Power Saving Method, Device, Communication Equipment and Storage Medium of User Terminal

Abstract

This disclosure is a divisional application of 202080000665.6. This disclosure discloses a power saving method, apparatus, communication device and storage medium for a user terminal, relating to the field of communication technologies. The method is applied to a user terminal and includes: obtaining PDCCH skip period information, where the skip period information indicates a skip period, and within the skip period, the user terminal skips the active time in the first DRX cycle; within the skip period, stop listening for the PDCCH. This disclosure stops listening for the PDCCH within the skip period, which can effectively save the power consumption of the user terminal.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure is a divisional application of a Chinese patent with an application date of April 1, 2020, application number 202080000665.6, and invention name “Power saving method, device, communication equipment and storage medium for user terminal”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a power saving method, device, communication equipment and storage medium for a user terminal. Background Art

[0003] In order to save power consumption of user equipment (UE), the Wake Up Service (WUS) mechanism and the Discontinuous Reception (DRX) mechanism are introduced for signal detection on the Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH). DRX includes On Duration and Opportunity for DRX, and On Duration is the monitoring time in DRX.

[0004] When the WUS mechanism is used together with the DRX mechanism, the WUS signal in the DRX scenario is usually configured before the DRX duration. If the user terminal does not detect the WUS signal, the entire duration is skipped.

[0005] In some cases, WUS still has a problem of large power consumption. For example, in a densely configured short-cycle DRX scenario, there is still a problem of large power consumption. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a power saving method, apparatus, communication device and storage medium for a user terminal, which effectively reduces the power consumption of the user terminal by indicating a skip period including a DRX activation time to the user terminal, so that the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH during the skip period. The technical solution is as follows:

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a power saving method for a user terminal is provided, which is applied to the user terminal, and the method includes:

[0008] Acquire PDCCH skip period information, where the skip period information indicates a skip period; within the skip period, the user terminal skips an active time in a first DRX cycle;

[0009] During the skip period, the PDCCH is stopped from being monitored.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a power saving method for a user terminal is provided, which is applied to a network device, and the method includes:

[0011] Determine PDCCH skip period information for the user terminal, the skip period information indicating a skip period; within the skip period, the user terminal skips an activation time in a first DRX cycle;

[0012] The PDCCH skip period information is sent to the user terminal.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a power saving device for a user terminal is provided, the device comprising:

[0014] The first processing module is configured to obtain PDCCH skip period information, where the skip period information indicates a skip period; within the skip period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle; and within the skip period, stops monitoring the PDCCH.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a power saving device for a user terminal is provided, the device comprising:

[0016] A second processing module is configured to determine PDCCH skip period information for a user terminal, wherein the skip period information indicates a skip period; within the skip period, the user terminal skips an activation time in a first DRX cycle;

[0017] The sending module is configured to send the PDCCH skip period information to the user terminal.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a user terminal is provided, the user terminal comprising:

[0019] processor;

[0020] a transceiver connected to the processor;

[0021] a memory for storing executable signaling for the processor;

[0022] The processor is configured to load and execute the executable signaling to implement the steps on the user terminal side in the power saving method for the user terminal as described in the above aspect.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, the network device comprising:

[0024] processor;

[0025] a transceiver connected to the processor;

[0026] a memory for storing executable signaling for the processor;

[0027] The processor is configured to load and execute the executable signaling to implement the steps on the network device side in the power saving method for the user terminal as described in the above aspect.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which executable signaling is stored. The executable signaling is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the power saving method of the user terminal as described in the above aspect.

[0029] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure includes at least the following beneficial effects:

[0030] The user terminal obtains PDCCH skip period information, which indicates a skip period; during the skip period, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH; wherein, during the skip period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle, effectively saving power consumption of the user terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a power saving method for a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 7is a schematic diagram of a power saving method for a user terminal provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a power saving method for a user terminal provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a power saving method for a user terminal provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Fig.10 is a block diagram of a power saving device of a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Fig.11 is a block diagram of a power saving device of a user terminal provided by another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Fig.12 is a block diagram of a communication device provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] The nouns involved in this disclosure are explained as follows:

[0046] DRX cycle: It consists of "On Duration" and "Opportunity for DRX". During the "OnDuration" time, the UE monitors and receives the PDCCH; during the "Opportunity for DRX" time, the UE does not receive the PDCCH to reduce power consumption.

[0047] On Duration Time: The time during which the UE remains awake after waking up from DRX. The user terminal searches for PDCCH during this period, that is, monitors PDCCH during this period.

[0048] Inactivity Time: The time that the UE remains active after successfully decoding the PDCCH initially sent by the Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) when awake.

[0049] Active time: The total time that the UE remains awake after waking up from DRX. During this time period, the UE monitors the PDCCH, including all states that cause the UE to be active, such as the start of the DRX cycle "On Duration", or receiving the PDCCH of the initial transmission, or monitoring retransmissions, etc. In an example, the active time is defined as follows: if DRX is configured, the active time includes the following times: On Duration time, Inactivity time, Retransmission time, and timer start time (mac-Contention Resolution Time).

[0050] PDCCH skipping signaling (PDCCH skipping): The network device sends a sleep signaling (Go to sleep, GTS) to the UE, informing the UE that it can stop PDCCH monitoring for a period of time. The skipping period for notifying the UE to enter the sleep state can be based on the prior notification of the network device. Optionally, the GTS can be called PDCCH skipping signaling, which carries information associated with the skipping period.

[0051] Figure 1 A block diagram of a communication system provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The communication system may include: an access network 12 and a user terminal 14.

[0052] The access network 12 includes several network devices 120. The network device 120 may be a base station, which is a device deployed in the access network to provide wireless communication functions for user terminals. Base stations may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, and the like. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may be different. For example, in an LTE system, it is called eNodeB or eNB; in a 5G NR system, it is called gNodeB or gNB. With the evolution of communication technology, the description of "base station" may change. To facilitate the description in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned devices that provide wireless communication functions for the user terminal 14 are collectively referred to as network devices.

[0053] The user terminal 14 may include various handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, as well as various forms of user equipment, mobile stations (MS), terminals (terminal devices), etc. For the convenience of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as user terminals. The network device 120 and the user terminal 14 communicate with each other through some air interface technology, such as a Uu interface.

[0054] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, NR system evolution system, LTE on unlicensed spectrum (LTE-based access to Unlicensed spectrum, LTE-U) system, NR-U system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication system, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system. Networks, WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), next generation communication systems or other communication systems, etc.

[0055] Generally speaking, the number of connections supported by traditional communication systems is limited and easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communications, but also support, for example, device to device (Device to Device, D2D) communication, machine to machine (Machine to Machine, M2M) communication, machine type communication (Machine Type Communication, MTC), vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication and vehicle to everything (V2X) system, etc. The embodiments of the present application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0056] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a power saving method for a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown, which can be applied to Figure 1 In the user terminal shown. The method includes:

[0057] Step 201: The user terminal obtains PDCCH skip period information, where the skip period information indicates a skip period.

[0058] In the skip period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle. The first DRX cycle is the first DRX cycle in the skip period. Optionally, the first DRX cycle may be the first DRX cycle after the receiving moment, or the first DRX cycle may be the DRX cycle at the receiving moment, i.e., the currently applied DRX cycle.

[0059] For example, Figure 3 , shows three DRX cycles including the receiving moment, the DRX cycle c1 where the receiving moment is located is the first DRX cycle, or the DRX cycle c2 after the receiving moment is the first DRX cycle. Each DRX cycle includes a duration and a dormant period, and the skip period includes an active time in the first DRX cycle.

[0060] Optionally, the above-mentioned receiving time may include a receiving time of sleep signaling (Go To Sleep, GTS).

[0061] Optionally, the skip period is a fixed time length. Exemplarily, the fixed time length is greater than the length of the activation time in the first DRX cycle; Exemplarily, the skip period is 5s, wherein the length of the activation time in the first DRX cycle is 1s, and the skip period is greater than the length of the activation time.

[0062] Optionally, the skip period is the remaining time of the activation time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle. Exemplarily, the activation time of the first DRX cycle is 1s, the first DRX cycle is a DRX cycle currently running, and the first DRX cycle has run to 0.5s of the activation time, then the skip period is the remaining 0.5s of the activation time.

[0063] Optionally, the skip period is configured by a network device. Optionally, in the process of configuring the skip period for the user terminal by the network device, the skip period is carried in at least one of downlink control information (DCI) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, and medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling. For example, in an optional embodiment, the skip period can be a specific time period configured by the network side, or a time period that circulates in a specific period, during which the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle.

[0064] In some optional embodiments, the network device notifies the user equipment of the change of the skip period through DCI. In other optional embodiments, the network device notifies the user terminal of the different skip periods used in the DRX short cycle and the DRX long cycle through RRC. In other optional embodiments, the network device notifies the user equipment of the different skip periods used in the DRX short cycle and the DRX long cycle in the MAC CE. In other optional embodiments, for the secondary carrier, the network device notifies the user equipment of the skip period in the MAC CE that activates the secondary carrier.

[0065] Optionally, the skip period is a time period agreed upon in the communication protocol. For example, in an optional embodiment, the network side sends a skip period activation indication to the user terminal, and after receiving the indication, the user terminal determines that the skip period is a specific time period agreed upon in the protocol or a time period that circulates in a specific cycle, and during the time period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle.

[0066] Optionally, the user terminal further determines a parameter n, which is used to indicate that the skip period is effective for n DRX cycles after the receiving time; the n DRX cycles include the first DRX cycle, where n is a positive integer. Optionally, the n DRX cycles include at least one of a DRX short cycle and a DRX long cycle.

[0067] For example, taking the receiving time as the receiving time of GTS as an example, Figure 4, the parameter n determined by the user terminal is 3; the user terminal receives the GTS in the time period 4 before the DRX cycle 5, then the above skip period includes the 3 DRX cycles after the GTS reception time, that is, the above skip period is effective for the 3 DRX cycles after the reception time, that is, it is effective for DRX cycle 5, DRX cycle 6, and DRX cycle 7.

[0068] In some optional embodiments, if the network device determines that no data will be transmitted to the user terminal in the next period of time, the network device sends a GTS to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to stop monitoring the PDCCH according to the configured skip period or the skip period agreed in the communication protocol.

[0069] Step 202: Stop monitoring the PDCCH during the skip period.

[0070] The user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH during the skip period. Optionally, after receiving the GTS sent by the network device, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH during the skip period. Exemplarily, after receiving the GTS sent by the network device, the user equipment selects a target skip period from the skip periods configured by the network device, and stops monitoring the PDCCH during the target skip period; or, after receiving the GTS sent by the network device, the user equipment selects a target skip period from the skip periods agreed in the communication protocol, and stops monitoring the PDCCH during the target skip period.

[0071] Optionally, if the skip period is a fixed duration, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH for a fixed duration starting from the current DRX cycle or the next DRX cycle; for example, taking the receiving time as the receiving time of the GTS as an example, Figure 5 After the user terminal receives the GTS sent by the network device in time period 1 of sleep period 1, it stops monitoring the PDCCH for a fixed duration starting from DRX cycle 2, that is, it stops monitoring the PDCCH for a fixed time starting from duration 2.

[0072] Optionally, if the skip period is the remaining time of the user terminal activation time in the first DRX cycle, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH during the remaining time; illustratively, taking the receiving time as the receiving time of the GTS as an example, Figure 6 , DRX cycle 3 includes duration 3 and sleep period 3, duration 3 includes time period 2 and time period 3 of activation time, if the user terminal receives GTS sent by the network device in time period 2, it stops monitoring PDCCH in time period 3; that is, the user terminal immediately stops the running duration timer or inactive timer.

[0073] In summary, the power saving method for the user terminal provided in this embodiment is that the user terminal obtains PDCCH skip period information, and the skip period information indicates the skip period; during the skip period, the monitoring of PDCCH is stopped; wherein, during the skip period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle, effectively saving the power consumption of the user terminal. The method can also stop monitoring PDCCH during the remaining time of the activation time, and the user terminal can stop without completing the monitoring of PDCCH during the remaining time, effectively controlling the user terminal's monitoring of PDCCH and further reducing the power consumption of the user terminal.

[0074] Based on Figure 2 In some optional embodiments, the skip period can be configured separately for the length of the DRX cycle. Optionally, the skip period includes: a first skip period and / or a second skip period; wherein the first skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX short cycle, and the second skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX long cycle, and the first skip period and the second skip period are different.

[0075] Optionally, the first skip period is greater than the second skip period, that is, the skip period applicable to the DRX short cycle is greater than the skip period applicable to the DRX long cycle. Exemplarily, the skip periods configured for the short cycle and the long cycle DRX are different, as shown in Table 1, the period of duration a1 to a2 is the first short cycle, and the skip period configured for the first short cycle is t1; the period of duration b1 to b2 is the first long cycle, and the skip period configured for the first long cycle is t2.

[0076] Table 1

[0077] Cycle duration cycle Skip period a1 to a2 First short cycle t1 b1 to b2 The first long cycle t2

[0078] Exemplarily, DRXs of different short cycles are configured with different skip periods, and DRXs of different long cycles are configured with different skip periods, as shown in Table 2. The period of duration a1 to a2 is the first short cycle, and the skip period configured for the first short cycle is t1; the period of duration a3 to a4 is the second short cycle, and the skip period configured for the second short cycle is t3; the period of duration b1 to b2 is the first long cycle, and the skip period configured for the first long cycle is t2; the period of duration b3 to b4 is the second long cycle, and the skip period configured for the second long cycle is t4.

[0079] Table 2

[0080]

[0081]

[0082] Exemplarily, the DRX short cycles triggered by different reasons may be configured with different skip periods. Taking the different triggering reasons of the DRX short cycle as an example, the first DRX short cycle is triggered after the user terminal receives the MAC CE, and its configured skip period is t5; the second DRX short cycle is triggered after the inactivity timer of the user terminal times out, and its configured skip period is t6. Among them, the cycle lengths of the first DRX short cycle and the second DRX short cycle may be the same or different, and t5 is different from t6.

[0083] It should be noted that, in another situation, the network device may notify the user terminal that the above-mentioned PDCCH skip period information is not used for the DRX long cycle. Optionally, the second skip period is zero, that is, the second skip period applicable to the DRX long cycle is configured to be zero. Among them, the network device configures the second skip period to zero, that is, implicitly indicates that the above-mentioned PDCCH skip signaling is not used for the DRX long cycle.

[0084] In another case, the network device may notify the user terminal that the PDCCH skip period information is not used for the DRX short cycle. Optionally, the first skip period is zero, that is, the first skip period applicable to the DRX short cycle is configured to be zero. The network device configures the first skip period to be zero, which implicitly indicates that the PDCCH skip signaling is not used for the DRX short cycle.

[0085] To sum up, the power saving method for the user terminal provided in this embodiment, the above-mentioned skip period is configured according to the length of the DRX cycle, wherein a longer skip period is configured for the DRX short cycle, and the DRX short cycle will be skipped for a longer period of time, so that the user terminal saves more power; in addition, the skip periods configured for the DRX short cycle and the DRX long cycle are different, and the configuration method of the skip period sets different skip periods for different cycle lengths, thereby ensuring that the delay is reduced to a minimum while making the user terminal save more power.

[0086] Based on Figure 2 In some optional embodiments, the skip period may be configured for the primary and secondary carriers respectively, and optionally, the skip period includes: a third skip period and / or a fourth skip period; wherein the third skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the primary carrier (Primary Component Carrier, PCC), and the fourth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the secondary carrier (Secondary Component Carrier, SCC), and the third skip period is different from the fourth skip period. Exemplarily, the third skip period on the PCC is 3s, and the fourth skip period on the SCC is 6s.

[0087] Optionally, the fourth skip period is greater than the third skip period, that is, relative to the third skip period on the primary carrier, a fourth skip period with a longer duration is used on the secondary carrier, so that the user terminal saves more power. Exemplarily, the fourth skip period is 5 seconds (second, s), and the third skip period is 2s.

[0088] Optionally, the fourth skip period is greater than the second skip period, wherein the second skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX long cycle; that is, the skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the SCC is greater than the skip period of the DRX long cycle. Exemplarily, the fourth skip period is 6s and the second skip period is 3s.

[0089] It should be noted that, in another case, the PDCCH skip signaling notified by the network device to the user terminal is not used for the primary carrier; optionally, the third skip period is zero. The network device configures the third skip period to zero, which implicitly indicates that the PDCCH skip signaling is not used for the primary carrier.

[0090] In another case, the PDCCH skip signaling is configured to be executed when the user terminal accesses a designated secondary serving cell group (Scell ​​group). That is, the user terminal is allowed to execute the PDCCH skip signaling after accessing the designated secondary serving cell group, and does not need to execute the PDCCH skip signaling after accessing a non-designated secondary serving cell group.

[0091] To sum up, in the power saving method for the user terminal provided in this embodiment, the above-mentioned skip period is configured according to the main and auxiliary carriers respectively, the fourth skip period configured on the auxiliary carrier is longer than the third skip period on the main carrier, and the duration of stopping monitoring on the auxiliary carrier is longer, so that the user terminal saves more power.

[0092] Based on Figure 2 In some optional embodiments, the skip period may be configured separately for the carrier frequency bands. Optionally, the skip period includes: a fifth skip period and / or a sixth skip period; wherein, according to the 3GPP definition of the 5G frequency range, it is divided into FR1 (450MHz-6000MHz, also known as Sub-6GHz) and FR2 (24250MHz-52600MHz, also known as Above-6GHz or millimeter wave), the fifth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle of the FR1 frequency band DRX group, the sixth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle of the FR2 frequency band DRX group, and the fifth skip period is different from the sixth skip period.

[0093] Optionally, the fifth skip period is smaller than the sixth skip period, that is, in the scenario where the secondary carrier uses FR2, because the bandwidth on FR2 is larger and the data transmission is faster, the monitoring duration of the PDCCH on FR2 can be shorter than the monitoring duration of the primary carrier, and therefore, the skip period of the DRX cycle applicable to the FR2 frequency band is larger than the skip period of the DRX cycle applicable to the FR1 frequency band. In the scenario where the secondary carrier uses FR2, a larger skip period can also enable the user terminal to save more power.

[0094] It should be noted that in one case, the network device notifies the user terminal that the PDCCH skip signaling is not used for the DRX group on FR1, that is, the fifth skip period is 0. The network device configures the fifth skip period to be zero, which implicitly indicates that the PDCCH skip signaling is not used for the DRX group on FR1.

[0095] To sum up, the power saving method for the user terminal provided in this embodiment is that the above-mentioned skip period is configured according to the carrier frequency, and the skip period configured in the FR1 and FR2 scenarios is different; in the scenario where the auxiliary carrier uses FR2, since the bandwidth on FR2 is larger and the data transmission is faster, the monitoring time for the PDCCH on FR2 can be less than the monitoring time in the FR1 scenario. Therefore, the fourth skip period configured on the auxiliary carrier is longer than the second skip period, that is, the time for stopping monitoring in the FR2 scenario is longer, which makes the user terminal more power-saving.

[0096] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a power saving method for a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown, which can be applied to Figure 1 In the network device shown. The method includes:

[0097] Step 301: The network device determines PDCCH skip period information for a user terminal.

[0098] The PDCCH skip period information indicates a skip period; in the skip period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle. The network device determines the skip period for the user terminal, and further determines the PDCCH skip period information.

[0099] It should be noted that the details of the skip period configured by the network device for the user terminal can refer to the detailed description in the above user terminal side embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0100] Step 302: The network device sends PDCCH skip period information to the user terminal.

[0101] Optionally, the skip period is carried in at least one of downlink control indication signaling, radio resource control signaling, and media access control signaling. That is, the network device carries the skip period in at least one of downlink control indication signaling, radio resource control signaling, and media access control signaling, and sends the PDCCH skip period information to the user terminal through the signaling.

[0102] Optionally, the network device further configures a parameter n to the user terminal, the parameter n being used to indicate that the skip period is effective for n DRX cycles after the receiving time, the n DRX cycles including the first DRX cycle, where n is a positive integer. Figure 4 , the network device configures parameter 3 to the user terminal; if the receiving time is a DRX cycle before DRX cycle 5, the skipping period is effective for DRX cycle 5, DRX cycle 6, and DRX cycle 7.

[0103] To sum up, the power saving method for the user terminal provided in this embodiment is that the network device configures a skip period for the user terminal, and the skip period includes the activation time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle; the user terminal is controlled to stop monitoring the PDCCH during the skip period, thereby effectively saving the power consumption of the user terminal.

[0104] In some optional embodiments, the first skip period is a skip period of a DRX short cycle triggered after the user terminal receives a MAC CE, such as Figure 8 , which shows a schematic diagram of a power saving method for a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to Figure 1 In the user terminal and network device shown. The method includes:

[0105] Step 401: The network device determines PDCCH skip period information for a user terminal, where the PDCCH skip period information indicates a skip period.

[0106] The above skip period includes a first skip period, and the first skip period is a skip period applicable to triggering a DRX short cycle after the user terminal receives a MAC CE.

[0107] Optionally, the skip period further includes a second skip period, and the second skip period is a skip period applicable to a DRX long cycle. Optionally, the second skip period is also applicable to a skip period of a DRX short cycle that is not triggered by the user terminal after receiving a MAC CE.

[0108] The first skip period is different from the second skip period of the DRX long cycle. Optionally, the first skip period is greater than the second skip period. Exemplarily, the first skip period is 3s and the second skip period is 1s.

[0109] Step 402: The network device sends PDCCH skip period information to the user terminal.

[0110] Step 403: The user terminal receives PDCCH skip period information sent by the network device.

[0111] Step 404: configure a skip period in the user terminal, wherein the skip period includes a first skip period.

[0112] A first skip period is configured in the user terminal. Optionally, a second skip period is configured in the user terminal.

[0113] Step 405: When the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered by receiving a MAC CE, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH during the first skip period.

[0114] It should be noted that if the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered after receiving a MAC CE, it can be determined that the amount of data transmission on the subsequent PDCCH is small, and the user terminal selects a first skip period with a longer duration to control the stop monitoring time of the PDCCH; if the user terminal is in a DRX long cycle, or the DRX short cycle in which the user terminal is located is not a DRX short cycle triggered after receiving a MAC CE, the user terminal selects a second skip period to control the stop monitoring time of the PDCCH. Among them, the first skip period is greater than the second skip period.

[0115] Exemplarily, after receiving the GTS, if the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered after receiving a MAC CE, it stops monitoring the PDCCH during the first skip period; if it is in a DRX long cycle, or the DRX short cycle in which the user terminal is located is not a DRX short cycle triggered after receiving a MAC CE, it stops monitoring the PDCCH during the second skip period.

[0116] It should also be noted that, as an alternative implementation method, the skipping period may be agreed upon in the communication protocol.

[0117] To sum up, in the power saving method for the user terminal provided in this embodiment, the network device configures a skip period for the user terminal. When receiving the GTS, if the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered after receiving the MAC CE, it chooses to stop monitoring the PDCCH within the first skip period; that is, after the user terminal receives the MAC CE, it can be determined that the amount of data transmission on the subsequent PDCCH is small, and the first skip period used is greater than the second skip period of the DRX long cycle, which can enable the user terminal to save more power.

[0118] In some optional embodiments, the first skip period is a skip period of a DRX short cycle triggered after the inactivity timer of the user terminal times out, such as Fig. 9 , which shows a schematic diagram of a power saving method for a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to Figure 1 In the user terminal and network device shown. The method includes:

[0119] Step 501: The network device determines PDCCH skip period information for a user terminal, where the PDCCH skip period information indicates a skip period.

[0120] The above skip period includes a first skip period, and the first skip period is a skip period applicable to triggering a DRX short cycle after the user terminal receives a MAC CE.

[0121] Optionally, the skip period further includes a second skip period, and the second skip period is a skip period applicable to a DRX long cycle. Optionally, the second skip period is also applicable to a skip period of a DRX short cycle that is not triggered by the user terminal after receiving a MAC CE.

[0122] The first skip period is different from the second skip period of the DRX long cycle. Optionally, the first skip period is smaller than the second skip period. Exemplarily, the skip period of the DRX short cycle is 2s, and the skip period of the DRX long cycle is 4s.

[0123] Step 502: The network device sends PDCCH skip period information to the user terminal.

[0124] Step 503: The user terminal receives PDCCH skip period information sent by the network device.

[0125] Step 504: configure a skip period in the user terminal, where the skip period includes a first skip period.

[0126] A first skip period is configured in the user terminal. Optionally, a second skip period is configured in the user terminal.

[0127] Step 505: When the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered by expiration of the inactivity timer, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH in the first skip period.

[0128] It should be noted that if the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered by the expiration of the inactivity timer, it can be determined that the subsequent data transmission volume on the PDCCH is large, and the user terminal selects a first skip period with a shorter duration to control the PDCCH stop monitoring time; if the user terminal is in a DRX long cycle, or the DRX short cycle in which the user terminal is located is not a DRX short cycle triggered by the expiration of the inactivity timer, the user terminal selects a second skip period to control the PDCCH stop monitoring time; wherein, the first skip period is smaller than the second skip period.

[0129] Exemplarily, after receiving the GTS, if the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle triggered by the expiration of the inactivity timer, it stops monitoring the PDCCH during the first skip period; if it is in a DRX long cycle, or the DRX short cycle in which the user terminal is located is not a DRX short cycle triggered by the expiration of the inactivity timer, it stops monitoring the PDCCH during the second skip period.

[0130] It should also be noted that, as an alternative implementation method, the skipping period may be agreed upon in the communication protocol.

[0131] To sum up, the power saving method for user terminals provided in this embodiment is that the network device configures a skip period for the user terminal, and when receiving the GTS, if the user terminal is in a DRX short cycle in which the inactivity timer has expired, it is chosen to stop monitoring the PDCCH within the first skip period; that is, after the inactivity timer of the user terminal has expired, it can be determined that the amount of data transmission on the subsequent PDCCH is large, and the first skip period used is smaller than the second skip period of the DRX long cycle, thereby reducing the probability of delay in data reception while saving power for the user terminal.

[0132] In the above embodiments, the steps executed by the network device can be independently implemented as embodiments on the network device side; the steps executed by the user terminal can be independently implemented as embodiments on the user terminal side.

[0133] Fig.10 A structural block diagram of a power saving device of a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The device can be implemented as a user terminal, or implemented as a part of a user terminal. The device includes:

[0134] The first processing module 601 is configured to obtain physical downlink control channel PDCCH skip period information, the skip period information indicates a skip period; during the skip period, the user terminal skips the active time in the first discontinuous reception DRX cycle; during the skip period, the user terminal stops monitoring the PDCCH.

[0135] In some optional embodiments,

[0136] The skip period is a fixed time length;

[0137] Or, the skip period is the remaining time of the active time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle;

[0138] Or, the skip period is a time period configured by the network device;

[0139] Alternatively, the skip period is a time period agreed upon in the communication protocol.

[0140] In some optional embodiments, the skip period includes: a first skip period and / or a second skip period; wherein the first skip period is a skip period applicable to a DRX short cycle, the second skip period is a skip period applicable to a DRX long cycle, and the first skip period and the second skip period are different.

[0141] In some optional embodiments,

[0142] The first skip period is greater than the second skip period;

[0143] or, the first skip period is zero;

[0144] Alternatively, the second skip period is zero.

[0145] In some optional embodiments,

[0146] The first skip period is a skip period of a DRX short cycle triggered after the user terminal receives a media control unit MAC CE;

[0147] Or, the first skip period is a skip period of a DRX short cycle triggered after an inactivity timer of the user terminal expires.

[0148] In some optional embodiments, the skip period includes: a third skip period and / or a fourth skip period; wherein, the third skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the primary carrier PCC, the fourth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the secondary carrier SCC, and the third skip period is different from the fourth skip period.

[0149] In some optional embodiments,

[0150] The fourth skip period is greater than the third skip period;

[0151] Alternatively, the third skip period is zero.

[0152] In some optional embodiments, the skip period includes: a fifth skip period and / or a sixth skip period; wherein, the fifth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle of the FR1 frequency band DRX group, and the sixth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle of the FR2 frequency band DRX group, and the fifth skip period is different from the sixth skip period.

[0153] In some optional embodiments,

[0154] The fifth skip period is smaller than the sixth skip period;

[0155] Or, the fifth skip period is zero.

[0156] In some optional embodiments, the skip period is carried in at least one of downlink control indication signaling, radio resource control signaling, and media access control signaling.

[0157] In some optional embodiments, the first processing module 601 is further configured to determine a parameter n, where the parameter n is used to indicate that the skip period is effective for n DRX cycles after the receiving moment, the n DRX cycles including the first DRX cycle, where n is a positive integer.

[0158] In summary, the power saving device of the user terminal provided in this embodiment obtains PDCCH skip period information, and the skip period information indicates the skip period; during the skip period, the monitoring of PDCCH is stopped; wherein, during the skip period, the user terminal skips the activation time in the first DRX cycle, effectively saving the power consumption of the user terminal.

[0159] Fig.11 A structural block diagram of a power saving device of a user terminal provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The device can be implemented as a network device, or implemented as a part of a network device. The device includes:

[0160] The second processing module 701 is configured to determine physical downlink control channel PDCCH skip period information for the user terminal, where the skip period information indicates a skip period; within the skip period, the user terminal skips an active time in the first discontinuous reception DRX cycle;

[0161] The sending module 702 is configured to send PDCCH skip period information to the user terminal.

[0162] In some optional embodiments,

[0163] The skip period is a fixed time length;

[0164] Or, the skip period is the remaining time of the active time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle;

[0165] Or, the skip period is a time period configured by the network device;

[0166] Alternatively, the skip period is a time period agreed upon in the communication protocol.

[0167] In some optional embodiments, the skip period includes: a first skip period and / or a second skip period; wherein the first skip period is a skip period applicable to a DRX short cycle, the second skip period is a skip period applicable to a DRX long cycle, and the first skip period and the second skip period are different.

[0168] In some optional embodiments,

[0169] The first skip period is greater than the second skip period;

[0170] or, the first skip period is zero;

[0171] Alternatively, the second skip period is zero.

[0172] In some optional embodiments,

[0173] The skip period is used for the first skip period of the DRX short cycle triggered after the user terminal receives the MAC CE;

[0174] Or, the skip period is a first skip period of a DRX short cycle triggered after an inactivity timer of the user terminal expires.

[0175] In some optional embodiments, the skip period includes: a third skip period and / or a fourth skip period; wherein, the third skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the primary carrier PCC, the fourth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle on the secondary carrier SCC, and the third skip period is different from the fourth skip period.

[0176] In some optional embodiments,

[0177] The fourth skip period is greater than the third skip period;

[0178] Alternatively, the third skip period is zero.

[0179] In some optional embodiments, the skip period includes: a fifth skip period and / or a sixth skip period; wherein, the fifth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle of the FR1 frequency band DRX group, and the sixth skip period is a skip period applicable to the DRX cycle of the FR2 frequency band DRX group, and the fifth skip period is different from the sixth skip period.

[0180] In some optional embodiments,

[0181] The fifth skip period is smaller than the sixth skip period;

[0182] Or, the fifth skip period is zero.

[0183] In some optional embodiments, the skip period is carried in at least one of downlink control indication signaling, radio resource control signaling, and media access control signaling.

[0184] In some optional embodiments, the sending module 702 is further configured to configure parameter n to the user terminal, where parameter n is used to indicate that the skip period is effective for n DRX cycles after the receiving moment, the n DRX cycles including the first DRX cycle, where n is a positive integer.

[0185] In summary, the power saving device for the user terminal provided in this embodiment configures a skip period for the user terminal, and the skip period includes the activation time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle; controls the user terminal to stop monitoring the PDCCH during the skip period, thereby effectively saving the power consumption of the user terminal.

[0186] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device (user terminal or network device) provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication device includes: a processor 101, a receiver 102, a transmitter 103, a memory 104 and a bus 105.

[0187] The processor 101 includes one or more processing cores. The processor 101 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0188] The receiver 102 and the transmitter 103 may be implemented as a communication component, which may be a communication chip.

[0189] The memory 104 is connected to the processor 101 via a bus 105 .

[0190] The memory 104 may be used to store at least one signaling, and the processor 101 may be used to execute the at least one signaling to implement each step in the above method embodiment.

[0191] In addition, the memory 104 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof. The volatile or non-volatile storage device includes but is not limited to: a magnetic disk or an optical disk, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, and a programmable read-only memory (PROM).

[0192] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, in which at least one signaling, at least one program, a code set or a signaling set is stored. The at least one signaling, the at least one program, the code set or the signaling set is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the power saving method of the user terminal performed by the communication device provided in the above-mentioned various method embodiments.

[0193] A person skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps to implement the above embodiments may be accomplished by hardware or by signaling related hardware through a program. The program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium mentioned above may be a read-only memory, a disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0194] The above description is only an optional embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A power saving method for a user terminal, characterized in that, the method is executed by the user terminal, and the method includes: receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling sent by a network device, where the RRC signaling carries a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) skip period; receiving downlink control information sent by the network device, where the downlink control information is used to notify the user terminal to change the skip period; after receiving the downlink control information sent by the network device, selecting a first PDCCH skip period from the PDCCH skip period; during the first PDCCH skip period, stopping listening to the PDCCH; wherein, the first PDCCH skip period terminates after the activation time in a first Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle ends.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the stopping listening to the PDCCH during the first PDCCH skip period includes: during the first PDCCH skip period, skipping the activation time in the first DRX cycle.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, the first PDCCH skip period is the remaining time of the activation time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle.

4. A power saving method for a user terminal, characterized in that, the method is executed by a network device, and the method includes: sending an RRC signaling to a user terminal, where the RRC signaling carries a PDCCH skip period; sending downlink control information to the user terminal, where the downlink control information is used to notify the user terminal to change the skip period, so that the user terminal selects a first PDCCH skip period from the PDCCH skip period based on the downlink control information, and during the first PDCCH skip period, stops listening to the PDCCH; wherein, the first PDCCH skip period terminates after the activation time in a first DRX cycle ends.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the first PDCCH skip period includes the activation time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, the first PDCCH skip period is the remaining time of the activation time of the user terminal in the first DRX cycle.

7. A user terminal, characterized in that, the user terminal is configured to: receive an RRC signaling sent by a network device, where the RRC signaling carries a PDCCH skip period; receive downlink control information sent by the network device, where the downlink control information is used to notify the user terminal to change the skip period; after receiving the downlink control information sent by the network device, selecting a first PDCCH skip period from the PDCCH skip period; during the first PDCCH skip period, stopping listening to the PDCCH; wherein, the first PDCCH skip period terminates after the activation time in a first DRX cycle ends.

8. A network device, characterized in that, the network device is configured to: Send RRC signaling to the user terminal, where the PDCCH skip period is carried in the RRC signaling; Send downlink control information to the user terminal, where the downlink control information is used to notify the user terminal to change the skip period, so that the user terminal selects a first PDCCH skip period from the PDCCH skip periods based on the downlink control information, and stops monitoring the PDCCH within the first PDCCH skip period; Wherein, the first PDCCH skip period terminates after the activation time in the first DRX cycle ends.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing the executable signaling of the processor; Wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable signaling to implement the power saving method of the user terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, comprising: a processor; a transceiver connected to the processor; a memory for storing the executable signaling of the processor; Wherein, the processor is configured to load and execute the executable signaling to implement the power saving method of the user terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, the computer-readable storage medium stores executable signaling, and the executable signaling is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the power saving method of the user terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. A communication system, characterized in that, the communication system includes: a user terminal and a network device; the user terminal is used to implement the power saving method of the user terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3; the network device is used to implement the power saving method of the user terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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