WO2022257416A9

WO2022257416A9 - Communication method and communication apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2022257416A9
Application number: PCT/CN2021/139647
Authority: WO
Inventors: 张右右; 韩立锋; 邓云
Original assignee: 展讯通信（上海）有限公司
Priority date: 2021-06-10
Filing date: 2021-12-20
Publication date: 2023-10-19
Also published as: WO2022257416A1; CN115474242A

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: sending first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state for an RRC connection. By means of such a technical solution, an RAN device can further determine whether to release an RRC connection in view of a recommended state of the RRC connection, thereby reducing the possibility that the RAN device directly releases the RRC connection when there is no data transmission within a period of time, thus facilitating the reduction of frequent switching of the RRC connection state or a G-RNTI monitoring state on an RAN side, such that unnecessary signaling overheads and delays are reduced, and the network performance is improved.

Description

Communication method and communication device

Technical field

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a communication method and communication device.

Background technique

Currently, in wireless communication systems, multicast and broadcast service (MBS) data can be transmitted by base stations to interested terminal devices. However, for some multicast broadcast services, MBS data transmission can only be achieved when the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection between the terminal device and the base station is in the connected state. Among them, the status of the RRC connection between the terminal device and the base station is related to MBS session activation and deactivation. Specifically, when the MBS session is deactivated, the core network instructs the base station to deactivate the MBS session. Based on the instruction of the core network, the base station releases the RRC connection with the terminal device and switches the state of the RRC connection from the connected state to the non-connected state; when the MBS session is activated, the core network instructs the base station to reactivate the MBS session. According to the instructions of the network, the RRC connection is restored/reestablished and the state of the RRC connection is switched from the non-connected state to the connected state.

However, the activation and deactivation of MBS sessions is decided by the core network based on the transmission status of MBS data. When there is no MBS data transmission within a period of time, the core network deactivates the MBS session; after deactivating the MBS session, once there is MBS data transmission again, the core network will activate the MBS session again. Therefore, the above-mentioned method of establishing and releasing RRC connections can easily lead to frequent establishment and release of RRC connections, which will bring unnecessary signaling overhead and affect communication performance.

Contents of the invention

The embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method and communication device, which can reduce signaling overhead and delay and improve network performance.

The first aspect is a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes sending first indication information, where the first indication information indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection. In the embodiment of the present application, since the recommended status of the RRC connection can be indicated, the core network can indicate to the RAN device whether to adjust the RRC connection status based on the recommended status of the RRC connection, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and delay, and improving Network performance.

In a possible design, the embodiment of the present application may send the first indication information based on the following method:

After receiving the status acquisition request of the RRC connection, send the first indication information; or,

It is detected that there is no service data transmission in the session corresponding to the RRC connection within the first duration, and the first indication information is sent; or,

The first indication information is sent periodically.

This helps simplify implementation.

In a possible design, the first indication information may include at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the restart time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session;

Wherein, the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

This helps to improve the reliability of the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the first indication information.

In a possible design, second indication information is also sent, and the second indication information is used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission.

The second aspect is another communication method according to the embodiment of the present application, specifically including:

Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection;

Receive second indication information, the second indication information is used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission;

The third indication information and the fourth indication information are sent; the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection.

In the embodiment of the present application, since the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be sent, the RAN device can further determine whether to release the RRC connection in combination with the recommended status of the RRC connection, thereby reducing the problem when there is no data transmission for a period of time. This leads to the possibility that the RAN device directly releases the RRC connection, thereby helping to reduce the frequent switching of the RRC connection state or the G-RNTI monitoring state on the RAN side, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and delay, and improving network performance.

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the resumption time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session.

This facilitates implementation.

In a possible design, the third indication information may include at least one of the following information:

It should be noted that the first indication information and the third indication information may be the same or different.

In one possible design, a status acquisition request for the RRC connection is sent. For example, after receiving the second indication information, a status acquisition request for the RRC connection is sent.

The third aspect is another communication method according to the embodiment of the present application, specifically including:

Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicates the recommended state for the RRC connection;

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the second indication information is ignored.

In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the second indication information, when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the second indication information is ignored, that is, the RRC connection is not instructed to be released, thereby reducing the risk of data transmission when there is no data transmission for a period of time. This leads to the possibility of directly instructing the RAN device to release the RRC connection, which helps reduce the frequent switching of the RRC connection state or the G-RNTI listening state on the RAN side, reduces unnecessary signaling overhead and delay, and improves network performance.

In a possible design, when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the non-connected state, third indication information is sent, and the third indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection.

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the resumption time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session. This facilitates implementation.

The fourth aspect is a communication method according to the embodiment of the present application, specifically including:

Receive third indication information and fourth indication information, the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection; the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection;

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the state of the RRC connection is maintained as the connected state.

In the embodiment of the present application, since the third indication information is used to determine whether to release the RRC connection, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the third indication information is the connected state, the RRC connection is not released, that is, the RRC connection is kept in the connected state. , thereby reducing the possibility that the RAN device will directly release the RRC connection when there is no data transmission for a period of time, helping to reduce the frequency of the RAN side switching the status of the RRC connection or the monitoring status of the G-RNTI, and reducing unnecessary signaling. Reduce overhead and delay and improve network performance.

In a possible design, when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a non-connected state, the RRC connection is released.

In a possible design, the third indication information includes at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the resumption time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session; wherein the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

The fifth aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device is configured to perform corresponding functions in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible designed method of the first aspect. By way of example, the communication device includes a communication unit.

The communication unit is configured to send first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection.

In a possible design, the communication device further includes a processing unit, configured to trigger the communication unit to send the first indication information after the communication unit receives the status acquisition request of the RRC connection; or, the processing unit is configured to Detecting that there is no service data transmission in the session corresponding to the RRC connection within the first duration, triggering the communication unit to send the first indication information; or,

The processing unit is configured to periodically send the first indication information.

Wherein, the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

In a possible design, the communication unit is further configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission.

A sixth aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device is configured to perform corresponding functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible designed method of the second aspect. By way of example, the communication device includes a communication unit.

Among them, the communication unit is used for:

Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating the recommended status of the radio resource control RRC connection;

Receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission;

Send third indication information and fourth indication information; the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection.

In a possible design, the communication device further includes a processing unit;

The processing unit is configured to control or trigger the communication unit to perform corresponding functions in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible designed method of the second aspect.

A seventh aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device is configured to perform corresponding functions in the above-mentioned third aspect and any possible designed method of the third aspect. As an example, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit.

Among them, the communication unit is used for:

Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating a recommended state for radio resource control RRC connection;

A processing unit configured to ignore the second indication information when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state.

In a possible design, the processing unit is also used to:

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the non-connected state, the communication unit is triggered to send the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection.

An eighth aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device is configured to perform corresponding functions in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and any possible designed method of the fourth aspect. As an example, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit.

Wherein, the communication unit is configured to receive third indication information and fourth indication information, the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the radio resource control RRC connection; the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection. ;

A processing unit configured to keep the state of the RRC connection in the connected state when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state.

In one possible design, the processing unit is also used to:

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the non-connected state, the RRC connection is released.

A ninth aspect is another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, including a processor and a memory, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory, and when the processor runs the computer program, the communication device executes the above first aspect and the third aspect. On the one hand, any possible design method, or a method of performing the above second aspect and any possible design of the second aspect, or a method of performing the above third aspect and any possible design of the third aspect, or performing the above fourth aspect and The fourth aspect is any possible design method.

In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, it implements the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible design of the first aspect. The method, or the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible design method of the second aspect, or the above-mentioned third aspect and any possible design method of the third aspect, or the above-mentioned fourth aspect and any possible design method of the fourth aspect.

An eleventh aspect provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible designed method of the first aspect, or the above-mentioned second aspect and the third aspect. Any possible design method of the two aspects, or any possible design method of the above-mentioned third aspect and the third aspect, or any possible design method of the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the fourth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes at least one processor and a memory, and is used to implement the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible design method of the first aspect, or the above-mentioned second aspect and the second aspect. Any possible design method of the above aspect, or any possible design method of the above third aspect and the third aspect, or any possible design method of the above fourth aspect and the fourth aspect. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

In addition, the technical effects brought by any possible design method from the fifth aspect to the twelfth aspect can be found in the technical effects brought by different design methods in the method section, and will not be described again here.

Description of the drawings

Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of data transmission of an MBS session according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of deactivation of an MBS session according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

The term "and/or" in this application is just an association relationship describing related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, alone There are three situations B. In addition, the character "/" in this article indicates that the related objects are an "or" relationship.

“Multiple” appearing in the embodiments of this application refers to two or more than two. The first, second, etc. descriptions appearing in the embodiments of the present application are only for illustration and to distinguish the description objects, and there is no order. They do not represent special limitations on the number of devices in the embodiments of the present application, and cannot constitute a limitation of the present application. Any limitations of the embodiments. The "connection" appearing in the embodiments of this application refers to various connection methods such as direct connection or indirect connection to realize communication between devices, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this in any way.

First, some terms involved in the embodiments of this application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

1. Terminal equipment. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application is a device with wireless communication functions, which can be called a terminal (terminal), user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT) ), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment, industrial control terminal equipment, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile equipment, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent or UE device, etc. Terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the terminal device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, new radio (NR), etc. For example, the terminal device can be a mobile phone (mobile phone), tablet computer (pad), desktop computer, laptop computer, all-in-one computer, vehicle-mounted terminal, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal Equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grid, transportation security Wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart city, wireless terminals in smart home, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless Wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable devices, future mobile communications Terminal equipment in the network or terminal equipment in the future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system. Among them, the chip system may include chips and may also include other discrete devices.

2. Network equipment. The network equipment in this application involves network-side equipment such as access network equipment and core network equipment.

Access network equipment. In the embodiment of this application, the access network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, and may also be called a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device, or access network element, etc. The access network equipment may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. Examples of access network equipment include but are not limited to: next-generation base stations (generation nodeB, gNB), evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), wireless Network controller (radio network controller, RNC), node B (node B, NB), base station controller (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc. The network device can also be a wireless controller, centralized unit (CU), and/or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or an access network The equipment can be relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted equipment, terminal equipment, wearable equipment, and access network equipment in future mobile communications or access network equipment in future evolved PLMNs, etc. In some embodiments, the access network device may also be a device with a wireless communication function for the terminal device, such as a chip system. For example, the chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete devices.

In some embodiments, the access network device can also communicate with an Internet Protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

Core network equipment. In the embodiment of the present application, core network equipment is deployed in the core network, and may also be called core network elements, etc. For example, core network control plane network elements or core network user plane network elements. The core network in the embodiment of this application may be an evolved packet core network (Evolved Packet Core, EPC), a 5G core network (5G Core Network), or a new core network in future communication systems. For example, the 5G core network is composed of a set of network elements and implements mobility management and other functions (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), provides data packet routing and forwarding and QoS (Quality of Service) management User plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) and other functions, session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) that provides session management, IP address allocation and management, etc. EPC can be composed of a Mobility Management Entity (MME) that provides functions such as mobility management and gateway selection, a Serving Gateway (S-GW) that provides functions such as data packet forwarding, and a PDN Gateway that provides functions such as terminal address allocation and rate control. (P-GW) composition. For Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS), the core network can include several new network elements to implement data packet forwarding, MBS session management, QoS management, and transmission mode switching (unicast and multicast/broadcast transmission switching between modes) and other functions. Another way is that the function can be implemented by existing core network elements.

3. Conversation. The session in the embodiment of this application is used to transmit service data. In this embodiment of the present application, sessions are based on different service types and can also be divided into unicast sessions, MBS sessions, or other sessions. For example, for a multicast broadcast service, the service data is MBS data. In this case, the session used to transmit MBS data can be called an MBS session. For another example, for unicast services, the service data is unicast data. In this case, the session used to transmit unicast data can be called a unicast session.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the session corresponds to the RRC connection. Take the MBS session, the RRC connection between the terminal device and the RAN device as an example. The MBS session corresponds to the RRC connection. It can be understood that the MBS session is used to transmit MBS data, and the RRC connection refers to those who are interested in the MBS data transmitted by the MBS session. RRC connection between terminal equipment and RAN equipment. When the RRC connection is in the connected state, MBS data can be transmitted to the terminal device. When the RRC connection is in a non-connected state, MBS data cannot be transmitted to the terminal device.

The following takes MBS session as an example to introduce accordingly. For unicast sessions or sessions used to transmit other service data, please refer to the relevant implementation methods of MBS sessions for details, which will not be described in detail in the embodiments of this application.

Figure 1a shows a schematic flow chart of MBS data transmission. As shown in Figure 1a, the content provider's server sends the MBS data to the core network. Then, the core network sends the MBS data to the RAN equipment. After receiving the MBS data, the RAN device sends the MBS data to the terminal device, such as a terminal device that is interested in the MBS data.

For some multicast broadcast services, MBS data can only be transmitted when the RRC connection between the terminal device and the RAN device is in the connected state. Generally, the status of the RRC connection between the RAN device and the terminal device is related to the activation and deactivation of the MBS session. When the MBS session is activated, the core network instructs the RAN device to activate the MBS session, so that the RAN device establishes/restores the RRC connection with the terminal device based on the instruction of the core network, and changes the RRC connection with the terminal device. The state switches to the connected state. When the MBS session is deactivated, the core network instructs the RAN device to deactivate the MBS session, so that the RAN device releases the RRC connection with the terminal device based on the instructions of the core network and switches the state of the RRC connection with the terminal device. to a non-connected state.

The activation and deactivation of MBS sessions is decided by the core network. For example, when there is no MBS data transmission for a period of time, the core network deactivates the MBS session, causing the MBS session to change from the activated state to the deactivated state. For example, the UPF in the core network can detect whether there is no MBS data transmission within a period of time, and the deactivation or activation of the MBS session can be initiated by the SMF in the core network.

For example, as shown in Figure 1b, it is a schematic flowchart of a method for deactivating an MBS session according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

101. UPF detects that there is no MBS data transmission in the MBS session within a period of time, and sends an MBS data stop transmission instruction to SMF (Session Management Function). The MBS data transmission stop indication is used to instruct the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data. For example, the MBS data stop transmission indicator can also be called Data stop transmission indicator.

It should be noted that for MBS data, UPF refers to MB-UPF. Specifically, MB-UPF can send the MBS data transmission stop instruction to SMF through MB-SMF.

102. The SMF receives the MBS data transmission stop instruction and sends an AMF session deactivation instruction to the RAN device. The MBS session deactivation indication is used to indicate deactivation of the MBS session. For example, the MBS session deactivation instruction may be a session deactivation instruction, or may be certain instruction information, etc., without limitation.

103. The SMF sends the MBS session deactivation indication to the RAN device. For example, the SMF first sends the MBS session deactivation indication to the AMF, and then the AMF sends the MBS session deactivation indication to the RAN device. In some embodiments, the MBS session deactivation indication may be transparently transmitted by the AMF to the RAN device.

For the RAN device, after receiving the MBS session deactivation instruction, the RAN device initiates a process of releasing the RRC connection to the terminal device. The above-mentioned terminal device refers to a terminal device that is interested in MBS data, that is, a terminal device used to receive MBS data. Thereby achieving the purpose of saving power and saving wireless resources.

However, when the UPF detects that there is more MBS data that needs to be sent to the terminal device, the SMF will send an MBS session activation indication to the RAN device, which needs to trigger the RAN device to reestablish or restore the RRC connection. Therefore, in the above method of triggering RRC connection establishment and release by detecting whether there is MBS data transmission, if the time interval between stopping transmission and starting transmission of MBS data is short, it is easy to cause the RAN device to frequently release and establish RRC connections. , thus causing unnecessary signaling and resource overhead and reducing network performance.

In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method that helps reduce the number of times that the RAN device switches back and forth between the release and establishment of the RRC connection by introducing indication information for indicating the recommended status of the RRC connection. Therefore, Helps reduce the number of changes to the RRC connection state or the number of G-RNTI listening states, thereby improving network performance.

For example, as shown in Figure 2, it is a schematic network structure diagram of a communication system applicable to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in the figure, it includes core network, RAN equipment and terminal equipment. The core network is connected to a server used to provide service data (such as MBS data), and may include at least one core network device. RAN equipment is connected to the core network. Terminal equipment accesses the network through RAN equipment.

For example, take the business data as MBS data and the communication system as the 5G communication system. The core network includes UPF, SMF, MB-SMF and other core network equipment; or the core network includes UPF, SMF, MB-SMF and the first function network element. The first functional network element is used to send indication information for indicating the recommended status of the RRC connection, which is different from the UPF. SMF is used to provide session management, IP address allocation and management functions. MB-SMF is used to provide MBS session management, IP address allocation and management functions. UPF is used to provide user plane functions such as data packet routing and forwarding and QoS (Quality of Service) management. In addition, it should be noted that when the business data is MBS data, UPF refers to MB-UPF.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the communication system shown in Figure 2 is only for illustration and does not constitute a limitation to the embodiment of the present application. For example, in this embodiment of the present application, the number of RAN devices and UEs is not limited. Regarding the core network, RAN equipment, and terminal equipment in Figure 2, please refer to the above relevant descriptions and will not be repeated here.

The communication method of the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the communication system shown in Figure 2, taking the service data as MBS data as an example.

Embodiment 1: As an example, the UPF indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection to the SMF, and the SMF determines whether to indicate to the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the recommended status of the RRC connection. The SMF in this embodiment may include SMF and MB-SMF, where the signaling interaction between SMF and MB-SMF is not limited by this application. The UPF in this embodiment may include UPF and MB-UPF, where UPF and MB -The signaling interaction between UPFs is not limited by this application.

As shown in Figure 3, it is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

301. UPF sends instruction information 1 to SMF. Instruction information 1 is used to instruct the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data.

In some embodiments, the UPF detects that the MBS session has no MBS data transmission within time period 1, and sends indication information 1 to the SMF. The duration of time period 1 may be predefined, or may be indicated to UPF by other devices (such as AMF). The embodiment of the present application does not limit the way in which UPF obtains duration 1. For example, the value of duration 1 can be 5m, 10m, etc. For example, the indication information 1 can also be called Data stop transmission indicator, MBS data stop transmission indicator, etc., and there is no limit to this.

Alternatively, the UPF is triggered by other events to send the instruction information to the SMF. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the events that trigger the UPF to send the instruction information 1 to the SMF.

For example, UPF may first send indication information 1 to MB-SMF. Then, the MB-SMF sends the indication information 1 to the SMF.

302. UPF sends instruction information 2 to SMF. Indication information 2 is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection.

For example, the recommended state of the above-mentioned RRC connection may be: the RRC connection state expected by the network before session reactivation (the session may be the above-mentioned MBS session). The RRC connection state may specifically include: connected state, inactive state, and idle state. Method 1: The indication information 2 may indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection by including at least one of the following information:

It should be noted that the session here refers to the session associated with MBS data. Or, in other words, the above session refers to the session used to transmit MBS data, that is, the MBS session.

Method 2: The indication information 2 can indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection through different bit values. For example, taking the indication information 2 using 1 bit as an example, when the indication information 2 has a bit value of 1, the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state (that is, the activated state). When the indication information 2 is bit value 0, the recommended state of the RRC connection is the inactive state or the idle state. Alternatively, the indication information 2 can also be represented by 2 or more bits, which is not limited. Take the indication information 2 using two bits as an example. For example, when the indication information 2 is 11, the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state; when the indication information 2 is 01, the recommended state of the RRC connection is the inactive state or the idle state.

The above is only an example of how the indication information 2 represents the recommended state of the RRC connection, and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. The embodiment of the present application can also characterize the recommended status of the RRC connection in other ways.

Further, in some embodiments, the UPF may periodically and/or event-trigger the acquisition of indication information 2. For example, UPF can obtain indication information 2 when it detects that there is no MBS data transmission within a period of time. Of course, the UPF can also be triggered by other events to obtain the indication information 2, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In other embodiments, the UPF may obtain the indication information 2 based on the MBS session history.

For example, when the reactivation probability of the MBS session is higher than the first threshold, the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state. For example, the reactivation probability of an MBS session is used to indicate the probability of reactivation within 5 minutes. The first threshold may be 80%, may be predefined, or may be obtained through a certain strategy or algorithm, and is not limited to this. As another example, when the reactivation probability of the MBS session is lower than the second threshold, the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 may be an inactive state or an idle state. It should be noted that the values of the first threshold and the second threshold may be the same or different.

As another example, when the resumption time of the MBS session is lower than the third threshold, the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 may be the connected state. Alternatively, when the resumption time of the MBS session is higher than the fourth threshold, the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 may be a non-connected state, such as an inactive state or an idle state. It should be noted that the values of the third threshold and the fourth threshold may be the same or different, may be predefined, or may be obtained through a certain algorithm or strategy, and are not limited to this.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, steps 301 and 302 do not have a necessary sequence. Among them, the instruction information 1 and the instruction information 2 can be carried by the UPF in one or more messages or signaling and sent to the SMF, or they can be carried in different messages or signaling and sent to the SMF respectively. This is not done. limited.

The SMF receives indication information 1 and indication information 2, and determines whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 2.

For example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state, the SMF does not instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection, that is, the indication information 2 is ignored.

S303. When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the SMF sends instruction information 3 to the RAN device to instruct the RRC connection to be released.

As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is a non-connected state (such as an inactive state or an idle state), the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device, and the indication information 3 is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection. In some embodiments, the SMF may send indication information 3 to the RAN device through the AMF. For example, the SMF may first send the indication information 3 to the AMF, and the AMF then sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device. Among them, the indication information 3 is transmitted in a transparent transmission mode in the AMF.

Further, in the case where the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device, the communication method also includes step 304.

304. The RAN device receives the instruction information 3 and releases the RRC connection with the terminal device. The RRC connection is the RRC connection between the terminal device that receives the MBS data and the RAN device.

For example, in the embodiment of the present application, the instruction information 3 may be an MBS deactivation instruction, an RRC connection deactivation instruction, or other instruction information for instructing to release the RRC connection, which is not limited.

In Embodiment 1, since the UPF can send indication information 1 and indication information 2 to the SMF, the SMF can, after receiving the indication information 1, combine it with the indication information 2 to determine whether to indicate to the RAN device whether to release the RRC connection, instead of After receiving the instruction information 2, the SMF directly instructs the RAN device to release the RRC connection, which helps to reduce the frequent switching of the RRC connection state or the G-RNTI monitoring state on the RAN side, and reduces unnecessary signaling overhead and delay. , improve network performance.

In addition, it should be noted that when the indication information 1 and the indication information 2 are transmitted through different messages or signaling respectively, the indication information 1 and the indication information 2 may not arrive at the SMF at the same time. Therefore, in some embodiments, if the SMF receives indication information 1 but does not receive indication information 2, it can start a timer first. Before the timer expires, if the SMF receives indication information 2, the SMF will start a timer based on the indication information 2. 2. Determine whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection, which helps to prevent the SMF device from directly instructing the RAN device to release the RRC connection after receiving the instruction information 1, reducing the RAN side from frequently switching the status of the RRC connection or the G-RNTI. Possibility to monitor state. Further, after the timer expires, if the SMF has not received the indication information 2, it instructs the RAN device to release the RRC connection. This prevents SMF from being unable to perform subsequent processes due to delay in receiving instruction information 2. The timing length of the timer can be predefined through the protocol, or it can be obtained through a certain policy or algorithm, and there is no limit to this.

The above is only an example of a specific implementation on the SMF side when the indication information 1 and the indication information 2 are transmitted through different messages or signaling respectively, and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. Of course, when the SMF receives the indication information 2 first, it may also directly instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection. Alternatively, after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF determines whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the latest indication information 2 received before the reception time of the indication information 2. For example, for SMF, the receiving time of indication information 1 is t1, the receiving time of indication information 2 is t2, t2 is before t1, and the difference between t1 and t2 is the smallest, then after SMF receives the indication information 1, Based on the indication information 2 received at time t2, it is determined whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection.

Embodiment 2: As an example, the UPF indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device through SMF, and the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended status of the RRC connection.

As shown in Figure 4, it is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to the embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

401. UPF sends instruction information 1 to SMF. Instruction information 1 is used to instruct the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data.

402. UPF sends instruction information 2 to SMF. Indication information 2 is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection.

Regarding steps 401 and 402, please refer to the relevant introduction in steps 301 and 302, and will not be described again here.

403. After receiving the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, the SMF sends the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the RAN device. Among them, the indication information 3 indicates releasing the RRC connection, and the indication information 4 indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection. This facilitates the RAN device to avoid instructing the RAN device to release the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 1 first.

It should be noted that the instruction information 2 and the instruction information 4 may be the same or different. For example, the indication information 2 uses mode 1 of the communication method shown in Figure 3 to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection. The indication information 4 adopts the second method in the communication method shown in Figure 3 to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection. For another example, both the indication information 2 and the indication information 4 adopt mode 1 or mode 2 in the communication method shown in FIG. 3 to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection.

In some embodiments, after receiving the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, the SMF sends the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the RAN device through the AMF. For example, after receiving the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, the SMF first sends the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the AMF, and then the AMF sends the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the RAN device.

Of course, in this embodiment of the present application, the SMF may also send the indication information 3 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 1. After receiving the indication information 2, the SMF sends the indication information 4 to the RAN device.

Regarding the instruction information 3, please refer to the relevant introduction in the communication method shown in Figure 3, and will not be described again here.

S404. The RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection according to the instruction information 4.

After receiving the indication information 3 and the indication information 4, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 4.

For example, judging whether to release the RRC connection according to the instruction information 4 may include judging whether to release the RRC connection according to whether the recommended RRC connection state indicated by the instruction information 4 is the connected state. Specifically, if it is the connected state, do not release the RRC connection. If it is, Unconnected state, release RRC connection.

For example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 4 is the connected state, the RAN device keeps the state of the RRC connection in the connected state. As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 4 is the non-connected state, the RAN device releases the RRC connection, that is, switches the state of the RRC connection from the connected state to the non-connected state.

Regarding the indication information 4, please refer to the relevant description of the indication information 2, which will not be described again here.

In Embodiment 2, since the RAN device can determine whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 3 after receiving the indication information 3, instead of directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, it helps to reduce the cost of the RAN side. Frequently switch the status of the RRC connection or the monitoring status of the G-RNTI to reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and delay and improve network performance.

In addition, in the case where the SMF does not send the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 at the same time, the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 may not arrive at the RAN device at the same time. Therefore, in some embodiments, if the RAN device receives indication information 3 but does not receive indication information 4, it can first start a timer. Before the timer expires, if the RAN device receives indication information 4, the RAN device Based on the indication information 4, determine whether to release the RRC connection, thereby helping to prevent the RAN device from directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, and reducing the possibility of the RAN side frequently switching the state of the RRC connection or the monitoring state of the G-RNTI. Further, after the timer expires, if the RAN device has not received the indication information 4, the RRC connection is released. This prevents the RAN device from being unable to perform subsequent processes due to delay in receiving the instruction information 4.

The above is only an example of a specific implementation on the RAN side when the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 are transmitted through different messages or signaling respectively, and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. Of course, when the RAN device receives the indication information 3 first, it may also directly instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection. Alternatively, after receiving the indication information 3, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the latest indication information 4 received before the reception time of the indication information 3. For example, for RAN equipment, the time when indication information 3 is received is t3, the time when indication information 4 is received is t4, t4 is before t3, and the difference between t4 and t3 is the smallest, then after the RAN receives indication information 3 , based on the indication information 4 received at time t4, determine whether to release the RRC connection.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the UPF can also directly indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device through the AMF. After the RAN device obtains the instruction to release the RRC connection, it further determines whether to release the RRC based on the recommended status of the RRC connection. connect. The difference from the communication method shown in Figure 4 is that UPF does not need to send the indication information 2 to the SMF, but directly sends the indication information 2 to the AMF. The AMF can send the indication information 2 after receiving the indication information 3 from the SMF. 3 and instruction information 4 are sent to the RAN device. Of course, the AMF may also send the indication information 4 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 2; and after receiving the indication information 3, the AMF may send the indication information 3 to the RAN device. For other steps, please refer to the relevant introduction in Figure 4 and will not be repeated here.

Embodiment 3: As an example, the UPF directly indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device, and the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended status of the RRC connection.

501. UPF sends instruction information 1 to SMF. Instruction information 1 is used to instruct the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data.

It should be noted that regarding step 501, please refer to the relevant introduction in step 301, and will not be described again here.

502. The UPF sends instruction information 2 to the RAN device. Indication information 2 is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection.

Regarding the indication information 2, please refer to the relevant introduction in the communication method shown in Figure 3, and will not be described again here. As for the method of triggering the UPF to send the indication information 2 to the RAN device, please refer to the relevant introduction of triggering the UPF to send the indication information 2 to the SMF, which will not be described again here.

503. After receiving the indication information 1, the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device. Among them, the indication information 3 indicates releasing the RRC connection.

It should be noted that there is no necessary sequence between steps 501, 503 and step 502, but step 503 is located after step 501. For example, step 502 may be located after step 501 and before step 503. Alternatively, step 502 follows step 503. Alternatively, step 502 and step 503 are executed simultaneously. Alternatively, step 502 and step 501 may be executed simultaneously, etc., and this is not limited.

In some embodiments, after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device through the AMF. For example, after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF first sends the indication information 3 to the AMF, and then the AMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device.

504. After receiving the indication information 3 and the indication information 2, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 2.

For example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state, the RAN device keeps the state of the RRC connection in the connected state. As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the non-connected state, the RAN device releases the RRC connection, that is, switches the state of the RRC connection from the connected state to the non-connected state.

In Embodiment 3, since the UPF can send indication information 2 to the RAN device, the RAN device, after receiving the indication information 3, determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 2, instead of directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3. Release the RRC connection, thereby helping to reduce the frequent switching of the RRC connection state or the G-RNTI listening state on the RAN side, reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and delay, and improve network performance.

However, in the embodiment of the present application, since the recommended status of the RRC connection is directly indicated to the RAN device by the UPF, and the indication of releasing the RRC connection is indicated by the SMF, the indication information 3 and the indication information 2 may not be the same. Reach RAN equipment at the same time. In this case, the RAN device may refer to the relevant implementation manner of the RAN device in the case where the SMF does not send the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 at the same time in Embodiment 2, which will not be described again here.

Embodiment 4: As an example, the first functional network element indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection to the SMF, and the SMF determines whether to indicate to the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the recommended status of the RRC connection. It should be noted that the first functional network element in the embodiment of the present application can also be called the first functional device, the first functional entity, a prediction entity, etc. The embodiment of the present application defines the first functional network element The name is not limited. Specifically, the first functional network element is different from UPF and can be NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function), or it can also be an introduced new functional entity, etc. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

As shown in Figure 6, it is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

601. UPF sends instruction information 1 to SMF. Instruction information 1 is used to instruct the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data.

Regarding step 601, please refer to the relevant introduction of step 301 in the communication method shown in Figure 3, which will not be described again here.

602. The first functional network element sends instruction information 2 to the SMF. Indication information 2 is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection used to transmit MBS data.

Regarding the specific implementation manner in which the indication information 2 indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection, please refer to the relevant introduction in the method shown in Figure 3, and will not be described again here.

For example, the first functional network element may obtain the indication information 2 through periodic and/or event triggering. For example, the UPF detects that the MBS session has stopped transmitting MBS data for a duration of 1, and sends a data transmission stop instruction to the first functional network element. The first functional network element receives the data transmission stop instruction and sends instruction information 2 to the SMF. For another example, after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF sends an RRC connection status acquisition request to the first functional network. The first functional network element receives the RRC connection status acquisition request and sends indication information 2 to the SMF.

Regarding the specific method for the first functional network element to obtain the indication information 2 and the specific implementation method for determining whether the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state or the non-connected state, please refer to the communication method shown in Figure 3 The specific way in which the UPF obtains the indication information 2 and determines that the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state is introduced, and will not be described again here.

After receiving the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, the SMF determines whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 2.

S603. When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the SMF sends instruction information 3 to the RAN device to instruct the RRC connection to be released.

When the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state, the SMF does not instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection, that is, the indication information 2 is ignored. In another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is a non-connected state (such as an inactive state or an idle state), the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device, and the indication information 3 is used to instruct the release of the RRC connection.

Regarding the specific implementation method of the SMF sending the instruction information 3 to the RAN device, please refer to the relevant introduction in the communication method shown in Figure 3, which will not be described again here.

Further, in the case where the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device, the communication method also includes step 604.

604. The RAN device receives the instruction information 3 and releases the RRC connection with the terminal device. The RRC connection is the RRC connection between the terminal device that receives the MBS data and the RAN device.

Regarding the specific implementation method of the indication information 3, please refer to the relevant introduction in the communication method shown in Figure 3, which will not be described again here.

In Embodiment 4, since the first functional network element can send indication information 2 to the SMF, the SMF can, after receiving the indication information 1, combine it with the indication information 2 to determine whether to indicate to the RAN device whether to release the RRC connection, instead of After receiving the instruction information 2, the SMF directly instructs the RAN device to release the RRC connection, which helps to reduce the frequent switching of the RRC connection state or the G-RNTI monitoring state on the RAN side, and reduces unnecessary signaling overhead and delay. , improve network performance.

In addition, it should be noted that since the indication information 1 is sent by the UPF and the indication information 2 is sent by the first functional network element, the indication information 1 and the indication information 2 may not arrive at the SMF at the same time. In this case, for the specific implementation of SMF, please refer to the relevant introduction of the communication method shown in Figure 3, which will not be described again here.

Embodiment 5: Take the first functional network element to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device through SMF, and the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended status of the RRC connection. For the introduction of the first functional network element, please refer to the relevant introduction in Embodiment 3, which will not be described again here.

As shown in Figure 7, it is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

701. UPF sends instruction information 1 to SMF. Instruction information 1 is used to instruct the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data.

Regarding step 701, please refer to the relevant introduction of step 301 in the communication method shown in Figure 3, which will not be described again here.

702. The first functional network element sends instruction information 2 to the SMF. Indication information 2 is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection.

Regarding step 702, please refer to step 602 in the communication method shown in Figure 6, which will not be described again here.

703. After receiving the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, the SMF sends the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the RAN device. The indication information 3 is used to indicate the release of the RRC connection, and the indication information 4 is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection.

Regarding step 703, please refer to the relevant introduction of step 403 in the communication method shown in Figure 4, which will not be described again here.

704. After receiving the indication information 3 and the indication information 4, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 4.

Regarding step 704, please refer to the relevant introduction of step 404 in the communication method shown in Figure 4, which will not be described again here.

In Embodiment 5, since the RAN device can determine whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 3 after receiving the indication information 3, instead of directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, it helps to reduce the cost of the RAN side. Frequently switch the status of the RRC connection or the monitoring status of the G-RNTI to reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and delay and improve network performance.

In addition, in the case where the SMF does not send the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 at the same time, the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 may not arrive at the RAN device at the same time. For the specific implementation of the RAN device in this case, please refer to the relevant introduction in the communication method shown in Figure 4, which will not be described again here.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the first functional network element can also directly indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device through the AMF. After the RAN device obtains the instruction to release the RRC connection, based on the recommended status of the RRC connection, the RAN device further Determine whether to release the RRC connection. The difference from the communication method shown in Figure 7 is that the first functional network element does not need to send the indication information 2 to the SMF, but directly sends the indication information 2 to the AMF. The AMF can, after receiving the indication information 3 from the SMF, Instruction information 3 and indication information 4 may be sent to the RAN device. Of course, the AMF may also send the indication information 4 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 2; and after receiving the indication information 3, the AMF may send the indication information 3 to the RAN device. For other steps, please refer to the relevant introduction in Figure 7 and will not be repeated here.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the first functional network element can also directly indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device. In this case, when the UPF directly indicates the recommended status of the RRC connection to the RAN device, the RAN device The recommended status of the RRC connection and the specific implementation method of determining whether to release the RRC connection are similar and will not be described again here.

In the above embodiments provided by the present application, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of network equipment and terminal equipment as execution subjects. In order to implement the above communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. In order to realize each function in the communication method provided by the above embodiments of the present application, the terminal device and the network device may include a hardware structure and/or a software module to implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Function. Whether one of the above functions is performed as a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

Same as the above concept, as shown in FIG. 8 , an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device 800 . The device 800 includes a communication unit 802 and a processing unit 801 .

In an example, the device 800 is used to implement the functions of the UPF or the first functional network element in the above method. The device may be a network device, such as a UPF, a first function network element, or a device in the network device. Wherein, the device may be a chip system. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

For example, the communication unit 802 is configured to send first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection.

In an example, the device 800 is used to implement the function of SMF in the above method. The device can be a network device, such as an SMF, or a device within a network device. Wherein, the device may be a chip system. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

For example, the communication unit 802 is configured to receive first indication information, which is used to indicate the recommended status of the RRC connection, and to receive second indication information, which is used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission.

In addition, as another example, the communication unit 802 is also configured to send third indication information and fourth indication information, the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection.

In an example, the apparatus 800 is used to implement the functions of the RAN device in the above method. The device may be a network device, such as a RAN device, or may be a device in the network device. Wherein, the device may be a chip system. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

For example, the communication unit 802 is configured to receive third indication information and fourth indication information. The third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection; the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection;

The processing unit 801 is configured to keep the state of the RRC connection in the connected state when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state.

For the first indication information, please refer to the relevant introduction of indication information 2 in the method shown in Figure 4. For the second indication information, please refer to the relevant introduction of indication information 1 in the method shown in Figure 4. For the third indication information, please refer to the relevant introduction of indication information 2 in the method shown in Figure 4. For the relevant introduction of the indication information 4 in the method shown in FIG. 4 , for the fourth indication information, please refer to the relevant introduction of the indication information 3 in the method shown in FIG. 4 , which will not be described again here.

It should be understood that for the specific execution processes of the processing unit 801 and the communication unit 802, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment. The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit. In the device, it can exist physically alone, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software function modules.

The same concept as above, as shown in Figure 9, is a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

The apparatus 900 includes at least one processor 901 and at least one memory 902 for storing computer programs and/or data. Memory 902 is coupled to processor 901. The processor 901 is used to run the computer program and/or data stored in the memory 902 to implement the communication method shown in Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6 or Figure 7. Coupling in the embodiments of this application is a spaced coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units or modules. As another implementation, memory 902 may also be located external to device 900. Processor 901 may cooperate with memory 902. Processor 901 may execute a computer program stored in memory 902. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 900 may also include a communication interface 903, which is used to communicate with other devices through a transmission medium, so that the modules used in the apparatus 900 can communicate with other devices. By way of example, communication interface 903 may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other type of communication interface.

In an example, the device 900 may be a RAN device, or may be a device in the RAN device, used to implement the functions of the RAN device in the above method.

Or, in an example, the device 900 may be a UPF or a first functional network element, or may be a device in the UPF or the first functional network element, used to implement the functions of the UPF or the first functional network element in the above method;

Or, in an example, the device 900 may be an SMF, or may be a device in the SMF, used to implement the functions of the SMF in the above method.

The connection medium between the communication interface 903, the processor 901 and the memory 902 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, the memory 902 and the communication interface 903 are both connected to the processor 901 in FIG. 9 . Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the memory 902, the communication interface 903, and the processor 901 can also be connected through a bus, and the bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

In the embodiment of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, which may implement or Execute each method, step and logical block diagram disclosed in the embodiment of this application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor for execution, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

In the embodiment of this application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or it may be a volatile memory (vola tile memory), For example, random-access memory (RAM). Memory is, but is not limited to, any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. The memory in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, used to store computer programs and/or data.

The methods provided by the embodiments of this application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program may be stored in or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another, e.g., the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center Transmission to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more available media integrated. The available media may be magnetic media (for example, floppy disks, hard disks, tapes), optical media (for example, digital video discs (DVD for short)), or semiconductor media (for example, SSD), etc.

Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. In this way, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and equivalent technologies, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that the method includes:

Send first indication information, where the first indication information indicates the recommended state of the radio resource control RRC connection.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that sending the first indication information includes:

After receiving the status acquisition request of the RRC connection, send the first indication information; or,

It is detected that there is no service data transmission in the session corresponding to the RRC connection within the first duration, and the first indication information is sent; or,

The first indication information is sent periodically.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first indication information includes at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the restart time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session;

The session corresponds to the RRC connection.
The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising:

Send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission.
A communication method, characterized in that the method includes:

Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating the recommended status of the radio resource control RRC connection;

Receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission;

Send third indication information and fourth indication information; the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection.
The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first indication information includes at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the resumption time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session.
The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the third indication information includes at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the resumption time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session.
A communication method, characterized in that the method includes:

Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating a recommended state for radio resource control RRC connection;

Receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to instruct the session corresponding to the RRC connection to stop service data transmission;

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the second indication information is ignored.
The method of claim 8, further comprising:

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the non-connected state, the third indication information is sent, and the third indication information is used to instruct release of the RRC connection.
The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first indication information includes at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the resumption time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session.
A communication method, characterized in that the method includes:

Receive third indication information and fourth indication information, the third indication information is used to indicate the recommended state of the radio resource control RRC connection; the fourth indication information is used to indicate releasing the RRC connection;

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, the state of the RRC connection is maintained as the connected state.
The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, the method further includes:

When the recommended state of the RRC connection is the non-connected state, the RRC connection is released.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the third indication information includes at least one of the following information:

The end time of the session, the start time of the session, the restart time of the session, the activation probability of the session, the reactivation probability of the session, and the deactivation probability of the session;

The session corresponds to the RRC connection.
A communication device, characterized by comprising: a communication unit and a processing unit;

The processing unit, combined with the communication unit, executes the method described in any one of claims 1-4, or the method described in any one of claims 5-7, or the method described in any one of claims 8-10, Or the method described in any one of claims 11-13.
A communication device, characterized by including: a processor and a memory;

Wherein, the memory stores a computer program, and when the processor runs the computer program, the communication device performs the method described in any one of claims 1-4, or the method described in any one of claims 5-7. Method, or the method described in any one of claims 8-10, or the method described in any one of claims 11-13.
A chip, characterized in that it includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored on the memory. The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-4. , or the method described in any one of claims 5-7, or the method described in any one of claims 8-10, or the method described in any one of claims 11-13.
A chip module is characterized in that it includes a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored on the memory. The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement The method of any one of claims 1-4, or the method of any one of claims 5-7, or the method of any one of claims 8-10, or the method of any one of claims 11-13 .
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, the method of any one of claims 1 to 4 is implemented, or as The method according to any one of claims 5-7, or the method according to any one of claims 8-10, or the method according to any one of claims 11-13.