CN115474242B

CN115474242B - A communication method and a communication device

Info

Publication number: CN115474242B
Application number: CN202110650969.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张右右; 韩立锋; 邓云
Original assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Shanghai Co Ltd
Current assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-10
Filing date: 2021-06-10
Publication date: 2025-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-10
Also published as: WO2022257416A1; CN120091377A; WO2022257416A9; CN115474242A

Abstract

A communication method and a communication device, relating to the field of communication technology. The method includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating a recommended state for an RRC connection. This technical solution enables a RAN device to further determine whether to release the RRC connection in combination with the 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 for a period of time, thereby helping to reduce the frequent switching of the RRC connection state or the listening state of the G-RNTI on the RAN side, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and latency, and improving network performance.

Description

Communication method and communication device

Technical Field

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

Background

Currently, in a wireless communication system, multicast and broadcast service (Multicast and Broadcast Service, MBS) data may be transmitted by a base station to interested terminal equipments. However, for some multicast broadcast services, the MBS data transmission can be implemented only when a Radio resource control (Radio ResourceControl, RRC) connection between the terminal device and the base station is in a connected state. Wherein the state 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 indicates to the base station that the MBS session is deactivated. And when the MBS session is activated, the core network indicates the MBS session to the base station for reactivation, and the base station recovers/reestablishes the RRC connection based on the indication of the core network and switches the RRC connection state from the non-connection state to the connection state.

However, activation and deactivation of MBS sessions is decided by the core network based on the transmission situation of MBS data. When there is no MBS data transmission in a period of time, the core network deactivates the MBS session, and when the MBS session is deactivated, once there is MBS data transmission again, the core network activates the MBS session again. Therefore, the above-mentioned manner of establishing and releasing the RRC connection easily results in frequent establishment and release of the RRC connection, which may bring about unnecessary signaling overhead and affect communication performance.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application discloses a communication method and a communication device, which can reduce signaling overhead and time delay and improve network performance.

In a first aspect, a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application specifically includes sending first indication information, where the first indication information indicates a recommended state of RRC connection. In the embodiment of the application, the recommended state of the RRC connection can be indicated, so that the core network can indicate whether the RRC connection state is adjusted or not to the RAN equipment based on the recommended state of the RRC connection, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay and improving network performance.

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

After receiving the RRC connection state acquisition request, transmitting first indication information or

Detecting the conversation no-service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection in a first time period, sending a first indication information, or

And periodically sending the first indication information.

Thereby helping to simplify implementation.

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

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, the deactivation probability of the session;

wherein the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

Thereby contributing to an improvement in reliability of the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the first indication information.

In one possible design, the second indication information is further sent, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the session stop service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection.

In a second aspect, another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application specifically includes:

receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state of RRC connection;

receiving second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating the session stop service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection;

and sending third indication information and fourth indication information, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating the release of the RRC connection.

In the embodiment of the application, the third indication information and the fourth indication information can be sent, so that the RAN equipment can combine with the recommended state of RRC connection to further judge whether to release the RRC connection, thereby reducing the possibility that the RAN equipment directly releases the RRC connection when no data is transmitted for a period of time, being beneficial to reducing the state of the RRC connection or the monitoring state of the G-RNTI frequently switched by the RAN side, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay and improving the network performance.

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, the deactivation probability of the session.

Thereby facilitating implementation.

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

The first instruction information and the third instruction information may be the same or different.

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

In a third aspect, another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application specifically includes:

receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state for RRC connection;

And when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connection state, ignoring the second indication information.

In the embodiment of the application, after the second indication information is received, when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connection state, the second indication information is ignored, namely the release of the RRC connection is not indicated, so that the possibility of directly indicating the RAN equipment to release the RRC connection when no data is transmitted in a period of time is reduced, the RAN side is facilitated to reduce the state of frequently switching the RRC connection or the monitoring state of the G-RNTI, unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay are reduced, and the network performance is improved.

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

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, the deactivation probability of the session. Thereby facilitating implementation.

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

Receiving third indication information and fourth indication information, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the recommended state of RRC connection;

and when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a connection state, maintaining the state of the RRC connection as the connection state.

In the embodiment of the application, as the third indication information is combined to judge whether the RRC connection is released, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the third indication information is the connection state, the RRC connection is not released, namely the state of the RRC connection is kept to be the connection state, thereby reducing the possibility that the RAN equipment directly releases the RRC connection when no data is transmitted in a period of time, being beneficial to reducing the state of the RRC connection or the monitoring state of the G-RNTI frequently switched by the RAN side, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay and improving the network performance.

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

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

the method comprises the steps of ending time of a session, starting time of the session, restarting time of the session, activation probability of the session, reactivation probability of the session and deactivation probability of the session, wherein the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

A fifth aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, where the communication device is configured to perform corresponding functions in the method according to the first aspect and any possible design of the first aspect. The communication device comprises, for example, a communication unit.

And the communication unit is used for sending first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating the recommended state of the RRC connection.

In one possible design, the communication device further includes a processing unit, where the processing unit is configured to trigger the communication unit to send the first indication information after the communication unit receives the state acquisition request of the RRC connection, or where the processing unit is configured to detect that no service data transmission is performed for a session corresponding to the RRC connection in the first duration, and trigger the communication unit to send the first indication information, or where the processing unit is configured to

The processing unit is used for periodically sending the first indication information.

wherein the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

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

A sixth aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, where the communication device is configured to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the second aspect and any possible design of the second aspect. The communication device comprises, for example, a communication unit.

Wherein the communication unit is used for:

receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection;

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

And a processing unit for controlling or triggering the communication unit to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the second aspect and any possible design of the second aspect.

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

Wherein, communication unit is used for:

receiving first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state for Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection;

And the processing unit is used for ignoring the second indication information when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a connection state.

In one possible design, the processing unit is further configured to:

And when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a non-connection state, triggering the communication unit to send the third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating to release the RRC connection.

An eighth aspect is a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, where the communication device is configured to perform the corresponding function in the method of any of the above fourth aspect and any of the possible designs of the fourth aspect. The communication device comprises, for example, a communication unit and a processing unit.

The communication unit is used for receiving third indication information and fourth indication information, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the recommended state of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection;

And the processing unit is used for keeping the state of the RRC connection to be the connection state when the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connection state.

In one possible design, the processing unit is further configured to:

And when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a non-connection state, releasing the RRC connection.

A ninth aspect is another communications device according to an embodiment of the present application, including a processor and a memory, where the memory stores a computer program, and when the processor runs the computer program, the communications device performs any one of the possible designs of the first aspect and the first aspect, or performs any one of the possible designs of the second aspect and the second aspect, or performs any one of the possible designs of the third aspect and the third aspect, or performs any one of the possible designs of the fourth aspect and the fourth aspect.

In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which, when run on a computer, implements the method of any one of the first aspect and the possible designs of the first aspect, or the method of any one of the second aspect and the possible designs of the second aspect, or the method of any one of the third aspect and the possible designs of the third aspect, or the method of any one of the fourth aspect and the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the above-mentioned first aspect and the possible designs of the first aspect, or the method of any one of the above-mentioned second aspect and the possible designs of the second aspect, or the method of any one of the above-mentioned third aspect and the possible designs of the third aspect, or the method of any one of the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the possible designs of the fourth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes at least one processor and a memory, for implementing the method of any one of the first aspect and the possible designs of the first aspect, or the method of any one of the second aspect and the possible designs of the second aspect, or the method of any one of the third aspect and the possible designs of the third aspect, or the method of any one of the fourth aspect and the possible designs of the fourth aspect. The chip system may be formed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In addition, the technical effects of any one of the possible designs in the fifth aspect to the twelfth aspect may be referred to as technical effects of different designs in the method section, and will not be described herein.

Drawings

FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram illustrating data transmission of an MBS session according to an embodiment of the application;

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

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

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

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

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

Detailed Description

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

The term "and/or" in the present application is merely an association relation describing the association object, and indicates that three kinds of relations may exist, for example, a and/or B may indicate that a exists alone, while a and B exist together, and B exists alone. In this context, the character "/" indicates that the front and rear associated objects are an "or" relationship.

The term "plurality" as used in the embodiments of the present application means two or more. The first, second, etc. descriptions in the embodiments of the present application are only used for illustrating and distinguishing the description objects, and no order is used, nor is the number of the devices in the embodiments of the present application limited, and no limitation on the embodiments of the present application should be construed. The "connection" in the embodiment of the present application refers to various connection manners such as direct connection or indirect connection, so as to implement communication between devices, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

First, some terms involved in the embodiments of the present application will be explained for easy understanding by those skilled in the art.

1. And a terminal device. The terminal device according to the embodiment of the present application is a device having a wireless communication function, and may be referred to as a terminal (terminal), a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a Mobile Terminal (MT), an access terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, an industrial control terminal device, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent, or a UE apparatus. The terminal device may be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the terminal device may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, new radio, NR, etc. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet, a desktop, a notebook, a body, a car-mounted terminal, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in unmanned (SELF DRIVING), a wireless terminal in teleoperation (remote medical surgery), a wireless terminal in smart grid (SMART GRID), a wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (SMART CITY), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (personal DIGITAL ASSISTANT, PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functionality, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future mobile communication network, or a terminal in a future evolved public mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN) or the like. In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a device with a transceiver function, such as a chip system. The chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

2. A network device. The network equipment of the application relates to equipment on network sides such as access network equipment, core network equipment and the like.

An access network device. The access network device in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides a wireless communication function for a terminal device, and may also be referred to as a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device, or an access network element, etc. Wherein the access network device may support at least one wireless communication technology, e.g., LTE, NR, etc. By way of example, access network devices include, but are not limited to, next generation base stations (gNB), evolved node Bs (eNBs), radio network controllers (radio network controller, RNC), node Bs (NB), base station controllers (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver stations (base transceiver station, BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband units (BBU), transmit-receive points (TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING point, TRP), transmit points (TRANSMITTING POINT, TP), mobile switching centers, and the like in a fifth generation mobile communication system (5 th-generation, 5G). The network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU), and/or a Distributed Unit (DU) in the cloud wireless access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN) scenario, or the access network device may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle device, a terminal device, a wearable device, and an access network device in future mobile communications or an access network device in a future evolved PLMN, etc. In some embodiments, the access network device may also be a device, such as a system-on-a-chip, having the functionality to provide wireless communication for the terminal device. By way of example, the chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete devices.

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

Core network equipment. The core network device in the embodiment of the application is deployed in a core network and can be also called a core network element and the like. For example, a core network control plane network element or a core network user plane network element. The core network of the embodiment of the application can be an evolution type packet core network (Evolved Packet Core, EPC) and a 5G core network (5 GCore Network), and can also be a novel core network in a future communication system. For example, the 5G core network is composed of a set of network elements, and implements an access and mobility management function (ACCESS AND Mobility Management Function, AMF) for functions such as mobility management, a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) for functions such as packet routing forwarding and QoS (Quality of Service) management, a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) for functions such as session management, IP address allocation and management, and the like. The EPC may be composed of a Mobility management entity (Mobility MANAGEMENT ENTITY, MME) providing functions of Mobility management, gateway selection, etc., SERVING GATEWAY (S-GW) providing functions of packet forwarding, etc., PDN GATEWAY (P-GW) providing functions of terminal address allocation, rate control, etc. For multicast broadcast service (Multicast Broadcast Service, MBS), the core network may include several new network elements to implement functions such as forwarding of data packets, MBS session management, qoS management, transmission mode switching (switching between unicast and multicast/broadcast transmission modes), etc. Alternatively, the functions may be implemented by an existing core network element.

3. A conversation. The session in the embodiment of the application is used for transmitting service data. In the embodiment of the application, the session is based on different service types and can be divided into a unicast session, an MBS session or other sessions. For example, for a multicast broadcast service, the service data is MBS data, in which case a session for transmitting MBS data may be referred to as an MBS session. For another example, for unicast traffic, the traffic data is unicast data, in which case the session for transmitting unicast data may be referred to as a unicast session.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the session corresponds to RRC connection. Taking the RRC connection between the MBS session, the terminal device and the RAN device as an example, the MBS session corresponds to the RRC connection, it may be understood that the MBS session is used to transmit MBS data, and the RRC connection refers to the RRC connection between the terminal device and the RAN device that is interested in the MBS data transmitted by the MBS session. When the RRC connection is in a connected state, MBS data may be transmitted to the terminal apparatus. When the RRC connection is in a non-connected state, MBS data cannot be transmitted to the terminal apparatus.

The following description will be made by taking an MBS session as an example. For unicast sessions, or sessions for transmitting other service data, specific reference may be made to related implementation manners of MBS sessions, which are not described in detail in the embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 1a shows a schematic flow chart of MBS data transmission. As shown in fig. 1a, the server of the content provider transmits MBS data to the core network. The MBS data is then sent by the core network to the RAN device. After receiving the MBS data, the RAN device sends the MBS data to a terminal device, for example, a terminal device interested in the MBS data.

For some multicast broadcast services, MBS data can be transmitted only when the RRC connection between the terminal device and the RAN device is in a connected state. In general, the state of the RRC connection between the RAN device and the terminal device is related to activation and deactivation of MBS sessions. When the MBS session is activated, the core network indicates the MBS session activation to the RAN equipment, so that the RAN equipment establishes/restores the RRC connection with the terminal equipment based on the indication of the core network and switches the state of the RRC connection with the terminal equipment to a connection state. When the MBS session is deactivated, the core network indicates the MBS session deactivation to the RAN device, so that the RAN device releases the RRC connection with the terminal device based on the indication of the core network and switches the state of the RRC connection with the terminal device to a non-connection state.

Whereas 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, thereby causing the MBS session to change from the active state to the inactive state. For example, the UPF in the core network may detect whether there is no MBS data transmission for a period of time, and the deactivation or activation of the MBS session may be initiated by the SMF in the core network.

As shown in fig. 1b, an exemplary flowchart of a method for deactivating an MBS session according to an embodiment of the present application specifically includes the following steps:

101. The UPF detects that MBS session has no MBS data transmission in a period of time, and sends an MBS data stop transmission instruction to the SMF (Session Management Function ). Wherein, the MBS data stop transmission indication is used for indicating the MBS session to stop transmitting MBS data. For example, the MBS data transmission stop indication may also be referred to as Datastoptransmissionindicator.

Note that, for MBS data, the UPF refers to an MB-UPF, and specifically, the MB-UPF may send an MBS data stop transmission instruction to the SMF through the MB-SMF.

102. The SMF receives the MBS data stop transmission indication and sends an MBS session deactivation indication to the RAN equipment. The MBS session deactivation indication is used to indicate that the MBS session is deactivated. For example, the MBS session deactivation instruction may be a session deactivation instruction, or may be some instruction information, etc., which is not limited.

For example, the SMF may send an MBS session deactivation indication to the RAN device via the AMF. For example, the SMF sends an MBS session deactivation indication to the AMF before the AMF sends the MBS session deactivation indication to the RAN device. Wherein in some embodiments, the MBS session deactivation indication may be transmitted by the AMF to the RAN device.

For the RAN equipment, after receiving the MBS session deactivation instruction, the RAN equipment initiates a flow of releasing the RRC connection to the terminal equipment. The terminal device refers to a terminal device interested in the MBS data, namely a terminal device for receiving the MBS data. Thereby achieving the purposes of saving electricity and saving wireless resources.

However, when the UPF detects that there is MBS data to be sent to the terminal device, the SMF sends an MBS session activation indication to the RAN device, and needs to trigger the RAN device to reestablish or restore the RRC connection. Therefore, in the above manner of triggering RRC connection establishment and release by detecting whether MBS data transmission exists, if the interval between the MBS data stop transmission and the start of transmission is shorter, the RAN device is easy to frequently release and establish RRC connection, thereby bringing unnecessary signaling and resource overhead, and reducing network performance.

In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which helps to reduce the number of times the RAN device switches back and forth between releasing and establishing an RRC connection by introducing indication information for indicating a recommended state of the RRC connection, so as to help to reduce the number of times the RRC connection state is changed or the number of times the G-RNTI is monitored, thereby improving network performance.

An exemplary network structure diagram of a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is shown in fig. 2. As shown, includes a core network, RAN equipment, and terminal equipment. Wherein the core network is connected to a server for providing service data (e.g., MBS data), and may include at least one core network device. The RAN equipment is connected to a core network. The terminal equipment accesses the network through the RAN equipment.

For example, the service data is MBS data, and the communication system is a 5G communication system. The core network comprises UPF, SMF, MB-SMF core network equipment, or the core network comprises UPF, SMF, MB-SMF and a first functional network element. Wherein the first functional network element is configured to send indication information for indicating a recommended state of RRC connection, different from UPF. SMF is used to provide session management, IP address allocation, management, etc. The MB-SMF is used for providing MBS session management, IP address allocation, management and other functions. The UPF is used for providing user plane functions such as packet routing forwarding and QoS (Quality of Service) management. In addition, in the case where the service data is MBS data, the UPF refers to MB-UPF.

It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, the communication system shown in fig. 2 is merely illustrative, and is not limited to the embodiment of the present application. For example, in the embodiment of the present application, the number of RAN devices and UEs is not limited. The core network, RAN device, and terminal device in fig. 2 may be referred to the above related descriptions, and are not repeated here.

The following describes the communication method according to the embodiment of the present application in detail, taking service data as MBS data as an example, in conjunction with the communication system shown in fig. 2.

In the first embodiment, the UPF indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection to the SMF, and the SMF determines whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the recommended state of the RRC connection. The SMF of this embodiment may include an SMF and an MB-SMF, where the signaling interaction between the SMF and the MB-SMF is not limited by the present application, and the UPF of this embodiment may include a UPF and an MB-UPF, where the signaling interaction between the UPF and the MB-UPF is not limited by the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

301. The UPF sends an indication 1 to the SMF. The indication information 1 is used to indicate that the MBS session stops 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 the time period 1 may be predefined, or may be indicated to the UPF by other devices (such as AMF), etc., which is not limited by the manner in which the UPF acquires the duration 1. For example, the value of the duration 1 may be 5m, 10m, or the like. For example, the indication information 1 may be referred to as Datastoptransmissionindicator, MBS data transmission stop indication, etc., which is not limited thereto.

Or the UPF sends the indication information to the SMF through other event triggers, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the event triggering the UPF to send the indication information 1 to the SMF.

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

302. The UPF sends an indication 2 to the SMF. The indication information 2 is used to indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection.

The recommended state of the RRC connection may be, for example, an RRC connection state expected by the network before the session is re-activated (the session may be the MBS session), where the RRC connection state may specifically include a connected state, an inactive state, and an idle state. In one aspect, the indication information 2 may indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection by including at least one of the following information:

Here, the session refers to a session associated with MBS data. Or in other words, the above-mentioned session refers to a session for transmitting MBS data, i.e., an MBS session.

Mode two, the indication information 2 may indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection through different bit values. For example, taking the case where the indication information 2 uses 1 bit as an example, when the indication information 2 is a bit value of 1, the recommended state of RRC connection is a connected state (i.e., an active state). When the indication information 2 is a bit value of 0, the recommended state of the RRC connection is an inactive state or an idle state. Or the indication information 2 may be represented using 2 or more bits, which is not limited. Taking the example of using two bits for the indication information 2. For example, when the instruction information 2 is 11, the recommended state of the RRC connection is the connected state, and when the instruction information 2 is 01, the recommended state of the RRC connection is the inactive state or the idle state.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the implementation of indicating the recommended state of the RRC connection by the information 2, and does not limit the embodiments of the present application. The embodiment of the application can also characterize the recommended state of the RRC connection in other modes.

Further, in some embodiments, the UPF may periodically and/or event trigger the acquisition of the indication information 2. For example, the UPF may acquire the indication information 2 when detecting that there is no MBS data transmission for a period of time. Of course, the UPF may also acquire the indication information 2 through other event triggers, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

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

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 a 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 policy or algorithm, which is not limited. 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. The values of the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same or different.

As another example, when the restart 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 a connected state. Or when the restart 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, for example, a non-activated state or an idle state. The values of the third threshold and the fourth threshold may be the same or different, may be predefined, may be obtained through a certain algorithm or policy, and are not limited thereto.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the steps 301 and 302 are not necessarily sequential. The indication information 1 and the indication information 2 may be carried by the UPF and sent to the SMF in one or more messages or signaling, or may be carried by different messages or signaling respectively and sent to the SMF, which is not limited.

303. The SMF receives the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, and determines whether to instruct the RAN device 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 SMF does not indicate to the RAN device to release the RRC connection, i.e., ignores the indication information 2. As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is a non-connected state (such as a non-activated state or an idle state), the SMF sends indication information 3 to the RAN device, where the indication information 3 is used to indicate to release the RRC connection. In some embodiments, the SMF may send the indication information 3 to the RAN apparatus through the AMF. For example, the SMF may send the indication information 3 to the AMF first, and then the AMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device. Wherein, the indication information 3 is transmitted in a transparent transmission mode in the AMF.

Further, in the case that the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN apparatus, the communication method further includes step 304.

304. The RAN equipment receives the indication information 3, and releases the RRC connection with the terminal equipment. The RRC connection is the RRC connection between the terminal equipment receiving the MBS data and the RAN equipment.

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

In the first embodiment, the UPF may send the indication information 1 and the indication information 2 to the SMF, so that the SMF may determine, after receiving the indication information 1, whether to release the RRC connection to the RAN device in combination with the indication information 2, instead of directly indicating to release the RRC connection to the RAN device after the SMF receives the indication information 2, thereby helping to reduce the state that the RAN side frequently switches the RRC connection or the listening state of the G-RNTI, reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay, and improve network performance.

In addition, in the case where the indication information 1 and the indication information 2 are transmitted through different messages or signaling, 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 the indication information 1 and does not receive the indication information 2, the SMF may start a timer first, and before the timer expires, if the SMF receives the indication information 2, the SMF determines whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 2, so as to help avoid the possibility that the SMF device directly instructs the RAN device to release the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 1, and the RAN side frequently switches the state of the RRC connection or the listening state of the G-RNTI. Further, after the timer expires, if the SMF still does not receive the indication information 2, the RAN device is instructed to release the RRC connection. The fact that the SMF cannot execute the subsequent flow because the indication information 2 is not received at a later time is avoided. The timing duration of the timer may be predefined by a protocol, or may be obtained by a certain policy or algorithm, which is not limited.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of one specific implementation on the SMF side in the case where 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 embodiment of the present application. Of course, in the case where the SMF first receives the indication information 2, it may also directly indicate to the RAN device to release the RRC connection. Or after the SMF receives the indication information 1, it determines whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 2 received last time before the reception time of the indication information 2. For example, when the receiving time of the indication information 1 is t1, the receiving time of the indication information 2 is t2, t2 is located before t1, and the difference between t1 and t2 is minimum, after the SMF receives the indication information 1, it is determined whether to instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 2 received at time t 2.

In the second embodiment, the UPF indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection to the RAN device through the SMF, and the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended state of the RRC connection.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the application, which specifically includes the following steps:

401. the UPF sends an indication 1 to the SMF. The indication information 1 is used to indicate that the MBS session stops transmitting MBS data.

402. The UPF sends an indication 2 to the SMF. The indication information 2 is used to indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection.

For steps 401 and 402, reference may be made to the relevant description in steps 301 and 302, and will not be repeated 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 equipment. Wherein, the indication information 3 indicates to release the RRC connection, and the indication information 4 indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection. This is so that the RAN device avoids indicating to the RAN device to release the RRC connection after receiving indication information 1 first.

The instruction information 2 may be the same as or different from the instruction information 4. For example, the indication information 2 indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection in the first mode of the communication method shown in fig. 3. The indication information 4 indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection in the second mode of the communication method shown in fig. 3. For another example, the indication information 2 and the indication information 4 each indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection by using one or two of the communication methods shown in fig. 3.

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

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

For the indication information 3, reference may be made to the related description in the communication method shown in fig. 3, and the description thereof will be omitted.

404. 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.

For example, determining whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 4 may include determining whether to release the RRC connection according to whether the RRC connection recommended state indicated by the indication information 4 is a connected state, specifically, if the RRC connection is not released, and if the RRC connection is not released, releasing the 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 maintains the state of the RRC connection as the connected state. As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 4 is a non-connected state, the RAN device releases the RRC connection, i.e., switches the state of the RRC connection from the connected state to the non-connected state.

For the indication information 4, reference may be made to the related description of the indication information 2, which is not described herein.

In the second embodiment, the RAN device may determine whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 4 after receiving the indication information 3, instead of directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, so as to help reduce the state of frequently switching the RRC connection at the RAN side or the listening state of the G-RNTI, reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay, and improve network performance.

In addition, in the case where the SMF does not transmit 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 apparatus at the same time. Therefore, in some embodiments, if the RAN device receives the indication information 3 and does not receive the indication information 4, the RAN device may start a timer first, and before the timer expires, if the RAN device receives the indication information 4, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 4, so as to help avoid that the RAN device directly releases the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, and reduce the possibility that the RAN side frequently switches the state of the RRC connection or the listening state of the G-RNTI. Further, after the timer expires, if the RAN device still does not receive the indication information 4, the RRC connection is released. The RAN device is prevented from failing to execute the subsequent procedure because the indication information 4 is not received at a delay.

The above is merely illustrative of one specific implementation on the RAN side in the case where 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 embodiment of the present application. Of course, when the RAN apparatus receives the indication information 3 first, the RAN apparatus may also be directly instructed to release the RRC connection. Or after receiving the indication information 3, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 4 received last time before the reception time of the indication information 3. For example, for the RAN device, when the receiving time of the indication information 3 is t3, the receiving time of the indication information 4 is t4, t4 is located before t3, and the difference between t4 and t3 is minimum, after receiving the indication information 3, the RAN determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the indication information 4 received at time t 4.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the UPF may also directly indicate, to the RAN device, a recommended state of RRC connection through the AMF, and after the RAN device obtains the indication of releasing the RRC connection, further determine whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended state of the RRC connection. The difference from the communication method shown in fig. 4 is that the UPF does not need to send the indication information 2 to the SMF, and directly sends the indication information 2 to the AMF, and the AMF may send the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 3 from the SMF. Of course, the AMF may send the indication information 4 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 2, and send the indication information 3 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 3. Other steps may be referred to in the relevant description of fig. 4 and will not be described here.

In the third embodiment, the UPF is used to directly indicate the recommended state of the RRC connection to the RAN device, and the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended state of the RRC connection.

501. The UPF sends an indication 1 to the SMF. The indication information 1 is used to indicate that the MBS session stops transmitting MBS data.

It should be noted that, for the step 501, reference may be made to the related description in the step 301, which is not repeated herein.

502. The UPF sends indication information 2 to the RAN device. The indication information 2 is used to indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection.

For the indication information 2, reference may be made to the related description in the communication method shown in fig. 3, and the description thereof will be omitted herein. The manner of triggering the UPF to send the indication information 2 to the RAN device may refer to the related description of triggering the UPF to send the indication information 2 to the SMF, which is not described herein.

503. After receiving the indication information 1, the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN device. Wherein the indication information 3 indicates to release the RRC connection.

It should be noted that, there is no necessary sequence of 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. Or step 502 follows step 503. Or step 502 is performed concurrently with step 503. Or step 502 and step 501 may be performed simultaneously, etc., and is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF sends the indication information 3 to the RAN apparatus through the AMF. For example, after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF 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 maintains the state of the RRC connection as the connected state. As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is a non-connected state, the RAN device releases the RRC connection, i.e., switches the state of the RRC connection from the connected state to the non-connected state.

In the third embodiment, the UPF may send the indication information 2 to the RAN device, so that after receiving the indication information 3, the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 2, instead of directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, which is helpful for reducing the state that the RAN side frequently switches the RRC connection or the listening state of the G-RNTI, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay, and improving network performance.

However, in the embodiment of the present application, since the recommended state of the RRC connection is directly indicated to the RAN device by the UPF and the indication of releasing the RRC connection is indicated to the RAN device by the SMF, the indication information 3 and the indication information 2 may not reach the RAN device at the same time. In this case, the RAN device may refer to the related 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 the second embodiment, which is not described herein.

In the fourth embodiment, the first functional network element indicates the recommended state 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 state of the RRC connection. It should be noted that, the first functional network element in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a first functional device, a first functional entity, a prediction entity (predictionentity), etc., and the name of the first functional network element is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the first functional Network element, unlike the UPF, may be NWDAF (Network DATA ANALYTICS Function), or may be a new functional entity introduced, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

601. The UPF sends an indication 1 to the SMF. The indication information 1 is used to indicate that the MBS session stops transmitting MBS data.

For step 601, reference may be made to the description of step 301 in the communication method shown in fig. 3, and details thereof are omitted herein.

602. The first functional network element sends indication information 2 to the SMF. The indication information 2 is used to indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection for transmitting MBS data.

For a specific implementation of indicating the recommended state of the RRC connection by the indication information 2, reference may be made to the related description in the method shown in fig. 3, which is not described herein.

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

For the specific manner of the first functional network element to obtain the indication information 2, and the specific manner of determining whether the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state or the unconnected state, reference may be made to the specific manner of the UPF to obtain the indication information 2 in the communication method shown in fig. 3, and the specific manner of determining that the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is the connected state, which will not be described herein.

603. After the SMF receives the indication information 1 and the indication information 2, it is determined whether to instruct the RAN device 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 SMF does not indicate to the RAN device to release the RRC connection, i.e., ignores the indication information 2. As another example, when the recommended state of the RRC connection indicated by the indication information 2 is a non-connected state (such as a non-activated state or an idle state), the SMF sends indication information 3 to the RAN device, where the indication information 3 is used to indicate to release the RRC connection.

For a specific implementation manner of the SMF sending the indication information 3 to the RAN device, reference may be made to the related description in the communication method shown in fig. 3, which is not described herein.

Further, in the case that the SMF sends indication information 3 to the RAN apparatus, the communication method further includes step 604.

604. The RAN equipment receives the indication information 3, and releases the RRC connection with the terminal equipment. The RRC connection is the RRC connection between the terminal equipment receiving the MBS data and the RAN equipment.

For a specific implementation of the indication information 3, reference may be made to the related description in the communication method shown in fig. 3, which is not described herein.

In the fourth embodiment, the first functional network element may send the indication information 2 to the SMF, so that after receiving the indication information 1, the SMF may determine whether to instruct the RAN device whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 2, instead of directly instruct the RAN device to release the RRC connection after the SMF receives the indication information 2, thereby helping to reduce the state that the RAN side frequently switches the RRC connection or the listening state of the G-RNTI, reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay, and improve network performance.

In addition, 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, the specific implementation of the SMF may refer to the related description of the communication method shown in fig. 3, which is not described herein.

In the fifth embodiment, the first functional network element indicates the recommended state of the RRC connection to the RAN device through the SMF, and the RAN device determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended state of the RRC connection. The description of the first functional network element may be referred to the related description in the third embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

701. the UPF sends an indication 1 to the SMF. The indication information 1 is used to indicate that the MBS session stops transmitting MBS data.

For step 701, reference may be made to the description of step 301 in the communication method shown in fig. 3, which is not repeated here.

702. The first functional network element sends indication information 2 to the SMF. The indication information 2 is used to indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection.

For step 702, reference may be made to step 602 in the communication method shown in fig. 6, which is not described herein.

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 equipment. The indication information 3 is used for indicating the release of the RRC connection, and the indication information 4 is used for indicating the recommended state of the RRC connection.

For step 703, reference may be made to the description of step 403 in the communication method shown in fig. 4, and the description thereof will not be repeated 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.

For step 704, reference may be made to the description of step 404 in the communication method shown in fig. 4, which is not repeated here.

In the fifth embodiment, the RAN device may determine whether to release the RRC connection according to the indication information 4 after receiving the indication information 3, instead of directly releasing the RRC connection after receiving the indication information 3, so as to help reduce the state of frequent switching of the RRC connection at the RAN side or the listening state of the G-RNTI, reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and time delay, and improve network performance.

In addition, in the case where the SMF does not transmit 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 apparatus at the same time. In this case, the specific implementation of the RAN apparatus may be referred to as related description in the communication method shown in fig. 4, and will not be described herein.

It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, the first functional network element may also directly indicate, through the AMF, a recommended state of RRC connection to the RAN device, and after obtaining the indication of releasing the RRC connection, the RAN device further determines whether to release the RRC connection based on the recommended state of the RRC connection. The difference from the communication method shown in fig. 7 is that the first functional network element does not need to send the indication information 2 to the SMF, and directly sends the indication information 2 to the AMF, and the AMF may send the indication information 3 and the indication information 4 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 3 from the SMF. Of course, the AMF may send the indication information 4 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 2, and send the indication information 3 to the RAN device after receiving the indication information 3. Other steps may be described with reference to fig. 7, and are not described in detail herein.

Or in the embodiment of the present application, the first functional network element may also directly indicate the recommended state of RRC connection to the RAN device, in this case, the specific implementation manner of determining whether to release the RRC connection by the RAN device in combination with the recommended state of RRC connection is similar to when the UPF directly indicates the recommended state of RRC connection to the RAN device, which is not described herein.

In the embodiments of the present application described above, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in terms of the network device and the terminal device as execution subjects. In order to achieve the above-mentioned communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. In order to implement the functions in the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device and the network device may include hardware structures and/or software modules, and implement the functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Some of the functions described above are performed in a hardware configuration, a software module, or a combination of hardware and software modules, depending on the specific application of the solution and design constraints.

As with the above concept, as shown in fig. 8, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 800, where the apparatus 800 includes a communication unit 802 and a processing unit 801.

In an example, the apparatus 800 is configured to implement the functions of the UPF or the first functional network element in the above method. The apparatus may be a network device, such as a UPF, a first functional network element, or an apparatus in a network device. Wherein the device may be a system-on-chip. In the embodiment of the application, the chip system can be formed by a chip, and can also comprise the chip and other discrete devices.

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

In an example, the apparatus 800 is configured to implement the SMF function in the method described above. The apparatus may be a network device, such as an SMF, or may be an apparatus in a network device. Wherein the device may be a system-on-chip. In the embodiment of the application, the chip system can be formed by a chip, and can also comprise the chip and other discrete devices.

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

In addition, the communication unit 802 is further configured to send third indication information and fourth indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate a recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate release of the RRC connection.

In an example, the apparatus 800 is configured to implement the functions of the RAN device in the above method. The apparatus may be a network device, such as a RAN device, or may be an apparatus in a network device. Wherein the device may be a system-on-chip. In the embodiment of the application, the chip system can be formed by a chip, and can also comprise the chip and other discrete devices.

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

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

Regarding the first indication information, reference may be made to the description about the indication information 2 in the method shown in fig. 4, the second indication information may be referred to the description about the indication information 1 in the method shown in fig. 4, the third indication information may be referred to the description about the indication information 4 in the method shown in fig. 4, and the fourth indication information may be referred to the description about the indication information 3 in the method shown in fig. 4, which will not be repeated here.

It should be understood that, regarding the specific execution of the processing unit 801 and the communication unit 802, reference may be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. The division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematically only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation, and in addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in one processor, or may exist separately and physically, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The integrated modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules.

As with the above concepts, fig. 9 shows a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application.

The apparatus 900 comprises at least one processor 901 and at least one memory 902 for storing computer programs and/or data. The memory 902 is coupled to the processor 901. The processor 901 is configured to execute the computer program and/or data stored in the memory 902 to implement the communication method shown in fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is a spaced coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, and may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms for information interaction between devices, units or modules. As another implementation, the memory 902 may also be located external to the apparatus 900. The processor 901 may operate in conjunction with the memory 902. The processor 901 may execute a computer program stored in the memory 902. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

In some embodiments, apparatus 900 may also include a communication interface 903, where communication interface 903 is used to communicate with other devices over a transmission medium, such that modules used in apparatus 900 may communicate with other devices. Illustratively, the communication interface 903 may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other type of communication interface.

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

Or in an example, the apparatus 900 may be a UPF or a first functional network element, or may be an apparatus in a UPF or a first functional network element, configured to implement a function of a UPF or a first functional network element in the foregoing method;

Or in an example, the apparatus 900 may be an SMF, or may be an apparatus in an SMF, for implementing the functions of the SMF in the foregoing 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 FIG. 9, the embodiment of the application is shown with memory 902 and communication interface 903 coupled to processor 901. Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the memory 902, the communication interface 903, and the processor 901 may be connected by a bus, where the bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like.

In the embodiment of the present 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, and may implement or execute the methods, steps and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution.

In an embodiment of the present application, the memory may be a nonvolatile memory, such as a hard disk (HARD DISK DRIVE, HDD) or a solid-state disk (SSD), or may be a volatile memory (vola tilememory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is 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, but is not limited to such. The memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, for storing a computer program and/or data.

The method provided by the embodiment of the application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, 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 flow or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are fully or partially produced. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable apparatus. The computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer readable storage medium may 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 an integration of one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD for short), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., SSD), etc.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from the scope of the application. Thus, it is intended that the present application also include such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

The UPF sends first indication information and second indication information to the SMF, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, the first indication information is used for indicating whether the SMF indicates to RAN equipment to release the RRC connection, and the second indication information is used for indicating session stop service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the UPF sending the first indication information to the SMF comprises:

After receiving the request for acquiring the RRC connection state, the first indication information is sent, or

Detecting the conversation no-service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection in a first time period, sending the first indication information, or

And periodically sending the first indication information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first indication information comprises at least one of the following information:

wherein the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

4. A method of communication, the method comprising:

The SMF receives first indication information, wherein the first indication information indicates a recommended state of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection;

the SMF receives second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating the session stop service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection;

The SMF sends third indication information and fourth indication information to the RAN equipment, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the recommended state of the RRC connection, and the fourth indication information is used for indicating the release of the RRC connection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first indication information comprises at least one of:

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the third indication information comprises at least one of:

7. A method of communication, the method comprising:

the SMF receives first indication information from the UPF, wherein the first indication information indicates recommended state for Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection;

The SMF receives second indication information from the UPF, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating session stop service data transmission corresponding to the RRC connection;

and when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a connection state, ignoring the second indication information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

And when the recommended state of the RRC connection is a non-connection state, sending third indication information, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating to release the RRC connection.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first indication information comprises at least one of the following information:

10. A method of communication, the method comprising:

the RAN equipment receives third indication information and fourth indication information from core network equipment, wherein the third indication information is used for indicating the recommended state of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection;

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the third indication information comprises at least one of the following information:

wherein the session corresponds to the RRC connection.

13. A communication device is characterized by comprising a communication unit and a processing unit;

The processing unit, in combination with the communication unit, performs the method of any of claims 1-3, or the method of any of claims 4-6, or the method of any of claims 7-9, or the method of any of claims 10-12.

14. A communication device is characterized by comprising a processor and a memory;

Wherein the memory stores a computer program which, when executed by the processor, causes the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-3, or the method of any one of claims 4-6, or the method of any one of claims 7-9, or the method of any one of claims 10-12.

15. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that it stores a computer program which, when run on a computer, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, or the method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.