A communication method and related equipment

Abstract

An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and related equipment, the method comprising: a network device sending first downlink control information DCI to a terminal device, the first DCI being used to schedule counting request information; then the network device sending the counting request information to the terminal device, and counting the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or interested in receiving a multicast service through the counting request information; accordingly, the terminal device receives the counting request information and determines whether to reply with counting response information, and accordingly, the network device receives the counting response information and performs statistics. By using the embodiment of the present application, the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or interested in receiving a multicast service can be counted, the maintenance and transmission of the multicast service can be optimized, and the regulation flexibility of the terminal device can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related equipment. Background Art

[0002] In the fifth-generation terrestrial cellular wireless communication system, the working states of terminal devices can be divided into three types: connected state, idle state, and inactive state. Since only terminal devices in the connected state can support multicast transmission, if the network device provides services for idle and inactive terminal devices that subscribe to multicast services, but the network device cannot know the status of these terminal devices, it will cause the network device to be unable to make accurate decisions on the transmission of multicast services and subscribe to multicast services. Therefore, how to count the number of terminal devices that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services, optimize the maintenance and transmission of multicast services, and improve the regulation flexibility of terminal devices are technical problems that people in this field are trying to solve. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method and related devices, which can count the number of terminal devices that are receiving or interested in receiving a multicast service.

[0004] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication method, which is applicable to a network device and includes:

[0005] Sending first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0006] Sending the counting request information to the terminal device, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0007] Receive counting response information from the terminal device, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0008] In the above method, the network device sends a first DCI to the terminal device through the PDCCH channel. The first DCI is used to schedule counting request information. The terminal device descrambles the first DCI and obtains the counting request information according to the parameters indicated by the first DCI. After receiving the counting request information, the terminal device replies with counting response information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in the RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the transmission control of the multicast service.

[0009] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network identifier.

[0010] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0011] In the above method, when the counting request information includes the service identifier of the multicast service, it indicates that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices interested in which multicast service.

[0012] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: sending an access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending the counting response information.

[0013] In the above method, the access probability factor can assist the terminal device in determining whether to reply to the counting response information.

[0014] In another optional scheme, the method also includes: sending at least one access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state.

[0015] In another optional solution, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0016] In the above method, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting response information or the counting request information. In this way, the time-frequency resources can be reasonably utilized.

[0017] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0018] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0019] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0020] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0021] In another optional solution, the method further includes: sending configuration information to the terminal device, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0022] In the above method, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device monitors the first DCI according to the configuration information, without having to continuously monitor the first DCI, which causes a waste of resources.

[0023] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0024] In another optional scheme, a second DCI is sent to the terminal device, where the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; and the first message is sent to the terminal device, where the first message includes the configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message, a multicast message, or an RRC message.

[0025] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate termination of the statistical process.

[0026] In the above method, after the terminal device replies with the counting response information, it receives the second indication information and terminates the counting process, thereby avoiding wasting resources by still monitoring the first DCI after replying with the counting response information.

[0027] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication method, which is applicable to a terminal device and includes:

[0028] receiving first downlink control information DCI from a network device, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0029] receiving the counting request information from the network device, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0030] The counting response information is sent to the network device, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0031] In the above method, the network device sends a first DCI to the terminal device through the PDCCH channel. The first DCI is used to schedule counting request information. The terminal device descrambles the first DCI and obtains the counting request information according to the parameters indicated by the first DCI. After receiving the counting request information, the terminal device replies with counting response information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in the RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the transmission control of the multicast service.

[0032] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network temporary identifier.

[0033] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0034] In the above method, when the counting request information includes the service identifier of the multicast service, it indicates that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices interested in which multicast service.

[0035] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: receiving an access probability factor from the network device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0036] In the above method, the access probability factor can assist the terminal device in determining whether to reply to the counting response information.

[0037] In another optional scheme, the method also includes: receiving at least one access probability factor from the network device, the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes RRC idle state, RRC inactive state or RRC connected state.

[0038] In another optional solution, the method further includes: selecting a random number from a preset range; if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor, sending the counting response information to the network device.

[0039] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: receiving first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate time-frequency resources of the counting request message and / or counting response information.

[0040] In the above method, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request message and / or the counting response message. In this way, the time-frequency resources can be reasonably utilized.

[0041] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0042] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a partial bandwidth BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0043] In another optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0044] In another optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0045] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: receiving configuration information from the network device, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0046] In the above method, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device monitors the first DCI according to the configuration information, without having to continuously monitor the first DCI, which causes a waste of resources.

[0047] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0048] In yet another optional solution, receiving a second DCI from the network device, where the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is scrambled by the radio network temporary identifier;

[0049] The first message is sent to the terminal device, where the first message includes configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message, a multicast message, or an RRC message.

[0050] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes:

[0051] When a first condition is met, the terminal device terminates the statistical process, where the first condition includes:

[0052] The first DCI is not monitored within a preset time period; or

[0053] The number of consecutive failures to monitor the first DCI reaches a preset value; or

[0054] Receive second indication information from the network device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0055] In the above method, after the terminal device replies with the counting response information, the terminal device terminates the counting process to avoid wasting resources by still monitoring the first DCI after replying with the counting response information.

[0056] A third aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication method, which is applicable to a network device and includes:

[0057] Sending first downlink control information DCI to a terminal device, where the first DCI includes counting request information, where the counting request information is used to count the number of the terminal devices that are receiving or interested in receiving a multicast service, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0058] Receive counting response information from the terminal device, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0059] In the above method, the network device sends a first DCI to the terminal device through the PDCCH channel, and the first DCI includes counting request information. The terminal device obtains the counting request information by descrambling the first DCI. After receiving the counting request information, the terminal device replies with counting response information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in the RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the transmission control of the multicast service.

[0060] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network identifier.

[0061] In an optional solution, the first DCI includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first DCI includes the counting request information.

[0062] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0063] In the above method, when the counting request information includes the service identifier of the multicast service, it indicates that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices interested in which multicast service.

[0064] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: sending an access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending the counting response information.

[0065] In the above method, the access probability factor can assist the terminal device in determining whether to reply to the counting response information.

[0066] In another optional scheme, the method also includes: sending at least one access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state.

[0067] In another optional solution, the method further includes: sending first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0068] In the above method, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information. In this way, the time-frequency resources can be reasonably utilized.

[0069] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0070] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0071] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0072] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0073] In another optional solution, the method further includes: sending configuration information to the terminal device, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0074] In the above method, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device monitors the first DCI according to the configuration information, without having to continuously monitor the first DCI, which causes a waste of resources.

[0075] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource location indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource location indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource location of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the location information and search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0076] In another optional scheme, a second DCI is sent to the terminal device, where the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; and a first message is sent to the terminal device, where the first message includes the configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message, a multicast message, or an RRC message.

[0077] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: sending second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0078] In the above method, after the terminal device replies with the counting response information, it receives the second indication information and terminates the counting process, thereby avoiding wasting resources by still monitoring the first DCI after replying with the counting response information.

[0079] A fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present application discloses a communication method, which is applicable to a terminal device and includes:

[0080] receiving first downlink control information DCI from a network device, where the first DCI includes counting request information, where the counting request information is used to count the number of the terminal devices that are receiving or interested in receiving a multicast service, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0081] Sending counting response information to the network device, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0082] In the above method, the network device sends a first DCI to the terminal device through the PDCCH channel, and the first DCI includes counting request information. The terminal device obtains the counting request information by descrambling the first DCI. After receiving the counting request information, the terminal device replies with counting response information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in the RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the transmission control of the multicast service.

[0083] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network temporary identifier.

[0084] In an optional solution, the first DCI includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first DCI includes the counting request information.

[0085] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0086] In the above method, when the counting request information includes the service identifier of the multicast service, it indicates that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices interested in which multicast service.

[0087] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: receiving an access probability factor from the network device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0088] In the above method, the access probability factor can assist the terminal device in determining whether to reply to the counting response information.

[0089] In another optional scheme, the method also includes: receiving at least one access probability factor from the network device, the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes RRC idle state, RRC inactive state or RRC connected state.

[0090] In another optional solution, the method further includes: selecting a random number from a preset range; if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor, sending the counting response information to the network device.

[0091] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: receiving first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or counting response information.

[0092] In the above method, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information. In this way, the time-frequency resources can be reasonably utilized.

[0093] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0094] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a partial bandwidth BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0095] In another optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0096] In another optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0097] In yet another optional solution, the method further includes: receiving configuration information from the network device, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0098] In the above method, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device monitors the first DCI according to the configuration information, without having to continuously monitor the first DCI, which causes a waste of resources.

[0099] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search position range information and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0100] In another optional scheme, a second DCI is received from the network device, where the second DCI is used to schedule a first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; and the first message is sent to the terminal device, where the first message includes configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message, a multicast message, or an RRC message.

[0101] In another optional scheme, the method also includes: when a first condition is met, the terminal device terminates the statistical process, and the first condition includes: the first DCI is not monitored within a preset time period; or the number of consecutive failures to monitor the first DCI reaches a preset value; or a second indication information is received from the network device, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0102] In the above method, after the terminal device replies with the counting response information, the terminal device terminates the counting process to avoid wasting resources by still monitoring the first DCI after replying with the counting response information.

[0103] A fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present application discloses a communication device, which may be, for example, a network device or a chip in a network device, and includes:

[0104] a processing unit, configured to send first downlink control information DCI to a terminal device through a communication unit, where the first DCI is used for scheduling counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0105] The processing unit is configured to send the counting request information to the terminal device through the communication unit, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0106] The processing unit is configured to receive counting response information from the terminal device through the communication unit, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0107] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network identifier.

[0108] In yet another optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0109] In yet another optional solution, the processing unit is configured to send an access probability factor to the terminal device through the communication unit, where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0110] In another optional scheme, the processing unit is used to send at least one access probability factor to the terminal device through the communication unit, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes RRC idle state, RRC inactive state or RRC connected state.

[0111] In another optional solution, the processing unit is used to send first indication information to the terminal device through the communication unit, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0112] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0113] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0114] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0115] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0116] In another optional solution, the processing unit is further used to send configuration information to the terminal device through the communication unit, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0117] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0118] In another optional scheme, the processing unit is further used to send a second DCI to the terminal device through the communication unit, and the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; the processing unit is further used to send a first message to the terminal device through the communication unit, and the first message includes the configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0119] In yet another optional solution, the processing unit is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device through the communication unit, where the second indication information is configured to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0120] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the fifth aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0121] A sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present application discloses a communication device, which may be, for example, a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device, and includes:

[0122] a processing unit, configured to receive, through the communication unit, first downlink control information DCI from a network device, where the first DCI is used for scheduling counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0123] The processing unit is further configured to receive the counting request information from the network device through the communication unit, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0124] The processing unit is further configured to send the counting response information to the network device through the communication unit, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0125] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network temporary identifier.

[0126] In yet another optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0127] In yet another optional solution, the processing unit is further configured to receive an access probability factor from the network device through the communication unit, where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0128] In another optional scheme, the processing unit is also used to receive at least one access probability factor from the network device through the communication unit, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes RRC idle state, RRC inactive state or RRC connected state.

[0129] In another optional solution, the processing unit is further used to select a random number from a preset range; the processing unit is further used to send the counting response information to the network device through the communication unit if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor.

[0130] In another optional solution, the processing unit is further used to receive first indication information sent by the network device through the communication unit, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0131] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0132] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a partial bandwidth BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0133] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0134] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0135] In yet another optional solution, the processing unit is further configured to receive configuration information from the network device through the communication unit, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0136] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the parameters of the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0137] In another optional scheme, the processing unit is further used to receive a second DCI from the network device through the communication unit, and the second DCI is used to schedule a first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; the processing unit is also used to send the first message to the terminal device through the communication unit, and the first message includes configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0138] In another optional scheme, the processing unit is also used to terminate the statistical process when a first condition is met, and the first condition includes: the first DCI is not monitored within a preset time period; or the number of consecutive failures to monitor the first DCI reaches a preset value; or a second indication information is received from the network device through the communication unit, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0139] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the sixth aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the second aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0140] A seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication device, the device including at least one processor and a transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate with another device via the transceiver, the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor invokes the computer program to perform the following operations:

[0141] Sending first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device through a transceiver, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0142] Sending the counting request information to the terminal device through the transceiver, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0143] Counting response information from the terminal device is received through a transceiver, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0144] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network identifier.

[0145] In yet another optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0146] In yet another optional solution, the processor is further configured to send an access probability factor to the terminal device via the transceiver, where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0147] In another optional scheme, the processor is further used to send at least one access probability factor to the terminal device through the transceiver, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes RRC idle state, RRC inactive state or RRC connected state.

[0148] In another optional solution, the processor is further used to send first indication information to the terminal device through the transceiver, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0149] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0150] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0151] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0152] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0153] In yet another optional solution, the processor is further configured to send configuration information to the terminal device through the transceiver, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0154] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0155] In another optional scheme, the processor is further used to send a second DCI to the terminal device through the transceiver, and the second DCI is used to schedule a first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; the processor is further used to send a first message to the terminal device through the transceiver, and the first message includes the configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0156] In yet another optional solution, the processor is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device through the transceiver, where the second indication information is configured to instruct the terminal device to terminate a statistical process.

[0157] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the seventh aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0158] An eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present application discloses a communication device, the device including at least one processor and a transceiver, wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate with another device via the transceiver, the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor invokes the computer program to perform the following operations:

[0159] receiving, through a transceiver, first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0160] receiving, through a transceiver, the counting request information from the network device, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0161] The counting response information is sent to the network device through a transceiver, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0162] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network temporary identifier.

[0163] In yet another optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0164] In yet another optional solution, the processor is further configured to receive an access probability factor from the network device through the transceiver, where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0165] In another optional scheme, the processor is further used to receive at least one access probability factor from the network device through the transceiver, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes RRC idle state, RRC inactive state or RRC connected state.

[0166] In another optional solution, the processor is further configured to select a random number from a preset range; if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor, send the counting response information to the network device via the transceiver.

[0167] In another optional solution, the processor is further configured to receive, through the transceiver, first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0168] In yet another optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0169] In another optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a partial bandwidth BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0170] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0171] In another optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0172] In yet another optional solution, the processor is further configured to receive configuration information from the network device through the transceiver, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0173] In another optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0174] In another optional scheme, the processor is further used to receive a second DCI from the network device through the transceiver, and the second DCI is used to schedule a first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier; the processor is also used to send the first message to the terminal device through the transceiver, and the first message includes configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message, a multicast message, or an RRC message.

[0175] In another optional scheme, the processor is also used to terminate the statistical process when a first condition is met, and the first condition includes: the first DCI is not monitored within a preset time period; or the number of consecutive failures to monitor the first DCI reaches a preset value; or a second indication information is received from the network device, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0176] Regarding the technical effects brought about by the eighth aspect or various optional implementations, reference may be made to the introduction to the technical effects of the second aspect or corresponding implementations.

[0177] A ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device, wherein the network device can execute the method described in any one of the first and third aspects or the optional scheme of any one of the aspects, and the terminal device can execute the method described in any one of the second and fourth aspects or the optional scheme of any one of the aspects.

[0178] The tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a chip, which includes at least one processor and an interface circuit. Optionally, the chip also includes a memory, and the memory, the interface circuit and the at least one processor are interconnected through lines, and a computer program is stored in the at least one memory; when the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the method described in any one of the first, second, third and fourth aspects or the optional scheme of any one aspect.

[0179] In an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is disclosed, wherein the computer storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the first, second, third and fourth aspects or the optional scheme of any one of the aspects is implemented.

[0180] A twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present application discloses a computer product, which, when the computer program product runs on a processor, implements the method described in any one of the first, second, third and fourth aspects or the optional scheme of any one of the aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0181] The following is an introduction to the drawings used in the embodiments of this application.

[0182] Figure 1 This is an architecture diagram of a 5G NR system dual-channel intelligent unicast wireless access network provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0183] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an MBMS network architecture in an LTE system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0184] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an LTE counting mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0185] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of a 3G counting mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0186] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0187] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE carrying counting request information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0188] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a ControlPDU carrying counting request information provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0189] Figure 8 This is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0190] Figure 9 This is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0191] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a subframe reserved for MBSFN use by a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0192] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0193] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0194] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0195] Figure 14 This is another structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0196] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0197] 1) Terminal devices, including devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users. Specifically, these devices may provide voice, data, or both. Examples include handheld devices with wireless connectivity or processing devices connected to a wireless modem. These devices may communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN), exchanging voice or data with the RAN, or both. The terminal device may include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal device, mobile terminal device, device-to-device (D2D) terminal device, vehicle to everything (V2X) terminal device, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal device, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal device, light terminal device (light UE), reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), subscriber station (subscriber station), mobile station (mobile station), remote station (remote station), access point (AP), remote terminal (remote terminal), access terminal (access terminal), user terminal (user terminal), user agent (user agent), or user device, etc. For example, it may include a mobile phone (or so-called "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-built-in mobile device, etc. For example, devices such as personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Also included are constrained devices, such as those with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power.Examples include barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), laser scanners, and other information sensing devices.

[0198] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, etc., which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0199] The various terminal devices introduced above, if located on a vehicle (eg, placed in or installed in a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also called on-board units (OBUs).

[0200] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may further include a relay. Alternatively, it can be understood that anything that can communicate data with a base station can be considered a terminal device.

[0201] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the terminal device as an example in which the device for implementing the function of the terminal is a terminal device.

[0202] 2) Network equipment, including, for example, access network (AN) equipment, such as a base station (e.g., access point), which can refer to a device in an access network that communicates with a wireless terminal device over the air interface through one or more cells, or, for example, a network device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology is a roadside unit (RSU). The base station can be used to convert received air frames to and from IP packets, acting as a router between the terminal device and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an IP network. The RSU can be a fixed infrastructure entity that supports V2X applications and can exchange messages with other entities that support V2X applications. The network equipment can also coordinate attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network device may include an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutionary Node B) in a long term evolution (LTE) system or long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), or may also include a next generation node B (gNB) in a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) NR system (also referred to as an NR system) or may also include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (Cloud RAN) system, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0203] The network device may further include a core network device, which may include, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF), a user plane function (UPF), or a session management function (SMF).

[0204] In the embodiments of the present application, the apparatus for implementing the function of the network device may be the network device, or may be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system, which may be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described by taking the network device as an example.

[0205] 3) Radio resource control (RRC) state. The terminal device has three RRC states: RRC connected state (connected state), RRC idle state (idle state) and inactive state (inactive state).

[0206] RRC connection state (or, can also be simply referred to as connection state. In this article, "connection state" and "RRC connection state" are the same concept and the two names can be interchanged): the terminal device establishes an RRC connection with the network and can transmit data.

[0207] RRC idle state (or, can also be simply referred to as idle state. In this article, "idle state" and "RRC idle state" are the same concept and the two names can be interchanged): the terminal device has not established an RRC connection with the network, and the base station has not stored the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to enter the RRC connected state from the RRC idle state, it needs to initiate the RRC connection establishment process.

[0208] RRC inactive state (or, can also be simply referred to as inactive state. In this article, "deactivated state", "deactivated state", "inactive state", "RRC inactive state" and "RRC deactivated state" are the same concept, and these names can be interchanged): the terminal device previously entered the RRC connected state, and then the base station released the RRC connection, but the base station saved the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to enter the RRC connected state again from the RRC inactive state, it is necessary to initiate an RRC recovery process (or called an RRC connection recovery process). Compared with the RRC establishment process, the RRC recovery process has a shorter delay and smaller signaling overhead. However, the base station needs to save the context of the terminal device, which will occupy the storage overhead of the base station.

[0209] 4) LTE frequency division duplexing (FDD) frame structure. Currently, an LTE FDD radio frame is divided into 10 subframes, each of which is 1ms long. Different subcarrier spacings correspond to different slot lengths in the frame structure, as well as the relationship between slots and subframes. The specific subcarrier spacing, subframes, time slots, and number of slots per subframe are shown in Table 1 below:

[0210] Table 1

[0211]

[0212] The frame structures corresponding to the three sequence numbers (sequence number 1, sequence number 2, and sequence number 3) in the above table are as follows:

[0213] (1) In the frame structure corresponding to Δf {2.5kHz / 7.5kHz / 15kHz}, one frame is equal to 10ms, one frame is equal to 10 subframes, and one subframe contains two time slots. For 2.5kHz, each time slot is 0.5ms long and contains one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol with a cyclic prefix (CP).

[0214] (2) In the frame structure corresponding to Δf of 1.25 kHz, 1 frame is equal to 10 ms, 1 frame is equal to 10 subframes, 1 subframe is equal to 1 time slot, and 1 subframe is equal to 1 ms.

[0215] (3) In the frame structure corresponding to Δf of 0.37 kHz, each time slot is 3 ms long and contains one OFDM symbol with a CP. Within the initial 40 ms interval where nf mod 4 = 0, there are 13 time slots, numbered incrementally from 0 to 12. Time slot 0 begins at 30720Ts within this 40 ms interval. Here, nf is the radio frame number, and Ts is the basic time unit.

[0216] 5) The existing multicast broadcast single frequency network (MBSFN) configuration process is as follows: Network devices use the information element (IE) Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service Network Subframe Configuration (MBSFN-SubframeConfig) to configure the subframes reserved for downlink multimedia broadcast multicast service network (MBSFN). In the MBSFN-SubframeConfig configuration, the network device uses the radio frame allocation period (radioframeAllocationPeriod) and the radio frame allocation offset (radioframeAllocationOffset) to configure the radio frames in which the MBSFN subframes will be located. The subframe allocation (subframeAllocation) and subframe allocation (v1430) are used to specify the specific MBSFN subframes. The specific configuration is shown in Table 2.

[0217] Table 2

[0218]

[0219] In Table 2, (1), radioFrameAllocationPeriod, and radioFrameAllocationOffset are used to indicate the radio frame position where the MBSFN subframe appears. When the formula: SFN mod radioFrameAllocationPeriod = radioFrameAllocationOffset is satisfied, the corresponding radio frame contains the MBSFN subframe, where SFN (SystemFrame Number) is the system frame number, n1 corresponds to the value 1, and n2 corresponds to the value 2.

[0220] (2) subframeAllocation, which is used to indicate which subframes are allocated as MBSFN subframes in the radio frame that meets the constraints of radioFrameAllocationPeriod and radioFrameAllocationOffset in (1).

[0221] (3) fourFrames: A string of bits is used to indicate the location of the MBSFN subframes in four consecutive radio frames. When a bit is set to "1", it means that the corresponding subframe is allocated for MBSFN. For FDD, it may be allocated to subframes #1, #2, #3, #6, #7, and #8.

[0222] (4) ourFrames-v1430 uses a string of bits to indicate the location of MBSFN subframes in four consecutive radio frames. For FDD: subframes #4 and #9 can also be configured as MBSFN subframes.

[0223] The above introduces some concepts involved in the embodiments of the present application. The following introduces the technical features of the embodiments of the present application.

[0224] See Figure 1 , Figure 1It is a structural diagram of a communication system 100 provided by an embodiment of the present invention, and the system 100 may include a network device 111, a network device 110, a terminal device 101, a terminal device 102, and a terminal device 103. It should be understood that the system 100 to which the method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied may include more or fewer network devices or terminal devices. The network device and the terminal device may be hardware, or software divided in terms of function, or a combination of the two. The network device and the terminal device may communicate with each other through other devices or network elements. In this system, the network device 110 can perform data transmission with multiple terminal devices, that is, the network device 110 sends downlink data to the terminal device 101-terminal device 103. Of course, the terminal device 101-terminal device 103 can also send uplink data to the network device 110. The method in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 1 In the system 100 shown in FIG. 1 , the network device 111 and the network device 110 can be any of the network devices described above. The terminal devices 101 to 103 can be any of the terminal devices described above. For example, in Figure 1 In the figure, the dotted line represents the control plane connection, and the solid line represents the transmission path of the user data packet. Terminal devices 101-terminal devices 103 are all connected to the network device 110. A cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) and a data radio bearer (DRB) for unicast bearer are configured for each terminal device. At the same time, the DRB is also associated with a group radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI). The dynamic conversion between unicast and multicast is achieved through G-RNTI and C-RNTI scheduling. In the figure, terminal devices 101-terminal devices 103 receive the same service. Each terminal device has a unicast bearer, that is, a channel for receiving data packets based on C-RNTI. The network device 110 also configures the same G-RNTI for terminal devices 101-terminal devices 103. When C-RNTI scheduling is adopted, the network device 110 can schedule the same data packet to terminal devices 101-terminal devices 103 respectively. At this time, unicast scheduling is used. When G-RNTI is used to schedule data packets, the network device 110 schedules a data packet that can be received by the terminal devices 101 to 103.

[0225] In LTE, the Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) was introduced in 3GPP Release 9 (3GPP Rel-9), including network architecture and interface protocols, as well as the introduction of Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) areas on the RAN. Continued enhancements were made from 3GPP Release 10 (3GPP Rel-10) to 3GPP Rel-12, including features such as a counting mechanism, multi-frequency deployment, and enhanced carrier aggregation. 3GPP Rel-13 introduced Single Cell Point to Multi-Point (SC-PTM) technology to enable dynamic scheduling of unicast and multicast, but remained based on the Rel-9 MBMS network architecture and processes. 3GPP Rel-14 and 3GPP Rel-16 introduced the Enhancement for TV Service (EN-TV) technology and its enhancements, based on dedicated MBMS carriers and designed for high-tower, high-power, and large-scale MBSFN deployments.

[0226] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the MBMS network architecture in the LTE system. Compared to unicast, it introduces multiple MBMS-specific network elements and corresponding interface protocols, such as the broadcast / multicast service center (BM-SC), multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), and MBMS gateway (MBMS-GW). These complex standards and implementations make network deployment difficult. The BM-SC primarily distributes and controls evolved multimedia broadcast / multicast services (eMBMS). As the transmission entry point for content providers' eMBMS services and the initiator of eMBMS sessions, the BM-SC provides functions such as scheduling and delivery of eMBMS services and security key management. The MCE is a logical entity introduced by LTE eMBMS to implement multi-cell transmission. It is responsible for allocating radio resources to base stations within the connected MBSFN area and managing eMBMS sessions. The MBMS-GW is responsible for delivering MBMS session control messages to the mobility management entity (MME) and forwarding MBMS service data to the base station.

[0227] In the LTE system, SC-PTM is a multicast transmission technology. Network equipment uses a group-radionetwork temporary identity (G-RNTI) to schedule service data to multiple terminal devices simultaneously. Each G-RNTI can be associated with an MBMS service. SC-PTM has a control channel, a single cell multicast control channel (SC-MCCH), and a single cell multicast transport channel (SC-MTCH). Both logical channels are mapped to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH). The control channel SC-MCCH contains the service identifier and the time information for receiving the broadcast service logical channel (multicast traffic channel, MTCH). The SC-MTCH is used to transmit service data. The process of the terminal device receiving multicast service data in SC-MTCH is as follows: the terminal device receives the system message from the network device, which includes the control information for transmitting SC-PTM service, that is, the configuration information of SC-MCCH. The terminal device can know how to receive SC-MCCH through the system message. After receiving SC-MCCH, that is, the configuration information of SC-MTCH, the terminal device can receive the multicast service data in SC-MTCH through the configuration information of SC-MTCH and the scheduling information of the corresponding physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). In the 5G NR system, Figure 1As shown in the figure, the dotted line represents the control plane connection, and the solid line represents the user data transmission path. All three terminal devices are connected to the network device, and each terminal device is configured with a cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) and a data radio bearer (DRB) for unicast bearer. The DRB is also associated with a G-RNTI. Dynamic conversion between unicast and multicast is achieved through G-RNTI and C-RNTI scheduling. In the figure, the three terminal devices receive the same service. Each terminal device has a unicast bearer, that is, a channel for receiving data based on the C-RNTI. The network device uses unicast to send the same multicast configuration information to each of the multiple terminal devices interested in the service. The base station also configures the same G-RNTI for the three terminal devices and broadcasts the multicast configuration information to each terminal device. The multicast configuration information includes G-RNTI, bandwidth part (BWP), discontinuous reception (DRX), and other related configurations.

[0228] Currently, the LTE system uses a counting mechanism to count the number of connected terminal devices that are interested in multicast services. Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 Represents the LTE counting mechanism. A network device sends a multicast counting request message to at least one terminal device via the multicast control channel (MCCH). This message carries multicast service identification information, which informs the terminal device that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices interested in a specific multicast service. After receiving the multicast counting request message from the network device, the terminal device sends a multicast counting response message to the network device. This multicast counting response message carries the multicast service identification information of the terminal device's interest. The network device can use this counting response message to count the number of connected terminal devices interested in the multicast service.

[0229] The third generation mobile communication (3G) system uses a counting mechanism to count the number of connected or idle terminal devices that are interested in multicast services. Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4Represents the counting mechanism of 3G. The network device sends a multicast service modification information message to at least one terminal device through the MCCH channel. The multicast service modification information message includes configuration information (used to periodically send the multicast service modification information message) and indication information. The indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to trigger the multicast counting process. After receiving the indication information in the multicast service modification information message, the terminal device triggers the multicast counting process. During the multicast counting process, the terminal device receives the multicast access information message periodically sent by the network device according to the configuration information. This multicast access information message includes an access probability indication and a multicast service identifier indication. The access probability indication is to prevent a large number of terminal devices from sending multicast counting response information to the network device and increasing the network load. The multicast service identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device is interested in a specific multicast service and responds to the counting response information. After receiving the multicast access information message, the terminal device sends a multicast counting response message to the network device. Specifically, the multicast counting response message includes an RRC cause value related to multicast. The network device can count the number of connected terminal devices interested in the multicast service based on the counting response information. If the terminal device fails to receive the multicast access information message within the sending period of the multicast access information message, the terminal device exits the multicast counting process.

[0230] The above-mentioned LTE counting mechanism is only applicable to counting the number of connected terminal devices interested in multicast services, but cannot count the number of idle and inactive terminal devices interested in multicast. In addition, the sending of multicast counting request messages needs to rely on the MCCH channel. In the 3G counting mechanism, the sending of multicast modification service information messages also needs to rely on the MCCH channel. Therefore, how to count the number of terminal devices interested in multicast and how to adapt the existing MCCH mechanism to the new features of 5G to improve communication efficiency are technical problems that people in this field are solving. In order to solve the above technical problems, this application proposes the following solutions.

[0231] See Figure 5 , Figure 5 A communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0232] Step S501: The network device sends configuration information to the terminal device.

[0233] Specifically, step S501 is an optional step. The configuration information is used to configure the parameters for receiving the first DCI, or the configuration information is used to indicate the time-frequency position of the first DCI. It can be understood that the configuration information includes configuration parameters for instructing the terminal device to receive the first DCI. The configuration information may include at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication, and an occupied duration. The sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is used to indicate the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, and the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, that is, where / how the terminal device searches for the first DCI. The occupied duration is used to indicate the duration of transmitting the first DCI.

[0234] There are multiple ways for the network device to send configuration information to the terminal device.

[0235] In a possible example, the network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device, where the second DCI is used to schedule the first message. Then, the network device sends a first message to the terminal device, where the first message includes the configuration information.

[0236] Specifically, the second DCI is encrypted by a wireless network temporary identifier; the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message, and the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a special wireless network temporary identifier or a system wireless network temporary identifier (system information RNTI, SI-RNTI), and the special wireless network temporary identifier may be other wireless network temporary identifiers other than G-RNTI and SI-RNTI. When the second DCI is scrambled by SI-RNTI, the first message is a system message. If the second DCI is scrambled by G-RNTI, the first message is a multicast message. Accordingly, the terminal device descrambles the second DCI through G-RNTI, detects the relevant PDSCH channel to receive the multicast message, thereby receiving the configuration information, and enters the statistical process according to the configuration information. At this time, the network device periodically sends the first DCI according to the configuration information. The first DCI is scrambled by G-RNTI and is used to schedule counting request information. The terminal device continues to periodically monitor the first DCI according to the configuration information until the first DCI is descrambled by G-RNTI, the relevant PDSCH channel is detected to receive the counting request information, or the statistical process is terminated. The specific conditions for the terminal device to determine the termination of the statistical process are described in detail in step S509. Optionally, before sending the second DCI, the network device sends a system message to the terminal device, and the system message includes second configuration information. The second configuration information is used to configure the parameters for receiving the second DCI, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the time-frequency resource location of the second DCI.

[0237] In another example, the network device sends a system message to the terminal device, the system message including the configuration information. In another possible instance, the network device sends an RRC message to the terminal device, the RRC message including the configuration information. In another possible instance, the network device sends a multicast message to the terminal device, the multicast message including the configuration information.

[0238] After the network device sends the configuration information to the terminal device, the terminal device enters a statistical process according to the configuration information, determines the time domain position and / or frequency domain position for receiving the first DCI according to the configuration information, and periodically and continuously monitors the first DCI. The terminal device may determine the time domain position for receiving the first DCI according to the configuration information in various ways:

[0239] In a possible example, the terminal device is determined by the time-frequency control resource position indication information. The time-frequency control resource position indication includes the time domain position indication of the control resource and / or the frequency domain position indication of the control resource. The time domain position indication method of the control resource may include: Method 1: through an absolute time indication, for example, it can indicate X day X hour X minute X second X millisecond, and the specific time indication granularity is not limited; or, it can indicate a radio frame number, or a radio frame number + subframe number, or a radio frame number + subframe number + time slot number. For example, if the time domain position indication of the control resource is a radio frame number (system frame number, SFN) X, the corresponding terminal device receives the first DCI at the radio frame number X. Method 2: through a relative time indication, for example, the relative time indication corresponding to the time point after the terminal device receives the configuration information is the time domain position of the control resource. The time can be predefined by the protocol or configured by the network device.

[0240] In another possible example, the terminal device determines the sending position of the first DCI through the sending period and the first offset.

[0241] Specifically, the sending period is used to indicate the sending interval of the first DCI, and the first offset is used to indicate the starting position of sending the first DCI.

[0242] For example, before the network device sends the first DCI to the terminal device, the network device sends the second DCI scrambled by the group radio network temporary identifier to the terminal device, the second DCI is used to schedule the RRC message, and the configuration information is carried in the RRC message. The terminal device descrambles the second DCI by the group radio network temporary identifier to obtain the configuration information in the RRC message, and the configuration information includes a sending period T and a first offset offset. The terminal device calculates the SFN that meets the following conditions based on the SFN (system frame number, which changes over time) and the formula SFNmod T=offset, that is, the time domain SFN position of the first DCI. After receiving the configuration information, the terminal device enters a statistical process (multicast counting process) and listens to the first DCI at the time domain SFN position of the first DCI until the terminal device successfully receives the first DCI or terminates the multicast counting process. Optionally, after determining the time domain SFN position of the first DCI, the indication information can be further used to indicate the subframe position of the first DCI, the time slot position of the first DCI, or the symbol position of the first DCI in the system radio frame corresponding to the SFN that meets the above conditions. Specifically, the indication information may be carried in the form of a bitmap.

[0243] For example, if a bitmap is used to indicate the subframe position for sending the first DCI, since a wireless frame includes 10 subframes, 10 bits can be used to indicate which subframes can send the first DCI. The 10 bits correspond to subframes 0 to 9 respectively. When a bit position is 1, it means that the subframe corresponding to the bit position can be used to send the first DCI, and vice versa.

[0244] In another possible example, the terminal device determines the sending position of the first DCI through an index of a valid combination of a starting position and a length (joint coding) provided by the network device, where the index is included in the configuration information.

[0245] For example, if the network device provides an index of a valid combination of a start symbol and a length as a start and length indicator (SLIV), the terminal device can calculate according to the formula SLIV = 14 (L-1) + S, where SLIV is provided by the network device, L is the duration of the PDCCH (equivalent to the above-mentioned transmission period), and S is the starting position indicator (first offset).

[0246] The terminal device determines the frequency domain location of the first DCI according to the configuration information in the following ways:

[0247] Method 1: Through absolute position indication - the configuration information includes absolute position information, and the network device can instruct to obtain the frequency information of the first DCI.

[0248] Method 2: Indication by Index - The configuration information includes an index, and the network device can indicate it by index. The resource granularity indicated by the index can be frequency, BWP, resource block, or subcarrier, which is not limited by the solution of the present invention. Correspondingly, the network device can indicate the frequency index corresponding to the first DCI, or the BWP index corresponding to the first DCI, or the resource block index of the first DCI, or the resource block index + subcarrier index of the first DCI.

[0249] Method 3: Indication via bitmap - The configuration information includes a bitmap, and the network device can use the bitmap to indicate which resource blocks can be used for the first DCI. Each bit can correspond to a group of RBs (for example, a group includes 6 RBs). When a bit is set to "1", it indicates that the group of RBs corresponding to this bit can be used for the first DCI, and vice versa. The starting RB group position of the resource block can be specified by the protocol or indicated by the network device through dedicated signaling.

[0250] The above-mentioned absolute position indication method is also applicable to frequency domain resource indication of other resource granularities, which is not limited here.

[0251] In the above method, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device monitors the first DCI according to the configuration information without having to continuously monitor the first DCI, which causes a waste of resources. In addition, the configuration information is not only used to indicate the time domain resource position of the first DCI, but also used to indicate the frequency domain resource position of the first DCI, thereby making full use of communication resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0252] Step S502: The terminal device receives configuration information from the network device.

[0253] Furthermore, the terminal device may determine the time domain position or frequency domain position of the first DCI based on the configuration information.

[0254] Step S503: The network device sends first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device.

[0255] Specifically, the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI may be scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier. The radio network temporary identifier may be a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), a group radio network temporary identifier (G-RNTI), a single cell radio network temporary identifier (SC-RNTI), a single cell notification network temporary identifier SC-N-RNTI (Single cell notification RNTI), an SI-RNTI (System Information RNTI), or other RNTIs used to scramble multicast services. The specific names are not limited in this solution. For the sake of simplicity, starting to receive the first multicast service, receiving the first multicast service, about to receive the first multicast service, hoping (expecting) to receive the first multicast service, or being interested in receiving the first multicast service is referred to as subscribing to the first multicast service, and stopping receiving the first multicast service or not being interested in receiving the first multicast service is referred to as unsubscribing to the first multicast service.

[0256] In one possible implementation, the first DCI is encrypted by the group radio network temporary identifier. Since the first DCI is encrypted by the G-RNTI, and the G-RNTI corresponds to the service identifier of the multicast service, it is equivalent to the G-RNTI implicitly carrying the service identifier of the multicast service. Therefore, when the terminal device receives the first DCI encrypted by the G-RNTI, it can determine which specific multicast service the network device wants to count. The scheduling information carried by the first DCI can be used to send to terminal devices subscribed to the same multicast service. Furthermore, the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, that is, the counting request information corresponds to the G-RNTI. Since the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information and the first DCI is encrypted by the G-RNTI, the terminal device uses the G-RNTI to descramble the first DCI from the PDCCH channel and receives the counting request information on the PDSCH that is correlated with the parameters indicated by the first DCI. Optionally, the first DCI can also schedule other multicast-related data or signaling.

[0257] In an optional solution, the first DCI includes counting request information. Further optionally, the first DCI also includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the first DCI includes counting request information. Then, after receiving the first DCI, the terminal device can determine that the first DCI includes counting request information based on the indication information. Specifically, the indication information can be indicated in an explicit or implicit manner. In one possible implementation, the indication information is indicated in an explicit manner. Specifically, the first DCI includes indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the first DCI includes counting request information. In another possible implementation, the indication information is indicated in an implicit manner. For example, the standard predefines a specific domain, and the specific domain is used to indicate whether the first DCI includes counting request information. Since the first DCI includes counting request information, the network device no longer needs to send counting request information to the terminal device through another message, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0258] In an optional solution, the first DCI includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0259] Specifically, the terminal device receives the first DCI, receives the first indication information by descrambling the first DCI, and then receives the counting request information at the time-frequency resource position of the counting request information indicated by the first indication information. Alternatively, the terminal device receives the first DCI, obtains the first indication information by descrambling the first DCI, and sends the counting response information at the resource position indicated by the first indication information. The first indication information can indicate one or more resource locations. The network device can allocate the same first indication information to terminal devices interested in the same multicast service, that is, allocate the same one or more resource locations, thereby improving the resource utilization of the communication system.

[0260] In an optional solution, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information.

[0261] Specifically, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device receives the counting request information at the time-frequency resource position of the counting request information indicated by the first indication information, or, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device sends the counting response information at the resource position indicated by the first indication information. The first indication information can indicate one or more resource positions. The network device can allocate the same first indication information to terminal devices interested in the same multicast service, that is, allocate the same one or more resource positions, thereby improving the resource utilization of the communication system.

[0262] The method in which the first indication information indicates the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information is the same as the time domain position manner and frequency domain position manner in which the first DCI appears in step S501 above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0263] In the above method, by configuring the time-frequency resources of the counting request information and / or the counting response information by the network device, the time-frequency resources can be reasonably utilized and resource waste can be avoided.

[0264] Step 504: The terminal device receives a first DCI from the network device.

[0265] Specifically, the terminal device receives a first DCI from the network device according to the G-RNTI, and the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information. Further, the terminal device can determine that the counting request information corresponds to the G-RNTI, that is, the terminal device can determine that the counting request information is used for statistical services. For example, the first DCI is encrypted by G-RNTI1, and the G-RNTI1 corresponds to a multicast service. Then, after receiving the first DCI, the terminal device can determine that the counting request information it schedules is used to count the number of terminal devices subscribed to the multicast service. Through the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the network device can schedule counting request information by sending G-RNTI-encrypted DCI, thereby realizing statistics on the number of terminal devices subscribed to the multicast service. At the same time, it saves additional signaling consumption and improves the communication efficiency of the communication system.

[0266] Step S505: The network device sends counting request information to the terminal device.

[0267] The counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that subscribe to the multicast service. There are many ways to implement the carrying of the counting request information, specifically:

[0268] Method 1: When the counting request information is carried by the media access control element (MAC CE).

[0269] When the counting request information is carried by the MAC control unit, see Figure 6 As shown, the counting request information is carried on the corresponding MAC CE by carrying a logical channel identifier LCID with a special value in the MAC subheader.

[0270] For example, when LCID=11100, it indicates that the MAC CE carries counting request information, and when LCID=000111, it indicates that the MAC CE carries other types of messages.

[0271] Mode 2: When the counting request information is carried by a control protocol data unit (Control PDU).

[0272] When the counting request information is carried by ControlPDU, the details are as follows: the ControlPDU can be a radio link control protocol data unit (RLC PDU) or a packet data convergence protocol sublayer protocol data unit (PDCP PDU). The schematic diagram of the ControlPDU carrying the counting request information is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the PDU includes a D / C field for indicating whether the PDU is a control PDU or a data PDU, and a PDU type for indicating the type of the PDU. In this application, a special value can be used for the PDU type to identify the Control PDU carrying counting request information.

[0273] For example, when the value of the PDU type is 1111, it indicates that the message is carrying counting request information, and when the value of the PDU type is 0000, it indicates that the message is carrying other types of information.

[0274] Method 3: When the counting request information is carried by a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0275] When the counting request information is carried by an RRC message, the RRC message may be a newly introduced RRC message, such as a 5G multicast counting request message. When the terminal device receives the 5G multicast counting request message, the counting request information is received.

[0276] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes an access probability factor.

[0277] Specifically, the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending counting response information. Optionally, the access probability factor can be one or more. When the access probability factor is one, terminal devices in different RRC states share the access probability factor; when the access probability factor is multiple, the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, where the RRC state includes the RRC idle state, the RRC inactive state, or the RRC connected state. Accordingly, the terminal device can decide which access probability factor to use based on its own state.

[0278] In an optional solution, the network device sends an access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending counting response information. Accordingly, the terminal device determines whether to reply with counting response information based on the access probability factor and counting request information.

[0279] In an optional scheme, the network device sends at least one access probability factor to the terminal device, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state. Specifically, the network device configures different access probability factors for terminal devices in different states, or the network device can allow terminal devices in two states to share a probability factor, and terminal devices in another state to use a separate probability factor. In a possible implementation, the network device will send at least one access probability factor to the terminal device, and the at least one access probability factor corresponds one-to-one to at least one RRC state. For example, the network device sends an access probability factor-idle and an access probability factor-connected to the terminal device to indicate the access probability factors of different RRC states. Accordingly, the terminal device in the RRC idle state applies the access probability factor-idle state to determine whether to reply to the counting response information.

[0280] Step S506: The terminal device receives counting request information from the network device.

[0281] After receiving the counting request information sent by the network device, the terminal device replies with the counting response information; or after receiving the counting request information, the terminal device needs to determine whether to reply the counting response information to the network device. The determination method includes:

[0282] 1) The terminal device learns the subscribed multicast service that the network device wants to count based on the service identifier of the multicast service carried in the counting request information. If the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service, the terminal device determines to reply with a counting response information.

[0283] 2) Determine whether to reply counting response information based on the pre-acquired access probability factor and counting request information.

[0284] Specifically, the access probability factor can be carried in the above-mentioned MAC CE, Control PDU, RRC message or can be carried in a broadcast message. The method of determining the access probability factor obtained in advance includes: the network device configures a shared access probability factor, and accordingly, the terminal devices in different RRC states (RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state) share the access probability factor; if the network device configures an access probability factor associated with the RRC state, the terminal device shall determine which access probability factor to use based on its own RRC state.

[0285] (1) When terminal devices in different RRC states share the same access probability factor.

[0286] In an optional solution, the terminal device selects a random number from a preset range; if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor, the terminal device sends the counting response information to the network device.

[0287] For example, the network device configures an access probability factor of 0.3 for terminal devices in different RRC states (RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state), then the terminal devices in different RRC states share the probability factor 0.3. For example, the terminal device in the RRC idle state selects a random number 0.2 from 0-1, and compares this random number with the access probability factor. Because 0.2<0.3, the terminal device in the RRC idle state sends a counting response message to the network device; the terminal device in the RRC inactive state selects a random number 0.1 from 0-1, and compares this random number with the access probability factor. Because 0.1<0.3, the terminal device in the RRC inactive state sends a counting response message to the network device; the terminal device in the RRC connected state selects a random number 0.25 from 0-1, and compares this random number with the access probability factor. Because 0.25<0.3, the terminal device in the RRC connected state sends a counting response message to the network device.

[0288] (2) Terminal devices in different RRC states use different access probability factors.

[0289] Specifically, the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control (RRC) state of the terminal device. The network device configures different access probability factors for terminal devices in different states, or the network device may allow terminal devices in two states to share a probability factor, and terminal devices in another state to use a separate probability factor. In one possible implementation, the network device sends at least one access probability factor to the terminal device, and the at least one access probability factor corresponds one-to-one to at least one RRC state. For example, the network device sends an access probability factor-idle and an access probability factor-connected to the terminal device to indicate the access probability factors of different RRC states. Accordingly, the terminal device in the RRC idle state applies the access probability factor-idle state to determine whether to reply to the counting response information.

[0290] In an optional solution, the terminal device selects a random number from a preset range; if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor, the terminal device sends the counting response information to the network device.

[0291] For example, the network device configures an access probability factor of 0.35 for a terminal device in an RRC idle state, an access probability factor of 0.4 for a terminal device in an RRC inactive state, and an access probability factor of 0.45 for a terminal device in an RRC connected state. The terminal device selects a random number 0.1 from the range of 0-1. Since the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, the access probability factor is 0.5. Since 0.1<0.5, the terminal device sends a counting response message to the network device.

[0292] For example, the network device configures an access probability factor of 0.35 for a terminal device in an RRC idle state and an RRC inactive state, and configures an access probability factor of 0.4 for a terminal device in an RRC connected state. The terminal device then selects a random number 0.2 from the range of 0-1. Since the terminal device is in an RRC idle state, the access probability factor is 0.2. Since 0.1<0.5, the terminal device sends a counting response message to the network device.

[0293] The above describes the case where the terminal device determines to send a counting response message to the network device when the selected random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor. The following describes the case where the selected random number is greater than the access probability factor. This case is applicable to the case where the terminal devices in different RRC states share the access probability factor, and the case where the terminal devices in different RRC states use different access probability factors. Specifically, if the selected random number is greater than the access probability factor, there are three cases:

[0294] The first case: the terminal device determines not to send counting response information to the network device.

[0295] The second case: The terminal device reselects a random number from 0 to 1, compares the random number with the access probability factor, and repeats the above process until a counting response message is sent or the maximum repetition limit is reached.

[0296] For example, if the access probability factor is 0.3 and the maximum number of repetitions is 10, if the terminal device re-selects a random number from 0-1 that is 0.5, because the random number 0.5 is greater than 0.3, the terminal device re-selects a random number from 0-1 and compares it with 0.3 until the counting response information is sent or the number of comparisons reaches 10.

[0297] Case 3: The terminal device waits for a period of time and then selects a random number from 0-1, compares the random number with the access probability factor, and repeats the above process until a counting response message is sent or the maximum repetition limit is reached. The waiting period can be a fixed time value or a time value randomly selected from 0-T, wherein the fixed time value or T used to determine the waiting time can be configured by the network, specifically, it can be configured by the network through a system message or an RRC message.

[0298] In the above method, the terminal device determines whether to reply to the counting response information by using the access probability factor, which can alleviate the use of channel resources and reduce the load of network equipment, thereby improving the communication efficiency of the communication system.

[0299] Step S507: The terminal device sends counting response information to the network device.

[0300] Step S508: The network device receives counting response information from the terminal device.

[0301] Specifically, the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information, and the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate subscription to the multicast service. Alternatively, the counting response information includes: at least one of a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part (BWP) indication corresponding to the multicast service, and location indication information of the terminal device.

[0302] Specifically, if the terminal device is in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state, the counting response information is carried in the random access message, which is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA. If the terminal device is in the RRC connected state, the counting response information is carried in the MAC CE, Control PDU or RRC message.

[0303] After the terminal device determines to send the counting response information to the network device, the terminal device may decide how to send the counting response information according to its own RRC state.

[0304] Case 1: When the terminal device is in the RRC idle state, it is necessary to initiate an RRC connection process to send counting response information to the network device. The counting response information is carried in the random access message, including the following three options:

[0305] Solution 1: When the counting response information is carried in Msg1 or MsgA, the terminal device can send Msg1 (preamble) or Message A (MsgA) to the network device to inform the network device that it has subscribed to a multicast service. The preamble corresponds to the multicast service identifier, and the network device can determine which multicast service the terminal device has subscribed to based on the received preamble.

[0306] For example, the terminal device sends a dedicated preamble to the network device, and the network device knows that the terminal device subscribes to multicast service 1 based on the correspondence between the preamble and the multicast service identifier, or the terminal device sends a preamble to the network device, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service.

[0307] Solution 2: When the counting response information is carried in Msg3, the terminal device can indicate that the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service by carrying a special cause value in message 3 (RRC establishment request message or RRC connection reestablishment message or RRC connection establishment message or RRC reestablishment message).

[0308] For example, the cause value is MBMS, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service; the cause value is multicast service identifier 1, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to multicast service 1.

[0309] For example, the reason value is dedicated preamble, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to a multicast service; or multiple dedicated preambles are used to correspond to which multicast service the terminal device specifically subscribes to.

[0310] Solution 3: When the counting response information is carried in Msg5, the terminal device can instruct the terminal device to subscribe to the multicast service by carrying the multicast service identifier in message 5 (RRC establishment completion message or RRC reconstruction completion message or RRC connection establishment completion message or RRC reconstruction completion message).

[0311] For example, if the multicast service identifier is multicast service 2, it means that the terminal device subscribes to multicast service 2.

[0312] The second case: When the terminal device is in the RRC inactive state, it is necessary to initiate the RRC recovery process to send a counting response message to the network device. The counting response information is carried in the random access message, including the following three options:

[0313] Solution 1: When the counting response information is carried in Msg1 or MsgA, the terminal device can send Msg1 (preamble) or Message A (MsgA) to the network device to inform the network device that it has subscribed to a multicast service. The preamble has a one-to-one correspondence with the multicast service identifier, and the network device can determine which multicast service the terminal device has subscribed to based on the received preamble.

[0314] For example, the terminal device sends a dedicated preamble to the network device, and the network device knows that the terminal device subscribes to multicast service 1 based on the correspondence between the preamble and the multicast service identifier, or the terminal device sends a preamble to the network device, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service.

[0315] Solution 2: When the counting response information is carried in Msg3, the terminal device can indicate that the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service by carrying a cause value in message 3 (RRC connection recovery request message or RRC recovery request message).

[0316] For example, the cause value is MBMS, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to the multicast service; the cause value is multicast service identifier 1, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to multicast service 1.

[0317] For example, the cause value is dedicated preamble, indicating that the terminal device subscribes to a multicast service; or multiple dedicated preambles are used to correspond to which multicast service the terminal device subscribes to.

[0318] Solution 3: When the counting response information is carried in Msg5, the terminal device can instruct the terminal device to subscribe to the multicast service by carrying the multicast service identifier in message 5 (RRC recovery complete message or RRC connection recovery complete message).

[0319] For example, if the multicast service identifier is multicast service 2, it means that the terminal device subscribes to multicast service 2.

[0320] Case 3: When the terminal device is in the RRC connected state, it is necessary to send the counting response information via MAC CE, control PDU or RRC message. The counting response information is carried in the MAC CE, control PDU or RRC message. Optionally, the methods in Case 1 and Case 2 are also applicable to terminal devices in the RRC connected state.

[0321] Solution 1: The terminal device can indicate its subscription to the first multicast service using a cause value carried in an RRC Setup Request message or an RRC Resume Request message. Solution 2: The terminal device can indicate its subscription to the multicast service using a preamble. The preamble has a one-to-one correspondence with the multicast service identifier, allowing the network device to determine which multicast service the terminal device is subscribing to based on the received preamble.

[0322] Solution 3: The terminal device may indicate which multicast service to subscribe to by carrying multicast service identification information in the counting response information.

[0323] In an optional solution, the method further includes step S509: the terminal device determines to stop reporting the subscription status.

[0324] Specifically, when a first condition is met, the terminal device determines to terminate the counting process, where the first condition includes: not monitoring the first DCI within a preset time period; or the number of consecutive monitoring first DCIs reaches a first threshold; or receiving second indication information from the network device, the second indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the counting process. The first threshold is configured by the network device.

[0325] Specifically, the termination of the statistical process may also be referred to as exiting the statistical process or stopping the statistical process. The preset time period may be configured by the network device or predefined by the protocol.

[0326] Specifically, the configuration unit of the preset time period can be an integer multiple of the first DCI sending period. It can be understood that when the terminal device fails to monitor the first DCI in N consecutive first DCI sending periods, the terminal device terminates the statistical process.

[0327] In the above method, by terminating the counting process when the first condition is met, it is possible to avoid the terminal still monitoring the first DCI after replying the counting response information, thereby causing a waste of resources.

[0328] exist Figure 5 In the described method, a first DCI is sent to a terminal device on a PDCCH channel, and the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information. The terminal device descrambles the first DCI and obtains the counting request information according to the parameters indicated by the first DCI. After receiving the counting request information, the terminal device replies with counting response information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in the RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that subscribe to the multicast service based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the subsequent multicast service transmission control.

[0329] See Figure 8 , Figure 8Another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0330] Step S801: The network device sends third downlink control information DCI to the terminal device.

[0331] The third DCI is used to indicate at least one counting request information.

[0332] Specifically, in the first way, the third DCI is encrypted by a preset wireless network identifier, or is encrypted by a special RNTI. The third DCI is used to schedule counting request information for multiple multicast services. Accordingly, the third DCI encrypted by the special RNTI can schedule counting request information for multiple multicast service groups at a time. The special RNTI can be understood as an RNTI other than G-RNTI, such as a parameter defined by the standard specifically for scrambling the third DCI. By using a special RNTI to scramble the third DCI, the terminal device can be instructed that the third DCI is used to indicate counting request information. When the third DCI is encrypted by a special RNTI, the method is as follows:

[0333] Mode 1: The third DCI is scrambled by a special RNTI. Accordingly, the terminal device descrambles the third DCI by using the special RNTI, and obtains the counting request information on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) that is correlated with the parameters indicated by the third DCI.

[0334] Method 2: The third DCI is encrypted by a special RNTI, and the third DCI includes third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the third DCI includes counting request information, and then the terminal device can determine that the third DCI includes counting request information based on the third indication information after receiving the third DCI. Specifically, the third indication information can be indicated in an explicit or implicit manner. In one possible implementation, the third indication information is indicated in an explicit manner, and the third DCI includes the third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the third DCI includes counting request information. In another possible implementation, the third indication information is indicated in an implicit manner. For example, the standard predefines a specific field, and the specific field is used to indicate whether the third DCI includes counting request information. Since the third DCI includes counting request information, accordingly, the network device no longer needs to send counting request information to the terminal device through another message. The terminal device descrambles the third DCI through a special RNTI and receives the counting request information.

[0335] In one optional solution, the network device configures a first transmission period for the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device can periodically monitor the third DCI using a specific RNTI based on the first transmission period. This eliminates the need for the terminal device to continuously monitor the third DCI, saving power and avoiding resource waste.

[0336] Specifically, in the second manner, the third DCI may be scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI), and the third DCI is used to schedule paging information. The specific manner of carrying the counting request information through the paging message is as follows:

[0337] Method 1: The third DCI is encrypted by a special P-RNTI that is different from the normal P-RNTI. The special P-RNTI that is different from the normal P-RNTI and the normal RNTI can be understood as improvements on the existing P-RNTI. For example, by using a special P-RNTI to scramble the third DCI, the paging message scheduled by the third DCI can be used not only to indicate changes in terminal device system information, arrival of public warning information, or arrival of terminal services, but also to indicate the arrival of counting request information. The third DCI is used to schedule paging messages, and the paging messages carry counting request information. Accordingly, the terminal device descrambles the third DCI through the special RNTI, detects the relevant physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) through the parameters indicated by the third DCI, and receives the paging message, thereby receiving the counting request information.

[0338] Method 2: The network device may send the third DCI through a special paging occasion (PO) configuration that is different from a normal paging occasion (PO) configuration, and accordingly, the terminal device monitors the third DCI at the special PO configuration.

[0339] Mode 3: The third DCI is encrypted by a normal P-RNTI, and the third DCI includes fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the third DCI includes counting request information. Then, after receiving the third DCI, the terminal device can determine that the third DCI includes counting request information based on the fourth indication information. Specifically, the fourth indication information can be indicated in an explicit or implicit manner. In one possible implementation, the fourth indication information is indicated in an explicit manner, and the third DCI includes the fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate that the third DCI includes counting request information. In another possible implementation, the fourth indication information is indicated in an implicit manner. For example, the standard predefines a specific domain, and the specific domain is used to indicate whether the third DCI includes counting request information. Since the third DCI includes counting request information, accordingly, the network device no longer needs to send counting request information to the terminal device through another message. Accordingly, the terminal device descrambles the third DCI through the normal P-RNTI and receives the counting request information.

[0340] Method 4: The third DCI is encrypted through the normal P-RNTI. The third DCI is used to schedule paging messages. The paging messages carry counting request information. Accordingly, the terminal device descrambles the third DCI through the normal P-RNTI, and receives the paging message on the related physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) through the parameter detection indicated by the third DCI, thereby receiving the counting request information.

[0341] Correspondingly, the network device sends the third DCI to the terminal device in any one of the above four methods.

[0342] In an optional solution, before the network device sends the third DCI to the terminal device, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the third DCI, or the configuration information is used to indicate the time-frequency position of the third DCI. It can be understood that the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the third DCI. The manner in which the network device sends the configuration information to the terminal device, and the manner in which the terminal device determines the time domain position and frequency domain position of the third DCI based on the configuration information can refer to step S501 in the above embodiment.

[0343] Step S802: The terminal device receives third downlink control information DCI from the network device.

[0344] Specifically, the terminal device receives a third DCI from the network device according to a special RNTI, and the third DCI is used to schedule counting request information for multiple multicast services, or receives a third DCI from the network device according to the P-RNTI, and the third DCI is used to schedule a paging message, and the paging message carries the counting request information. Accordingly, after receiving the third DCI, the terminal device determines that the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices subscribed to the multicast service. Through the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the network device can schedule counting request information for multiple multicast services or P-RNTI-encrypted DCI scheduling paging messages by sending a special RNTI, thereby realizing the number of terminal devices subscribed to the multicast service. At the same time, it saves additional signaling consumption and improves the communication efficiency of the communication system.

[0345] Step S803: The network device sends counting request information to the terminal device.

[0346] The counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices subscribing to the multicast service. The implementation method of carrying the counting request information can refer to step S505 in the above embodiment, and this step will not be repeated.

[0347] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0348] Specifically, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service, which can make it clear that the network device wants to count and subscribe to a specific one or more multicast services.

[0349] For example, if the counting request information includes multicast service 1, it means that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 1; or, if the counting request information includes multicast service 1, multicast service 2, and multicast service 3, it means that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 1, the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 2, and the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 3. That is, the network device can count the number of terminal devices subscribing to multiple multicast services through one counting request information, thereby improving the resource utilization of the communication system.

[0350] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes an access probability factor.

[0351] Specifically, the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending counting response information. Optionally, the access probability factor can be one or more. When the access probability factor is one, terminal devices in different RRC states share the access probability factor; when the access probability factor is multiple, the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, where the RRC state includes the RRC idle state, the RRC inactive state, or the RRC connected state. Accordingly, the terminal device can decide which access probability factor to use based on its own state.

[0352] In an optional solution, the network device sends an access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending counting response information. Accordingly, the terminal device determines whether to reply with counting response information based on the access probability factor and counting request information.

[0353] In an optional solution, the network device sends at least one access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control (RRC) state of the terminal device, where the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state, or an RRC connected state. For example, the network device configures different access probability factors for terminal devices in different states, or the network device can allow terminal devices in two states to share a probability factor, while a terminal device in another state uses a separate probability factor. For example, the network device configures an access probability factor of 0.1 for a terminal device in the RRC idle state, an access probability factor of 0.2 for a terminal device in the RRC inactive state, and an access probability factor of 0.3 for a terminal device in the RRC connected state, and the network device sends probability factors 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 to the terminal device. For example, the network device configures an access probability factor of 0.15 for terminal devices in the RRC idle state and the RRC inactive state, and configures an access probability factor of 0.25 for a terminal device in the RRC connected state, and the network device sends access probability factors 0.15 and 0.25 to the terminal device.

[0354] Step S804: The terminal device receives counting request information from the network device.

[0355] For a specific implementation, reference may be made to step S506 in the above embodiment, and this step will not be described in detail.

[0356] Step S805: The terminal device sends counting response information to the network device.

[0357] Step S806: The network device receives counting response information from the terminal device.

[0358] Specifically, the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information. For a specific implementation, reference may be made to step S508 in the above embodiment, and this step will not be described in detail.

[0359] exist Figure 8 In the described method, a third DCI is sent to the terminal device on the PDCCH channel, and the third DCI is used to schedule counting request information. The terminal device descrambles the third DCI and obtains the counting request information according to the parameters indicated by the third DCI. After receiving the counting request information, the terminal device replies with counting response information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the multicast service transmission control and improving communication efficiency.

[0360] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 Another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0361] Step S901: The network device sends MCCH configuration information to the terminal device.

[0362] Specifically, step S901 is an optional step. The MCCH configuration information is used to configure the time-frequency resource location of the counting request information. Optionally, the MCCH configuration information may be carried in a broadcast message. Optionally, the MCCH configuration information may include: BWP information, a time-frequency control resource location indication, a search space, a repetition period, and a modification period, wherein the BWP information is used to indicate on which BWP the MCCH is sent, the time-frequency control resource location indication may also be referred to as a CORESET indication, which is used to indicate the frequency domain location carrying the MCCH and the number of symbols occupied in the time domain, the repetition period is used to indicate how often the MCCH appears, a modification period includes multiple repetition periods, and the information carried by the MCCH in a modification period is unchanged.

[0363] Specifically, in the counting mechanism of 3G, the network device sends a multicast service modification information message to at least one terminal device through the MCCH channel. The multicast service modification information message includes configuration information (used to periodically send the multicast service modification information message) and indication information. The indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to trigger the multicast counting process. After the terminal device receives the indication information in the multicast service modification information message, it triggers the multicast counting process. In the counting mechanism of LTE, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal device. The configuration information is used to configure the time domain resource location for sending counting request information. The terminal device receives the counting request information carried by the MCCH channel based on the configuration information. The MCCH configuration information in this embodiment is different from the configuration information in the 3G and LTE solutions. The MCCH configuration information in this embodiment introduces some new attributes. The MCCH configuration information includes BWP information, time-frequency control resource location indication, search space searchspace, repetition period, and modification period. The MCCH configuration information can be used not only to configure the time domain resource location for sending counting request information, but also to configure the frequency domain resource location for sending counting request information.

[0364] Step S902: The terminal device receives MCCH configuration information from the network device.

[0365] Specifically, the MCCH configuration information is used to configure the time-frequency resource position of the counting request information. Accordingly, the terminal device obtains the counting request information at the time-frequency resource position of the counting request information through the MCCH configuration information.

[0366] Step S903: The network device carries the counting request information sent to the terminal device via the MCCH channel.

[0367] Specifically, the MCCH channel can carry counting request information and / or counting response information. The MCCH channel can also carry other multicast service scheduling related information, such as the configuration set of the multicast traffic channel (MTCH), which includes multiple multicast service channel configurations; each multicast service channel configuration includes: G-RNTI, DRX parameters, BWP information carrying MTCH, time-frequency control resource location indication, and search space indication. The counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices subscribed to the multicast service. There are many ways to implement the MCCH channel carrying counting request information. Please refer to step S505 for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0368] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0369] Specifically, the counting request information includes the service identifier of the multicast service, which can make it clear that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices that subscribe to a specific one or more multicast services.

[0370] For example, if the counting request information includes multicast service 1, it means that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 1; or, if the counting request information includes multicast service 1, multicast service 2, and multicast service 3, it means that the network device wants to count the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 1, the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 2, and the number of terminal devices subscribing to multicast service 3, that is, the network device can count the number of terminal devices interested in multiple multicast services through one counting request information.

[0371] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes an access probability factor.

[0372] Specifically, the explanation and meaning of the access probability factor are described in step S505 and will not be repeated here.

[0373] In an optional solution, the network device sends an access probability factor to the terminal device, where the access probability factor is used to indicate the probability of sending counting response information. Accordingly, the terminal device determines whether to reply with counting response information based on the access probability factor and counting request information.

[0374] In one optional solution, the network device sends at least one access probability factor to the terminal device. The access probability factor is associated with the terminal device's Radio Resource Control (RRC) state, where the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state, or an RRC connected state. For details, refer to step S505 and will not be repeated here.

[0375] Step S904: The terminal device receives counting request information from the network device.

[0376] After receiving the counting request information sent by the network device, the terminal device replies with a counting response information; or after receiving the counting request information, the terminal device needs to determine whether to reply a counting response information to the network device. The determination method can be referred to step S506 and will not be repeated here.

[0377] Step S905: The terminal device sends counting response information to the network device.

[0378] Step S906: The network device receives counting response information from the terminal device.

[0379] Specifically, the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information. The counting response information includes: multicast service indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate subscription to the multicast service. Alternatively, the counting response information includes: at least one of: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part (BWP) indication corresponding to the multicast service, and a location indication information of the terminal device.

[0380] Specifically, if the terminal device is in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state, the counting response information is carried in the random access message, which is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA. If the terminal device is in the RRC connected state, the counting response information is carried in the MAC CE, Control PDU or RRC message.

[0381] After the terminal device determines to send the counting response information to the network device, the terminal device may decide how to send the counting response information according to its own RRC state. For details, please refer to step S508, which will not be repeated here.

[0382] exist Figure 9 In the described method, MCCH configuration information is sent, which indicates the time-frequency resource location, and counting request information is sent to the terminal device on the MCCH channel. Accordingly, the terminal device replies with counting response information after receiving the counting request information. The network device can count the number of terminal devices in RRC idle state / RRC inactive state / RRC connected state that are receiving or interested in receiving multicast services based on the counting response information, thereby optimizing the multicast service transmission control. Since the existing MCCH mechanism in 3G or LTE cannot be applied to 5G, the above implementation method can solve the problem of MCCH adapting to new 5G features such as BWP and beamforming, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0383] For the terminal device (subcarrier spacing Δf is = 1.25 / 2.5 / 7.5 / 15kHz), the terminal device determines which subframes in the time domain reserved by the network device correspond to the downlink MBSFN service based on the MBSFN-SubframeConfig sent by the network device; but if the terminal device is also configured with a subcarrier spacing of Δf = 0.37kHz, that is, the corresponding minimum time unit (such as, when slot = 3ms), it is uncertain to determine which slots can carry MCCH. Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the present method provides the following solution, which is applicable to all the above embodiments, but is not limited to the application scenarios of the above embodiments. Here, the method for determining the slot that can carry MCCH mainly includes the following two steps: determining the effective minimum time unit; based on the method for determining the effective minimum time unit (slot), a method for determining the slot that carries MCCH.

[0384] Specifically, the access network device configures a specific subcarrier spacing for the terminal device and determines whether the minimum time unit corresponding to the subcarrier spacing is valid for MBSFN. The method for determining the valid minimum time unit includes: the terminal device will only receive MBMS sent by the network device in a time slot only if the MBSFN subframe and the minimum time unit corresponding to the specific subcarrier spacing are completely matched in the time domain, or if all u subframes within the minimum time unit corresponding to the specific subcarrier spacing are used by the network device for downlink MBSFN. For example, when Δf = 0.37 kHz, the number of subframes corresponding to the minimum time unit is 3. For example, the network device is considered to be able to use the corresponding time slot for MBSFN transmission only if the MBSFN subframe and the time slot corresponding to Δf = 0.37 kHz are completely matched in the time domain (i.e., if they overlap in the time domain). For a terminal device with Δf = 0.37 kHz, the terminal device will only receive MBMS sent by the network device in a time slot only if all subframes corresponding to the time slot are configured by the network device for downlink MBSFN.

[0385] For example, Figure 10 As shown, the network device has configured subframes #1, #2, #3, #6, #7, and #8 as reserved for MBSFN use. For a terminal device configured with Δf = 0.37kHz (i.e., the frame structure corresponding to the last row), the header (black fill) is used to send the main system message and cannot be changed. Therefore, for a terminal device with Δf = 0.37kHz, subframes #1, #2, and #3 corresponding to slot #0 are reserved by the network device for downlink MBSFN use. Therefore, slot #0 meets the conditions, and the terminal device will receive the MBMS sent by the base station in slot #0. For slot #1, because only subframe #6 corresponding to slot #1 is an MBSFN subframe, and subframes #4 and #5 are non-MBSFN subframes, the terminal device will not receive the MBMS sent by the network device in slot #1. Similarly, for slot#2, subframes #7 and 8 corresponding to slot#2 are MBSFN subframes, but subframe 9 is a non-MBSFN subframe. Therefore, for terminal devices with Δf=0.37kHz, slot#2 is not reserved by the network device for downlink MBSFN use.

[0386] The method for determining the position of receiving MBMS by the terminal device according to the above method enables the terminal device configured with Δf = 0.37kHz to accurately determine the time domain resources corresponding to the downlink MBSFN. Based on the method for determining the minimum valid time unit (slot) as described above, the method for determining the slot carrying MCCH is introduced. Before introducing the method for determining the slot carrying MCCH, the method for determining the subframe carrying MCCH is introduced first, as follows:

[0387] First, determine the radio frame in which the MCCH is scheduled according to the formula SFN mod mcch-RepetitionPeriod = mcch-Offset, where the MCCH repetition period mcch-RepetitionPeriod and the MCCH offset mcch-Offset are configured by the network device and are known to the terminal device;

[0388] Then, the position of the subframe carrying MCCH in the above radio frame is indicated according to sf-AllocInfo - 10-bit bitmap is used to indicate yes.

[0389] Since all subframes corresponding to Slot#6 are configured as MBSFN subframes, according to the method for determining the valid minimum time unit (slot) as described above, slot#6 is valid, that is, the slot is available. However, according to the method for determining the subframe that carries MCCH, sf-AllocInfo-r16 is a 10-bit method that indicates the subframe that can carry MCCH in a radio frame that satisfies the above formula. Slot#6 includes subframe#19, subframe#20, and subframe#21. Among them, subframe#19 determines whether it can carry MCCH based on the sf-AllocInfo-r16 corresponding to radio frame #N+1, and subframe#20 and subframe#21 determine whether they can carry MCCH based on the sf-AllocInfo-r16 corresponding to radio frame #N+2. Therefore, if the corresponding bit of subframe#19 is set to 1, the UE cannot determine whether slot#6 carries MCCH. Therefore, for UEs configured with special subcarrier spacing, a method needs to be defined to determine the slots that can carry MCCH, that is, a method to determine which slots can carry MCCH. The special subcarrier spacing can be 0.37kHz or 0.37kHz / 2, which is not limited in this solution.

[0390] Methods for determining whether a valid slot can carry the MCCH include the following:

[0391] Solution 1: The terminal device decides whether the valid slot can carry the MCCH based on the valid slot determined by the current standard and the following options:

[0392] Option 1: For a valid slot, if any subframe corresponding to the valid slot can carry MCCH, then this valid slot is considered to be able to carry MCCH.

[0393] Option 2: For a valid slot, if all subframes in the same radio in the valid slot can carry MCCH, then the valid slot is considered to be able to carry MCCH.

[0394] Solution 2: Network equipment is implemented. Network equipment is configured to avoid slots that cross wireless frames (no standard impact).

[0395] Solution 3: The network device informs the terminal device of the slot carrying MCCH by sending indication information. Under this solution, the network device can indicate the slot carrying MCCH to the terminal device by displaying indication information, without the terminal device having to make its own judgment.

[0396] Specifically, the network device can indicate the slot information of the MCCH to the terminal device according to any of the following options, that is, the base station can indicate to the terminal device which slots can carry the MCCH according to any of the following options. Correspondingly, the terminal device can determine the slot information carrying the MCCH according to the indication information sent by the network device:

[0397] Option 1: Use a bitmap to indicate which slots can carry MCCH.

[0398] Specifically, each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a slot. The correspondence between the bit and the slot is predetermined. The network device and the terminal device have the same understanding of this correspondence. When a bit position is "1", it means that the slot corresponding to the bit can carry MCCH. Conversely, when the bit position is "0", it means that the slot corresponding to the bit cannot carry MCCH.

[0399] For example, within a time period, the number of time slots corresponding to 0.37 kHz is 13. 13 bits can be used to indicate which of the 13 slots can carry MCCH. When the bit position is "1", the slot corresponding to the identification bit can carry MCCH, otherwise.

[0400] Optionally, this bitmap can be identified by the sf-AllocInfo field, but since this field was originally 10 bits in the existing protocol, when this field is used to indicate which slots can carry MCCH, modifications need to be made in the interpretation of the field domain: when 0.37khz is configured, this sf-AllocInfo-r16 field uses 13 bits to indicate which slots can carry MCCH respectively; conversely, this sf-AllocInfo-r16 field uses the first 10 bits of 13 bits to indicate which radio subframes in a certain radio frame can carry MCCH, where a certain radio frame satisfies the radio frame that can be used to schedule MCCH determined by the formula SFN mod mcch-RepetitionPeriod = mcch-Offset. In other words, if the network device uses the 13-bit sf-AllocInfo field to indicate that it can carry MCCH, for the terminal device configured with 0.37kHz, this 13-bit sf-AllocInfo field is used to indicate the slot that can carry MCCH; conversely, if the terminal device is not configured with 0.37kHz, the first 10 bits of the 13-bit sf-AllocInfo-r16 field indicate which radio subframes in a certain radio frame can carry MCCH, where a certain radio frame satisfies the radio frame that can be used to schedule MCCH determined by the formula SFN mod mcch-RepetitionPeriod = mcch-Offset. The last 3 bits of the above 13 bits are meaningless, or the terminal device can ignore the last 3 bits of this 13 bit.

[0401] Option 2: Indicates the slot number that can carry MCCH. The information of the slot number that can carry MCCH can be carried in a system message or an RRC message.

[0402] For example, the slots that can carry MCCH may be slot#6 and slot#8, so the network device indicates slot#6 and slot#8 to the terminal device.

[0403] Option 3: Use 1 bit or 1 field to indicate to the terminal device that the slot across the wireless frame is valid.

[0404] Specifically, this 1-bit or 1-field can be added to SIB13 or the MBSFN-AreaInfo field. When a terminal device receives this information indicating that slots across radio frames are valid, it assumes that valid slots across radio frames are valid. (Because only the determination of slots across radio frames is problematic, this can be indicated using only 1-bit or 1-field.)

[0405] In the above method, since the current MBSFN multicast mode is configured in units of subframes (1ms) (i.e., signaling is used to indicate which subframes can be used for MBMS), but if a frame structure corresponding to a subcarrier spacing Δf of 0.37kHz is introduced, the minimum unit that the terminal device can recognize is 1slot=3ms, which makes the terminal device configured with Δf of 0.37kHz uncertain in judging which position of the resources in the time domain can be used for MBMS. The above method can accurately determine which position of the resources in the time domain can be used for MBMS, avoiding the uncertainty of the terminal device in judging the position of the time domain resources used to carry MCCH, reducing time consumption, and improving communication efficiency.

[0406] The above describes in detail the method of the embodiment of the present application, and the following provides an apparatus of the embodiment of the present application.

[0407] See Figure 11 , Figure 11 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, which may be the aforementioned network device or a component in the network device. The device 1100 may include a processing unit 1101 and a communication unit 1102, wherein each unit is described in detail below.

[0408] The processing unit 1101 is configured to send first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0409] The processing unit 1101 is further configured to send the counting request information to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0410] The processing unit 1101 is further configured to receive counting response information from the terminal device through the communication unit 1102 , where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0411] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network identifier.

[0412] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0413] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1101 is further configured to send an access probability factor to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102 , where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0414] In an optional scheme, the processing unit 1101 is also used to send at least one access probability factor to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state.

[0415] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1101 is further used to send first indication information to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting response information.

[0416] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0417] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0418] In an optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0419] In an optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0420] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1101 is further used to send configuration information to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0421] In an optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is a parameter for calculating the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is the continuous duration of the time-frequency control resource position indication.

[0422] In an optional scheme, the processing unit 1101 is further used to send a second DCI to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, and the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier, and the processing unit 1101 is further used to send a first message to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102, and the first message includes the configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0423] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1101 is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device through the communication unit 1102 , where the second indication information is configured to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0424] It should be noted that the implementation and beneficial effects of each unit can also refer to Figure 5 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown.

[0425] See Figure 12 , Figure 12 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, which may be the aforementioned terminal device or a component in the terminal device. The device 1200 may include a processing unit 1201 and a communication unit 1202, wherein each unit is described in detail as follows.

[0426] The processing unit 1201 is configured to receive, through the communication unit 1202, first downlink control information DCI from a network device, where the first DCI is used for scheduling counting request information and is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0427] The processing unit 1201 is configured to receive the counting request information from the network device through the communication unit 1202, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0428] The processing unit 1201 is configured to send the counting response information to the network device through the communication unit 1202 , where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0429] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network temporary identifier. In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0430] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1201 is further configured to receive an access probability factor from the network device through the communication unit 1202 , where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0431] In an optional scheme, the processing unit 1201 is also used to receive at least one access probability factor from the network device through the communication unit 1202, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state.

[0432] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1201 is further used to select a random number from a preset range; the processing unit is further used to send the counting response information to the network device through the communication unit 1202 when the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor.

[0433] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1201 is further configured to receive, through the communication unit 1202 , first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting response information.

[0434] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1201 is further configured to receive, through the communication unit 1202 , first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting response information.

[0435] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0436] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a partial bandwidth BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the following information: an indication of the location of the terminal device.

[0437] In an optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, which is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 and MsgA.

[0438] In an optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0439] In an optional solution, the processing unit 1201 is further configured to receive configuration information from the network device through the communication unit 1202, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters of the first DCI.

[0440] In an optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied duration, the sending period is the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is a parameter for calculating the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied duration is the continuous duration of the time-frequency control resource.

[0441] In an optional scheme, the processing unit 1201 is also used to receive a second DCI from the network device through the communication unit 1202, and the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier, and the processing unit 1201 is also used to send the first message to the terminal device through the communication unit 1202, wherein the first message includes configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0442] In an optional scheme, the processing unit 1201 is also used to exit the statistical process when a first condition is met, and the first condition includes: the first DCI is not monitored within a preset time period; the number of consecutive failures to monitor the first DCI reaches a preset value; or a second indication information is received from the network device, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to exit the statistical process.

[0443] It should be noted that the implementation and beneficial effects of each unit can also refer to Figure 5 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown.

[0444] See Figure 13 , Figure 13 A communication device 1300 is provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 1300 includes a processor 1301 and a transceiver 1303. Optionally, the device also includes a memory 1302. The processor 1301, the memory 1302 and the transceiver 1303 are interconnected via a bus 1304.

[0445] Memory 1302 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Memory 1302 is used for storing computer programs and data. Transceiver 1303 is used to receive and transmit data.

[0446] The processor 1301 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1301 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0447] The processor 1301 in the apparatus 1300 reads the computer program stored in the memory 1302 and is configured to perform the following operations:

[0448] Sending first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0449] Sending the counting request information to the terminal device, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0450] Receive counting response information from the terminal device, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0451] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network identifier.

[0452] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0453] In an optional solution, the processor 1301 is further configured to send an access probability factor to the terminal device through the transceiver 1303 , where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0454] In an optional solution, the processor 1301 is further used to send at least one access probability factor to the terminal device through the transceiver 1303, where the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state.

[0455] In an optional solution, the processor 1301 is further used to send first indication information to the terminal device through the transceiver 1303, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time-frequency resources of the counting response information.

[0456] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0457] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a bandwidth part BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the location indication information of the terminal device.

[0458] In an optional solution, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0459] In an optional solution, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0460] In an optional solution, the processor 1301 is further used to send configuration information to the terminal device through the transceiver 1303, where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0461] In an optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied time length, wherein the sending period is the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is a parameter for calculating the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied time length is the continuous duration of the time-frequency control resource position indication.

[0462] In an optional scheme, the processor 1301 is also used to send a second DCI to the terminal device through the transceiver 1303, and the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier, and a first message is sent to the terminal device, wherein the first message includes the configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0463] In an optional solution, the processor 1301 is further configured to send second indication information to the terminal device through the transceiver 1303 , where the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to terminate the statistical process.

[0464] It should be noted that the implementation and beneficial effects of each operation can also refer to Figure 5 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown.

[0465] See Figure 14 , Figure 14 A communication device 1400 is provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 1400 includes a processor 1401 and a transceiver 1403. Optionally, the device also includes a memory 1402. The processor 1401, the memory 1402 and the transceiver 1403 are interconnected via a bus 1404.

[0466] Memory 1402 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Memory 1402 is used for storing computer programs and data. Transceiver 1403 is used to receive and transmit data.

[0467] The processor 1401 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1401 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0468] The processor 1401 in the apparatus 1400 reads the computer program stored in the memory 1402 to perform the following operations:

[0469] receiving first downlink control information DCI from a network device, where the first DCI is used to schedule counting request information, and the first DCI is scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier;

[0470] receiving the counting request information from the network device, where the counting request information is used to count the number of terminal devices that are currently receiving or are interested in receiving the multicast service;

[0471] The counting response information is sent to the network device, where the counting response information is used to respond to the counting request information.

[0472] In an optional solution, the counting request information includes a service identifier of the multicast service.

[0473] In an optional solution, the wireless network temporary identifier is a group wireless network temporary identifier or a preset wireless network temporary identifier.

[0474] In an optional solution, the processor 1401 is further configured to receive an access probability factor from the network device through the transceiver 1403 , where the access probability factor is used to indicate a probability of sending the counting response information.

[0475] In an optional solution, the processor 1401 is also used to receive at least one access probability factor from the network device through the transceiver 1403, and the access probability factor is associated with the radio resource control RRC state of the terminal device, wherein the RRC state includes an RRC idle state, an RRC inactive state or an RRC connected state.

[0476] In an optional solution, the processor 1401 is further configured to select a random number from a preset range; if the random number is less than or equal to the access probability factor, send the counting response information to the network device via the transceiver 1403 .

[0477] In an optional solution, the processor 1401 is further configured to receive, through the transceiver 1403 , first indication information sent by the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate a time-frequency resource of the counting response information.

[0478] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: indication information of the multicast service, where the indication information is used to indicate that the multicast service is being received or is being received with interest.

[0479] In an optional solution, the counting response information includes: a service identifier of the multicast service, a beam indication corresponding to the multicast service, a partial bandwidth BWP indication corresponding to the multicast service, and at least one of the following information: an indication of the location of the terminal device.

[0480] In an optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC idle state or an RRC inactive state, the counting response information is carried in a random access message, and the random access message is Msg1, Msg3, Msg5 or MsgA.

[0481] In an optional solution, if the terminal device is in an RRC connected state, the counting response information is carried in an RRC message, a media access control element MAC CE or a control protocol data unit.

[0482] In an optional solution, the processor 1401 is further configured to receive configuration information from the network device through the transceiver 1403 , where the configuration information is used to configure parameters for receiving the first DCI.

[0483] In an optional scheme, the configuration information includes at least one of a sending period, a first offset, a time-frequency control resource position indication, a search space indication and an occupied duration, the sending period is the sending interval of the first DCI, the first offset is a parameter for calculating the sending starting position of the first DCI, the time-frequency control resource position indication is used to indicate the time-frequency resource position of the first DCI, the search space indication is used to indicate the search range and / or search method of the first DCI, and the occupied duration is the continuous duration of the time-frequency control resource.

[0484] In an optional scheme, the processor 1401 is also used to receive a second DCI from the network device through the transceiver 1403, and the second DCI is used to schedule the first message, wherein the second DCI is encrypted by the wireless network temporary identifier, and the first message is sent to the terminal device, and the first message includes configuration information, wherein the first message is a system message or a multicast message or an RRC message.

[0485] In an optional scheme, the terminal device terminates the statistical process when a first condition is met, and the first condition includes: the first DCI is not monitored within a preset time period; or the number of consecutive failures to monitor the first DCI reaches a preset value; or a second indication information is received from the network device, and the second indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to exit the statistical process.

[0486] It should be noted that the implementation and beneficial effects of each operation can also refer to Figure 5 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown.

[0487] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor, a memory, and an interface circuit. The memory, the transceiver, and the at least one processor are interconnected via a line. A computer program is stored in the at least one memory. When the computer program is executed by the processor, Figure 5 The method flow shown is realized.

[0488] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed on a processor, Figure 5 The method flow shown is realized.

[0489] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a terminal, Figure 5 The method flow shown is realized.

[0490] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device. When the communication system is run on the terminal device or the network device, Figure 5 The method flow shown is realized.

[0491] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program or computer program-related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the computer program can include the processes in the above-described method embodiments. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing computer program code, such as ROM or random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applicable to a terminal device or a chip of the terminal device, and includes: Determining that a minimum time unit corresponding to a subcarrier spacing of a specific value is a valid minimum time unit corresponding to a multicast / multicast single frequency network MBSFN; If any subframe in the valid minimum time unit can carry a multicast control logical channel MCCH, determining that the MCCH can be carried by the valid minimum time unit; A multimedia broadcast multicast service is received from a network device through the MCCH in the effective minimum time unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The subcarrier spacing of the specific value is 0.37 kHz, the minimum time unit is a time slot, and the length of the time slot is 3 milliseconds ms.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The time slot is any time slot in the frame structure corresponding to 0.37 kHz, and the frame structure corresponding to 0.37 kHz includes: 13 time slots numbered incrementally from 0 to 12, the 13 time slots being located within a 40 ms interval starting from a first position, the first position satisfying the condition nf mod 4=0, where time slot 0 starts at 30720Ts, nf is a radio frame number, Ts is a basic time unit, and mod is a modulo operation.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The position of the subframe carrying the MCCH in the radio frame is determined according to the subframe allocation information sf-AllocInfo.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The radio frame is determined according to the MCCH repetition period mcch-RepetitionPeriod and the MCCH offset mcch-Offset.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The wireless frame satisfies the following formula: SFN mod mcch-RepetitionPeriod = mcch-Offset; Wherein, SFN is the system frame number, and mod is the modulo operation.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The determining that the minimum time unit corresponding to the subcarrier spacing of the specific value is a valid minimum time unit corresponding to the MBSFN includes: If all subframes in the minimum time unit are configured to be used for transmitting MBSFN services, the minimum time unit is determined to be a valid minimum time unit.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: The subframe corresponding to the MBSFN service is determined according to the multicast subframe configuration information from the network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: A multimedia broadcast multicast service MBMS is received from the network device in a minimum time unit determined to be capable of carrying the MCCH.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that include: The subcarrier spacing of the specific value is received from the network device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applicable to a network device or a chip of the network device, and includes: Sending a subcarrier spacing of a specific value, where the minimum time unit corresponding to the subcarrier spacing of the specific value is a valid minimum time unit corresponding to a multicast / multicast single frequency network (MBSFN); In the case that any subframe in the effective minimum time unit can carry a multicast control logical channel MCCH, a multimedia broadcast multicast service is sent through the MCCH in the effective minimum time unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The subcarrier spacing of the specific value is 0.37 kHz, the minimum time unit is a time slot, and the length of the time slot is 3 milliseconds ms.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The time slot is any time slot in the frame structure corresponding to 0.37 kHz, and the frame structure corresponding to 0.37 kHz includes: 13 time slots numbered incrementally from 0 to 12, the 13 time slots being located within a 40 ms interval starting from a first position, the first position satisfying the condition nf mod 4=0, where time slot 0 starts at 30720Ts, nf is a radio frame number, Ts is a basic time unit, and mod is a modulo operation.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Subframe configuration information sf-AllocInfo is sent, where the subframe allocation information sf-AllocInfo is used to determine the position of the subframe carrying the MCCH in the radio frame.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The radio frame is determined according to the MCCH repetition period mcch-RepetitionPeriod and the MCCH offset mcch-Offset.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The wireless frame satisfies the following formula: SFN mod mcch-RepetitionPeriod = mcch-Offset; Wherein, SFN is the system frame number, and mod is the modulo operation.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that include: In the case that all subframes in the minimum time unit are configured for transmitting MBSFN services, the minimum time unit is a valid minimum time unit.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The method further comprises: Multicast subframe configuration information is sent to the terminal device, where the multicast subframe configuration information is used to determine a subframe corresponding to the MBSFN service.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

21. A communication device comprising at least one processor and a transceiver, characterized in that: The transceiver is connected to the at least one processor, the transceiver is used to obtain a computer program, and the processor executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 by running the computer program.

22. A communication device comprising at least one processor and a transceiver, characterized in that: The transceiver is connected to the at least one processor, the transceiver is used to obtain a computer program, and the processor executes the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 18 by running the computer program.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

24. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes at least one processor and an interface circuit, the processor is used to call and run instructions from the interface circuit, and when the processor executes the instructions, it implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and implement the communication method according to any one of claims 11 to 18.

Images