Downlink control information transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a downlink control information (DCI) transmission method and apparatus. The method includes a terminal monitoring a first DCI format based on an instruction, the first DCI format being usable for scheduling data transmission of two or more cells, and when the first cell is in an inactive mode or a dormant mode, determining an amount of information bits of the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion (BWP) of the first cell, and monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits of the first DCI format. The technical solution of the present application helps to accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202211231949.3, titled "DOWNLINK CONTROL INFORMATION TRANSMISSION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on September 30, 2022, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202211362876.1, titled "DOWNLINK CONTROL INFORMATION TRANSMISSION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on November 2, 2022. Both of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this specification.

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly, to a downlink control information transmission method and apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] With the development of communication technology, cross carrier scheduling (CCS) has been introduced into the new radio (NR) communication system, that is, the downlink carrier of one cell carries the control channel to schedule the uplink and downlink data channels of another cell. The cell carrying the control channel is called the scheduling cell, and the cell carrying the uplink and downlink data channels is called the scheduled cell. In CCS, one scheduling cell can correspond to multiple scheduled cells, that is, one scheduling cell can transmit the control channel to perform data scheduling for multiple scheduled cells. Therefore, scheduling the data transmission of multiple scheduled cells by using one downlink control information (DCI) has become the focus of research.

[0004] When a single DCI is used to schedule data transmissions for multiple scheduled cells, some fields within the DCI may be shared by multiple cells, while some fields, namely certain indicator fields, need to be set independently for each cell. These specific indicator fields are associated with the configuration of the active bandwidth part (BWP) of the scheduled cell. Therefore, the specific indicator field for a scheduled cell can be determined based on the configuration of the scheduled cell's BWP. However, to schedule data transmissions for multiple cells simultaneously, the scheduled cells are combined in the DCI and indicated in the carrier indicator field (CIF). Correspondingly, the BWP or BWP identifier for each scheduled cell is... identifier The BWP ID is further set in the bandwidth part (BWP) indicator field. Typically, to reduce the overhead of the carrier indicator field (CIF), the CIF does not need to show all cell combinations. In addition, when a scheduled cell in inactive or hibernation mode exists among multiple scheduled cells, the BWP or BWP ID is not configured for the cell according to the existing protocol. As a result, the specific indicator field of the scheduled cell cannot be accurately determined, and the scheduling of the scheduled cell cannot be accurately completed. Therefore, when a scheduled cell in inactive or hibernation mode exists among multiple scheduled cells, how to set the BWP ID and specific indicator field of these cells becomes an urgent issue that needs to be resolved.

[0005] Therefore, when a single DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple scheduled cells, there is an urgent need for a method to accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This application provides a downlink controlled information transmission method and apparatus to help accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance when a single DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple scheduled cells.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a downlink control information transmission method is provided. The method is performed by a terminal device and includes receiving first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructing the terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells; determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in an inactive or hibernation mode; and monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0008] The fact that a first DCI format is used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells means that the first DCI format can be used to schedule uplink and downlink data transmission between two or more cells. Optionally, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between a first cell. A terminal device can detect the first DCI format in a second cell. The first cell is distinct from the second cell. For example, the first cell may be a secondary cell of a terminal device, and the second cell may be the primary cell of a terminal device. The terminal monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format can be understood as the terminal determining the DCI size of the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format and the amount of information bits in another DCI format, and then monitoring the first DCI format based on the DCI size of the first DCI format. In this application, if DCI size matching needs to be performed for a first DCI format and another DCI format, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format is the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before DCI size matching, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before bit padding, or the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before bit truncation.

[0009] According to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and the first cell is Non When in active or hibernation mode, the DCI format is determined based on the BWP ID of the first cell. This helps to accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance.

[0010] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0011] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first BWP is one of the following: the last non-suspended active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the last non-suspended active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the identifier of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP having the same ID as the ID of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP. In this application, the non-dormant active uplink BWP of the first cell is an active uplink BWP used when the first cell is in active mode and non-dormant mode, or an active uplink BWP used when the first cell is in active mode.

[0012] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP of the first cell may specifically include determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP and the third BWP of the first cell. The first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell during active time, or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell outside of active time. The third BWP is one of the following: the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, the first BWP is the last non-dormant active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, and the third BWP is the last non-dormant active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a non-dormant BWP, then the first BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode If the first active downlink BWP used when it is replaced is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell, and if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell,If the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during active time; or, if the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell outside of active time.

[0014] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and the third BWP is the last non-hibernation active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time, and the third The BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell within the active time, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell outside of the active time, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is received within the active time, the first BWP is active The first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within the time period, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received within active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within active time, the third BWP is,If the ID of the uplink BWP is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell during active hours, or if a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is the uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell outside of active hours.

[0015] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes determining a first BWP ID, where the first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP, before determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0016] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is a first pre-configured value.

[0017] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format is M bits, and that the first BWP ID is the maximum value corresponding to M bits, where M is a positive integer.

[0018] Referring to the first aspect, in some other implementations of the first aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the first active BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the active BWP used before the first cell was switched from active mode to the current inactive mode.

[0019] Referring to the first embodiment, in some further implementations of the first embodiment, when the first cell is in inactive mode, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID when a dedicated inactive BWP ID is preconfigured for the first cell, or determining that the first BWP ID is a idle BWP ID when a dormant BWP ID is preconfigured for the first cell and a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not preconfigured for the first cell.

[0020] Referring to the first embodiment, in some further implementations of the first embodiment, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, or determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell and the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell.

[0021] Referring to the first embodiment, in some further implementations of the first embodiment, when the first cell is in dormant mode, determining the first BWP ID includes receiving a second DCI format, switching the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a dormant BWP based on the second DCI format, determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID during the active time when the second DCI format is received during the active time, or determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID outside of the active time when the second DCI format is received outside of the active time.

[0022] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is the inactive BWP ID when the inactive BWP ID is preconfigured for the first cell.

[0023] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the first cell operates in the time division duplex (TDD) mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmission. The method includes receiving second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, where the second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicates to the terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information (DCI) format, and the second DCI format can be used to schedule uplink data transmission of two or more cells; and when the first cell is in the inactive mode or the inactive state, determining the amount of information bits of the second DCI format based on the second BWP of the first cell, where the ID of the first BWP is the same as the ID of the second BWP; and further monitoring the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits of the second DCI format.

[0024] Referring to the first aspect, in some other implementation forms of the first aspect, the first cell operates in the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmission. The method includes receiving second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, where the second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicates to the terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information (DCI) format, and the second DCI format can be used to schedule uplink data transmission of two or more cells. When the first cell is in the idle mode, based on the second BWP of the first cell, determining the amount of information bits of the second DCI format, where the second BWP is the active uplink BWP of the first cell, and further including monitoring the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits of the second DCI format.

[0025] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, determining the amount of information bits of the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID of the first cell further includes determining the amount of information bits of the first DCI format based on the configuration of the BWP whose ID is the first BWP ID within the first cell.

[0026] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes determining the amount of information bits of a specific indicator field corresponding to the first cell in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID of the first cell.

[0027] A second embodiment provides a downlink control information transmission method. This method is performed by a network device and transmits first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructing a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells; and when the first cell is in an inactive or hibernation mode, determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion BWP of the first cell; and monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0028] The transmission of a first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format by a network device can be understood as the network device determining the DCI size of the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format and the amount of information bits in another DCI format, and then transmitting the first DCI format based on the DCI size of the first DCI format. In this application, if DCI size matching needs to be performed for the first DCI format and another DCI format, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format is the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before DCI size matching, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before bit padding, or the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before bit truncation.

[0029] According to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and the first cell is Non When in active or hibernation mode, the DCI format is determined based on the BWP ID of the first cell. This helps to accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance.

[0030] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0031] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first BWP is one of the following: the last non-suspended active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the last non-suspended active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the identifier of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP having the same ID as the ID of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP. In this application, the non-dormant active uplink BWP of the first cell is an active uplink BWP used when the first cell is in active mode and non-dormant mode, or an active uplink BWP used when the first cell is in active mode.

[0032] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP of the first cell may specifically include determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP and the third BWP of the first cell. The first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell during active time, or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell outside of active time. The third BWP is one of the following: the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0033] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, the first BWP is the last non-dormant active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, and the third BWP is the last non-dormant active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a non-dormant BWP, then the first BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode If the first active downlink BWP used when it is replaced is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell, and if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell,If the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during active time; or, if the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell outside of active time.

[0034] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and the third BWP is the last non-hibernation active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time, and the third The BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell within the active time, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell outside of the active time, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is received within the active time, the first BWP is active The first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within the time period, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received within active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within active time, the third BWP is,If the ID of the uplink BWP is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell during active hours, or if a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is the uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell outside of active hours.

[0035] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes determining a first BWP ID, where the first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP, before determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0036] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is a first pre-configured value.

[0037] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format is M bits, and that the first BWP ID is the maximum value corresponding to M bits, where M is a positive integer.

[0038] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the first active BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the active BWP used before the first cell was switched from active mode to the current inactive mode.

[0039] Referring to the second aspect, in some further implementations of the second aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID when a dedicated inactive BWP ID is preconfigured for the first cell, or determining that the first BWP ID is a idle BWP ID when a dormant BWP ID is preconfigured for the first cell and a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not preconfigured for the first cell.

[0040] Referring to the second aspect, in some further implementations of the second aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, or determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell and the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell.

[0041] Referring to the second aspect, in some further implementations of the second aspect, when the first cell is in hiatus mode, determining the first BWP ID includes transmitting a second DCI format, switching the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a hiatus BWP based on the second DCI format, determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hiatus BWP ID during the active time when the second DCI format is transmitted during the active time, or determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hiatus BWP ID outside of the active time when the second DCI format is transmitted outside of the active time.

[0042] Referring to the second aspect, in some further implementations of the second aspect, determining the first BWP ID includes determining that the first BWP ID is a hiatus BWP ID when a hiatus BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell.

[0043] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The method further includes transmitting a second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructing a terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, the second DCI format can be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells; determining the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on a second BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in inactive or hibernation mode, the ID of the first BWP is the same as the ID of the second BWP; and monitoring the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format.

[0044] Referring to the second aspect, in some other implementations of the second aspect, the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The method further includes transmitting a second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructing a terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, the second DCI format can be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells; determining the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on a second BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in idle mode, the second BWP being the active uplink BWP of the first cell; and monitoring the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format.

[0045] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID of the first cell further includes determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the configuration of the BWP whose ID is the first BWP ID in the first cell.

[0046] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes determining the amount of information bits in a particular indicator field corresponding to the first cell in the first DCI format, based on the first BWP ID of the first cell.

[0047] According to a third aspect, a downlink control information transmission device is provided. The device is configured to implement the functions of a terminal device according to the first aspect, or is a terminal device. The device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructing a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format being used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells; and a processing unit configured to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in an inactive or hibernation mode. The transceiver unit is further configured to monitor the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0048] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0049] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first BWP is one of the following: the last non-suspended active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the last non-suspended active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the identifier of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP having the same ID as the ID of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0050] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP and the third BWP of the first cell. The first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or hibernation mode, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell during active time, or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell outside of active time. The third BWP is one of the following: the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0051] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, the first BWP is the last non-dormant active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, and the third BWP is the last non-dormant active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a non-dormant BWP, then the first BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode If the first active downlink BWP used when it is replaced is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell, and if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell,If the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during active time; or, if the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell outside of active time.

[0052] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and the third BWP is the last non-hibernation active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time, and the third The BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell within the active time, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell outside of the active time, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is received within the active time, the first BWP is active The first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within the time period, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received within active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within active time, the third BWP is,If the ID of the uplink BWP is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell during active hours, or if a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is the uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell outside of active hours.

[0053] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine a first BWP ID, where the first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP.

[0054] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is a first pre-configured value.

[0055] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format is M bits, and that the first BWP ID is the maximum value corresponding to M bits, where M is a positive integer.

[0056] Referring to the third aspect, in some other implementations of the third aspect, when the first cell is in an inactive mode, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is the ID of the first active BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or that the first BWP ID is the ID of the active BWP used before the first cell was switched from active mode to the current inactive mode.

[0057] Referring to the third aspect, in some further implementations of the third aspect, when the first cell is in an inactive mode, the processing unit determines that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID when a dedicated inactive BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, or specifically configures the first BWP ID to be a hiatus BWP ID when a hiatus BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell and a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not pre-configured for the first cell.

[0058] Referring to the third aspect, in some further implementations of the third aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time if the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, or to determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time if the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell and the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell.

[0059] Referring to the third aspect, in some further implementations of the third aspect, when the first cell is in hiatus mode, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second DCI format. The processing unit is specifically configured to switch the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a hiatus BWP based on the second DCI format, and to determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hiatus BWP ID during the active time when the second DCI format is received during the active time, or to determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hiatus BWP ID outside of the active time when the second DCI format is received outside of the active time.

[0060] Referring to the third aspect, in some further implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is a hiatus BWP ID when the hiatus BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell.

[0061] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which indicates to a terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, and the second DCI format can be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on the second BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in inactive or quiescent mode, where the ID of the first BWP is the same as the ID of the second BWP, and to monitor the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format.

[0062] Referring to the third aspect, in some other implementations of the third aspect, the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which indicates to a terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, which can be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on the second BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in idle mode, where the second BWP is the active uplink BWP of the first cell, and to monitor the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format.

[0063] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the number of information bits in a first DCI format based on the configuration of a BWP whose ID is a first BWP ID in a first cell.

[0064] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the number of information bits in a particular indicator field corresponding to the first cell in the first DCI format, based on the first BWP ID of the first cell.

[0065] According to a fourth aspect, a downlink control information transmission device is provided. The device is configured to implement the functions of a network device according to a second aspect, or is a network device. The device includes a transceiver unit configured to transmit first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, wherein the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicates to a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format being used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells; and a processing unit configured to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in an inactive or hibernation mode. The transceiver unit is further configured to monitor the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0066] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0067] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first BWP is one of the following: the last non-suspended active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the last non-suspended active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or suspended mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the identifier of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP having the same ID as the ID of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0068] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP and the third BWP of the first cell. The first BWP is the last non-hibersing active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in the current inactive or hibernation mode, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time, or the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time. The third BWP is one of the following: the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0069] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, the first BWP is the last non-dormant active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, and the third BWP is the last non-dormant active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a non-dormant BWP, then the first BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell, and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode If the first active downlink BWP used when it is replaced is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell, and if the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, and is configured for the first cell,If the first active downlink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during active time; or, if the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell outside of active time.

[0070] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the first BWP is the last non-hibernation active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and the third BWP is the last non-hibernation active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered the current hibernation mode, and when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in the active time, and the third The BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell within the active time, and when the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP outside of the active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernable BWP of the first cell outside of the active time, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is received within the active time, the first BWP is active The first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within the time period, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time, the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP, and when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received within active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP within active time, the third BWP is,If the ID of the uplink BWP is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell during active hours, or if a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is the uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell outside of active hours.

[0071] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a first BWP ID, where the first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP.

[0072] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is a first pre-configured value.

[0073] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format is M bits, and that the first BWP ID is the maximum value corresponding to M bits, where M is a positive integer.

[0074] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some other implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first cell is in inactive mode, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is the ID of the first active BWP used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or that the first BWP ID is the ID of the active BWP used before the first cell was switched from active mode to the current inactive mode.

[0075] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some further implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first cell is in an inactive mode, the processing unit determines that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID when a dedicated inactive BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, or specifically configures the first BWP ID to be a hiatus BWP ID when a hiatus BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell and a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not pre-configured for the first cell.

[0076] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some further implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time if the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, or to determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time if the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell and the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell.

[0077] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some further implementations of the fourth aspect, when the first cell is in hiatus mode, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a second DCI format and, based on the second DCI format, switch the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a hiatus BWP. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine that when the second DCI format is transmitted during active time, the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hiatus BWP ID during active time. Alternatively, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that when the second DCI format is transmitted outside of active time, the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hiatus BWP ID outside of active time.

[0078] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some further implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine that the first BWP ID is a hiatus BWP ID when the hiatus BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell.

[0079] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which instructs a terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, and the second DCI format may be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on the second BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in inactive or quiescent mode, where the ID of the first BWP is the same as the ID of the second BWP, and to monitor the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format.

[0080] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some other implementations of the fourth aspect, the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode, and the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which instructs a terminal device to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, and the second DCI format may be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells. The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on the second BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in idle mode, where the second BWP is the active uplink BWP of the first cell, and to monitor the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format.

[0081] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the number of information bits in a first DCI format based on the configuration of a BWP whose ID is a first BWP ID in a first cell.

[0082] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine the number of information bits in a particular indicator field corresponding to the first cell in the first DCI format, based on the first BWP ID of the first cell.

[0083] According to a fifth aspect, a downlink control information transmission method is provided. This method is performed by a terminal device. The method includes receiving first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructing a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmissions of two or more cells simultaneously, the first DCI format can be used to schedule a first cell, keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from active mode to inactive mode, keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode, keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from hibernation mode to non-hibernation mode, and monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0084] According to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and when the status of the scheduled cells changes, the amount of information bits in the DCI is kept constant, which helps to accurately determine the DCI format and reduces the complexity of the terminal implementation.

[0085] Referring to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0086] According to a sixth aspect, a method for transmitting downlink control information is provided. This method is performed by a network device. The method includes transmitting a first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, wherein the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicates to a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells, and the first DCI format can be used to schedule a first cell; keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from active mode to inactive mode, keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode, keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or keeping the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from hibernation mode to non-hibernation mode; and transmitting the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0087] According to the technical solution of this application, a single DCI is used to schedule data transmission across multiple cells, and the amount of information bits in the DCI remains constant when the status of the scheduled cells changes, which helps to accurately determine the DCI format and reduces the complexity of the implementation of network devices.

[0088] Referring to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0089] According to the seventh aspect, a downlink control information transmission device is provided. The device is configured to implement the functions of a terminal device according to the fifth aspect, or is a terminal device itself. The device includes a transceiver unit configured to receive first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, wherein the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicates to a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells, and the first DCI format can be used to schedule a first cell; and a processing unit configured to keep the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from active mode to inactive mode, when the first cell is switched from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode, when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or when the first cell is switched from hibernation mode to non-hibernation mode. The transceiver unit is further configured to monitor the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0090] Referring to the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0091] According to the eighth aspect, a downlink control information transmission device is provided. The device is configured to implement the functions of a network device according to the sixth aspect, or is a network device itself. The device includes a transceiver unit configured to transmit first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, wherein the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicates to a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells, and the first DCI format can be used to schedule a first cell; and a processing unit configured to keep the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant when the first cell is switched from active mode to inactive mode, when the first cell is switched from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode, when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode, or when the first cell is switched from hibernation mode to non-hibernation mode. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0092] Referring to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, or the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule data transmissions of two or more cells, where the data transmission is either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0093] According to the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signals to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to a communication device other than the communication device. The processor is configured to implement a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the first or fifth aspect, either through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0094] According to the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit the signals to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to a communication device other than the communication device. The processor is configured to implement a method according to any one of the possible implementations of the second or sixth aspect, either through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0095] According to the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, a method is implemented according to any one of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect and the fifth or sixth aspect.

[0096] According to the twelfth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed, a method is implemented according to any one of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect and the fifth or sixth aspect.

[0097] According to the 13th aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program includes code or instructions, and when the code or instructions are executed, a method is implemented according to any one of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect and the fifth or sixth aspect.

[0098] According to the fourteenth aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes a processor and further includes memory configured to implement a method according to any one of the possible implementation forms of the first or second aspect and the fifth or sixth aspect. The chip system includes a chip, or a chip and another discrete component.

[0099] According to the 15th embodiment, a communication system including a terminal device and a network device is provided.

[0100] The terminal device is configured to implement the method according to the first embodiment, and the network device is configured to implement the method according to the second embodiment. Alternatively, the terminal device is configured to implement the method according to the fifth embodiment, and the network device is configured to implement the method according to the sixth embodiment.

[0101] In possible designs, the communication system further includes another device that interacts with the terminal device or network device in the solution provided in the embodiments of this application. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0102] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the architecture of a mobile communication system to which one embodiment of this application is applied. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the DRX cycle and PDCCH monitoring opportunities. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of the DRX cycle and wireless frame. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a downlink control information transmission method according to this application. [Figure 5] This figure shows a first specific example of the downlink control information transmission method according to this application. [Figure 6] This figure shows a second specific example of the downlink control information transmission method according to this application. [Figure 7]This is a diagram illustrating another example of the downlink control information transmission method according to this application. [Figure 8] This figure shows yet another example of the downlink control information transmission method according to this application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication device according to this application. [Figure 10] This is a diagram of another example of a communication device according to this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0103] The technical solution of this application will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0104] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a mobile communication system to which one embodiment of this application is applied.

[0105] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include one or more network devices, for example, network device 101 shown in Figure 1. The communication system 100 may further include one or more terminal devices, for example, terminal devices 102, 103, and 104 shown in Figure 1. The communication system 100 can support sidelink communication technology, for example, sidelink communication between terminal device 102 and terminal device 103, and sidelink communication between terminal device 102 and terminal device 104.

[0106] It should be understood that Figure 1 is merely an illustration. The communication system may further include other network devices, for example, a core network device 105 and wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices not shown in Figure 1. The number of network devices and terminal devices included in the mobile communication system is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0107] The terminal device in the embodiments of this application is a device having wireless transceiver functionality that can transmit signals to or receive signals from a network device. The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. The terminal may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver functionality, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The specific technologies and specific device forms used by the terminal are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0108] The network device in the embodiments of this application may be a radio access device used by a terminal to access a communication system wirelessly. The network device may be a base station, an evolved node B (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation node B (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node in a WiFi system, etc., and may also be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of a base station, for example, a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU may, as herein defined, complete the functions of the base station's radio resource control (RRC) protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and may further complete the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU completes the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and may further complete the functions of some or all of the physical layers. For a specific description of the protocol layers described above, please refer to the relevant technical specifications in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). The network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor base station, or a relay node, donor node, etc. The specific technologies and device configurations used by the network device are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0109] The embodiments of this application may be applied to downlink signal transmission or to uplink signal transmission. In the case of downlink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a network device and the corresponding receiving device is a terminal. In the case of uplink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal and the corresponding receiving device is a network device.

[0110] Communication between network devices and terminals, and between terminals, may be performed over licensed spectrum, over unlicensed spectrum, or over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Communication may be performed between network devices and terminals, and between terminals, over spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), over 6 GHz, or over both spectrum. The spectral resources used between network devices and terminals are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0111] In embodiments of this application, the functions of a network device may be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) within the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of the network device. The control subsystem that includes the functions of the network device may be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. The functions of a terminal may be performed by a module (e.g., a chip or modem) within the terminal, or by a device that includes the functions of the terminal.

[0112] To better illustrate the implementation of this application, concepts related to the embodiments of this application will be described first before the embodiments of this application are described.

[0113] 1. Cell and carrier (1) Career A carrier is a radio signal transmitted by a network device or terminal's radio frequency device, having a specific frequency, bandwidth, and standard. A carrier is the object used to carry information in wireless communication. The carrier used by a network device to transmit information is called a downlink carrier, and the carrier used by a terminal to transmit information is called an uplink carrier.

[0114] (2) Cell The coverage of each network device can be divided into one or more cells. Under current NR standards, one downlink carrier may be configured for one cell, and optionally, one uplink carrier may be configured for one cell. For terminals, the cell providing services to the terminal is called a serving cell.

[0115] (3) Carrier aggregation (CA) and dual connectivity (DC) To implement high-speed transmission, NR supports carrier aggregation and dual connectivity technologies. Terminals supporting CA or DC can transmit data simultaneously over multiple carriers to improve data transmission rates. Each carrier in CA is also called a component carrier (CC). In DC, a terminal establishes connections to multiple cells. These cells are classified into two groups: master cell group (MCG) and secondary cell group (SCG). If dual connectivity is not established, the group of cells communicating with the terminal is the MCG. In MCG, a PCell is the primary cell; in SCG, a PCell is the primary secondary cell (PSCell); and other cells in MCG and SCG are secondary cells (SCells).

[0116] The terminal may transmit data by using carrier aggregation technology, simultaneously using PCell and SCell within the MCG, or by using carrier aggregation technology, simultaneously using PSCell and SCell within the SCG.

[0117] In the subsequent description of this application, when this application applies to MCG, PCell is a PCell within MCG and SCell is a SCell within MCG, or when this application applies to SCG, PCell is a PSCell within SCG and SCell is a SCell within SCG.

[0118] 2. Bandwidth part (BWP) and bandwidth part switching (1) BWP NR introduces the concept of BWPs (Bandwidth Points). A BWP is a segment of consecutive frequency resources on a single carrier. After a BWP is configured and activated, it is referred to as an active BWP. In the current version of the protocol, a terminal can have only one active downlink BWP on a single downlink carrier and only one active uplink BWP on a single uplink carrier. Uplink data and control information transmitted by the terminal are transmitted within the active uplink BWP, and downlink data and control information are received within the active downlink BWP.

[0119] There may be one or more BWPs on a single carrier, and the bandwidth of a single BWP on a carrier is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the carrier.

[0120] (2) Switching BWP To enable terminals to send and receive data at different BWPs at different times based on service requirements, NR supports BWP switching triggered by using DCI for scheduling data. DCI is carried over the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0121] Downlink BWP switching instructions may be carried in DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 1_2 for scheduling a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and uplink BWP switching instructions may be carried in DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 0_2 for scheduling a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). After receiving the DCI, the terminal switches to the new BWP indicated by the DCI to transmit or receive data. Note that BWP switching as used herein refers to switching between non-dormant BWPs within an active BWP.

[0122] (3) BWP in frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) NR spectra are classified into paired spectra and unpaired spectra. FDD is used for paired spectra, and TDD is used for unpaired spectra. In FDD mode, the cell's uplink BWP and downlink BWP can be switched independently, and the number of uplink BWPs may be the same as or different from the number of downlink BWPs. In FDD mode, uplink BWP switching and downlink BWP switching can be performed independently. In TDD mode, the cell's uplink BWP and downlink BWP are paired. In an uplink and downlink BWP pair, the uplink BWP and downlink BWP may have the same center frequency and different bandwidths. T In DD mode, BWP switching can occur simultaneously on both the uplink and downlink, meaning that a switch from one pair of BWPs to another may occur.

[0123] 3. Carrier suspension Currently, a dormancy mechanism for SCells is introduced in 3GPP release 16 (R16). Both uplink and downlink transmissions of a dormant SCell are stopped, but terminals still periodically measure the cell and report cell measurement information to network devices via another non-dormant cell. Switching between SCell dormancy and non-dormancy behavior is implemented through BWP switching. When a SCell is indicated as dormancy, the terminal switches the current active downlink BWP to the dormant BWP within the SCell, and the terminal does not need to perform PDCCH monitoring within the dormant BWP, or, if the SCell is a scheduled carrier in cross-carrier scheduling, the terminal does not need to detect the PDCCH that is on the corresponding scheduled carrier and used to schedule the SCell. The identifier (ID) of the dormant BWP is indicated by the dormantBWP-Id (dormant BWP identifier) ​​information element in the RRC signaling.

[0124] The switching between dormancy mode and non-dormancy mode of SCell is indicated by DCI.

[0125] (1) In connected mode, without entering connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) mode (hereinafter abbreviated as non-C-DRX mode), or during the active time period in C-DRX mode, there are the following two instruction methods: Method 1: The secondary cell dormancy indication field in DCI format 0_1 ​​or 1_1 indicates whether the SCell is dormant or non-dormant. In this case, DCI can be used to schedule data concurrently. Method 2: A specific field within DCI format 1_1 indicates whether the SCell is dormancy or non-dormancy. In this case, DCI cannot be used to schedule data concurrently. (2) In C-DRX mode, there is one instruction method during the inactive period. Method 3: The SCell dormancy indication field in DCI format 2_6 indicates whether the SCell is dormancy or non-dormancy.

[0126] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, within active time includes two cases: one when the terminal is not configured with C-DRX or does not enter C-DRX mode, and the other when the terminal is active in C-DRX mode. Outside active time is the inactive period when the terminal is in C-DRX mode.

[0127] In this application, both during and outside of active hours are for a specific terminal.

[0128] For a cell, a network device may use the firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id information element in RRC signaling to define the identifier of the corresponding first non-dormant BWP during the active time, and use the firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id information element to define the identifier of the first corresponding BWP outside the active time. If a PDCCH indicating a switch from a dormant BWP to a non-dormant BWP is received in the cell's non-C-DRX mode, or during the active time period in the cell's C-DRX mode, the downlink BWP with ID firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id is activated when the cell's state switches from dormancy to non-dormancy. If a PDCCH indicating a switch from a dormant BWP to a non-dormant BWP is received during the cell's inactive period in C-DRX mode, the downlink BWP with ID firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id will be activated when the cell's state switches from dormancy to non-dormancy.

[0129] The terminal may support two capabilities: receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 0_1 / 1_1 during active hours, and receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 2_6 outside of active hours. The terminal may not support both capabilities, or it may support one or both of them, and it will notify network devices of the capabilities it supports through capability reporting.

[0130] In TDD mode, uplink BWP switching and downlink BWP switching are bound together. Therefore, when a cell's downlink BWP is switched from the current active downlink BWP to a dormant BWP, the uplink BWP is also switched to the uplink BWP with the ID dormantBWP-Id. When a cell's downlink BWP is switched from a dormant BWP to a downlink BWP with the ID firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id or a downlink BWP with the ID firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id, the uplink BWP is also switched to the uplink BWP with the ID firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id or an uplink BWP with the ID firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id.

[0131] In FDD mode, uplink BWP switching and downlink BWP switching are independent. Therefore, when a cell's downlink BWP is switched from the current active downlink BWP to a dormant BWP, the cell's uplink BWP is not switched. Similarly, when a cell's downlink BWP is switched from a dormant BWP to a downlink BWP with ID firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id or a downlink BWP with ID firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id, the uplink BWP is not switched. Note that when a SCell enters dormancy mode, the uplink BWP is not switched, but transmission on the uplink BWP is stopped, including data channels, control channels, sounding reference signals (SRS), and physical random access channels (PRACH).

[0132] The terminal may support two capabilities: receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 0_1 / 1_1 during active hours, and receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 2_6 outside of active hours. The terminal may not support both capabilities, or it may support one or both of them, and it will notify network devices of the capabilities it supports through capability reporting.

[0133] The network-side device can configure the dormantBWP-Id so that the terminal can report that it supports at least one of two capabilities.

[0134] For terminals that report the ability to support receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 0_1 / 1_1 during active hours, the network device may configure firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id, or it may not. For terminals that report the ability to support receiving SCell pause instructions having DCI format 2_6 outside of active hours, the network device may configure firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id, or it may not.

[0135] For terminals that do not report the ability to support receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 0_1 / 1_1 during active hours, the network device cannot configure firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id. For terminals that do not report the ability to support receiving SCell pause instructions using DCI format 2_6 outside of active hours, the network device cannot configure firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id.

[0136] The following describes the C-DRX mechanism. In the C-DRX mechanism, a terminal may periodically monitor the PDCCH based on a DRX cycle configured by the network device. As shown in Figure 2, one DRX cycle typically includes two periods, namely active time and non-active time, the non-active time sometimes referred to as outside active time. During active time, the terminal needs to monitor the PDCCH when there is a PDCCH monitoring opportunity. During non-active time, the terminal does not need to monitor the PDCCH in order to reduce the terminal's power consumption.

[0137] The active time includes the execution time of the on-duration timer (drx-onDurationTimer). Network devices configure the length of the drx-onDurationTimer for terminals by using radio resource control (RRC) signaling. A long DRX cycle is used as an example. The parameters drx-LongCycle, which is the length of the long DRX cycle, the start offset (drx-StartOffset), which is used to determine the starting subframe of the DRX cycle, and the slot offset (drx-SlotOffset) in the starting subframe of the DRX cycle are further configured. When a long DRX cycle is used, the terminal starts the drx-onDurationTimer (hereinafter abbreviated as onDurationTimer) when the subframe number satisfies the following equation (1). [(SFN×10)+subframe number]modulo(drx-LongCycle)=drx-StartOffset(1)

[0138] SFN is the system frame number, and modulo represents the modulo operation. System frames are sometimes referred to as wireless frames. A single wireless frame is 10ms long, and a single wireless frame may contain multiple subframes, each containing one or more slots. As shown in Figure 3, the onDurationTimer is started after the start DRX subframe of the Long DRX cycle has been shifted by drx-SlotOffset, and the inactive time corresponds to the DRX opportunity.

[0139] When a short DRX cycle is used, the terminal starts the drx-onDurationTimer when the subframe number satisfies equation (2) below. [(SFN×10)+subframe number]modulo(drx-ShortCycle)=(drx-StartOffset)modulo(drx-ShortCycle)(2)

[0140] In other words, onDurationTimer starts after the start subframe of the short DRX cycle has been shifted by drx-SlotOffset.

[0141] Although not shown in the diagram, in the C-DRX mechanism, the active time may further include the execution time of drx-InactivityTimer (InactivityTimer), drx-RetransmissionTimerDL (Downlink Retransmission Timer), and drx-RetransmissionTimerUL (Uplink Retransmission Timer). The C-DRX parameters configured by the network device for the terminal using RRC signaling may be specifically shown in Table 1, including the conditions for triggering drx-InactivityTimer, drx-RetransmissionTimerDL, and drx-RetransmissionTimerUL. In other words, the three timers are activated only when the corresponding data is transmitted.

[0142] [Table 1]

[0143] The active time may further include the execution period of the ra-ContentionResolutionTimer (used for conflict resolution in random access procedures) or the msgB-ResponseWindow (used for 2-step random access conflict resolution), the waiting period after the terminal sends a scheduling request (SR) on the PUCCH, and the period after the terminal has successfully received a random access response (RAR) for non-conflict-based random access but has not received a PDCCH indicating a new transmission.

[0144] 4. Activating and deactivating cells PCell does not support activation / deactivation, while SCell does.

[0145] When SCell is in active mode, normal SCell operation applies. (1) SRS transmission in SCell, (2) Reporting of SCell channel state information (CSI), (3) Listening to and monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of SCell, and (4) Including transmission over the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in SCell (if configured).

[0146] When SCell is in inactive mode, (1) SRS is not sent in SCell, (2) No CSIs were reported for SCell, (3) Transmission does not occur on the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) during SCell. (4) Transmission does not occur on a random access channel (RACH) within SCell. (5) The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is not monitored in SCell. (6) Transmission does not occur on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) within the SCell.

[0147] For a cell, a network device can configure the identifier of the first active downlink BWP used when a terminal switches from inactive mode to active mode by using the RRC information element firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id, and can also configure the identifier of the first active uplink BWP used when a terminal switches from inactive mode to active mode by using the RRC information element firstActiveUplinkBWP-Id. When a terminal enters active mode from inactive mode, the downlink BWP with the ID firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id and the uplink BWP with the ID firstActiveUplinkBWP-Id within the cell are activated.

[0148] The configured SCell(s) can be activated and deactivated in the following ways: (1) Receiving SCell activation / deactivation medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) transmitted by a network device. (2) Configure a deactivation timer in the SCellDeactivationTimer for each configured SCell (excluding SCells configured with PUCCH), and deactivate the associated SCell when the timer expires, and (3) Configure SCellState for each configured SCell: If configured, the associated SCell will be activated during SCell configuration. Otherwise, the associated SCell will be deactivated.

[0149] The terminal maintains a deactivation timer (SCellDeactivationTimer) for each SCell, and the value of SCellDeactivationTimer is the same for all SCells corresponding to the terminal. Furthermore, the value may be configured as infinity, i.e., timer-based SCell deactivation is disabled. In this case, the terminal cannot control SCell deactivation.

[0150] In the case of SCell, SCell should be deactivated if the terminal does not receive data or a PDCCH message in SCell within the time specified by the deactivation timer. This is the only case in which the terminal can automatically deactivate SCell.

[0151] 5. Cross-carrier scheduling A cell from which a DCI corresponding to a data channel is transmitted is called a scheduling cell or primary scheduling cell, and a cell from which a data channel is transmitted is called a scheduled cell. When a data channel and a DCI for scheduling a data channel are transmitted within the same cell, i.e., the cell is both a scheduling cell and a scheduled cell, the cell is called a self-scheduling cell. When a data channel and a DCI for scheduling a data channel are transmitted in different cells, the cell for carrying the DCI is called a scheduling cell, and the cell for carrying the data channel is called a scheduled cell. This scheduling format is called cross-carrier scheduling (CCS). A single scheduling cell may correspond to multiple scheduled cells, i.e., a single scheduling cell may be used to transmit DCIs for scheduling data for multiple scheduled cells.

[0152] 6. Downlink control information (1) Format of downlink control information DCI has several DCI formats. The DCI formats relevant to this application include DCI format 0_1, DCI format 0_2, DCI format 1_1, and DCI format 1_2. DCI formats 0_1 and 0_2 are used to schedule uplink data for terminals, i.e., to schedule PUSCH transmissions. DCI formats 1_1 and 1_2 are used to schedule downlink data for terminals, i.e., to schedule PDSCH transmissions.

[0153] In this application, unless otherwise specified, DCI and DCI formats may be used interchangeably. For example, the first DCI may be replaced by the first DCI format, and the second DCI may be replaced by the second DCI format. For further details regarding the DCI format, see Section 7.3.1 of 3GPP Technical Specification 38.212 V16.10.0.

[0154] Table 2 below shows several DCI formats and their uses.

[0155] [Table 2]

[0156] Currently, two new DCI formats are being discussed in the standards, as shown in Table 3 below.

[0157] [Table 3]

[0158] (2) Size of downlink control information There are two understandings of the size of the downlink control information (DCI size): one that includes only the size of the information bits within the DCI, and another that includes the size of both the information bits and the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) within the DCI. The size of the information bits within the DCI is also called the payload size. In NR systems, the bit width of the CRC is 24. Therefore, if the size of the information bits is the same, the size of the information bits plus the CRC bits is the same.

[0159] When DCI sizes differ, terminals may use different receiving methods. To reduce the complexity of terminal reception, the number of DCI sizes is usually reduced using a DCI size alignment scheme. If two DCI formats have different DCI sizes, the DCI sizes must be aligned. A common method is to either add zeros to the end of the information bits of the DCI format with the shorter DCI size (also known as bit padding) or perform bit truncation on the information bits of the DCI format with the longer DCI size until the payload sizes of the two DCI formats are the same or the DCI sizes are the same.

[0160] (3) Contents of downlink control information (1) Carrier indicator field The carrier indicator field (CIF) exists in DCI format 0_1 / 0_2 / 1_1 / 1_2. When cross-carrier scheduling exists between cells and multiple scheduled cells can be scheduled, the DCIs carried on the PDCCH transmitted by the scheduling cells may include a CIF. Upper-layer signaling is used to set different CIF values ​​for different scheduled cells. After receiving one DCI, the terminal can determine, based on the CIF value, which specific scheduled cell should be scheduled by using the DCI.

[0161] In DCI format 0_1 / 1_1, the carrier indicator field is 0 or 3 bits, and the configuration parameter cif-Presence for scheduling cells indicates whether the CIF field is present. In DCI format 0_2 / 1_2, the carrier indicator field is 0, 1, 2, or 3 bits, and network devices configure carrierIndicatorSizeDCI-0-2 and carrierIndicatorSizeDCI-1-2. These two parameters are used to define the number of bits in the carrier indicator field in DCI format 0_2 / 1_2.

[0162] (2) BWP indicator field DCI format 0_1 / 0_2 / 1_1 / 1_2 has a BWP indicator field. The BWP indicator field occupies 0, 1, or 2 bits, and the bit width occupied for the BWP indicator field is [log2(N BWP )]bit. In DCI format 0_1 / 1_1 / , N BWP,RRC This is the amount of uplink BWP composed of upper layers and excluding the initial uplink BWP, and in DCI format 0_2 / 1_2 / , NBWP,RRC This is the amount of downlink BWP composed of upper layers and does not include the initial downlink BWP.

[0163] N BWP,RRC If ≤ 3, N BWP =N BWP,RRC It is +1. In this case, the BWP indicator field corresponds to the ascending order of the higher-level parameter BWP-Id. Otherwise, N BWP =N BWP,RRC In this case, the definition of the BWP indicator field is shown in Table 4.

[0164] [Table 4]

[0165] If the terminal does not support active BWP switching performed using DCI, the terminal will ignore this bit field.

[0166] (3) Fields related to scheduled cells In DCI, several fields are related to the scheduled cell. In particular, some fields in DCI for scheduling uplink transmissions may be related to the configuration of the active uplink BWP, and some fields in DCI for scheduling downlink transmissions may be related to the configuration of the active downlink BWP. For example, the Frequency Domain Resource Assignment field: the size and content of the field in DCI for scheduling uplink transmissions are related to the configuration of the active uplink BWP (bandwidth and center frequency offset) of the scheduled cell, and the size and content of the field in DCI for scheduling downlink transmissions are related to the configuration of the active downlink BWP (bandwidth and center frequency offset) of the scheduled cell.

[0167] In particular, several fields within the DCI for scheduling downlink transmissions may be related to the configuration of the active uplink BWP. For example, in the Physical Uplink Control Channel Resource Indicator (PUCCH resource indicator) field, the number of bits in the field may be related to the parameter numberOfBitsForPUCCH-ResourceIndicatorDCI-1-2 in the configuration of the active uplink BWP. For example, in the Physical Downlink Shared Channel to Hybrid Auto Retransmission Request Timing Indicator (PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator) field, the number of bits in the field may be related to the parameter DL-DataToUL-ACK-DCI-1-2 in the configuration of the active uplink BWP. In particular, several fields within the DCI for scheduling uplink transmissions may be related to the configuration of the active downlink BWP. For example, in the PUCCH resource indicator field, the number of bits in the field may be related to the active Downlink This may relate to the parameter numberOfBitsForPUCCH-ResourceIndicatorDCI-1-2 in the BWP configuration. In another example, in the DSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator field, the number of bits in the field is active. Downlink This may be related to the parameter DL-DataToUL-ACK-DCI-1-2 in the BWP configuration.

[0168] (4) Fields in DCI format 0_X and 1_X For DCI formats 0_X / 1_X that can be used to schedule multiple cells, when a cell that can be scheduled by using one DCI format 0_X or 1_X includes a first cell, the bit width of some DCI fields may be related to the BWP configuration of the first cell. DCI format 1_X is related to the downlink target BWP configuration of the first cell, and DCI format 0_X is related to the uplink target BWP configuration of the first cell, and may include DCI fields that indicate information separately for each cell in all scheduled cells, DCI fields that indicate information only for the first cell, or DCI fields that indicate information for a cell group including the first cell, where the cell group is, as herein defined, a subset of cells that can be scheduled by using one DCI format 0_X or 1_X.

[0169] Specifically, it could include the following: (a) New data indicator per TB, (b) Redundancy version per TB, (c) Precoding information and number of layers, where, for DCI format 0_X, the bit width is determined based on the txConfig configuration in the uplink target BWP of the first cell. (d) Phase-tracking reference signal-demodulation reference signal association (PTRS-DMRS association), where, for DCI format 0_X, this field is 0 bits if PTRS-UplinkConfig is not configured in the uplink target BWP of the first cell, or 2 bits if PTRS-UplinkConfig is configured in the uplink target BWP of the first cell. (e) Antenna port(s) (f) Sounding reference signal indication (SRI), and (g) A physical resource block bundling size indicator (PRB bundling size indicator), where, for DCI format 1_X, the bit width is determined if prb-BundlingType is configured in the downlink target BWP of the first cell. The target BWP has a first BWP ID of the first cell which needs to be determined in this application.

[0170] In previous protocols, one DCI was used to schedule only one scheduled cell. When a scheduled cell is deactivated, the network-side device does not need to send a DCI to schedule the scheduled cell. Therefore, there is no problem setting the BWP indicator field in the DCI for scheduling the deactivated cell. Thus, in existing protocols, the BWP, i.e., the BWP ID, does not need to be configured for the inactive mode. However, if one DCI needs to be used to schedule multiple cells, the carrier indicator field does not need to indicate all cell combinations in order to reduce the overhead of the carrier indicator field. Therefore, in the case of the two new DCI formats shown in Table 3, the CIF field needs to be reset. For example, as shown in Table 5 below, 2 bits may be set to indicate four carrier combinations.

[0171] [Table 5]

[0172] In the example in Table 5, if Carrier 3 is configured to be deactivated, the CIF in DCI will be set to 3, or 11, when the network device needs to schedule CC0, CC1, and CC2 simultaneously. In this case, how to configure the BWP ID for Carrier 3 and how to configure another dedicated field corresponding to Carrier 3 is an urgent issue that needs to be resolved.

[0173] Therefore, when a single DCI is used to schedule multiple scheduled cells, and there are inactive / dormancy cells among the scheduled cells, how to set the BWP ID and corresponding specific indicator fields for these scheduled cells becomes an urgent issue that needs to be resolved.

[0174] Based on this, this application provides a downlink control information transmission method and apparatus for accurately determining the DCI format and improving information transmission performance.

[0175] The technical solution of this application will be described in detail below, using the interaction between a terminal and a network device as an example. The terminal may be the terminal in Figure 1 (for example, terminal device 102, terminal device 103, or terminal device 104), and the network device may be network device 101 in Figure 1.

[0176] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of an example of a downlink control information transmission method according to this application.

[0177] S410: The terminal receives the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, and the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information is shown to the terminal to monitor the first downlink control information in DCI format.

[0178] In response, the network device transmits the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information.

[0179] Optionally, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission from two or more cells simultaneously.

[0180] Optionally, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmission and / or downlink data transmission of two or more cells. For example, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data channels of two or more cells, that is, to simultaneously schedule at least one downlink data channel in each of two or more cells. For example, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data channels of two or more cells, that is, to simultaneously schedule at least one uplink data channel in each of two or more cells. For example, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data channels and / or downlink data channels of two or more cells, that is, to simultaneously schedule at least one data channel in each of two or more cells, which may be an uplink data channel or a downlink data channel.

[0181] S420: When the first cell is in inactive or hibernation mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format is determined based on the first BWP of the first cell.

[0182] The first cell may be one of two or more cells, or it may not be any one of two or more cells. The first indicator field in the first DCI format indicates a scheduled cell or scheduled cell group that has been scheduled in the first DCI format. A scheduled cell group means two or more scheduled cells. Different values ​​of the first indicator field in the first DCI format can indicate different scheduled cells or scheduled cell groups. Optionally, the value of the first indicator field may be ScheduledOne value indicates a cell group, and another indicates a scheduled cell. Optionally, the value of the first indicator field indicates a first scheduled cell group, and another value indicates a second scheduled cell group, where the first scheduled cell group is different from the second scheduled cell group. The first cell may be a cell within the scheduled cell group indicated by the value of the first indicator field, or it may be a scheduled cell indicated by the value of the first indicator field. Optionally, the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information further indicates to the terminal to monitor the first DCI format in the second cell. The first cell is different from the second cell. The first indicator field may be a carrier indicator field or a carrier group indicator field. The fact that the amount of information bits in the first DCI format is determined based on the first BWP of the first cell can also be understood as the amount of bits in some DCI fields within the first DCI format being determined based on the configuration of the first BWP in order to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format. A DCI field in a first DCI format, whose number of bits is determined based on the configuration of a first BWP, is referred to as a specific indicator field corresponding to a first cell. In this application, a specific indicator field corresponding to a first cell includes, but is not limited to, a DCI field in a first DCI format that separately indicates information in a joint indication manner for each cell in a cell group containing the first cell, a DCI field that indicates information only for the first cell, or a DCI field that indicates information for a cell group containing the first cell, and a BWP ID field for each cell.In this application, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format may alternatively be the DCI size of the first DCI format, or alternatively be the payload size of the first DCI format, or alternatively be the sum of the amount of information bits and the amount of CRC bits in the first DCI format, or alternatively be the sum of the payload size and the CRC size of the first DCI format.

[0183] Optionally, the first BWP is the last non-suspended active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or suspended mode, the last non-suspended active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or suspended mode, the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time, the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time, an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the identifier ID of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell during active time, an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-suspended BWP of the first cell outside of active time, or the current active uplink BWP.

[0184] In this embodiment of the present application, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells. When the first cell is in an inactive mode, there may be several cases for the first BWP.

[0185] In the first possible case, the first BWP is the last inactive active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from active mode to inactive mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes because the first cell switches from active mode to inactive mode. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0186] In the second possible case, the first BWP is the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, when the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from its current inactive mode to active mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes in order for the first cell to switch from inactive mode to active mode in the future. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0187] In the third possible case, the first active downlink BWP is the quiescent BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during the active time. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0188] In the fourth possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode is the quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0189] In the fifth possible case, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-suspended BWP outside of active time, when the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the first corresponding non-suspended BWP outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0190] In the sixth possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode is the quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during active time. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0191] In this embodiment of the present application, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells. When the first cell is in an inactive mode, there may be several cases for the first BWP.

[0192] In the first possible case, the first BWP is the last inactive active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode. In this way, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change when the first cell switches from active mode to inactive mode. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes because the first cell switches from active mode to inactive mode. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0193] In the second possible case, the first BWP is configured for the first cell and is the first active uplink BWP used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from its current inactive mode to active mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes in order for the first cell to switch from inactive mode to active mode in the future. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0194] In a third possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode is the quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP of the first cell during the active time. Furthermore, this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0195] In a fourth possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode is the quiescent BWP, and when the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP of the first cell outside of active time. Furthermore, this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0196] In this embodiment of the present application, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells. When the first cell is in idle mode, there may be several cases for the first BWP.

[0197] In the first possible case, the first BWP is the last non-hibersing active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current hibernation mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from non-hibersing mode to hibernation mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes because the first cell switches from non-hibersing mode to hibernation mode. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0198] In the second possible case, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in the active time, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0199] In a third possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation is straightforward.

[0200] In the fourth possible case, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0201] In the fifth possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active hours. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0202] In the sixth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received during the active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during the active time. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the time at which the hibernation instruction is sent.

[0203] In the seventh possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active hours. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the time when the hibernation instruction is sent.

[0204] In the eighth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is carried in a DCI format which is DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during the active time. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for sending the hibernation instruction.

[0205] In the ninth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is carried in DCI format which is DCI format 2_6, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for sending the hibernation instruction.

[0206] In this embodiment of the present application, the first DCI format can be used to simultaneously schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells. When the first cell is in idle mode, there may be several cases for the first BWP.

[0207] In the first possible case, the first BWP is the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current hibernation mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from non-hibersing mode to hibernation mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes because the first cell switches from non-hibersing mode to hibernation mode. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0208] In the second possible case, the first BWP is the current active uplink BWP. Furthermore, this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode. In FDD mode, the active uplink BWP switching and the active downlink BWP switching are independent.

[0209] In the third possible case, when the first corresponding non-dormant BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell in the active time. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper layer configuration, and the implementation is simple.

[0210] In the fourth possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP within the active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell outside of the active time. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation is straightforward.

[0211] In the fifth possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours for the first cell. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation form is simple.

[0212] In the sixth possible case, when the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during active hours. In this way, the first BWP is determined based on the upper-layer configuration, and the implementation is straightforward.

[0213] In the seventh possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received during the active time, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell during the active time. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the time the hibernation instruction is sent. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the time the hibernation instruction is sent.

[0214] In the eighth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell outside of active hours. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the time the hibernation instruction is sent.

[0215] In the ninth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is carried in a DCI format which is DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell during the active time. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for sending the hibernation instruction.

[0216] In the tenth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is carried in DCI format which is DCI format 2_6, the first BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell outside of active hours. In this way, the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for sending the hibernation instruction.

[0217] In this specification, the non-dormant active uplink BWP of the first cell is the active uplink BWP used when the first cell is in active mode and non-dormant mode, or the active uplink BWP used when the first cell is in active mode.

[0218] Optionally, determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP of the first cell may further include determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP and a third BWP of the first cell. The first BWP is the last non-hibersing active downlink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell is switched from inactive to active mode, the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time, or the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time. The third BWP is one of the following: the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell was in its current inactive or hibernation mode; the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode; an uplink BWP whose identifier ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell during active time; an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibersing BWP of the first cell outside of active time; or the current active uplink BWP.

[0219] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first cell is in an inactive mode, there may be several of the following cases for the first BWP and the third BWP.

[0220] In the first possible case, the first BWP is the last inactive active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode, and the third BWP is the last inactive active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current inactive mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from active mode to inactive mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes because the first cell switches from active mode to inactive mode. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0221] In the second possible case, the first BWP is the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, when the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode, and the third BWP is the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from its current inactive mode to active mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes in order for the first cell to switch from inactive mode to active mode in the future. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0222] In the third possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is the quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during active time, and the third BWP is the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode.

[0223] In addition, if the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the amount of information bits in the first DCI format cannot be determined based on the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. Thus, in this case, at least one of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is clearly configured for the first cell. Thus, in the fourth possible case, when the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Alternatively, it may be the following: When the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time. Since only downlink BWPs can be configured as quiescent BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Therefore, when the first cell is in inactive mode, and the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the third BWP is the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. Furthermore, since active uplink BWP switching and active downlink BWP switching are independent in FDD mode, this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode.

[0224] In the fifth possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode.

[0225] If the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the amount of information bits in the first DCI format cannot be determined based on the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. In this case, at least one of the first corresponding quiescent BWP in active time and the first corresponding quiescent BWP outside of active time is clearly configured for the first cell. Thus, in the sixth possible case, when the first corresponding quiescent BWP in active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, i.e., when the first corresponding quiescent BWP outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding quiescent BWP outside of active time. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Alternatively, it may be alternatively as follows: If the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during active time. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as quiescent BWPs, if the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, then the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Therefore, if the first cell is in inactive mode, and the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the third BWP is the first active uplink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode.Furthermore, since active uplink BWP switching and active downlink BWP switching are independent in FDD mode, this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode.

[0226] In the seventh possible case, the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP in active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP in active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell in active time.

[0227] If the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the amount of information bits in the first DCI format cannot be determined based on the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. In this case, at least one of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is explicitly configured for the first cell. Thus, in the eighth possible case, when the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Similarly, alternatively, it may be alternatively the following: When the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time. Since only downlink BWPs can be configured as quiescent BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Therefore, when the first cell is in inactive mode and the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP of the first cell during active time. Alternatively, it may be:The first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode is the idle BWP, and the first corresponding non-idle BWP outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell, then the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-idle BWP of the first cell outside of active hours. Furthermore, in TDD mode, the active uplink BWP switch and the active downlink BWP switch are bound and have the same BWP ID, so this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode.

[0228] In the ninth possible case, if the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a dormant BWP, and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during active time.

[0229] If the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the amount of information bits in the first DCI format cannot be determined based on the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. In this case, at least one of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is clearly configured for the first cell. Thus, in the 10th possible case, when the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP in active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, i.e., when the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Alternatively, it may be alternatively as follows: If the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, and the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP outside of active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP during active time. Since only downlink BWPs can be configured as quiescent BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Therefore, if the first cell is in inactive mode, and the first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode is a quiescent BWP, then the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP of the first cell during active time. Alternatively, it may be:The first active downlink BWP configured for the first cell and used when the first cell switches from inactive to active mode is the idle BWP, and the first corresponding non-idle BWP outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell, then the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-idle BWP of the first cell outside of active hours. Furthermore, in TDD mode, the active uplink BWP switch and the active downlink BWP switch are bound and have the same BWP ID, so this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode.

[0230] In this embodiment of the present application, when the first cell is in sleep mode, there may be several of the following cases for the first BWP and the third BWP.

[0231] In the first possible case, the first BWP is the last non-hibersing active downlink BWP used before the first cell entered its current hibernation mode, and the third BWP is the last non-hibersing active uplink BWP used before the first cell entered its current hibernation mode. In this way, when the first cell switches from non-hibersing mode to hibernation mode, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format does not change. In other words, there is no case in which the amount of information bits in the first DCI format changes because the first cell switches from non-hibersing mode to hibernation mode. Thus, the complexity of the UE implementation can be reduced.

[0232] In the second possible case, when the first corresponding non-dormant BWP in the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP in the active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP.

[0233] Since the first cell is in hibernation mode and at least one of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWPs during active time and the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time is clearly configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time when the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Similarly, alternatively, it may also be that the first BWP is the outside of active time of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP when the outside of active time of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP is pre-configured for the first cell. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as hibernation BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a hibernation BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a hibernation BWP. Therefore, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the third BWP may be the current active uplink BWP. Furthermore, since active uplink BWP switching and active downlink BWP switching are independent in FDD mode, this solution can be applied when the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode.

[0234] In the third possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP. When the first cell is in hibernation mode and at least one of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active time and the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active time is clearly configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active time, i.e., when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active time is pre-configured for the first cell. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Alternatively, it may also be: When the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active time is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active time. In addition, since only the downlink BWP can be configured as a dormant BWP, when the active downlink BWP is a dormant BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a dormant BWP. Therefore, when the first cell is in dormant mode, the third BWP can be the current active uplink BWP. Furthermore, in FDD mode, the switching of the active uplink BWP and the active downlink BWP are independent, so this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in frequency division duplex FDD mode.

[0235] In the fourth possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell in active time. When the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in active time is pre-configured for the first cell, since the first cell is in hibernation mode and at least one of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in active time and the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active time is clearly configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP in active time. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Similarly, alternatively, it may also be that when the outside of active time of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP is pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the outside of active time of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as dormant BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a dormant BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a dormant BWP. Therefore, the first cell is in dormant mode, and the third BWP can be an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during the active time. Furthermore, in TDD mode, the active uplink BWP switch and the active downlink BWP switch are bound together and have the same BWP ID, so this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in time-division duplex TDD mode.

[0236] In the fifth possible case, when the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP of the first cell outside of active hours. When the first cell is in hibernation mode and at least one of the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active hours and the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours is clearly configured for the first cell, the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell, i.e., the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell, then the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours. Thus, the implementation form is simple. Alternatively, it may also be: When the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP during active hours. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as dormant BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a dormant BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a dormant BWP. Therefore, the first cell is in dormant mode, and the third BWP can be an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-dormant BWP of the first cell during the active time. Furthermore, in TDD mode, the active uplink BWP switch and the active downlink BWP switch are bound together and have the same BWP ID, so this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in time-division duplex TDD mode.

[0237] In the sixth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received during active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP. Whether the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time is determined based on whether the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received during active time or outside of active time. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the network device can be improved, and the network device can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the time the hibernation instruction is sent. Alternatively, it may be that when the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is carried in DCI format which is DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for transmitting quiescent instructions. Since only the downlink BWP can be configured as a quiescent BWP, when the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Therefore, when the first cell is in quiescent mode, the third BWP can be the current active uplink BWP. Furthermore, since the switching of active uplink BWP and active downlink BWP is independent in FDD mode, this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in frequency division duplex FDD mode.

[0238] In the seventh possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is the current active uplink BWP.

[0239] Whether the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time is determined based on whether a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is received during active time or outside of active time. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI based on the time the hibernation instruction is transmitted. Alternatively, it may be that when the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell is entering hibernation mode is carried in a DCI format which is DCI format 2_6, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for transmitting the hibernation instruction. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as hibernation BWPs, when an active downlink BWP is a hibernation BWP, an active uplink BWP is not a hibernation BWP. Therefore, when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the third BWP can be the current active uplink BWP. Furthermore, since the active uplink BWP switching and the active downlink BWP switching are independent in FDD mode, this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in frequency division duplex FDD mode.

[0240] In the eighth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received during active time, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell during active time. Whether the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active time is determined based on whether the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received during active time or outside of active time. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI based on the time the hibernation instruction is transmitted. Alternatively, it may be that when the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is carried in DCI format which is DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP during active time. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for transmitting quiescent instructions. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as quiescent BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Thus, the first cell is in quiescent mode, and the third BWP can be an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP of the first cell during the active time. Furthermore, in TDD mode, the active uplink BWP switching and the active downlink BWP switching are bound together and have the same BWP ID, so this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in time-division duplex TDD mode.

[0241] In the ninth possible case, when a hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received outside of active hours, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active hours, and the third BWP is an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP of the first cell outside of active hours. Whether the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP in active hours or the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active hours is determined based on whether the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is received in active hours or outside of active hours. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI based on the time the hibernation instruction is transmitted. Alternatively, it may be that when the hibernation instruction indicating that the first cell enters hibernation mode is carried in DCI format which is DCI format 2_6, the first BWP is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP outside of active hours. In this way, the scheduling flexibility of the base station can be improved, and the base station can control the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the DCI format for transmitting quiescent instructions. In addition, since only downlink BWPs can be configured as quiescent BWPs, when the active downlink BWP is a quiescent BWP, the active uplink BWP is not a quiescent BWP. Thus, the first cell is in quiescent mode, and the third BWP can be an uplink BWP whose ID is the same as the ID of the first corresponding non-quiescent BWP of the first cell during the active time. Furthermore, in TDD mode, the active uplink BWP switching and the active downlink BWP switching are bound together and have the same BWP ID, so this solution can be applied when the first cell is operating in time-division duplex TDD mode.

[0242] S430: Monitor the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0243] When a terminal monitors a single DCI format, it means the terminal attempts to perform a blind detection of the control channel on the time-frequency resource corresponding to the control channel candidate, and performs decoding and CRC checks based on the amount of information bits in the DCI format. If the check is successful, it is assumed that the single DCI format was successfully received on the control channel candidate; if the check fails, it is assumed that the control channel was not detected on the control channel candidate.

[0244] If, optionally, the first DCI format needs to be compatible with the DCI size of another DCI format, then a terminal monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format can be understood as the terminal determining the DCI size of the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format and the amount of information bits in another DCI format, and then monitoring the first DCI format based on the DCI size of the first DCI format. Correspondingly, a network device transmitting the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format can be understood as the network device determining the DCI size of the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format and the amount of information bits in another DCI format, and then transmitting the first DCI format based on the DCI size of the first DCI format. In this application, if DCI size matching needs to be performed for a first DCI format and another DCI format, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format is the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before DCI size matching, the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before bit padding, or the amount of information bits in the first DCI format before bit truncation.

[0245] Optionally, when the first cell operates in time-division duplex TDD mode, the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. The method further includes receiving second cross-carrier scheduling information, the second cross-carrier scheduling information instructing a terminal to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, which can be used to schedule uplink data transmissions for two or more cells; determining the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on the second BWP ID of the first BWP when the first cell is in inactive or hibernation mode, wherein the ID of the first BWP is identical to the ID of the second BWP; and monitoring the second DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format. In this application, the first cell operating in time-division duplex TDD mode may be alternatively replaced by the first cell operating in an unpaired spectrum.

[0246] Optionally, when the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode, the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmission. The terminal may further receive second cross-carrier scheduling information, which indicates to the terminal to monitor the second downlink control information DCI format, which can be used to schedule uplink data transmission for two or more cells, when the first cell is in idle mode, the amount of information bits in the second DCI format is determined based on the second BWP ID of the first cell, where the second BWP is the active uplink BWP of the first cell, and the second DCI format is monitored based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format. In this application, the first cell is frequency Alternatively, operating in split-duplex FDD mode may involve the first cell operating in paired spectrum mode.

[0247] Optionally, when the first cell operates in frequency division duplex FDD mode, the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions. When the first cell is in hibernation mode (or the active downlink BWP of the first cell is a hibernation BWP), if a DCI for switching the first cell from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode is received during active time, or if the DCI format for switching the first cell from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode is DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1, the terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID within active time, or if a DCI for switching the first cell from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode is received outside of active time, or if the DCI format for switching the first cell from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode is DCI format 2_6, the terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID outside of active time. In addition, the terminal may further receive second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which instructs the terminal to monitor a second downlink control information DCI format, the second DCI format which can be used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells, and when the first cell is in hibernation mode, the second BWP of the first cell ID The amount of information bits in the second DCI format is determined based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format, the second BWP is determined to be the active uplink BWP of the first cell, and the second DCI format is monitored based on the amount of information bits in the second DCI format. In this application, the process and method for determining the amount of information bits in the second DCI format based on the second BWP is the same as the process and method for determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP. Further details are again not described herein.

[0248] According to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and when the first cell is in active or idle mode, the format of the DCI is determined based on the BWP ID of the first cell. This helps to accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance.

[0249] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, before determining the number of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP of the first cell, the network device and terminal may first determine the first BWP ID of the first cell, i.e., the sequence number of the first BWP. The first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP, i.e., the sequence number of the first BWP. Specifically, there may be three methods (method A, method B, and method C) as shown in Figure 5.

[0250] Method A: S501: The network device determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is the actual BWP ID. S502: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is the actual BWP ID.

[0251] In this application, it should be understood that the actual BWP ID represents the type of BWP ID (including, but not limited to, the BWP IDs in the following formulas 1 to 11) and should not be used as a limitation to this application. Specifically, an actual BWP is a BWP consisting of either the BWP bandwidth or the subcarrier spacing SCS. In other words, a BWP can be considered an actual BWP if it consists of either the BWP bandwidth or the subcarrier spacing SCS. Correspondingly, for ease of explanation, the ID of an actual BWP may be referred to as the actual BWP ID.

[0252] In Method A, if the carrier indicator field or carrier group indicator field in the first DCI format indicates a first cell, it should be further understood that the BWP indicator field in the first DCI format indicates that the BWP of the first cell is the first BWP, or that the BWP ID of the first cell is the first BWP ID.

[0253] In this embodiment of the present application, the method by which a network device determines the first BWP ID of a first cell as the actual BWP ID is the same as the method by which a terminal determines the first BWP ID of a first cell as the actual BWP ID. For brevity, only terminals will be used as examples for specific explanation below. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, there may be 11 methods (methods 1 to 11 in Figure 6).

[0254] Method 1: This method can be implemented regardless of whether the first cell is in inactive mode or hibernation mode. S601: The network device determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is the first pre-configured value. S602: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is the first pre-configured value.

[0255] The first preset value may be a protocol specification or a preset value, for example, 0 or 1. Optionally, the first DCI format may be used to schedule uplink data transmissions, and the first preset value may be a protocol specification or a preset value used for uplink transmissions. Optionally, the first DCI format may be used to schedule downlink data transmissions, and the first preset value may be a protocol specification or a preset value used for downlink transmissions.

[0256] In this way, no higher-level configuration is required, the implementation is simple, and specific checking functions can be implemented. For example, if a terminal receives a DCI, but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not a first pre-configured value, the terminal may consider the DCI to be a false alarm DCI and may discard the DCI.

[0257] Method 2: This method can be implemented regardless of whether the first cell is in inactive mode or hibernation mode. S603: The network device determines that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI is M bits, and that the first BWP ID is the maximum value corresponding to M bits. S604: The terminal determines that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI is M bits, and that the first BWP ID is the maximum value corresponding to M bits. Specifically, the terminal can determine the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell according to the method described above. For example, the terminal may determine that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell is 2 bits and further determine that the 2 bits corresponding to the first BWP ID are 11 (the maximum value). In another example, the terminal may determine that the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell is 1 bit and further determine that the 2 bits corresponding to the first BWP ID are 1 (the maximum value).

[0258] When the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell is determined, the bit width is determined based only on BWPs other than the first BWP or the first BWP ID, and is not determined based on the first BWP or the first BWP ID. Optionally, the first DCI format is used to schedule uplink data transmission, and the terminal determines the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI based on an uplink BWP other than the first BWP or the first BWP ID. Optionally, the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmission, and the terminal determines the bit width of the BWP indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI based on a downlink BWP other than the first BWP or the first BWP ID.

[0259] In this way, no upper layer configuration is required, the implementation form is simple, and the bit width of the existing BWP indicator field is not increased. In addition, compared with the first method, in this method, the BW used P is , does not have to be the actual BWP, and is equivalent to a dedicated virtual BWP to indicate the BWP in the non-active mode without causing confusion. In this solution, a specific check function can be implemented. For example, if the terminal receives one DCI, but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not the maximum value corresponding to M bits, the terminal may consider the DCI as a false alarm DCI and discard the DCI.

[0260] Method 3: This method can be executed regardless of whether the first cell is in the non-active mode or the sleep mode. S605: The network device determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is the sleep BWP ID. S606: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is the sleep BWP ID. Specifically, if a dormancy BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, i.e., if a dormantBWP-Id is configured, the terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the dormancy BWP ID. Optionally, when the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmission, and the first BWP is a downlink BWP with a dormancy BWP ID pre-configured for the first cell, the terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the dormancy BWP ID.

[0261] In this way The first cell is Whether in hibernation mode or inactive mode, no data is scheduled for hibernation BWP IDs, so no confusion is caused. This solution allows for the implementation of certain checking functions. For example, if a terminal receives a DCI, but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not a hibernation BWP ID, the terminal may consider the DCI to be a false alarm DCI and discard the DCI.

[0262] Method 4: This method can be executed when the first cell is in inactive mode. S607: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is the first BWP ID used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode. S608: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first BWP ID used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode. Specifically, the English name of the first BWP ID used when the first cell is switched from inactive mode to active mode may be firstActiveDownlinkBWP ID (applicable to downlink data transmission) or firstActiveUplinkBWP ID (applicable to uplink data transmission).

[0263] Optionally, the first DCI format may be used to schedule uplink data transmissions, and the terminal may determine that the first BWP ID is the first active uplink BWP ID (firstActiveUplinkBWP ID) used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. Optionally, the first DCI format may be used to schedule downlink data transmissions, and the terminal may determine that the first BWP ID is the first active downlink BWP ID (firstActiveDownlinkBWP ID) used when the first cell switches from inactive mode to active mode. The firstActiveDownlinkBWP ID and firstActiveUplinkBWP ID are configured for the terminal by the network device and correspond to the higher-layer parameters firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id and firstActiveUplinkBWP-Id, respectively.

[0264] In this way, when the first cell enters active mode from inactive mode, the two BWP IDs can be used directly. Thus, the two BWP IDs can be used to determine the size of another field in the DCI that corresponds to the first cell. In this way, when the first cell enters active mode, the format of the DCI does not change, and the computational power consumption of the device can be reduced. Certain checking functions can be implemented in this solution. For example, if a terminal receives a DCI, but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not a dormant BWP ID, the terminal may consider the DCI to be a false alarm DCI and may discard the DCI.

[0265] Method 5: This method can be executed when the first cell is in inactive mode. S609: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is the first active BWP ID used when the first cell is switched from active mode to the current inactive mode. S610: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first active BWP ID used when the first cell switches from active mode to the current inactive mode.

[0266] Specifically, the first active BWP ID used when the first cell switches from active mode to its current inactive mode is the last active BWP used when the first cell was in active mode before it was deactivated. Optionally, the first DCI format is used to schedule uplink data transmissions, and when the first cell is in inactive mode, the terminal uses the first BWP ID However, it can be determined that the first cell is the active uplink BWP ID used before it was switched from active mode to its current inactive mode. Optionally, the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions, and when the first cell is in inactive mode, the terminal can determine that the first BWP is the active downlink BWP ID used before the first cell was switched from active mode to its current inactive mode.

[0267] In this way, when the first cell enters inactive mode from active mode, the two BWP IDs can be used directly. Thus, the two BWP IDs can be used to determine the size of another field in the DCI corresponding to the first cell. In this way, when the first cell enters active mode, the format of the DCI does not change, and the computational power consumption of the device can be reduced.

[0268] Method 6: This method can be executed when the first cell is in inactive mode. S611: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID. S612: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID. Specifically, the terminal first determines that a dedicated inactive BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, and after the dedicated inactive BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, it further determines that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive BWP ID. Optionally, the first DCI format is used to schedule uplink data transmission, and when the first cell is in inactive mode and a dedicated inactive uplink BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, the terminal can determine that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive uplink BWP ID. Optionally, the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmission, and when the first cell is in inactive mode and a dedicated inactive down When a link BWP ID is pre-configured for a first cell, the terminal can determine that the first BWP ID is a dedicated inactive downlink BWP ID.

[0269] Method 7: This method can be implemented when the first cell is in hibernation mode. S613: The network device determines that a dormant BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, and a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not configured for the first cell, and determines that the first BWP ID is the dormant BWP ID. S614: The terminal determines that a dormant BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell, and a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not configured for the first cell, and determines that the first BWP ID is the dormant BWP ID. Specifically, the terminal must first determine that a dormant BWP ID is pre-configured for the first cell and that a dedicated inactive BWP ID is not configured for the first cell, thereby enabling the terminal to determine that the first BWP ID is a dormant BWP ID.

[0270] Method 8: This method can be executed when the first cell is in hibernation mode (or when the active BWP of the first cell is a hibernation BWP). S615: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID during the active time. S616: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID within the active time. Specifically, the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID within the active time may be firstWithinActiveTimeBWP-Id. The terminal must first determine that the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID within the active time is configured for the first cell, and as a result, the terminal can further determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernation BWP ID within the active time.

[0271] In this application, the first corresponding non-dormant BWP within the active time of the first cell is the first non-dormant BWP used when the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched from a dormant BWP to a non-dormant BWP, the DCI indicating that the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched to a dormant BWP is the first non-dormant BWP received within the active time or used when the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched from a dormant BWP to a non-dormant BWP, and the format of the DCI indicating that the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched to a dormant BWP is DCI format 0_1 ​​or DCI format 1_1.

[0272] In this way, when the first cell enters the non-idle mode from the idle mode, the first BWP ID can be directly used. Therefore, the BWP ID can be used to determine the size of another field corresponding to the first cell in the DCI. In this way, when the first cell ends the idle mode, the format of the DCI does not change, and the computing power consumption of the device can be reduced. In this solution, a specific check function can be implemented. For example, in the idle mode, although the terminal receives one DCI, if the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID within the active time, the terminal may consider the DCI as a false alarm DCI and discard the DCI.

[0273] Method 9: This method can be executed when the first cell is in the idle mode (or the active BWP of the first cell is an idle BWP). S617: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID outside the active time. S618: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID outside the active time. Specifically, the English name corresponding to the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID outside the active time may be firstOutsideActiveTimeBWP-Id. In this method, the terminal needs to determine that the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID outside the active time is configured for the first cell, and the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID within the active time is not configured for the first cell. As a result, the terminal can determine that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-idle BWP ID outside the active time.

[0274] In this application, the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP outside of the active hours of the first cell is the first non-hibernating BWP used when the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched from a hibernating BWP to a non-hibernating BWP, the DCI indicating that the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched to a hibernating BWP is received outside of the active hours or is the first non-hibernating BWP used when the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched from a hibernating BWP to a non-hibernating BWP, and the format of the DCI indicating that the active downlink BWP of the first cell is switched to a hibernating BWP is DCI format 2_6. In this solution, certain checking functions can be implemented. For example, in hibernation mode, if a terminal receives one DCI but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID outside of the active hours, the terminal may consider the DCI to be a false alarm DCI and may discard the DCI.

[0275] Method 10: This method can be executed when the first cell is in hibernation mode (or when the active BWP of the first cell is a hibernation BWP). S619: Before the first cell enters hibernation mode, the terminal receives a second DCI, which instructs the terminal to switch the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a hibernation BWP. Accordingly, before the first cell enters hibernation mode, the network device sends a second DCI to the terminal.

[0276] Before the first cell enters hibernation mode, the terminal may receive a second DCI from the network device and, based on the second DCI, switch the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a hibernation BWP. In other words, the terminal switches the first cell from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode based on the second DCI.

[0277] S620: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID during the active time.

[0278] S621: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID within the active time.

[0279] If a second DCI is received during the active time, the terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID during the active time.

[0280] Method 11: This method can be executed when the first cell is in hibernation mode (or when the active BWP of the first cell is a hibernation BWP). S619: Before the first cell enters hibernation mode, the terminal receives a second DCI, which instructs the terminal to switch the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a hibernation BWP. Accordingly, before the first cell enters hibernation mode, the network device sends a second DCI to the terminal.

[0281] S622: The network device determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID outside of active hours.

[0282] S623: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-inactive BWP ID outside of active hours.

[0283] If the second DCI is received outside of active hours, the terminal determines that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-hibernating BWP ID received outside of active hours.

[0284] After the first BWP ID is determined by any one of the methods 1 to 11 described above, the network device and terminal can further determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format and the specific indicator fields of the first cell in the first DCI format.

[0285] S503: The network device determines the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID.

[0286] S504: The terminal determines the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID.

[0287] The method by which a network device determines the number of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID is the same as the method by which a terminal determines the number of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID. For specific details and content of the first DCI format, please refer to the prior art. Further details will not be described herein.

[0288] S505: The network device determines a specific indicator field of a first cell in a first DCI format based on a first BWP ID.

[0289] S506: The terminal determines a specific indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID.

[0290] Thus, according to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and when a first cell is in active or idle mode, a specific indicator field corresponding to the first cell is determined based on the BWP ID of the first cell. This improves information transmission performance.

[0291] Method B: This method can be implemented regardless of whether the first cell is in inactive mode or hibernation mode. S507: The network device determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is a virtual BWP ID. S508: The terminal determines that the first BWP ID of the first cell is a virtual BWP ID.

[0292] Specifically, the terminal may further determine that the first BWP ID is a virtual BWP ID and that the BWP bandwidth or subcarrier spacing SCS is not configured for the BWP corresponding to the virtual BWP ID. Optionally, if the first DCI format is used to schedule uplink data transmissions and the first cell is in inactive mode, the terminal may determine that the first BWP ID is a virtual uplink BWP ID. Optionally, if the first DCI format is used to schedule downlink data transmissions and the first cell is in inactive mode, the terminal may determine that the first BWP ID is a virtual downlink BWP ID. The virtual uplink BWP IDs and virtual downlink BWP IDs configured by the network device and received by the terminal may be the same or different.

[0293] In this way, the implementation is simple and does not easily cause confusion. Furthermore, specific checking functions can be implemented. For example, if a terminal receives a DCI but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI is not a virtual BWP ID, the terminal may consider the DCI to be a false alarm DCI and may discard the DCI.

[0294] S509: The network device determines the number of information bits in the first DCI format based on the second pre-configured BWP ID.

[0295] S510: The terminal determines the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the second pre-configured BWP ID.

[0296] Specifically, network devices and terminals can obtain a second pre-configured BWP ID and determine the number of information bits in the first DCI format based on the second pre-configured BWP ID. The second pre-configured BWP ID may be specified by a protocol or indicated by a higher layer, but is not limited to this application. Optionally, network devices and terminals can obtain a second pre-configured BWP ID, set a BWP ID in the first DCI format based on the second pre-configured BWP ID, and determine the number of information bits in the BWP indicator field in the first DCI format. Optionally, the method by which a network device determines the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID is the same as the method by which a terminal determines the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first BWP ID. For specific methods and content of the first DCI format, please refer to the prior art. Details are again not described herein.

[0297] S511: The network device determines a specific indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format based on a second pre-configured BWP ID.

[0298] S512: The terminal determines a specific indicator field of the first cell in the first DCI format based on a second pre-configured BWP ID.

[0299] Thus, according to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and when a first cell is in active or idle mode, a specific indicator field corresponding to the first cell is determined based on a pre-configured BWP ID. This improves information transmission performance.

[0300] Method C: This method can be implemented regardless of whether the first cell is in inactive mode or hibernation mode. S513: The network device does not set a specific indicator field in the first cell in the first DCI format. S514: The terminal does not set a specific indicator field for the first cell in the first DCI format. Specifically, network devices and terminals can determine the first BWP ID by referring to any one of the methods described above. However, regardless of whether the first BWP ID is an actual BWP ID or a virtual BWP ID, both network devices and terminals do not need to set a specific indicator field in the first cell within the first DCI format.

[0301] According to the technical solution of this application, a single DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and when the first cell is in active or idle mode, the format of the DCI is determined based on the BWP ID of the first cell. The DCI format includes, but is not limited to, the amount of information bits in the DCI and a specific indicator field corresponding to each cell. This helps to accurately determine the DCI format and improve information transmission performance.

[0302] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of another example of the downlink control information transmission method according to the present application. This embodiment focuses on how a terminal device performs subsequent processing after receiving a first DCI format to determine, based on a first BWP ID of a first cell, whether the first DCI format is a false alarm DCI format and whether there is no scheduling in the first cell.

[0303] S710: The terminal device receives the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, and the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructs the terminal device to monitor the first downlink control information in DCI format.

[0304] S710 is the same as S410, and further details will not be described in this specification.

[0305] S720: The terminal device receives second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which includes a first pre-configured BWP ID.

[0306] Specifically, a terminal device may receive a first pre-configured BWP ID from a network device, or obtain a first pre-configured BWP ID from another device (e.g., a cloud device or cloud memory). This is not limited to the present application.

[0307] Optionally, the terminal device may further determine a first pre-configured BWP ID according to the method in the embodiments described above. For example, the terminal device may determine that the first pre-configured BWP ID is a first pre-configured value. The first pre-configured value may be a protocol designation or a pre-configured value, for example, 0 or 1.

[0308] S730: The terminal device monitors and receives a first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format, the first DCI format including the first BWP ID of the first cell.

[0309] The first BWP ID is the first BWP ID determined by the network device. After receiving the first BWP ID determined by the network device, the terminal device may have one of the following two processing methods.

[0310] Method a: S740: The terminal device determines that the first cell is in inactive or hibernation mode. S750: If the first BWP ID is not the first pre-configured BWP ID, the first DCI format is a false alarm DCI. format It is decided that this is the case. Specifically, if the first BWP ID received and determined by the network device is not the first pre-configured BWP ID obtained by the terminal device, the terminal device may determine that the first DCI format is a false alarm DCI format and may discard the first DCI format.

[0311] In this way, if a terminal device receives a DCI format but the BWP ID corresponding to the first cell in the DCI format is not a pre-configured BWP ID, the terminal device may consider the DCI format to be a false alarm DCI format and discard the DCI format to reduce the probability of a false alarm and improve information transmission performance.

[0312] Method b: S760: The terminal device determines that the first cell is in active mode and non-hibernation mode. S770: If the first BWP ID is a virtual BWP ID, it is determined that no scheduling exists in the first cell. Specifically, if the first BWP ID determined by the network device is a virtual BWP ID, the terminal device can determine that scheduling does not exist in the first cell, i.e., the first DCI format is not used to schedule data transmission in the first cell.

[0313] Optionally, if the first BWP ID received and determined by the network device is a hiatus BWP ID, the terminal device may also determine that there is no scheduling for the first cell, i.e., the first DCI format is not used to schedule data transmission for the first cell.

[0314] Optionally, if the first BWP ID received and determined by the network device is a virtual BWP ID or a dormant BWP ID, the terminal device may further consider that the DCI format is a false alarm DCI format and discard the DCI format to reduce the probability of false alarms and improve information transmission performance.

[0315] In this scheme, the BWP ID indicates the absence of scheduling, thereby extending the indication range of the CIF field. The example in which 2 bits indicate the four carrier combinations shown in Table 5 is still used. If the CIF field indicates 3 and the BWP ID for CC2 indicates that the BWP ID does not correspond to an actual BWP (i.e., it is a virtual BWP ID) or is a dormant BWP-Id in TDD, the terminal device considers that there is no scheduling on CC2. In this way, the combination of the CIF field and the BWP indicator field indicates scheduling for three cells, namely CC0, CC1, and CC3. When the bit width of the CIF field is not extended, the indication range of the CIF field is extended, reducing the bit overhead of the DCI format.

[0316] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of yet another example of the downlink control information transmission method according to this application. In this embodiment, the amount of DCI format information bits for scheduling a cell remains constant regardless of any changes that occur in the status of the scheduled cell (e.g., the first cell).

[0317] S810: The terminal receives the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, and the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructs the terminal device to monitor the first downlink control information in DCI format.

[0318] In response, the network device transmits the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information.

[0319] The first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmissions of two or more cells simultaneously, and the first DCI format can be used to schedule a first cell. The fact that the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmissions of two or more cells simultaneously can be understood as the first DCI format being used to schedule downlink data transmissions of two or more cells simultaneously, the first DCI format being used to schedule uplink data transmissions of two or more cells simultaneously, or the first DCI format being used to schedule data transmissions of two or more cells simultaneously, with the data transmission being either uplink data transmission or downlink data transmission.

[0320] S820: When the status of the first cell changes, the terminal keeps the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant.

[0321] Accordingly, when the status of the first cell changes, the network device also keeps the amount of information bits in the first DCI format constant.

[0322] Changing the status of the first cell includes, but is not limited to, switching the first cell from active mode to inactive mode, switching the first cell from non-hibernation mode to hibernation mode, switching the first cell from inactive mode to active mode, and switching the first cell from hibernation mode to non-hibernation mode.

[0323] S830: The terminal monitors the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0324] Accordingly, the network device transmits the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0325] When a terminal monitors a single DCI format, it means the terminal attempts to perform a blind detection of the control channel on the time-frequency resource corresponding to the control channel candidate, and performs decoding and CRC checks based on the amount of information bits in the DCI format. If the check is successful, it is assumed that the single DCI format was successfully received on the control channel candidate; if the check fails, it is assumed that the control channel was not detected on the control channel candidate.

[0326] According to the technical solution of this application, one DCI is used to schedule data transmission for multiple cells, and when the status of the scheduled cells changes, the amount of information bits in the DCI is kept constant, which helps to accurately determine the DCI format and reduces the complexity of the implementation form of the terminal or network device.

[0327] To implement the functions in the embodiments described above, it can be understood that network devices and terminals include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing each function. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in combination with the units and method steps in the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, that this application can be implemented using hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0328] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate possible structures of communication devices according to embodiments of the present application. These communication devices may be configured to implement the functions of terminal or network devices in embodiments of the methods described above, and thus can implement the beneficial effects of embodiments of the methods described above. In embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be one of the terminal devices 102 to 104 shown in Figure 1, or network device 101 shown in Figure 1, or a module (e.g., a chip) used in a terminal or network device.

[0329] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920. The communication device 900 is configured to implement the functions of a terminal or network device in the embodiments of the methods shown in Figures 4 to 8.

[0330] When the communication device 900 is configured to implement the functions of a terminal in an embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4, the transceiver unit 920 is configured to receive first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, which indicates to the terminal device to monitor first downlink control information DCI format, which can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells, and the processing unit 910 is configured to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in inactive or hibernation mode, and the transceiver unit 920 is further configured to monitor the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0331] Optionally, the transceiver unit 920 is further configured to receive a second DCI format. The processing unit 910 is specifically configured to switch the active downlink BWP of the first cell to a idle BWP based on the second DCI format.

[0332] Optionally, the transceiver unit 920 is further configured to receive second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information.

[0333] When the communication device 900 is configured to implement the functions of a network device in an embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4, the transceiver unit 920 is configured to transmit first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information indicating that a terminal device monitors first downlink control information DCI format, the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells, the processing unit 910 is configured to determine the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on a first bandwidth portion BWP of the first cell when the first cell is in inactive or hibernation mode, and the transceiver unit 920 is further configured to monitor the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits in the first DCI format.

[0334] Optionally, the transceiver unit 920 may be further configured to transmit a second DCI format.

[0335] Optionally, the transceiver unit 920 may be further configured to transmit second cross-carrier scheduling configuration information.

[0336] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the transceiver unit 920, please refer to the relevant description in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 4.

[0337] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1020 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory 1030 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1010, input data necessary for the processor 1010 to execute instructions, or data generated after the processor 1010 has executed instructions.

[0338] When the communication device 1000 is configured to implement the method shown in Figure 4, the processor 1010 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 920.

[0339] If the communication device is a chip used in a terminal, the chip in the terminal implements the functions of the terminal in the embodiment of the method described above. The chip in the terminal receives information from another module in the terminal (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is transmitted to the terminal by a network device. Alternatively, the chip in the terminal transmits information to another module in the terminal (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is transmitted to the network device by the terminal.

[0340] If the communication device is a module used in a network device, the module within the network device implements the functions of the network device in the embodiments of the method described above. The module within the network device receives information from another module within the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is transmitted to the network device by the terminal. Alternatively, the module within the network device transmits information to another module within the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is transmitted to the terminal by the network device. The module within the network device as described herein may be the baseband chip of the network device, or it may be a DU or another module. The DU as described herein may be a DU in an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0341] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any ordinary processor, etc.

[0342] The method steps in embodiments of this application may be implemented in hardware or by software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions may include corresponding software modules. The software modules may be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a network device or terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist in the network device or terminal as discrete components.

[0343] All or part of the embodiments described above may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When a computer program or instruction is loaded into a computer and executed, all or part of the procedures or functions in the embodiments of this application are executed. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, user equipment, or another programmable device. The computer program or instruction may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instruction may be transmitted by wire or wirelessly from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. The usable media may be magnetic media, such as floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes; optical media, such as digital video discs; or semiconductor media, such as solid-state drives. The computer-readable storage medium may be volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media, such as volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0344] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or unless there is a logical inconsistency, the terminology and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to one another, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined on the basis of their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0345] In this application, “at least one” means one or more, and “multiple” means two or more. The term “and / or” describes an association relationship to describe related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean that only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, and A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual descriptions of this application, the letter “ / ” represents an “or” relationship between related objects. In the formulas of this application, the letter “ / ” represents a “split” relationship between related objects. “Containing at least one of A, B, and C” can mean containing A, containing B, containing C, containing A and B, containing A and C, containing B and C, and containing A, B, and C.

[0346] It should be understood that the various numbers in the embodiments of this application are used solely for the purpose of distinction to facilitate explanation and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The sequence numbers of the processes described above do not imply an execution order, and the execution order of the processes should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0347] 3 carriers 16 3GPP Release 100 Communication Systems 101 Network Devices 102 Terminal devices 103 Terminal devices 104 Terminal Devices 105 Core Network Devices 900 Communication equipment 910 Processing Units 920 Transceiver Unit 1000 Communication devices 1010 Processor 1020 Interface Circuit 1030 memory

Claims

1. A downlink control information transmission method performed by a terminal device, A step of receiving first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, wherein the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information is provided to a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information (DCI) format, and the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells. When the first cell is in an inactive or hibernation mode, the steps include determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first bandwidth portion (BWP) of the first cell, A downlink control information transmission method comprising the step of monitoring the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits of the first DCI format.

2. Prior to the step of determining the number of information bits in the first DCI format, the method: The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a first BWP ID, wherein the first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP.

3. When the first cell is in the inactive mode, the step of determining the first BWP ID is: The step of determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the first active BWP used when the first cell is switched from the inactive mode to the active mode, or The method according to claim 2, comprising the step of determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the active BWP used before the first cell was switched from the active mode to the current inactive mode.

4. When the first cell is in the pause mode, the step of determining the first BWP ID is: When the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID within the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the step of determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID within the active time, or The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID outside of active hours when the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID inside of active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell.

5. A downlink control information transmission method performed by a network device, A step of transmitting first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information, wherein the first cross-carrier scheduling configuration information instructs a terminal device to monitor a first downlink control information (DCI) format, and the first DCI format can be used to schedule data transmission between two or more cells. When the first cell is in an inactive or hibernation mode, the steps include determining the amount of information bits in the first DCI format based on the first bandwidth portion (BWP) of the first cell, A downlink control information transmission method comprising the step of transmitting the first DCI format based on the amount of information bits of the first DCI format.

6. Prior to the step of determining the number of information bits in the first DCI format, the method: The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of determining a first BWP ID, wherein the first BWP ID is the ID of the first BWP.

7. When the first cell is in the inactive mode, the step of determining the first BWP ID is: The step of determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the first active BWP used when the first cell is switched from the inactive mode to the active mode, or The method according to claim 6, comprising the step of determining that the first BWP ID is the ID of the active BWP used before the first cell was switched from the active mode to the current inactive mode.

8. When the first cell is in the pause mode, the step of determining the first BWP ID is: When the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID within the active time is pre-configured for the first cell, the step of determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID within the active time, or The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of determining that the first BWP ID is the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID outside of active hours when the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID outside of active hours is pre-configured for the first cell and the first corresponding non-dormant BWP ID inside of active hours is not pre-configured for the first cell.

9. A communication device, Memory configured to store computer instructions, The communication device is enabled to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 4 by executing the computer instructions stored in the memory, or A communication device comprising a processor configured to enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed.

11. A computer program including a computer instruction, wherein when the computer instruction is executed by a communication device, the communication device is enabled to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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