Downlink control information monitoring method and communication device

Abstract

The application discloses a downlink control information monitoring method and a communication device. In a C-DRX scenario, the power consumption of a terminal device can be reduced when the terminal device monitors DCI scrambled by P-RNTI. The method comprises the following steps: in response to the fact that neither the active time of a DRX cycle nor each of M paging occasions overlaps, monitoring downlink control information in a first paging occasion. The first paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions, the M paging occasions are used for monitoring downlink control information, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1, the downlink control information is scrambled by P-RNTI, and the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies a predefined condition.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly relates to a downlink control information monitoring method and a communication device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the 5th-generation (5G) wireless communication network, discontinuous reception (DRX) can be used to make the standby time of a terminal device longer, thereby saving the power consumption of the terminal device. The DRX can be divided into RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) DRX, RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) DRX, and RRC connected state (RRC_CONNECTED) DRX. Among them, the RRC idle state DRX can be represented as RRC_IDLE-DRX, the RRC inactive state DRX can be represented as RRC_INACTIVE-DRX, and the RRC connected state DRX can be represented as RRC_CONNECTED-DRX, which can be simply referred to as C-DRX for convenience.

[0003] For the C-DRX, the terminal device not only needs to monitor the downlink control information (DCI) in the active time of the DRX cycle, but also needs to monitor the DCI scrambled by the paging-radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI). In this case, the DCI scrambled by the P-RNTI can be in the active time or outside the active time.

[0004] Therefore, in the C-DRX scenario, for the terminal device to monitor the DCI scrambled by the P-RNTI, how to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device is a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a downlink control information monitoring method and a communication device, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for monitoring downlink control information, which can include: in response to an active time of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle not overlapping with each of M paging occasions, monitoring downlink control information in a first paging occasion; wherein the first paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions, the M paging occasions are used for monitoring downlink control information, M is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and the downlink control information is scrambled with a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI), and a time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies a predefined condition.

[0007] It can be seen that, by optimizing the occasion for monitoring the downlink control information scrambled with the P-RNTI in the DRX cycle, the terminal device can not monitor too frequently, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfying the predefined condition includes that the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time is less than a time distance between a second paging occasion and the active time; wherein the second paging occasion is any one of the M paging occasions other than the first paging occasion. It can be seen that, in the case that the active time does not overlap with the M paging occasions, the terminal device can select the paging occasion closest to the active time to monitor, so as to effectively monitor the downlink control information scrambled with the P-RNTI.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the method further includes determining an adjusted active time, and the adjusted active time includes the first paging occasion. It can be seen that, in the case that the active time does not overlap with the M paging occasions, the active time is adjusted to include the occasion for monitoring the downlink control information scrambled with the P-RNTI, which can reduce the number of times of receiving the related physical downlink control channel and reduce the number of times of switching the transceiver of the terminal device.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: in response to the active time overlapping with a third paging occasion, monitoring the downlink control information in the active time; wherein the third paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions. It can be seen that, in the case that the active time overlaps with one of the alternative paging occasions, the downlink control information is monitored in the active time, which can also reduce the number of times of receiving the related physical downlink control channel and reduce the number of times of switching the transceiver of the terminal device.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the downlink control information includes a system information change indication.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the corresponding change indication period of the system information change indication includes M paging occasions, and the change indication period is an integer multiple of the default paging period.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the downlink control information includes a public warning system notification.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the corresponding notification period of the public warning system notification includes M paging occasions, and the notification period is the default paging period.

[0015] In a second aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0016] In a third aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor, and the processor executes the steps of the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0017] In a fourth aspect, a chip module is provided, which includes a communication module, a power supply module, a storage module, and a chip, wherein the power supply module is configured to provide power for the chip module; the storage module is configured to store data and instructions; the communication module is configured to perform internal communication of the chip module or to perform communication between the chip module and an external device; and the chip is configured to execute the steps of the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0018] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, and the computer program or instructions are executed to implement the steps of the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a system architecture schematic diagram applied to embodiments of the present application;

[0020] Figure 2A and Figure 2B FIG. 3 shows a structure schematic diagram of a discontinuous reception cycle;

[0021] Figure 3 FIG. 5 is a flow schematic diagram of a downlink control information monitoring method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 4 FIG. 6 is a flow schematic diagram of another downlink control information monitoring method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 5Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 6 Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 7 Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a chip module provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0027] In the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand that the terms "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different. The term "and / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. A person of ordinary skill in the art can also understand that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more; "multiple" means two or more.

[0028] First, the system architecture involved in the present application is described.

[0029] The present application can be applied to a 5G system, which can also be referred to as a new radio (NR) system; or can be applied to a 6th-generation (6G) system, or can be applied to a 7th-generation (7G) system, or can be applied to other future communication systems or other similar communication systems.

[0030] The present application can be applied to Figure 1 the system architecture shown in the figure. Figure 1 The communication system shown in the figure can include but is not limited to a terminal device 102 and a network device 104. Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown in the figure are only used for example and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application, and in actual applications, terminal devices and network devices different from the number shown in the figure can be included. Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown in the figure are only used for example and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present application, and in actual applications, terminal devices and network devices different from the number shown in the figure can be included.

[0031] The terminal device 102 can be a device with wireless transceiving function, and can also be referred to as a terminal. The terminal device 102 can refer to various forms of user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal device, vehicle-mounted terminal device, industrial control terminal device, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, UE terminal device, wireless communication device, UE agent or UE apparatus, etc. The terminal device 102 can 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 function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future communication system, etc. The terminal device 102 can be fixed or mobile. In some embodiments, the terminal device 102 can also be a device with transceiving function, for example, a chip module. The chip module can include a chip, and can also include other discrete devices. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device 102.

[0032] The network device 104 can be a device providing wireless communication function for the terminal device 102, and can also be referred to as an access network device or a radio access network (RAN) device, etc. For example, the network device 104 includes, but is not limited to, a generation node B (gNB) in 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., a home evolved node B or a home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a mobile switching center, etc. In some embodiments, the network device 104 can also be a device providing wireless communication function for the terminal device 102, such as a chip module. For example, the chip module can include a chip and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the network device 104.

[0033] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios.

[0034] Secondly, the related concepts involved in the present application are described.

[0035] 1. DRX

[0036] In wireless communication, data packets are often bursty. If the terminal device always keeps the transceiver on to receive information, unnecessary power consumption will be caused. Therefore, the terminal device can stop receiving data for a period of time (for example, in a period of time without data packets to be transmitted, or in a period of time with a very low probability of data packet burst). This discontinuous reception mode of data is called discontinuous reception, i.e., DRX. DRX is divided into two modes: DRX in RRC_IDLE state and DRX in RRC_CONNECTED state (i.e., C-DRX).

[0037] For a terminal device in C-DRX mode, it is not required to continuously monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). Figure 2A and Figure 2B A structure diagram of a DRX cycle is shown. As Figure 2A or Figure 2B indicated, in C-DRX mode, a complete DRX cycle 200 is composed of an active time 201 and an inactive time 202 (also referred to as sleep time). In the active time 201, the terminal device can turn on the transceiver, monitor the PDCCH, and receive downlink data and control signaling. In the inactive time 202, the terminal device can turn off the transceiver and stop monitoring the PDCCH. For the same DRX cycle 200, whether in the active time 201 or outside the active time 201 (i.e., in the inactive time 202), the terminal device can turn on the transceiver to monitor the paging occasion (PO) indicated by the common search space in a timely manner (e.g., paging occasions 203-1 to 203-M or paging occasions 204-1 to 204-M, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1), so as to reduce the time of turning on the transceiver as much as possible.

[0038] The PDCCH can carry a DCI. Monitoring the PDCCH can also be understood as monitoring the PDCCH carrying the DCI, or monitoring the DCI.

[0039] According to the technical specification TS 38.321, the terminal device in C-DRX mode can monitor the DCI in the active time, such as the DCI scrambled with a cell-radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI), a configured scheduling-radio network temporary identity (CS-RNTI), an interruption-radio network temporary identity (INT-RNTI), a slot format indication-radio network temporary identity (SFI-RNTI), etc. In other words, the DCI scrambled with the above RNTI cannot be monitored in the inactive time in the same DRX cycle. However, it is not specified whether the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI is monitored in the active time.

[0040] Therefore, the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI can be monitored according to the paging occasions indicated by the common search space, regardless of whether the paging occasions are within the active time or outside the active time. The case of paging occasions outside the active time is shown as Figure 2A paging occasions 203-1 to 203-M and the case of paging occasions within the active time is shown as Figure 2B paging occasions 204-1 to 204-M. Figure 2B paging occasions 204-1.

[0041] 2. P-RNTI

[0042] The P-RNTI can be used by the terminal device to receive paging, i.e., to scramble the DCI for the terminal device to receive. In R16, the terminal device can include information such as wake-up information and sleep information in the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI (e.g., DCI format 3_0). In addition to the information indicating wake-up behavior and sleep behavior, the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI can also include common / broadcast information such as system information (SI) change indication (i.e., SI change indication) and public warning system (PWS) notification (i.e., PWS notification).

[0043] For the terminal device, it is necessary to receive the SI change indication at least once within the change indication period corresponding to the SI change indication, and it is necessary to receive the PWS notification at least once within the notification period corresponding to the PWS notification.

[0044] Therefore, for the terminal device in the C-DRX mode, in order to help the terminal device to further reduce power consumption, it can be considered to adjust the paging occasions for monitoring the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI. The technical solution provided by the present application can adjust the configuration of the paging occasions according to whether the paging occasions for monitoring the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI are within the active time of the DRX cycle, so that the terminal device does not have to listen too frequently (i.e., reduce the number of times the terminal device turns on and off the transceiver), thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0045] Based on the system architecture shown in Figure 1 , the following describes the downlink control information monitoring method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The present application describes the downlink control information monitoring method performed by the terminal device as an example.

[0046] Please refer to Figure 3 , which is a flowchart of a downlink control information monitoring method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0047] Optionally, in step 301, the terminal device determines whether the active time of the DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions.

[0048] The paging occasion is an opportunity in time domain for transmitting a paging message. The paging occasion is one subframe. The paging frame (PF) is one radio frame, which can include one or more paging occasions. For example, the paging occasion can be defined in the form of a period, an offset and a duration. The period for transmitting the paging message can be referred to as a default paging cycle, for example, denoted by defaultPagingCycle.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present application, the M paging occasions are used for transmitting information related to the default paging cycle, and can be obtained according to the common search space. M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The specific value of M is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0050] The M paging occasions can correspond to one or more DCIs related to the default paging cycle. The DCI related to the default paging cycle can include specific information, for example, the specific information can be information such as common / broadcast information.

[0051] Optionally, the DCI includes a system information (SI) change indication. The SI change indication is an indication sent by the network device to the terminal device, for example, for informing the terminal device that the SI has changed or informing the terminal device of the changed SI. One SI change indication corresponds to one change indication period, and the change indication period corresponding to the SI change indication can include the M paging occasions. The change indication period can be an integer multiple of the default paging cycle (for example, denoted by defaultPagingCycle). For example, the change indication period can be represented as radio frame number m = modificationPeriodCoeff * defaultPagingCycle, where modificationPeriodCoeff is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and defaultPagingCycle is in units of radio frames.

[0052] Optionally, the DCI includes a public warning system (PWS) notification. The PWS notification is a notification sent by the network device to the terminal device, for example, for informing the terminal device of a public warning event (such as an earthquake). One PWS notification corresponds to one notification period, and the notification period corresponding to the PWS notification can include the M paging occasions. The notification period can be the default paging cycle (for example, denoted by defaultPagingCycle, and defaultPagingCycle is in units of radio frames).

[0053] Optionally, in the case that the terminal device is in the C-DRX mode, the terminal device can determine whether the active time of the DRX cycle overlaps with each of the M paging occasions. Whether the active time of the DRX cycle overlaps with each of the M paging occasions can be relative to one DRX cycle.

[0054] Specifically, the terminal device can determine, for one complete DRX cycle (e.g., the DRX cycle 200 as shown in FIG. 2, which is composed of an active time 201 and an inactive time 202), whether each of the M paging occasions (e.g., the paging occasions 203-1 to 203-M as shown in FIG. 2) falls within the active time of the DRX cycle (e.g., is derived as described above). Figure 2A and Figure 2B When the active time of the DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions, it means that none of the M paging occasions falls (e.g., completely falls) within the active time of the DRX cycle, as shown by the paging occasions 203-1 to 203-M in FIG. 2. A paging occasion “completely” falls within the active time means that the start time of the paging occasion is at or after the start time of the active time, and the end time of the paging occasion is at or before the end time of the active time, as shown by the paging occasion 204-1 in FIG. 2. In addition, a paging occasion (not shown) that falls partially within the active time and partially outside the active time can also be considered as not overlapping with the active time, and the time distance between the paging occasion and the active time is considered to be zero. Figure 2A Figure 2A Figure 2B

[0055] wherein the DCI is scrambled with a P-RNTI. When the DCI is scrambled with the P-RNTI, the DCI can include the SI change indication and / or the PWS notification as described above.

[0056] In response to the active time of the DRX cycle not overlapping with each of the M paging occasions, the terminal device listens to the downlink control information in the first paging occasion.

[0057] In response to the active time of the DRX cycle not overlapping with each of the M paging occasions, the terminal device listens to the downlink control information in the first paging occasion.

[0058] ​​​The first paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions. A time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies a predefined condition. It can be understood that the first paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions selected from the M paging occasions, and a time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies the predefined condition, in a case that the active time does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions.

[0059] The time distance between the paging occasion and the active time can be in units of time slots or radio frames. When the ending moment of the paging occasion is before the starting moment of the active time, the above-mentioned time distance refers to a time distance (for example, in units of time slots) between the ending moment of the paging occasion and the starting moment of the active time; when the starting moment of the paging occasion is after the ending moment of the active time, the above-mentioned time distance refers to a time distance (for example, in units of time slots) between the starting moment of the paging occasion and the ending moment of the active time; when the paging occasion partially falls within the active time, the above-mentioned time distance is zero.

[0060] Optionally, the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies the predefined condition includes that the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time is less than the time distance between the second paging occasion and the active time; wherein the second paging occasion is any paging occasion of the M paging occasions except the first paging occasion. In other words, the predefined condition is satisfied in that the first paging occasion selected from the M paging occasions is closest to the active time in the time domain compared with other paging occasions of the M paging occasions except the first paging occasion. Specifically, the terminal device can calculate a time distance between each of the M paging occasions and the active time respectively (for example, can be calculated based on the definition of the time distance as described above), then determine a minimum time distance of the M time distances, and determine the paging occasion corresponding to the minimum time distance as the first paging occasion.

[0061] Optionally, the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies the predefined condition includes that the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time is zero. Specifically, the terminal device can calculate a time distance between each of the M paging occasions and the active time respectively (for example, can be calculated based on the definition of the time distance as described above), and then determine the paging occasion corresponding to the zero time distance (i.e. the time distance = zero) as the first paging occasion. For example, if only one paging occasion partially falls within the active time (for example, as shown in FIG. 2), the terminal device can determine the paging occasion corresponding to the zero time distance as the first paging occasion. Figure 2BIf the first paging occasion is determined (e.g., by the network device), the terminal device can determine the first paging occasion based on the determined first paging occasion. For example, if the first paging occasion is determined to be a paging occasion that partially overlaps with the active time (as shown in FIG. 2), the terminal device can determine the first paging occasion as the first paging occasion. For example, if there are two paging occasions that partially overlap with the active time (not shown), the terminal device can determine the earlier or later paging occasion as the first paging occasion, or the terminal device can compare the sizes (in time length) of the overlapping parts of the two paging occasions with the active time, and then select the paging occasion with the larger overlapping part as the first paging occasion.

[0062] In this way, by appropriately selecting the first paging occasion, the terminal device can monitor the downlink control information scrambled with the P-RNTI.

[0063] Further, the terminal device determines an adjusted active time, and the adjusted active time includes the first paging occasion. That is, the terminal device adjusts the active time so that the adjusted active time includes the first paging occasion.

[0064] For example, in a case where the time distance between the active time and the first paging occasion is not zero, the terminal device can extend the active time so that the extended active time includes the first paging occasion. For another example, in a case where the time distance between the active time and the first paging occasion is zero, the terminal device can directly combine the active time and the first paging occasion, and take the combined active time and the first paging occasion as a new active time.

[0065] In this way, by extending or combining the active time, the terminal device can reduce the number of switching the transceiver on and off, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0066] Further, the terminal device monitors the downlink control information (DCI) in the first paging occasion.

[0067] For example, after determining the first paging occasion, the terminal device receives the downlink control information (DCI) in the determined first paging occasion using the time-frequency resources corresponding to the first paging occasion. For example, the terminal device receives the DCI scrambled with the P-RNTI in the determined first paging occasion. The DCI scrambled with the P-RNTI can be the DCI included in the PDCCH scrambled with the P-RNTI, and can include the SI change indication and / or the PWS notification.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the first paging occasion based on the determined first paging occasion. For example, if the first paging occasion is determined to be a paging occasion that partially overlaps with the active time (as shown in FIG. 2), the terminal device can determine the first paging occasion as the first paging occasion. For example, if there are two paging occasions that partially overlap with the active time (not shown), the terminal device can determine the earlier or later paging occasion as the first paging occasion, or the terminal device can compare the sizes (in time length) of the overlapping parts of the two paging occasions with the active time, and then select the paging occasion with the larger overlapping part as the first paging occasion. Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the terminal device can effectively listen to the corresponding SI change indication and / or PWS notification by optimizing the occasion for listening to the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI (in the case where the active time does not overlap with all the paging occasions in the DRX cycle), and can reduce the number of times of receiving the PDCCH and the number of times of switching the transceiver of the terminal device, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 4 is a flowchart of another downlink control information listening method provided by the embodiment of the present application. The method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0070] Optionally, in step 401, the terminal device determines whether the active time of the DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions.

[0071] The M paging occasions are used for listening to the downlink control information (DCI), and M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The M paging occasions can be as shown in Figure 2A or Figure 2B .

[0072] The active time is the active time of the discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle, and whether the active time overlaps with each of the M paging occasions can be relative to one DRX cycle.

[0073] The downlink control information (DCI) is scrambled with P-RNTI, and the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies a predefined condition.

[0074] Optionally, the terminal device can search for whether there is a paging occasion that falls completely within the active time for each of the M paging occasions. The paging occasion "completely" falls within the active time means that the start time of the paging occasion is at or after the start time of the active time, and the end time of the paging occasion is at or before the end time of the active time. The terminal device can compare the start time and the end time of each paging occasion with the start time and the end time of the active time one by one to search for whether there is a paging occasion that falls completely within the active time as described above.

[0075] If there is a paging occasion that falls completely within the active time (for example, the paging occasion 204-1 as shown in Figure 2B ), the terminal device determines that the active time of the DRX cycle overlaps with one of the M paging occasions, and can determine such a paging occasion as the third paging occasion (which will be described in detail in step 403 below). Then, the terminal device goes to step 403.

[0076] Otherwise, i.e. if there is no paging occasion that falls completely within the active time (as shown in Figure 2A ), the terminal device determines that the active time of the DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions, and proceeds to perform step 402.

[0077] 402, in response to that the active time of the DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions, listening to the downlink control information in the first paging occasion.

[0078] The specific implementation process of step 402 can refer to the detailed description of step 302 in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 , which will not be described here again.

[0079] 403, in response to that the active time of the DRX cycle overlaps with the third paging occasion, listening to the downlink control information in the active time.

[0080] The third paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions, and the specific implementation process is as described above.

[0081] Specifically, when the active time overlaps with the third paging occasion, it means that there is a paging occasion that falls completely within the active time among the M paging occasions, i.e. the third paging occasion, as described above. In this case, the terminal device can listen to the DCI in the active time. In addition, the number of paging occasions that fall completely within the active time can be only one, or more than one.

[0082] Optionally, in the case where there is only one paging occasion that falls completely within the active time (as shown in Figure 2B ), then directly determine this paging occasion as the third paging occasion. As shown in Figure 2B , the paging occasion 204-1 can be determined as the third paging occasion. Then, the terminal device can listen to the DCI in this one third paging occasion (e.g. the paging occasion 204-1 of Figure 2B ) in the active time (e.g. the active time 201 of Figure 2B ).

[0083] Optionally, if more than one paging opportunity falls entirely within the activation time (not shown), one or more paging opportunities can be selected according to predefined rules, and these selected paging opportunities can be designated as the third paging opportunity. Alternatively, all of these paging opportunities falling entirely within the activation time can be designated as the third paging opportunity. In other words, multiple third paging opportunities may be determined. The predefined rules can refer to selecting the earliest (or more) or latest (or more) paging opportunities as the third paging opportunity. The predefined rules can also be rules related to factors other than time; this application does not impose any restrictions on the predefined rules. The terminal device can then listen for DCI during these one or more third paging opportunities within the activation time. To reduce the number of times related PDCCHs are received, only one third paging opportunity can be selected in this case, which is usually sufficient to guarantee the reception of information such as DCI.

[0084] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, depending on whether the activation time of the DRX cycle overlaps with the paging timing, the terminal device can flexibly adopt different technical solutions (such as step 402 or step 403) to listen to the DCI scrambled with P-RNTI. This can effectively listen to the corresponding SI change indication and / or PWS notification, and reduce the number of times the related PDCCH is received and the number of times the terminal device switches on and off, thereby effectively reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0085] Please see Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the communication device 50 includes a communication unit 501 and a processing unit 502.

[0086] In the first implementation, the communication device 50 is a terminal device or a device compatible with a terminal device:

[0087] Communication unit 501, used to perform communication with Figure 3-4 The communication operations related to the downlink control information monitoring method in any of the attached figures.

[0088] Processing unit 502 is configured to, in response to the fact that the activation time of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging opportunities, listen for downlink control information within the first paging opportunity; wherein the first paging opportunity is one of the M paging opportunities; the M paging opportunities are used to listen for downlink control information; M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; wherein the downlink control information is scrambled with the Paging Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI), and the time distance between the first paging opportunity and the activation time satisfies a predefined condition.

[0089] Optionally, the time distance between the first paging occasion and the activation time satisfies a predefined condition includes that the time distance between the first paging occasion and the activation time is less than the time distance between a second paging occasion and the activation time, wherein the second paging occasion is any one of the M paging occasions except the first paging occasion.

[0090] Optionally, the processing unit 502 is further configured to determine the adjusted activation time, and the adjusted activation time includes the first paging occasion.

[0091] Optionally, the processing unit 502 is further configured to listen to the downlink control information in the activation time in response to the activation time overlapping with a third paging occasion, wherein the third paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions.

[0092] Optionally, the downlink control information includes a system information change indication.

[0093] Optionally, a change indication period corresponding to the system information change indication includes the M paging occasions, and the change indication period is an integer multiple of a default paging period.

[0094] Optionally, the downlink control information includes a public warning system notification.

[0095] Optionally, a notification period corresponding to the public warning system notification includes the M paging occasions, and the notification period is a default paging period.

[0096] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 is another communication device 60 provided by the embodiment of the application. The communication device 60 can include a transceiver 601 and a processor 602. Optionally, the communication device can also include a memory 603. Wherein the transceiver 601, the processor 602 and the memory 603 can be connected through a bus 604 or other means. The bus is represented by a thick line in the figure, and the connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated, and is not limited. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For convenience of representation, only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. Figure 6 Figure 6 The coupling in the embodiment of the application is indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The specific connection medium between the transceiver 601, the processor 602 and the memory 603 in the embodiment of the application is not limited.

[0097] The coupling in the embodiment of the application is indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The specific connection medium between the transceiver 601, the processor 602 and the memory 603 in the embodiment of the application is not limited.

[0098] ​The memory 603 can include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor 602. A portion of the memory 603 can also include a non-volatile random access memory.

[0099] The processor 602 can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or the processor 602 can also be any conventional processor.

[0100] In an optional implementation, the memory 603 is configured to store program instructions, and the processor 602 is configured to invoke the program instructions stored in the memory 603 to perform the following steps. Figure 3-4 The steps performed by the terminal device in the corresponding embodiments.

[0101] In the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by running a computer program (including program codes) capable of performing each step involved in the above method on a general computing device such as a computer including processing elements and storage elements such as a CPU, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), etc. The computer program can be recorded on a computer readable recording medium, for example, and loaded into the above computing device through the computer readable recording medium, and run therein.

[0102] Based on the same inventive concept, the communication device 60 provided in the embodiments of the present application has the same principles and beneficial effects as the communication device 60 provided in the embodiments of the present application Figure 3-4 The principles and beneficial effects of solving problems in the embodiments shown in the present application are similar to those of the method, and for brevity, will not be described here.

[0103] The foregoing communication device, for example, can be a chip or a chip module.

[0104] The chip provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used to: in response to the fact that the active time of the DRX cycle does not overlap with each of the M paging occasions, listen to the downlink control information in the first paging occasion; the first paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions, and the M paging occasions are used to listen to the downlink control information; M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and the downlink control information is scrambled by a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI), and the time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time satisfies a predefined condition.

[0105] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 A structural diagram of a chip module is provided in the embodiments of the present application. The chip module 70 can perform the related steps of the communication device in the foregoing method embodiments, and the chip module 70 includes a communication interface 701 and a chip 702.

[0106] The communication interface is configured to perform internal communication of the chip module or communication between the chip module and an external device, and the chip is configured to implement the functions of the communication device in the embodiments of the present application, for details, see Figure 3-4 corresponding embodiments. Optionally, the chip module 70 can further include a storage module 703 and a power supply module 704. The storage module 703 is configured to store data and instructions. The power supply module 704 is configured to supply power for the chip module.

[0107] For each device or product applied to or integrated into the chip module, each module included therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit, different modules can be located in the same component (for example, a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least part of the modules can be implemented in the form of a software program running on a processor integrated in the chip module, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules can be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit.

[0108] The present application provides a computer readable storage medium, the computer storage medium stores computer readable instructions, when the computer readable instructions are executed, the method provided by the method embodiments is implemented.

[0109] It should be noted that, for each of the above-mentioned method embodiments, in order to simply describe, each of the above-mentioned method embodiments is described as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should know that the application is not limited by the action sequence described, because according to the application, some steps can be performed in other sequences or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should know that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily necessary for the application.

[0110] It should be noted that, for each of the above-mentioned method embodiments, in order to simply describe, each of the above-mentioned method embodiments is described as a series of action combinations, but those skilled in the art should know that the application is not limited by the action sequence described, because according to the application, some steps can be performed in other sequences or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should know that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily necessary for the application.

[0111] The steps in the method embodiments of the application can be adjusted in sequence, combined and deleted according to actual needs.

[0112] The modules in the device embodiments of the application can be combined, divided and deleted according to actual needs.

[0113] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of the various methods of the above-mentioned embodiments can be completed by a program instructing related hardware, and the program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, which can include a flash disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0114] The above disclosures only represent a preferred embodiment of the present application and only part of the embodiments of the present application, and cannot be used to limit the scope of the rights of the present application.

Claims

1. A method of downlink control information monitoring, the method comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device in a C-DRX mode, and the method comprises: in response to an active time of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle not overlapping with each of M paging occasions, monitoring downlink control information in a first paging occasion; wherein the first paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 1; wherein the downlink control information is scrambled with a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI); a time distance between the first paging occasion and the active time is less than a time distance between a second paging occasion and the active time; wherein the second paging occasion is any one of the M paging occasions other than the first paging occasion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: determining an adjusted active time, wherein the adjusted active time comprises the first paging occasion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: in response to the active time overlapping with a third paging occasion, monitoring the downlink control information in the active time; wherein the third paging occasion is one of the M paging occasions.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The downlink control information comprises a system information change indication.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, A change indication period corresponding to the system information change indication comprises the M paging occasions, and the change indication period is an integer multiple of a default paging cycle.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The downlink control information comprises a public warning system (PWS) notification.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, A notification period corresponding to the PWS notification comprises the M paging occasions, and the notification period is a default paging cycle.

8. A communication device comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored on the memory, wherein, The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-7.

9. A chip comprising a processor, characterized in that The processor executes the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-7.

10. A chip module, characterized by The chip module comprises a communication module, a power supply module, a storage module, and a chip, wherein: the power supply module is configured to provide power for the chip module; the storage module is configured to store data and instructions; the communication module is configured to perform internal communication of the chip module or to perform communication between the chip module and an external device; and the chip is configured to execute the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-7.

11. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores computer programs or instructions, which are executed to implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-7.

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