Method and device for transmitting keepalive information

• US 8,917,613 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2012
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Guo, Fangfu, Dai, Dingzhang, Gao, Yongqiang, Chen, Dong, Chen, Yanyan, Zheng, Xiaoxiao, Feng, Li
• Primary Examiner(s): Park, Jung
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIH, ALBERT K
• Application Number:
  US13/566,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20120294157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 370/251, 455/453, 455/450, 709/223
• US Class Current: 370/251
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/25 Maintenance of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for transmitting keepalive information, a terminal, and a network device. The method includes: transmitting, by a terminal, first information to a network device, where the first information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received; the terminal transmits keepalive information to the network device, where the network device is configured to optimize the keepalive information. With the present invention, signaling loads are reduced.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting keepalive information, comprising:

transmitting, by a terminal, first information to a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received;

transmitting, by the terminal, the keepalive information to the network device, wherein the network device is configured to optimize the keepalive information by reducing signal loads between the terminal and the network device, and

when the terminal has the capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information, obtaining, by the terminal, configuration parameters for signaling optimization preconfigured or delivered by the network device,

wherein the keepalive information is duplicated and forwarded by the network device according to a timer and a counter,

wherein the configuration parameters include duration of the timer, and

wherein the transmitting keepalive information includes transmitting the keepalive information according to a transmission frequency indicated by the configuration parameters for signaling optimization.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the first information is a keepalive information indication;

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information is transmitted, before transmitting the first information, the method further comprises;

receiving, by an access stratum of the terminal, a primitive indication transmitted from a non-access stratum, wherein the primitive indication indicates that the keepalive information needs to be transmitted, so that the keepalive information indication is transmitted;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume indication indicating keepalive information to be received by the network device; and

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information, before transmitting the first information, the method further comprises;

receiving, by the terminal, a traffic volume measurement and report criterion transmitted from the network device, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold and a second threshold, so that the traffic volume indication is transmitted when a traffic volume measurement result ranges between the first threshold and the second threshold;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal; and

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information, the transmitting, by the terminal, first information to a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received comprises;

transmitting, by the terminal, the traffic volume measurement result to the network device, wherein the network device is configured to determine the keepalive information to be received when the traffic volume measurement result ranges between a preconfigured first threshold and second threshold;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal; and

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information, before transmitting the first information, the method further comprises;

receiving, by the terminal, a traffic volume measurement and report criterion transmitted from the network device, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold;

the transmitting, by the terminal, first information to a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received comprises;

when the traffic volume measurement result is greater than or equal to the first threshold, transmitting, by the terminal, the traffic volume measurement result to the network device, wherein the network device is configured to determine the keepalive information to be received when the traffic volume measurement result is smaller than or equal to a preconfigured second threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) connection setup request message;

or,

the first information is carried in a cell update message.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion is carried in a first SIB message, a second SIB message, a third SIB message, or a measurement control message.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

the first information is a keepalive information indication, and the first information and the keepalive information are transmitted at the same time;

before transmitting keepalive information to the network device, the method further comprises;

transmitting, by the terminal, a service type to the network device, wherein the service type indicates that the keepalive information is carried in signaling for transmission; and

the transmitting the first information to the network device and the transmitting the keepalive information to the network device comprise;

carrying the keepalive information indication and the keepalive information in a non-access stratum (NAS) message part of the signaling, and transmitting the signaling to the network device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein before transmitting the keepalive information to the network device, the method further comprises:

transmitting, by the terminal, second information to the network device, wherein the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received, so that the network device performs optimization before receiving the keepalive information, and the second information is a keepalive information indication, a traffic volume indication, or a traffic volume measurement result.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the configuration parameters for signaling optimization are delivered by the network device, the method further comprises:

reporting, by the terminal, a signaling optimization function indication to the network device, wherein the signaling optimization function indication is used to indicate whether the terminal has a capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information, so that the network device delivers the configuration parameters for signaling optimization by using dedicated signaling or a broadcast message when the network device knows, according to the signaling optimization function indication, that the terminal has a capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the signaling optimization function indication is carried in an RRC connection request message, an RRC connection setup complete message or a user equipment (UE) capability information message.

9. A method for transmitting keepalive information, comprising:

receiving, by a network device, first information transmitted from a terminal, and determining keepalive information to be received according to the first information;

receiving, by the network device, keepalive information transmitted from the terminal, and optimizing the keepalive information by reducing signal loads between the terminal and the network device, and

receiving, by the network device, a signaling optimization function indication transmitted from the terminal, wherein the signaling optimization function indication is used to indicate whether the terminal has a capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information; and

when the terminal has the capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information, transmitting, by the network device, configuration parameters for signaling optimization to the terminal,

wherein the keepalive information is duplicated and forwarded by the network device according to a timer and a counter,

wherein the configuration parameters include duration of the timer, and

wherein the terminal transmits the keepalive information according to the configuration parameters for signaling optimization.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein:

the first information is a traffic volume indication indicating the keepalive information to be received by the network device;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, the method further comprises;

transmitting, by the network device, a traffic volume measurement and report criterion to the terminal, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold and a second threshold;

the receiving, by the network device, first information transmitted from the terminal, and determining keepalive information to be received according to the first information comprise;

when a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal ranges between the first threshold and the second threshold, receiving, by the network device, a traffic volume indication indicating keepalive information to be received by the network device transmitted from the terminal;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal, a first threshold and a second threshold are preconfigured on the network device;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, the receiving, by the network device, first information transmitted from the terminal and determining keepalive information to be received according to the first information comprise;

receiving, by the network device, the traffic volume measurement result transmitted from the terminal;

when the traffic volume measurement result ranges between the first threshold and the second threshold, determining keepalive information to be received;

or, the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, the method further comprises;

transmitting, by the network device, a traffic volume measurement and report criterion to the terminal, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold;

the receiving, by the network device, first information transmitted from a terminal and determining keepalive information to be received according to the first information comprise;

when the traffic volume measurement result is greater than or equal to the first threshold, transmitting, by the network device, a traffic volume measurement result transmitted from the terminal;

when the traffic volume measurement result is smaller than or equal to a second threshold preconfigured by the network device, determining keepalive information to be received;

or,

the first information is a keepalive information indication;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, the receiving first information comprises;

receiving a keepalive information indication transmitted from a terminal, wherein the keepalive information indication is transmitted after an access stratum of the terminal receives from a non-access stratum a primitive indication indicating that keepalive information needs to be transmitted.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein:

the first information is a keepalive information indication, and the first information and the keepalive information are received at the same time;

the method further comprises;

receiving, by a network device, a service type transmitted from a terminal, wherein the service type indicates that the keepalive information is carried in signaling for transmission; and

the receiving first information transmitted from the terminal and receiving keepalive information transmitted from the terminal comprise;

receiving the keepalive information indication and the keepalive information carried by the terminal in a NAS message part of the signaling.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein before receiving the keepalive information transmitted from the terminal, the method further comprises:

receiving second information transmitted from the terminal, determining keepalive information to be received according to the second information, and performing optimization before receiving the keepalive information, and the second information is a keepalive information indication, a traffic volume indication, or a traffic volume measurement result.

13. A terminal, comprising:

a first transmitter, configured to transmit first information to a network device, wherein the first information is used to instruct the network device to determine keepalive information to be received;

a second transmitter, configured to transmit keepalive information to the network device, wherein the network device is configured to optimize the keepalive information by reducing signal loads between the terminal and the network device, and

a processor, wherein the processor is specially configured to obtain configuration parameters for signaling optimization preconfigured or delivered by the network device when having a capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information,

wherein the keepalive information is duplicated and forwarded by the network device according to a timer and a counter,

wherein the configuration parameters include duration of the timer, and

wherein the second transmitter is specially configured to transmit keepalive information according to a transmission frequency indicated by the configuration parameters for signaling optimization.

14. The terminal according to claim 13, wherein:

the first information is a keepalive information indication;

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information is transmitted, the processor is configured to receive a primitive indication transmitted from a non-access stratum, wherein the primitive indication indicates that the keepalive information needs to be transmitted; and

the first transmitter is configured to transmit the keepalive information indication after receiving the primitive indication;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume indication indicating keepalive information to be received by a network device;

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information, the terminal further comprises;

a first receiver, configured to receive a traffic volume measurement and report criterion transmitted from the network device, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold and a second threshold; and

the first transmitter is configured to transmit the traffic volume indication when the traffic volume measurement result ranges between the first threshold and the second threshold;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal;

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information is transmitted, the first transmitter is configured to transmit the traffic volume measurement result to the network device, the network device is configured to determine keepalive information to be received when the traffic volume measurement result ranges between a preconfigured first threshold and second threshold;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal;

when the first information is transmitted before the keepalive information, the terminal further comprises;

a second receiver, configured to receive a traffic volume measurement and report criterion transmitted from the network device, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold;

the first transmitter is configured to transmit the traffic volume measurement result to the network device when the traffic volume measurement result is greater than or equal to the first threshold; and

determine the keepalive information to be received when the traffic volume measurement result is smaller than or equal to a preconfigured second threshold.

15. The terminal according to claim 13, wherein the first information is a keepalive information indication;

and when the first information and the keepalive information are transmitted at the same time, the terminal further comprises;

a third transmitter, configured to transmit a service type to the network device, wherein the service type indicates that the keepalive information is carried in signaling for transmission;

wherein

the second transmitter is configured to carry the keepalive information indication and the keepalive information in a NAS message part of the signaling, and transmit the signaling to the network device.

16. The terminal according to claim 15, further comprising:

a fourth transmitter, configured to transmit second information to the network device, wherein the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine the keepalive information to be received, so that the network device performs optimization before receiving the keepalive information, and the second information is a keepalive information indication, a traffic volume indication, or a traffic volume measurement result.

17. The terminal according to claim 16, wherein when the configuration parameters for signaling optimization are delivered by the network device,

the processor is specially configured to report a signaling optimization function indication to the network device, wherein the signaling optimization function indication is used to indicate whether the terminal has a capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information;

and

configured to receive configuration parameters for signaling optimization delivered by the network device using dedicated signaling or a broadcast message when knowing, according to the signaling optimization function indication, that the terminal has the capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information.

18. A network device, comprising:

a receiver, configured to receive first information and keepalive information transmitted from a terminal; and

a processor, configured to determine keepalive information to be received according to the first information and optimize the keepalive information by reducing signal loads between the terminal and the network device,

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a signaling optimization function indication transmitted from the terminal, wherein the signaling optimization function indication is used to indicate whether the terminal has a capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information,

wherein the network device further comprises a transmitter, configured to transmit configuration parameters for signaling optimization to the terminal when the terminal has the capability of reducing the frequency of transmitting the keepalive information,

wherein the keepalive information is duplicated and forwarded by the network device according to a timer and a counter,

wherein the configuration parameters include duration of the timer, and

wherein the terminal transmits the keepalive information according to the configuration parameters for signaling optimization.

19. The network device according to claim 18, wherein:

the first information is a traffic volume indication indicating keepalive information to be received by a network device;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, the network device further comprises;

a transmitter, configured to transmit a traffic volume measurement and report criterion to the terminal, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold and a second threshold;

the network device receives a traffic volume indication indicating keepalive information to be received by the network device transmitted by the terminal when the processor determines that the traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal ranges between the first threshold and the second threshold;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, a first threshold and a second threshold are preconfigured on the network device, and the processor is specially configured to receive the traffic volume measurement result transmitted from the terminal and determine keepalive information to be received when the traffic volume measurement result ranges between the first threshold and the second threshold;

or,

the first information is a traffic volume measurement result measured by the terminal;

when the first information is received before the keepalive information, the network device further comprises;

a transmitter, configured to transmit a traffic volume measurement and report criterion to the terminal, wherein the traffic volume measurement and report criterion comprises a first threshold;

the network device receives the traffic volume measurement result transmitted from the terminal when the processor determines that the traffic volume measurement result is greater than or equal to the first threshold; and

determines keepalive information to be received when the traffic volume measurement result is smaller than or equal to a second threshold preconfigured by the network device;

or,

the first information is a keepalive information indication, and the processor is specially configured to receive a keepalive information indication transmitted from the terminal, wherein the keepalive information indication is transmitted after an access stratum of the terminal receives from a non-access stratum a primitive indication indicating that the keepalive information needs to be transmitted.

20. The network device according to claim 18, wherein the first information is a keepalive information indication;

when the first information and the keepalive information are received at the same time,

the receiver is further configured to receive a service type transmitted from the terminal, wherein the service type indicates that the keepalive information is carried in signaling for transmission; and

the processor is further configured to receive the keepalive information indication and the keepalive information carried by the terminal in a NAS message part of signaling.

21. The network device according to claim 20, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive second information transmitted from the terminal, determine keepalive information to be received according to the second information, and perform optimization processing before receiving the keepalive information, wherein the second information is a keepalive information indication, a traffic volume indication, or a traffic volume measurement result.