WO2018174427A1

WO2018174427A1 - Method and device for controlling data transmission state

Info

Publication number: WO2018174427A1
Application number: PCT/KR2018/002562
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaowan KE; Hong Wang; Lixiang Xu
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-24
Filing date: 2018-03-05
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-24
Also published as: CN108924882A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of controlling a data transmission state and a device for performing the method. The method comprises: obtaining data transmission information of a user equipment 'UE' and/or a context of the UE; and performing data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE. Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method of controlling a data transmission state and a device for performing the method. The method comprises: determining whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied; and determining a data transmission configuration in the specific state, when it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING DATA TRANSMISSION STATE

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication technology, in particular to a method of controlling a transmission state of user equipment data, and a device for performing the corresponding method.

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of 4th generation (4G) communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5th generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system. The 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called a ‘beyond 4G network’ or a ‘post long term evolution (LTE) system’. The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming, and large scale antenna techniques are discussed with respect to 5G communication systems. In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system network improvement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation and the like. In the 5G system, hybrid frequency shift keying (FSK) and Feher's quadrature amplitude modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have been developed.

The Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things, exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of everything (IoE), which is a combination of the IoT technology and the big data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has emerged. As technology elements, such as “sensing technology”, “wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure”, “service interface technology”, and “security technology” have been demanded for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched. Such an IoT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things. IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected cars, smart grid, health care, smart appliances and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing information technology (IT) and various industrial applications.

In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies such as a sensor network, MTC, and M2M communication may be implemented by beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. Application of a cloud RAN as the above-described big data processing technology may also be considered to be as an example of convergence between the 5G technology and the IoT technology.

As described above, various services can be provided according to the development of a wireless communication system, and thus a method for easily providing such services is required.

In order to reduce paging areas and reduce signaling for traffic establishment, a UE connection manner, called an inactive state or a light connection state, is proposed currently.

The inactive or light connection means that when a radio access network releases a UE-related connection, the radio access network does not request a core network to release the UE-related connection, such as a UE-related connection between a base station and a core network control plane (a S1 interface control plane or a NG2 Interface), a UE-related connection between a base station and a core network user plane (a S1 interface user plane or a NG3 interface).

In 5G, when the UE is in the inactive state, the radio access network still maintains context of the UE (the radio access network node which maintains the UE context may be referred to as an old radio access network node), and the core network may consider that the UE is still In the connected state. When there are uplink data, the UE may transmit the data in two approaches: Approach 1, transmitting the uplink data directly in the inactive state, e.g., by grant free resource; and Approach 2: transmitting the uplink data after returning to the connected state. A certain signaling overhead is required when the UE returns to the connected state from the inactive state. In a case of smaller data amount, the signaling may be saved using Approach 1.

There is a series of problems in data transmission using Approach 1.

Problem 1: a condition under which data transmission is performed in the inactive state or the connected state is not sure.

Data transmission performance in the inactive state may not satisfy QoS levels of some traffic, some data such as Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), Voice, IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), non-access stratum (NAS) data.

The UE may only know cache information of the uplink data without knowing cache information of the downlink data. It is inaccurate to determine the state for the data transmission only depending on data cache information at a single side. When the UE accesses from a new radio access network node, the new radio access network node needs to respond to the UE immediately after obtaining the UE context from the old radio access network node. Meanwhile, the new radio access network node may allocate a data forwarding address, and receive UE data from the old radio access network node. However, the state of the UE for the data transmission should be determined once the new radio access network node responds to the UE. It is too late if the new radio access network node determines the state of the UE for the data transmission after the data forwarding is completed.

Problem 2: it is not sure whether or how to update a state for data transmission.

In a data transmission process, the state for data transmission is always changing. In the data transmission process,

1) if the data cached continues to increase, they are no longer small data; at this point, efficiency for continuing the data transmission in the inactive state is lower, and resource is not saved any more, which may not satisfy the QoS requirements of the data any more.

2) on the other hand, if the data cached continues to decrease, the data amount has been reduced to small data; continuing to perform the data transmission in the connected state may be a waste of dedicated channel resource.

If it is required to update the state for the data transmission, it is not sure how to support the update of the state for the data transmission.

Problem 3: in general, the data transmission in the connected state needs to configure the dedicated channel for the UE. If the UE is inactive or in a light connection, the dedicated channel resource of the UE at the radio side may be released, but the context of the UE, such as the session, the bearer, may still be saved. When the data transmission requirements for the UE are subsequently generated, resumption of all the dedicated channels may be a waste of resource, since not all the sessions or bearers may require data transmission.

The present application provides a method of controlling a data transmission state, which includes the following. A device obtains data transmission information of a UE and/or a context of the UE, and performs data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE.

By the method of the present application, a suitable state of the UE for data transmission may be determined and the UE session needed to be resumed may be determined, depending on various factors, such as the cached information of the uplink and/or downlink data, QoS requirements for the UE traffic, the current signal quality of the UE etc.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture evolution (SAE) architecture;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the next generation network (5G) initial system architecture;

Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7 is a schematic structure diagram of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 8 is a first schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

Fig. 9 is a second schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

Fig. 10 is a third schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

Fig. 11 is a fourth schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied;

Fig. 12 is a fifth schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied; and

Fig. 13 is a sixth schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of controlling a data transmission state, and a device for performing the corresponding method.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a data transmission state is provided, comprising: obtaining data transmission information of a user equipment ‘UE’ and/or a context of the UE; and performing data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE.

In an embodiment, the data transmission information of the UE comprises at least one of: data cache information, a data transmission state of the UE, a data transmission failure rate, a data transmission success rate, and a wireless signal quality of the UE; and/or the context of the UE comprises at least one of: whether the UE has a capability of transmitting data in an inactive state, whether the UE allows data transmission in an inactive state, a state of the UE, a data transmission configuration in an associated state of the UE, a data transmission configuration of the UE in a connected state, session information of a UE session, bearer information of a UE bearer, and quality of service ‘QoS’ flow information of a UE QoS flow.

In an embodiment, the data cache information comprises at least one of: an amount of cached data, a number of cached data, a variation trend of cache, a direction of data, a plane of data, and a data context associated with the cached data, wherein the data context comprises at least one of: session information of an associated UE session, bearer information of an associated UE bearer, and QoS flow information of an associated QoS flow; and/or the state of the UE comprises at least one of: an idle state, an inactive state, a connected inactive state, a connected active state, and a connected state.

In an embodiment, performing the data transmission state control for the UE comprises at least one of: determining the state of the UE, determining a configuration in an associated state of the UE, determining a resumed UE session, determining a resumed UE bearer, and determining a resumed UE QoS flow.

In an embodiment, the method is performed at at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

In an embodiment, the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE are obtained from at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a data transmission state is provided, comprising: determining whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and transmitting data transmission information of a user equipment ‘UE’ and/or context of the UE, if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined condition comprises at least one of: generating a data transmission requirement for the UE, a handover occurring, accessing a new node by the UE, and receiving a UE state change report.

In an embodiment, the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE are transmitted to at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a data transmission state is provided, comprising: determining whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied; and determining a data transmission configuration in the specific state, when it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.

In an embodiment, the specific state is an inactive state, and further, the predetermined condition of data transmission in the inactive state comprises at least one of: a user equipment ‘UE’ performing data transmission in an inactive mode; a radio access network node transmitting data to the UE in the inactive state; transmitting a data context associated with cached data in the inactive mode; data amount of the cached data being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold; a number of data of the cached data being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold; a wireless signal quality of the UE being higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold; a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures of data transmission of the UE being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold; UE accessing from a radio access network node which saves UE information; UE data needed to be transmitted comprising only user plane data; and UE data needed to be transmitted comprising only uplink data.

In an exemplary embodiment, the specific state is a connected state, and further, the predetermined condition of data transmission in the connected state comprises at least one of: a data amount of the cached data being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold; a number of data of the cached data being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold; a wireless signal quality of the UE being lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold; a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures of data transmission of the UE being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold; UE accessing from a radio access network node other than a radio access network node which saves UE information; UE data needed to be transmitted comprising control plane data; and UE data needed to be transmitted comprising downlink data.

In an exemplary embodiment, it is determined whether the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied, based on at least one of: data transmission information of the UE, context of the UE, and a state change report.

In an embodiment, the data transmission configuration in the specific state comprises at least one of: session information of an activated session, bearer information of an activated bearer, quality of service ‘QoS’ flow information of an activated QoS flow, an indication of data transmission in an inactive state, an indication of data transmission in a connected state, a state of the UE, an indication of whether to perform a state change report, and a reporting configuration of the state change report, wherein the reporting configuration of the state change report comprises at least one of: a threshold configuration, a reported event configuration, and an applicable state of the UE.

In an embodiment, the threshold configuration comprises at least one of: a data amount threshold of cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the data amount of the cached data is larger than or equal to the data amount threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the data amount of the cached data is smaller than or equal to the data amount threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state; a threshold for a number of data of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the number of data of the cached data is larger than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the number of data of the cached data is smaller than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state; a wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the wireless signal quality of the UE is lower than or equal to the wireless signal quality threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the wireless signal quality of the UE is higher than or equal to the wireless signal quality threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

a threshold for a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures of data transmission of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE is larger than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE is smaller than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state; the reported event configuration comprises at least one of: the data amount of the cached data being larger than or equal to the configured data amount threshold of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the data amount of the cached data being smaller than or equal to the configured data amount threshold of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs; the number of data of the cached data being larger than or equal to the threshold for the number of data of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the number of data of the cached data being smaller than or equal to the threshold for the number of data of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs; the wireless signal quality of the UE being higher than or equal to the configured wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs; the wireless signal quality of the UE being lower than or equal to the configured wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE being larger than or equal to the configured threshold for the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE being smaller than or equal to the configured threshold for the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs; the data containing downlink data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the data context associated with the data not adapted to be transmitted in the inactive mode, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the data being control plane data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs; the session, bearer, QoS stream requested to be established not adapted to be transmitted in the inactive mode, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a data transmission state is provided, comprising: obtaining a data transmission configuration in a specific state; and performing specific state-related control according to the data transmission configuration in the specific state.

In an embodiment, the specific state-related control comprises at least one of: setting an operation in an inactive state, setting an operation in a connected state, setting a data transmission operation, reporting a state change report, updating a state of a user equipment ‘UE’, and updating the data transmission configuration in the specific state.

In an embodiment, the operation in the inactive state comprises at least one of: stopping periodically reporting channel quality indicator ‘CQI’ measurement, releasing dedicated channel resource, contending for common resource for data transmission, and monitoring data transmission related page; the operation in the connected state comprises at least one of: periodically reporting CQI measurement, and configuring dedicated channel resource; the state change report comprises at least one of: data transmission information of the UE, a context of the UE, and a state change report reporting event.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method is performed at at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided, comprising: a communication interface, configured for communication; a processor; and a memory storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: obtain data transmission information of a user equipment ‘UE’ and/or a context of the UE; and perform data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided, comprising: a communication interface, configured for communication; a processor; and a memory storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied; and transmit data transmission information of a user equipment ‘UE’ and/or context of the UE, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided, comprising: a communication interface, configured for communication; a processor; and a memory storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: determine whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied; and determine a data transmission configuration in the specific state, when it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided, comprising: a communication interface, configured for communication; a processor; and a memory storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: obtain a data transmission configuration in a specific state; and perform specific state-related control according to the data transmission configuration in the specific state.

As can be seen from the above technical solutions, a suitable state of the UE for data transmission may be determined and the UE session needed to be resumed may be determined, depending on various factors, such as the cached information of the uplink and/or downlink data, QoS requirements for the UE traffic, the current signal quality of the UE etc. For the data transmission requirements which need smaller data amount and are infrequent, the data transmission may be performed in the inactive state, and the network may not allocate dedicated resource for the UE. Compared to the data transmission in the connected state, this may save signaling and resource established for a dedicated channel, and the UE may also save frequent channel measurement. For the data transmission requirements which need larger data amount and more frequent data transmission, the data transmission may be performed in the connected state, and the network may establish a dedicated channel for the UE. Compared to the data transmission in the inactive state, this may have a higher success rate, and may avoid the UE with larger data amount contending for and occupying more common resource so that the UE with smaller data amount cannot contend for and occupy the common resource.

For the purpose of further clarifying objects, technical means and advantages of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Modern mobile communication is increasingly tending to provide users with multimedia services of high-speed transmission.

As shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 1 is a system architecture schematic diagram of System Architecture Evolution (SAE), in which a user equipment (UE) 101 is a terminal device that supports a network protocol. An Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 102 is a radio access network that includes a base station (eNodeB/ NodeB) providing the UE with an interface for accessing to a wireless network. A Mobility Management Entity (MME) 103 is responsible for managing mobile context, session context and security information of the UE. A Service Gateway (SGW) 104 mainly provides functions of a user plane, and the MME 103 and the SGW 104 may be in the same physical entity. A Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) 105 is responsible for charging, legal monitoring and other functions, and the PGW 105 and the SGW 104 may be in the same physical entity. A policy and charging rule functional entity (PCRF) 106 provide a Quality of Service (QoS) policy and a charging criterion. A general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 108 is a network node device that provides routing for data transmission in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 109 is a home subsystem of the UE, and is responsible for protecting user information including a current location of the UE, an address of a serving node, user security information, and packet data context of the UE.

As shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a next generation network (5G) initial system architecture, in which a next generation (NextGen) UE, a next generation access network or a next generation radio access network (Next Gen (R)AN), a next generation core network (NextGen Core) and a data network are included. A control plane interface between the Next Gen (R)AN and the NextGen Core is NG2, and a user plane interface between the Next Gen (R)AN and the NextGen Core is NG3. Names of these interfaces are only temporarily named, and main content of the present disclosure may not be affected if the 3GPP finally decides to use other names. The NextGen Core further includes a user plane functional entity and a control plane functional entity.

In the foreseeable future, there will be more and more electrical devices becoming intelligent and life peripheral supplies being interconnected, both of them having a function of accessing to the network. On one hand, in the future, a part of UEs generally have characteristics such as static or low mobility, low cost, and transmitted/received data are always a small amount of data and non-continuous. For these UEs, signaling overhead for connection setup and connection release is far more than the amount of transmitted/received data. On the other hand, in order to support more and more real-time applications, such as virtual reality, access delay of the future mobile communication network is significantly reduced. There are still many problems in the existing network to be solved, in order to save the signaling overhead, improve efficiency of data transmission, reduce the delay of UE access network, etc.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein same or similar reference numerals refer to same or similar elements or elements having same or similar functions throughout the specification. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary only and are for the purpose of explaining the present disclosure, but are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

As will be understood by the skilled in the art, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as the general understanding of the ordinary skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. It should also be understood that terms, such as those defined in general dictionaries, should be understood as having the same meanings as the meanings in the context of the prior art, and, unless specifically defined as herein, would not be explained in idealized or unduly formal meanings.

In order to facilitate to understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure, it is necessary to explain principles and corresponding terms of the present disclosure in advance.

Some terms in the present disclosure are illustrated as follows:

In some implementations, the radio access network node may be a base station, an eNB, a NodeB, a radio access network central control unit, a radio access network node distributed unit, and the like. In the next generation network, the concept of nodes may be virtualized into functions or units. The radio access network central control unit may connect a plurality of radio access network node distributed units.

In some implementations, the core network node may be a mobility management entity (MME), a serving general packet radio service (GPRS) support node (SGSN), a serving gateway (SGW), a core network control node, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane function, a core network user plane function, a core network control plane unit, a core network user plane unit, and the like. In the next generation network, the concept of nodes may be virtualized into functions or units.

In some implementations, the core network control node may be a MME, a SGSN, a core network control plane function, a core network control plane unit, and the like.

In some implementations, the core network user plane node may be a SGW, a SGSN, a core network user plane function, a core network user plane unit, a network slice, and the like.

In some implementations, the light connection may also be embodied as a radio access network triggering a paging function.

In some implementations, whether a UE may perform a light connection or not may be embodied as whether the UE is suitable for a light connection.

In some implementations, the connected state of the UE may be embodied as a connected mode of the UE, and the light connection state is embodied as a light connection mode.

The light connection also represents an inactive mode, or an inactive connection or disconnection between the UE and the radio access network, but in which the radio access network still maintains a UE-related connection between the radio access network node and the core network node.

The radio access network node to which the UE has a light connection refers to a radio access network node which maintains a UE-related connection between the radio access network node and the core network node when the UE is in a light connection.

The data mentioned herein may include control plane data (such as NAS signaling, TAU Request, Service Request, user plane data transmitted via data packets in the control plane), or user plane data. The data packets mentioned herein may refer to data transmitted in a form of packets. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “data packet” herein may be used interchangeably with “data”. An indication of whether there is data transmission may be divided into an indication of whether there is a uplink control plane data transmission requirement, an indication of whether there is a uplink user plane data transmission requirement. The indication of whether there is data transmission may also be divided into an indication of whether there is a uplink data transmission requirement, an indication of whether there is a downlink data transmission requirement.

The paging area used herein may be a paging area configured by the radio access network node to the UE in the light connection. When the UE in the light connection moves in the configured paging area, a paging from the lightly connected radio access network node may reach the UE. The paging from the lightly connected radio access network node may be forwarded through other radio access network node(s).

The old radio access network node may be a radio access network node which saves information of the UE, e.g., a radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection or inactive state.

The new radio access network node may be a radio access network node other than the old radio access network node.

Unless otherwise indicated, terms “activating”, “resuming”, “establishing” herein may be used interchangeably.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “node” used herein may be an abbreviation of “node unit”.

Unless otherwise noted, the data amount used herein may refer to a data size.

In order to achieve the above objects of the present disclosure, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a method of controlling a data transmission state.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of the method of controlling the data transmission state according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, the method 300 relates to performing data transmission state control for the UE according to obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE, and comprises

Steps

301 and 302.

In Step 301, a first node obtains data transmission information of the UE and/or a context of the UE.

It should be understood that the obtaining operation may include at least one of: the first node obtaining by receiving from another node (e.g., from a second node which will be described later with reference to Fig. 4), the first node obtaining according to information stored by itself, the first node obtaining by Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) configuration, but is not limited to this.

1) Alternatively, the data transmission information of the UE may include at least one of data cache information, a state of the UE (which may be the current state of the UE, e.g., the current state of the UE for data transmission), a data transmission failure rate (which may be embodied as a bit error rate, a number of repeated failures), a data transmission success rate, a wireless signal quality of the UE (e.g., a reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), a channel resource quality channel quality indicator (CQI)).

a) The data cache information may include at least one of: amount of cached data, a number of cached data, a variation trend (increment, decrement) of cache, a direction (e.g., uplink, downlink) of data, a plane of data (e.g., user plane data, control plane data etc.), and data context associated with the cached data.

- The data cache information may further be divided into uplink cache information (such as amount of uplink cached data, a number of uplink cached data), downlink cache information (such as amount of downlink cached data, a number of downlink cached data), or a whole of uplink and downlink cache information. The data cache information may also be a combination of the data plane and the direction of data, such as uplink user plane data cache information.

- The data cache information may further be divided into control panel cache information (such as amount of signaling cached data, a number of signaling cached data), user plane cache information (such as amount of user data cached data, a number of user data cached data), or a whole of control plane and user plane cache information.

- In one implementation, if the first node is the UE, the downlink data cache information may be obtained from the paging related to the UE.

- In one implementation, if the first node is the old radio access network node, the uplink data cache information or the uplink and downlink data cache information may be obtained from the UE or the new radio access network node.

- In one implementation, if the first node is the new radio access network node, the uplink data cache information may be obtained from the UE, and the downlink data cache information may be obtained from the old radio access network node. The uplink and downlink data cache requirements may also be obtained from the UE, e.g., the UE has obtained the downlink data transmission requirements from the paging for the UE, and transmits the downlink data transmission requirements to the first node along with the uplink data transmission requirements.

The data context may include at least one of: session information of an associated UE session, bearer information of an associated UE bearer, and QoS flow information of an associated QoS flow.

- The session information may include at least one of: a session identity, session default QoS, an associated QoS flow, bearer information of a session-related bearer, routing information of a session-related data channel, whether the session data may be transmitted in the inactive state, whether it is inactive data transmission, whether it is activated. In some implementations, an active session refers to a session to which radio resource is assigned, such as a session having established a bearer. An inactive session refers to a session which only has session context but is not assigned with radio resource. In general, the inactive session has no data transmission requirement, and may be activated after a data transmission requirement is generated.

As easily understood, when only individual sessions have data transmission requirements, not all UE sessions, but only the sessions with data transmission requirements, may be resumed. For the uplink data, the UE may indicate session information of a session which needs to be resumed. For the downlink data, the radio access network node may indicate session information of a session which is acknowledged to be resumed and/or bearer information of a session-related bearer which is acknowledged to be resumed. The bearer which is acknowledged to be resumed may be a bearer mapped by a session of the UE which has the data transmission requirements. The session of the UE which has the data transmission requirements may include uplink data transmission requirements at the UE side and downlink data transmission requirements for the UE at the radio access network side.

- The bearer information may include at least one of: a bearer identity (such as a Data Radio Bearer (DRB) ID, a logical channel ID, an Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Radio Access Bearer (E-RAB) ID), a bearer-related session identity, QoS information of the bearer, Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP), routing information of a bearer-related data tunnel, whether data of the bearer may be transmitted in the inactive state, whether it is inactive data transmission, whether it is activated. In some implementations, an active bearer refers to a bearer to which radio resource is assigned. An inactive bearer refers to a bearer which only has bearer context but is not assigned with radio resource. In general, the inactive bearer has no data transmission requirement, and may be activated after a data transmission requirement is generated.

- The QoS flow information may include at least one of: a QoS flow information indication, a QoS flow information identity, a QoS flow type (Type A, Type B), QoS information of a QoS flow, ARP, routing information of a QoS flow-related data tunnel, whether data of the QoS flow may be transmitted in the inactive state, whether it is inactive data transmission, whether it is activated. In some implementations, an active bearer refers to a QoS stream to which radio resource is assigned. An inactive QoS stream refers to a QoS stream which only has QoS stream context but is not assigned with radio resource. In general, the inactive QoS stream has no data transmission requirement, and may be activated after a data transmission requirement is generated.

b) The state of the UE may include at least one of: an idle state, an inactive state, a connection active state and a connected state. The state of the UE may also be a state of the UE for the current data transmission.

2) Alternatively, the context of the UE may include at least one of: whether the UE has a capability of transmitting data in the inactive state, whether the UE allows inactive data transmission, the state of the UE (e.g., the current state of the UE), a data transmission configuration in an associated state of the UE (e.g., a data transmission configuration of the UE in the connected state, a data transmission configuration of the UE in the inactive state (as described in Step 502)), a data transmission configuration of the UE in the connected state, session information of a UE session, bearer information of a UE bearer (the bearer information being described previously, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity), and QoS flow information of a UE QoS flow (the QoS flow information being described previously, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity).

Alternatively, the first node may be at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves UE information and accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

Alternatively, the first node may obtain the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE from at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

In some implementations, the first node is a target node for handover, which obtains the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE from the source node for handover.

In some implementations, the first node is a new node the UE accesses, which obtains the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE from the UE and/or the old node.

In some implementations, the first node is an old node the UE accesses, which obtains the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE from the UE.

In some implementations, the first node is the UE, which obtains the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE from the serving node.

In Step 302, the first node performs data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE.

Alternatively, performing the data transmission state control for the UE comprises at least one of: determining the state of the UE (also referred to as determining the state of the UE for data transmission), determining a configuration in an associated state of the UE (also referred to as determining a configuration for data transmission in an associated state of the UE), determining a resumed UE session, determining a resumed UE bearer, and determining a resumed UE QoS flow.

The UE session may be resumed by allocating radio resource according to the context of the UE session. The UE bearer may be resumed by allocating radio resource according to the UE bearer. Determining the resumed UE session may not be related to the data transmission state of the UE. Determining the resumed UE QoS flow may not be related to the data transmission state of the UE.

Alternatively, the state of the UE has been described in Step 301, and description thereof is thus omitted for simplicity.

1) In some implementations, the first node determines whether a condition of data transmission in the inactive state is satisfied based on at least one of the received information, and determines the data transmission configuration of the UE in the inactive when the condition is satisfied.

2) In some embodiments, the first node determines whether a condition of data transmission in the connected state is satisfied based on at least one of the received information, and determines the data transmission configuration of the UE in the connected when the condition is satisfied.

In some embodiments, the first node transmits the determined data transmission state control information for the UE. Alternatively, the data transmission state control information for the UE includes at least one of: the determined state of the UE (also referred to as the determined state of the UE for data transmission), configuration in the associated state of the UE (also referred to as configuration for data transmission in the associated state of the UE), session information of the UE session determined to be resumed (the session information being described in Step 301, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity), bearer information of the UE bearer determined to be resumed (the bearer information being described in Step 301, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity), QoS flow information of the UE QoS flow determined to be resumed (the QoS flow information being described in Step 301, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity).

Alternatively, the first node may transmit the determined data transmission state control information for the UE to at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of the method of controlling the data transmission state according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, the method 400 relates to transmitting data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE, and comprises

Steps

401 and 402.

In Step 401, a second node determines whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Alternatively, the predetermined condition may include at least one of: generating a data transmission requirement for the UE, a handover occurring, accessing a new node by the UE, and receiving a UE state change report (which will be described in Step 602 later).

Alternatively, the second node may be at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

In Step 402, the second node transmits data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE, when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

Alternatively, the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE have been described in Step 301, and description thereof will be thus omitted for simplicity.

Alternatively, the second node may transmit the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE to at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

It should be understood that the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE transmitted by the second node as described herein may be received by the first node which has been described with reference to Fig. 3, so that the firsts node may perform data transmission state control for the UE according to the received data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE, in order to determine the corresponding data transmission state control information for the UE. Of course, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of the method of controlling the data transmission state according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, the method 500 relates to transmitting data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE, and comprises

Steps

501 and 502.

In Step 501, a third node determines whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied.

Alternatively, the third node may determine whether the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied based on at least one of the obtained data transmission information of the UE (as described in Step 301), context of the UE (as described in Step 301), and a state change report (which will be described in Step 602 later).

In some implementations, the specific state may be the inactive state. Alternatively, the predetermined condition of data transmission in the inactive state may include, but not limited to at least one of:

- the UE performing data transmission in the inactive mode, e.g., the UE being able to, supporting, being allowed to or being adapted to perform data transmission in the inactive mode;

- the radio access network node transmitting data to the UE in the inactive state, e.g., the radio access network node being capable of transmitting data in the inactive state;

- transmitting a data context (as described in Step 301) associated with cached data in the inactive mode, e.g., the session, the bearer and/or the QoS flow associated with the UE data being allowed, adapted to be transmitted in the inactive state;

- a data amount of the cached data being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, wherein

the cached data may be at least one of: uplink data, downlink data, a whole of uplink data and downlink data, uplink user plane data, uplink control plane data, user plane data (including the uplink and the downlink), control plane data (including the uplink and the downlink), user plane and control plane data, downlink user plane data, downlink control plane data;

- a number of data of the cached data being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, wherein the cached data may include data as previously described, and wherein

in some implementations, it is easily understood that if the data amount or number of data is less, data being transmitted by signaling on the common resource may save signaling overhead, since signaling for establishing the dedicated channel is saved; while if the data amount or number of data is more, the signaling overhead for data transmission may be larger than that saved for establishing the dedicated channel;

- a wireless signal quality (as described in Step 301) of the UE being higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

- a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures (e.g. a number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, wherein

in some implementations, it is easily understood that the data transmission in the inactive state is performed on the common resource; the UE needs to contend for the common resource with other UE(s); if the UE cannot contend for and obtain the common resource, the UE may try repeatedly; the repeated trying may lead to signaling overhead; the signaling overhead may be accumulated to go beyond the signaling saved in the inactive state; in addition, in order to obtain the opportunity for data transmission, the repeatedly failed UE may consider applying dedicated resource for data transmission;

- UE accessing from the old radio access network node;

in some implementations, the UE may access from the new radio access network node;

- UE data needed to be transmitted comprising only user plane data, wherein

in some implementations, it is easily understood that the control plane data may involve session establishment or configuration of the core network; some sessions, such as voice, needs higher quality; the data transmission in the inactive state is performed on the common resource, quality of which may not satisfy the requirements of some sessions;

- UE data needed to be transmitted comprising only uplink data, wherein

in some implementations, it is easily understood that for downlink data, the UE may have lost synchronization with the network; when the downlink data are transmitted by paging, the old radio access network node needs to request other radio access network nodes to page the UE in the inactive state together, since the moving range (also referred to as a paging range) of the UE in the inactive state may also include the area of other radio access network(s); the plurality of radio access network nodes need multiple paging messages and paging resource; it is not difficult to be understood that transmitting the downlink data in the inactive state saves less resource than transmitting the uplink data; in some implementations, when there is a downlink UE data transmission requirement, the approach of data transmission in the inactive state may not be configured.

In some implementations, the specific state is the connected state. The predetermined condition of data transmission in the connected state may include at least one of:

- a data amount of the cached data being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold, wherein the cached data may include data as described above;

- a number of data of the cached data being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold, wherein the cached data may include data as described above;

- a wireless signal quality (as described in Step 301) of the UE being lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold, wherein

in some implementations, it is easily understood that the data transmission in the inactive state is performed on the common resource; the UE needs to contend the common resource with other UE(s); if the wireless signal quality of the UE is not good, the UE cannot contend for and obtain the common resource; at this time, the UE may enter data transmission in the active state, and the radio access network node may schedule dedicated resource for the data transmission according to the wireless signal quality of the UE;

- a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures (e.g. a number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

- UE accessing from the new radio access network node;

- UE data needed to be transmitted including control plane data, e.g., NAS, a session establish request, wherein the session establishment request initiated by the UE does not allow or is not adapted to transmit data in the inactive state, the radio access network needs to configure the UE to enter the connected state;

- UE data needed to be transmitted including downlink data.

Alternatively, the third node may be at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

In Step 502, the third node determines a data transmission configuration in the specific state, if it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.

The data transmission configuration in the specific state may include at least one of: session information of an activated session, bearer information of an activated bearer, quality of service ‘QoS’ flow information of an activated QoS flow, an indication of data transmission in an inactive state, an indication of data transmission in a connected state, a state of the UE (e.g., the inactive state, the connected state), an indication of whether to perform a state change report, and a reporting configuration of the state change report. It should be noted that the terms “activated” and “resumed” herein may be used interchangeably.

In some implementations, the data transmission configuration in the specific state may also be referred to as specific state configuration.

Alternatively, the reporting configuration of the state change report may include at least one of: a threshold configuration, a reported event configuration, and an applicable state of the UE. In some implementations, the applicable state of the UE refers to a state in which an event to be reported is reported, and may report the state change report.

Alternatively, the threshold configuration may include, but not limited to, at least one of:

1) a data amount threshold of cached data, wherein the cached data may include the data as described above, and wherein

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the data amount of the cached data is larger than or equal to the data amount threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state;

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the data amount of the cached data is smaller than or equal to the data amount threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

2) a threshold for a number of data of the cached data, wherein the cached data may include the data as described above, and wherein

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the number of data of the cached data is larger than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state;

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the number of data of the cached data is smaller than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

3) a wireless signal quality (as described in Step 301) threshold of the UE, wherein

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the wireless signal quality of the UE is lower than or equal to the wireless signal quality threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state;

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the wireless signal quality of the UE is higher than or equal to the wireless signal quality threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

4) a threshold for a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures (e.g., a number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE, wherein

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE is larger than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state;

in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE is smaller than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state.

Alternatively, the reported event configuration may include, but not limited to, at least one of:

1) the data amount of the cached data being larger than or equal to the configured data amount threshold of the cached data, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

2) the data amount of the cached data being smaller than or equal to the configured data amount threshold of the cached data, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

3) the number of data of the cached data being larger than or equal to the threshold for the number of data of the cached data, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

4) the number of data of the cached data being smaller than or equal to the threshold for the number of data of the cached data, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

5) the wireless signal quality of the UE being higher than or equal to the configured wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

6) the wireless signal quality of the UE being lower than or equal to the configured wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

7) the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures (e.g., the number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE being larger than the configured threshold for the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures (e.g., the number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

8) the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures (e.g., the number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE being smaller than the configured threshold for the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures (e.g., the number of repeated failures) of data transmission of the UE, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

9) the UE accessing a new radio access network node, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

10) the data containing downlink data, e.g., new data arriving after the reporting configuration of the state change report and containing downlink data, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

11) the data context (as described in Step 301) associated with the data not being able to be transmitted in the inactive mode, wherein the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, e.g., new data arriving after the reporting configuration of the state change report, and the session of the data containing the session which cannot perform data transmission in the inactive state or for which the data transmission in the inactive state cannot satisfy its QoS requirements;

12) the data being control plane data, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

13) the session, bearer, QoS stream requested to be established not being able to be transmitted in the inactive mode, e.g., receiving or needing to transmit the session establishment request, the request containing the session which cannot perform data transmission in the inactive state or for which the data transmission in the inactive state cannot satisfy its QoS requirements, wherein in some implementations, the reporting may be performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs.

Alternatively, the third node may transmit or update the determined data transmission configuration in the specific state to at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

When the third node is the old radio access network node, it may transmit the data transmission configuration in the specific state to the UE or other radio access network node(s) when paging, or to the new radio access network node when the new radio access network node requests the UE context.

It will be appreciated that although the method 500 described above with reference to Fig. 5 is performed by a separate third node, the third node may also be the first node in the method 300 as previously described with reference to Fig. 3 in some embodiments. In such an embodiment, the third node may perform data transmission state control for the UE in Step 302 based on the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE obtained in Step 301. In particular, Step 302 may include

Steps

501 and 502, that is, the third node may determine whether the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state based on the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE obtained in Step 301; and the third node determines the data transmission configuration in the specific state in Step 502, if it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a data transmission state according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of the method of controlling the data transmission state according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 6, the method 600 relates to performing specific state-related control according to the data transmission configuration in the specific state, and comprises

Steps

601 and 602.

In Step 601, the fourth node may obtain a data transmission configuration in a specific state.

Alternatively, the data transmission configuration in the specific state has been described in Step 502, and description thereof is thus omitted for simplicity.

Alternatively, the fourth node may be at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

In Step 602, the fourth node may perform specific state-related control according to the data transmission configuration in the specific state.

Alternatively, the specific state-related control may include at least one of: setting an operation in an inactive state, setting an operation in a connected state, setting a data transmission operation, reporting a state change report, updating a state of a user equipment ‘UE’, and updating the data transmission configuration in the specific state.

Alternatively, the operation in the inactive state may include at least one of: stopping periodically reporting channel quality indicator (CQI) measurement, releasing dedicated channel resource (e.g., radio resource of DRB), contending for common resource for data transmission, and monitoring data transmission related page.

Alternatively, the operation in the connected state may include at least one of: periodically reporting CQI measurement, and configuring dedicated channel resource (e.g., radio resource of DRB).

Alternatively, the state change report may include at least one of: data transmission information of the UE (as described in Step 301), context of the UE (as described in Step 301), and a state change report reporting event (as described in Step 502).

Alternatively, the fourth node may transmit the state change report to at least one of: a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum (e.g. a NAS layer) of the UE, an access stratum (e.g. an AS layer) of the UE, an application layer (e.g. an APP layer) of the UE, a CU, a DU, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a new radio access network node the UE accesses in the light connection mode or the inactive state, an old radio access network node which saves the context of the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.

Hereinafter, a schematic structure diagram of a device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic structure diagram of the device 700 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 700 may be configured to perform the methods 300-600 as described above with reference to Figs. 3-6. For the sake of brevity, only the schematic structure of the device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described herein, and the details which have already been described in the methods with reference to Figs. 3-6 are omitted.

As shown in Fig. 7, the device 700 may include a communication interface 701 for external communication; a processing unit or a processor 703, wherein the processor 703 may be a combination of a single unit or a plurality of units for performing different steps of the methods; and a memory 705, in which computer-executable instructions are stored.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor 703, cause the processor 703 to obtain data transmission information of a UE and/or context of the UE (as described in Step 301, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity); and perform data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE (as described in Step 302, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity). As such, the device 700 may be embodied as the first node of performing the method 300 described above with reference to Fig. 3.

According to the second exemplary embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor 703, cause the processor 703 to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied (as described in Step 401, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity); and transmit data transmission information of a UE and/or context of the UE, if it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied (as described in Step 402, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity). As such, the device 700 may be embodied as the second node of performing the method 400 described above with reference to Fig. 4.

According to the third exemplary embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor 703, cause the processor 703 to determine whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied (as described in Step 501, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity); and determine a data transmission configuration in the specific state, if it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied (as described in Step 502, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity). As such, the device 700 may be embodied as the third node of performing the method 500 described above with reference to Fig. 5.

As described above, in some embodiments, the third node may also be the first node in the method 300 previously described with reference to Fig. 3. Accordingly, the memory 705 of the third node may store instructions that cause the processor 703 to perform the following data control operations: obtaining data transmission information of a UE and/or context of the UE (as described in Step 301, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity); and determining whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or context of the UE (as described in Step 501, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity); and determining a data transmission configuration in the specific state, if it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied (as described in Step 502, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity).

According to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor 703, cause the processor 703 to obtain a data transmission configuration in a specific state (as described in Step 601, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity); and perform specific state-related control according to the data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 602, and description thereof being omitted for simplicity). As such, the device 700 may be embodied as the fourth node of the method 600 described above with reference to Fig. 6.

Hereinafter, message transmission and reception processes between various network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied will be described in connection with Figs. 8-13.

Fig. 8 is a first schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In the exemplary embodiment, the UE accesses the first radio access network node. The first radio access network node may be an old radio access network node or a new radio access network node. As shown in Fig. 8, the method 800 may include steps as follows:

Step 801, in which the UE sends Radio Resource Control (RRC) request message. Alternatively, the message contains a UE session, a UE bearer, or a UE QoS flow to be resumed by the network. When the first radio access network node is the old radio access network node, the process proceeds directly to Step 804; when the first radio access network node is the new radio access network node, the process proceeds to Step 802.

Step 802, in which the first radio access network node transmits a UE context acquisition request message to the second radio access network node. The second radio access network node is the old radio access network node.

Step 803, in which the second radio access network node transmits a UE context acquisition response message to the first radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains a UE session, a UE bearer, or a UE QoS flow which has data transmission requirements on downlink.

Step 804, in which the first radio access network node returns a RRC response message to the UE. Alternatively, the message contains a UE session, a UE bearer, or a UE QoS flow which is acknowledged to be resumed.

In some implementations, the UE session which is acknowledged to be resumed is a session which is acknowledged to have data on both downlink and uplink.

In some implementations, the UE bearer which is acknowledged to be resumed is 1) a bearer that is mapped at the new radio access network node from the session which is acknowledged to have data on both downlink and uplink, 2) a bearer that is mapped at the new radio access network node from the QoS flow which is acknowledged to have data on both downlink and uplink, or 3) a bearer which is acknowledged to have data on both downlink and uplink. If the mapping relationship between the session and the bearer or between the QoS flow and the bearer change, the bearer information needs to be updated.

In some implementations, the QoS data stream which is acknowledged to be resumed is a QoS data flow mapped at the new radio access network node from the session which is acknowledged to have data on both downlink and uplink.

Fig. 9 is a second schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In the exemplary embodiment, the UE accesses the first radio access network node. The first radio access network node may be an old radio access network node or a new radio access network node. As shown in Fig. 9, the method 900 may include steps as follows:

Step 901, in which the UE transmits a RRC request message to the first radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE, e.g., uplink cache information. When the first radio access network node is the old radio access network node, the process proceeds directly to Step 904; when the first radio access network node is the new radio access network node, the process proceeds to Step 902.

Step 902, in which the first radio access network node transmits a UE context acquisition request message to the second radio access network node. The second radio access network node is the old radio access network node.

Step 903, in which the second radio access network node transmits a UE context acquisition response message to the first radio access network node. The message contains the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE, e.g., downlink cache information.

Step 904, in which the first radio access network node determines a specific data transmission state and a configuration of the corresponding state, according to the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE, e.g., determining a condition of data transmission in the inactive state in conjunction with the uplink data cache information and the downlink data cache information.

The first radio access network node returns a RRC response message to the UE. Alternatively, the message contains the data transmission configuration in the specific state as described in Step 502. The UE is configured after it receives such a configuration (as described in Step 601).

Fig. 10 is a third schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In the exemplary embodiment, the old radio access network node finds that the condition of data transmission in the inactive state is not satisfied any more, and decides to perform UE state update and/or data transmission configuration update in the specific state. As shown in Fig. 10, the method 1000 may include steps as follows:

Step 1001, in which the old radio access network node finds that the condition of data transmission in the inactive state is not satisfied any more, and decides to perform UE state update and/or data transmission configuration update in the specific state. For example,

- receiving data transmitted from the core network user plane node, the data cached going beyond a threshold for inactive data transmission;

- receiving signaling transmitted from the core network control node;

- receiving a core network control node session establishment request; alternatively, the request contains a session which cannot perform data transmission in the inactive state or for which the data transmission in the inactive state cannot satisfy its QoS requirements;

Step 1002, in which the old radio access network node initiates a paging message for the UE. Alternatively, the paging contains a data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1003, in which the paging area configured by the UE (e.g., the UE in the inactive state) also includes other new access network node(s), and the old radio access network node initiates paging for the UE to the new radio access network node. Alternatively, the paging contains the data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in step 502).

Step 1004, in which the new radio access network node initiates paging for the UE. Alternatively, the paging contains the data transmission configuration in the specific stae (as described in step 502).

Step 1005, in which the UE accesses a radio access network node after it receives the paging, and the UE transmits a RRC message to perform a paging response.

At this point, the present embodiment ends, and unrelated steps are omitted.

Fig. 11 is a fourth schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. In the exemplary embodiment, the UE finds that the condition of data transmission in the inactive state is not satisfied any more, and requests the radio access network node to perform UE state update and/or data transmission configuration update in the specific state. As shown in Fig. 11, the method 1100 may include steps as follows:

Step 1101, in which the UE determines that the condition of reporting the state change report is satisfied (as described in Step 502), and decides to report the state change report. The UE transmits an RRC request message to the first radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains the state change report (as described in Step 602).

When the first radio access network node is the old radio access network node, the process proceeds to Step 1104 directly. When the first radio access network node is the new radio access network node, the process proceeds to Step 1102.

Step 1102, in which the first radio access network node transmits a UE context acquisition request message to the second radio access network node. The second radio access network node is the old radio access network node.

Step 1103, in which the second radio access network node sends an UE context acquisition response message to the first radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains a UE session, a UE bearer, or a UE QoS flow which has data transmission requirements on downlink.

Step 1104, in which the first radio access network node determines that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied based on the received information, and the first node updates the data transmission configuration in the specific state.

The first radio access network node returns a RRC response message to the UE. Alternatively, the message contains an update of the data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Fig. 12 is a fifth schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. The exemplary embodiment is based on a process of handover between interfaces of the radio access network nodes. As shown in Fig. 12, the method may include steps as follows:

Step 1201, in which the source radio access network node transmits a handover request message to the target radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains the data transmission information of the UE, the context of the UE (as described in Step 301), and/or the data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1202, in which the target radio access network node returns a handover response to the source radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains an updated data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1203, in which the source radio access network node transmits a RRC reconfiguration request to the UE. Alternatively, the message contains an updated data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1204, in which the UE returns a RRC configuration complete message to the target radio access network node.

Step 1205, in which the target radio access network node transmits a path switching request to the core network node.

Step 1206, in which the core network node transmits a path switching acknowledgement to the target radio access network node.

After the handover is complete, the target radio access network node becomes the radio access network node which serves the UE.

At this point, the process in this embodiment ends.

Fig. 13 is a sixth schematic signal flow diagram between network entities to which a method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. The exemplary embodiment is based on a process of handover between interfaces of the radio access network node and the core network. As shown in Fig. 13, the method may include steps as follows:

Step 1301, in which the source radio access network node transmits a handover request message to core network node. Alternatively, the message contains the data transmission information of the UE, the context of the UE (as described in Step 301), and/or the data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1302, in which the core network node initiates a handover request to the target radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains the data transmission information of the UE, the context of the UE (as described in Step 301), and/or the data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1303, in which the target radio access network node transmits a handover response to the core network node. Alternatively, the message contains an updated data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1304, in which the core network node transmits a handover response to the source radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains an updated data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1305, in which the source radio access network node transmits a RRC reconfiguration command to the target radio access network node. Alternatively, the message contains an updated data transmission configuration in the specific state (as described in Step 502).

Step 1306, in which the UE transmits a reconfiguration complete message to the target radio access network node.

Step 1307, in which the target radio access network node transmits a handover notification to the core network node, notifying that the handover is complete. After the handover is complete, the target radio access network node becomes the radio access network node which serves the UE.

At this point, the process in this embodiment ends.

The programs running on the device according to the present disclosure may be programs that enable the computer to implement functions of the embodiments of the present disclosure by controlling a central processing unit (CPU). The programs or information processed by the programs may be temporarily stored in a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), or other memory system.

The programs for realizing the functions of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Corresponding functions can be realized by making the computer system read the programs recorded on the recording medium and execute these programs. The so-called "computer system" herein may be a computer system embedded in the device, and may include an operating system or hardware, such as a peripheral device. The "computer-readable recording medium" may be a semi-conductor recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a recording medium for a short-time dynamic storage program, or any other computer readable recording medium.

Various features or functional blocks of the device used in the above embodiments may be implemented or executed by circuitry (e.g., monolithic or multi-chip integrated circuits). The circuitry designed to perform the functions described in this specification may include general purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above devices. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any existing processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The circuit may be a digital circuit or an analog circuit. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented using these new integrated circuit techniques in the event of a new integrated circuit technology that replaces existing integrated circuits due to advances in semiconductor technology.

As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present disclosure also includes any design modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, various modifications may be made to the present disclosure within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriate combinations of the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the components having the same effects described in the above embodiments may be substituted for each other.

The foregoing descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and a description of the technical principles of the present disclosure. It should be understood by the skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure recited in this application is not limited to the particular combinations of the above technical features and should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combinations of the technical features described above or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept, e.g., the technical solutions formed by the above mentioned features being interchangeable with, but not limited to, technical features having similar functions as disclosed in this application.

Claims

A method of controlling a data transmission state, comprising:

obtaining data transmission information of a user equipment ‘UE’ and/or a context of the UE; and

performing data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE.
The method according to claim 1, wherein

the data transmission information of the UE comprises at least one of: data cache information, a data transmission state of the UE, a data transmission failure rate, a data transmission success rate, and a wireless signal quality of the UE; and/or

the context of the UE comprises at least one of: whether the UE has a capability of transmitting data in an inactive state, whether the UE allows data transmission in an inactive state, a state of the UE, a data transmission configuration in an associated state of the UE, a data transmission configuration of the UE in a connected state, session information of a UE session, bearer information of a UE bearer, and quality of service ‘QoS’ flow information of a UE QoS flow.
The method according to claim 2, wherein

the data cache information comprises at least one of: an amount of cached data, a number of cached data, a variation trend of cache, a direction of data, a plane of data, and a data context associated with the cached data, wherein the data context comprises at least one of: session information of an associated UE session, bearer information of an associated UE bearer, and QoS flow information of an associated QoS flow; and/or

the state of the UE comprises at least one of: an idle state, an inactive state, a connected inactive state, a connected active state, and a connected state.
The method according to claim 1, wherein

performing the data transmission state control for the UE comprises at least one of: determining the state of the UE, determining a configuration in an associated state of the UE, determining a resumed UE session, determining a resumed UE bearer, and determining a resumed UE QoS flow.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed at at least one of:

a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE are obtained from at least one of:

a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.
A method of controlling a data transmission state, comprising:

determining whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied; and

determining a data transmission configuration in the specific state, when it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the specific state is an inactive state, and further, the predetermined condition of data transmission in the inactive state comprises at least one of:

a user equipment ‘UE’ performing data transmission in an inactive mode;

a radio access network node transmitting data to the UE in the inactive state;

transmitting a data context associated with cached data in the inactive mode;

a data amount of the cached data being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

a number of data of the cached data being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

a wireless signal quality of the UE being higher than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures of data transmission of the UE being smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

UE accessing from a radio access network node which saves UE information;

UE data needed to be transmitted comprising only user plane data; and

UE data needed to be transmitted comprising only uplink data.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the specific state is a connected state, and further, the predetermined condition of data transmission in the connected state comprises at least one of:

a data amount of the cached data being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

a number of data of the cached data being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

a wireless signal quality of the UE being lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures of data transmission of the UE being larger than or equal to a predetermined threshold;

UE accessing from a radio access network node other than a radio access network node which saves UE information;

UE data needed to be transmitted comprising control plane data; and

UE data needed to be transmitted comprising downlink data.
The method according to claim 7, wherein

it is determined whether the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied, based on at least one of obtained data transmission information of the UE, context of the UE, and a state change report.
The method according to claim 7, wherein

the data transmission configuration in the specific state comprises at least one of: session information of an activated session, bearer information of an activated bearer, quality of service ‘QoS’ flow information of an activated QoS flow, an indication of data transmission in an inactive state, an indication of data transmission in a connected state, a state of the UE, an indication of whether to perform a state change report, and a reporting configuration of the state change report, wherein the reporting configuration of the state change report comprises at least one of: a threshold configuration, a reported event configuration, and an applicable state of the UE.
The method according to claim 11, wherein

the threshold configuration comprises at least one of:

a data amount threshold of cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the data amount of the cached data is larger than or equal to the data amount threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the data amount of the cached data is smaller than or equal to the data amount threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

a threshold for a number of data of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the number of data of the cached data is larger than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the number of data of the cached data is smaller than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

a wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the wireless signal quality of the UE is lower than or equal to the wireless signal quality threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the wireless signal quality of the UE is higher than or equal to the wireless signal quality threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

a threshold for a failure rate, a bit error rate or a number of failures of data transmission of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE is larger than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the inactive state; and the reporting is performed when the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE is smaller than or equal to the threshold, if the current state of the UE is the connected state;

the reported event configuration comprises at least one of:

the data amount of the cached data being larger than or equal to the configured data amount threshold of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the data amount of the cached data being smaller than or equal to the configured data amount threshold of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

the number of data of the cached data being larger than or equal to the threshold for the number of data of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the number of data of the cached data being smaller than or equal to the threshold for the number of data of the cached data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

the wireless signal quality of the UE being higher than or equal to the configured wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

the wireless signal quality of the UE being lower than or equal to the configured wireless signal quality threshold of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE being larger than or equal to the configured threshold for the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE being smaller than or equal to the configured threshold for the failure rate, the bit error rate or the number of failures of data transmission of the UE, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the connected state, if the event occurs;

the data containing downlink data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the data context associated with the data not adapted to be transmitted in the inactive mode, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the data being control plane data, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs;

the session, bearer, QoS stream requested to be established not adapted to be transmitted in the inactive mode, wherein the reporting is performed when the current state of the UE is the inactive state, if the event occurs.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the method is performed at at least one of:

a radio access network node, a core network node, a data termination point, a UE, a non-access stratum of the UE, an access stratum of the UE, an application layer of the UE, a centralized unit ‘CU’, a distributed unit ‘DU’, a core network user plane node, a core network control plane node, a source radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a target radio access network node in a movement process of the UE, a radio access network node, other than a radio access network node which saves UE information, accessed by the UE in a light connection mode or an inactive state, the radio access network node which saves UE information and is accessed by the UE in the light connection mode or the inactive state, a radio access network node that suspends the UE, and a radio access network node the UE requests to resume a connection.
A device, comprising:

a communication interface, configured for communication;

a processor; and

a memory storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

obtain data transmission information of a user equipment ‘UE’ and/or a context of the UE; and

perform data transmission state control for the UE, according to the obtained data transmission information of the UE and/or the context of the UE.
A device, comprising:

a communication interface, configured for communication;

a processor; and

a memory storing computer executable instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

determine whether a predetermined condition of data transmission in a specific state is satisfied; and

determine a data transmission configuration in the specific state, when it is determined that the predetermined condition of data transmission in the specific state is satisfied.