A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to a communication method and apparatus. A core network device or network device sends configuration information to a first terminal device. This configuration information configures the transmission mode of paging messages (or system messages), which can be either frequency-hopping or non-frequency-hopping. The network device and the first terminal device transmit paging messages or system messages using either frequency-hopping or non-frequency-hopping based on the transmission mode of the paging messages. For terminal devices with limited capabilities, the network device can use frequency-hopping to send paging messages (or system messages), allowing the terminal device to receive them using frequency-hopping. The gain from frequency-hopping can meet the coverage restoration needs of bandwidth-constrained terminal devices. For normal terminal devices, the network device and the first terminal device can transmit paging messages using non-frequency-hopping.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of communication, and in particular, to a communication method and device. BACKGROUND

[0002] When a network device needs to send downlink data to a terminal device in an idle state or an inactive state, the network device sends a paging message to the terminal device to page the terminal device. After receiving the paging message, the terminal device in the idle state or the inactive state can initiate a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment process to receive a call.

[0003] In new radio (NR) technology, the paging message is carried on resources corresponding to an initial downlink bandwidth part (initial downlink BWP).

[0004] However, in addition to some first terminal devices with normal functions, there are also some terminal devices with limited capabilities, such as NR light terminal devices or reduced capability (REDCAP) terminal devices. For the NR light terminal device, the bandwidth can be limited, and the working bandwidth of the terminal device can be smaller than the initial downlink BWP. Thus, the network device sends the paging message on the resources of the initial downlink BWP, which can not be monitored by some NR light terminal devices, thereby affecting subsequent downlink data transmission. SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device, which can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device with limited capabilities cannot monitor the paging message, thereby affecting the downlink data transmission.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first communication device. The first communication device can be a communication device or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required by the communication device to implement the method, such as a circuit or an electronic device. For example, the first communication device is a terminal device, or a circuit or an electronic device provided in the terminal device to implement the functions of the terminal device, or other components to implement the functions of the terminal device. In the following introduction, the first communication device is taken as an example of a first terminal device. The communication method includes: receiving, by the first terminal device, first configuration information, the first configuration information including first information, the first information being used to configure a transmission mode of a paging message (or a system message), the transmission mode of the paging message (or the system message) being a frequency hopping mode or a non-frequency hopping mode; and receiving, by the first terminal device, the paging message (or the system message) according to the transmission mode of the paging message (or the system message) configured by the first configuration information.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, before receiving the paging message, the first terminal device can determine to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode or the non-frequency hopping mode. Since the frequency hopping has a gain, such as a gain of 2-3 dB. If for a terminal device with limited capability, such as an NR light terminal device, the network device can transmit the paging message (or the system message) in the frequency hopping mode, so that the terminal device receives the paging message (or the system message) in the frequency hopping mode, and the gain of the frequency hopping can meet the demand of coverage recovery of the terminal device with limited bandwidth. For a normal terminal device, the terminal device can determine to receive the paging message in the non-frequency hopping mode according to the first configuration information.

[0008] In a possible design, the first information is an indication bit, when the indication bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, or when the indication bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the non-frequency hopping mode. For example, when the indication bit is 1, it indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, so that the first terminal device receives the paging message in the frequency hopping mode, and when the indication bit is 0, it indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the non-frequency hopping mode, so that the first terminal device receives the paging message in the non-frequency hopping mode. For another example, when the indication bit is 0, it indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, so that the first terminal device receives the paging message in the frequency hopping mode, and when the indication bit is 1, it indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the non-frequency hopping mode, so that the first terminal device receives the paging message in the non-frequency hopping mode. Since the indication bit occupies less resource, the occupation of transmission resource can be reduced.

[0009] In a possible design, the transmission manner of the paging message is frequency hopping, and the first information is an indication bit, and the first configuration information further includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message; the first terminal device can receive the paging message according to the transmission manner of the paging message configured by the first configuration information, in a manner that: the first terminal device listens to the paging message on the at least two frequency domain resources according to the first configuration information in the frequency hopping manner. In the design, before the first terminal device receives the paging message, it is determined that the paging message is received in the frequency hopping manner, and at least two frequency domain resources used for receiving the paging message are determined. If the first terminal device is a bandwidth-limited terminal device, listening to the paging message on the at least two frequency domain resources can improve the coverage of listening to the paging message, and to some extent, can avoid the problem that the downlink data transmission is affected by the fact that the paging message cannot be listened to by the terminal device with limited capability. If the first terminal device is a terminal device with normal functions, listening to the paging message on the at least two frequency domain resources can improve the coverage of listening to the paging message.

[0010] In a possible design, the first information includes information of a frequency domain resource used for transmitting the paging message. For example, the first information includes information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message, and the first terminal device listens to the paging message on the at least two frequency domain resources according to the first configuration information in the frequency hopping manner. For another example, the first information includes information of one frequency domain resource used for transmitting the paging message, and the first terminal device listens to the paging message on the frequency domain resource according to the first configuration information in the non-frequency hopping manner. The information of the frequency domain resource at least includes location information of the frequency domain resource. The location information of the frequency domain resource can include one or more of a frequency point, a carrier, a frequency band, or a bandwidth of the frequency domain resource. The frequency domain resource can be a BWP, or a narrow band. For example, the frequency domain resource is a BWP, and the information of the BWP can include one or more of a subcarrier spacing (SCS) identifier, a coreset identifier, or a search space identifier in addition to the location information of the BWP.

[0011] For example, the frequency domain resource is a BWP, and the at least two BWPs can include an initial downlink BWP, or a BWP in which a cell-defined synchronization signal block is located, which is different from a frequency domain location of a synchronization signal block defined by the cell used by the first terminal device.

[0012] According to the above design, the first information includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message, and the first terminal device can determine to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping manner. Compared with using the indication bit, the number of bits can be reduced, and the transmission resource can be reduced.

[0013] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted via frequency hopping. The first configuration information also includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is one supported by the first terminal device. The terminal device type may include, for example, NR light terminal devices, eMTC terminal devices, or NB-IoT terminal devices. These types can be further subdivided; for example, NR light terminal devices may include type 1 terminal devices or type 2 terminal devices. Different types of terminals may have different capabilities, costs, or complexities. For instance, type 1 terminal devices may support a maximum bandwidth of 10MHz, while type 2 terminal devices may support a maximum bandwidth of 20MHz. The service types supported by the terminal device may include, for example, industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSN) services, wearable services, or monitoring services.

[0014] In one possible design, the first configuration information can be configured by the network device to the first terminal device, thereby the first terminal device receiving the first configuration information from the network device. Alternatively, the first configuration information can also be configured by the core network device to the first terminal device, thereby the first terminal device receiving the first configuration information from the core network device.

[0015] In one possible design, the communication method further includes: a first terminal device sending indication information to a network device or a core network device, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using a frequency hopping method.

[0016] Through the above design, the first terminal device can negotiate with the network device or core network device whether to use frequency hopping as needed. It sends its desire to use frequency hopping to the network device or core network device. Upon receiving this instruction, the network device or core network device can instruct the first terminal device whether to use frequency hopping to receive paging messages, for example, by sending first configuration information to the first terminal device.

[0017] In one possible design, instruction information is sent to network devices or core network devices, including:

[0018] Send auxiliary information to network devices or core network devices, wherein the auxiliary information includes the indication information; or...

[0019] Send a tracking area update message to a network device or core network device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information;

[0020] Send a Radio Access Network Area Update (RAI) message to a network device or core network device, the RAI message carrying the indication information.

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a communication equipment or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required by the communication equipment to implement the method, such as a circuit or electronic device. Exemplarily, the second communication device is a network device, or a circuit or electronic device disposed in the network device for implementing the functions of the network device, or other components for implementing the functions of the network device. In the following description, a network device is used as an example of the second communication device. The communication method includes: obtaining first configuration information, the first configuration information including first information, the first information being used to configure the transmission mode of a paging message (or system message), the transmission mode of the paging message (or system message) being frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping; and sending a paging message (or system message) to a first terminal device according to the transmission mode of the paging message configured by the first configuration information. The paging message is used as an example in the subsequent description.

[0022] In one possible design, the first information is an indicator bit. When the indicator bit is at a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping mode. Alternatively, when the indicator bit is at a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a non-frequency hopping mode.

[0023] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0024] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0025] In one possible design, the location information of at least two frequency domain resources is the location information of at least two bandwidth portions (BWPs).

[0026] In one possible design, the BWP includes the initial downlink BWP, or the BWP containing other cell-defined synchronization blocks that are located in a different frequency domain than the cell-defined synchronization block used by the first terminal device.

[0027] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is the service supported by the first terminal device.

[0028] In one possible design, the method further includes: the network device sending first configuration information to the first terminal device. The first terminal device can then determine, based on the first configuration information, whether to use frequency hopping to receive system messages or paging messages.

[0029] In one possible design, before the network device obtains the first configuration information, the method further includes: the network device receiving indication information from a first terminal device, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using a frequency hopping method.

[0030] In one possible design, the network device receives instruction information from the first terminal device, which can be achieved in the following way:

[0031] The network device receives auxiliary information from the first terminal device, the auxiliary information including the indication information; or,

[0032] The network device receives a tracking area update message from a first terminal device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information; or,

[0033] The network device receives a Radio Access Network Area Update message from the first terminal device, the Radio Access Network Area Update message carrying the indication information.

[0034] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency-hopping manner. The method further includes: when the network device determines that the number of times the paging message is sent to the first terminal device reaches a first threshold, it sends the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources; or, when it determines that the duration of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a second threshold, it sends the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources.

[0035] With the above design, when the number of times paging messages are sent using frequency hopping reaches a first threshold, or the duration reaches a second threshold, the network device will use at least two frequency domain resources to send paging messages, thereby improving the success rate of the terminal device receiving paging messages.

[0036] In one possible design, the network device receives the first configuration information sent by the core network device and then obtains the first configuration information.

[0037] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a third communication device. The third communication device can be a communication device or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required by the communication device to implement the method, such as a circuit or electronic device. Exemplarily, the third communication device is a core network device, or a circuit or electronic device disposed within the core network device for implementing the functions of the core network device, or other components for implementing the functions of the core network device. In the following description, the third communication device is taken as a core network device. The communication method includes: the core network device acquiring the transmission mode of a paging message, wherein the transmission mode of the paging message is frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping; sending first configuration information to a first device, wherein the first configuration information includes first information used to configure the transmission mode of the paging message, and the first device is a network device or a first terminal device.

[0038] In one possible design, the first information is an indicator bit. When the indicator bit is at a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping mode. Alternatively, when the indicator bit is at a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a non-frequency hopping mode.

[0039] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0040] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0041] In one possible design, the location information of at least two frequency domain resources is the location information of at least two bandwidth portions (BWPs).

[0042] In one possible design, the BWP includes the initial downlink BWP, or the BWP containing other cell-defined synchronization blocks that are located in a different frequency domain than the cell-defined synchronization block used by the first terminal device.

[0043] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is the service supported by the first terminal device.

[0044] In one possible design, before the core network device determines the transmission mode of the paging message, the communication method further includes: the core network device receiving indication information from the first terminal device, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive the paging message using a frequency hopping method; optionally, the core network device may save the indication information after receiving it from the first terminal device.

[0045] The core network device can obtain the transmission mode of the paging message in the following way: the transmission mode of the paging message is determined to be frequency hopping mode based on the indication information, and the transmission mode of the paging message configured in the first information is frequency hopping mode. Optionally, the core network device can obtain the transmission mode of the paging message from the indication information of the terminal device stored in the core network device.

[0046] In one possible design, the core network device receives instruction information from the first terminal device, including:

[0047] Receive auxiliary information from the first terminal device, the auxiliary information including indication information; or...

[0048] Receive a tracking area update message from the first terminal device, the tracking area update message carrying indication information; or,

[0049] Receive a Radio Access Network Area Update (RAI) message from the first terminal device. The RAI message carries indication information.

[0050] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, such as the first communication device as described above. The first communication device is used to perform the methods described in the first aspect or any possible implementation. Specifically, the first communication device may include modules for performing the methods in the first aspect or any possible implementation, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. Exemplarily, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module. Optionally, the transceiver module may also include a receiving module. The transmitting module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, or they may be the same functional module but capable of performing different functions. Exemplarily, the first communication device is a communication device, or a circuit, electronic device, or other component disposed in a communication device. Exemplarily, the communication device is a first terminal device. The following example uses a first terminal device as an example. For example, the transceiver module may also be implemented by a transceiver, and the processing module may also be implemented by a processor. Alternatively, the transmitting module may be implemented by a transmitter, and the receiving module may be implemented by a receiver. The transmitter and receiver may be different functional modules, or they may be the same functional module but capable of performing different functions. If the first communication device is a communication device, the transceiver may be implemented, for example, by an antenna, feeder, and codec in the communication device. Alternatively, if the first communication device is a circuit or electronic device installed in a communication device, then the transceiver (or transmitter and receiver) is, for example, a communication interface in the circuit or electronic device that is connected to a radio frequency transceiver component in the communication device to transmit and receive information via the radio frequency transceiver component. In the description of the fourth aspect, the first communication device will continue to be described as a first terminal device, and the processing module and the transceiver module will be used as examples.

[0051] The transceiver module is used to receive first configuration information, which includes first information used to configure the transmission mode of paging messages, wherein the transmission mode of paging messages is either frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping.

[0052] The processing module is used to instruct the transceiver module to receive paging messages using the paging message transmission method according to the first configuration information.

[0053] For details regarding the first configuration information and the first information, please refer to the description of the first aspect and the design of the first aspect; they will not be repeated here.

[0054] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message;

[0055] The processing module is specifically configured to instruct the transceiver module to use the frequency hopping method to listen for paging messages on at least two frequency domain resources according to the first configuration information.

[0056] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message;

[0057] The processing module is specifically configured to instruct the transceiver module to use the frequency hopping method to listen for paging messages on at least two frequency domain resources according to the first configuration information.

[0058] For details regarding the location information of frequency domain resources, please refer to the description of the first aspect or the design of the first aspect; it will not be repeated here.

[0059] In one possible design, the transceiver module is specifically used to: receive first configuration information from a network device; or, receive first configuration information from a core network device.

[0060] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to:

[0061] Send indication information to network devices or core network devices, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using frequency hopping.

[0062] In one possible design, the transceiver module is specifically used for:

[0063] Send auxiliary information to network devices or core network devices, wherein the auxiliary information includes the indication information; or...

[0064] Send a tracking area update message to a network device or core network device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information;

[0065] Send a Radio Access Network Area Update (RAI) message to a network device or core network device, the RAI message carrying the indication information.

[0066] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, such as the second communication device as described above. The second communication device is used to perform the methods described in the second aspect or any possible design. Specifically, the second communication device may include modules for performing the methods in the second aspect or any possible design, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. Exemplarily, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and a receiving module, which may be different functional modules or the same functional module capable of performing different functions. Exemplarily, the second communication device is a communication device, or a circuit, electronic device, or other component disposed in a communication device. Exemplarily, the communication device is a network device. The following example uses a network device as an example. For example, the transceiver module may also be implemented by a transceiver, and the processing module may also be implemented by a processor. Alternatively, the transmitting module may be implemented by a transmitter, and the receiving module may be implemented by a receiver; the transmitter and receiver may be different functional modules or the same functional module capable of performing different functions. If the second communication device is a communication device, the transceiver may be implemented, for example, by an antenna, feeder, and codec in the communication device. Alternatively, if the second communication device is a circuit or electronic device installed in a communication device, then the transceiver (or transmitter and receiver) is, for example, a communication interface in the circuit or electronic device that connects to the radio frequency transceiver components in the communication device to transmit and receive information via the radio frequency transceiver components. In the description of the fifth aspect, the second communication device will continue to be described using the example of a network device, and specifically using the processing module, the transmitting module, and the receiving module.

[0067] The processing module is used to obtain first configuration information, which includes first information. The first information is used to configure the transmission mode of paging messages (or system messages). The transmission mode of paging messages (or system messages) is either frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping.

[0068] The transceiver module is used to send paging messages (or system messages) to the first terminal device according to the paging message transmission method configured in the first configuration information. The following description will use paging messages as an example.

[0069] For a description of the first information and the first configuration information, please refer to the description of the second aspect or any design of the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0070] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send first configuration information to the first terminal device. The first terminal device can then determine, based on the first configuration information, whether to use frequency hopping to receive system messages or paging messages.

[0071] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive indication information from the first terminal device before acquiring the first configuration information, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using a frequency hopping method.

[0072] In one possible design, the transceiver module is specifically configured to receive auxiliary information from a first terminal device, the auxiliary information including the indication information; or...

[0073] Receive a tracking area update message from a first terminal device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information; or...

[0074] A wireless access network area update message is received from a first terminal device, the wireless access network area update message carrying the indication information.

[0075] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency-hopping manner. The transceiver module is further configured to send the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources when the processing module determines that the number of times the paging message has been sent to the first terminal device reaches a first threshold; or, when the processing module determines that the duration of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a second threshold, send the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources.

[0076] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive the first configuration information sent by the core network device.

[0077] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, such as the third communication device described above. The third communication device is used to perform the methods described in the third aspect or any possible implementation. Specifically, the third communication device may include modules for performing the methods in the third aspect or any possible implementation, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. Exemplarily, the transceiver module may include a sending module and a receiving module, which may be different functional modules or the same functional module capable of performing different functions. Exemplarily, the third communication device is a core network device, or a circuit, electronic device, or other component disposed in a core network device. The following example uses a core network device as an example. For example, the transceiver module may also be implemented using a transceiver, and the processing module may also be implemented using a processor. Alternatively, the sending module may be implemented using a transmitter, and the receiving module may be implemented using a receiver; the transmitter and receiver may be different functional modules or the same functional module capable of performing different functions.

[0078] The processing module is used to determine the transmission mode of the paging message, which is either frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping.

[0079] The transceiver module is used to send first configuration information to the first device. The first configuration information includes first information, which is used to configure the transmission mode of the paging message. The first device is a network device or a first terminal device.

[0080] In one possible design, the first information is an indicator bit. When the indicator bit is at a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping mode. Alternatively, when the indicator bit is at a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a non-frequency hopping mode.

[0081] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0082] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0083] In one possible design, the location information of at least two frequency domain resources is the location information of at least two bandwidth portions (BWPs).

[0084] In one possible design, the BWP includes the initial downlink BWP, or the BWP containing other cell-defined synchronization blocks that are located in a different frequency domain than the cell-defined synchronization block used by the first terminal device.

[0085] In one possible design, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is the service supported by the first terminal device.

[0086] In one possible design, the transceiver module is further configured to receive indication information from the first terminal device before determining the transmission method of the paging message. The indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive the paging message using a frequency hopping method.

[0087] The processing module is specifically used to: determine the transmission mode of the paging message as frequency hopping based on the indication information, and the transmission mode of the paging message configured in the first information is frequency hopping.

[0088] In one possible design, the transceiver module is specifically used for:

[0089] Receive auxiliary information from the first terminal device, the auxiliary information including indication information; or...

[0090] Receive a tracking area update message from the first terminal device, the tracking area update message carrying indication information; or,

[0091] Receive a Radio Access Network Area Update (RAI) message from the first terminal device. The RAI message carries indication information.

[0092] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, such as the first communication device described above. The communication device includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to communicate with other devices or equipment. Optionally, it may also include a memory for storing computer instructions. The processor and memory are coupled to each other for implementing the methods described in the first aspect or various possible embodiments. Alternatively, the first communication device may not include a memory, and the memory may be located externally to the first communication device. The processor, memory, and communication interface are coupled to each other for implementing the methods described in the first aspect or various possible embodiments. For example, when the processor executes the computer instructions stored in the memory, the first communication device performs the methods described in the first aspect or any possible embodiment. Exemplarily, the first communication device is a communication device, or a circuit, electronic device, or other component disposed in a communication device. Exemplarily, the communication device is a first terminal device.

[0093] Wherein, if the first communication device is a communication equipment, the communication interface is implemented, for example, through a transceiver (or transmitter and receiver) in the communication equipment, such as through an antenna, feeder, and codec in the communication equipment. Alternatively, if the first communication device is a circuit or electronic device disposed in the communication equipment, then the communication interface is, for example, an input / output interface of the circuit or electronic device, such as input / output pins, which is connected to the radio frequency transceiver component in the communication equipment to realize the transmission and reception of information through the radio frequency transceiver component.

[0094] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, such as the second communication device described above. The communication device includes a processor and a communication interface, which can be used to communicate with other devices or equipment. Optionally, it may also include a memory for storing computer instructions. The processor and memory are coupled to each other to implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible embodiments. Alternatively, the second communication device may not include a memory, which may be located externally to the second communication device. The processor, memory, and communication interface are coupled to each other to implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible embodiments. For example, when the processor executes the computer instructions stored in the memory, the second communication device performs the methods described in the second aspect or any possible embodiment. Exemplarily, the second communication device is a network device, or a circuit, electronic device, or other component disposed within a network device.

[0095] If the second communication device is a network device, the communication interface is implemented, for example, through a transceiver (or transmitter and receiver) within the network device. The transceiver may be implemented through an antenna, feeder, and codec within the network device. Alternatively, if the second communication device is a circuit or electronic device within the network device, the communication interface is, for example, an input / output interface of the circuit or electronic device, such as input / output pins. This communication interface is connected to a radio frequency transceiver component within the network device to transmit and receive information via the radio frequency transceiver component.

[0096] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, such as the third communication device described above. The communication device includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to communicate with other devices or equipment. Optionally, it may also include a memory for storing computer instructions. The processor and memory are coupled to each other to implement the methods described in the third aspect or various possible designs. Alternatively, the third communication device may not include a memory, which may be located externally to the third communication device. The processor, memory, and communication interface are coupled to each other to implement the methods described in the third aspect or various possible designs. For example, when the processor executes the computer instructions stored in the memory, the third communication device performs the methods described in the third aspect or any of the possible designs. Exemplarily, the third communication device is a communication device, or a circuit, electronic device, or other component disposed in a communication device. Exemplarily, the communication device is a terminal device.

[0097] In a tenth aspect, a circuit or electronic device is provided, the circuit or electronic device including a processor and a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface for implementing the method provided in the first aspect or any of the optional embodiments described above.

[0098] Optionally, the circuit or electronic device may further include a memory. For example, the processor may read and execute software programs stored in the memory to implement the methods provided by the first aspect or any possible design described above. Alternatively, the memory may not be included within the circuit or electronic device but is located outside of it. In this case, the processor may read and execute software programs stored in external memory to implement the methods provided by the first aspect or any possible design described above.

[0099] Eleventhly, a circuit or electronic device is provided, the circuit or electronic device including a processor and a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface for implementing the method provided by the second aspect or any possible design described above.

[0100] Optionally, the circuit or electronic device may further include a memory. For example, the processor may read and execute software programs stored in the memory to implement the method provided in the second aspect or any of the optional embodiments described above. Alternatively, the memory may not be included within the circuit or electronic device but is located outside the circuit or electronic device. In this case, the processor may read and execute software programs stored in external memory to implement the method provided in the second aspect or any of the optional embodiments described above.

[0101] In a twelfth aspect, a circuit or electronic device is provided, the circuit or electronic device including a processor and a communication interface, the processor being coupled to the communication interface for implementing the method provided in the third aspect or any possible design described above.

[0102] Optionally, the circuit or electronic device may further include a memory. For example, the processor may read and execute software programs stored in the memory to implement the method provided in the third aspect or any of the optional embodiments described above. Alternatively, the memory may not be included within the circuit or electronic device, but may be located outside the circuit or electronic device. In this case, the processor may read and execute software programs stored in external memory to implement the method provided in the third aspect or any of the optional embodiments described above.

[0103] In a thirteenth aspect, a first communication system is provided, comprising the communication device described in the fourth aspect, the communication device described in the seventh aspect, or the communication device described in the tenth aspect, as well as the communication device described in the fifth aspect, the communication device described in the eighth aspect, or the communication device described in the eleventh aspect.

[0104] In one possible design, the communication system may also include the communication device described in the sixth aspect, the communication device described in the ninth aspect, or the communication device described in the twelfth aspect.

[0105] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0106] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the second aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above.

[0107] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the third aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above.

[0108] In a seventeenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, the computer program product being used to store a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any of the possible embodiments of the first aspect above.

[0109] In an eighteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, the computer program product being used to store a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the second aspect or any of the possible embodiments described above.

[0110] In a nineteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, the computer program product being used to store a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any of the possible embodiments of the third aspect above. Attached Figure Description

[0111] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in the embodiments of this application;

[0112] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0113] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 4 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0115] Figure 5 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0116] Figure 6 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0117] Figure 7 Another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0118] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0119] 1) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0120] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, "first frequency domain resource" and "second frequency domain resource" are only used to distinguish different resources, and do not indicate that the size, priority, or importance of these two resources are different.

[0121] 2) Network devices, also known as access network (AN) devices, such as base stations (e.g., access points), can refer to devices in the access network that communicate with wireless terminal devices via one or more cells over the air interface. Alternatively, for example, a network device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology might be a roadside unit (RSU). Base stations can be used to convert received air frames to and from IP packets, acting as routers between terminal devices and the rest of the access network, which may include an IP network. RSUs can be fixed infrastructure entities supporting V2X applications and can exchange messages with other entities supporting V2X applications. Network devices can also coordinate the management of air interface attributes. For example, network equipment may include evolved base stations (NodeB, eNB, or e-NodeB) in LTE systems or long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), or may include next-generation node B (gNB) in the 5th generation (5G) NR system (also referred to as NR system), or may include centralized units (CU) and distributed units (DU) in cloud radioaccess network (Cloud RAN) systems. The embodiments of this application are not limited.

[0122] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be a network device itself, or a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing that function, such as a chip or chip system. This device can be installed within the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the function of the network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, the network device in this application embodiment refers to an access network device.

[0123] 3) Terminal equipment, including equipment that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. Specifically, it includes equipment that provides voice connectivity to users, or equipment that provides data connectivity to users, or equipment that provides both voice and data connectivity to users. For example, it may include a handheld device with wireless connectivity or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. This terminal equipment can communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN), exchanging voice or data with the RAN, or interacting with the RAN for both voice and data. The terminal equipment may include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal equipment, mobile terminal equipment, device-to-device (D2D) terminal equipment, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) terminal equipment, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal equipment, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal equipment, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, it may include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminal equipment, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile devices, etc. Examples include personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). It also includes limited devices, such as those with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. Examples include information sensing devices such as barcode scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), and laser scanners.

[0124] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0125] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs).

[0126] In this embodiment, the terminal device may further include a relay. Alternatively, it can be understood that anything capable of data communication with a base station can be considered a terminal device.

[0127] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip or chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0128] 4) This embodiment of the invention also relates to core network (CN) equipment. CN equipment corresponds to different equipment in different communication systems. For example, in a 3G system, it corresponds to a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) or a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN); in a 4G system, it corresponds to a mobility management entity (MME) or a serving gateway (S-GW); and in a 5G system, it corresponds to core network-related equipment of the 5G system (such as NG-Core, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), UPF (User Plane Function)).

[0129] 5) Bandwidth part (BWP).

[0130] In an NR system, a terminal device may only operate within a relatively small bandwidth (e.g., 5MHz), while a network cell may support a larger bandwidth (e.g., 100MHz). The smaller portion of this larger bandwidth can be considered a Baseband Window (BWP). The network device configures one or more BWPs for the terminal device and updates the BWPs that the terminal device can use by activating or deactivating them.

[0131] 6) Synchronous signal block (SSB).

[0132] The SSB includes the primary synchronous signal (PSS), the secondary synchronous signal (SSS), and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). When a terminal device selects a cell, it needs to read the specific SSB of that cell, which is called the cell-defining SSB.

[0133] 7) Frequency hopping.

[0134] Frequency hopping is a communication method in which the receiver and transmitter change the frequency domain resources used during information transmission according to predetermined rules, thereby achieving frequency diversity gain. In frequency hopping communication, the frequency point used by each carrier changes according to a certain frequency hopping sequence within a pre-set set of frequency points as the frame changes. Frequency hopping communication has good anti-interference capabilities; even if some frequency points are interfered with, normal communication can still be carried out on other undisturbed frequency points. Therefore, frequency hopping can achieve a certain coverage enhancement gain.

[0135] 8) Paging messages.

[0136] The content of paging messages is mainly used to indicate system message updates, public warnings, and / or service arrivals for terminal devices. Terminal devices receive paging messages in idle or inactive states via discontinuous reception (DRX). Network devices can use different time-domain resources to send paging messages to different terminal devices. Therefore, different terminal devices can listen for paging messages on different time-domain resources. Time-domain resources include paging frames (PF) or paging occasions (PO).

[0137] In NR communication systems, due to the introduction of the beam concept, a single Point of Purchase (PO) may include multiple physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring occasions. Different PDCCH monitoring occasions correspond to different beams; that is, a PDCCH monitoring occasion carrying a paging message is transmitted on one beam. Terminal devices can also receive paging messages only on the PDCCH monitoring occasion corresponding to their own beam. Furthermore, the time unit mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a PF, PO, or PDCCH monitoring occasion.

[0138] The location information of PF and PO can be calculated by the terminal device based on its user identifier. In this embodiment, the user identifier of the terminal device can be one or more of the following: International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), System Architecture Evolution Temporary Mobile Station Identifier (S-TMSI), and Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI). In the NR system, in addition to calculating PF and PO, it is also necessary to determine the PDCCH montoring occasion corresponding to a specific beam.

[0139] In addition to distributing paging messages from different terminal devices to different time-domain resources, network devices can also use different frequency-domain resources for different terminal devices.

[0140] In one example, paging messages from different terminal devices are distributed across different narrowbands, as shown in formula (1).

[0141] PNB = floor(UE_ID / (N Ns)) mod Nn formula (1)

[0142] In formula (1), PNB represents the narrowband number; Nn represents the number of narrowbands available for sending paging messages on the cell; UE_ID represents the user identifier of the terminal device; N represents min(T, nB); Ns represents max(1, nB / T); T represents the paging period of the terminal device; nB can be: 4T, 2T, T, T / 2, T / 4, T / 8, T / 16, T / 32, T / 64, T / 128, etc., and nB can be configured by the network side or agreed upon by the protocol.

[0143] In another example, paging messages from different terminal devices can be distributed across different carriers, as shown in equation (2).

[0144] floor(UE_ID / (N Ns)) mod W < W(0) + W(1) + … + W(n) Formula (2)

[0145] In formula (2), n represents the smallest carrier number that satisfies formula (2) above, 0 ≤ n ≤ Nn-1, and W(i) is the distribution weight on carrier i. Nn represents the number of carriers available for sending paging messages on the cell; UE_ID represents the user identifier of the terminal device; N represents min(T, nB); Ns represents max(1, nB / T); T represents the paging period of the terminal device; nB can be: 4T, 2T, T, T / 2, T / 4, T / 8, T / 16, T / 32, T / 64, T / 128, etc., and nB can be configured by the network side or agreed upon by the protocol.

[0146] In NR systems, terminal devices in idle or inactive states only listen for paging messages on the initial downlink bandwidth part (initial downlink BWP). That is, network devices send paging messages to terminal devices in idle or inactive states on the initial downlink BWP. Different CD-SSSs belong to different frequency domain resources. Terminal devices can choose to camp on the cell corresponding to a given CD-SSS and listen for paging messages from that cell.

[0147] However, besides some terminal devices with normal functions, there are also some terminal devices with limited capabilities, such as NR light terminal devices, redced capability (REDCAP) terminal devices, enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) terminal devices, or narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) terminal devices. For such terminal devices, to reduce device complexity, the operating bandwidth and the number of receiving antennas need to be reduced, resulting in bandwidth limitations. For example, the operating bandwidth of an NR light terminal device might be 5 Mbps, 10 Mbps, or 20 Mbps. The operating bandwidth of an NR light terminal device might be less than that of the initial downlink BWP. Therefore, when network devices send paging messages on the initial downlink BWP resources, normally functional terminal devices can successfully receive them, but due to bandwidth limitations or reduced receiving antennas, some NR light terminal devices will experience coverage loss. This may cause some NR light terminal devices to be unable to listen to paging messages (or system messages) or experience increased listening latency, thus affecting subsequent downlink data transmission.

[0148] As can be seen from the above, bandwidth-constrained terminal devices have a coverage recovery requirement. The applicant discovered that frequency hopping provides a gain, for example, 2-3 dB. If frequency hopping is used to send paging messages (or system messages) for bandwidth-constrained terminal devices, such as NR light terminal devices, the gain from frequency hopping can meet the coverage recovery requirements of these devices. However, in the current system, the transmission of paging messages (or system messages) does not support the switching of frequency domain resources, such as BWP switching. Therefore, how network devices can support the use of frequency hopping to send paging messages (or system messages) for bandwidth-constrained terminal devices is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0149] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus that configures the transmission mode of paging messages (or system messages) on the network side, such as frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping, and then transmits paging messages (or system messages) according to the configured transmission mode. The transmission method of paging messages (or system messages) can also be referred to as the mode of transmitting paging messages (or system messages). For example, using frequency hopping to transmit paging messages (or system messages) for NR light terminal devices can meet the coverage restoration requirements of the terminal devices.

[0150] It should be noted that there are many similarities between system messages and paging messages. For example, both paging messages and system messages are public messages, sent to all or a group of terminal devices. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the solution provided in this application is also applicable to the sending of system messages. The following description will use paging messages as an example.

[0151] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication technology systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, or to 5G systems, such as NR systems, or to next-generation mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems. No specific limitations are imposed.

[0152] Please see Figure 1 This is one application scenario of an embodiment of this application. Figure 1This includes network equipment, core network equipment, and terminal equipment 1. The network equipment and terminal equipment 1 can communicate; for example, the network equipment can send a paging message to terminal equipment 1. Terminal equipment 1 can be a bandwidth-limited terminal equipment, such as an NR light terminal equipment. Terminal equipment 1 can also be a bandwidth-unlimited terminal equipment, or a regular terminal equipment. The core network equipment and the network equipment can be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the access network equipment can be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of the core network equipment and some of the functions of the access network equipment. Figure 1 Take, for example, the network equipment and the core network equipment in China and Israel being two separate devices. Figure 1 This is just an illustration; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless repeaters and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 Not shown in the diagram. The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of core network devices, network devices, and terminal devices included in the mobile communication system.

[0153] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0154] See Figure 2 The diagram shown illustrates a flowchart of a first communication method according to an embodiment of this application. In the following description, this method will be applied to... Figure 1 The network architecture shown is used as an example. For ease of description, the method is assumed to be executed by a network device and a first terminal device. The steps executed by the network device can be performed by a chip or chip system within the network device, and the steps executed by the terminal device can be performed by a chip or chip system within the terminal device. The network device mentioned below can be... Figure 1 In the network architecture shown, the network devices, referred to below as the first terminal device, can be... Figure 1 The terminal device 1 shown below, and the second terminal device mentioned below, can be... Figure 1 Terminal device 2 shown.

[0155] S201, the network device obtains first configuration information, the first configuration information includes first information, the first information is used to configure the transmission mode of paging messages, the transmission mode of paging messages is frequency hopping mode or non-frequency hopping mode.

[0156] In this embodiment, the example is a network device sending a paging message to a first terminal device. Therefore, the first information used to configure the transmission method of the paging message can also be described as configuring the method of the network device sending the paging message, or configuring the method of the first terminal device receiving the paging message. Furthermore, the method of sending the paging message can also be described as the method of sending the paging message, and the method of receiving the paging message can also be described as the method of receiving the paging message.

[0157] The first configuration information can be determined and configured by the core network device and sent to the network device. Specifically, when the network device obtains the first configuration information, it can receive the first configuration information sent by the core network device. For example, the core network device can send the first configuration information along with the paging message sent to the network device when sending a paging message for the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first configuration information can also be configured by other devices in the network system and sent to the network device. Alternatively, the first configuration information can be determined autonomously by the network device, configured by an administrator in the network device, or it can be specified by a protocol.

[0158] As one possible implementation, when the core network device or other network devices in the network system configure the transmission mode of the paging message to the network device through the first information, an explicit configuration method or an implicit configuration method can be adopted. That is, the configuration method of the first information can be either explicit or implicit.

[0159] In one example, taking the explicit configuration of first information as an example, the first information can be an indicator bit. For instance, when the indicator bit is at a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in frequency hopping mode; when the indicator bit is at a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in non-frequency hopping mode. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0; or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0160] In another example, consider implicitly configuring the first information. The first information may include information about the frequency domain resources used to transmit paging messages. For instance, if the first information includes information about at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit paging messages, it means that at least two frequency domain resources are configured for the network device, implicitly indicating that the network device sends paging messages in a frequency-hopping manner. Alternatively, the first information may include information about one frequency domain resource used to transmit paging messages, implicitly indicating that the network device sends paging messages in a non-frequency-hopping manner. The information about the frequency domain resources includes at least the location information of the frequency domain resources. The location information of the frequency domain resources may include one or more of the following: frequency point, carrier, frequency band, or bandwidth.

[0161] The frequency domain resource mentioned here can be a BWP (Broadband Vector Device) or a narrowband resource. For example, the frequency domain resource is a BWP. Optionally, in addition to the location information of the BWP, the information of the BWP may also include one or more of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS) identifier, coreset identifier, or search space identifier.

[0162] For example, at least two BWPs may include the initial downlink BWP, the BWP containing the control resource set (COREST) ​​#0 of another CD-SSB with a different frequency domain position than the cell-defined synchronization signal block used by the first terminal device, or the BWP containing the cell-defined synchronization signal block used by the first terminal device. The CORESET defines the resource used for transmitting control information. In an NR system, the terminal device camps in a cell defined by a CD-SSB and listens on the control channel on the resource defined by COREST #0 to receive paging messages or system messages, etc. Therefore, the configured at least two BWPs may include a BWP containing CORESET #0, and the configured frequency domain position may be the frequency domain position where CORESET #0 is located.

[0163] S202, the network device sends a paging message to the first terminal device according to the paging message sending method configured in the first configuration information.

[0164] For example, if the first configuration information specifies frequency hopping as the method for sending paging messages, the network device can use frequency hopping to send paging messages. Alternatively, if the first configuration information specifies non-frequency hopping as the method for sending paging messages, the network device can use non-frequency hopping to send paging messages.

[0165] As one possible implementation, when the core network device or other network devices in the network system configure the first information to the network device using an explicit configuration method, if the paging message transmission mode is configured as frequency hopping, the first information may further include location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message. During execution of S202, the network device transmits the paging message using frequency hopping on the at least two frequency domain resources according to the first information. Taking the first and second frequency domain resources as examples, the network device transmits the paging message using the first frequency domain resource in the first time unit and the paging message using the second frequency domain resource in the second time unit. It should be noted that the core network device or other network devices in the network system may also configure the paging message transmission mode and the location information of the at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message separately for the network device, for example, by configuring the paging message transmission mode and the location information of the at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message to the network device through different messages.

[0166] The rules for determining the first configuration information by the aforementioned core network equipment or network equipment may be as follows: for example, non-frequency hopping is used to send the information to terminal equipment in the cell center, while frequency hopping is used to send the information to terminal equipment of users at the cell edge. Alternatively, frequency hopping may be used to send the information to specific terminal equipment types, or to terminal equipment with special service types, etc.

[0167] As one possible implementation, when the first configuration information includes first information indicating the use of frequency hopping, the first configuration information may also include second information in addition to the first information. The first and second information can be used to jointly instruct the use of frequency hopping to send paging messages for a specific type of terminal device. For example, the second information may include type information of the terminal device that supports frequency hopping to send paging messages, or type information of the services supported by the terminal device, or both the type information of the terminal device and the type information of the services supported by the terminal device. The type information of the terminal device can be used to determine whether the terminal device is a bandwidth-limited terminal device (i.e., a specific type of terminal device). In other words, the network device determines which terminal devices can use frequency hopping to send paging messages based on the type information of the terminal device. For example, if the first configuration information includes both first and second information, it instructs the network device to use frequency hopping for the terminal devices indicated by the second information. If the first configuration information does not include the second information, it instructs the network device to use frequency hopping to send paging messages for any type of terminal device. The types of terminal devices include, for example, NR light terminal devices, eMTC terminal devices, and NB-IoT terminal devices. These types can be further subdivided; for instance, NR light terminal devices can include type 1 terminal devices or type 2 terminal devices. The types of services supported by these terminal devices include, for example, industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSN) services, wearable devices, and monitoring services.

[0168] In this embodiment of the application, the information pertains to the first terminal device. Therefore, if the second information includes the type information of the terminal device, it can include the type information of the first terminal device. Similarly, if the second information includes the type information of the services supported by the terminal device, it can include the type information of the services supported by the first terminal device.

[0169] In this embodiment of the application, in order for the first terminal device to determine whether to use frequency hopping to receive paging messages, the network device or the core network device instructs the terminal device whether to use frequency hopping to receive paging messages.

[0170] In one possible implementation, after the core network device sends the first configuration information to the network device, that is, after the network device receives the first configuration information from the core network device, the network device can send the first configuration information to the first terminal device.

[0171] In another possible implementation, the network device determines the first configuration information and sends it to the first terminal device. For example, the first configuration information may be determined autonomously by the network device, configured in the network device by an administrator, or defined by a protocol.

[0172] When a network device sends the first configuration information to a first terminal device, it may do so in any of the following ways:

[0173] In one approach, the network device can broadcast the first configuration information via system messages. The first configuration information sent by the network device to the first terminal device includes first information. The first information is used to configure the transmission method of paging messages, which can be implicit or explicit configuration, as described above.

[0174] When the first information is configured implicitly, the first configuration information configured by the network device for the first terminal device includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources for receiving paging messages. That is, at least two frequency domain resources are configured for the first terminal device, implicitly indicating that the first terminal device receives paging messages in a frequency-hopping manner. Alternatively, the network device may configure one frequency domain resource for the first terminal device to receive paging messages, implicitly indicating that the first terminal device receives paging messages in a non-frequency-hopping manner.

[0175] The first configuration information broadcast by a network device can be specific to a group of terminal devices, a specific type of terminal device, or all terminal devices. For example, if the first configuration information broadcast by a network device is specific to a group of terminal devices, it may also include a terminal device group identifier, and the terminal device group includes a first terminal device. If the first information includes location information for at least two frequency domain resources, and the first configuration information also includes a terminal device group identifier, then terminal devices belonging to that terminal device group can receive paging messages using frequency hopping. As another example, if the first configuration information broadcast by a network device is specific to a particular type of terminal device, it may also include the type information of the terminal device and / or the type of service supported by the terminal device. The explanations for the types of terminal devices and services have been described above and will not be repeated here. If the first information includes location information for at least two frequency domain resources, then terminal devices that meet the requirements of that type information (including the type of service and the type of terminal device) can receive paging messages using frequency hopping. For example, the first configuration information broadcast by the network device is for all terminal devices. This first configuration information may include the location information of at least two frequency domain resources, but no longer includes the terminal device group identifier, the type information of the terminal device, and / or the type of service supported by the terminal device. If the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources, then all terminal devices can receive paging messages using frequency hopping.

[0176] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the configuration of the first configuration information pertains to the first terminal device. Therefore, if the first configuration information includes a terminal device group identifier, then the terminal device group includes the first terminal device. If the first configuration information includes information about the type of services supported by the terminal device, then it may include the type of services supported by the first terminal device. If the first configuration information includes information about the type of terminal device, then it may include the type of the first terminal device.

[0177] In this scenario, after receiving the first configuration information, the first terminal device listens for paging messages on at least two frequency domain resources using frequency hopping, according to the first configuration information. Alternatively, the first terminal device may listen for paging messages on all or some of the at least two frequency domain resources.

[0178] Taking at least two frequency domain resources, including a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, as an example, the network device sends a paging message through the first frequency domain resource in the first time unit. The network device sends the paging message through the second frequency domain resource in the second time unit. Thus, the first terminal device listens for the paging message through the first frequency domain resource in the first time unit and listens for the paging message through the second frequency domain resource in the second time unit. Alternatively, the first terminal device may not use frequency hopping for listening; it may listen for the paging message through both the first and second frequency domain resources in the first and second time units. Of course, if a paging message is detected on the first frequency domain resource, the first terminal device can provide feedback to the network device, for example, by triggering an RRC procedure. After confirming the feedback from the first terminal device, the network device will not resend the paging message through the second frequency domain resource in the second time unit.

[0179] It should be noted that frequency hopping transmission of paging messages can be between different POs, where the first and second time units can be different POs. Alternatively, it can be between different PDCCH monitoring occasions within the same PO, in which case the first and second time units can be different PDCCH monitoring occasions within the same PO.

[0180] For example, in NR scenarios, the concept of a beam is introduced. A PO includes multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions, and one PDCCH monitoring occasion corresponds to the paging message transmission of one beam. Different PDCCH monitoring occasions correspond to different beams, meaning that a PDCCH monitoring occasion carrying a paging message is transmitted on one beam. If, for a beam, a PO has only one PDCCH monitoring occasion used for paging message transmission of that beam, then frequency hopping transmission of the paging message can be performed between different POs. If, for a beam, a PO contains multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions used for paging message transmission of that beam, for example, in NR-U scenarios, to avoid the problem of a PDCCH monitoring occasion for a certain beam being unable to send paging messages for that beam due to resource contention failure or resource awareness failure, a PO can contain multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions for sending paging messages for the same beam. In this case, frequency hopping transmission of the paging message can be performed between different PDCCH monitoring occasions within the same PO. Of course, even within a single PO targeting the same beam, there may be multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions for sending paging messages to that beam, and the frequency hopping transmission of paging messages can also be the transmission of paging messages between different POs.

[0181] It should be noted that frequency hopping for system messages shares many similarities with paging message transmission. The aforementioned mechanism is also suitable for system message transmission. Network devices can hop between different system information windows (SI windows) to send paging messages; that is, the first time unit and the second time unit can be different system information windows. They can also hop between different PDCCH monitoring occasions within the same information window, in which case the first time unit and the second time unit can be different PDCCH monitoring occasions within the same system information window. A system information window can also be called a system message receiving window or a system message sending window; for example, for network devices, it can be called a system message sending window, and for terminal devices, it can be called a system message receiving window.

[0182] For example, in an NR system, a system message window includes multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions. One PDCCH monitoring occasion corresponds to the paging message transmission of one beam. Different PDCCH monitoring occasions correspond to different beams, that is, a PDCCH monitoring occasion carrying a paging message is transmitted on one beam.

[0183] In NR systems, which support multiple beams, an SI window can contain different PDCCH monitoring occasions. One PDCCH monitoring occasion corresponds to the transmission of system messages for one beam. Therefore, frequency hopping for system messages can be used to transmit system messages between different SI windows. Similarly, in NR-U, to avoid the problem of a PDCCH monitoring occasion failing to transmit system messages for a specific beam due to resource contention failure or resource awareness failure, an SI window can contain multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions for the same beam to transmit system messages. In this case, network devices can hop between different PDCCH monitoring occasions within the same SI window to transmit system messages. Of course, even if an SI window contains multiple PDCCH monitoring occasions for the same beam to transmit system messages, the network device can still hop between different SI windows to transmit system messages. The SI window is either a system message transmission window or a reception window.

[0184] As an example, a PDCCH monitoring occasion can be a monitoring slot, a transmission slot, or other resources used to transmit the PDCCH for the control channel. The control channel can be, for example, a Machine Communication Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH), a Narrow Physical Downlink Control Channel (NPDCCH), or an Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (ePDCCH).

[0185] In another approach, the network device can send the first configuration information by sending a dedicated message to the first terminal device. This dedicated message could be, for example, an RRC Release message. The first configuration information includes first information.

[0186] When the first information is configured for display, it includes an indicator bit. For example, if the indicator bit is a first value, it indicates that the first terminal device receives the paging message using frequency hopping. If the indicator bit is a second value, it indicates that the first terminal device receives the paging message using non-frequency hopping. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0; or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0187] In one scenario, when instructing the first terminal device to receive paging messages using frequency hopping, the first information may further include information on at least two frequency domain resources configured for the first terminal device to receive paging messages using frequency hopping.

[0188] In this scenario, after receiving the first configuration information, the first terminal device listens for paging messages on at least two frequency domain resources configured in the first configuration information via frequency hopping. Alternatively, the first terminal device may listen for paging messages on all or some of the at least two frequency domain resources.

[0189] In another scenario, the frequency domain resources used for frequency hopping to receive paging messages by bandwidth-constrained terminal devices can also be specified by the protocol. When instructing the first terminal device to use frequency hopping to receive paging messages, the network device no longer needs to configure the location information of at least two frequency domain resources for frequency hopping to receive paging messages for the first terminal device.

[0190] When the first information is implicitly configured, it includes information about at least one frequency domain resource. For example, the first information may include information about at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting paging messages. This means that at least two frequency domain resources are configured for the first terminal device, implicitly indicating that the first terminal device receives paging messages in a frequency-hopping manner. Alternatively, the network device may configure one frequency domain resource for transmitting paging messages to the first terminal device, implicitly indicating that the terminal device receives paging messages in a non-frequency-hopping manner.

[0191] In another possible implementation, the core network device sends information to the first terminal device to configure the transmission method of paging messages. To distinguish it from the aforementioned first configuration information, this configuration information regarding the transmission method of paging messages configured by the core network device for the first terminal device is referred to here as the second configuration information. It should be understood that the core network device sending the second configuration information to the first terminal device can be achieved by the core network device sending the second configuration information to the network device via an N1 interface message, and the network device then transparently transmitting this N1 interface message to the first terminal device.

[0192] The second configuration information includes a fourth piece of information, which is used to configure the transmission method of paging messages. The configuration method of the fourth piece of information is similar to that of the first piece of information; it can be implicit or explicit.

[0193] In one example, taking the explicit configuration of the fourth information as an example, the fourth information may include an indicator bit. For instance, when the indicator bit is the first value, the fourth information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in frequency hopping mode; when the indicator bit is the second value, the fourth information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in non-frequency hopping mode. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0; or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0194] In another example, consider the implicit configuration of the fourth information. The fourth information may include frequency domain resources for the terminal device to receive paging messages. For instance, the fourth information may include information on at least two frequency domain resources for the first terminal device to receive paging messages using a frequency-hopping method. That is, at least two frequency domain resources are configured for the first terminal device, implicitly indicating that the terminal device receives paging messages using a frequency-hopping method. As another example, the fourth information may include one frequency domain resource for the first terminal device to receive paging messages, implicitly indicating that the first terminal device receives paging messages using a non-frequency-hopping method.

[0195] As one possible implementation, when the core network device configures the fourth information to the first terminal device using an explicit configuration method, if the paging message transmission mode is configured as frequency hopping, the fourth information may further include location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message. Taking the first and second frequency domain resources as examples, the network device sends the paging message using the first frequency domain resources in the first time unit and sends the paging message using the second frequency domain resources in the second time unit. It should be noted that the core network device may also configure the paging message transmission mode and the location information of the at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message separately to the first terminal device, for example, by configuring the paging message transmission mode and the location information of the at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message to the first terminal device through different messages.

[0196] The rules for determining the second configuration information by the aforementioned core network equipment may be as follows: for example, non-frequency hopping is used to transmit the information to terminal equipment in the cell center, while frequency hopping is used to transmit the information to terminal equipment of users at the cell edge. Alternatively, frequency hopping may be used to transmit the information to specific terminal equipment types or to terminal equipment with special service types.

[0197] As one possible implementation, when the fourth information in the second configuration information indicates the use of frequency hopping, the second configuration information may also include a fifth information in addition to the fourth information. The fourth and fifth information can be used to jointly instruct a specific type of terminal device to receive paging messages using frequency hopping. For example, the fifth information may include type information of the terminal device that supports sending paging messages using frequency hopping, or type information of the services supported by the terminal device, or both the type information of the terminal device and the type information of the services supported by the terminal device. The type information of the terminal device can be used to determine whether the terminal device is a bandwidth-limited terminal device (i.e., a specific type of terminal device). In other words, the terminal device determines whether to use frequency hopping to receive paging messages based on its type information. For example, if the second configuration information includes both the fourth and fifth information, it instructs the terminal device indicated by the fifth information to use frequency hopping to receive paging messages. However, if the second configuration information does not include the fifth information, then frequency hopping can be used to receive paging messages for any type of terminal device.

[0198] As an optional implementation, the first terminal device may send indication information to the network device or core network device according to its own needs. This indication information indicates that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using frequency hopping. The network device or core network device can determine whether to send paging messages to the first terminal device using frequency hopping based on the indication information sent by the first terminal device. If it is determined that frequency hopping will be used, at least two frequency domain resources are allocated to the first terminal device for receiving paging messages. If the network device has already sent first configuration information to the first terminal device, or the core network device has already sent second configuration information to the first terminal device, then after receiving the indication information, it may not allocate at least two frequency domain resources to the first terminal device.

[0199] In one approach, the first terminal device can send instruction information to the network device or core network device via auxiliary information. That is, the auxiliary information includes the instruction information.

[0200] In another approach, the first terminal device can send indication information to the network device or core network device through tracking area (TA) update messages or radio access network area (RA) update messages, i.e., the tracking area update message carries indication information.

[0201] As an example, when the first terminal device determines that its path loss has reached a threshold, it can send this indication information to the network device.

[0202] In one possible scenario, the network device sends the paging message in a frequency-hopping manner. When the network device determines that the number of times it has sent the paging message to the first terminal device has reached a first threshold, it then sends the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources. Alternatively, when it determines that the duration of sending the paging message to the first terminal device has reached a second threshold, it sends the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources.

[0203] Taking at least two frequency domain resources, including a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, as an example, the network device sends a paging message through the first frequency domain resource in the first time unit. The network device sends the paging message through the second frequency domain resource in the second time unit. If it is determined that the number of times the paging message is sent to the first terminal device reaches a first threshold and no feedback is received from the first terminal device, a paging message can be sent to the first terminal device through the first and second frequency domain resources in the third time unit. Alternatively, if it is determined that the duration of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a second threshold (e.g., the duration of X POs) and no feedback is received from the first terminal device, a paging message can be sent to the first terminal device through the first and second frequency domain resources in the third time unit.

[0204] The apparatus used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be described again.

[0205] Figure 3This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 300 includes a processing module 310 and a transceiver module 320. Optionally, the transceiver module 320 can be a single functional module capable of both transmitting and receiving operations, or it can consist of two functional modules, such as a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transceiver module is a collective term for both the transmitting and receiving modules. The transmitting module is used to perform the transmitting operation, and the receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation. In one example, the transmitting module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The transmitter can include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, and the receiver can also include an antenna and radio frequency circuits. The transmitter and receiver can belong to the same functional module, such as a transceiver, or they can be independent functional modules. The processing module 310 can be a processor, such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more central processing units (CPUs). In another example, the transmitting and receiving modules can be radio frequency units, and the processing module 310 can be a processor, such as a baseband processor. In another example, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be input / output interfaces of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip). For example, the transmitting module may be an output interface, the receiving module an input interface, or the input and output may be the same interface, in which case both the transmitting and receiving modules are that interface. The processing module 310 can be a processor of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the processing module 310 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, the transmitting module can be implemented by a transmitter or transmitter-related circuit components, and the receiving module can be implemented by a receiver or receiver-related circuit components.

[0206] In one application scenario, the communication device 300 is used in a terminal device (such as a first terminal device). For example, the communication device 300 can be a terminal device, or it can be a chip or other combined device or component with terminal device functions used in the terminal device.

[0207] For example, processing module 310 can be used to execute Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations except for the send / receive operation are performed by the first terminal device. The send / receive module 320 can be used to perform... Figure 2The embodiments shown depict all the sending and receiving operations performed by the first terminal device. When the transceiver module 320 includes a sending module and a receiving module, the sending module is used to perform sending operations. For example, the sending module can be used to perform all the sending operations performed by the first terminal device in any of the above embodiments, such as sending indication information to a network device or core network device, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein. The receiving module is used to perform receiving operations. For example, the receiving module can be used to perform all the receiving operations performed by the first terminal device in the above embodiments, such as receiving first configuration information from a core network device, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein.

[0208] The transceiver module 320 is used to receive first configuration information, which includes first information. The first information is used to configure the transmission mode of the paging message, which is either frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping.

[0209] The processing module 310 is used to instruct the transceiver module 320 to receive the paging message using the paging message transmission method according to the first configuration information.

[0210] In one optional implementation, the first information is an indicator bit. When the indicator bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping mode. Alternatively, when the indicator bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a non-frequency hopping mode.

[0211] In one optional implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner. When the first information is an indicator bit, the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources for transmitting the paging message. The transceiver module 320 is specifically used to listen for the paging message on at least two frequency domain resources in a frequency hopping manner according to the first configuration information.

[0212] In one optional implementation, the first information includes information on frequency domain resources used for transmitting paging messages. For example, if the first information includes information on at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting paging messages, then the first terminal device listens for paging messages on the at least two frequency domain resources using a frequency hopping method according to the first configuration information.

[0213] In one optional implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information further includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is a service supported by the first terminal device.

[0214] In one alternative implementation, the first configuration information can be configured by the network device to the first terminal device, thereby the first terminal device receiving the first configuration information from the network device. Alternatively, the first configuration information can also be configured by the core network device to the first terminal device, thereby the first terminal device receiving the first configuration information from the core network device.

[0215] In one optional implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information further includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message;

[0216] The processing module 310 is specifically used to instruct the transceiver module to listen for paging messages on at least two frequency domain resources using the frequency hopping method according to the first configuration information.

[0217] In one optional implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message;

[0218] The processing module 310 is specifically used to instruct the transceiver module to listen for paging messages on at least two frequency domain resources using the frequency hopping method according to the first configuration information.

[0219] In one optional implementation, the transceiver module 320 is specifically used to: receive first configuration information from a network device; or, receive first configuration information from a core network device.

[0220] In an optional implementation, the transceiver module 320 is further configured to:

[0221] Send indication information to network devices or core network devices, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using frequency hopping.

[0222] In one optional implementation, the transceiver module 320 is specifically used for:

[0223] Send auxiliary information to network devices or core network devices, wherein the auxiliary information includes the indication information; or...

[0224] Send a tracking area update message to a network device or core network device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information;

[0225] Send a Radio Access Network Area Update (RAI) message to a network device or core network device, the RAI message carrying the indication information.

[0226] In another application scenario, the communication device 300 is used in network equipment. For example, the communication device 300 can be a network device, or it can be a chip or other combination device or component with network device functions used in a network device.

[0227] For example, processing module 310 can be used to execute Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations performed by the network device other than the transmit / receive operation, such as S201, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein, are included. The transceiver module 320 can be used to perform... Figure 2 The embodiments shown depict all the sending and receiving operations performed by the network device. When the transceiver module 320 includes a sending module and a receiving module, the sending module is used to perform sending operations. For example, the sending module can be used to perform all the sending operations performed by the network device in any of the embodiments described above, such as sending a paging message or system message to the first terminal device, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein. The receiving module is used to perform receiving operations. For example, the receiving module can be used to perform all the receiving operations performed by the network device in the embodiments described above, such as receiving first configuration information from the core network device, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein.

[0228] The processing module 310 is used to acquire first configuration information, which includes first information used to configure the transmission mode of paging messages (or system messages). The transmission mode of paging messages (or system messages) is either frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping. The transceiver module 320 is used to send paging messages (or system messages) to the first terminal device according to the transmission mode of paging messages configured in the first configuration information. The following description uses paging messages as an example.

[0229] In one possible implementation, the first information is an indicator bit. When the indicator bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping mode. Alternatively, when the indicator bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a non-frequency hopping mode.

[0230] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message.

[0231] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the location information of at least two frequency domain resources is the location information of at least two bandwidth portions (BWPs).

[0233] In one possible implementation, the BWP includes the initial downlink BWP, or the BWP containing other cell-defined synchronization blocks that are located in a frequency domain position different from the cell-defined synchronization block used by the first terminal device.

[0234] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is a service supported by the first terminal device.

[0235] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 320 is used to send first configuration information to the first terminal device. The first terminal device can then determine, based on the first configuration information, whether to use frequency hopping to receive system messages or paging messages.

[0236] In one possible implementation, before the processing module 310 obtains the first configuration information, the transceiver module 320 receives indication information from the first terminal device, the indication information being used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive paging messages using a frequency hopping method.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is specifically configured to receive auxiliary information from a first terminal device, the auxiliary information including the indication information; or...

[0238] Receive a tracking area update message from a first terminal device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information; or...

[0239] A wireless access network area update message is received from a first terminal device, the wireless access network area update message carrying the indication information.

[0240] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency-hopping manner. The transceiver module 320 is further configured to send the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources when the processing module 310 determines that the number of times the paging message has been sent to the first terminal device reaches a first threshold; or, when the processing module 310 determines that the duration of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a second threshold, send the paging message to the first terminal device in a non-frequency-hopping manner through the at least two frequency domain resources.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 320 is also used to receive first configuration information sent by the core network device.

[0242] In another application scenario, the communication device 300 is used in core network equipment. For example, the communication device 300 can be core network equipment, or it can be a chip or other combined device or component with core network equipment functions used in core network equipment.

[0243] For example, processing module 310 can be used to execute all operations performed by the core network device in the above embodiments, except for the transmit / receive operations, such as S201, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein. Transceiver module 320 can be used to execute all transmit and receive operations performed by the core network device in the above embodiments. When transceiver module 320 includes a transmit module and a receive module, the transmit module is used to complete the transmit operation. For example, the transmit module can be used to execute all transmit operations performed by the core network device in any of the above embodiments, such as sending first configuration information to the first terminal device or sending second configuration information to the network device, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein. The receive module is used to complete the receive operation. For example, the receive module can be used to execute all receive operations performed by the core network device in the above embodiments, such as receiving indication information from the first terminal device, and / or other processes to support the technology described herein.

[0244] The processing module 310 is used to determine the transmission mode of the paging message, which is either frequency hopping or non-frequency hopping; the transceiver module 320 is used to send first configuration information to the first device, which includes first information used to configure the transmission mode of the paging message, and the first device is either a network device or a first terminal device.

[0245] In one possible implementation, the first information is an indicator bit. When the indicator bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping mode. Alternatively, when the indicator bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the paging message is transmitted in a non-frequency hopping mode.

[0246] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first information includes the location information of at least two frequency domain resources used to transmit the paging message.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the location information of at least two frequency domain resources is the location information of at least two bandwidth portions (BWPs).

[0249] In one possible implementation, the BWP includes the initial downlink BWP, or the BWP containing other cell-defined synchronization blocks that are located in a frequency domain position different from the cell-defined synchronization block used by the first terminal device.

[0250] In one possible implementation, the paging message is transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, and the first configuration information also includes the type information of the first terminal device and / or the type information of the service, wherein the service is a service supported by the first terminal device.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 320 is further configured to receive indication information from the first terminal device before the processing module 310 determines the transmission mode of the paging message. The indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device expects to receive the paging message using a frequency hopping method.

[0252] The processing module 310 is specifically used to determine, based on the indication information, that the transmission mode of the paging message is frequency hopping, and the transmission mode of the paging message configured in the first information is frequency hopping.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is specifically used for:

[0254] Receive auxiliary information from the first terminal device, the auxiliary information including indication information; or...

[0255] Receive a tracking area update message from the first terminal device, the tracking area update message carrying indication information; or,

[0256] Receive a Radio Access Network Area Update (RAI) message from the first terminal device. The RAI message carries indication information.

[0257] This application also provides a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a circuit. This communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0258] When the communication device is a terminal device Figure 4 A simplified schematic diagram of a terminal device is shown. This is for ease of understanding and illustration. Figure 4 In this context, the terminal device is taken as a mobile phone. For example... Figure 4As shown, the terminal device includes a processor, memory, radio frequency (RF) circuitry, antenna, and input / output devices. The processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the terminal device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The RF circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminal devices may not have input / output devices.

[0259] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor then converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it. For ease of explanation, Figure 4 Only one memory and processor are shown in the illustration. In actual terminal device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be referred to as storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application does not limit this.

[0260] In this embodiment, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions can be regarded as the transceiver unit of the terminal device (the transceiver unit can be a single functional unit capable of transmitting and receiving functions; or, the transceiver unit can include two functional units, namely a receiving unit capable of receiving and a transmitting unit capable of transmitting), and the processor with processing functions can be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal device. Figure 4 As shown, the terminal device includes a transceiver unit 410 and a processing unit 420. The transceiver unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver machine, transceiver device, etc. The processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, processing device, etc. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit 410 used to implement the receiving function can be considered as a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit 410 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitting unit; that is, the transceiver unit 410 includes both a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The transceiver unit can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc. The receiving unit can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit, etc. The transmitting unit can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0261] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 410 is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal device side in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 420 is used to perform other operations on the terminal device in the above method embodiments besides the sending and receiving operations.

[0262] For example, in one implementation, the processing unit 420 can be used to perform all operations performed by the first terminal device in the above embodiments, except for the send / receive operations. The send / receive unit 410 can be used to perform all send / receive operations performed by the first terminal device in the above embodiments.

[0263] When the communication device is a chip-based device or circuit, it may include a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing unit may be an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0264] When the communication device in this embodiment is a terminal device, it can be referred to Figure 5 The device shown. As an example, this device can perform similar tasks. Figure 3 The functions of the processing module 310. Figure 5 The device includes a processor 510, a data transmission processor 520, and a data reception processor 530. The processing module 310 in the above embodiment can be... Figure 5 The processor 510 in the above embodiment performs the corresponding functions; the transceiver module 320 in the above embodiment can be... Figure 5 The transmitting data processor 520 in the above embodiment, and the receiving module 330 in the above embodiment can be Figure 5 The receiving data processor 530 in the middle performs the corresponding functions. Although Figure 5 The diagram shows a channel encoder and a channel decoder, but it is understood that these modules are not limiting to this embodiment and are merely illustrative.

[0265] Figure 6This illustrates another form of the embodiment. The processing device 600 includes modules such as a modulation subsystem, a central processing subsystem, and a peripheral subsystem. The communication device in this embodiment can serve as the modulation subsystem. Specifically, the modulation subsystem may include a processor 603 and an interface 604. The processor 603 performs the functions of the aforementioned processing module 310, and the interface 604 performs the functions of the aforementioned transmitting and receiving modules. Alternatively, the processor 603 performs the functions of the aforementioned processing module 310, and the interface 604 performs the functions of the aforementioned transceiver module 320. As another variation, the modulation subsystem includes a memory 606, a processor 603, and a program stored in the memory 606 and executable on the processor. When the processor 603 executes the program, it implements the method on the terminal device side of the above method embodiment. It should be noted that the memory 606 can be non-volatile or volatile, and its location can be inside the modulation subsystem or within the processing device 600, as long as the memory 606 can be connected to the processor 603.

[0266] When the device in the embodiments of this application is a network device, the device can be as follows: Figure 7 As shown. Device 700 includes one or more radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) 710 and one or more baseband units (BBUs) (also referred to as digital units, DUs) 720. The RRU 710 can be referred to as a transceiver module, which may include a transmitting module and a receiving module, or it may be a single module capable of both transmitting and receiving functions. This transceiver module can be used with... Figure 3 The transceiver module 320 corresponds to this. Optionally, this transceiver module can also be called a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit, etc., and it may include at least one antenna 711 and a radio frequency unit 712. The RRU 710 part is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals, such as for sending indication information to terminal equipment. The BBU 720 part is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the base station, etc. The RRU 710 and BBU 720 can be physically set together or physically separated, i.e., a distributed base station.

[0267] The BBU 720 is the control center of the base station, also known as a processing module, and can communicate with... Figure 3 The corresponding processing module 310 is mainly used to complete baseband processing functions, such as channel coding, multiplexing, modulation, spreading, etc. For example, the BBU (processing module) can be used to control the base station to execute the operation process of the network device in the above method embodiment, such as generating the above-mentioned indication information.

[0268] In one example, the BBU 720 can be composed of one or more single boards. Multiple boards can collectively support a single access standard wireless access network (such as an LTE network), or they can each support different access standards wireless access networks (such as LTE, 5G, or other networks). The BBU 720 also includes a memory 721 and a processor 722. The memory 721 is used to store necessary instructions and data. The processor 722 is used to control the base station to perform necessary actions, such as controlling the base station to execute the operation procedures related to the network device in the above method embodiments. The memory 721 and processor 722 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry.

[0269] This application provides a first communication system. The first communication system may include the first terminal device involved in any of the above embodiments, and the network device involved in any of the above embodiments. Optionally, the first communication system may further include the core network device involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0270] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the network device-related processes provided in the above method embodiments.

[0271] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the process related to the first terminal device provided in the above method embodiments.

[0272] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the processes related to the core network equipment provided in the above method embodiments.

[0273] This application also provides a computer program product for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the network device-related processes provided in the above method embodiments.

[0274] This application also provides a computer program product for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the process related to the first terminal device provided in the above method embodiments.

[0275] This application also provides a computer program product for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the processes related to the core network equipment provided in the above method embodiments.

[0276] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0277] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0278] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0279] It should be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0280] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0281] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0282] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0283] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0284] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0285] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0286] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to: computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), universal serial bus flash disk, portable hard disk, or other optical disc storage, disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer.

[0287] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the protection scope of the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of this application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information comprising first information used for configuring a transmission mode of a paging message, the transmission mode of the paging message being a frequency hopping mode or a non-frequency hopping mode; receiving the paging message according to the transmission mode of the paging message configured by the first configuration information; The method further comprises: sending indication information to a network device or a core network device, the indication information being used for indicating that a first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information is an indication bit, when the indication bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, or when the indication bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the non-frequency hopping mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, and the first configuration information further comprises location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message. The method further comprises: listening to the paging message on the at least two frequency domain resources in the frequency hopping mode according to the first configuration information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, and the first information comprises location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message. The method further comprises: listening to the paging message on the at least two frequency domain resources in the frequency hopping mode according to the first configuration information.

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein, The location information of the at least two frequency domain resources is location information of at least two bandwidth parts (BWPs).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, and the first configuration information further comprises type information of the first terminal device and / or type information of a service supported by the first terminal device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The method comprises: receiving the first configuration information from a network device; or receiving the first configuration information from a core network device.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The method further comprises: sending the indication information to a network device or a core network device, the indication information being used for indicating that a first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode. The method further comprises: sending the indication information to a network device or a core network device, the indication information being used for indicating that a first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode.

9. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method further comprises: sending the indication information to a network device or a core network device, the indication information being used for indicating that a first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode. The method comprises: obtaining first configuration information, the first configuration information comprising first information used for configuring a transmission mode of a paging message, the transmission mode of the paging message being a frequency hopping mode or a non-frequency hopping mode; sending the paging message to a first terminal device according to the transmission mode of the paging message configured by the first configuration information; The method further comprises: receiving indication information from the first terminal device, the indication information being used for indicating that the first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The first information is an indication bit, when the indication bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, or when the indication bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is a non-frequency hopping mode.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein, The transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, and the first information includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, Further comprising: sending the first configuration information to the first terminal device.

13. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein, The transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, and the first information includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message. Further comprising: when it is determined that the number of times of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a first threshold, sending the paging message to the first terminal device through the at least two frequency domain resources in a non-frequency hopping mode; or 14. A communications device, characterized by when it is determined that the length of time of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a second threshold, sending the paging message to the first terminal device through the at least two frequency domain resources in a non-frequency hopping mode. Comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive first configuration information, the first configuration information including first information, the first information being used for configuring a transmission mode of a paging message, the transmission mode of the paging message being a frequency hopping mode or a non-frequency hopping mode; a processing module, configured to instruct the transceiver module to receive the paging message in the transmission mode of the paging message according to the first configuration information; the transceiver module is further configured to:

15. The communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein, send indication information to a network device or a core network device, the indication information being used for indicating that a first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode.

16. The communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein, The first information is an indication bit, when the indication bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, or when the indication bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is a non-frequency hopping mode. The transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, and the first configuration information further includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message; 17. The communication apparatus of claim 14, wherein, the processing module is specifically configured to instruct the transceiver module to listen for the paging message in the frequency hopping mode on the at least two frequency domain resources according to the first configuration information. The transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, and the first information includes location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message.

18. The communication apparatus of claims 16 or 17, wherein, The processing module is specifically configured to instruct the transceiver module to listen for the paging message in the frequency hopping mode on the at least two frequency domain resources according to the first configuration information.

19. The communication device of any of claims 14-17, wherein, The location information of the at least two frequency domain resources is location information of at least two bandwidth parts (BWPs).

20. The communication apparatus of any of claims 14-17, wherein, The transmission mode of the paging message is a frequency hopping mode, and the first configuration information further includes type information of a first terminal device and / or type information of a service, the service being a service supported by the first terminal device. The transceiver module is specifically configured to: receive the first configuration information from a network device; or 21. The communication apparatus of any of claims 14-17, wherein, receive the first configuration information from a core network device. The transceiver module is specifically configured to: send auxiliary information to a network device or a core network device, the auxiliary information including the indication information; or sending a tracking area update message to a network device or a core network device, the tracking area update message carrying the indication information; sending a radio access network area update message to a network device or a core network device, the radio access network area update message carrying the indication information.

22. A communications device, characterized by comprising: a processing module, configured to obtain first configuration information, the first configuration information comprising first information, the first information being used for configuring a transmission mode of a paging message, the transmission mode of the paging message being a frequency hopping mode or a non-frequency hopping mode; a transceiver module, configured to send the paging message to a first terminal device according to the transmission mode of the paging message configured by the first configuration information; the transceiver module is further configured to: receive indication information from the first terminal device, the indication information being used for indicating that the first terminal device expects to receive the paging message in the frequency hopping mode.

23. The communication apparatus of claim 22, wherein, the first information is an indication bit, when the indication bit is a first value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, or when the indication bit is a second value, the first information indicates that the transmission mode of the paging message is the non-frequency hopping mode.

24. The communications apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, and the first information comprises location information of at least two frequency domain resources used for transmitting the paging message.

25. The communications apparatus of claim 24, wherein the transceiver module is further configured to: send the first configuration information to the first terminal device.

26. The communication apparatus of claims 24 or 25, wherein, the transmission mode of the paging message is the frequency hopping mode, and the transceiver module is further configured to: when the processing module determines that the number of times of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a first threshold value, send the paging message to the first terminal device through the at least two frequency domain resources in the non-frequency hopping mode; or, when the processing module determines that the length of time of sending the paging message to the first terminal device reaches a second threshold value, send the paging message to the first terminal device through the at least two frequency domain resources in the non-frequency hopping mode.

27. A communication system, characterized by the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 14-21, and the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 22-26.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, the computer readable storage medium stores a computer program, when the computer program is run, the method according to any one of claims 1-8 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 9-13 is implemented.

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