CN111132378B

CN111132378B - Method and device for enhancing inactive state, user equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN111132378B
Application number: CN201811286739.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邓云
Original assignee: Beijing Ziguang Zhanrui Communication Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Ziguang Zhanrui Communication Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2018-10-31
Publication date: 2022-02-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-31
Also published as: CN111132378A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an enhancement method, an enhancement device, user equipment and a storage medium of an inactive state. The method comprises the following steps: the UE receives first RRC reconfiguration signaling from a base station; if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the configuration of the non-activated state, the UE saves the context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as a first context, and the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station; when the communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE has no data transmission requirement, the UE enters an inactive state; alternatively, when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state. The method and the device can configure the parameters of the UE in the inactive state in advance, so that the UE and the network can quickly recover the signaling radio bearer and the data radio bearer which are established before based on the stored context, and the signaling overhead is greatly reduced.

Description

Method and device for enhancing inactive state, user equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for enhancing an inactive state, a user equipment, and a storage medium.

Background

In LTE (Long Term Evolution), when a UE (User Equipment) has a service requirement, the UE may access a network to establish RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection and establish a data Radio bearer for transmitting data. After the UE enters the connected state, the base station allocates necessary parameters to the UE. For example, the parameters allocated by the base station to the UE include a security algorithm, L1 (physical layer) -related configuration parameters, L2 (data link layer) -related configuration parameters, and L3 (network layer) -related configuration parameters. For example, the relevant configuration parameters of L3 include radio link failure parameters, measurement parameters, and the like. For the established bearer, the base station needs to know the channel information between the base station and the core network, which is established for the bearer, i.e., GTP (GPRS tunneling Protocol) tunnel information. These parameters are referred to as the Context of the UE (UE Context). When the UE enters the idle state from the connected state, the base station releases all parameters of the UE, i.e., releases the context of the UE. When the UE has a new service requirement, the base station needs to reconfigure the parameters for the UE again, and this process is completed through multiple air interface signaling and S1 interface (interface between the core network and the base station) signaling.

In practical applications, different UEs have different service requirements, for example, some UEs transmit data multiple times within a period of time, and each time data transmission is limited. For such service requirements, the existing mechanism needs to re-establish RRC connection every time data is transmitted, and release the connection after each data transmission is finished. The UE transmits data multiple times, which results in a large amount of signaling interaction, which results in an excessive network signaling load and a significant reduction in data transmission efficiency.

In view of the above problems, the 5G considers introducing a new connection state, which can be applied to a new generation mobile communication system and an LTE system accessing to a 5G core network. Specifically, after the UE completes the data transmission, the network does not directly release the connection of the UE to enter an idle State, but configures the UE to enter an Inactive State (Inactive State). After entering the inactive state, the UE does not perform data transmission with the network, but may periodically receive paging. The network reserves the configuration of the RRC connection, the configuration of the bearer, the security configuration, the N2 interface (interface between the 5G core network and the base station) and the parameter configuration related to the UE, and the UE also needs to store the configuration of the RRC connection, the configuration of the bearer, the security configuration, and the like. Because both the UE and the network have the RRC connection configuration parameters of the UE, when the UE in the non-activated state has data transmission, the UE can be quickly accessed to the network for data transmission by using the stored parameters, and the data transmission is not needed after the RRC connection is established and the bearer is established, so that a large amount of signaling interaction can be saved.

Currently, the base station indicates the UE to enter an inactive state by carrying SuspendConfig through RRC release (RRC release) signaling. Wherein, the Suspendconfig comprises the following contents:

the Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) is a Temporary Identifier in an Inactive state allocated to the UE by a Network, and the Ran-Paging cycle is a Paging cycle configured when the RAN (Radio Access Network ) Paging is performed. The SuspendConfig also contains a RAN Notification Area, timer information (i.e., t380) of a periodic RNAU (RAN-based Notification Area Update), and NextHopChainingCount (next hop link count value, NCC) used for ciphering at the time of restoration. The network can configure I-RNTIs with two lengths, full is 40 bits, short is 24 bits.

Finally, the base station (or node) serving the UE maintains the UE's context and the connection associated with the UE with the core network. The UE needs to perform an RNAU procedure when moving out of the notification area configured on the RAN side.

When the UE is in an inactive state, if the last serving base station receives downlink data from a UPF (User plane Function) network element or receives downlink signaling from an AMF (Access and mobility Management Function) network element, the last serving base station initiates paging in a cell in a RAN notification area, and when the RAN notification area includes cells of neighboring base stations, triggers the neighboring base stations to initiate paging through an Xn interface. Wherein, both the UPF and the AMF are positioned at the core network side.

The behavior of the UE in the inactive state includes: detecting a paging channel; acquiring a system message (which may be a system message from a master information block, a system message block 1, or a system message block 2, etc.); performing neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection (or cell selection); the RNAU is executed when leaving the RAN notification area.

Generally, NR (New Radio, New air interface) is deployed in a Licensed (Licensed) frequency band. Since licensed bands are expensive, operators expect NR to be deployed also in Unlicensed (unlikensed) bands. At this time, the NR system needs to compete with other radio access technologies (e.g., WLAN (Wireless Local area network)) to obtain the right to use the channel. Before sending data, a base station or UE in an NR system needs to perform LBT (Listen before talk) first, monitor whether a channel is used by other devices, and if the channel is idle, can use for a period of time; if the channel is busy, it cannot be used and it is necessary to listen to the channel again after a while.

For the NR system deployed in the unlicensed frequency band, when the UE needs to switch or release the RRC connection during the moving process, it is likely that the base station cannot trigger the handover command or release the RRC connection in time due to the unsuccessful LBT, which results in the communication between the UE and the current serving cell being interrupted, and the UE is in a suspended state and consumes a large amount of power.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present disclosure provides an inactive state enhancing method, apparatus, user equipment and storage medium.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an enhanced method in an inactive state, the method being applied in a user equipment UE, and the method including:

the UE receives a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration signaling from a base station;

if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the configuration of the non-activated state, the UE saves the context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as a first context, and the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station;

when the communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE has no data transmission requirement, the UE enters an inactive state; or when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state.

In a possible implementation manner, when the base station performs parameter update through RRC reconfiguration, the context saved by the UE is not changed.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

and when the base station updates the parameters through RRC reconfiguration, if the updated parameters comprise the information of addition or deletion of the data radio bearer, the UE updates the stored context according to the information of addition or deletion of the data radio bearer.

In one possible implementation, after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further includes:

and if the UE enters an inactive state on an unauthorized frequency band and does not reside in a configured notification area, maintaining and saving the first context before a periodical radio access network notification area update (RNAU) timer is overtime.

and the UE performs cell reselection.

and if the UE enters an inactive state on an unauthorized frequency band and the UE does not reside in a configured notification area, the UE performs RNAU after the periodical RNAU timer is overtime.

and if the UE enters an inactive state on an authorized frequency band and the UE does not reside in a configured notification area, the UE executes an RNAU or enters an idle state.

In one possible implementation, after the UE saves a context of the UE as a first context when receiving the RRC reconfiguration signaling, the method further includes:

the UE receives second RRC reconfiguration signaling which is from the base station and requires context updating;

and the UE updates the first context according to the second RRC reconfiguration signaling to obtain a second context, and stores the second context.

and when the UE has a data transmission requirement, the UE initiates an RRC recovery flow according to the stored context.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an enhancement device in an inactive state, the device comprising:

a first receiving module, configured to receive, by the UE, a first radio resource control RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station;

a first saving module, configured to, if a first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters an inactive configuration, save, by the UE, a context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as a first context, where the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station;

an entry module, configured to, when communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE does not have a data transmission requirement, enter an inactive state; or when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

and the updating module is used for updating the stored context according to the addition or deletion information of the data radio bearer if the updated parameters comprise the addition or deletion information of the data radio bearer when the base station updates the parameters through RRC reconfiguration.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

a maintaining and saving module, configured to maintain and save the first context before a notification area update RNAU timer of a periodic radio access network expires if the UE enters an inactive state in an unlicensed frequency band and the UE does not reside in a configured notification area.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

and the cell reselection module is used for the UE to perform cell reselection.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

and the RNAU module is used for carrying out RNAU after the periodical RNAU timer is overtime if the UE enters an inactive state on an unauthorized frequency band and the UE does not reside in a configured notification area.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

a state switching module, configured to execute the RNAU or enter an idle state if the UE enters an inactive state on an authorized frequency band and the UE does not reside in a configured notification area.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

a second receiving module, configured to receive, by the UE, a second RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station that requires updating a context;

and the second saving module is used for updating the first context by the UE according to the second RRC reconfiguration signaling to obtain a second context and saving the second context.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes:

and the connection recovery module is used for initiating an RRC recovery flow by the UE according to the stored context when the UE has the data transmission requirement.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a user equipment including: a processor; a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; wherein the processor is configured to perform the above method.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the above-described method.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, a first RRC reconfiguration signaling from a base station is received by a UE, if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters a configuration in an inactive state, the UE saves a context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context, and the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station, and when communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE does not have a data transmission requirement, the UE enters the inactive state, or when the base station releases an RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters the inactive state, so that parameters of the UE in the inactive state can be configured in advance, so that the UE and a network can quickly recover a signaling radio bearer and a data radio bearer established before based on the saved context, thereby greatly reducing signaling overhead.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a flow chart of an enhancement method in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for enhancing a non-activated state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for enhancing a non-activated state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of an enhancement method in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recovery procedure of an RRC connection in an enhanced method in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an enhancement device in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an enhancement device in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a user device 800 according to an example embodiment.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments, features and aspects of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers can indicate functionally identical or similar elements. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The word "exemplary" is used exclusively herein to mean "serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a better understanding of the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. In some instances, methods, means, elements and circuits that are well known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a flow chart of an enhancement method in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The execution subject of the enhancement method in the inactive state may be the enhancement device in the inactive state. For example, the enhanced method in the inactive state may be performed by the UE or other processing device. In some possible implementations, the method of enhancing in the inactive state may be implemented by a processor calling computer readable instructions stored in a memory. As shown in fig. 1, the method includes steps S11 through S13.

In step S11, the UE receives a first radio resource control RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, when the UE accesses and deploys in the NR cell of the unlicensed frequency band, the UE acquires the system message and receives the paging. When the UE has a data transmission requirement, the UE initiates an RRC connection request, accesses a serving cell and establishes RRC connection. The network then activates the security mode and configures the UE to establish a data radio bearer. Wherein the number of data radio bearers may be one or more. After successful establishment of the data radio bearer, the UE may begin transmitting data. Since the base station is deployed in the unlicensed frequency band, both the base station and the UE need to perform LBT before transmitting data. When the base station or the UE monitors that the channel is idle, signaling and data transmission can be performed. After occupying the channel for a period of time (e.g., 4 ms, 8 ms, or 10 ms, etc.), the channel is released. If there is more data to be transmitted, LBT needs to be performed again to obtain the channel use right.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the connected UE may receive a first RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station, and the first RRC reconfiguration signaling may indicate that the UE enters the configuration in the inactive state. For example, the first RRC reconfiguration signaling may include parameters such as an identity of the UE (I-RNTI), a radio access network paging cycle (Ran-paging cycle), a next hop link count value (NextHopChainingCount), and a radio access network notification area (Ran-notifiationareinfo) configured for the UE by the base station. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first RRC reconfiguration signaling may use the same parameter as the SuspendConfig in the current RRC Release signaling to indicate that the UE enters the configuration in the inactive state, or may use a parameter different from the SuspendConfig in the current RRC Release signaling to indicate that the UE enters the configuration in the inactive state. The parameters in the SuspendConfig carried by the RRC Release signaling may refer to related technologies, and are not described herein again.

In step S12, if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the inactive configuration, the UE saves the context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context, and the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station.

In one possible implementation, the context of the UE may include parameters such as signaling radio bearer parameters, data radio bearer parameters, measurement configuration parameters, and security configuration parameters. Wherein the signaling radio bearer comprises an established RRC connection. A data radio bearer refers to a bearer for transporting traffic. The measurement configuration parameters may be used to determine which frequencies the base station informs the UE to measure the neighboring cells on, and whether to perform measurement evaluation for the serving cell. The security configuration parameters may include security algorithms, security keys, and the like.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may save the context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context. For example, the Context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling may be saved as Context 1.0 version.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the UE receives the first RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station, and the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the inactive state, the UE can continue to perform uplink or downlink data transmission with the base station.

In step S13, when the communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE has no data transmission requirement, the UE enters an inactive state; alternatively, when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication interruption between the UE and the current base station may be caused by the UE entering the coverage of another cell (the cell may belong to a configured notification area, namely Ran-NotificationAreaInfo), or may be caused by the UE failing to receive the scheduling signal of the current base station for a long time. Because the NR cell on the unlicensed frequency band needs to perform LBT to obtain the channel use weight, if the base station cannot obtain the channel use weight for a long time due to the busy channel, the UE cannot perform signaling and data interaction with the base station, and the UE interrupts the communication with the base station.

In one possible implementation, the UE determining that the communication with the base station is interrupted may be determined by a first timer. If the UE does not perform data or signaling interaction with the base station all the time within the timing duration of the first timer, if the UE does not receive the scheduling information of the base station continuously, it may be determined that the communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for enhancing a non-activated state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 2, the method may include steps S11 through S14.

In step S14, if the UE enters the inactive state on the unlicensed frequency band and the UE does not reside in the configured notification area, the UE maintains the first context before the periodic radio access network notification area update RNAU timer expires.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may determine whether the currently camped frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band according to a protocol or according to an operator configuration.

Considering that the deployment of NR cells on the unlicensed frequency band may not be continuously covered, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, to avoid the UE from deleting the context blindly, the inactive state is enhanced, and specifically, after the UE enters the inactive state on the unlicensed frequency band, if the UE does not reside in the configured notification area (for example, the UE selects a non-currently registered PLMN (Public Land mobile network) to reside in the unlicensed frequency band, or the UE cannot reside in a currently registered PLMN cell), before the periodic RNAU timer expires, the UE still stores the first context, so that the UE may perform RRC connection recovery (rrcresum) when the UE re-resides in the configured notification area.

According to the implementation mode, when the UE is deployed in the unauthorized frequency band, the LBT failure scene can be effectively responded, the UE is prevented from being scheduled to enter an idle state for a long time without a base station, and therefore the enhancement of the inactive state can be achieved.

In one possible implementation, when the base station performs parameter update through RRC reconfiguration, the context saved by the UE is not changed. The implementation mode can avoid the situation that the UE frequently updates the context to cause the increase of the processing complexity.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when the base station updates the parameters through RRC reconfiguration, if the updated parameters comprise the information of adding or deleting the data radio bearer, the UE updates the stored context according to the information of adding or deleting the data radio bearer. The data radio bearer is key information of the UE for developing services, and the data radio bearer parameters not only relate to the base station, but also relate to a core network and an opposite terminal user. In the implementation mode, the UE updates the stored context according to the addition or deletion information of the data radio bearer, so that the data radio bearer parameters are kept in the latest state, and the core network and the opposite terminal user are prevented from being abnormal due to the fact that the latest state is not maintained. In this implementation, the UE may update the saved context only according to the addition or deletion information of the data radio bearer, and does not update the saved context when other parameters change, thereby avoiding the increase in processing complexity caused by frequent context update by the UE.

In one possible implementation, after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further includes: and the UE performs cell reselection. In this implementation, after the UE performs cell reselection, if the UE has a data transmission requirement, the RRC connection may be resumed according to the saved context (e.g., the first context). The UE and the network can quickly recover the signaling radio bearer and the data radio bearer which are established before based on the stored context, thereby greatly reducing the signaling overhead. If the notification area is reasonably configured, the UE does not need to trigger a handover command when moving in the configured notification area, so that the processing load of the network can be reduced.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of a method for enhancing a non-activated state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3, the method may include steps S31 through S34.

In step S31, the UE receives a first radio resource control RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station.

Wherein, the step S31 refers to the description of the step S11.

In step S32, if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the inactive configuration, the UE saves the context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context, and the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station.

Wherein, the step S32 refers to the description of the step S12.

In step S33, when the communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE has no data transmission requirement, the UE enters an inactive state; alternatively, when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state.

Wherein, the step S33 refers to the description of the step S13.

In step S34, if the UE enters an inactive state in the unlicensed frequency band and the UE does not reside in the configured notification area, the UE performs RNAU after the periodic RNAU timer expires.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow chart of an enhancement method in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 4, the method may include steps S41 through S44.

In step S41, the UE receives a first radio resource control RRC reconfiguration signaling from the base station.

Wherein, the step S41 refers to the description of the step S11.

In step S42, if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the inactive configuration, the UE saves the context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context, and the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station.

Wherein, the step S42 refers to the description of the step S12.

In step S43, when the communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE has no data transmission requirement, the UE enters an inactive state; alternatively, when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state.

Wherein, the step S43 refers to the description of the step S13.

In step S44, if the UE enters the inactive state on the licensed band and the UE does not reside in the configured notification area, the UE executes the RNAU or enters the idle state.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, if the UE resides in the currently registered PLMN, the UE executes the RNAU; and if the UE is not resident in the current registered PLMN, entering an idle state.

In one possible implementation, after the UE saves the context of the UE when receiving the RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context, the method further includes: the UE receives a second RRC reconfiguration signaling which is from the base station and requires updating the context; and the UE updates the first context according to the second RRC reconfiguration signaling to obtain a second context and stores the second context. In this implementation, after configuring the parameter in the inactive state, the base station may instruct the UE to update the saved Context through the second RRC reconfiguration signaling, for example, the UE may save the second Context as a Context 2.0 version. Based on the implementation, when the network receives the RRC connection recovery request of the UE, the network and the UE can perform recovery of the signaling and data radio bearer based on the same context.

In one possible implementation, after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further includes: and when the UE has a data transmission requirement, the UE initiates an RRC recovery flow according to the stored context. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a recovery procedure of an RRC connection in an enhanced method in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an enhancement device in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 6, the apparatus includes: a first receiving module 61, configured to receive a first radio resource control RRC reconfiguration signaling from a base station by a UE; a first saving module 62, configured to, if the first RRC reconfiguration signaling indicates that the UE enters the inactive configuration, save, by the UE, a context of the UE when receiving the first RRC reconfiguration signaling as the first context, where the UE can continue to perform data transmission with the base station; an entering module 63, configured to, when communication between the UE and the base station is interrupted, if the UE does not have a data transmission requirement, enter an inactive state; alternatively, when the base station releases the RRC connection with the UE, the UE enters an inactive state.

In one possible implementation, when the base station performs parameter update through RRC reconfiguration, the context saved by the UE is not changed.

Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of an enhancement device in an inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 7:

in one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: an updating module 64, configured to, when the base station performs parameter updating through RRC reconfiguration, if the updated parameter includes addition or deletion information of the data radio bearer, update the stored context by the UE according to the addition or deletion information of the data radio bearer.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: a maintaining and saving module 65, configured to maintain and save the first context before the periodic radio access network notification area update RNAU timer expires if the UE enters an inactive state on the unlicensed frequency band and the UE does not reside in the configured notification area.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: and a cell reselection module 66, configured to perform cell reselection for the UE.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: and an RNAU module 67, configured to perform RNAU after the periodic RNAU timer expires if the UE enters an inactive state in the unauthorized frequency band and the UE does not reside in the configured notification area.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: a state switching module 68, configured to execute the RNAU or enter an idle state if the UE enters an inactive state on the authorized frequency band and the UE does not reside in the configured notification area.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: a second receiving module 69, configured to receive, by the UE, a second RRC reconfiguration signaling that requires context updating from the base station; a second saving module 70, configured to update the first context according to the second RRC reconfiguration signaling by the UE, obtain a second context, and save the second context.

In one possible implementation, the apparatus further includes: and a connection recovery module 71, configured to, when the UE needs to transmit data, initiate an RRC recovery procedure according to the stored context.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a user device 800 according to an example embodiment. For example, the user device 800 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, an exercise device, a personal digital assistant, and the like.

Referring to fig. 8, user device 800 may include one or more of the following components: processing component 802, memory 804, power component 806, multimedia component 808, audio component 810, input/output (I/O) interface 812, sensor component 814, and communication component 816.

The processing component 802 generally controls overall operation of the user device 800, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing components 802 may include one or more processors 820 to execute instructions to perform all or a portion of the steps of the methods described above. Further, the processing component 802 can include one or more modules that facilitate interaction between the processing component 802 and other components. For example, the processing component 802 can include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component 808 and the processing component 802.

Memory 804 is configured to store various types of data to support operations at user device 800. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on user device 800, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and so forth. The memory 804 may be implemented by any type or combination of volatile or non-volatile memory devices such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disks.

The power component 806 provides power to the various components of the user device 800. Power components 806 may include a power management system, one or more power sources, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for user device 800.

The multimedia component 808 comprises a screen providing an output interface between the user device 800 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input signal from a user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touch, slide, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may not only sense the boundary of a touch or slide action, but also detect the duration and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 808 includes a front facing camera and/or a rear facing camera. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the user equipment 800 is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

The audio component 810 is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 810 includes a Microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when the user device 800 is in an operational mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may further be stored in the memory 804 or transmitted via the communication component 816. In some embodiments, audio component 810 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

The I/O interface 812 provides an interface between the processing component 802 and peripheral interface modules, which may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to: a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.

Sensor component 814 includes one or more sensors for providing various aspects of state assessment for user device 800. For example, sensor assembly 814 may detect an open/closed state of user device 800, the relative positioning of components, such as a display and keypad of user device 800, sensor assembly 814 may also detect a change in the position of user device 800 or a component of user device 800, the presence or absence of user contact with user device 800, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of user device 800, and a change in the temperature of user device 800. Sensor assembly 814 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 814 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 814 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

Communications component 816 is configured to facilitate communications between user device 800 and other devices in a wired or wireless manner. The user equipment 800 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, 2G or 3G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 receives a broadcast signal or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 further includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the user device 800 may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors or other electronic components for performing the above-described methods.

In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as the memory 804, is also provided that includes computer program instructions executable by the processor 820 of the user device 800 to perform the above-described methods.

The present disclosure may be systems, methods, and/or computer program products. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions embodied thereon for causing a processor to implement various aspects of the present disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can hold and store the instructions for use by the instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic memory device, a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device, an electromagnetic memory device, a semiconductor memory device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanical coding device, such as punch cards or in-groove projection structures having instructions stored thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer-readable storage media as used herein is not to be construed as transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., optical pulses through a fiber optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through electrical wires.

The computer-readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a respective computing/processing device, or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, such as the internet, a local area network, a wide area network, and/or a wireless network. The network may include copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. The network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer-readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium in the respective computing/processing device.

The computer program instructions for carrying out operations of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C + + or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider). In some embodiments, the electronic circuitry that can execute the computer-readable program instructions implements aspects of the present disclosure by utilizing the state information of the computer-readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, such as a programmable logic circuit, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a Programmable Logic Array (PLA).

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable medium storing the instructions comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Having described embodiments of the present disclosure, the foregoing description is intended to be exemplary, not exhaustive, and not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terms used herein were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or technical improvements to the techniques in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An enhancement method in an inactive state is applied to a User Equipment (UE), and the method comprises the following steps:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the context saved by the UE is not changed when the base station performs parameter update through RRC reconfiguration.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

4. The method of claim 1, wherein after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further comprises:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further comprises:

and the UE performs cell reselection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further comprises:

7. The method of claim 1, wherein after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further comprises:

8. The method of claim 1, wherein after the UE saves a context of the UE as a first context when receiving the RRC reconfiguration signaling, the method further comprises:

9. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein after the UE enters the inactive state, the method further comprises:

10. An apparatus for enhancing an inactive state, the apparatus comprising:

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the context saved by the UE does not change when the base station performs parameter update through RRC reconfiguration.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

and the cell reselection module is used for the UE to perform cell reselection.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 10 to 17, further comprising:

19. A user device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

wherein the processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.