Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a kind of communication method and device, it is related to communication technical field, can reduce signaling overhead, while more accurate indication reference signal availability.Method comprising: terminal equipment receives from network equipment including reference signal availability indication field first DCI;With one effective duration associated reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with it is sent, first DCI triggers effective duration, N≥1;Terminal equipment receives from network equipment second DCI, receives second DCI The time is later than the time of receiving first DCI;When receiving second DCI before the expiration of the effective duration triggered by first DCI, terminal equipment determines whether second DCI triggers effective duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of second DCI;Or according to the reference signal availability indication field of second DCI determines whether second DCI triggers effective duration.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on December 13, 2021, with application number 202111523023.7 and invention name "A method for indicating the effective duration of TRS", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In a communication system, network equipment can send reference signal configuration information to terminal equipment through system information. Terminal equipment can perform automatic gain control adjustment and time-frequency synchronization based on the reference signal.

[0004] To avoid increasing the burden on network devices, reference signals cannot be guaranteed to be sent all the time. Network devices can use dynamic signaling to indicate to terminal devices whether reference signals are sent. Alternatively, this can be described as indicating the availability of reference signals. When a reference signal is sent, it is available; when a reference signal is not sent, it is unavailable. The dynamic signaling can be signaling such as paging downlink control information (Paging DCI) or paging early indication (PEI).

[0005] When a network device uses dynamic signaling to indicate the availability of reference signals to a terminal device, it can frequently send dynamic signaling to ensure more accurate reference signal availability. However, this results in significant signaling overhead for the network device. Reducing this signaling overhead while more accurately indicating reference signal availability has become a pressing technical issue. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and apparatus that can more accurately indicate the availability of reference signals while reducing the signaling overhead of network devices.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal device receives first downlink control information DCI from a network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the terminal device receives a second DCI from the network device; wherein the time when the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time when the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; when the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; or, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0008] Based on the first aspect, when the first DCI triggers the valid duration, within the valid duration, the terminal device can determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI and the second DCI. If triggered, then within the new valid duration triggered by the second DCI, it is determined whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the second DCI. If not triggered, then within the remaining time of the valid duration triggered by the first DCI, it is continued to determine whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI. By introducing the valid duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to indicate the availability of the reference signal, and can more accurately indicate the availability of the reference signal while reducing the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0009] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: the terminal device determines first information based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is the reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration triggered by the first DCI determined by the terminal device; the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0010] In one possible design, the first value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is sent; the second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit indicates reservation.

[0011] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0012] In one possible design, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the second value and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indicator bit with the first value in the first DCI and the second value in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0013] Based on the above two possible designs, the terminal device can simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device by maintaining a valid duration. In addition, while maintaining a valid duration, the terminal device can have as many opportunities as possible to use the reference signal and maximize power consumption benefits.

[0014] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0015] Based on this possible design, the judgment process of the terminal device can be simplified by sacrificing a certain amount of power consumption.

[0016] In one possible design, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0017] Based on this possible design, the judgment process of the terminal device can be simplified by sacrificing a certain amount of power consumption.

[0018] In a possible design, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values of the N indication bits in the second DCI are not completely same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid time duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid time duration.

[0019] In a possible design, the second DCI triggers the valid time duration, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values of the N indication bits in the second DCI are same, the second DCI triggers the valid time duration, or when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid time duration.

[0020] Based on the above two possible designs, the terminal device can simplify the implementation complexity by maintaining one valid time duration, and in the case of maintaining one valid time duration, the terminal device can have as many opportunities as possible to use the reference signal, and maximize the power consumption benefit.

[0021] In a possible design, when the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid time duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0022] In a possible design, when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid time duration, otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid time duration.

[0023] Based on the above two possible designs, a feasible scheme is provided for the terminal device to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid time duration when the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid time duration triggered by the first DCI expires.

[0024] In a possible design, the starting position of the valid time duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0025] In a possible design, the terminal device receives first indication information from the network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid time duration; or the length of the valid time duration is predefined.

[0026] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which can implement the functions of the terminal device in the first aspect or possible designs of the first aspect. The functions can be implemented by hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is configured to receive a first DCI from a network device. The first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with the indication bit is transmitted, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid time period, the first DCI triggers the valid time period, and N is greater than or equal to 1. The transceiver module is further configured to receive a second DCI from the network device. The time when the transceiver module receives the second DCI is later than the time when the transceiver module receives the first DCI. The second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field. When the transceiver module receives the second DCI before the first DCI triggers the valid time period expires, the processing module is configured to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid time period according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI. Alternatively, the processing module is configured to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid time period according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0027] In a possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time period according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: the processing module determines first information according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI. The first information is reference signal availability information determined by the terminal device to take effect within the valid time period triggered by the first DCI. The processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time period according to the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0028] In a possible design, a first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is transmitted. A second value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is not transmitted, or the second value of the indication bit represents a reservation.

[0029] In a possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time period according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when at least one indication bit has a first value in the first DCI and a second value in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid time period, otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid time period.

[0030] In one possible design, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the second value and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indicator bit with the first value in the first DCI and the second value in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0031] In one possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0032] In one possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0033] In one possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of N indication bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0034] In one possible design, the second DCI triggering effective duration includes: when the value of at least one indicator bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggering effective duration, or when the value of each of the N indicator bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggering effective duration.

[0035] In one possible design, when the transceiver module receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0036] In a possible design, when the value of the at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the validity duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the validity duration.

[0037] In a possible design, the starting position of the validity duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0038] In a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to receive first indication information from the network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the validity duration; or the length of the validity duration is predefined.

[0039] It should be noted that the implementation of the communication apparatus in the second aspect can refer to the behavior of the terminal device in the communication method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0040] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a terminal device or a chip or a system on chip in a terminal device. The communication apparatus can implement the functions performed by the terminal device in the above aspects or possible designs, and the functions can be implemented by hardware. In a possible design, the communication apparatus can include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and the processor can be used to support the communication apparatus to implement the functions involved in the above first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. For example, the transceiver is configured to receive first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device, where the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with the indication bit is transmitted, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a validity duration, the first DCI triggers the validity duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; and the transceiver is further configured to receive second DCI from the network device, where the time at which the transceiver receives the second DCI is later than the time at which the transceiver receives the first DCI; and the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field. When the transceiver receives the second DCI before the validity duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the processor is configured to determine whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; or the processor is configured to determine whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI. In another possible design, the communication apparatus can further include a memory, which is used to store computer-executed instructions and data necessary for the communication apparatus. When the communication apparatus is running, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executed instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication apparatus performs the communication method in the above first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0041] Among them, the specific implementation method of the communication device in the third aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the terminal device in the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0042] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a network device sends first downlink control information DCI to a terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the network device sends the second DCI is later than the time when the network device sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; when the network device sends the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; or, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0043] Based on the fourth aspect, when the first DCI triggers the valid duration, within the valid duration, the network device can determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI and the second DCI. If triggered, then within the new valid duration triggered by the second DCI, it is determined whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the second DCI. If not triggered, then within the remaining time of the valid duration triggered by the first DCI, it is continued to determine whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI. By introducing the valid duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to indicate the availability of the reference signal, and can more accurately indicate the availability of the reference signal while reducing the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0044] In one possible design, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: the network device determines first information based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is the reference signal availability information that is effective within the effective duration triggered by the first DCI determined by the network device; the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration based on the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0045] In a possible design, a first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is transmitted, and a second value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is not transmitted, or the second value of the indication bit represents a reservation.

[0046] In a possible design, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when at least one indication bit has a first value in the first DCI and a second value in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration, otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0047] In a possible design, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: when N indication bits have the same value in the first DCI and the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or when at least one indication bit has a second value in the first DCI and a first value in the second DCI, and there is no indication bit that has a first value in the first DCI and a second value in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0048] Based on the above two possible designs, the network device can simplify the implementation complexity by maintaining one valid duration, and in the case of maintaining one valid duration, the terminal device can have as many opportunities as possible to use the reference signal, maximizing the power consumption benefit.

[0049] In a possible design, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when N indication bits have different values in the first DCI and the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration, otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0050] Based on this possible design, by sacrificing a certain power consumption benefit, the judgment process of the terminal device can be simplified.

[0051] In a possible design, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when each of the N indication bits has a first value in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0052] Based on this possible design, by sacrificing a certain power consumption benefit, the judgment process of the terminal device can be simplified.

[0053] In one possible design, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of N indication bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0054] In one possible design, the second DCI triggering effective duration includes: when the value of at least one indicator bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggering effective duration, or when the value of each of the N indicator bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggering effective duration.

[0055] Based on the above two possible designs, the network device can simplify the implementation complexity of the network device by maintaining a valid duration. In addition, while maintaining a valid duration, the terminal device can have as many opportunities as possible to use the reference signal, thereby maximizing power consumption benefits.

[0056] In one possible design, when the network device receives a second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0057] In one possible design, when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0058] Based on the above two possible designs, a feasible solution is provided for the network device to send a second DCI after the effective duration triggered by the first DCI expires, and to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0059] In one possible design, the starting position of the valid duration is determined based on the reference signal availability indication field.

[0060] In one possible design, the network device sends a first indication message to the terminal device; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate the length of the effective duration; or, the length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0061] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device that can implement the functions performed by the network device in the fourth aspect or a possible design of the fourth aspect. The functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. A transceiver module is used to send first downlink control information DCI to a terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the transceiver module is also used to receive a second DCI from a network device; wherein the time when the transceiver module sends the second DCI is later than the time when the transceiver module sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; when the transceiver module sends the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the processing module is used to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; or, the processing module is used to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0062] In one possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: the processing module determines first information based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is the reference signal availability information that is effective within the effective duration triggered by the first DCI determined by the network device; the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration based on the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0063] In one possible design, the first value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is sent; the second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit indicates reservation.

[0064] In one possible design, the processing module determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0065] In a possible design, the second DCI triggers the validity duration when: the values of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values of the N indication bits in the second DCI are the same; or the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the second value, the value of the indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit whose value in the first DCI is the first value and whose value in the second DCI is the second value.

[0066] In a possible design, the processing module determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration, including: when the values of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values of the N indication bits in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the validity duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the validity duration.

[0067] In a possible design, the processing module determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration, including: when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the validity duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the validity duration.

[0068] In a possible design, the processing module determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration, including: when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values of the N indication bits in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the validity duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the validity duration.

[0069] In a possible design, the second DCI triggers the validity duration when: the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values of the N indication bits in the second DCI are the same; or the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value.

[0070] In a possible design, when the transceiver module receives the second DCI after the validity duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the processing module determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration.

[0071] In one possible design, when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0072] In one possible design, the starting position of the valid duration is determined based on the reference signal availability indication field.

[0073] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send a first indication message to the terminal device; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate the length of the effective duration; or, the length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0074] It should be noted that the specific implementation method of the communication device in the fifth aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the network device in the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0075] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device, which may be a network device or a chip or system-on-chip in a network device. The communication device may implement the functions performed by the network device in the above-mentioned aspects or possible designs, and the functions may be implemented through hardware. In one possible design, the communication device may include: a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor may be used to support the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect. For example: the transceiver is used to send a first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the transceiver is also used to send a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the transceiver sends the second DCI is later than the time when the transceiver sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; when the transceiver module sends the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the processor is used to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; or, the processor is used to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI. In another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory, the memory being used to store computer execution instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the transceiver and the processor execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to enable the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0076] Among them, the specific implementation method of the communication device in the sixth aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the network device in the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0077] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes one or more processors; the one or more processors are used to run computer programs or instructions, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions or instructions, the communication device executes the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or executes the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories, the one or more memories being coupled to one or more processors, and the one or more memories being used to store the above-mentioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located within the communication device. In an embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive information and / or send information.

[0079] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces, the one or more communication interfaces are coupled to one or more processors, and the one or more communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

[0080] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes an input / output interface and a logic circuit; the input / output interface is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, and process and / or generate information based on the information.

[0081] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, the computer executes the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or executes the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0082] In the tenth aspect, a computer program product comprising computer instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0083] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0084] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which is coupled to a memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to execute the communication method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0085] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the seventh to twelfth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by any possible design of the above-mentioned first aspect, or refer to the technical effects brought about by any possible design of the above-mentioned fourth aspect.

[0086] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the communication device as described in any one of the second to third aspects, and the communication device as described in any one of the fifth to sixth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a paging occasion frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a paging occasion frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 6 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 7A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 8 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Figure 9 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Figure 10 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Figure 11 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Figure 12 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] Figure 13 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Figure 14 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] Figure 15 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] Figure 16 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] Figure 17 A signal timing diagram of a DCI provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] Figure 18 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the composition of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] Figure 20 A schematic diagram of the composition of a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] The following describes in detail the implementation of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0109] Reference signal (RS): In long term evolution (LTE) communication systems and new radio (NR) communication systems, a reference signal can be used for multiple purposes, for example, for terminal device to perform automatic gain control (AGC) adjustment, time-frequency synchronization, beam measurement, and radio resource management (RRM) measurement, etc.

[0110] In the LTE communication system, the cell-level reference signal can be a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), which exists in each downlink subframe.

[0111] In the NR communication system, in order to reduce the resource overhead of the network device and avoid introducing too many cell-level reference signals, it is finally determined that the cell-level reference signal is transmitted in the synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB), wherein each SSB can include a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

[0112] Non-connected state: can include idle state and inactive state.

[0113] When the terminal device is in the non-connected state, the terminal device can periodically receive the paging. Before receiving the paging, in order to ensure that the paging reception performance is good enough, the terminal device needs to perform AGC adjustment, time-frequency synchronization, etc. in advance according to the reference signal transmitted by the network device.

[0114] For example, Figure 1As shown, for the LTE communication system, since each subframe has a CRS, the terminal device only needs to wake up a short time in advance (for example, 2ms) to use the CRS to complete AGC adjustment, time-frequency synchronization and other processing, and then receive paging during the paging occasion (PO). For the NR communication system, since the SSB period may be relatively large, when the terminal device needs one SSB to complete AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization, in extreme cases, the terminal device may need to wake up a long time in advance (for example, 20ms), and then complete AGC adjustment, time-frequency synchronization and other processing according to the received SSB. When the terminal device needs multiple SSBs to complete AGC adjustment and time-frequency synchronization, the terminal device wakes up longer in advance (for example, 40ms or 60ms). However, at this time, since the terminal device wakes up a long time in advance, the sleep time of the terminal device is shortened, which leads to waste of power consumption of the terminal device.

[0115] In order to solve the problem of power consumption waste caused by the design of SSB in the NR communication system, the network device can send some reference signal configurations (the reference signal can also be called auxiliary reference signal (assistance RS)) to the terminal device through system information. If the location of these reference signals is close enough to the PO, the problem of power consumption waste caused by the design of SSB can be solved. It should be noted that these reference signals are mainly configured for terminal devices in a non-connected state, and the type of these reference signals can be tracking reference signals (TRS).

[0116] The network device may include reference signal configuration information through a system information block (SIB). Specifically, the network device may configure multiple reference signal resource sets (RSRs), each of which may include multiple resources. In order to determine the reception parameters of the reference signal (e.g., the delay spread of the reference signal, the Doppler shift of the reference signal, the filter parameters when transmitting the reference signal, the transmission direction of the reference signal, etc.), each RSR associated with the reference signal resource set may be configured. If the network is deployed in frequency range 2 (FR2), i.e., 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz, the network device may transmit up to 64 SSBs (i.e., the SSB index may range from 0 to 63) within one cycle (i.e., within one SSB burst set), and the transmission direction of each SSB may be the same or different. If it is desired that each SSB direction has a corresponding reference signal, 64 RSRs may need to be configured. According to the TRS structure, each RSR may contain 2 or 4 resources.

[0117] However, in order to avoid increasing the burden on network devices, these reference signals are not guaranteed to be sent all the time. For example, after a network device broadcasts the configuration information of several reference signals, the reference signals corresponding to these configuration information may be sent for a while and not sent for a while, and the changes may be relatively frequent. However, under normal circumstances, the system information sent by network devices usually does not change very frequently. If the terminal device is notified of whether the reference signal is sent by changing the system information (for example, by not configuring certain reference signals in the system information, indicating that these reference signals are no longer sent), the terminal device may not be notified in time. In order to be able to more dynamically inform the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent, dynamic signaling can be used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent.

[0118] Informing the terminal device whether a reference signal is transmitted can also be described as informing the terminal device of the availability of the reference signal. If the reference signal is transmitted, the reference signal is available; if the reference signal is not transmitted, the reference signal is unavailable. Alternatively, informing the terminal device whether a reference signal is transmitted can also be described as informing the terminal device whether a reference signal exists. If the reference signal is transmitted, the reference signal is present; if the reference signal is not transmitted, the reference signal is absent.

[0119] Exemplarily, the dynamic signaling may be signaling such as paging downlink control information (Paging DCI) or paging early indication (PEI). Specifically, the paging DCI may be DCI format 1_0 scrambled using a paging radio network temporary identifier (P-RNTI), and the PEI may be DCI format 2_7 scrambled using a P-RNTI or PEI-RNTI.

[0120] Among them, paging DCI is the DCI used to schedule paging messages. The paging message can be included in the paging physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). At this time, the paging DCI will schedule the paging PDSCH. Specifically, the paging message can include the identifier of the paged terminal device (UE ID). In the 5G NR system, the UE ID can be 5G-S-TMSI. Each terminal device can support the "receive paging" function, so the network device can indicate to the terminal device whether the reference signal is sent through the paging DCI.

[0121] wherein the PEI is a signaling sent before the PO, which can be used to indicate whether there is a paging message sent in the corresponding PO. Optionally, the PEI can also be referred to as early paging indication (EPI), or early indication of paging, or advanced paging indication, or can be referred to as other names, which are not limited herein. The PEI can also be a certain DCI. The network device can indicate to the terminal device through the PEI whether the reference signal is sent, and the terminal device supporting the PEI can determine whether the reference signal is sent after receiving the PEI.

[0122] For example, as shown in Figure 2 , the location of the paging DCI and the paging message is referred to as PO. If the paging DCI is used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent, as shown in Figure 2 (a), at least the availability of the reference signal before the PO of the next paging cycle can be used to indicate, and when the reference signal is indicated to be available, the terminal device can use the reference signal to perform time-frequency synchronization and other behaviors before receiving the paging in the next paging cycle. If the PEI is used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent, as shown in Figure 2 (b), the PEI can indicate the availability of the reference signal before the PO of the current paging cycle (i.e., the PO corresponding to the PEI), or can indicate the availability of the auxiliary reference signal before the PO of the next paging cycle, and when the reference signal is indicated to be available, the terminal device can use the reference signal to perform time-frequency synchronization and other behaviors before receiving the paging in the current paging cycle or the next paging cycle. In addition, since there can be terminal devices supporting PEI and terminal devices not supporting PEI in the network at the same time, as shown in Figure 2 (b), the PEI and the paging DCI can be used to indicate whether the reference signal is sent at the same time in one cell.

[0123] One PO is composed of S monitoring occasions (MOs), and the value of S is determined by a parameter ssb-PositionsInBurst in a system information block 1 (SIB1), which is used to indicate which SSBs are transmitted and which SSBs are not transmitted in a cell. The physical meaning of S is the number of actually transmitted SSBs in the cell. The S MOs in one PO are arranged in sequence in time, and the S MOs and the S actually transmitted SSBs are one-to-one corresponding in the order of time. The network device transmits a paging DCI in each of the S MOs. Generally, different SSBs can correspond to different transmission parameters (for example, different beam transmission directions), and the terminal device can determine one or more SSBs with the best signal quality according to the signal quality of the received S SSBs after receiving the SSBs, and receive the paging DCI on one or more MOs corresponding to the one or more SSBs.

[0124] The PEI is similar to the PO, and the transmission position of the PEI is referred to as a PEI occasion (PEI-O). One PEI-O is also composed of S MOs.

[0125] When the network device indicates the availability of the reference signal to the terminal device through dynamic signaling, in order to make the availability of the reference signal more accurate, the network device can frequently send dynamic signaling to the terminal device, but this will cause a large signaling overhead of the network device. How to reduce the signaling overhead of the network device while more accurately indicating the availability of the reference signal becomes a technical problem to be solved.

[0126] To solve the problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which the terminal device receives first downlink control information (DCI) from the network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is transmitted, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid time length, the first DCI triggers the valid time length, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the terminal device receives second DCI from the network device; wherein the time at which the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time at which the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; when the terminal device receives the second DCI before the first DCI triggers the valid time length expires, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time length according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; or, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time length according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0127] In an embodiment of the present application, when the first DCI triggers the valid duration, within the valid duration, the terminal device can determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI and the second DCI. If triggered, the terminal device determines whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the second DCI within the new valid duration triggered by the second DCI. If not triggered, the terminal device continues to determine whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI during the remaining time of the valid duration triggered by the first DCI. By introducing the valid duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to indicate the availability of the reference signal, and can more accurately indicate the availability of the reference signal while reducing the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0128] The following describes in detail the implementation of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0129] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used in any communication system, which can be a third generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, an LTE communication system, or a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, an NR communication system, a new air interface vehicle network (vehicle to everything, NR V2X) system, and can also be applied to a system of LTE and 5G hybrid networking, or a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication system, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other next-generation communication systems, and can also be a non-3GPP communication system without limitation.

[0130] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication scenarios. For example, it can be applied to one or more of the following communication scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), machine type communication (MTC), massive machine type communication (mMTC), D2D, V2X and IoT communication scenarios.

[0131] Below is Figure 3As an example, the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application is described.

[0132] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the communication system may include network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0133] in, Figure 3 The terminal device can be located within the beam / cell coverage of the network device. The terminal device can communicate with the network device through the uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) over the air interface. For example, the terminal device can receive system information, paging DCI, PEI, reference signal and other information sent by the network device. Another example is that the terminal device can send uplink data to the network device through the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in the UL direction; the network device can send downlink data to the terminal device through the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the DL direction.

[0134] Figure 3 The terminal device in the system can be a terminal device that supports the new air interface, and can access the communication system through the air interface and initiate calls, Internet access and other services. The terminal device can also be called user equipment (UE) or mobile station (MS) or mobile terminal (MT). Specifically, Figure 3 The terminal device in the "terminal device" can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, or computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal used in industrial control, wireless terminal used in autonomous driving, wireless terminal used in telemedicine, wireless terminal used in smart grids, wireless terminal used in smart cities, wireless terminal used in smart homes, in-vehicle terminal, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication capability, intelligent connected vehicle, drone with UAV-to-UAV (U2U) communication capability, and so on, without limitation.

[0135] in, Figure 3The network device in the figure can be any kind of device with wireless transceiver function, mainly used to realize wireless physical control function, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control and mobility management and other functions, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocol and data encryption protocol. For example, the network device can send system information, paging DCI, PEI, reference signal and other information to the terminal device.

[0136] Figure 3 The network device in the figure can be a device supporting wired access or a device supporting wireless access. For example, the network device can be an access network (AN) / radio access network (RAN) device, which is composed of multiple 5G-AN / 5G-RAN nodes. The 5G-AN / 5G-RAN node can be an access point (AP), a base station (nodeB, NB), an enhanced base station (enhance nodeB, eNB), a next generation base station (NR nodeB, gNB), a transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a transmission point (transmission point, TP) or some other access node, etc.

[0137] In specific implementation, Figure 3 As shown in the figure: each terminal device and network device can adopt the component structure shown in the figure, or include the components shown in the figure. Figure 4 As shown in the figure: each terminal device and network device can adopt the component structure shown in the figure, or include the components shown in the figure. Figure 4 As shown in the figure: each terminal device and network device can adopt the component structure shown in the figure, or include the components shown in the figure. Figure 4 The component structure of a communication device 400 provided by the embodiment of the application is shown in the figure. The communication device 400 can be a terminal device or a chip or system on chip in the terminal device; or a network device or a chip or system on chip in the network device. As shown in the figure, the communication device 400 includes a processor 401, a transceiver 402 and a communication line 403. Figure 4 As shown in the figure: each terminal device and network device can adopt the component structure shown in the figure, or include the components shown in the figure.

[0138] Further, the communication device 400 can further include a memory 404. The processor 401, the memory 404 and the transceiver 402 can be connected through the communication line 403.

[0139] The processor 401 is a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 401 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0140] Transceiver 402 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication networks may be Ethernet, radio access networks (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc. Transceiver 402 may be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of communication.

[0141] The communication line 403 is used to transmit information between the components included in the communication device 400.

[0142] The memory 404 is used to store instructions, where the instructions may be computer programs.

[0143] The memory 404 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0144] It should be noted that the memory 404 can exist independently of the processor 401, or be integrated with the processor 401. The memory 404 can be used to store instructions or program codes or some data, etc. The memory 404 can be located in the communication apparatus 400, or located outside the communication apparatus 400, which is not limited. The processor 401 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 404, so as to implement the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0145] In an example, the processor 401 can include one or more CPUs, for example, the CPU0 and the CPU1 in the Figure 4 .

[0146] As an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 400 includes a plurality of processors, for example, in addition to the processor 401 in the Figure 4 , the processor 407 can be further included.

[0147] As an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 400 further includes an output device 405 and an input device 406. For example, the input device 406 is a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone or a joystick, and the output device 405 is a display screen, a speaker, etc.

[0148] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 400 can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system or a device with a similar structure in the Figure 4 . In addition, the constituent structures shown in the Figure 4 do not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and the communication apparatus can include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or different component arrangements. Figure 4

[0149] In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0150] In addition, the actions, terms, etc. involved among the embodiments of the present application can be mutually referred to, which is not limited. The message name or parameter name in the message exchanged between the devices in the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and other names can also be used in the specific implementation, which is not limited.

[0151] The communication system shown in the Figure 3 will be described below, and the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below, wherein the terminal device can be any terminal device in the Figure 5 , and the network device can be any network device in the Figure 3 . Figure 3 ​Any network device in the illustrated communication system. The terminal device and the network device described in the following embodiments can be provided with Figure 4 The components shown. The processing performed by a single execution subject (terminal device or network device) shown in the embodiments of the present application can also be divided into processing performed by multiple execution subjects, which can be logically and / or physically separated, for example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into processing performed by at least one of a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU), without limitation.

[0152] Figure 5 A flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in Figure 5 The method can include:

[0153] Step 501, the network device sends the first DCI to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first DCI from the network device.

[0154] The first DCI can include a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field can include N indication bits, N is greater than or equal to 1; each indication bit can be used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is transmitted, or it can also be described that each indication bit is used to indicate the availability of the reference signal associated with each indication bit, each indication bit can be associated with one or more reference signals, without limitation.

[0155] For example, the first DCI can be a paging DCI, or a PEI, without limitation.

[0156] The reference signal availability indication field can be associated with a validity duration, and the network device and the terminal device can determine whether the DCI triggers the validity duration according to the DCI including the reference signal availability indication field.

[0157] When the network device and the terminal device determine that the DCI triggers the validity duration, the network device and the terminal device can consider that the reference signal availability indicated by the DCI does not change within the validity duration triggered by the DCI, that is, within the validity duration triggered by the DCI, the network device and the terminal device determine whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is transmitted according to the reference signal availability indication field in the DCI. By introducing the validity duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to the terminal device to indicate the availability of the reference signal, and reduce the signaling overhead.

[0158] The length of the validity duration can be the length of one or more default DRX cycles.

[0159] Specifically, when the terminal device is in a non-connected state, the terminal device can receive a paging once in each DRX cycle. The DRX cycle can include two types. One is the default DRX cycle. The network device can broadcast the length of the default DRX cycle to all terminal devices in a cell through a broadcast message; the other is the terminal device-specific DRX cycle. The length of the terminal device-specific DRX cycle corresponding to different terminal devices may be different.

[0160] Optionally, the network device may indicate the length of the valid duration by sending a first indication message to the terminal device; or, the length of the valid duration may also be predefined.

[0161] Exemplarily, the network device may send system information to the terminal device. The system information may be divided into a master information block (MIB) and multiple SIBs. The network device may configure the first indication information in a certain SIB (also described as SIB-X).

[0162] For example, the network device may configure the length of the effective duration to be the length of A default DRX cycles through the first indication information, where A may be any of the following: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32. The value of A may also be one of 64, 128, 256, or 512.

[0163] It should be noted that when the network device configures the length of the effective duration to the terminal device, it can reasonably configure the length of the effective duration based on the indication flexibility and indication overhead. When the effective duration is longer, the indication overhead is smaller, but the indication flexibility is lower; when the effective duration is shorter, the indication flexibility is higher, but the indication overhead is higher.

[0164] In another example, when the network device does not configure the length of the valid duration to the terminal device, the terminal device may predefine, according to the protocol, the default length of the valid duration to be the length of 2 default DRX cycles.

[0165] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the effective duration is an independent concept, which only represents one or more default DRX cycles, that is, the effective duration only represents a duration of one or more default DRX cycle lengths, and does not represent an absolute time period.

[0166] The starting position of the valid duration may be determined according to the reference signal availability indication field. Specifically, the starting position of the valid duration may be determined according to the time position of the reference signal availability indication field.

[0167] Optionally, the starting position of the validity duration triggered by the DCI can be the starting position of the default DRX cycle in which the DCI is located. That is, the starting position of the validity duration triggered by the DCI is the starting position of the default DRX cycle in which the MO in which the DCI is located is located.

[0168] Alternatively, the starting position of the validity duration triggered by the DCI can be determined according to the position of the PO or PEI-O in which the DCI is located. Specifically, the starting position of the validity duration triggered by the DCI is the starting position of the default DRX cycle in which the first or last MO contained in the PO or PEI-O in which the MO in which the DCI is located is located is located. For example, when the DCI is a paging DCI, the terminal device receives the DCI containing the reference signal availability indication field in MO1, and then determines the PO in which MO1 is located, and then determines MO2, which is the first or last MO contained in the PO, and then determines the starting position of the default DRX cycle in which MO2 is located as the starting position of the validity duration triggered by the DCI. Similarly, when the DCI is a PEI, the terminal device receives the DCI containing the reference signal availability indication field in MO3, and then determines the PEI-O in which MO3 is located, and then determines MO4, which is the first or last MO contained in the PEI-O, and then determines the starting position of the default DRX cycle in which MO4 is located as the starting position of the validity duration triggered by the DCI. The network device also determines the starting position of the validity duration in the same way.

[0169] For example, the starting position of the default DRX cycle can be the starting position of the SFN that satisfies (SFN+PF_offset) mod T=0, where SFN is the system frame number, PF_offset is the offset value of the paging frame (PF) configured by the network device, and T is the length of the default DRX cycle (or can also be described as the number of frames contained in a default DRX cycle).

[0170] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the starting position of the default DRX cycle can be the starting position of the SFN that satisfies (SFN+PF_offset) mod T=0, where SFN is the system frame number, PF_offset is the offset value of the paging frame (PF) configured by the network device, and T is the length of the default DRX cycle (or can also be described as the number of frames contained in a default DRX cycle). Figure 6As shown, taking the example of the network device sending DCI 1 to the terminal device in the first default DRX cycle, sending DCI 2 to the terminal device in the second default DRX cycle, and sending DCI 3 to the terminal device in the fifth default DRX cycle, assuming that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles, if DCI 1 triggers the effective duration, the starting position of the effective duration triggered by DCI 1 is the starting position of the first default DRX cycle; if DCI 2 triggers the effective duration, the starting position of the effective duration triggered by DCI2 is the starting position of the second default DRX cycle; if DCI 3 triggers the effective duration, the starting position of the effective duration triggered by DCI 3 is the starting position of the fifth default DRX cycle.

[0171] Among them, the first DCI can trigger the effective duration, that is, the first DCI is the DCI received by the terminal device that can trigger the effective duration.

[0172] For example, Figure 6 As shown, when DCI 1 triggers the valid duration, DCI 1 can be considered as the first DCI; when DCI 2 triggers the valid duration, DCI 2 can be considered as the first DCI; when DCI 3 triggers the valid duration, DCI 3 can be considered as the first DCI.

[0173] Specifically, the N indication bits included in the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI can be used to indicate that at least one reference signal is sent.

[0174] Exemplarily, the first value of the indicator bit can be used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is sent; the second value of the indicator bit can be used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit can indicate reservation, that is, it does not represent any practical meaning, and the reservation can also be described as unknown, unchanged, etc., without restriction.

[0175] Among them, if the network device always keeps sending the reference signal, then when the network device sends DCI to the terminal device, the value of the indication bit corresponding to the reference signal in the DCI can be set to the first value. When the network device stops sending the reference signal or is about to stop sending the reference signal, then when the network device sends DCI to the terminal device, the value of the indication bit corresponding to the participation signal in the DCI can be set to the second value.

[0176] In a cell, different terminal devices enter the cell at different times. If the second value is defined as reserved, and a terminal device happens to receive only the second value but not the first value after entering the cell, then the terminal device cannot determine what the reservation means. In this case, the second value can be defined as the reference signal associated with the indicator bit having the second value not being sent. However, within the valid duration, if the second value of the indicator bit is not expected to immediately affect the operation of the valid duration, the second value can indicate reservation, or the second value can indicate that the reference signal has not been sent, but the terminal device can ignore the indication when receiving the second value.

[0177] Optionally, the first value may be 1 and the second value may be 0.

[0178] Step 502: The network device and the terminal device determine a first DCI trigger validity duration.

[0179] Among them, when the first DCI triggers the valid duration, the network device and the terminal device can determine the starting position of the valid duration according to the first DCI, and then determine the ending position of the valid duration triggered by the first DCI according to the length of the valid duration.

[0180] Step 503: The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second DCI from the network device.

[0181] Among them, the time when the network device sends the second DCI to the terminal device is later than the time when the network device sends the first DCI to the terminal device; the second DCI may include the reference signal availability indication field described in the above step 501. It should be noted that the position of the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI is the same as the position of the reference signal availability indication field in the second DCI. For example, taking paging DCI as an example, the reference signal availability indication field can be located at the end of the DCI, specifically, after the transport block scaling (TB scaling) field and before the reserved bits field. For another example, taking PEI as an example, the reference signal availability indication field can be located after the paging indication (Paging indication) field.

[0182] Optionally, the first DCI and the second DCI may be the same type of DCI, that is, the first DCI and the second DCI may both be paging DCI, or both be PEI.

[0183] Optionally, the network device may send the first DCI and the second DCI to the terminal device within different default DRX cycles, that is, the default DRX cycles corresponding to the first DCI and the second DCI are different. Alternatively, the PO or PEI-O where the first DCI and the second DCI are located are different, that is, the DRX cycles to which the PO or PEI-O where the first DCI is located and the PO or PEI-O where the second DCI is located belong are different. The different default DRX cycles corresponding to the first DCI and the second DCI include the following two situations.

[0184] Case 1: When receiving paging DCI, the terminal device can receive the paging DCI on one or more MOs in its corresponding PO. Similarly, when receiving PEI, the terminal device can receive PEI on one or more MOs in its corresponding PEI-O. Since a PO or PEI-O can include multiple MOs, when multiple MOs of the same PO or PEI-O are in different default DRX cycles, the DCI received by the terminal device on different MOs of the same PO or PEI-O may belong to different default DRX cycles.

[0185] Case 2: As previously mentioned, the terminal device receives paging DCI or PEI in every DRX cycle. Therefore, the terminal device's previous periodic paging DCI or PEI and the next periodic paging DCI or PEI will be received in different default DRX cycles. That is, the time interval between receiving the first DCI and the second DCI is approximately one default DRX cycle.

[0186] In the solution of this embodiment, the first DCI and the second DCI are sent in different default DRX cycles, which is mainly aimed at the above-mentioned situation 2.

[0187] When the network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, or described as when the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device and the terminal device can perform the following step 504 or step 505.

[0188] Step 504: The network device and the terminal device determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0189] Among them, the following description takes the terminal device as an example to describe in detail how to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI. The description of how the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI can refer to the following description of how the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, and will not be repeated here.

[0190] Optionally, the terminal device may determine the first information based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI, and determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0191] In which, the first information can be the reference signal availability information that is effective within the effective duration of the first DCI trigger determined by the terminal device, or it can also be described as the assumed value of the reference signal availability information within the effective duration of the first DCI trigger determined by the terminal device, or it can also be described as the assumption of the reference signal sending status (i.e., whether the reference signal is sent) within the effective duration of the first DCI trigger determined by the terminal device.

[0192] Exemplarily, the first information may be the values ​​of the N indication bits of the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI, or may be the reference signal availability information determined based on the values ​​of the N indication bits of the first DCI, i.e., information determining whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent based on the values ​​of the N indication bits.

[0193] When the first information is the value of N indication bits of the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI, the terminal device compares the value of the first information with the value of the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0194] When the first information is information that determines whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit is sent based on the value of N indicator bits, the terminal device determines whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit in the second DCI is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, and compares it with the first information to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0195] In a first possible design, when at least one indication bit has a first value in the first DCI and a second value in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0196] When the value of the at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value of the at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, if the second DCI triggers the valid duration, the reference signal associated with the at least one indication bit changes from being indicated as being transmitted in the first DCI to being indicated as not being transmitted in the second DCI, which is inconsistent with the purpose of introducing the valid duration in the present application to reduce signaling overhead. Moreover, since the valid duration is counted from the starting position of the default DRX cycle, if the second DCI triggers the valid duration, at the starting position of the default DRX cycle corresponding to the second DCI, the terminal device will consider that the reference signal associated with the at least one indication bit is not transmitted. However, in fact, the starting position of the default DRX cycle corresponding to the second DCI is usually located before the position of the second DCI. Before receiving the second DCI, the terminal device will assume that the reference signal associated with the at least one indication bit is transmitted and will use the corresponding reference signal to assist in receiving the second DCI. If the terminal device cannot determine whether the reference signal before the second DCI is transmitted, that is, the availability of the reference signal associated with the at least one indication bit is unreliable, the terminal device cannot use the reference signal at all. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, when the value of the at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value of the at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI will not trigger the valid duration.

[0197] For example, as Figure 7As shown, taking the reference signal availability indication field including one indication bit, that is, N=1 as an example, assuming that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles, when the value of the indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, if the second DCI triggers the effective duration, then the reference signal associated with the indication bit changes from being indicated as being sent in the first DCI to being indicated as not being sent in the second DCI. At this time, it is equivalent to a fast stop of the effective duration triggered by the first DCI, which is inconsistent with the purpose of introducing the effective duration in this application to reduce signaling overhead. In addition, since the effective duration is calculated from the starting position of the default DRX cycle, if the second DCI triggers the effective duration, at the starting position of the default DRX cycle corresponding to the second DCI, the terminal device will think that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit has not been sent, but in fact, the terminal device has already used the reference signal associated with the indicator bit to perform time-frequency synchronization and other steps before receiving the second DCI (at this time, the terminal will assume that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is sent based on the first DCI), and the terminal device will not know that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit has not been sent until after receiving the second DCI. At this time, the availability of the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is unreliable, which will cause the terminal device to not dare to use the reference signal regardless of what the first DCI indicates. Therefore, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI will not trigger the effective duration.

[0198] For the second DCI triggering effective duration, when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI can trigger the effective duration.

[0199] Among them, when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, from the perspective of the network device, the reference signal sent by the network device indicated by the first DCI should at least be sent for the length of a valid duration. At this time, the second DCI can trigger the valid duration, and the terminal device can use the sent reference signal within the valid duration triggered by the second DCI. The valid duration triggered by the second DCI can also be described as extending the valid duration triggered by the first DCI.

[0200] For example, Figure 8 As shown, taking the reference signal availability indication field including one indication bit, that is, N=1 as an example, assuming that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles, when the value of the indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is also the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration to achieve the extension of the effective duration.

[0201] For example, Figure 9 As shown, taking the reference signal availability indication field including an indication bit, that is, N=1 as an example, assuming that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles, when the value of the indication bit in the first DCI is the first value, the value in the second DCI 1 is the second value, and the value in the second DCI 2 is the first value, since the value of the indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI 1 is the second value, the second DCI 1 does not trigger the effective duration. At this time, the terminal device can ignore the second DCI 1; since the value of the indication bit in the first DCI is the same as the value in the second DCI 2, the second DCI 2 triggers the effective duration, thereby extending the effective duration.

[0202] For the second DCI triggering effective duration, when at least one indication bit has the second value in the first DCI and the first value in the second DCI, and there is no indication bit with the first value in the first DCI and the second value in the second DCI, the second DCI can also trigger the effective duration.

[0203] Among them, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the second value and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indicator bit with the first value in the first DCI and the second value in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the effective duration, which can enable the terminal device to determine that the reference signal associated with the at least one indicator bit is sent within the effective duration triggered by the second DCI, thereby increasing the number of reference signals available to the terminal device and maximizing power consumption benefits.

[0204] When the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the second value and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, it is restricted by the fact that the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value. Even if there is at least one indicator bit that has the second value in the first DCI and the first value in the second DCI, the second DCI cannot trigger the effective duration, that is, the terminal device cannot immediately use the reference signal associated with at least one indicator bit that has the second value in the first DCI and the first value in the second DCI.

[0205] It should be noted that in the first possible design described above, when the second DCI triggers the validity duration, the second DCI can be a new first DCI, the DCI received by the terminal device within the validity duration triggered by the new first DCI can be a new second DCI, and the new second DCI is determined based on the new first DCI whether to trigger the validity duration, if the validity duration is triggered, the new second DCI is taken as an updated first DCI, and so on, which will not be described here.

[0206] Based on the description of the first possible design above, for example, as shown in Figure 10 For example, as shown in Figure 11 , assuming that the length of the validity duration is 4 times the length of the default DRX cycle, when the values of the two indication bits in the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 10 (at this time, the first information can be 10), and the values of the two indication bits in the second DCI (such as DCI 2) are also 10, since the values of the two indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the validity duration.

[0207] In another example, as shown in Figure 11 , assuming that the length of the validity duration is 4 times the length of the default DRX cycle, when the values of the two indication bits in the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 10 (at this time, the first information can be 10), and the values of the two indication bits in the second DCI (such as DCI 2) are also 10, since the values of the two indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the validity duration.

[0208] In another example, as shown in Figure 12As shown, taking the reference signal availability indicator field including three indicator bits, i.e., N=3, with the first value being 1 and the second value being 0 as an example, assuming that the effective duration is four default DRX cycles, when the three indicator bits in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 1) have a value of 101 (in this case, the first information may be 101) and in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 2, DCI 3, or DCI 4) have a value of 110, since at least one indicator bit in the first DCI has a value of 1 (the first value) and in the second DCI has a value of 0, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration. When the three indicator bits in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 5) have a value of 110 (in this case, the first information may be 110) and in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 6) have a value of 110, since the three indicator bits in the first DCI and the second DCI have the same value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0209] In the first possible design, the terminal device and the network device each maintain a valid duration, which simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device and the network device. In addition, by maintaining a valid duration, the terminal device can have as many opportunities as possible to use the reference signal, thereby maximizing power consumption benefits. In addition, in the first possible design, the terminal device and the network device need to record the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI, and compare the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the second DCI with the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0210] In a second possible design, when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0211] That is, when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are exactly the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0212] Compared with the first possible design mentioned above, the difference is: in the second possible design, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first DCI is the second value and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indicator bit with the first value in the first DCI and the second value in the second DCI, the second DCI cannot trigger the effective duration, and the terminal device cannot use the reference signal associated with at least one indicator bit with the second value in the first DCI and the first value in the second DCI. Compared with the first possible design, the power consumption benefit will be reduced.

[0213] For example, Figure 10 As shown, taking the reference signal availability indication field including two indication bits, i.e., N=2, with the first value being 1 and the second value being 0 as an example, assuming that the effective duration is four default DRX cycles, when the two indication bits are 11 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 1) (in this case, the first information may be 11) and 10 in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 2, DCI 3, or DCI 4), since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first DCI and the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration. When the two indication bits are 10 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 5) (in this case, the first information may be 10) and the values ​​of the two indication bits in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 6) are also 10, since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first DCI and the second DCI are exactly the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0214] In another example, Figure 13 As shown, taking the reference signal availability indication field including two indication bits, i.e., N=2, with the first value being 1 and the second value being 0 as an example, assuming that the effective duration is four default DRX cycles, when the two indication bits are 10 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 1) (in this case, the first information may be 10) and 11 in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 2, DCI 3, or DCI 4), since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first DCI and the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration. When the two indication bits are 11 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 5) (in this case, the first information may be 11) and the values ​​of the two indication bits in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 6) are also 11, since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first DCI and the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0215] Compared with the first possible design, the second possible design can simplify the judgment process of the terminal device by sacrificing a certain power consumption benefit, that is, the terminal device determines whether the values ​​of N indication bits in the first DCI and the second DCI are the same. If they are the same, it determines that the second DCI triggers the effective duration; if they are not exactly the same, it determines that the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration, or if there is at least one indication bit with different values ​​in the first DCI and the second DCI, it determines that the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration.

[0216] In a third possible design, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0217] For the second DCI triggering effective duration, when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of N indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggering effective duration.

[0218] For the second DCI triggering valid duration, when the value of each indication bit in the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggering valid duration.

[0219] For example, Figure 14 As shown, taking the reference signal availability indicator field including two indicator bits, i.e., N=2, with the first value being 1 and the second value being 0 as an example, assuming that the effective duration is four default DRX cycles, when the two indicator bits are 11 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 1) (in this case, the first information may be 11) and 11 in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 2), since both the two indicator bits in the second DCI have the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration. When the two indicator bits are 11 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 2) (in this case, the first information may be 11) and 10 in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 3, DCI 4, or DCI 5), since one indicator bit in the second DCI has the second value and the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first DCI and the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration. When the value of the two indication bits in the first DCI (such as DCI 6) is 10 (in this case, the first information can be 10), and the value in the second DCI (such as DCI 7) is also 10, since the value of one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first DCI are the same as those in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the effective duration.

[0220] Step 505: The network device and the terminal device determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0221] Among them, when the value of each indication bit in the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0222] That is, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration. The solution of step 505 reduces the possibility of extending the effective duration, and the opportunity of the terminal device to use the reference signal is correspondingly reduced, but simplifies the judgment process of the terminal device.

[0223] For example, Figure 15 As shown, taking the reference signal availability indication field including two indication bits, i.e., N=2, with the first value being 1 and the second value being 0 as an example, assuming that the effective duration is four default DRX cycles, when the two indication bits have a value of 11 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 1) (in this case, the first information may be 11) and a value of 11 in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 2), since both the two indication bits have the first value in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the effective duration. When the two indication bits have a value of 11 in the first DCI (e.g., DCI 2) (in this case, the first information may be 11) and a value of 10 in the second DCI (e.g., DCI 3, DCI 4, or DCI 5), since one indication bit in the second DCI has the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration. When the value of the two indication bits in the first DCI (such as DCI 6) is 10 (in this case, the first information can be 10), and the value in the second DCI (such as DCI 7) is also 10, since the value of one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration.

[0224] Compared with the first possible design, in step 505, by sacrificing a certain power consumption benefit, the judgment process of the terminal device can be simplified, that is, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration by judging whether the values ​​of the N indication bits in the second DCI are all the first values, without comparing the first DCI and the second DCI.

[0225] Based on the above Figure 5 According to the method shown, when the first DCI triggers the valid duration, within the valid duration, the terminal device can determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI and the second DCI. If triggered, the terminal device determines whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the second DCI. If not triggered, the terminal device determines whether each reference signal is sent based on the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI. By introducing the valid duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to indicate the availability of the reference signal, and can more accurately indicate the availability of the reference signal while reducing the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0226] Corresponding to the above-mentioned situation where the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, the network device and the terminal device may perform the above-mentioned step 504 or step 505. When the network device sends the second DCI to the terminal device after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, or when the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, the network device and the terminal device may further perform the following step 506:

[0227] Step 506: When the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, the network device and the terminal device determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0228] Among them, when the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0229] That is, when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the second DCI are all the second values, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0230] Among them, if the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the second DCI are all the second values, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, which will result in that before the end of the valid duration, even if the network device sends a reference signal, the terminal device will still assume that the reference signal is unavailable, resulting in reduced reference signal utilization and thus reduced power consumption benefits. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present application, in addition to the valid duration, when the values ​​of the N indicator bits in the second DCI are all the second values, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0231] With the above Figure 5 The communication method shown corresponds to Figure 16 Another communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 16 As shown, the method may include:

[0232] Step 1601: The network device sends a first DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first DCI from the network device.

[0233] Among them, the first DCI may include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit is associated with a valid duration; the N indication bits include a first indication bit, and the first indication bit triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; N is greater than or equal to 1.

[0234] Among them, the first indication bit can be any one of the N indication bits. In the embodiment of the present application, taking the first indication bit as an example, whether the indication bit triggers the effective duration associated with the indication bit is described.

[0235] The description of the indication bit and the effective duration may refer to the description of the indication bit and the effective duration in the above step 501, which will not be repeated here.

[0236] Step 1602: The network device and the terminal device determine the effective duration of the first indication bit trigger.

[0237] Among them, when the first indication bit triggers the effective duration, the network device and the terminal device can determine the starting position of the effective duration based on the first DCI where the first indication bit is located, and then determine the ending position of the effective duration triggered by the first indication bit based on the length of the effective duration.

[0238] Step 1603: The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second DCI from the network device.

[0239] The time when the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time when the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field.

[0240] The description of the second DCI may refer to the description of the second DCI in the above step 503 and will not be repeated here.

[0241] Step 1604: When the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the first indication bit in the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0242] Step 1605: When the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, the first indication bit in the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0243] For example, Figure 17As shown, the reference signal availability indication field includes 2 indication bits, i.e., N=2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, and the length of the valid duration is 4 lengths of the default DRX cycle, when the values of the 2 indication bits in the first DCI (such as DCI 1 or DCI 2) are 10 (at this time, the first information can be 10) or 11 (at this time, the first information can be 11), and the values of the 2 indication bits in the second DCI (such as DCI 2 or DCI 3) are 11, since the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the first indication bit in the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit, and since the value of the second indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second indication bit in the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the second indication bit. When the values of the 2 indication bits in the second DCI (such as DCI 4) are 01, since the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, the first indication bit in the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit, and since the value of the second indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second indication bit in the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the second indication bit.

[0244] Based on the above Figure 16 The communication method shown, each indication bit is associated with a valid duration, and different indication bits are independent of each other and do not affect each other. The network device and the terminal device can determine whether the valid duration associated with the indication bit needs to be triggered according to the value of the received indication bit.

[0245] In addition, since the network device and the terminal device need to maintain different valid durations for different indication bits, the network device and the terminal device can maintain the valid durations of different indication bits through multiple timers. For example, when the indication bits are up to 6, if the network device and the terminal device maintain the valid durations through timers, the network device and the terminal device need to maintain up to 6 timers, which increases the difficulty and cost of implementation of the network device and the terminal device.

[0246] Based on the above Figures 5 to 17 The method shown, the embodiment of the application further provides a communication method, as shown in Figure 18 The method can include:

[0247] Step 1801, the network device sends the first DCI to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first DCI from the network device.

[0248] The first DCI can include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field can include M indication bit groups; the mth indication bit group can include X m indication bits; 1≤m≤M, M≥1, Xm ≥ 1. Each indicator bit can be used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit is transmitted; each indicator bit can be associated with one or more reference signals, without limitation.

[0249] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of indication bits included in different indication bit groups may be the same or different.

[0250] Illustratively, the first DCI may be a paging DCI or a PEI, without limitation.

[0251] Each indication bit group may be associated with a valid duration, i.e., M indication bit groups are associated with M valid durations, or it may be described as the network device and the terminal device maintaining M valid durations. The network device and the terminal device may determine, based on the indication bit group, whether the DCI including the indication bit group triggers the valid duration associated with the indication bit group.

[0252] For example, taking the reference signal availability indication field including 6 indication bits as an example, the first 3 indication bits can be divided into an indication bit group, and the first 3 indication bits can correspond to a common effective duration 1 (which can also be described as the reference signals corresponding to the first 3 indication bits corresponding to a common effective duration 1); the last 3 indication bits are divided into another indication bit group, and the last 3 indication bits can correspond to a common effective duration 2 (which can also be described as the reference signals corresponding to the last 3 indication bits corresponding to a common effective duration 2). For each indication bit group, different indication bits in the group correspond to the same effective duration.

[0253] The M indication bit groups may include a first indication bit group, and the first indication bit group may be any one of the M indication bit groups. In the embodiment of the present application, the first indication bit group includes X m Taking the first indication bit as an example, whether the first DCI including the first indication bit group triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group is described.

[0254] When the network device and the terminal device determine the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the DCI, the network device and the terminal device may assume that the availability of the reference signal indicated by the first indication bit group remains unchanged within the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the DCI, that is, within the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the DCI, the network device and the terminal device determine whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit included in the first indication bit group is sent based on the first indication bit group. By introducing the effective duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to the terminal device to indicate the availability of the reference signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0255] The length of the valid duration may be the length of one or more default DRX cycles, and the starting position of the valid duration may be determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0256] It should be noted that the description of the length and starting position of the effective duration can refer to the description of the length and starting position of the effective duration in the above step 501, which will not be repeated here.

[0257] The first DCI may trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0258] Specifically, the first indication bit group of the first DCI includes X m The indication bits may be used to indicate that at least one reference signal is transmitted.

[0259] It should be noted that the description of the indicator bit can refer to the description of the indicator bit in the above step 501 and will not be repeated here.

[0260] Step 1802: The network device and the terminal device determine the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI.

[0261] Among them, when the first DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, the network device and the terminal device can determine the starting position of the effective duration based on the first DCI where the first indication bit group is located, and then determine the ending position of the effective duration associated with the first indication bit triggered by the first DCI based on the length of the effective duration.

[0262] Step 1803: The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second DCI from the network device.

[0263] The terminal device receives the second DCI later than the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, which may include a first indication bit group. It should be noted that the position of the reference signal availability indication field in the first DCI is the same as the position of the reference signal availability indication field in the second DCI.

[0264] For example, taking paging DCI as an example, the reference signal availability indication field can be located at the end of the DCI, specifically, after the transport block scaling (TB scaling) field and before the reserved bits field. For another example, taking PEI as an example, the reference signal availability indication field can be located after the paging indication (Paging Indication) field.

[0265] It should also be noted that the position of the first indication bit group in the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI is the same as the position of the first indication bit group in the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0266] For example, taking the first indication bit group in the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI as the first indication bit group, the first indication bit group in the second DCI is the first indication bit group in the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0267] It should be noted that the description of the transmission relationship between the first DCI and the second DCI can refer to the description of the first DCI and the second DCI in the above step 503, and will not be repeated here.

[0268] When the network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device before the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, or described as when the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device and the terminal device can execute the following step 1804 or step 1805.

[0269] Step 1804: The network device and the terminal device determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0270] Among them, the following describes in detail, taking the terminal device as an example, how to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI. The description of how the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI can refer to the following description of how the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, and will not be repeated here.

[0271] Optionally, the terminal device may determine the second information based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI, and determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the second information and the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0272] The second information may be the reference signal availability information effective within the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI determined by the terminal device, or may also be described as an assumed value of the reference signal availability information within the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI determined by the terminal device, or may also be described as an assumption of the reference signal transmission status (i.e., whether the reference signal is sent) within the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI determined by the terminal device.

[0273] Exemplarily, the second information may be X of the first indication bit group in the first DCI. m The value of the indicator bit can also be X according to the first indicator bit group of the first DCI m The reference signal availability information is determined by the value of the indicator bit, that is, according to the X of the first indicator bit group m The value of each indicator bit determines whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit is sent.

[0274] When the second information is X of the first indication bit group in the first DCI m The terminal device takes the value of the second information and the first indication bit group X of the second DCI according to the value of the second information. m The values ​​of the two indication bits are compared to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0275] When the second information is X of the first indication bit group according to the first DCI m When determining the value of each indicator bit to determine whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit is sent, the terminal device determines whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit is sent according to the value of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI. m The value of the indicator bit determines the X of the first indicator bit group in the second DCI m The reference signal associated with the first indication bit group is sent, and compared with the second information to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0276] In the first possible design, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the first value and the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective time associated with the first indicator bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective time associated with the first indicator bit group.

[0277] Among them, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is a first value and the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is a second value, if the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, then the reference signal associated with the at least one indicator bit quickly changes from being indicated as being sent in the first indication bit group of the first DCI to being indicated as not being sent in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, which is inconsistent with the purpose of reducing signaling overhead by introducing the effective duration in this application. Moreover, since the effective duration is calculated from the starting position of the default DRX cycle, if the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group, then at the starting position of the default DRX cycle corresponding to the second DCI, the terminal device will think that the reference signal associated with the at least one indicator bit has not been sent. However, in fact, the starting position of the default DRX cycle corresponding to the second DCI is usually located before the position of the second DCI. Before receiving the second DCI, the terminal device will assume that the reference signal associated with the at least one indicator bit is sent and use the corresponding reference signal to assist in receiving the second DCI. If the terminal device cannot determine whether the reference signal before the second DCI is sent, that is, the availability of the reference signal associated with the at least one indicator bit is unreliable, the terminal device will be completely unable to utilize the reference signal. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present application, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the first value and the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI will not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group.

[0278] For the second DCI triggering the first indication bit group associated with the effective duration, when X m When the value of the first indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the same as the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI, the second DCI can trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0279] Among them, when X m When the value of the indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the same as the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI, from the perspective of the network device, the reference signal sent by the network device indicated by the first indicator bit group of the first DCI should at least be sent for the length of a valid duration. At this time, the second DCI can trigger the valid duration associated with the first indicator bit group, and the terminal device can use the sent reference signal within the valid duration associated with the first indicator bit group triggered by the second DCI. The valid duration associated with the first indicator bit group triggered by the second DCI can also be described as extending the valid duration associated with the first indicator bit group triggered by the first DCI.

[0280] For the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the second DCI, when the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the second value and the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit whose value in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the first value and the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI may also trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0281] Among them, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the second value, and the value of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indicator bit whose value in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the first value and whose value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI triggers the effective time associated with the first indicator bit group, so that the terminal device determines that the reference signal associated with the at least one indicator bit is sent within the effective time associated with the first indicator bit group triggered by the second DCI, thereby increasing the number of reference signals available to the terminal device and maximizing power consumption benefits.

[0282] When the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the second value and the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the first value, and the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the first value and the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value, it is restricted by the fact that the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the first value and the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value. Even if there is at least one indicator bit that has the second value in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI and the first value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI cannot trigger the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group, that is, the terminal device cannot immediately use the reference signal associated with at least one indicator bit that has the second value in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI and the first value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI.

[0283] It should be noted that in the first possible design mentioned above, when the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, the second DCI can be used as a new first DCI, and the DCI received by the terminal device within the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the new first DCI can be used as a new second DCI. Based on the new first DCI, it is determined whether the new second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group. If the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group is triggered, the new second DCI is used as the updated first DCI, and so on. It will not be elaborated here.

[0284] Based on the above description of the first possible design, for example, Figure 10 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 2 indicator bits, namely X m =2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Assume that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles. When the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11), and the values ​​of the first indication bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2, DCI 3 or DCI 4) are 10, since there is at least one indication bit whose value in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is 1 and whose value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is 0, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group. When the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 5) is 10 (in this case, the second information can be 10), and the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 6) is also 10, since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0285] In another example, Figure 11 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 2 indicator bits, namely X m =2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Assume that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles. When the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 10 (in this case, the second information can be 10), and the values ​​of the first indication bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2) are 11, since there is at least one indicator bit whose value in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the second value 0 and whose value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is 1, and there is no indicator bit whose value in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the first value 1 and whose value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value 0, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group. When the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 2) is 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11), and the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 3) is also 11, since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0286] In another example, Figure 12 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 3 indicator bits, namely X m =3, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Assume that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles. When the values ​​of the three indicator bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 101 (in this case, the second information can be 101), and the values ​​of the first indication bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2, DCI 3 or DCI 4) are 110, since there is at least one indicator bit whose value in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is 1 and whose value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is 0, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group. When the value of the three indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 5) is 110 (in this case, the second information can be 110), and the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI (such as DCI 6) is 110, since the values ​​of the three indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0287] In the first possible design, for the first indication bit group, the terminal device and the network device each maintain a valid duration, which can simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device and the network device. In addition, when maintaining a valid duration, the terminal device can have as many opportunities as possible to use the reference signal and maximize power consumption benefits. In addition, in the first possible design, the terminal device and the network device need to record the X in the first indication bit group of the first DCI. m The value of the indicator bit is set, and the X in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is set. m The value of the indicator bit is the same as the value of the first indicator bit group of the first DCI m The values ​​of the two indication bits are compared to determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0288] In the second possible design, when X m When the value of the first indication bit group in the first DCI and the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0289] That is, when X mWhen the value of the first indication bit group in the first DCI is exactly the same as the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0290] Compared with the first possible design mentioned above, the difference is: in the second possible design, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the second value and the value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indicator bit whose value in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the first value and whose value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI cannot trigger the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group, and the terminal device cannot use the reference signal associated with at least one indicator bit whose value in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI is the second value and whose value in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the first value. Compared with the first possible design, the power consumption benefit will be reduced.

[0291] For example, Figure 10 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 2 indicator bits, namely X m =2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Assuming that the effective duration is the length of four default DRX cycles, when the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11) and the values ​​of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2, DCI 3, or DCI 4) are 10, since the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group. When the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 5) are 10 (in this case, the second information can be 10) and the values ​​of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 6) are also 10, since the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI are exactly the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group.

[0292] In another example, Figure 13 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 2 indicator bits, namely X m=2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Assuming that the effective duration is the length of four default DRX cycles, when the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 10 (in this case, the second information can be 10) and the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2, DCI 3, or DCI 4) are 11, since the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group. When the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 5) are 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11) and the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 6) are also 11, since the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI and the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group.

[0293] Compared with the first possible design, the second possible design can simplify the judgment process of the terminal device by sacrificing a certain amount of power consumption, that is, the terminal device can simplify the judgment process of the terminal device by judging X m Whether the values ​​of the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI are the same, if they are the same, it is determined that the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; if they are not exactly the same, it is determined that the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, or if there is at least one indicator bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI with different values, it is determined that the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0294] In a third possible design, when at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI has a value of the second value, and X m When the value of the first indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is not exactly the same as the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0295] For the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the second DCI, when at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI has a second value, and X m When the value of the first indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the same as the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0296] For the second DCI triggering the first indication bit group associated with the effective duration, when X m When the value of each indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0297] For example, Figure 14 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 2 indicator bits, namely X m =2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0 as an example, assuming that the length of the effective duration is the length of 4 default DRX cycles, when the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11), and the values ​​of the first indication bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2) are 11, since the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are both the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group. When the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 2) is 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11), and the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI (such as DCI 3, DCI 4 or DCI 5) is 10, since the value of one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group. When the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 6) is 10 (in this case, the second information can be 10), and the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI (such as DCI 7) is also 10, since the value of one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0298] Step 1805: The network device and the terminal device determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0299] Among them, when X m When the value of each indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0300] That is, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective time associated with the first indicator bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective time associated with the first indicator bit group. The solution of step 1805 reduces the possibility of extending the effective time, and the opportunity of the terminal device to use the reference signal is correspondingly reduced, but simplifies the judgment process of the terminal device.

[0301] For example, Figure 15 As shown, the first indicator bit group includes 2 indicator bits, namely X m =2, and the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Assuming that the effective duration is the length of four default DRX cycles, when the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 1) are 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11) and the values ​​of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 2) are 11, since the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI are both the first values, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group. When the values ​​of the two indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 2) are 11 (in this case, the second information can be 11) and the values ​​of the first indicator bit group of the second DCI (such as DCI 3, DCI 4, or DCI 5) are 10, since one indicator bit in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI has the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indicator bit group. When the value of the two indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI (such as DCI 6) is 10 (in this case, the second information can be 10), and the value of the first indication bit group in the second DCI (such as DCI 7) is also 10, since the value of one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0302] Compared with the first possible design, in step 1805, by sacrificing a certain amount of power consumption, the judgment process of the terminal device can be simplified, that is, the terminal device judges X m Whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group is determined by comparing whether the values ​​of the first indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are all first values, without comparing the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0303] Based on the above Figure 18According to the method shown, when the first DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, within the effective duration, the terminal device can determine whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI. If triggered, whether each reference signal is sent is determined based on the first indication bit group in the second DCI. If not triggered, whether each reference signal is sent is determined based on the first indication bit group in the first DCI. By introducing the effective duration, the network device can avoid frequently sending DCI to indicate the availability of the reference signal, and the availability of the reference signal can be indicated more accurately while reducing the signaling overhead of the network device.

[0304] Corresponding to the above-mentioned situation where the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device and the terminal device may perform the above-mentioned step 1804 or step 1805. When the network device sends the second DCI to the terminal device after the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, or when it is described as when the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device and the terminal device may further perform the following step 1806:

[0305] Step 1806: When the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device and the terminal device determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid time associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0306] Among them, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective time associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the effective time associated with the first indication bit group.

[0307] That is, when X m When the values ​​of the indicator bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are all second values, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0308] Among them, if X m When the values ​​of the indicator bits in the first indicator bit group of the second DCI are all the second values, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indicator bit group, which will result in the terminal device assuming that the reference signal is unavailable before the end of the valid duration, even if the network device sends the reference signal, resulting in reduced reference signal utilization and thus reduced power consumption benefits. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, in addition to the valid duration, when Xm When the values ​​of the indicator bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI are all second values, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0309] above Figure 5 The scheme in which a network device sends a first DCI and a second DCI to a terminal device and determines whether the second DCI triggers a valid duration is described in the specification. The scheme can also be described as: the network device sends a DCI to the terminal device, wherein the DCI may include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field may include N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration; if the network device sends the DCI outside the valid duration, or it is described as the terminal device receiving the DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of at least one indication bit in the DCI is the first value, the network device and the terminal device determine that the DCI triggers the valid duration, otherwise, it is determined that the DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0310] above Figure 16 The scheme in which a network device sends a first DCI and a second DCI to a terminal device and determines whether a first indication bit in the second DCI triggers an effective duration associated with the first indication bit is described. The scheme can also be described as: the network device sends a DCI to the terminal device, wherein the DCI may include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit is associated with an effective duration; the N indication bits include a first indication bit, and the first indication bit triggers an effective duration associated with the first indication bit; N is greater than or equal to 1; if the network device sends the DCI outside the effective duration associated with the first indication bit, or is described as the terminal device receiving the DCI outside the effective duration associated with the first indication bit, when the value of the first indication bit in the DCI is the first value, the network device and the terminal device determine that the first indication bit triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit, otherwise, it is determined that the first indication bit does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0311] above Figure 18 A scheme is described in which a network device sends a first DCI and a second DCI to a terminal device, and determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration of the first indication bit group. The scheme can also be described as follows: the network device sends a DCI to the terminal device, wherein the DCI may include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes M indication bit groups; the mth indication bit group includes X mindicator bits; each indicator bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indicator bit is sent; each indicator bit group is associated with a valid duration; M indicator bit groups include a first indicator bit group, 1≤m≤M, M≥1, X m ≥1; if the network device sends DCI outside the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group, or is described as the terminal device receiving DCI outside the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group, when the value of at least one indicator bit in the first indication bit group of DCI is the first value, the network device and the terminal device determine that the DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group, otherwise, it is determined that the DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0312] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between devices. It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, each device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0313] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of each device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0314] In the case of dividing each functional module into corresponding functional modules, Figure 19A terminal device 190 is shown. Terminal device 190 may include a transceiver module 1901 and a processing module 1902. Exemplarily, terminal device 190 may be a terminal device, or a chip used in a terminal device, or other combined device or component having the aforementioned terminal device functions. When terminal device 190 is a terminal device, transceiver module 1901 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, etc.; processing module 1902 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When terminal device 190 is a component having the aforementioned terminal device functions, transceiver module 1901 may be a radio frequency unit; processing module 1902 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When terminal device 190 is a system-on-chip (SoC), transceiver module 1901 may be the input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip); processing module 1902 may be the SoC's processor (or processing circuit), or logic circuit, which may include one or more central processing modules. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1901 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component; the processing module 1902 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit).

[0315] For example, the transceiver module 1901 can be used to perform Figures 5 to 18 All the sending and receiving operations performed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes used to support the technology described herein; the processing module 1902 can be used to perform Figures 5 to 18 All operations except the sending and receiving operations performed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment, and / or other processes for supporting the technology described herein.

[0316] As another possible implementation method, Figure 19 The transceiver module 1901 in the embodiment can be replaced by a transceiver, which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 1901; the processing module 1902 can be replaced by a processor, which can integrate the functions of the processing module 1902. Figure 19 The terminal device 190 shown may also include a memory. When the transceiver module 1901 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1902 is replaced by a processor, the terminal device 190 involved in the embodiment of the present application may be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0317] Alternatively, when the transceiver module 1901 is replaced by a transceiver and the processing module 1902 is replaced by a processor, the terminal device 190 involved in the embodiment of the present application can also be Figure 21 In the communication device 210 shown, the processor may be a logic circuit 2101 and the transceiver may be an input / output interface 2102. Figure 21 The illustrated communication device 210 may also include a memory 2103 .

[0318] In the case of dividing each functional module into corresponding functional modules, Figure 20 A network device is shown. Network device 200 may include a processing module 2001 and a transceiver module 2002. Exemplarily, network device 200 may be a network device, or a chip used in a network device, or other combined device or component having the aforementioned network device functions. When network device 200 is a network device, processing module 2001 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs; transceiver module 2002 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, etc. When network device 200 is a component having the aforementioned network device functions, processing module 2001 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor; transceiver module 2002 may be a radio frequency unit. When network device 200 is a system-on-chip (SoC), processing module 2001 may be the SoC's processor (or processing circuit) or logic circuit, which may include one or more central processing modules; transceiver module 2002 may be the input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip). It should be understood that the processing module 2001 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit); the transceiver module 2002 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component.

[0319] For example, the processing module 2001 can be used to perform Figures 5 to 18 All operations except the transceiver operations performed by the network device in the embodiment shown, and / or other processes used to support the technology described herein; the transceiver module 2002 can be used to perform Figures 5 to 18 The illustrated embodiments illustrate all transceiver operations performed by network devices, and / or other processes used to support the techniques described herein.

[0320] As another possible implementation method, Figure 20 The processing module 2001 in the embodiment can be replaced by a processor, which can integrate the functions of the processing module 2001; the transceiver module 2002 can be replaced by a transceiver, which can integrate the functions of the transceiver module 2002. Figure 20 The network device 200 shown may also include a memory. When the processing module 2001 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 2002 is replaced by a transceiver, the network device 200 involved in the embodiment of the present application may be Figure 4 The communication device shown.

[0321] Alternatively, when the processing module 2001 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 2002 is replaced by a transceiver, the network device 200 involved in the embodiment of the present application can also be Figure 21 In the communication device 210 shown, the processor may be a logic circuit 2101 and the transceiver may be an input / output interface 2102. Figure 21 The illustrated communication device 210 may also include a memory 2103 .

[0322] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by a computer program to instruct the relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in the above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above-mentioned method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including the data sending end and / or the data receiving end) of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, such as the hard disk or memory of the terminal. The above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the above-mentioned terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk equipped on the above-mentioned terminal, a smart memory card (smart media card, SMC), a secure digital (secure digital, SD) card, a flash card (flash card), etc. Further, the above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can also include both the internal storage unit of the above-mentioned terminal and an external storage device. The above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium is used to store the above-mentioned computer program and other programs and data required by the above-mentioned terminal. The above-mentioned computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

[0323] In combination with the above, the present application provides the following embodiments. The numbering of the following embodiments does not necessarily need to follow the numbering order of the previous embodiments:

[0324] Embodiment 1: A communication method, comprising:

[0325] The terminal device receives first downlink control information (DCI) from the network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1;

[0326] The terminal device receives a second DCI from the network device; wherein the time when the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time when the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field;

[0327] When the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out,

[0328] The terminal device determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or

[0329] The terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0330] Embodiment 2, the method according to embodiment 1, is characterized in that the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0331] The terminal device determines first information according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration triggered by the first DCI and determined by the terminal device;

[0332] The terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0333] Embodiment 3: The method according to embodiment 1 or 2, characterized in that:

[0334] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0335] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0336] Embodiment 4, the method according to embodiment 3, is characterized in that the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0337] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0338] Embodiment 5: The method according to embodiment 4, characterized in that the second DCI triggering the valid duration includes:

[0339] When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or

[0340] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the second value, and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit in the first DCI that takes the first value and the value in the second DCI takes the second value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0341] Embodiment 6, the method according to embodiment 3, is characterized in that the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0342] When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0343] Embodiment 7, the method according to embodiment 3, is characterized in that the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0344] When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0345] Embodiment 8, the method according to embodiment 3, is characterized in that the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0346] When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0347] Embodiment 9: The method according to embodiment 8, characterized in that the second DCI triggering the valid duration includes:

[0348] When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, or

[0349] When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0350] Example 10: The method according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, characterized in that the method further comprises:

[0351] When the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0352] Example 11: The method according to Example 10, characterized in that:

[0353] When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0354] Example 12: The method according to any one of Examples 1-11, characterized in that:

[0355] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0356] Embodiment 13: A communication method, comprising:

[0357] The network device sends first downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1;

[0358] The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the network device sends the second DCI is later than the time when the network device sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field;

[0359] When the network device sends the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out,

[0360] The network device determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or

[0361] The network device determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0362] Embodiment 14: The method according to embodiment 13 is characterized in that the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0363] The network device determines first information according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration triggered by the first DCI and determined by the network device;

[0364] The network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0365] Example 15: The method according to Example 13 or 14, characterized in that:

[0366] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0367] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0368] Embodiment 16: The method according to embodiment 15 is characterized in that the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0369] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0370] Embodiment 17: The method according to embodiment 16, wherein the second DCI triggering the valid duration includes:

[0371] When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or

[0372] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the second value, and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit in the first DCI that takes the first value and the value in the second DCI takes the second value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0373] Embodiment 18: The method according to embodiment 15 is characterized in that the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0374] When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0375] Embodiment 19: The method according to embodiment 15, characterized in that the network device determines, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including:

[0376] When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0377] Embodiment 20: The method according to embodiment 15, characterized in that the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, including:

[0378] When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0379] Embodiment 21: The method according to embodiment 20, characterized in that the second DCI triggering the valid duration includes:

[0380] When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, or

[0381] When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

[0382] Example 22: The method according to any one of Examples 13-21, characterized in that the method further comprises:

[0383] When the network device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

[0384] Example 23: The method according to Example 22, characterized in that:

[0385] When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0386] Example 24: The method according to any one of Examples 13-23, characterized in that:

[0387] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0388] Embodiment 25: A communication method, comprising:

[0389] The terminal device receives first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit is associated with a valid duration; the N indication bits include a first indication bit, and the first indication bit triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; and N is greater than or equal to 1.

[0390] The terminal device receives a second DCI from the network device; wherein the time when the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time when the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field;

[0391] When the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the first indication bit in the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit; when the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, the first indication bit in the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0392] Example 26: The method according to Example 25, characterized in that:

[0393] The first value is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the first indication bit is sent;

[0394] The second value is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the first indication bit is not sent, or the second value represents reservation.

[0395] Example 27: The method according to Example 25 or 26, characterized in that:

[0396] The time at which the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time at which the terminal device receives the first DCI, including:

[0397] The terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first indication bit in the first DCI expires, or

[0398] The terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first indication bit in the first DCI expires.

[0399] Example 28: The method according to any one of Examples 25-27, characterized in that:

[0400] The terminal device receives first indication information from the network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0401] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0402] Embodiment 29: A communication method, comprising:

[0403] The network device sends first downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit is associated with a valid duration; the N indication bits include a first indication bit, and the first indication bit triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; and N is greater than or equal to 1.

[0404] The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the network device sends the second DCI is later than the time when the network device sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field;

[0405] When the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the first indication bit in the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit; when the value of the first indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, the first indication bit in the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0406] Example 30: The method according to Example 29, characterized in that:

[0407] The first value is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the first indication bit is sent;

[0408] The second value is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the first indication bit is not sent, or the second value represents reservation.

[0409] Embodiment 31: The method according to embodiment 29 or 30, characterized in that:

[0410] The time at which the network device sends the second DCI is later than the time at which the network device sends the first DCI, including:

[0411] The network device sends the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first indication bit in the first DCI expires, or

[0412] The network device sends the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first indication bit in the first DCI expires.

[0413] Example 32: The method according to any one of Examples 29-31, characterized in that:

[0414] The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0415] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0416] Embodiment 33: A communication method, comprising:

[0417] The terminal device receives the first downlink control information DCI from the network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes M indication bit groups; the mth indication bit group includes X m indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit group is associated with a valid duration; the M indication bit groups include a first indication bit group, and the first DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; 1≤m≤M, M≥1, X m ≥1;

[0418] The terminal device receives a second DCI from the network device; wherein the time when the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time when the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field;

[0419] When the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires,

[0420] The terminal device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; or

[0421] The terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0422] Embodiment 34: The method according to embodiment 33 is characterized in that the terminal device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0423] The terminal device determines second information according to the first indication bit group of the first DCI; wherein the second information is reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI, determined by the terminal device;

[0424] The terminal determines, based on the second information and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers a valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0425] Embodiment 35: The method according to embodiment 33 or 34, characterized in that:

[0426] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0427] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0428] Embodiment 36: The method according to embodiment 35 is characterized in that the terminal device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0429] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the first value, and the value of the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0430] Embodiment 37: The method according to embodiment 36, characterized in that the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the second DCI includes:

[0431] When the X m When the value of the indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the same as the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; or

[0432] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the second value, and the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI that has the first value and the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI that has the second value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0433] Embodiment 38: The method according to embodiment 35 is characterized in that the terminal device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0434] When the X m When the value of the indicator bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is not exactly the same as the value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0435] Embodiment 39: The method according to embodiment 35 is characterized in that the terminal device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0436] When the X m When the value of each indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0437] Embodiment 40, the method according to embodiment 35, is characterized in that the terminal device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0438] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the one or more indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0439] Embodiment 41: The method according to embodiment 40, characterized in that the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the second DCI includes:

[0440] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the X indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group, or

[0441] When the value of each of the X indication bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0442] Example 42: The method according to any one of Examples 33-41, characterized in that the method further comprises:

[0443] When the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0444] Example 43: The method according to Example 42, characterized in that:

[0445] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0446] Example 44: The method according to any one of Examples 33-43, characterized in that the method further comprises:

[0447] The terminal device receives first indication information from the network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0448] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0449] Embodiment 45: A communication method, comprising:

[0450] The network device sends a first downlink control information DCI to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes M indication bit groups; the mth indication bit group includes X mindication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit group is associated with a valid duration; the M indication bit groups include a first indication bit group, and the first DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; 1≤m≤M, M≥1, X m ≥1;

[0451] The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the network device sends the second DCI is later than the time when the network device sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field;

[0452] When the network device sends the second DCI before the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires,

[0453] The network device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers a valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; or

[0454] The network device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers a valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0455] Embodiment 46: The method according to embodiment 45 is characterized in that the network device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0456] The network device determines second information according to the first indication bit group of the first DCI; wherein the second information is reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI and determined by the network device;

[0457] The network device determines, based on the second information and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers a valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0458] Embodiment 47: The method according to embodiment 45 or 46, characterized in that

[0459] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0460] The second value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is not transmitted, or the second value of the indication bit represents a reservation.

[0461] Embodiment 48, the method of embodiment 47, wherein the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration associated with the first indication bit group according to the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, comprising:

[0462] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the first value, and the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the validity duration associated with the first indication bit group, otherwise, the second DCI triggers the validity duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0463] Embodiment 49, the method of embodiment 48, wherein the second DCI triggers the validity duration associated with the first indication bit group, comprising:

[0464] When the value of the X m indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the same as the value of the X

[0465] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the second value, and the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit whose value in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is the first value and whose value in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI triggers the validity duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0466] Embodiment 50, the method of embodiment 47, wherein the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the validity duration associated with the first indication bit group according to the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, comprising:

[0467] When the value of the X m indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI is not completely the same as the value of the X

[0468] Embodiment 51: The method according to embodiment 47, wherein the network device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0469] When the X m When the value of each indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0470] Embodiment 52: The method according to embodiment 47 is characterized in that the network device determines, based on the first indication bit group of the first DCI and the first indication bit group of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group, including:

[0471] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the one or more indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0472] Embodiment 53: The method according to embodiment 52, characterized in that the effective duration associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the second DCI includes:

[0473] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the X indication bits in the first indication bit group of the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the first indication bit group of the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group, or

[0474] When the value of each of the X indication bits in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0475] Example 54: The method according to any one of Examples 45-53, characterized in that the method further comprises:

[0476] When the network device sends the second DCI after the valid time associated with the first indication bit group triggered by the first DCI expires, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid time associated with the first indication bit group based on the first indication bit group of the second DCI.

[0477] Example 55: The method according to Example 54, characterized in that:

[0478] When the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0479] Example 56: The method according to any one of Examples 45-55, characterized in that the method further comprises:

[0480] The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0481] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0482] Embodiment 57: A communication method, comprising:

[0483] The terminal device receives downlink control information DCI from the network device; wherein the DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration; and N is greater than or equal to 1;

[0484] If the terminal device receives the DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of at least one indication bit in the DCI is the first value, the terminal device determines that the DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, it determines that the DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0485] Example 58: The method according to Example 57, characterized in that:

[0486] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0487] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0488] Embodiment 59: The method according to embodiment 57 or 58, characterized in that:

[0489] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0490] Example 60: The method according to any one of Examples 57-59, characterized in that:

[0491] The terminal device receives first indication information from the network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0492] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0493] Embodiment 61: A communication method, comprising:

[0494] The network device sends downlink control information DCI to the terminal device; wherein the DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration; and N is greater than or equal to 1;

[0495] If the network device sends the DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of at least one indication bit in the DCI is a first value, the network device determines that the DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, determines that the DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

[0496] Example 62: The method according to Example 61, characterized in that:

[0497] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0498] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0499] Embodiment 63: The method according to embodiment 61 or 62, characterized in that

[0500] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0501] Example 64: The method according to any one of Examples 61-63, characterized in that:

[0502] The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0503] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0504] Embodiment 65: A communication method, comprising:

[0505] The terminal device receives downlink control information DCI from the network device; wherein the DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each of the indication bits is associated with a valid duration; the N indication bits include a first indication bit, and the first indication bit triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; N is greater than or equal to 1;

[0506] If the terminal device receives the DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of the first indication bit in the DCI is the first value, the first indication bit in the DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; when the value of the first indication bit in the DCI is the second value, the first indication bit in the DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0507] Example 66: The method according to Example 65, characterized in that:

[0508] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0509] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0510] Embodiment 67: The method according to embodiment 65 or 66, characterized in that:

[0511] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0512] Example 68: The method according to any one of Examples 65-67, characterized in that:

[0513] The terminal device receives first indication information from the network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0514] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0515] Embodiment 69: A communication method, comprising:

[0516] The network device sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device; wherein the DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits; each indication bit is associated with a valid duration; the N indication bits include a first indication bit, and the first indication bit triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; N is greater than or equal to 1;

[0517] If the network device sends the DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of the first indication bit in the DCI is the first value, the first indication bit in the DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit; when the value of the first indication bit in the DCI is the second value, the first indication bit in the DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit.

[0518] Example 70: The method according to Example 69, characterized in that:

[0519] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0520] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0521] Embodiment 71. The method according to embodiment 69 or 70, characterized in that

[0522] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0523] Example 72: The method according to any one of Examples 69-71, characterized in that:

[0524] The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0525] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0526] Embodiment 73: A communication method, comprising:

[0527] The terminal device receives downlink control information DCI from the network device; wherein the DCI may include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes M indication bit groups; the mth indication bit group includes X mindication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit group is associated with a valid duration; M indication bit groups include a first indication bit group, 1≤m≤M, M≥1, X m ≥1;

[0528] If the terminal device receives DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the DCI is the first value, the terminal device determines that the DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, it determines that the DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0529] Example 74: The method according to Example 73, characterized in that:

[0530] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0531] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0532] Embodiment 75. The method according to embodiment 73 or 74, characterized in that:

[0533] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0534] Example 76: The method according to any one of Examples 73-75, characterized in that:

[0535] The terminal device receives first indication information from the network device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0536] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0537] Embodiment 77: A communication method, comprising:

[0538] The network device sends downlink control information DCI to the terminal device; wherein the DCI may include a reference signal availability indication field; the reference signal availability indication field includes M indication bit groups; the mth indication bit group includes X m indication bits; each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent; each indication bit group is associated with a valid duration; M indication bit groups include a first indication bit group, 1≤m≤M, M≥1, X m ≥1;

[0539] If the network device sends the DCI outside the valid duration, when the value of at least one indication bit in the first indication bit group of the DCI is the first value, the network device determines that the DCI triggers the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group; otherwise, it determines that the DCI does not trigger the valid duration associated with the first indication bit group.

[0540] Example 78: The method according to Example 77, characterized in that:

[0541] The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent;

[0542] The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

[0543] Embodiment 79: The method according to embodiment 77 or 78, characterized in that

[0544] The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

[0545] Example 80: The method according to any one of Examples 77-79, characterized in that:

[0546] The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the length of the valid duration; or

[0547] The length of the effective duration is predefined.

[0548] Embodiment 81. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to enable the communication device to execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 1-12, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 13-24, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 25-28, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 29-32, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 33-44, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 45-56, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 57-60, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 61-64, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 65-68, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 69-72, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 73-76, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 77-80.

[0549] Example 82. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device includes an input and output interface and a logic circuit; the input and output interface is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 1-12, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 13-24, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 25-28, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 29-32, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 33-44, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 45-56, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 57-60, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 61-64, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 65-68, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 69-72, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 73-76, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 77-80, and process and / or generate the information according to the information.

[0550] Example 83. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, which, when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, enable the computer to execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 1-12, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 13-24, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 25-28, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 29-32, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 33-44, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 45-56, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 57-60, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 61-64, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 65-68, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 69-72, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 73-76, or execute the communication method described in any one of Examples 77-80.

[0551] Example 84. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 1-12, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 13-24, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 25-28, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 29-32, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 33-44, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 45-56, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 57-60, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 61-64, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 65-68, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 69-72, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 73-76, or executes the communication method described in any one of Examples 77-80.

[0552] Embodiment 85. A chip, characterized in that the chip is coupled to a memory, and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 1-12, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 13-24, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 25-28, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 29-32, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 33-44, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 45-56, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 57-60, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 61-64, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 65-68, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 69-72, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 73-76, or execute the communication method described in any one of Embodiments 77-80.

[0553] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0554] It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, 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 items" 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 mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0555] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0556] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0557] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0558] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0559] The integrated unit, if in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence or in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art or the whole or part of the technical solutions. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The terminal device receives first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; The terminal device receives a second DCI from the network device; wherein the time when the terminal device receives the second DCI is later than the time when the terminal device receives the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field; When the terminal device receives the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, The terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; wherein, when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are exactly the same, it is determined that the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or The terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; wherein, when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The terminal device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: The terminal device determines first information according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration triggered by the first DCI and determined by the terminal device; The terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The terminal device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The second DCI triggering the valid duration includes: When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the second value, and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit in the first DCI that takes the first value and the value in the second DCI takes the second value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The terminal device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The terminal device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

8. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The terminal device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The second DCI triggering the valid duration includes: When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, or When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-2 and 4-9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the terminal device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI expires, the terminal device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, 4-9, and 11, characterized in that: The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The network device sends first downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether the reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; The network device sends a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the network device sends the second DCI is later than the time when the network device sends the first DCI; the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field; When the network device sends the second DCI before the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, The network device determines, based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration; wherein, when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are exactly the same, it is determined that the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or The network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; wherein, when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The network device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: The network device determines first information according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI; wherein the first information is reference signal availability information that is effective within the valid duration triggered by the first DCI and determined by the network device; The network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the first information and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that a reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent; The second value of the indicator bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indicator bit is not sent, or the second value of the indicator bit represents reservation.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The network device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the first value and the value in the second DCI is the second value, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The second DCI triggering the valid duration includes: When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are the same, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or When the value of at least one indication bit in the first DCI is the second value, and the value in the second DCI is the first value, and there is no indication bit in the first DCI that takes the first value and the value in the second DCI takes the second value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The network device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are not exactly the same, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

19. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The network device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein The network device determining, according to the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration, including: When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are not exactly the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second DCI triggering the valid duration includes: When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the second value, and the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI are the same as the values ​​in the second DCI, the second DCI triggers the valid duration, or When the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13-14, 16-21, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the network device receives the second DCI after the valid duration triggered by the first DCI times out, the network device determines whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration according to the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that When the value of at least one indication bit in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration; otherwise, the second DCI does not trigger the valid duration.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13-14, 16-21, and 23, characterized in that: The starting position of the effective duration is determined according to the reference signal availability indication field.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to receive first downlink control information (DCI) from a network device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each indication bit is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, a first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; The transceiver module is further configured to receive a second DCI from the network device; wherein the time when the transceiver module receives the second DCI is later than the time when the transceiver module receives the first DCI; and the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field; When the transceiver module receives the second DCI before the effective duration triggered by the first DCI times out, a processing module, configured to determine, based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration; wherein, when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are exactly the same, it is determined that the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or The processing module is used to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; wherein, when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver module, configured to send first downlink control information (DCI) to a terminal device; wherein the first DCI includes a reference signal availability indication field, the reference signal availability indication field includes N indication bits, each of the indication bits is used to indicate whether a reference signal associated with each indication bit is sent, the first value of the indication bit is used to indicate that the reference signal associated with the indication bit is sent, the reference signal availability indication field is associated with a valid duration, the first DCI triggers the valid duration, and N is greater than or equal to 1; The transceiver module is further configured to send a second DCI to the terminal device; wherein the time when the transceiver module sends the second DCI is later than the time when the transceiver module sends the first DCI; and the second DCI includes the reference signal availability indication field; When the transceiver module sends the second DCI before the effective duration triggered by the first DCI times out, a processing module, configured to determine, based on the reference signal availability indication field of the first DCI and the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI, whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration; wherein, when the values ​​of the N indication bits in the first DCI and the values ​​in the second DCI are exactly the same, it is determined that the second DCI triggers the valid duration; or The processing module is used to determine whether the second DCI triggers the valid duration based on the reference signal availability indication field of the second DCI; wherein, when the value of each of the N indication bits in the second DCI is the first value, the second DCI triggers the valid duration.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to enable the communication device to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or execute the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes an input and output interface and a logic circuit; the input and output interface is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or execute the communication method described in any one of claims 13 to 24, and process and / or generate the information based on the information.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer instructions or programs are executed on a computer, the computer executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or execute the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

31. A chip, characterized in that: The chip is coupled to the memory and is used to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

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