Communication method, and related apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method, and a related apparatus. The method comprises: determining first instruction information on the basis of parameter information of a terminal device and / or parameter information of a first network device, wherein the first instruction information is used for instructing the first network device to update a paging region related to the terminal device, and the update of the paging region related to the terminal device is related to a first region and a second region, the area of the second region being greater than that of the first region; and sending the first instruction information to the first network device. By means of the technical solution, a paging rule related to a first region and a second region is designed for helping a network side to implement accurate paging, such that paging message overheads of a network device for a terminal device are reduced. Since the area of the second region is greater than the area of the first region, the planning of excessive Xn interfaces between network devices can be prevented, thereby reducing network establishment overheads between the network devices.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411586105.X, filed on November 6, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] To meet the ever-increasing demand for data traffic, wireless networks are constantly being built at a rapid pace. As networks grow larger, their power consumption continues to increase. For example, in 5G mobile communication technology, the large-scale commercialization of active antenna units (AAUs) has significantly increased the number of antennas on the network equipment side, leading to a substantial increase in power consumption. Furthermore, the 5G era requires higher data transmission rates and greater bandwidth, resulting in increased power consumption on the network equipment side. Additionally, the application of millimeter waves and terahertz frequencies in communications has led to denser site deployments on the network equipment side, further increasing power consumption.

[0004] Currently, the communication system supports tracking areas (TAs) and radio access network notification areas (RNAs). A TA includes one or more RNAs, and an RNA includes one or more cells. When a terminal device is in the radio resource control (RRC) idle state (RRC_IDLE), the network device needs to send paging messages to all TAs in the tracking area identifier (TAI) list to which the terminal device belongs in order to locate the terminal device. For a terminal device in the RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE), the network device sends paging messages to all cells included in the RNA of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0005] Reducing the paging message overhead of network devices has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application proposes a communication method and related apparatus to reduce the paging message overhead of network devices.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application propose a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device in a first state.

[0008] The terminal device can also be a component of the terminal device (e.g., a processor, device, chip, circuit, chip or chip system, etc.), or it can be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0009] The method includes: determining first indication information based on parameter information of the terminal device and / or parameter information of the first network device, wherein the first indication information is used to instruct the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device, the updated paging area related to the terminal device is related to a first area and a second area, and the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area; and sending the first indication information to the first network device.

[0010] Through the above technical solution, paging rules related to the first and second areas are designed to help the network side achieve accurate paging, thereby reducing the paging message overhead of network devices to terminal devices. Since the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area, it is possible to avoid planning too many Xn interfaces between network devices and reduce the network construction overhead between network devices.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: a first update reason, which is related to the terminal device not being moved out of the first major region, where the first major region is a region with the second region as its granularity; or, a second update reason, which is related to the terminal device being moved out of the first major region. The first update reason is related to an update event satisfied by the terminal device, and the update event satisfied by the terminal device is determined based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the network device.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the first indication information can indicate the specific reason for the update, which is related to whether the terminal device has moved out of the first major area. This allows the first network device to determine whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the update reason, thereby reducing the paging message overhead of the first network device for the terminal device.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first update reason specifically indicates any of the following: the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located; or, the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0014] Through the above technical solution, the first network device can directly determine which information of the terminal device to update based on the first instruction information, thereby saving the processing and signaling overhead of the first network device.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second update reason specifically indicates that: the first network device updates the identification information of the first area and / or the second area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0016] Through the above technical solution, the first network device can determine whether to update the context relocation information of the terminal device based on the first instruction information, so as to save the signaling overhead of the first network device.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device includes any one or more of the following: the speed of the terminal device; the location information of the terminal device; the time the terminal device camps in the first cell, where the first cell is a region with a first area as its granularity; the Quality of Service (QoS) information of the terminal device, which includes the latency requirements of the terminal device; the time of the most recent execution of updating the context relocation information of the terminal device; the distance between the terminal device and the second cell, where the second cell is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device; the distance between the terminal device and the third cell, where the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last camped; or, the energy consumption requirements information of the first network device.

[0018] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the update event that the terminal device meets based on a variety of parameter information. The terminal device can determine as needed whether to update the identification information of the first area related to the terminal device, the identification information of the second area related to the terminal device, and / or update the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: obtaining first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure update events, the first configuration information including any one or more of the following: a first event, the first event including any one or more of the following: the speed of the terminal device is greater than a first threshold, the time the terminal device spends camping in the first cell is less than a second threshold, or the distance between the terminal device and the fourth cell is less than a third threshold, the fourth cell being configured by the network side as the first area where the terminal device camps; a second event, the second event including any one or more of the following: the latency requirement of the terminal device is greater than a fourth threshold, the time of the last execution of terminal device context relocation is less than a fifth threshold, the distance between the terminal device and the second cell is less than a sixth threshold, or the energy consumption requirement information of the first network device indicates that the first network device is an energy-saving network device and / or the first cell is an energy-saving cell; or a third event, the third event including any one or more of the following: the latency requirement of the terminal device is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, the time of the last execution of terminal device context relocation is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the distance between the terminal device and the second cell is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, or the energy consumption requirement information of the first network device indicates that the first network device is a non-energy-saving network device and / or the first cell is a non-energy-saving cell.

[0020] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the update scenario to be used based on different update events. Update events can include various update conditions to meet the personalized needs of the terminal device.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first state includes any of the following: idle state, inactive state, power-saving state, default state, power-saving mode, or default mode.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first instruction information includes: first identification information, which includes: identification information of the terminal device, identification information of the second cell, and identification information of the third cell, wherein the second cell is the first area that last provides services to the terminal device, and the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last resides.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first indication information is information scrambled with a special wireless network temporary identifier.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the terminal device uses a special temporary wireless network identifier to scramble the first indication information so that the first network device can quickly identify the first indication information.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first indication information includes the identification information of the first cell, where the first cell is a region with the first area as its granularity, and the first area where the terminal device is currently located is the first cell.

[0026] Secondly, embodiments of this application propose a communication method applied to a first network device.

[0027] The first network device may be a network device, a component within a network device (e.g., a processor, apparatus, chip, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. For example, the first device may be a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU).

[0028] The method includes: receiving first indication information from a terminal device, the first indication information including identification information of a first cell, a first area being the first area where the terminal device is currently located, the first indication information being used to instruct a first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device, the updated paging area related to the terminal device being related to the first area and a second area, the area of ​​the second area being larger than that of the first area; and determining whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the first indication information.

[0029] Through the above technical solution, paging rules related to the first and second areas are designed to help the network side achieve accurate paging, thereby reducing the paging message overhead of network devices to terminal devices. Since the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area, it is possible to avoid planning too many Xn interfaces between network devices and reduce the network construction overhead between network devices.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: a first update reason, which is related to the terminal device not being moved out of the first major region, where the first major region is a region with the second region as its granularity; or, a second update reason, which is related to the terminal device being moved out of the first major region. The first update reason is related to an update event satisfied by the terminal device, and the update event satisfied by the terminal device is determined based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the network device.

[0031] In the above technical solution, the first indication information can indicate the specific reason for the update, which is related to whether the terminal device has moved out of the first major area. This allows the first network device to determine the update paging area based on the update reason, reducing the paging message overhead for the terminal device.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first update reason specifically indicates any of the following: the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located; or, the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0033] Through the above technical solution, the first network device can directly determine which information of the terminal device to update based on the first instruction information, thereby saving the processing and signaling overhead of the first network device.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the second update reason specifically indicates that: the first network device updates the identification information of the first area and / or the second area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0035] Through the above technical solution, the first network device can determine whether to update the context relocation information of the terminal device based on the first instruction information, so as to save the signaling overhead of the first network device.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device includes any one or more of the following: the speed of the terminal device; the location information of the terminal device; the time the terminal device spent camping in the first cell, where the first cell is a region with a first area as its granularity; the Quality of Service (QoS) information of the terminal device, which includes the latency requirements of the terminal device; the time of the most recent execution of updating the context relocation information of the terminal device; the distance between the terminal device and the second cell, where the second cell is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device; the distance between the terminal device and the third cell, where the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last camped; or, the energy consumption requirements information of the first network device.

[0037] In the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the update event that the terminal device meets based on a variety of parameter information. The terminal device can determine as needed whether to update the identification information of the first area related to the terminal device, the identification information of the second area related to the terminal device, and / or update the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information being used to configure an update event, the first configuration information including any one or more of the following: a first event, the first event including any one or more of the following: the speed of the terminal device is greater than a first threshold, the time the terminal device spends camping in the first cell is less than a second threshold, or the distance between the terminal device and the fourth cell is less than a third threshold, the fourth cell being the first area configured by the network side for the terminal device to camp in; a second event, the second event including any one or more of the following: the latency requirement of the terminal device is greater than a fourth threshold, the last execution of the terminal device update event... The following events occur: the time for context relocation is less than the fifth threshold, the distance between the terminal device and the second cell is less than the sixth threshold, or the energy consumption requirement information of the first network device indicates that the first network device is an energy-saving network device and / or the first cell is an energy-saving cell; or, a third event occurs, which includes any one or more of the following: the latency requirement of the terminal device is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, the time for the last execution of terminal device context relocation is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the distance between the terminal device and the second cell is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, or the energy consumption requirement information of the first network device indicates that the first network device is a non-energy-saving network device and / or the first cell is a non-energy-saving cell.

[0039] In the above technical solution, the first network device can also configure different update events for the terminal device. The terminal device can determine the update scenario it will use based on these different update events. Update events can include various update conditions to meet the personalized needs of the terminal device.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: if the first indication information includes the identification information of the first cell, sending a paging message to the first cell.

[0041] In the above technical solution, the first network device sends a paging message to the first cell based on the identification information of the first cell carried by the first instruction information, without having to send paging messages to other areas, thereby achieving accurate paging of terminal devices and reducing paging message overhead.

[0042] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a second indication message to a third network device, the second indication message being used to indicate that the terminal device has left the third cell, the third cell being the first area where the terminal device last resided, and the third network device managing the third cell.

[0043] Specifically, the second instruction information is used to instruct the third network device not to send paging messages related to the terminal device to the third cell.

[0044] In the above technical solution, the first network device notifies the third network device that the terminal device has left the third cell according to the first instruction information, so that the third network device does not need to send a paging message to the third cell, thereby achieving accurate paging of the terminal device and reducing paging message overhead.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, determining whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the first instruction information includes: determining whether to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located based on the first instruction information; determining whether to update the identification information of the second area where the terminal device is located based on the first instruction information; and / or determining whether to update the context relocation information of the terminal device based on the first instruction information.

[0046] Specifically, if the first instruction information instructs the first network device to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, the determination of whether to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located according to the first instruction information includes: determining to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located according to the first instruction information, and not updating the context relocation information of the terminal device;

[0047] If the first indication information indicates that the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located is updated, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device, determining whether to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located according to the first indication information includes: determining whether to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located and updating the context relocation information of the terminal device according to the first indication information.

[0048] If the first instruction information instructs the first network device to update the identification information of the first area and / or the second area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device, determining whether to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located according to the first instruction information includes: determining to update the identification information of the second area where the terminal device is located according to the first instruction information, and updating the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0049] Through the above technical solution, the first network device determines the relevant information of the terminal device that needs to be updated according to the first instruction information, thereby saving the processing overhead of the first network device and reducing the communication overhead between the first network device and other network devices.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, updating the context relocation information of the terminal device includes: sending a first request to a second network device, the first request being used to request the acquisition of the context relocation information of the terminal device, the second network device managing a second cell, the second cell being the first area that last provided services to the terminal device; receiving a first response from the second network device; and updating the context relocation information of the terminal device based on the first response.

[0051] In the above technical solution, the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device from the second network device to ensure that the terminal device can communicate normally after being moved.

[0052] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first indication information includes: first identification information, which includes: identification information of the terminal device, identification information of the second cell, and identification information of the third cell, wherein the second cell is the first area that last provides services to the terminal device, and the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last resides.

[0053] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the first identification information is information that has passed through a special wireless network temporary identifier (RNTI).

[0054] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending a response of the first indication information to the terminal device, wherein the response of the first indication information indicates whether the first network device has successfully decoded the first indication information.

[0055] Thirdly, embodiments of this application propose a communication system, comprising a terminal device and a network device. The communication system includes: the terminal device determining first indication information based on parameter information of the terminal device and / or parameter information of a first network device. The first indication information instructs the first network device to update a paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area is related to a first area and a second area, where the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area. The terminal device sends the first indication information to the first network device. The first network device determines whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the first indication information.

[0056] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation of the third aspect, the communication system performs the methods shown in the first and / or second aspects described above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0057] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device. The device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The components of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps executed in various possible implementations of the first aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0058] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, which is a network device. The communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. The components of the communication device can also be used to perform the steps executed in various possible implementations of the second aspect and achieve the corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0059] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device including at least one processor coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store a program or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions to cause the device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory.

[0060] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is configured to perform the method described in any possible implementation of any of the preceding first aspects.

[0061] In an eighth aspect, this application provides a communication device including at least one processor coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store a program or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions to enable the communication device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the preceding second aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory.

[0062] In a ninth aspect, this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is configured to perform the method described in any possible implementation of any of the preceding second aspects.

[0063] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system that includes the aforementioned terminal equipment and / or network equipment.

[0064] Eleventhly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first and / or second aspects above.

[0065] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, performs the method described in any possible implementation of either the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0066] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first and / or second aspects described above.

[0067] In one possible design, the chip or chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0068] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects three through thirteen can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspects one through two above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0069] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 used in the embodiments of this application;

[0070] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a GNSS system;

[0071] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the RRC status;

[0072] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of RNA;

[0073] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of a communication method in this application;

[0075] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the first region and the second region in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 10 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 11 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this application mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0081] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 10 used in the embodiments of this application.

[0082] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (also understood as an access network device, as shown in Figure 1, 110a and 110b), and at least one terminal (also understood as the terminal device described above, as shown in Figure 1, 120a-120j). Furthermore, the network device (or wireless access network device) may be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or a donor node, etc. It is understood that all or part of the functions of the network device in this application may also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0083] For ease of description, the communication system illustrated in Figure 1 is described using the network device as a base station and the terminal device as a terminal. It is understood that when the communication system includes an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, the base station can be an IAB node. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the base station and the network device can be interchanged.

[0084] In this application, the base station and the terminal can be fixed or mobile. The base station and the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted, on water, or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the terminal.

[0085] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station. However, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0086] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be achieved using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0087] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0088] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. To communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection on a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When the terminal communicates with this serving cell, it is also susceptible to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0089] The technical solution of this application can be applied to cellular communication systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, 4th generation (4G) communication systems, 5G communication systems, and communication systems beyond the 5th generation. For example, 5G-Advanced systems or future communication systems. For example, 4th generation communication systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication systems. 5th generation communication systems may include New Radio (NR) communication systems. The technical solution of this application can also be applied to wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, communication systems supporting the integration of multiple wireless technologies, device-to-device (D2D) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) systems, satellite communication systems, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), integrated access and backhaul (IAB), or reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication.

[0090] The terminal equipment and network equipment involved in this application are described below.

[0091] Terminal equipment, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), fixed wireless access (FWA), customer premises equipment (CPE), etc., refers to devices that include wireless communication capabilities (providing voice / data connectivity to users). Examples include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, and machine-type communication (MTC) terminals. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving (e.g., drones, vehicles), wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. For example, wireless terminals in self-driving can be drones, helicopters, or airplanes. For example, wireless terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) can be in-vehicle equipment, vehicle-mounted equipment, in-vehicle modules, vehicles, or ships. Wireless terminals in industrial control can be cameras, robots, or robotic arms. Wireless terminals in smart homes can be televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, or set-top boxes.

[0092] In another example, the terminal device may also include: an intelligent agent, an artificial intelligence (AI) terminal device, or embodied artificial intelligence (EAI). An intelligent agent, also known as an intelligent proxy, refers to an autonomous entity that can observe its surroundings and take actions to achieve its goals. Embodied intelligence refers to the ability of an intelligent system or machine to interact with its environment in real time through perception and interaction.

[0093] The terminal device can also be a device or module that is connected to the communication system shown above and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal device usually contains a communication module, circuit or chip that performs the corresponding communication function, and the terminal device is also configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication function.

[0094] It should be noted that the terminal device can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuitry, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the device or apparatus shown above; this application does not limit the specific application. It should also be noted that in this application, when referring to a terminal device, it can refer to the terminal device itself, or to the chip, functional module, or integrated circuit within the terminal device that performs the method provided in this application; this application does not limit the specific application. A network device is an apparatus deployed in a wireless access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. A network device can connect a terminal device to a radio access network (RAN) node in a wireless network; it can also be called an access network device, RAN entity, access node, network node, or communication device, etc.

[0095] Specifically, network equipment can be network equipment for cellular systems related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For example, 4G communication systems, 5G communication systems, or future communication systems. Network equipment can also be network equipment in open RAN (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) or cloud radio access network (CRAN). Alternatively, network equipment can also be network equipment in a communication system resulting from the integration of two or more of the above communication systems.

[0096] Network equipment includes, but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) systems, macro base station, micro base station, wireless relay node, donor node, radio controller in CRAN scenarios, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be network equipment in 5G mobile communication systems. For example, next-generation base station (gNB) in NR systems, TRP, TP; or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or, network equipment can also be network nodes constituting a gNB or transmission point. Examples include centralized units (CU), distributed units (DU), centralized unit control planes (CU-CP), centralized unit user planes (CU-UP), and radio units (RU). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRU), active antenna units (AAU), or remote radio heads (RRH). Alternatively, network equipment can be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, network equipment in V2X technology can be roadside units (RSU). It should be understood that the aforementioned TRP can be a device or module located on the network side of the communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. The TRP typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions.The TRP can also be configured with program instructions for the corresponding communication functions.

[0097] It should be noted that CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU) or an open CU, DU can also be called an open distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open centralized unit control plane (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open centralized unit user plane (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open radio unit (O-RU). This application does not impose any specific limitations on these details. Any of the units CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0098] It should be noted that network devices can be devices or apparatuses with chips, devices or apparatuses with integrated circuits, or chips, chip systems, modules, or control units in the aforementioned devices or apparatuses; this application does not impose any specific limitations. It should also be noted that in this application, the term "network device" can refer to the network device itself, or to chips, functional modules, or integrated circuits within the network device that implement the methods provided in this application; this application does not impose any specific limitations.

[0099] The core network may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following devices or network elements: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), or location management function (LMF), etc. The AMF is primarily responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0100] It should be noted that the technical solutions of this application embodiment are applicable to terrestrial network (TN) communication systems or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. The terrestrial network communication system can obtain positioning, navigation, and timing services provided by the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) via satellite. The NTN communication system can also obtain positioning, navigation, and timing services provided by GNSS via satellite.

[0101] For example, RAN100 in Figure 1 may include a terrestrial base station, which may include a TN cell (i.e., the signal of the TN cell can be transmitted and received through the terrestrial base station); and RAN100 in Figure 1 may also include a non-terrestrial base station, taking a satellite as an example, which may include an NTN cell (i.e., the signal of the NTN cell can be transmitted and received through the satellite). Satellite communication, compared to traditional mobile communication systems, offers advantages such as wider coverage, communication costs independent of transmission distance, and the ability to overcome natural geographical obstacles such as oceans, deserts, and mountains.

[0102] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a GNSS system. GNSS, as a high-precision clock source, can be used to provide satellite-based clocking solutions for network and terminal devices. GNSS can provide positioning, navigation, and timing services. Network devices can obtain GNSS signals from one satellite or from multiple satellites.

[0103] For example, GNSS includes, but is not limited to: Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), Galileo Navigation Satellite System, etc.

[0104] The following section introduces some concepts involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0105] (1) Configuration and Pre-configuration: In this application, both configuration and pre-configuration are used. Configuration refers to the access network device sending configuration information or parameter values ​​of some parameters to the terminal device through messages or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine the communication parameters or resources during transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration. It can be parameter information or parameter values ​​that the access network device has negotiated with the terminal device in advance, or it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​used by the access network device or the terminal device as specified by the standard protocol, or it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​that are stored in advance in the access network device or the terminal device. This application does not limit this. For example, the access network device is configured through higher-layer signaling, which includes, but is not limited to: Media Access Control control element (MAC CE) messages, or RRC messages, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, these values ​​and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0107] (2) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. And, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0108] (3) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include sending directly through the air interface or sending indirectly through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include receiving directly from YY through the air interface or receiving indirectly from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0109] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0110] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0111] (4) Radio Resource Control (RRC) status.

[0112] Please refer to Figure 3, which illustrates the RRC states. RRC states include: connected state (RRC_CONNECTED, or RRC connected), idle state (RRC_IDLE, or RRC idle), and inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE, or RRC inactive). The connected state indicates that a wireless link connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, enabling normal communication. The idle state indicates that no wireless link connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device, and no communication occurs. The inactive state indicates that no wireless link connection has been established between the terminal device and the network device; the wireless link connection is suspended, but a signaling connection with the core network is maintained. The terminal device's context is retained in both the terminal device and the network device. The switching between the connected and idle states allows for a balance between efficiency and power consumption during communication between the terminal device and the network device. However, this switching process increases latency; to reduce this latency, the inactive state is introduced.

[0113] (5) RAN notification region (RNA).

[0114] To enable location management of inactive terminal devices, a RAN-based notification region (RNA) is introduced. As an example, please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of RNAs. A tracking area (TA) covers one or more RNAs, and one RNA covers one or more cells.

[0115] When a terminal device is in the RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE), the network device needs to send paging messages to all TAs in the tracking area identifier (TAI) list to locate the terminal device. For a terminal device in the RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE), the network device sends paging messages to all cells in the RNA included in the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0116] Reducing the paging message overhead of network devices has become an urgent problem to be solved.

[0117] Based on this, this application proposes a communication method and related apparatus. A terminal device in a first state determines its current location in a first cell, where the first cell is a region with a first area as its granularity. The terminal device sends first indication information to a first network device, which instructs the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area is related to both the first area and a second area, where the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area. Through this method, the first network device can accurately determine the paging area related to the terminal device based on the first indication information, avoiding paging the terminal device in irrelevant areas and reducing paging message overhead.

[0118] Before introducing specific embodiments, the communication system involved in this application will be described first. Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The communication system involved in this application includes: a network device and a terminal device. Optionally, the communication system may further include a satellite. Optionally, the communication system may further include a core network. The network device is connected to the terminal device and the core network. The network device is connected to the satellite and acquires GNSS signals through the satellite.

[0119] For example, the network device is RAN1. The network device may also be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, functional module, control unit, circuit, processor, or integrated circuit that can be applied to the network device shown above, etc., and this application does not limit the specifics.

[0120] For example, the terminal device is UE1. The terminal device may also be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with integrated circuits, or a chip, chip system, functional module, control unit, circuit, processor, or integrated circuit that can be applied to the terminal device shown above. This application does not limit the specific application.

[0121] Optionally, the communication system may also include other network devices and other terminal devices, such as UE2 and RAN2.

[0122] For example, this communication system can be applied to stand-alone (SA) scenarios. In an SA scenario, UE1 is connected to RAN1, and UE2 is connected to RAN2.

[0123] In another example, the communication system can also be applied to dual connectivity (DC) scenarios. In a DC scenario, UE1 can connect to both RAN1 and RAN2 simultaneously, and UE2 can connect to both RAN1 and RAN2 simultaneously.

[0124] Based on the aforementioned illustrated communication system, the communication method proposed in this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of the communication method in this application. The communication method proposed in this application includes:

[0125] S1. The terminal device determines the first indication information based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device.

[0126] First, the method for dividing the paging area in this application embodiment is introduced. In this application embodiment, the paging area refers to the geographical area where the network device performs paging. In this application embodiment, the paging area is divided into two levels: the first-level paging area is called the first area, and the second-level paging area is called the second area. The area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area.

[0127] In this embodiment, the geographical region is fixed relative to the Earth, and can also be simply referred to as a region. A region can have at least one of the following attributes: shape, outline, size, radius, area, or geographical location, etc. Furthermore, a "region" can also have an altitude attribute, meaning a region can be understood as a geographical area at a given altitude or altitude range. For example, a region can refer to a geographical area on the ground with an elevation of 0 kilometers (km) or within a range of 0 km ± 2 km, or a geographical area with a certain average altitude, or a geographical area at a specific altitude, such as a geographical area with an altitude of 10 km or within a range of 10 km ± 3 km.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the shapes, outlines, sizes, radii, and areas of different regions may be the same or different. The geographical locations of the different regions may differ. The different regions may or may not overlap.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the region being fixed relative to the Earth can be understood as follows: the region's outline, size, or geographical location remains unchanged; for example, the region's outline, size, or geographical location does not change over time. Alternatively, the region being fixed relative to the Earth can be understood as follows: the region's outline and the points within it can be described using a fixed Earth coordinate system, or the coordinates of each point on the region's outline in the fixed Earth coordinate system remain constant.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the shape of the region can be a regular hexagon, or other shapes such as a regular pentagon, a circle, an ellipse, etc. Alternatively, the shape of the region can also be irregular, without restriction.

[0131] For example, the shape of a region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different shapes. The same network device can also define multiple region shapes. Similarly, the size, radius, and area of ​​a region can also be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Regions defined by different network devices can have the same or different sizes, radii, or areas. The same network device can also define multiple region sizes, multiple region radii, or multiple region areas.

[0132] In one possible implementation, the Earth's surface can be divided into multiple regions, and these regions can be indexed (e.g., numbered). Terminal devices and network devices can agree on the numbering method for these regions (e.g., starting from 1 or 0) and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Alternatively, the protocol can define the numbering method for these regions and the correspondence between regions and indexes. Based on the region indexes, information such as the region's geographical location can be determined.

[0133] Optionally, the method of dividing the network into multiple zones can be defined by a protocol or by the network device. Different network devices can define the same or different division methods. The same network device can also define multiple division methods.

[0134] In one example, the first region is a cell, and the second region is an RNA region.

[0135] In another example, the first area is the cell and the second area is the TA area.

[0136] In another example, the first region is a single cell, and the second region is an area larger than a single cell. For clarity, please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the first and second regions in an embodiment of this application. The area of ​​the first region is one cell, and the area of ​​the second region is three cells. Cells 1 to 9 shown in Figure 7 can be divided into nine first regions, each including one cell. For example, first region 1 includes cell 1, first region 2 includes cell 2, and so on. Cells 1 to 9 shown in Figure 7 can be divided into three second regions. For example, second region 1 includes cell 1 (i.e., first region 1), cell 2 (i.e., first region 2), and cell 3 (i.e., first region 3); second region 2 includes cell 4 (i.e., first region 4), cell 5 (i.e., first region 5), and cell 6 (i.e., first region 6); and second region 3 includes cell 7 (i.e., first region 7), cell 8 (i.e., first region 8), and cell 9 (i.e., first region 9).

[0137] In another example, the first region is the RNA region, and the second region is a region with an area larger than the RNA region.

[0138] In another example, the first region is the TA region, and the second region is a region with an area larger than the TA region.

[0139] In another example, the second region is the RNA region, and the first region is a region with an area smaller than the RNA region.

[0140] In another example, the second region is the TA region, and the first region is a region with an area smaller than the TA region.

[0141] In another example, the first region is the RNA region and the second region is the TA region.

[0142] Optionally, the network device provides communication services to terminal devices within a first area, using the first area as the granularity. The concept of the first area is similar to the concept of a cell.

[0143] Secondly, this section describes how the terminal device determines the first instruction information based on its own parameter information and / or the parameter information of the first network device. The first network device manages the first cell, and the first area where the terminal device is currently located is the first cell. In other words, the first network device is the network device currently providing communication services to the terminal device.

[0144] The parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device includes any one or more of the following: the speed of the terminal device; the location information of the terminal device; the time the terminal device camped in the first cell, where the first cell is a region with a first area as its granularity; the quality of service (QoS) information of the terminal device, including the latency requirements of the terminal device; the time of the most recent execution of updating the context relocation information of the terminal device; the distance between the terminal device and the second cell, where the second cell is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device; the distance between the terminal device and the third cell, where the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last camped; or, the power consumption requirements of the first network device.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determines the update event that the terminal device satisfies based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device, and then determines the first indication information indicating the update event.

[0146] In one example, the update events include: a first event, a second event, a third event, and / or a fourth event, which are described below:

[0147] The first event includes any one or more of the following: the speed of the terminal device is greater than a first threshold, the time the terminal device spends camping in the first cell is less than a second threshold, or the distance between the terminal device and the fourth cell is less than a third threshold, where the fourth cell is the first area configured by the network side for the terminal device to camp in.

[0148] The second event includes any one or more of the following: the latency requirement of the terminal device is greater than the fourth threshold, the time of the last execution of the terminal device context relocation is less than the fifth threshold, the distance between the terminal device and the second cell is less than the sixth threshold, or the energy consumption requirement information of the first network device indicates that the first network device is an energy-saving network device and / or the first cell is an energy-saving cell.

[0149] The third event includes any one or more of the following: the latency requirement of the terminal device is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, the time of the last execution of the terminal device context relocation is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold, the distance between the terminal device and the second cell is greater than or equal to the sixth threshold, or the energy consumption requirement information of the first network device indicates that the first network device is a non-energy-saving network device and / or the first cell is a non-energy-saving cell.

[0150] The fourth event is that the terminal device moves out of the first major region, which is a region with the second region as its granularity. The first major region specifically refers to the second region where the second or third cell is located. In other words, if the terminal device moves out of the second region where the terminal device previously resided or the second region that provides services to the terminal device, then the update event satisfied by the terminal device is considered to be the fourth event.

[0151] Optionally, the update event can be configured by a network device. For example, the first network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device, which is used to configure the update event. For instance, the threshold of the update event is configured by the first network device.

[0152] It should be noted that the terminal device that determines the first indication information may be a terminal device in a first state, which may be any of the following: idle state, inactive state, power-saving state, default state, power-saving mode, or default mode.

[0153] It should be noted that in some possible cases, the second cell and the third cell in this application embodiment are the same first area, and the second network device and the third network device are the same network device; in other possible cases, the second cell and the third cell are different first areas, and the second network device and the third network device are different network devices. The following is an example: The second cell refers to the first area in which the terminal device maintained a valid RRC connection before a radio link failure (RLF) or handover failure (HO Failure) occurred. The third cell is the first area last used or connected to by the terminal device. When the terminal device powers on or re-accesses the network from an idle state (such as RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE), the terminal device selects a suitable first area to camp in; this first area is the terminal device's third cell. The second and third cells are similar in that if the terminal device camps in a certain first area and maintains an RRC connection, then that first area is both the second and third cell. The difference between the second and third cells is that if a terminal device is camped in a certain first area but does not maintain a valid RRC connection, then that first area is only the fourth cell, and the third cell of the terminal device is another first area.

[0154] S2. The terminal device sends a first instruction information to the first network device. The first instruction information is used by the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area related to the terminal device is related to the first area and the second area, and the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area.

[0155] In step S2, after the terminal device determines the first indication information, the terminal device sends the first indication information to the first network device, which is the network device currently providing communication services to the terminal device.

[0156] The first indication information is described below. Based on the update event satisfied by the terminal device, the first indication information may include the update reason corresponding to the terminal device.

[0157] The first, second, and third events in step S1 can be categorized as the first update reason, which is related to the terminal device not being moved out of the first region. The fourth event can be categorized as the second update reason, which refers to the terminal device being moved out of the first region. Based on the update event satisfied by the terminal device, the first indication information includes either the first update reason or the second update reason. Specifically, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the first event, the first indication information includes the first update reason; if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the second event, the first indication information includes the first update reason; if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the third event, the first indication information includes the first update reason; and if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the fourth event, the first indication information includes the second update reason.

[0158] Further, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a first event, then the first indication information includes a first update reason specifically indicating that the first network device does not update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located. If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a second event, then the first indication information includes a first update reason specifically indicating that the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located. If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a third event, then the first indication information includes a first update reason specifically indicating that the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device. If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a fourth event, then the first indication information includes a first update reason specifically indicating that the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0159] In one example, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the first event, then the first field of the first indication information is 1 or 00. The first field being "1" or "00" indicates that the terminal device has satisfied the first event, and the first network device does not update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located.

[0160] In one example, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the second event, then the first field of the first indication information is 2 or 01. The first field being "2" or "01" indicates that the terminal device has satisfied the second event, and the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located.

[0161] In one example, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a third event, then the first field of the first indication information is 3 or 10. The first field being "3" or "10" indicates that the terminal device has satisfied the third event. The first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0162] In one example, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the fourth event, then the first field of the first indication information is 4 or 11. The first field being "4" or "11" indicates that the terminal device has satisfied the fourth event. The first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0163] Optionally, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a first event, the first indication information sent by the terminal device may not include the identification information of the first cell. If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is a second event, a third event, or a fourth event, the first indication information sent by the terminal device includes the identification information of the first cell. The identification information of the first cell can be replaced with the identification information of the first network device.

[0164] Optionally, if the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the first event, the terminal device may not send the first indication information.

[0165] Optionally, the first indication information includes first identification information, which includes: identification information of the terminal device, identification information of the second cell, and identification information of the third cell. For example, the identification information of the terminal device is the UE ID, the identification information of the second cell can be replaced by the identification information of the second network device, which manages the second cell, and the identification information of the third cell can be replaced by the identification information of the third network device, which manages the third cell.

[0166] Optionally, the first indication information may be information scrambled with a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI). The RNTI used to scramble the first indication information may be a special RNTI, such as a newly defined RNTI.

[0167] S3. The first network device determines whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the first instruction information.

[0168] In step S3, the first network device determines whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the update reason indicated by the first indication information.

[0169] Specifically, if the first indication information includes a first update reason, and the first update reason is related to the terminal device not being moved out of the first region, the network device further determines the update event of the terminal device based on the first indication information, and determines whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the update event.

[0170] If the first indication information indicates that the update event of the terminal device is the first event, then the first network device does not update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located.

[0171] If the first indication information indicates that the update event of the terminal device is the second event, then the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located. The first network device notifies the third network device that it is not necessary to send a paging message to the third cell to save the overhead of paging messages. For example, the first network device sends a second indication information to the third network device, the second indication information indicating that the terminal device has left the third cell. In response to the second indication information, the third network device does not send a paging message to the third cell to page the terminal device.

[0172] If the first indication information indicates that the update event of the terminal device is a third event, then the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device. The first network device notifies the second network device that it is not necessary to send a paging message to the second cell to save the overhead of paging messages.

[0173] If the first instruction information includes a second update reason, and the second update reason is related to the terminal device moving out of the first region, the network device updates the identification information of the first region and / or the second region where the terminal device is located, based on the first instruction information, and also updates the context relocation information of the terminal device. The first network device notifies the second network device that it is not necessary to send a paging message to the second cell to save paging message overhead.

[0174] In addition, according to the first instruction information, the first network device sends a paging message to the first cell.

[0175] Optionally, the first indication information may also include the identification information of the first cell, so that the first network device can send a paging message to the first cell based on the identification information of the first cell.

[0176] Through the above technical solution, paging rules related to the first and second areas are designed to help the network side achieve accurate paging, thereby reducing the paging message overhead of network devices to terminal devices. Since the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area, it is possible to avoid planning too many Xn interfaces between network devices, reducing the network construction overhead between network devices. The first network device can accurately determine the paging area related to the terminal device based on the first indication information, avoiding the network side from paging the terminal device in irrelevant areas and reducing paging message overhead. The first network device can also determine whether to update the context relocation information of the terminal device based on the first indication information, thereby saving the signaling overhead of the first network device. In addition, the terminal device can be configured with various update events to adapt to different service requirements in determining the updated terminal device-related information.

[0177] Based on the foregoing embodiments, the following describes an application scenario involving an embodiment of this application. Please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. An application scenario proposed in this application includes:

[0178] D1. The terminal device obtains the first configuration information, which is used to configure update events.

[0179] D2. The terminal device obtains the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the network device.

[0180] D3. The terminal device determines the first indication information based on the update event, the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the network device. The first indication information includes the update reason.

[0181] Steps D1 to D3 are the same as step S1 described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0182] D4. The terminal device sends the first instruction information to the first network device.

[0183] For the first instruction information, please refer to the description of step S2 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] D5. The response of the first network device to the terminal device sending the first instruction information.

[0185] In step D5, in response to receiving the first indication information, the first network device sends a response to the first indication information to the terminal device. The response to the first indication information indicates whether the first network device has successfully decoded the first indication information.

[0186] For example, if the first network device successfully decodes the first indication information, the response to the first indication information is an acknowledgment (ACK) message.

[0187] For example, if the first network device fails to decode the first indication information, the response to the first indication information is a denial (NACK) message.

[0188] After step D5, based on the first instruction information, the first network device determines the update scenario corresponding to the update event satisfied by the terminal device, which will be explained below.

[0189] If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the first event, then execute the method for update scenario one (step D6):

[0190] D6. The first network device determines not to update the relevant information of the terminal device.

[0191] Optionally, if the first terminal device determines that the update event it satisfies is the first event, the first terminal device may not send the first indication information. Correspondingly, if the first network device does not receive the first indication information within a certain period, it considers that the first terminal device has satisfied the update event as the first event, and the first network device determines not to update the relevant information of the terminal device.

[0192] If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the second event, then execute the method for update scenario two (steps D7 to D8):

[0193] D7. The first network device sends a second indication message to the third network device. The second indication message is used to indicate that the terminal device has left the third cell.

[0194] D8. The first network device and the second network device do not update the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0195] If the update event satisfied by the terminal device is the third or fourth event, then execute the method for update scenario three or update scenario four (steps D9 to D11):

[0196] D9. The first network device sends a second indication message to the third network device. The second indication message is used to indicate that the terminal device has left the third cell.

[0197] D10. The first network device sends a first request to the second network device. The first request is used to request the context relocation information of the terminal device.

[0198] The first request is, for example, “RETRIEVE UE CONTEXT REQUEST”.

[0199] D11. The first network device receives the first response from the second network device.

[0200] The first response is, for example, “RETRIEVE UE CONTEXT RESPONSE”.

[0201] For example, the first response includes context relocation information for the terminal device. The first network device updates the context relocation information for the terminal device based on the first response.

[0202] Next, the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application will be described. This communication device can be used in the network device and / or terminal device described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0203] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the communication device 900 includes a network device, or the communication device 900 includes components (e.g., chips), modules, or units within the network device.

[0205] In another possible implementation, the communication device 900 includes a terminal device, or the communication device 900 includes components (e.g., chips), modules, or units within the terminal device.

[0206] The communication device 900 can be used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8.

[0207] The communication device 900 can be used to execute all or part of the steps executed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8.

[0208] The processing module 902 is used for data processing. The transceiver module 901 is used to implement the corresponding communication functions.

[0209] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0210] It should be noted that the communication device 900 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 900 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 900 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0211] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 902 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 900 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0212] The communication device 900 can be used to perform the actions performed by the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6-8. The processing module 902 is used to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6-8. The transceiver module 901 is used to perform receiving or sending-related operations on the network device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6-8.

[0213] The communication device 900 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6-8. The processing module 902 is used to perform processing-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6-8. The transceiver module 901 is used to perform receiving or sending-related operations on the terminal device side in the embodiments shown in Figures 6-8.

[0214] For example, the communication device 900 is used to execute the following scheme.

[0215] In one example, when the communication device 900 is applied to a terminal device, the communication device 900 includes:

[0216] The processing module 902 is configured to determine first indication information based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device. The first indication information is used to instruct the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area related to the terminal device is related to the first area and the second area, and the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area.

[0217] The transceiver module 901 is used to send the first indication information to the first network device.

[0218] The possible implementation methods and descriptions of the parameter information of the terminal device, the parameter information of the first network device, and the first indication information can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6 to 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0219] In another example, the communication device 900 is applied to a network device, the communication device 900 comprising:

[0220] The transceiver module 901 is used to receive first indication information from the terminal device. The first indication information includes the identification information of the first cell. The first area is the first area where the terminal device is currently located. The first indication information is used to instruct the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area related to the terminal device is related to the first area and the second area. The area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area.

[0221] The processing module 902 is used to determine whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device based on the first indication information.

[0222] In one possible implementation, the possible implementation methods and descriptions of the parameter information of the terminal device, the parameter information of the first network device, and the first indication information can be found in the corresponding contents of the embodiments in Figures 6 to 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0223] For other implementation methods, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0224] It should be understood that the specific procedures for each module to perform the above-mentioned corresponding processes have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0225] The processing module 902 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 901 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The transceiver module 901 can also be referred to as a communication module or communication interface. The storage module can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0226] This application also provides another communication device. FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to FIG10, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1001.

[0227] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1002.

[0228] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a transceiver 1003.

[0229] In one possible implementation, the processor 1001, memory 1002, and transceiver 1003 are connected via a bus, and the memory 1002 stores computer instructions.

[0230] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 1000 includes a network device, or when the access network device includes a CU or DU, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit within the network device, the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the steps performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, as described in the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0231] Optionally, the processing module 902 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the processor 1001, and the transceiver module 901 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the transceiver 1003. Alternatively, the processing module 902 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the processor 1001, and the transceiver module 901 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 may be the transceiver 1003.

[0232] This application also provides a communication device. Figure 11 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 11, the communication device 1100 can be a terminal device in the above method embodiments, or a component (e.g., a chip), module, or unit of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 1100 can be used to perform the steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0233] Processors are mainly used to process data or signals, control communication devices, execute corresponding software programs, and process data from software programs.

[0234] It should be noted that this processor has weak signal processing capabilities and is unable to perform complex signal processing algorithms.

[0235] The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as the processing of RF signals.

[0236] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0237] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include input / output devices, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0238] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor then converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it.

[0239] For ease of explanation, only one memory and processor are shown in Figure 11. In actual communication device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0240] In this embodiment, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be regarded as the transceiver unit of the communication device, and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as the processing unit of the communication device. As shown in FIG11, the communication device 1100 includes a transceiver unit 1110 and a processing unit 1120. The transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver machine, transceiver device, etc. The processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, processing device, etc.

[0241] Optionally, the devices in transceiver unit 1110 used for receiving functions can be considered as receiving units, and the devices in transceiver unit 1110 used for transmitting functions can be considered as transmitting units. That is, transceiver unit 1110 includes both receiving and transmitting units. A transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. A receiving unit can also be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitting unit can also be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0242] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1110 is used to perform the sending and receiving operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1120 is used to perform other operations on the terminal device in the above method embodiment besides the sending and receiving operations.

[0243] When the communication device is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit integrated on the chip. In the above method embodiment, the sending operation corresponds to the output of the input / output circuit, and the receiving operation corresponds to the input of the input / output circuit.

[0244] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device. The network device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8, and the terminal device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8.

[0245] This application also provides a computer program product including computer instructions, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8 above.

[0246] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8 above.

[0247] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instructions stored in a memory, so that the processor executes the method of the embodiments shown in FIG6 to FIG8 above.

[0248] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0249] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0250] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of a program for controlling the methods of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 to 8. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0251] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0252] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0253] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0254] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solution that makes an essential contribution, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0255] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device in a first state, and the method includes: Based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device, a first indication is determined. The first indication is used to instruct the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area related to the terminal device is related to the first area and the second area, and the area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area. Send the first instruction information to the first network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information includes one or more of the following: The first update reason is related to the fact that the terminal device has not been moved out of the first major area, which is a region with the second region as its granularity. Alternatively, there may be a second update reason, which is related to the terminal device being moved out of the first region.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first update reason is related to the update event satisfied by the terminal device, and the update event satisfied by the terminal device is determined based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the network device.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first update reason specifically indicates any of the following: The first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located; Alternatively, the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The specific instructions for the second update reason are as follows: The first network device updates the identification information of the first region and / or the second region where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the first network device includes any one or more of the following: The speed of the terminal device; The location information of the terminal device; The time the terminal device resides in the first cell, where the first cell is a region with the first region as its granularity; The QoS information of the terminal device includes the latency requirements of the terminal device. The time of the most recent execution of updating the context relocation information of the terminal device; The distance between the terminal device and the second cell, where the second cell is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device; The distance between the terminal device and the third cell, wherein the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last resided; Alternatively, the energy consumption requirements of the first network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first state includes any of the following: idle state, inactive state, power-saving state, default state, power-saving mode, or default mode.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The first indication information includes: first identification information, which includes: identification information of the terminal device, identification information of the second cell, and identification information of the third cell, wherein the second cell is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device, and the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last resided.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first indication information is information scrambled with a special wireless network temporary identifier.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first indication information includes the identification information of the first cell, which is a region with the first area as its granularity, and the first area where the terminal device is currently located is the first cell.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network device, and the method includes: The system receives first indication information from a terminal device. The first indication information includes the identification information of a first cell. The first area is the first area where the terminal device is currently located. The first indication information is used to instruct the first network device to update the paging area related to the terminal device. The updated paging area related to the terminal device is related to the first area and the second area. The area of ​​the second area is larger than that of the first area. Based on the first instruction information, determine whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first indication information includes one or more of the following: The first update reason is related to the fact that the terminal device has not been moved out of the first major area, which is a region with the second region as its granularity. Alternatively, there may be a second update reason, which is related to the terminal device being moved out of the first region.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first update reason is related to the update event satisfied by the terminal device, and the update event satisfied by the terminal device is determined based on the parameter information of the terminal device and / or the parameter information of the network device.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first update reason specifically indicates any of the following: The first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located; Alternatively, the first network device updates the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The specific instructions for the second update reason are as follows: The first network device updates the identification information of the first region and / or the second region where the terminal device is located, and the first network device updates the context relocation information of the terminal device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first indication information includes the identification information of the first cell, a paging message is sent to the first cell.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second indication message is sent to a third network device. The second indication message is used to indicate that the terminal device has left the third cell. The third cell is the first area where the terminal device last resided. The third network device manages the third cell.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, Based on the first indication information, determining whether to update the relevant information of the terminal device includes: Based on the first instruction information, determine whether to update the identification information of the first area where the terminal device is located; And / or, based on the first indication information, determine whether to update the context relocation information of the terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, Updating the context relocation information of the terminal device includes: Send a first request to the second network device. The first request is used to request the acquisition of the context relocation information of the terminal device. The second network device manages the second cell, which is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device. Receive a first response from the second network device; Based on the first response, the context relocation information of the terminal device is updated.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11-19, characterized in that, The first indication information includes: first identification information, which includes: identification information of the terminal device, identification information of the second cell, and identification information of the third cell, wherein the second cell is the first area that last provided services to the terminal device, and the third cell is the first area where the terminal device last resided.

21. The method according to any one of claims 11-20, characterized in that, The first identification information is information that has passed through a special wireless network temporary identifier (RNTI).

22. The method according to any one of claims 11-21, characterized in that, The method further includes: The response to the first indication information is sent to the terminal device, and the response to the first indication information indicates whether the first network device has successfully decoded the first indication information.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor coupled to a memory; the at least one processor is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

25. The communication device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip or chip system.

26. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

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