Method for starting energy-saving mode, communication device and readable storage medium

Abstract

A method for activating energy-saving mode, a communication device, and a readable storage medium, the method comprising: a terminal device releasing an RRC connection; the terminal device starting a timer; if the timer ends after a first moment, the terminal device stops the timer when the timer reaches the first moment and activates energy-saving mode at the first moment; wherein the first moment is the end of a first time interval, the first time interval being the time interval during which a satellite serving the terminal device is within the coverage of a first cell, the first cell being the serving cell of the terminal device. The present invention enables the terminal device to enter PSM mode early, thereby reducing energy consumption and conserving resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of satellite communication technology, and in particular to a method for starting an energy-saving mode, a communication device, and a readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In satellite communications, there are non-continuous coverage scenarios. For example, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a discontinuous coverage scenario is shown. Figure 1 As shown, satellite 1 provides service to the terminal device during time period 1, and satellite 2 provides service to the terminal device during time period 2. However, time period 3 separates time periods 1 and 2. That is, during time period 3, no satellite provides service to the terminal device. Therefore, during time period 3, the terminal device cannot communicate with the satellite.

[0003] However, in existing technologies, terminal devices in satellite communications use the PSM activation method used in terrestrial communication systems. This means that after completing the processing flow for a particular service, the terminal device starts a timer and enters Power Saving Mode (PSM) when the timer expires. Because satellite communications have discontinuous coverage, the use of this PSM activation method by terminal devices can lead to situations where there may be no satellite providing service to the terminal device during the timer's operation. This can easily lead to resource waste and increased power consumption in the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention provide a method for starting a power-saving mode, a communication device, and a readable storage medium, which enable a terminal device to enter a PSM mode in advance, thereby helping to reduce energy consumption and save resources.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for starting an energy-saving mode, which specifically includes: a terminal device releases an RRC connection; the terminal device starts a timer; if the end moment of the timer is after a first moment, the terminal device turns off the timer when the timer runs to the first moment, and starts the energy-saving mode at the first moment; wherein the first moment is the end moment of a first time interval, the first time interval is the time interval when a satellite used to provide services to the terminal device is within the coverage range of a first cell, and the first cell is the service cell of the terminal device.

[0006] Optionally, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than a first threshold, and the second moment is the moment of releasing the RRC connection.

[0007] Optionally, if the interval between the first moment and the second moment is less than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device starts the energy saving mode at the second moment.

[0008] Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device keeping the timer off.

[0009] Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first indication information from a network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first threshold.

[0010] Optionally, the first threshold is determined based on the average time required to execute the first service; or, the first threshold is determined based on the minimum time required to execute the first service; wherein, the first service is initiated by the satellite to the terminal device, or by the terminal device to the satellite.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving a broadcast message, the broadcast message including information for indicating the first moment; or, the terminal device receiving ephemeris information, the ephemeris information including information for indicating the first moment.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention provides a communication device, including: a release module for releasing an RRC connection; a timer start module for starting a timer; an energy-saving start module for turning off the timer when the timer runs to the first moment if the end moment of the timer is after the first moment, and starting the energy-saving mode at the first moment; wherein the first moment is the end moment of a first time interval, the first time interval is the time interval when the satellite used to provide services for the communication device is within the coverage range of a first cell, and the first cell is the service cell of the communication device.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon. The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the above method.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention provides a communication device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program, so that the communication device executes the above-mentioned method for starting the energy-saving mode.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the terminal device releases the RRC connection, the start time of the energy-saving mode is determined based on the end time of the timer and the first time. Compared with the prior art that follows the PSM start-up rules in the terrestrial communication system, the terminal device cannot enter the PSM mode during the operation of the timer. By adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the start time of the energy-saving mode can be determined based on the end time of the timer and the first time when the satellite does not cover the service cell where the terminal device is located, so that the terminal device can enter the energy-saving mode during the operation of the timer, thereby effectively reducing energy consumption and saving resources.

[0017] Furthermore, if the interval between the first moment and the second moment is less than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device activates the energy-saving mode at the second moment. This helps reduce the possibility of activating the energy-saving mode when the interval between the first moment and the second moment is short, thereby helping to avoid activating the energy-saving mode at an inappropriate time.

[0018] Furthermore, the terminal device releases the RRC connection and keeps the timer off. Using the solution of the embodiment of the present invention, when it is determined after calculation that there is no need to rely on the timer to start the energy-saving mode, by keeping the timer off, the timer can be no longer started, thereby further achieving energy saving.

[0019] Furthermore, the first threshold is determined based on an average time taken to execute the first service, or the first threshold is determined based on a minimum time taken to execute the first service. This allows for more accurate determination of the time interval between the first moment and the second moment, in situations where the time interval between the first moment and the second moment is too short to terminate the service processing flow, thereby enabling the energy-saving mode to be entered at a more accurate time during the energy-saving process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a non-continuous coverage scenario in the prior art;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a first method for starting an energy-saving mode in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a second method for starting the energy-saving mode in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 2 is a schematic diagram of a working scenario of a second method for starting an energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6is a flow chart of a third method for starting the energy-saving mode in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 2 is a schematic diagram of a working scenario of a third method for starting an energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a fourth method for starting an energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 9 2 is a schematic diagram of a working scenario of a fourth method for starting an energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a fifth method for starting the energy-saving mode in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 12 It is a structural diagram of another communication device in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers 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 represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b and c, where each of a, b, c can be an element itself, or a set containing one or more elements.

[0033] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary," "in some embodiments," and "in another embodiment" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "of," "corresponding," and "relevant" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they convey are the same. In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "communication" and "transmission" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they convey are the same. For example, transmission may include sending and / or receiving, and may be either a noun or a verb.

[0035] It should be noted that the words "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or order. The words "equal to" in the embodiments of the present application can be used in conjunction with "greater than" and apply to the technical solution adopted when "greater than" is used, and can also be used in conjunction with "less than" and apply to the technical solution adopted when "less than" is used. It should be noted that when "equal to" is used in conjunction with "greater than", it should not be used in conjunction with "less than"; when "equal to" is used in conjunction with "less than", it should not be used in conjunction with "greater than".

[0036] Typically, in satellite communication systems, a terminal device can release a connection after completing a service flow and then activate a power-saving mode to achieve energy conservation. Specifically, after releasing the connection, the terminal device starts a timer (e.g., T3324). When the timer expires, the terminal device activates the power-saving mode.

[0037] However, satellite communication systems have discontinuous coverage scenarios. That is, when the satellite does not cover the service cell where the terminal device is located, the terminal device cannot receive service requests, and continuous power consumption occurs, resulting in excessive energy consumption and serious waste of resources.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the terminal device releases the RRC connection, the end moment of the timer is compared with the first moment; based on the comparison result, the start moment of the energy-saving mode is determined, and the actual signal coverage situation of the terminal device can be judged according to the satellite coverage situation. Compared with the PSM start-up method used in the terrestrial communication system in the prior art, the terminal device cannot enter the PSM during the fixed timer operation period. By adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device can first compare the end moment of the satellite coverage with the current moment when it is impossible for the terminal device to receive a service request during the timer operation period, and then determine the start moment accordingly, so that the terminal device can enter the PSM in advance, which helps to reduce energy consumption and save resources.

[0039] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to satellite communication systems. For example, Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a satellite communication system. Figure 2As shown, the satellite communication system includes a satellite, a network device and a terminal device. The satellite is used to provide services for the terminal device. When the satellite is within the coverage area of ​​the service cell of the terminal device, the satellite and the terminal device can communicate.

[0040] The network equipment is coupled to the satellite and the terminal equipment respectively, and is used to realize communication between the satellite and the terminal equipment.

[0041] It should be pointed out that Figure 2 The elliptical area shown by the dotted line in the figure indicates the coverage of the service cell of the terminal equipment.

[0042] The terminal device of the embodiment of the present application is a device with wireless communication function, which can be called a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment, industrial control terminal equipment, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent or UE device, etc. The terminal device can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the terminal device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, new radio (NR), etc. For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an all-in-one computer, an in-vehicle terminal, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future mobile communication network, or a terminal device in a future evolved public mobile land network (PLMN), etc. In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system, wherein the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present application, a network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for a terminal device, and may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, or an access network element, etc. The network device may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. For example, the network device includes, but is not limited to: a next-generation base station (gNB) in a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G), an evolved node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a mobile switching center, etc. The network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the access network device may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a terminal device, a wearable device, an access network device in future mobile communications, or an access network device in a future evolved PLMN. In some embodiments, the network device may also be a device that provides wireless communication functions for a terminal device, such as a chip system. For example, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0044] In some embodiments, the network device may also communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0045] The satellite in the embodiment of the present application may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite or a high earth orbit (GEO) satellite.

[0046] Figure 2This is merely an example of a satellite communication system network architecture and does not limit the network architecture of the satellite communication system of the embodiments of the present application. For example, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of satellites, the number of network devices, or the number of terminal devices in the satellite communication system. For another example, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific shape of the service cell coverage area.

[0047] The following combination Figure 2 The communication system shown in FIG. 1 is used to introduce in detail the method for starting the energy-saving mode in an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] like Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method for starting an energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0049] Step S21: The terminal device releases the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection.

[0050] For example, after the terminal device completes the service processing flow, the satellite can send an RRC release message to the terminal device to trigger the terminal device to release the RRC connection, and the satellite also releases the RRC connection. Further, in some embodiments, the terminal device can release the RRC connection after receiving the RRC release message from the satellite.

[0051] Step S22: The terminal device starts the energy saving mode according to the first moment and the second moment.

[0052] Among them, the first moment is the end moment of the first time interval, the first time interval is the time interval when the satellite used to provide services to the terminal device is within the coverage range of the first cell, the first cell is the service cell of the terminal device, and the second moment is the moment of releasing the RRC connection.

[0053] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the first moment can also be understood as the moment when the satellite moves out of the service cell of the terminal device.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device starts the energy-saving mode according to the first moment and the second moment. In order to address the situation where the terminal device may not be able to receive a service request during the timer operation, the terminal device can enter the PSM during the timer operation, which helps to reduce energy consumption and save resources.

[0055] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the terminal device may obtain the first moment in the following manner:

[0056] Method 1: The satellite can broadcast a message to indicate the first time to the terminal device. In this case, the broadcast message indicates the first time. After receiving the broadcast message, the terminal device determines the first time based on the broadcast message. This not only facilitates the terminal device's acquisition of the first time, but also helps improve the accuracy and reliability of the first time obtained by the terminal device.

[0057] In some examples, the satellite may periodically send a broadcast message indicating the first moment to terminal devices within the covered service cell.

[0058] The above is only an example of triggering the satellite to indicate the first moment to the terminal device through a broadcast message, and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, other methods can also be used to trigger the satellite to indicate the first moment to the terminal device through a broadcast message.

[0059] It should be noted that the satellite at the first moment indicated to the terminal device through the broadcast message may be a satellite located within the coverage of the service cell of the terminal device.

[0060] Method 2: The satellite can indicate the first time to the terminal device through ephemeris information. In this case, the ephemeris message is used to indicate the first time. That is, after receiving the ephemeris message, the terminal device determines the first time based on it. This simplifies how the terminal device obtains the first time and helps improve the accuracy and reliability of the first time obtained by the terminal device.

[0061] In some examples, the terminal device may obtain ephemeris information from the network device.

[0062] The above is only an example of a satellite trigger indicating the first moment to the terminal device through ephemeris information, and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, other methods can be used to trigger the satellite to indicate the first moment to the terminal device through ephemeris information.

[0063] It should be noted that the satellite indicated at the first moment by the ephemeris information may be multiple satellites, including not only the satellite covering the service cell, but also one or more other satellites.

[0064] The following describes in detail the specific implementation of the startup mode of the terminal device according to the first moment and the second moment with reference to specific examples.

[0065] Example 1:

[0066] like Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0067] Step S31: The terminal device releases the RRC connection.

[0068] For step S31 , please refer to the relevant introduction in step S21 , which will not be repeated here.

[0069] Step S32: The terminal device starts a timer.

[0070] The timing duration of the timer is the duration between the terminal device releasing the RRC connection and starting the energy-saving mode. For example, the timing duration of the timer can be 0ms, 1000ms, 2000ms, 4000ms, 8000ms, 16000ms, etc., which can be predefined by the protocol or indicated by the network device or satellite, and is not limited to this. In some embodiments, the timer in the embodiment of the present application can be T3324. The duration between

[0071] Step S33: If the timing end time of the timer is after the first time, the terminal device turns off the timer when the timer runs to the first time, and starts the energy saving mode at the first time.

[0072] For the first moment, please refer to the relevant description in the previous article and will not be repeated here.

[0073] For example, Figure 5 As shown, T1 is the time interval during which satellite 1 is within the coverage of the terminal device's serving cell, and T2 is the time interval during which satellite 2 is within the coverage of the terminal device's serving cell. Time t11 is the start time of time interval T1, and time t12 is the end time of time interval T1. Time t21 is the start time of time interval T2, and time t22 is the end time of time interval T2. T0 is the timer duration, time t1 is the end time of timer, and time t2 is the start time of timer.

[0074] Here, time t1 is after time t12. That is, if the terminal device releases the RRC connection at time t2, it starts the timer. When the timer reaches time t12, it stops the timer and starts the energy-saving mode.

[0075] It should be noted that if Figure 5 As shown, no satellite is located within the coverage of the service cell of the terminal device during the time interval between time t12 and time t21, that is, the terminal device cannot communicate with the satellite during the time interval between time t12 and time t21.

[0076] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than a first threshold, and the second moment is the moment of releasing the RRC connection. That is, when the time interval between the first moment and the second moment of the terminal device is greater than the first threshold, if the timer end moment is after the first moment, the terminal device stops the timer when the timer reaches the first moment and starts the energy saving mode at the first moment.

[0077] In an embodiment of the present invention, the energy-saving mode is started at the first moment only when the time interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than the first threshold value. The energy-saving mode can be started at the first moment only when the terminal device releases the RRC connection very early and the time interval between the first moment and the second moment is large. In view of the fact that the terminal device may still receive a service request during the operation of the timer, the energy-saving mode is started again at the first moment when the satellite leaves the coverage of the first cell. By entering the energy-saving mode in advance, energy consumption is effectively reduced, resources are saved, and the service request that should have been completed is avoided from being missed due to entering the energy-saving mode too early.

[0078] Furthermore, the method may also include: the terminal device receiving first indication information from a network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first threshold.

[0079] Specifically, the sending mode of the first indication information may be selected from: broadcast, multicast and unicast.

[0080] In the embodiment of the present invention, there is no limitation on the specific manner of sending the first indication information.

[0081] Specifically, the network device may send the first indication information through dedicated signaling, or send the first indication information through system message broadcasting.

[0082] In the embodiment of the present invention, there is no limitation on the specific signaling sent by the network device.

[0083] It should be noted that the execution entity for determining the first threshold is the network device.

[0084] Furthermore, the first threshold is determined based on the average time required to execute the first service; or, the first threshold is determined based on the minimum time required to execute the first service; wherein, the first service is initiated by the satellite to the terminal device, or by the terminal device to the satellite.

[0085] The shorter the average time consumed to execute the first service, the smaller the first threshold value is; and the longer the average time consumed to execute the first service, the larger the first threshold value is.

[0086] As a non-limiting example, if the first service is a service that consumes relatively little time, such as measurement data reporting, the first threshold may be considered to be relatively small.

[0087] In an embodiment of the present invention, in view of the situation that the terminal device may still receive a service request during the operation of the timer, a smaller first threshold is adopted so that in most cases, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment will be greater than the first threshold, which is conducive to allowing the terminal device to wait until the first moment before starting the energy-saving mode.

[0088] It can be understood that if the first service is a time-consuming service such as calls or videos, the first threshold can be regarded as being large, so that in most cases, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment will not be greater than the first threshold, thereby enabling the terminal device to adopt other schemes in the embodiments of the present invention to start the energy-saving mode.

[0089] The time interval between the first moment and the second moment may be obtained by calculation by the terminal device, for example, by calculating the difference between the moment when the RRC connection is released and the moment when the coverage of satellite 1 leaves the service cell.

[0090] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first threshold is determined based on the average time consumed to execute the first service; or, the first threshold is determined based on the minimum time consumed to execute the first service. This can more accurately judge the time interval in the case where it is difficult to terminate the processing flow for the service due to a short time interval, thereby effectively improving the accuracy in saving energy consumption between the moment the terminal device releases the connection and the moment the timer ends, and avoiding entering the energy-saving mode prematurely due to an erroneous judgment, resulting in missing service requests that should have been completed.

[0091] Example 2:

[0092] like Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0093] Step S51: The terminal device releases the RRC connection.

[0094] For step S51 , please refer to the relevant introduction in step S21 , which will not be repeated here.

[0095] Step S52: If the first moment is the moment of releasing the RRC connection, the terminal device starts the energy-saving mode at the first moment.

[0096] For the first moment, see Figure 3 The relevant description in will not be repeated here.

[0097] Furthermore, in some embodiments, if the first moment is the moment of releasing the RRC connection, the terminal device starts the energy-saving mode at the first moment and keeps the timer off. The above technical solution can eliminate the need to rely on the timer to start the energy-saving mode, and if the first moment is the moment of releasing the RRC connection, the timer can be no longer started, thereby contributing to further energy saving.

[0098] It should be noted that the terminal device keeping the timer off can be understood as: the terminal device does not start the timer.

[0099] For example, Figure 7 As shown, T1 is the time interval during which satellite 1 is within the coverage of the terminal device's serving cell, and T2 is the time interval during which satellite 2 is within the coverage of the terminal device's serving cell. Time t11 is the start time of time interval T1, and time t12 is the end time of time interval T1. Time t21 is the start time of time interval T2, and time t22 is the end time of time interval T2. T0 is the timer duration, time t1 is the end time of timer, and time t2 is the start time of timer.

[0100] Wherein, time t2 and time t12 are the same time. That is, if the terminal device releases the RRC connection at time t2 and starts the energy saving mode, the terminal device does not start the timer at time t2, that is, continues to keep the timer off.

[0101] Example 3:

[0102] like Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another method for starting the energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0103] Step S71: The terminal device releases the RRC connection.

[0104] For step S71 , please refer to the relevant introduction in step S21 , which will not be repeated here.

[0105] Step S72: If the interval between the first moment and the second moment is less than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device starts the energy saving mode at the second moment.

[0106] Among them, regarding the first moment and the second moment, please refer to the relevant description in the previous text and will not be repeated here.

[0107] In an embodiment of the present application, since the terminal device starts the energy-saving mode at the second moment when the interval between the first moment and the second moment is less than or equal to the first threshold, it helps to reduce the possibility of starting the energy-saving mode when the interval between the first moment and the second moment is short, thereby helping to avoid starting the energy-saving mode at an inappropriate time.

[0108] Furthermore, in some embodiments, if the interval between the first moment and the second moment is less than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device activates energy-saving mode at the second moment and does not start the timer. That is, the timer is kept off, thereby further facilitating energy conservation.

[0109] For example, Figure 9 As shown, T1 is the time interval during which satellite 1 is within the coverage of the terminal device's serving cell, and T2 is the time interval during which satellite 2 is within the coverage of the terminal device's serving cell. Time t11 is the start time of time interval T1, and time t12 is the end time of time interval T1. Time t21 is the start time of time interval T2, and time t22 is the end time of time interval T2. T0 is the timer duration, time t1 is the end time of timer timing, and time t2 is the start time of timer timing. Δt1 is the time interval between time t2 and time t12.

[0110] Where Δt1 is less than or equal to the first threshold, if the terminal device releases the RRC connection at time t2, then the energy-saving mode is activated at time t2. Furthermore, the terminal device continues to keep the timer off at time t2, that is, does not start the timer. This helps to further achieve energy saving by keeping the timer off when it is determined after calculation that the timer is not needed to activate the energy-saving mode.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first threshold may be indicated to the terminal device by a network device or a satellite, may be predefined by a protocol, or may be determined by the terminal device according to a certain policy or rule, which is not limited.

[0112] For example, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first threshold. The terminal device obtains the first threshold by receiving the first indication information. For example, the network device may send the first indication information to the terminal device by carrying it in an RRC message or a broadcast message. In the embodiment of the present application, the signaling or message used by the network device to carry the first indication information is not limited.

[0113] In other embodiments of the present application, the first threshold may be determined based on an average time taken to execute the first service, or may be determined based on a minimum time taken to execute the first service. The first service may be a service initiated by a satellite to a terminal device, or may be a service initiated by a terminal device to a satellite.

[0114] In specific implementation, the time consumption of multiple first businesses within a period of time can be counted to determine the average time consumption or the minimum time consumption. For example, the average time consumption of all first businesses within a month can be recorded as the average time consumption, and the minimum time consumption of each first business within a month can be recorded as the minimum time consumption.

[0115] Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the minimum time and / or average time and then report it to the network device, or the network device can determine the average time and / or minimum time and then inform the terminal device and the satellite of the determination result.

[0116] In some embodiments of the present application, the first threshold may be determined based on the following manner according to the average duration and / or minimum duration of the first service:

[0117] For example, the average time consumption and / or minimum time consumption of the first business is directly used as the first threshold, or multiplied by a certain ratio as the first threshold, or the first threshold is determined based on the average time consumption and / or minimum time consumption of the first business and a certain time offset, such as the first threshold is the sum of the average time consumption and / or minimum time consumption of the first business and the time offset.

[0118] Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the first threshold based on the average time and / or minimum time of the first service, and then report it to the network device. The network device can also determine the first threshold based on the average time and / or minimum time of the first service, and then send a first indication information to the terminal device to indicate the first threshold.

[0119] Specifically, the network device or terminal device can determine the average time consumption based on historical data. Taking the first service as an example of a service that consumes a lot of time, such as a call, the call duration is usually 1 minute to 1 hour, then 0.5 hours can be used as the average time consumption, and then the first threshold value is determined based on 0.5 hours, for example, as the upper limit of the optional range of the timer, such as 40ms. Taking the first service as an example of a service that consumes less time, such as a short message, the sending and receiving time is usually 1ms to 100ms, then 50ms can be used as the average time consumption, and then the first threshold value is determined based on 50ms, for example, as the lower limit of the optional range of the timer.

[0120] Compared with the prior art, in the embodiments of the present invention, the start timing of the timer is determined based on the minimum duration of the first service, or based on the average duration of the first service, so that the terminal device accurately enters the energy-saving mode at the end of the timer. In the prior art, the timer is started only after the terminal device releases the connection. The technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention, after determining the minimum duration of the first service or the average duration of the first service, can enable the terminal device to enter the connection release state at the appropriate time and start the timer for timing, so that the terminal device can enter the energy-saving mode at the accurate time.

[0121] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device or the terminal device may also determine the first threshold based on other methods, which is not limited to this.

[0122] In other embodiments of the present application, if the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than a first threshold, the terminal device starts a timer; if the end moment of the timer is after the first moment, the terminal device turns off the timer when the timer runs to the first moment, and starts the energy-saving mode at the first moment.

[0123] Example 4:

[0124] like Figure 10 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of another method for starting the energy-saving mode according to an embodiment of the present invention, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0125] Step S91: The terminal device releases the RRC connection.

[0126] For step S91, please refer to the relevant introduction in step S21, which will not be repeated here.

[0127] Step S92: If the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than the second threshold, the terminal device starts a timer.

[0128] Step S93: If the timing end time of the timer is after the first time, the terminal device turns off the timer when the timer runs to the first time, and starts the energy saving mode at the first time.

[0129] For details about the first moment and the second moment, please refer to the relevant introduction in the previous article and will not be repeated here.

[0130] In an embodiment of the present application, since the interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than the second threshold and the timing end time of the timer is after the first moment, the terminal device starts the energy-saving mode when the timer runs to the first moment, which helps to start the energy-saving mode when the interval between the first moment and the second moment is long.

[0131] For details about the second threshold, refer to the description of the first threshold in Example 3 and will not be repeated here. It should be noted that the first threshold and the second threshold may be the same or different. If the first threshold and the second threshold are different, the network device or satellite may indicate the difference to the terminal device via the same signaling or different signaling.

[0132] For example, Figure 9As shown, Δt1 is greater than the second threshold. If the terminal device releases the RRC connection at time t2, the timer is started at time t2, and when the timer runs to time t12, the timer is turned off, and the energy-saving mode is started at time t12, thereby helping to reduce the possibility of starting the energy-saving mode when the interval between the first moment and the second moment is short, and helping to avoid starting the energy-saving mode at an inappropriate time.

[0133] For the time t2, time t12, and Δt1, please refer to the relevant introduction in Example 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0134] The above embodiments can be used alone or in combination with each other to achieve different technical effects.

[0135] Reference Figure 11 , Figure 11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device may include:

[0136] Release module 101, used to release the RRC connection;

[0137] A timer starting module 102 is used to start the timer;

[0138] The energy-saving starting module 103 is configured to, if the timing end time of the timer is after the first time, stop the timer when the timer reaches the first time, and start the energy-saving mode at the first time;

[0139] The first moment is the end moment of a first time interval, the first time interval is the time interval during which a satellite serving the communication device is within the coverage of a first cell, and the first cell is a service cell of the communication device.

[0140] For the principles, specific implementations and beneficial effects of the communication device, please refer to the aforementioned description of the method for starting the energy-saving mode, which will not be repeated here.

[0141] Reference Figure 12 , Figure 12 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of another communication device 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0142] The further communication device 120 includes a memory 121 and a processor 122 . The memory 121 stores a computer program, and the processor 122 runs the computer program, so that the communication device 120 executes the above method.

[0143] As shown in the figure, the communication device 120 includes at least one processor 122 and at least one memory 121, and the at least one processor 122 and the at least one memory 121 are used to store computer programs and / or data. The memory 121 is coupled to the processor 122. The processor 122 is used to run the computer program and / or data stored in the memory 121 to implement the aforementioned communication method. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an interval coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. As another implementation, the memory 121 can also be located outside the communication device 120. The processor 122 can operate in conjunction with the memory 121. The processor 122 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 121. At least one of the at least one memory 121 may be included in the processor 122.

[0144] In some embodiments, the communication device 120 may further include a communication interface 123, which is used to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, so that modules in the communication device 120 can communicate with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface 123 may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface 123.

[0145] In the embodiments of the present application, the connection medium between the communication interface 123, the processor 122, and the memory 121 is not limited. For example, in the embodiments of the present application, the memory 121 and the communication interface 123 are both connected to the processor 122. Of course, in the embodiments of the present application, the memory 121, the communication interface 123, and the processor 122 can also be connected via a bus, which can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

[0146] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor 122 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor 122.

[0147] In an embodiment of the present application, the memory 121 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 121 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 121 in an embodiment of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing computer programs and / or data.

[0148] The methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., an SSD), etc. An embodiment of the present invention further provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the above method is implemented. The readable storage medium may be a computer-readable storage medium, for example, a non-volatile memory or a non-transitory memory, and may also include an optical disc, a mechanical hard disk, a solid-state drive, etc.

[0149] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the above method. The readable storage medium may be a computer-readable storage medium, such as a non-volatile memory or a non-transitory memory, or an optical disk, a mechanical hard disk, a solid-state drive, or the like.

[0150] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the above method when executing the computer program. The terminal device includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a computer, a tablet computer, and other terminal devices.

[0151] Specifically, the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to various forms of user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent or user device. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0152] The network device in the embodiment of the present invention refers to a communication network that provides communication services for terminal devices, including base stations of a wireless access network, base station controllers of the wireless access network, and devices on the core network side.

[0153] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for starting an energy-saving mode, characterized in that: The method comprises: The terminal device releases the RRC connection; The terminal device starts a timer; If the timing end time of the timer is after the first time, the terminal device turns off the timer when the timer reaches the first time, and starts the energy saving mode at the first time; The first moment is the end moment of the first time interval, the first time interval is the time interval when the satellite used to provide services for the terminal device is within the coverage of the first cell, and the first cell is the service cell of the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The time interval between the first moment and the second moment is greater than a first threshold, and the second moment is a moment of releasing the RRC connection.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the interval between the first moment and the second moment is less than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device starts the energy saving mode at the second moment.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device keeps the timer off.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device receives first indication information from a network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first threshold.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The first threshold is determined based on an average time taken to execute the first service; or the first threshold is determined based on a minimum time taken to execute the first service; The first service is initiated by the satellite to the terminal device, or by the terminal device to the satellite.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal device receives a broadcast message, where the broadcast message includes information indicating the first moment; or The terminal device receives ephemeris information, where the ephemeris information includes information indicating the first moment.

8. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Release module, used to release the RRC connection; A timer start module is used to start the timer; an energy-saving starting module, configured to, if the timing end time of the timer is after the first time, stop the timer when the timer reaches the first time, and start the energy-saving mode at the first time; The first moment is the end moment of a first time interval, the first time interval is the time interval during which a satellite serving the communication device is within the coverage of a first cell, and the first cell is a service cell of the communication device.

9. A readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is implemented.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory and the processor runs the computer program, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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