first environment Internet of Things (AIoT) service, wherein the first terminal accesses a first access network device; in the performing of the first AIoT service, accessing a second access network device; in response to accessing the second access network device, sending, to the second access network device, a first message including first information used to request whether to continue performing the first AIoT service.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The method further includes: receiving a second message, the second message comprising second information, the second information being used for indicating whether the first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

21. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a second access network device or a chip in the second access network device, and the method comprises: receiving a first message, the first message comprising first information, the first information being used for requesting whether to continue to perform a first AIoT service; sending, to a first terminal, a second message, the second message comprising second information, the second information being used for indicating whether the first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized by, The first message comprises a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area is used for determining whether the first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a third message, the third message comprising a first area, the first area being an area related to the first AIoT service, and the first area is used for determining whether the first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

24. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first access network device or a chip in the first access network device, and the method comprises: receiving a fourth message, the fourth message comprising third information, the third information being used for requesting whether to continue to perform a first AIoT service; sending, to a second access network device, a fifth message, the fifth message comprising fourth information, the fourth information being used for indicating whether a first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

25. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first core network device or a chip in the first core network device, and the method comprises: receiving a sixth message, the sixth message comprising fifth information, the fifth information being used for requesting whether to continue to perform a first AIoT service; sending, to a second access network device, a seventh message, the seventh message comprising sixth information, the sixth information being used for indicating whether a first terminal continues to perform the first AIoT service.

26. The method of any one of claims 1-25, wherein, The performing of the first AIoT service comprises one or more of the following: transmitting, with the AIoT device, data or signaling of the first AIoT service; transmitting, with the access network device, data or signaling of the first AIoT service; serving as a reader / writer of the first AIoT service.

27. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises modules for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-26.

28. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1-26 to be implemented.

30. A chip, characterized by The chip comprises: a processing circuit and an interface circuit; The interface circuit is used for coupling with a memory outside the chip and providing a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory; The processing circuit is used for executing program instructions in the memory to implement the method of any one of claims 1-14.

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