Patent Description:
With development of communications technologies, terminals with a dual registration function have been widely used. Currently, among the terminals with the dual registration function, a type of terminal has a dual-receive single-transmit capability. The terminal may register with two networks at the same time, but can perform a data transmission service with only one network at a time. In other words, the terminal cannot perform the data transmission service with the two networks at the same time. After the terminal having the dual-receive single-transmit capability registers with the two networks at the same time, if the terminal is in a connected state in a first network and is performing data transmission in the first network, when a second network pages the terminal, there is no corresponding specification in an existing standard on how the terminal simultaneously responds to a paging message of the second network and performs the data transmission with the first network. Therefore in the prior art, the terminal that has the dual-receive single-transmit capability and that registers with the two networks at the same time cannot perform data transmission in the two networks at the same time. This may cause a failure to transmit data sent by a network side and cause a problem of resource waste.

<NPL>; discusses concurrent PS/CS operation with Dual Rx/Single Tx.

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a wireless communications apparatus, to resolve a problem of a failure to transmit data between a wireless communications apparatus and a network side and a problem of resource waste.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus includes:.

According to the foregoing apparatus, when the wireless communications apparatus maintains the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell in the first network, and enables the second user to camp on the second cell in the second network, before the wireless connection between the second user and the second cell is established, the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is released by using the first request message. In this way, the first cell determines a state of the wireless connection to the first user, and the first cell may no longer send downlink data, thereby avoiding a failure to transmit the downlink data and improving resource utilization.

Furthermore, according to the first aspect, the first user is in a connected state in the first cell;.

Because the response message includes the first state indication information, the wireless communications apparatus may directly determine the state of the first user in the first cell based on the first state indication information, thereby reducing a state switching delay and improving system efficiency.

In an optional implementation, the first user is in a connected state in the first cell; and
the first request message includes second state indication information, and the second state indication information indicates an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state that the first user is to enter.

The wireless communications apparatus indicates, by using the second state indication information, the state that the first user needs to maintain in the first cell, so that a network side can relatively quickly determine the state of the wireless communications apparatus in the first cell, thereby improving system efficiency.

In an optional implementation, the first user is in a connected state in the first cell; and
after the receiving module receives the response message from the first cell, the first communications module is further configured to enable the first user to switch to a preset state in the first network, where the preset state is an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state.

In the foregoing solution, signaling exchanged between the wireless communications apparatus and the first cell occupies a few resources, and after receiving the response message from the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus may release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell, to quickly establish the wireless connection to the second cell, thereby reducing a delay of establishing a service in the second cell.

In an optional implementation, the first request message includes a state switching request cause; and
the state switching request cause is that the second user performs any one of the following services in the second network:.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus further includes a timing module; and
after the sending module sends the first request message to the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus:
starts the timing module, where timing duration of the timing module is minimum interval duration for the sending module to send the first request message.

A frequency of sending the first request message can be effectively controlled by starting the timing module, thereby avoiding a signaling storm and improving system resource utilization.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus further includes a counting module, and the counting module is configured to:.

In an optional implementation, the first request message is user equipment assistance information (UE Assistance Information) signaling, the first request message includes radio resource control RRC connection release request indication information, and the RRC connection release request indication information is used to request to release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell.

In an optional implementation, the first request message is a connection change request message (connection change request message), the connection change request message includes a radio resource control (radio resource control, rrc) connection preference (ConnectionPreference) information element or an RRC connection assistance (ConnectionAssistance) information element, and the RRC connection preference information element or the RRC connection assistance information element is used to request to change the wireless connection to the first cell.

In an optional implementation, the first request message is a connection release request message (connection release request message), the connection release request message includes an RRC connection preference (ConnectionPreference) information element or an RRC connection assistance (ConnectionAssistance) information element, and the RRC connection preference information element or the RRC connection assistance information element is used to request to change the wireless connection to the first cell.

In an optional implementation, the first request message is a state change request message (state change request message), the state change request message includes an RRC connection preference (ConnectionPreference) information element or an RRC connection assistance (ConnectionAssistance) information element, and the RRC connection preference information element or the RRC connection assistance information element is used to request to change the wireless connection to the first cell.

In an optional implementation, the response message includes an uplink transmission resource configured for the wireless communications apparatus, and the uplink transmission resource is used to perform uplink data transmission when the first user restores transmission with the first network from the inactive state or the light connection state.

In an optional implementation, the following is further included:
after enabling the first user to enter the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state, the first communications module continues to maintain a timing advance timer, and stores an uplink timing value of the timing advance timer.

In an optional implementation, the following is further included:
when the first communications module enables the first user to determine, before restoring the wireless connection to the first network, that the timing advance timer does not expire, the wireless communications apparatus performs uplink data transmission based on the uplink timing value stored for the first user, or performs uplink data transmission based on a current uplink timing value and a configured uplink transmission resource.

In an optional implementation, the receiving module is further configured to:
listen to dedicated signaling sent by the first network, where the dedicated signaling is used to indicate a service establishment request, a paging request, or a new data radio bearer establishment request of the first user in the first network.

In an optional implementation, the dedicated signaling is physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) dedicated signaling.

In an optional implementation, before the sending module sends the first request message to the first cell, the receiving module is further configured to:
receive a paging message sent by the second network, where the paging message includes service type indication information or service quality of service (quality of service, QoS) information, a service indicated by the service type indication information is at least one of a voice service, a data service, a low-latency service, a high-reliability service, or a low-latency and high-reliability service, and the service QoS information includes at least one of service quality of service class identifier (QoS class identifier, QCI) indication information, service latency requirement indication information, and service reliability requirement indication information.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a wireless communications apparatus, applied to a terminal. The wireless communications apparatus includes:.

According to the foregoing apparatus, when the wireless communications apparatus maintains the wireless connection to the first cell in the first network as the identity of the first user, and camps on the second cell in the second network as the identity of the second user, before the wireless connection to the second cell is established as the identity of the second user, the first request message is used to release the wireless connection to the first cell as the identity of the first user. In this way, the first cell determines a state of the wireless connection to the first user, and the first cell may no longer send downlink data, thereby avoiding a failure to transmit the downlink data and improving resource utilization.

Furthermore, according to the second aspect, the wireless communications apparatus is in a connected state in the first cell as the identity of the first user;.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus is in a connected state in the first cell as the identity of the first user; and
the first request message includes second state indication information, and the second state indication information indicates an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state that the first user is to enter.

The wireless communications apparatus indicates, by using the second state indication information, the state that the first user needs to maintain in the first cell, so that a network side can relatively quickly determine the state that is in the first cell for the wireless communications apparatus, thereby improving system efficiency.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus is in a connected state in the first cell as the identity of the first user; and
after the transceiver receives the response message from the first cell, the first communications module is further configured to enable the first user to switch to a preset state in the first network, where the preset state is an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus further includes a timing module, and after the transceiver <NUM> sends the first request message to the first cell, the processor <NUM> is configured to:
start the timing module, where timing duration of the timing module is minimum interval duration for the sending module to send the first request message.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus further includes a counting module, and the processor is further configured to:
increase a count value of the counting module by <NUM>; the counting module is configured to count a quantity of sent first request messages; and the wireless communications apparatus stops sending the first request message when the value counted by the counting module is greater than N, where N is a maximum value of a quantity of times of sending the first request message, and N is an integer greater than <NUM>.

In an optional implementation, the first request message is user equipment assistance information signaling, the first request message includes radio resource control RRC connection release request indication information, and the RRC connection release request indication information is used to request to release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell.

This embodiment of this application provides the wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus includes:.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, where that a wireless communications apparatus enables a first user to attach to a first network and maintains a wireless connection to a first cell in the first network; and the wireless communications apparatus enables a second user to attach to a second network and camps on a second cell in the second network includes:.

Furthermore, according to the third aspect, the first user is in a connected state in the first cell;.

In an optional implementation, the first user is in a connected state in the first cell; and
after the receiving, by the wireless communications apparatus, a response message from the first cell, the method further includes:
enabling, by the wireless communications apparatus, the first user to switch to a preset state in the first network, where the preset state is an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state.

In an optional implementation, after the sending, by the wireless communications apparatus, a first request message to the first cell, the method further includes:.

In an optional implementation, the method further includes:.

In an optional implementation, the method further includes:
after enabling the first user to enter the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state, the wireless communications apparatus continues to maintain a timing advance timer, and stores an uplink timing value of the timing advance timer.

In an optional implementation, the following is further included:
if the wireless communications apparatus enables the first user to determine, before restoring the wireless connection to the first network, that the timing advance timer does not expire, the first user performs uplink data transmission by using the stored uplink timing value, or performs uplink data transmission by using a current uplink timing value and a configured uplink transmission resource.

In an optional implementation, the following is further included:
the wireless communications apparatus continues to listen to dedicated signaling sent by the first network, where the dedicated signaling is used to indicate a service establishment request, a paging request, or a new data radio bearer establishment request of the first user in the first network.

In an optional implementation, before the sending, by the wireless communications apparatus, a first request message to the first cell, the method further includes:
receiving a paging message sent by the second network, where the paging message includes service type indication information or service QoS information, a service indicated by the service type indication information is at least one of a voice service, a data service, a low-latency service, a high-reliability service, or a low-latency and high-reliability service, and the service QoS information includes at least one of service QCI indication information, service latency requirement indication information, and service reliability requirement indication information.

According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a wireless communications apparatus, configured to implement the method according to any one of the third aspect or the possible designs in the third aspect, and configured to implement the steps of the foregoing method.

According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a wireless communications apparatus. The wireless communications apparatus includes at least one processor, where the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory; and
the at least one processor is configured to execute a computer program or an instruction stored in the at least one memory, so that the wireless communications apparatus performs the method according to any one of the third aspect or the possible designs of the third aspect.

According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer storage medium stores a computer-readable instruction. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instruction, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of the third aspect or the possible designs of the third aspect.

According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of the third aspect or the possible designs of the third aspect.

According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a chip. The chip is connected to a memory, and is configured to read and execute a software program stored in the memory, to implement the method according to any one of the third aspect or the possible designs of the third aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a chip. The chip is connected to a memory, and is configured to read and execute an instruction or configuration data stored in the memory, to implement the method according to any one of the third aspect or the possible designs of the third aspect.

The following describes the embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in this specification.

The embodiments of this application may be applied to various mobile communications systems, for example, a new radio (new radio, NR) system, a global system for mobile communications (global system of mobile communication, GSM) system, a code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (general packet radio service, GPRS) system, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, a long term evolution-advanced (advanced long term evolution, LTE-A) system, a universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunication system, UMTS), an evolved long term evolution (evolved long term evolution, eLTE) system, a future communications system, and another communications system. Specifically, this is not limited herein.

For ease of understanding the embodiments of this application, a communications system shown in <FIG> is first used as an example to describe in detail a communications system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a communications system to which a communication method according to an embodiment of this application is applicable. As shown in <FIG>, a first network includes a network device <NUM>, and a second network includes a network device <NUM>. A wireless communications apparatus <NUM> simultaneously enables two users to attach to a cell of the network device <NUM> and a cell of the network device <NUM>, enable one user to maintain a wireless connection to the cell of the network device <NUM>, and enable the other user to camp on the cell of the network device <NUM>. The wireless communications apparatus <NUM> has a dual-receive single-transmit capability. To be specific, the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> receives, at the same time, downlink data transmitted by the network device <NUM> and downlink data transmitted by the network device <NUM>, and send uplink data to the network device <NUM> or the network.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment of this application, a "user" is a logical concept, and the "user" may correspond to a subscriber identity module (subscriber identity module, SIM) card, subscriber information, a virtual SIM card, or a subscriber identity (for example, an international mobile subscriber identity (international mobile subscriber identity, IMSI)/a temporary mobile subscriber identity (temporary mobile subscriber identity, TMSI)), but is not limited to a natural person user, a physical terminal (a mobile phone), or the like. From a perspective of a network side, different "users" logically correspond to different communications entities served by the network side. For example, a terminal having a dual registration function is equivalent to two communications entities for the network side. For another example, when the "user" corresponds to the SIM card or the subscriber information, the network side identifies two terminals having different SIM cards or different subscriber information as two different communications entities, or identifies a same terminal device having a plurality of different SIM cards or a plurality of pieces of subscriber information as a plurality of different communications entities, even though actually, the terminal having the plurality of different SIM cards or the plurality of pieces of subscriber information is only one physical entity.

In the claimed invention, the wireless communications apparatus is a terminal, alternatively, as an example not forming part of the claimed invention, it may be a chip. When the wireless communications apparatus is a chip, the wireless communications apparatus may be a system-on-a-chip (System-on-a-Chip, SoC) master chip or a baseband modem (modem) chip, and the chip may be applied to the terminal. When the wireless communications apparatus is a terminal, the wireless communications apparatus may also be referred to as user equipment (user equipment, UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communications device, a user agent, or a user apparatus.

With reference to the foregoing descriptions, <FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communications apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

The wireless communications apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a processing module <NUM>, a baseband module <NUM>, a transceiver module <NUM>, a storage module <NUM>, and the like. The processing module <NUM> is mainly configured to: control the entire wireless communications apparatus <NUM>, execute a software program, and process data of the software program. The baseband module <NUM> is mainly configured to process a communication protocol and communication data, for example, perform channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, and spectrum spreading. The wireless communications apparatus <NUM> enables a first user and a second user to attach to different networks at the same time. Correspondingly, the baseband module <NUM> includes a first communications module <NUM> and a second communications module <NUM>. Specifically, the first communications module <NUM> obtains identity information of the first user, establish protocol stack information associated with the first user, and the like. The first communications module <NUM> is configured to enable the first user to attach to a first network, that is, enable a terminal (or user equipment (user equipment, UE)) to attach to the first network as an identity of the first user. The second communications module <NUM> obtains identity information of the second user, establish protocol stack information associated with the second user, and the like. The second communications module <NUM> is configured to enable the terminal (or the UE) to attach to the second network as an identity of the second user. The first network may be an LTE network, an NR network, or the like. The second network may be an LTE network, an NR network, or the like. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

It should be noted that the processing module <NUM> and the baseband module <NUM> may separately be independent modules, or may be combined into one module. When the processing module <NUM> and the baseband module <NUM> are combined into one module, the module has a function including functions of the processing module <NUM> and the baseband module <NUM>, and the module may be an independent terminal, an independent chip, or the like.

A module that is in the transceiver module <NUM> and that is configured to implement a sending function is considered as a sending module <NUM>, and a module that is in the transceiver module <NUM> and that is configured to implement a receiving function is considered as a receiving module <NUM>. To be specific, the transceiver module <NUM> includes the sending module <NUM> and the receiving module <NUM>, the receiving module <NUM> may also be referred to as a receiver, an input interface, a receiver circuit, or the like, and the sending module <NUM> may be referred to as a transmitter machine, a transmitter, an output interface, a transmitter circuit, or the like.

The foregoing modules may be function modules implemented through software code, or may be function modules implemented through a hardware circuit, or function modules implemented by combining software and hardware. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

In this embodiment of this application, the first communications module <NUM> in the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> maintains a wireless connection between the first user and a first cell in the first network after enabling the first user to attach to the first network. The wireless connection is that the first user is in a connected state in the first cell, and the connected state may be a radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) connected state. The second communications module <NUM> in the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> enables the second user to camp on a second cell in the second network after enabling the second user to attach to the second network.

In this case, the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> is in the connected state in the first cell in the first network, to perform an operation such as data transmission with the first cell; and camp on the second cell in the second network, and listen to signaling such as paging signaling sent by the second cell to the wireless communications apparatus <NUM>.

When the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> needs to perform data transmission in the second network, a communication method shown in <FIG> is performed.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus sends a first request message to the first cell, where the first request message is used to request to release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell.

Optionally, in this embodiment of this application, the first request message includes but is not limited to a meaning or a function in step <NUM>. For example, the first request message sent by the wireless communications apparatus may be alternatively used to request to switch a state of the wireless communications apparatus in the first cell, or the first request message sent by the wireless communications apparatus may be alternatively used to request to change the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus receives a response message from the first cell, where the response message is used to respond to the first request message.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus sends a second request message to the second cell, where the second request message is used to request to establish a wireless connection between the second user and the second cell.

Before step <NUM>, in a possible case, the wireless communications apparatus may receive paging signaling sent by the second cell, and the paging signaling is used to page the wireless communications apparatus to perform a service in the second network. After receiving the paging signaling of the second cell, the wireless communications apparatus performs step <NUM>.

For example, the paging signaling may be used to page the wireless communications apparatus to perform any one of the following services in the second network:.

Certainly, the foregoing is merely an example. The paging signaling may alternatively page the wireless communications apparatus to perform another type of service in the second network. Examples are not described one by one herein.

In this embodiment of this application, the paging signaling may include at least one of service type indication information and service QoS information.

A service indicated by the service type indication information is at least one of a voice service, a data service, a low-latency service, a high-reliability service, or a low-latency and high-reliability service, and the service QoS information includes at least one of service QCI indication information, service latency requirement indication information, and service reliability requirement indication information.

Optionally, if the wireless communications apparatus performs a data transmission service in the first network, when a priority of the service that the paging signaling pages the wireless communications apparatus to perform in the second network is higher than that of the data transmission service that is performed by the wireless communications apparatus in the first network, steps <NUM> to <NUM> are performed, otherwise, steps <NUM> to <NUM> may not be performed.

Before step <NUM>, in another possible case, the wireless communications apparatus actively initiates a service establishment process to the second cell, and the wireless communications apparatus performs steps <NUM> to <NUM>.

Optionally, if the wireless communications apparatus performs the data transmission service in the first network, a priority of a service to be established in a service establishment process actively initiated by the wireless communications apparatus to the second cell is higher than the priority of the data transmission service that is performed by the wireless communications apparatus in the first network.

Optionally, in step <NUM>, the first request message may be RRC signaling, for example, may be user equipment assistance information (UE Assistance Information) signaling. Correspondingly, in step <NUM>, the response message sent by the first cell may be an RRC connection reestablishment message, an RRC connection release message, an RRC connection reconfiguration message, or the like.

In this embodiment of this application, the first request message may use an existing message, an information element (information element, IE) may be added to the first request message, and the added IE is used to indicate a state that the wireless communications apparatus prefers in the first network, or indicate a request for releasing or changing the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell.

For example, the first request message may be UE Assistance Information signaling in the existing 3rd generation partnership project (the 3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) <NUM> protocol. In this case, the first request message may include a newly added IE: rrcConnectionPreference -r15. Specifically, the first request message may be as follows:
<IMG>
<IMG>.

rrcConnectionPreference -r15 indicates the state (or referred to as an RRC state) that the wireless communications apparatus prefers in the first network. Values associated with different states are different, and a value of rrcConnectionPreference - r15 is a value associated with the state that the wireless communications apparatus prefers. For example, a value associated with an inactive state is A, a value associated with a light connection state is B, a value associated with an idle state is C, and a value associated with a connected state is D. When the wireless communications apparatus prefers the light connection state, the value of rrcConnectionPreference -r15 in the first request message is B. Details may be as follows:
<IMG>.

Optionally, the information element rrcConnectionPreference -r15 in the first request message may be alternatively replaced with any one of the following information elements:
<IMG>
<IMG>
<IMG>.

Certainly, the foregoing is merely an example. The first request message may alternatively include other content, and rrcConnectionPreference -r15 may alternatively be in another form. Examples are described one by one herein.

Optionally, the first request message may be alternatively a connection release request message (connection release request message), a connection change request message (connection change request message), a state change request message (state change request message), or the like. In this case, for a specific structure of the first request message, refer to the descriptions when the first request message is UE assistance information signaling.

Certainly, the first request message may be alternatively higher layer signaling such as a media access control (media access control, MAC) control element (control element, CE).

In this embodiment of this application, steps <NUM> and <NUM> may have different scenarios. The following provides detailed descriptions.

In a first possible scenario which is not encompassed by the wording of the claims, after the wireless communications apparatus sends the first request message and receives the response message from the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus enables the first user to switch to a preset state in the first network, where the preset state is an inactive (inactive) state, a light connection (light connection) state, or an idle (idle) state. The inactive state may be an RRC inactive state.

It should be noted that the preset state is agreed on by the wireless communications apparatus and the network side in advance, and how to specifically agree on the preset state is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

In this scenario, the first request message may include connection release indication information, and the connection release indication information may also be referred to as RRC connection release request indication information (rrcConnectionReleaseRequest, rrcConnRelRequest, or rrcConnRelReq), or referred to as RRC connection assistance indication information (rrcConnectionAssistance, rrcConnAssistance, or rrcConnAssis).

In a first possible implementation, the connection release indication information includes K bits, and K is an integer greater than <NUM>. When a value of the connection release indication information is a first value, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be released; or when a value of the connection release indication information is a second value, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be maintained (or referred to as "not released"). The second value is a value other than the first value. For example, the connection release indication information includes one bit, the first value is <NUM>, and the second value is <NUM>. When the value of the connection release indication information is <NUM>, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be released; or when the value of the connection release indication information is <NUM>, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be maintained.

In a second possible implementation, a value type of the connection release indication information may be alternatively a Boolean (BOOLEAN) type, which is specifically as follows: When the value of the connection release indication information is <NUM>, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be released; or when the value of the connection release indication information is <NUM>, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be maintained. Alternatively, when the value of the connection release indication information is <NUM>, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be maintained; or when the value of the connection release indication information is <NUM>, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be released.

In a third possible implementation, when the first request message includes the connection release indication information, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be released; or when the first request message does not include the connection release indication information, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be maintained.

In a fourth possible implementation, when the first request message does not include the connection release indication information, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be released; or when the first request message includes the connection release indication information, it indicates that the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell is requested to be maintained.

In this scenario, signaling exchanged between the wireless communications apparatus and the first cell occupies a few resources, and after receiving the response message from the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus may release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell, to quickly establish the wireless connection to the second cell, thereby reducing a delay of establishing a service in the second cell.

In this embodiment of this application, the response message received by the wireless communications apparatus includes first state indication information, and the first state indication information indicates the first user to switch to the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state. The first state indication information may also be referred to as RRC connection preference indication information (rrcConnectionPreference, rrcConnPreference, or rrcConnPref).

After the wireless communications apparatus receives the response message from the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus enables the first user to switch, in the first network, to the state indicated by the first state indication information.

In this scenario, the first cell may switch the first user to a corresponding state based on an actual situation, so that implementation is more flexible.

In a third possible scenario in this embodiment of this application, the first request message sent by the wireless communications apparatus may include second state indication information, and the second state indication information indicates the first user to enter the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state.

In this scenario, the wireless communications apparatus may determine a preferred state based on a factor such as occupation of a current resource, to indicate the preferred state by using the second state indication information.

After receiving the first request message, the first cell may indicate the wireless communications apparatus to switch the state of the first user in the first cell to the state indicated by the second state indication information, or may indicate the wireless communications apparatus to switch the state of the first user in the first cell to another state. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Optionally, in step <NUM>, the first request message sent by the wireless communications apparatus may further include a state switching request cause.

For example, the state switching request cause is that the second user performs any one of the following services in the second network:
an emergency call, high priority access, mobile terminate-access, mobile originating signaling, mobile originating data, delay tolerant access, and a mobile originating voice call.

For another example, the state switching request cause is that an uplink radio frequency of the wireless communications apparatus is occupied.

Certainly, the foregoing is merely an example, and the state switching request cause may be another cause. Examples are not described one by one herein.

Optionally, after the wireless communications apparatus sends the first request message to the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus may further start a timing module. Timing duration of the timing module is minimum interval duration for the sending module to send the first request message. In this case, before the timing module expires, the wireless communications apparatus no longer sends the first request message to the first cell. If the wireless communications apparatus can send the first request message only once, the wireless communications apparatus no longer sends the first request message to the first cell after the timing module expires.

Further, after the wireless communications apparatus sends the first request message to the first cell, the wireless communications apparatus may further increase a count value of a counting module by <NUM>. The counting module is configured to count a quantity of first request messages sent by the sending module. The wireless communications apparatus stops sending the first request message when the value counted by the counting module is greater than N, where N is a maximum value of a quantity of times that the wireless communications apparatus sends the first request message, and N is an integer greater than <NUM>. Correspondingly, after the timing module expires, the wireless communications apparatus no longer sends the first request message to the first cell when the value counted by the counting module is greater than N. After the timing module expires, the wireless communications apparatus may send the first request message to the first cell again when the value counted by the counting module is less than or equal to N.

It should be noted that the timing duration of the timing module and the value of N may be preconfigured by the first cell for the wireless communications apparatus. For example, the timing duration of the timing module and the value of N are broadcast to the wireless communications apparatus, or the timing duration of the timing module and the value of N may be sent to the wireless communications apparatus by using RRC signaling. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Optionally, in step <NUM>, the first request message sent by the wireless communications apparatus may be used to request to maintain the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell. However, the wireless communications apparatus cannot enable the first user to send uplink data to the first cell. According to the foregoing method, the first network may still notify, by using dedicated signaling, the first user whether there is a new service to be established, thereby improving service establishment efficiency.

In step <NUM>, the response message may include an uplink transmission resource (UpLink grant resource) configured for the wireless communications apparatus, and the uplink transmission resource is used to perform uplink data transmission when the first user restores transmission with the first network from the inactive state or the light connection state.

According to the method, when restoring the wireless connection to the first network, the wireless communications apparatus can quickly restore uplink synchronization with the first network and perform data transmission by using the uplink transmission resource.

Optionally, after enabling the first user to enter the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state, the wireless communications apparatus continues to maintain a timing advance timer (timing advance timer, TAT), and stores an uplink timing value of the timing advance timer. In this case, when the wireless communications apparatus enables the first user to determine, before restoring the wireless connection to the first network, that the timing advance timer does not expire, the wireless communications apparatus performs uplink data transmission based on the uplink timing value stored for the first user, or performs uplink data transmission based on a current uplink timing value and a configured uplink transmission resource.

Optionally, after the wireless communications apparatus enables the first user to enter the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state, the wireless communications apparatus continues to listen to dedicated signaling sent by the first network.

The dedicated signaling is used to indicate a service establishment request, a paging request, or a new data radio bearer establishment request of the first user in the first network. For example, the dedicated signaling may be physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) dedicated signaling.

According to the foregoing method, the first network may still notify, by using the dedicated signaling, the first user whether there is a new service to be established, for example, a new data radio bearer (data resource bearer, DRB) establishment request, which is equivalent to indicating, through paging, the first user to establish a new service.

In step <NUM>, the wireless connection between the second user and the second cell that the wireless communications apparatus requests to establish may be an RRC connection. Correspondingly, the second request message may be an RRC connection establishment request message.

Optionally, the second request message may include an establishment cause value. For example, the establishment cause value is that the second user performs any one of the following services in the second network:
an emergency call, high priority access, mobile terminate-access, mobile originating signaling, mobile originating data, delay tolerant access, and a mobile originating voice call.

After enabling the second user to establish the wireless connection to the second cell, the wireless communications apparatus may perform data transmission with the second cell. Correspondingly, the wireless communications apparatus is in the inactive state, the light connection state, or the idle state in the first cell.

The following describes the foregoing process by using a specific embodiment.

<FIG> is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application.

In <FIG>, a wireless communications apparatus may attach to a first network and a second network at the same time. Currently, the wireless communications apparatus maintains an RRC connection to a first cell in the first network, and camps on a second cell in the second network. In this case, the wireless communications apparatus may listen to radio signaling sent by the second cell.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus performs data transmission of a first service with the first cell in the first network.

A type of the first service is not limited in this embodiment of this application, and details are not described herein.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus receives, in the second cell, paging signaling sent by the second cell, where the paging signaling is used to page the wireless communications apparatus to perform a second service in the second network.

A priority of the second service may be higher than a priority of the first service.

Certainly, in step <NUM>, alternatively, the wireless communications apparatus may actively initiate a second service establishment process to the second cell.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus sends a first request message to the first cell.

The first request message is used to request to release a wireless connection to the first cell.

The first request message may include connection release indication information, and a value of the connection release indication information being <NUM> indicates that the wireless connection to the first cell is requested to be released.

Step <NUM>: The first cell sends, to the wireless communications apparatus, a response message in response to the first request message.

After receiving the response message, the wireless communications apparatus may switch to a preset state in the first cell.

Certainly, when the response message includes first state indication information, the wireless communications apparatus may switch, in the first cell, to a state indicated by the first state indication information.

The first request message and the response message may further include other content.

Step <NUM>: The wireless communications apparatus sends a second request message to the second cell, where the second request message is used to request to establish an RRC connection to the second cell.

After establishing the RRC connection to the second cell, the wireless communications apparatus may perform data transmission of a second service. A specific process is not described herein.

The foregoing describes in detail the communication method in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the following describes in detail the wireless communications apparatus in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communications apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communications apparatus shown in <FIG> may be an implementation of a hardware circuit of the wireless communications apparatus shown in <FIG>. The wireless communications apparatus is applicable to functions for performing the wireless communications apparatus in the foregoing method embodiment in the flowchart shown in <FIG> or <FIG>. For ease of description, <FIG> shows only main components of the wireless communications apparatus. As shown in <FIG>, the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, and an input/output apparatus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is mainly configured to: process a communication protocol and communication data, control the entire wireless communications apparatus, execute a software program, and process data of the software program. For example, the processor <NUM> is configured to support the wireless communications apparatus in performing the action described in the foregoing method embodiments, for example, sending a first request message to a first cell. The memory <NUM> is mainly configured to store the software program and data. The transceiver <NUM> is mainly configured to: perform conversion between a baseband signal and a radio frequency signal, and process the radio frequency signal. The antenna <NUM> is mainly configured to receive and send a radio frequency signal in a form of an electromagnetic wave. The input/output apparatus <NUM>, such as a touchscreen, a display, or a keyboard, is mainly configured to: receive data input by a user, and output data to the user.

After the wireless communications apparatus <NUM> is powered on, the processor <NUM> may read the software program in the memory <NUM>, to perform the following procedure:
enabling the terminal to attach to a first network as an identity of a first user, and maintaining a wireless connection to a first cell in the first network; and enabling the terminal to attach to a second network as an identity of a second user, and camping on a second cell in the second network.

The transceiver <NUM> is configured to send a first request message to the first cell, where the first request message is used to request to release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell.

The transceiver <NUM> is configured to receive a response message from the first cell, where the response message is used to respond to the first request message.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to send a second request message to the second cell, where the second request message is used to request to establish a wireless connection between the second user and the second cell.

A person skilled in the art may understand that for ease of description, <FIG> shows only one memory and one processor. In an actual wireless communications apparatus, there may be a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium, a storage device, or the like. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus is in a connected state in the first cell as the identity of the first user;.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus is in a connected state in the first cell as the identity of the first user; and
after the transceiver <NUM> receives the response message from the first cell, the first communications module is further configured to enable the first user to switch to a preset state in the first network, where the preset state is an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state.

A frequency of sending the first request message can be effectively controlled by starting the timing module, thereby avoiding a signaling storm, and improving system resource utilization.

In an optional implementation, the wireless communications apparatus further includes a counting module, and the processor <NUM> is further configured to:
increase a count value of the counting module by <NUM>, where the counting module is configured to count a quantity of sent first request messages; and the wireless communications apparatus stops sending the first request message when the value counted by the counting module is greater than N, where N is a maximum value of a quantity of times of sending the first request message, and N is an integer greater than <NUM>.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the method according to any method embodiment is implemented.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the method according to any method embodiment is implemented.

It should be understood that, the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA), or another programmable logical device, discrete gate or transistor logical device, discrete hardware component, or the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

All or some of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by using software, hardware (for example, a circuit), firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or some of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented in a form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the program instructions or the computer programs are loaded and executed on the computer, the procedure or functions according to the embodiments of this application are all or partially generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or another programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or may be transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (for example, infrared, radio, and microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any usable medium accessible by the computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, including one or more usable medium sets. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid-state drive.

In addition, the character "/" in this specification is usually a simplified form of "and/or".

For example, division into the units is merely logical function division and may be other division in actual implementation. The indirect couplings or communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

When the functions are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solutions of this application essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art, or some of the technical solutions may be implemented in a form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, an access network device, or the like) to perform all or some of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Claim 1:
A terminal having dual-receive single-transmit capability (<NUM>, <NUM>), comprising:
a first communications module (<NUM>), configured to: enable the terminal to attach to a first network (<NUM>) as an identity of a first user, and maintain a wireless connection to a first cell in the first network (<NUM>);
a second communications module (<NUM>), configured to: enable the terminal to attach to a second network (<NUM>) as an identity of a second user, and camp on a second cell in the second network (<NUM>);
a sending module (<NUM>), configured to send a first request message to the first cell, wherein the first request message is used to request to release the wireless connection between the first user and the first cell; and
a receiving module (<NUM>), configured to receive a response message from the first cell, wherein the response message is used to respond to the first request message; wherein
the sending module (<NUM>) is further configured to send a second request message to the second cell, wherein the second request message is used to request to establish a wireless connection between the second user and the second cell;
wherein the first user is in a connected state in the first cell (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the response message comprises first state indication information, and the first state indication information indicates an inactive state, a light connection state, or an idle state to which the first user is to switch; and
the first communications module (<NUM>) is further configured to enable the first user to switch to the state indicated by the first state indication information in the first network (<NUM>).