A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, wherein the method includes: determining a first PH according to a first eDRX cycle, and determining a second PH according to a second eDRX cycle; wherein the first PH includes a first PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; listening for a paging opportunity PO in the first PTW and the second PTW; wherein if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first PH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle and an offset value.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. PCT / CN2021 / 071548, filed on January 13, 2021, entitled “A Communication Method and Apparatus”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In systems such as new radio (NR) systems, terminal devices in the radio resource control (RRC) idle or inactive state can periodically wake up to listen for paging messages using discontinuous reception (DRX). The period of these periodic wake-ups is called the DRX period, and the wake-up point is called the paging occasion (PO). Figure 1 As shown, the DRX cycle can include two parts: duration and opportunity for DRX. During the "OnDuration" period, at least one Point of Purchase (PO) is included. During the "Opportunity for DRX" period, no PO is included, and the terminal device is in sleep mode to save power. The terminal device performs a blind detection at the start of the PO location. If a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is detected, and the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by the PDCCH includes a paging message for itself, then it is determined that a switch to RRC connected mode is required; otherwise, it remains in RRC idle or RRC inactive mode.

[0005] In addition to DRX, terminal devices can also use the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mechanism to periodically wake up and listen for the point of origin (PO). The period of periodic wake-up can be called the eDRX period. The difference between DRX and eDRX lies in the duration of the period; the eDRX period is longer than the DRX period. Therefore, using the eDRX mechanism can increase the sleep time of the terminal device and reduce the number of periodic wake-ups, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0006] In the current discussion, multiple eDRX cycles can be configured for terminal devices, such as a first eDRX cycle and a second eDRX cycle. The terminal device can listen for paging messages initiated by the core network (CN) according to the first eDRX cycle, and listen for paging messages initiated by the radio access network (RAN) according to the second eDRX cycle.

[0007] Based on the above description, the current problem is that when the terminal device detects paging messages according to multiple eDRX cycles, it increases the power consumption of the terminal device, resulting in a reduction in the standby time of the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this application is to provide a communication method and apparatus to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices and thereby increase the standby time of terminal devices.

[0009] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a terminal device uses the eDRX mechanism to listen for a Point of Interest (PO). The method is executed by the terminal device or a module within the terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: determining a first PH based on a first eDRX cycle, and determining a second PH based on a second eDRX cycle; wherein the first PH includes a first PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; listening for the PO in the first PTW and the second PTW; wherein, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and an offset value.

[0010] In one possible implementation, determining the first paging superframe PH based on the first eDRX period includes: determining the first PH based on the first eDRX period and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period.

[0011] By implementing the method described in the first aspect, the first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the PH offset value, and the second PH is determined based on the second eDRX cycle, such that the first PH and the second PH can be the same PH. If the same method is used to determine the first PH as when determining the second PH, i.e., only the first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle, then the scenario where the first PH and the second PH are the same PH may not occur.

[0012] By implementing the method described in the first aspect, when the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the terminal device can determine the starting position of the first PTW based on the first eDRX period and offset value, thereby making the first PTW and the second PTW overlap in the time domain, which can reduce the total wake-up time required by the terminal device in the first PH and reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first PTW and the second PTW overlap in the time domain.

[0014] When the first PTW and the second PTW overlap in the time domain, some POs in the first PTW coincide with some POs in the second PTW. The two overlapping POs only need to be listened to once, which can reduce the total number of POs that the terminal device needs to listen to, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and improve the efficiency of listening to paging messages.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the offset value is the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value; wherein the second parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the second eDRX cycle; and the first parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the first eDRX cycle.

[0016] This method allows the starting position of the first PTW to coincide with the starting position of the second PTW in the first PH. In this case, the total wake-up time required by the terminal device in the first PH is minimized, the total number of POs to be monitored is minimized, and the power consumption of the terminal device is significantly reduced.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the second parameter value is used to determine the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the start position of the second PTW; the first parameter value is used to determine the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW, which is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX period.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the offset value is greater than a first threshold value and less than a second threshold value; wherein the first threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, and the second threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW; the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value are derived from the network device.

[0020] In one possible implementation, if the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle.

[0021] Secondly, this application discloses a communication method applicable to scenarios where a terminal device uses the eDRX mechanism to listen for a Page Out (PO). The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, a network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: determining a first paging superframe (PH) based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and determining a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window (PTW), and the second PH includes a second PTW; when a paging terminal device is determined, scheduling paging messages within the first PTW and / or the second PTW; wherein, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of the first PTW within the first PH is determined based on the first eDRX period and an offset value.

[0022] In one possible implementation, determining the first paging superframe PH based on the first eDRX period includes: determining the first PH based on the first eDRX period and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first PTW overlaps with the second PTW in the time domain.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the offset value is the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value; wherein the second parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the second eDRX cycle; and the first parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the first eDRX cycle.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the second parameter value is used to determine the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the start position of the second PTW; the first parameter value is used to determine the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW, which is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX period.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the offset value is greater than a first threshold value and less than a second threshold value; wherein the first threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, and the second threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW; the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value are derived from the network device.

[0028] In one possible implementation, if the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle.

[0029] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a terminal device uses the eDRX mechanism to listen for a Page Out (PO). The execution entity of this method is the terminal device or a module within the terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the execution entity for example. The method includes: determining a first paging superframe (PH) based on a first eDRX cycle; determining a second PH based on a second eDRX cycle; wherein the first PH includes a first PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; listening for the PO in the first PTW and the second PTW; wherein, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of both the first PTW and the second PTW is determined based on the first eDRX cycle value, or the starting position of both the first PTW and the second PTW is determined based on the second eDRX cycle value.

[0030] This method allows the starting position of the first PTW to coincide with the starting position of the second PTW in the first PH. In this case, the total wake-up time required by the terminal device in the first PH is minimized, the total number of POs to be monitored is minimized, and the power consumption of the terminal device is significantly reduced.

[0031] In one possible implementation, determining the first paging superframe PH based on the first eDRX period includes: determining the first PH based on the first eDRX period and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period.

[0032] In one possible implementation, if the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW is determined according to the first eDRX cycle, and the starting position of the second PTW is determined according to the second eDRX cycle.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first eDRX cycle, a second eDRX cycle, and / or an offset value from the network device.

[0034] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a terminal device uses the eDRX mechanism to listen for a Page Out (PO). The execution entity of this method is a network device or a module within a network device; here, a network device is used as the execution entity for example. The method includes: determining a first paging superframe (PH) based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and determining a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window (PTW), and the second PH includes a second PTW; when a paging terminal device is determined, scheduling paging messages within the first paging time window (PTW) and / or the second PTW; wherein, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of both the first PTW and the second PTW is determined based on the first eDRX period value, or the starting position of both the first PTW and the second PTW is determined based on the second eDRX period value.

[0035] In one possible implementation, determining the first paging superframe PH based on the first eDRX period includes: determining the first PH based on the first eDRX period and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period.

[0036] In one possible implementation, if the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW is determined according to the first eDRX cycle, and the starting position of the second PTW is determined according to the second eDRX cycle.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value are derived from the network device.

[0038] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a terminal device uses the eDRX mechanism to listen for a Page Out (PO). The execution subject of this method is the terminal device or a module within the terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the execution subject for example. The method includes: determining a first paging frame (PF) based on a paging frame offset value; the first PF and the second PF being the same PF; the first PF being a PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF being any PF within the paging time window (PTW) of the second eDRX cycle; and listening for the PO in the first PF.

[0039] This method allows the POs in the first PF to overlap with the POs in the second PF. In this case, the total number of POs that the terminal device needs to listen to is reduced, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device and improve the listening efficiency.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the paging frame offset is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is a PF determined according to the RAN paging cycle.

[0041] In one possible implementation, a paging frame offset value is received from the network device.

[0042] Sixthly, this application discloses a communication method applicable to scenarios where a terminal device uses the eDRX mechanism to listen for a Page Out (PO). The execution subject of this method is a network device or a module within a network device; here, a network device is used as the execution subject for example. The method includes: determining a first paging frame (PF) based on a paging frame offset value; the first PF and the second PF being the same PF; the first PF being a PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF being any PF within the paging time window (PTW) of the second eDRX cycle; when a paging terminal device is determined, scheduling a paging message in the first PF.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the paging frame offset is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is a PF determined according to the RAN paging cycle.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: indicating a paging frame offset value to the terminal device.

[0045] Seventhly, this application also provides a communication device having any of the methods provided in the first, third, or fifth aspects described above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the first, third, or fifth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0049] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device having any of the methods provided in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the methods provided in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0053] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the methods of any one of the first, third, or fifth aspects, and any possible implementations of any one aspect, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0054] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement functional modules of the methods in any of the second, fourth, or sixth aspects, and any possible implementations of any aspect, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0055] Eleventhly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementations of any one aspect.

[0056] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0057] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects, and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0058] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the ninth aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the tenth aspect (such as a network device). Attached Figure Description

[0059] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a DRX paging system;

[0060] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to this application;

[0061] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of eDRX paging provided in this application embodiment;

[0062] Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram of an eDRX paging method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 4(b) is a schematic diagram of an eDRX paging method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 5 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 11 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a listening device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a listening device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 14 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 16 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0076] Figure 17 A schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a first PTW and a second PTW, provided as an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0078] The embodiments of this application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, NR systems and next-generation communication systems, etc., and are not limited thereto.

[0080] In this application embodiment, the terminal device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities or a chip that can be installed in any device. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, etc.

[0081] Network equipment can be a next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR system, or an evolutionary node B (eNB) in an LTE system, etc.

[0082] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to this application. For example... Figure 2 As shown, a terminal device can connect to a network device to obtain services from an external network (such as a data network (DN)) or to communicate with other devices, such as other terminal devices.

[0083] Figure 2 In this configuration, terminal devices can be configured to RRC idle state, RRC inactive state, or RRC active state. Terminal devices in RRC idle state need to listen for paging messages from CN; terminal devices in RRC inactive state need to listen for paging messages from both CN and RAN. Paging messages from RAN (or simply RAN paging messages) are sent by access network equipment (e.g., base stations) to terminal devices within the RAN-based notification area (RNA) when they receive data or signaling that needs to be sent to the terminal device. Paging messages from CN (or simply CN paging messages) are sent by core network equipment (e.g., base stations) to terminal devices when they need to be paged.

[0084] The process of a terminal device listening for paging messages is as follows: The terminal device listens for the PDCCH at the PO and determines whether a paging message that the terminal device needs to receive exists based on the listened PDCCH. If the listened PDCCH includes downlink control information (DCI) scrambled with paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI), the terminal device receives the paging message in the PDSCH scheduled by the DCI. If it is determined that the paging message is for itself, the terminal device switches to RRC connected state; otherwise, it remains in RRC idle state or RRC inactive state.

[0085] Since RRC-inactive terminal devices need to listen to both CN paging messages and RAN paging messages, two sets of parameters can be configured for the terminal device. One set of parameters is used to listen to CN paging messages, and the other set is used to listen to RAN paging messages. Parameters for listening to CN paging messages can include information such as the eDRX period and the paging time window (PTW) window length. Parameters for listening to RAN paging messages can include information such as the eDRX period and the PTW window length; alternatively, parameters for listening to RAN paging messages can include the RAN paging period.

[0086] Assume the eDRX period corresponding to a CN paging message is denoted by T_cn, and the eDRX period corresponding to a RAN paging message is denoted by T_ran. The eDRX period corresponding to a CN paging message will have a PTW configured. For example... Figure 3 As shown, in the eDRX period T_cn corresponding to the CN paging message, outside the PTW, the terminal device enters a sleep state; inside the PTW, the terminal device listens for CN paging messages according to the period T.

[0087] For RAN paging messages, when PTW is configured, as shown in Figure 4(a), the terminal device enters a sleep state outside the PTW; inside the PTW, the terminal device listens for paging messages according to period T. When PTW is not configured, as shown in Figure 4(b), the terminal device listens for RAN paging messages according to the RAN paging cycle.

[0088] in, Figure 3 In Figure 4(a), T represents the minimum of the RAN paging message period (hereinafter referred to as the RAN paging period), the terminal device's specific paging period (if configured), and the default paging period. The default paging period is broadcast by the network device. If the RAN paging period and the specific paging period are not configured, the default paging period is used to listen for paging messages.

[0089] It should be noted that when a Paging Hyperframe (PTW) is present, the terminal device, while listening to paging messages, needs to determine the paging hyperframe (PH) that includes the PTW, and the system frame number (SFN) of the system frame in which the PTW's starting position is located. The terminal device can determine the position of the paging frame (PF) that includes the Paging Point (PO) within the PTW, and thus listen at the PO within the PF.

[0090] The PH can be determined using the following formula, and all hyper-system frame numbers (H-SFNs) that conform to this formula can be used as PHs:

[0091] H-SFN mod T eDRX,H =(UE_ID mod T) eDRX,H )···(1)

[0092] Among them, T eDRX,H It is the eDRX cycle, UE_ID is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device, and mod represents the modulo operation.

[0093] The system frame number (SFN) of the system frame in which the PTW starts satisfies the following formula:

[0094] SFN = 256*i eDRX i eDRX =floor(UE_ID / T) eDRX,H )mod 4···(2)

[0095] Floor() represents the floor operation.

[0096] The SFN of PF satisfies the following formula:

[0097] (SFN+PF_offset)mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N)···(3)

[0098] Where T is the minimum of the RAN paging period, the terminal device's specific paging period, and the default paging period.

[0099] The subscript i_s of PO satisfies the following formula:

[0100] i_s=floor(UE_ID / N)mod Ns···(4)

[0101] Here, PF_offset is used to determine the offset of the PF, which is carried by the system information block 1 (SIB1) sent by the network device, N is the total number of PFs included in the PTW, and Ns represents the number of POs included in a PF.

[0102] As described above, configuring multiple sets of parameters for a terminal device increases the number of times the terminal device needs to listen for paging messages, which increases power consumption and reduces standby time. Therefore, this application provides a method to reduce the number of times the terminal device needs to listen for paging messages, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0103] The network architecture and business scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0104] In this application, the interaction between a network device and a terminal device is used as an example for explanation. The operation performed by the network device can also be performed by a chip or module inside the network device, and the operation performed by the terminal device can also be performed by a chip or module inside the terminal device.

[0105] Based on the preceding description, such as Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 5 , the method comprising:

[0106] Optionally, S501: The network device determines the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle and the second PH according to the second eDRX cycle.

[0107] Optionally, S502: The terminal device determines the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle and determines the second PH according to the second eDRX cycle.

[0108] The first PH includes the first PTW, and the second PH includes the second PTW.

[0109] It should be noted that the terminal device can be in an RRC inactive state and can also support listening for paging messages using two eDRX cycles. The execution order of S501 and S502 is not limited; they can be executed sequentially or simultaneously.

[0110] Figure 5In the process, a first PTW is configured within the first eDRX cycle, and a second PTW is configured within the second eDRX cycle. In this embodiment, the network device can configure information such as the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle to the terminal device. For example, suppose the first eDRX cycle is used to receive RAN paging messages, and the second eDRX cycle is used to receive CN paging messages. The network device can send first configuration information to the terminal device. The first configuration information includes the first eDRX cycle, and may also include information such as the window length of the first PTW within the first eDRX cycle.

[0111] The first configuration information can be carried via RRC signaling, such as through an RRC connection release message or an RRC release message. The first configuration information may also include an offset value, which can be used to determine the starting position of the first PTW. When the network device does not configure the offset value to the terminal device, the offset value can be determined by the terminal device, or it can be determined in other ways; this embodiment is not limited to these methods.

[0112] The network device can also send second configuration information to the terminal device. This second configuration information includes the second eDRX cycle, and may also include information such as the window length of the second PTW within the second eDRX cycle. The second configuration information can be sent to the terminal device during the attach procedure or the tracking area update (TAU) procedure. For example, the second configuration information can be carried in an attach request message during the attach procedure; or it can be carried in a TAU request message during the TAU procedure.

[0113] It should be noted that, in Figure 5 In the process, the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle are based on super system frames. The first eDRX cycle includes at least one super system frame, and the second eDRX cycle includes at least one super system frame.

[0114] In this embodiment of the application, the first PH and the second PH can be determined by the preceding formula (1). For example, combining formula (1), the super system frame number H-SFN1 corresponding to the first PH can satisfy the following form:

[0115] H-SFN1 mod T 1 eDRX,H =(UE_ID mod T) 1 eDRX,H (5-1)

[0116] Among them, T 1 eDRX,H This indicates the first eDRX cycle. The UE_ID is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device. For example, if the identifier of the terminal device is the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), the UE_ID can be equal to IMSI mod 1024, where mod represents modulo operation.

[0117] Accordingly, the super system frame number H-SFN2 corresponding to the second PH can satisfy the following form:

[0118] H-SFN2 mod T 2 eDRX,H =(UE_ID mod T) 2 eDRX,H (6)

[0119] Among them, T 2 eDRX,H This indicates the second eDRX cycle.

[0120] From the above process, we can see that if the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period are equal, then the first PH and the second PH are actually the same PH; if the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period are not equal, then every fixed number of super system frames, there are two possible scenarios:

[0121] Scenario 1: The supersystem frame number corresponding to the first PH and the supersystem frame number corresponding to the second PH may be the same. That is, every fixed number of supersystem frames, the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH. The value of this fixed number can be the least common multiple of the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period.

[0122] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown, assuming the UE_ID value is 5, the first eDRX cycle is 2 super system frames, and the second eDRX cycle is 3 super system frames. Combining the above formulas (5-1) and (6), the super system frame number H-SFN1 corresponding to the first PH takes the values ​​1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, etc.; the super system frame number H-SFN2 corresponding to the second PH takes the values ​​2, 5, 8, 11, 14, etc. From the above process, it can be seen that every 6 = 2 × 3 super system frames, the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH.

[0123] Scenario 2: The super system frame number corresponding to the first PH is different from that corresponding to the second PH. In this case, an additional PH offset value can be introduced to determine the first PH. In this scenario, the first PH can be determined based on the PH offset value, the first eDRX cycle, and the identifier of the terminal device. For example, the formula used to determine the first PH can satisfy the following form:

[0124] (H-SFN1+offset PH )mod T 1 eDRX,H =(UE_ID mod T) 1 eDRX,H (5-2)

[0125] Among them, offset PH This is the pH offset value. The meanings of the other parameters are the same as in formula (5-1), and will not be repeated here.

[0126] In Scenario 2, the PH offset value is used to compensate for the interval between the first PH and the second PH, ensuring that the first PH and the second PH, determined by the PH offset value, correspond to the same supersystem frame number every fixed number of supersystem frames. This ensures that the first PTW in the first PH and the second PTW in the second PH are located within the same PH. This fixed number can be the least common multiple of the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period.

[0127] For example, such as Figure 17 As shown, assume the first eDRX period has a value of 20 super system frames, and the second eDRX period has a value of 30 super system frames. Assume the super system frame number H-SFN1 corresponding to the first PH has values ​​of 30, 50, 70, 90, 110, etc.; and the super system frame number H-SFN2 corresponding to the second PH has values ​​of 21, 51, 81, 111, 141, etc. From the above process, it can be seen that the first PTW and the second PTW can never be located within the same PH. To make the first PTW and the second PTW located within the same PH, a PH offset value of 1 can be used. PH Determine the first pH. For example... Figure 18 As shown, the super system frame number H-SFN1 corresponding to the first PH determined by the PH offset value takes the values ​​of 31, 51, 71, 91, 111, etc. Every 60 = 2 × 30 super system frames, the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH. Figure 18 In the case of super system frame numbers 51 and 111, the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH.

[0128] In this embodiment, the network side or the terminal device side can determine whether the super system frame number corresponding to the first PH and the super system frame number corresponding to the second PH might be the same based on the first eDRX period, the second eDRX period, and the UE_ID. If they might be the same, it can be considered scenario 1, i.e., it is not necessary to use the PH offset value to determine the first PH; if they might not be the same, it can be considered scenario 2, i.e., it is necessary to use the PH offset value to determine the first PH. It should be noted that in the scenario where the super system frame number corresponding to the first PH and the super system frame number corresponding to the second PH might be the same, in order to determine the position of the first PH more flexibly, the PH offset value can also be used to determine the first PH.

[0129] On the network side, PH offset value PH The determination of can be achieved in the following way:

[0130] In Method 1, when CN determines the second eDRX cycle (i.e., the IDLE eDRX cycle) and RAN determines the first eDRX cycle (i.e., the INACTIVE eDRX cycle), CN determines the PH offset value. At this time, RAN feeds back the first eDRX cycle to CN, and CN obtains the PH offset value based on the first and second eDRX cycles. PH .

[0131] In method two, when the CN determines the second eDRX cycle (i.e., the IDLE eDRX cycle) and the RAN determines the first eDRX cycle (i.e., the INACTIVE eDRX cycle), the RAN determines the PH offset value. At this time, the CN sends the second eDRX cycle to the RAN, for example, through Core Network Assistance Information for RRC INACTIVE. The RAN then obtains the PH offset value based on the first and second eDRX cycles. PH .

[0132] Method 3: When CN determines the second eDRX cycle (i.e., the IDLE eDRX cycle) and the first eDRX cycle (i.e., the INACTIVE eDRX cycle), CN determines the PH offset value. At this time, CN calculates the PH offset value based on the first and second eDRX cycles. PH .

[0133] Correspondingly, for terminal devices, the pH offset value is... PH It can be configured on the network side, meaning the network side determines the PH offset value. PHThen, the terminal device is notified via RRC signaling or NAS signaling. Alternatively, the terminal device can determine the PH offset value based on the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle. PH For details, please refer to the description above.

[0134] Specifically, the aforementioned pH offset value PH The offset value is determined based on the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period. For example, the first eDRX period and the second eDRX period can be substituted into the formula for calculating the super system frame number H-SFN corresponding to PH, i.e., formulas (5-1) and (6). After obtaining the values ​​on the right side of the equations (5-1) and (6) respectively, the difference between the two is taken as the PH offset value. PH For example, offset PH =(UE_ID mod T) 1 eDRX,H )-(UE_ID mod T 2 eDRX,H In formulas (5-1) and (6), the UE_ID can have the same value. If the UE_ID values ​​in formulas (5-1) and (6) are different, then the UE_ID in formula (5-1) can be replaced by UE_ID1, and the UE_ID in formula (6) can be replaced by UE_ID2. Both UE_ID1 and UE_ID2 can refer to the identifier of the terminal device. For example, UE_ID1 is the globally unique identifier of the terminal device, UE_ID2 is the temporary identifier of the terminal device, etc., depending on the actual situation.

[0135] For another example, in one possible implementation, the PH offset value can be the difference between the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle.

[0136] Specifically, the aforementioned pH offset value PH The value may be calculated to be 0. In this case, it can be assumed that every fixed number of super system frames, the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH, which is scenario 1.

[0137] S503: When a paging terminal device is identified, the network device schedules paging messages in the first PTW and / or the second PTW.

[0138] The specific method by which network devices determine whether paging terminal devices are needed is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, in one case, the network device determines the paging terminal device when it receives data or signaling that needs to be sent to the terminal device; in another case, the network device determines the paging terminal device when it receives a paging message from the core network side. The above are just examples, and other situations may exist, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0139] The specific method by which the network device schedules paging messages is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, when the network device determines that it needs to schedule paging messages in the first PTW, it can send a DCI scrambled with P-RNTI in the PDCCH within the PO in the first PTW. The PDSCH scheduled by this DCI includes the paging message for the paging terminal device. It should be noted that when the network device sends this DCI, it also needs to send the corresponding paging message in the PDSCH scheduled by this DCI; the specific process will not be elaborated further.

[0140] S504: The terminal device listens to the PO in the first PTW and the second PTW.

[0141] Specifically, both the first PTW and the second PTW include at least one PO. Each PO contains one or more PDCCH listening opportunities. The terminal device listens to the PDCCH listening opportunities in the PO. If the PDCCH listened to during the PDCCH listening opportunity includes a DCI scrambled with P-RNTI, then the paging message is received in the PDSCH scheduled by that DCI.

[0142] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, listening to PO can sometimes refer to listening to paging messages, and the two can have the same meaning.

[0143] Before listening to the PO at the first PTW and the second PTW, the terminal device can determine the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW. The starting positions of the first PTW and the second PTW can be determined in several ways, which are described below.

[0144] Implementation method 1:

[0145] If the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, then the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same pH. The starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and the offset value; the starting position of the second PTW in the first pH (here the first pH and the second pH are the same pH) is determined according to the second eDRX period.

[0146] For example, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the system frame number SFN1 corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW in the first PH can satisfy the following formula:

[0147] SFN1 = 256*i 1 eDRX i 1 eDRX =(floor(UE_ID / T) 1 eDRX,H )+offset)mod 4···(7)

[0148] Among them, T 1 eDRX,H This indicates the first eDRX cycle. UE_ID is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device, and offset represents the offset value.

[0149] For another example, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, SFN1 can satisfy the following formula:

[0150] SFN1 = 256*i 1 eDRX +offset, i 1 eDRX =floor(UE_ID / T) 1 eDRX,H )mod 4···(8)

[0151] It should be noted that the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW in the first PH can be determined according to the previous formula (2), which will not be repeated here.

[0152] If the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period, and the starting position of the second PTW in the second pH is determined according to the second eDRX period. Specifically, the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH and the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW in the second pH can be determined according to formula (2), which will not be elaborated here.

[0153] It should be noted that, according to the formula (2) above, since the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the PTW is determined according to the eDRX period, when the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH, the starting positions of the first PTW and the second PTW determined according to the formula (2) in the prior art are different, that is, the first PTW and the second PTW do not overlap in the time domain.

[0154] In this embodiment, the offset value is used to ensure that the first PTW and the second PTW overlap in the time domain, thereby making a portion of the PO in the first PTW coincide with a portion of the PO in the second PTW. Since the first PTW and the second PTW overlap in the time domain, the total wake-up time required by the terminal device can be reduced, thus lowering the power consumption of the terminal device. It should be noted that the terminal device is not constantly in a wake-up state within the PTW, but rather in a wake-up state at the PO location and in a sleep state outside the PO location.

[0155] In addition, since some POs in the first PTW overlap with some POs in the second PTW, the two overlapping POs only need to be listened to once, thereby reducing the total number of POs that the terminal device needs to listen to, reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, and improving the efficiency of listening to paging messages.

[0156] In this application embodiment, there may be multiple ways to implement the offset value. In the first scenario, assuming that the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW in the first PH satisfies formula (7), the offset value can be the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value. Among them, the second parameter value can be used to determine the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW, and the first parameter value can be used to determine the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW. The third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX period. The third PTW refers to the PTW determined according to the method in the prior art (e.g., according to formula (2)) when the first PTW and the second PTW are located in the same PH. It can be considered as the PTW before the offset of the first PTW.

[0157] Specifically, the second parameter value can be determined based on the terminal device's identifier and the second eDRX cycle; the first parameter value is determined based on the terminal device's identifier and the first eDRX cycle. For example, the offset value can satisfy the following formula:

[0158] offset = i 2 eDRX –i 1 eDRX ···(9)

[0159] Among them, i 1 eDRX =UE_ID mod T 1 eDRX,H Indicates the value of the first parameter, i 2 eDRX =UE_ID mod T 2 eDRX,H This indicates the value of the second parameter. T 1 eDRX,H T represents the first eDRX cycle. 2 eDRX,H This indicates the second eDRX cycle; the UE_ID is determined based on the terminal device's identifier. For example, i 1 eDRX =10, i 2 eDRX =15, and combining with formula (9), then offset =5.

[0160] Combining formulas (7) and (9), it can be seen that when the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW is equal to the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW, that is, the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW overlap.

[0161] For example, suppose UE_ID mod T 1 eDRX,H The value is 4, UE_ID mod T 2 eDRX,H The value is 6, and the window length of the first PTW is less than the window length of the second PTW. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW determined by formula (2) is 512; the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW (the PTW before the offset of the first PTW) determined by formula (2) is 0. The SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW determined by formulas (7) and (9) is 512, meaning the starting positions of the first and second PTWs overlap. Figure 7 It can be seen that without offsetting the first PTW, the wake-up time required for the terminal device is the sum of the window lengths of the first PTW and the second PTW. After offsetting the first PTW by the offset value, the wake-up time required for the terminal device is the window length of the second PTW, which is less than the sum of the window lengths of the first PTW and the second PTW, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0162] Additionally, within the first PTW and the second PTW, the terminal device can determine the PF including the PO according to formula (3), and determine the position of the PO within the PF according to formula (4), thereby enabling listening at the starting point of the PO position. Figure 7 As shown, assume that a PF contains one PO, and the interval between POs is T. Without offsetting the first PTW, the number of POs the terminal device needs to monitor is X1 + X2; X1 is the number of POs included in the first PTW, and X2 is the number of POs included in the second PTW. After offsetting the first PTW, since the starting positions of the first and second PTWs overlap, the monitoring period in both the first and second PTWs is T. Therefore, the positions of multiple POs included in the first PTW coincide with the positions of multiple POs included in the second PTW. This reduces the total number of POs the terminal device needs to monitor, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. Figure 7 In this case, the number of POs that the terminal device needs to listen to is X2, which is much smaller than X1+X2.

[0163] It should be noted that in the previous description, the starting positions of the first PTW and the second PTW overlapping are taken as an example for description. In the embodiments of the present application, the first PTW and the second PTW can also overlap in the time domain in other ways through an offset value. For example, the center positions of the first PTW and the second PTW overlap, the end positions of the first PTW and the second PTW overlap, etc. Examples will not be given one by one here.

[0164] The second scenario: In the second scenario, assuming that the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW satisfies formula (8), then the value range of the offset value can be greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold. Specifically, the value range of the offset value offset can satisfy the following form:

[0165] SFN2 - SFN END3 < offset < SFN END2 –SFN3 ···(10)

[0166] Where, SFN2 - SFN END3 represents the first threshold, SFN END2 –SFN3 represents the second threshold; SFN3 represents the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW, SFN2 represents the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW, SFN END3 represents the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, SFN END2 represents the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW.

[0167] For example, as Figure 8 shown, assuming SFN3 is 0, SFN END3 is 99; SFN2 is 512, SFN END2 is 711; then 413 < offset < 711. Assuming that the starting positions of the first PTW and the second PTW need to overlap through the offset value, the value of the offset value can be 512; assuming that the end positions of the first PTW and the second PTW need to overlap through the offset value, the value of the offset value can be 612. Other situations can be deduced by analogy and will not be elaborated here.

[0168] For another example, as Figure 9 shown, assuming SFN2 is 256, SFN END2 is 455; SFN3 is 512, SFN END3If it is 611, then -355 < offset < -57. Suppose it is necessary to make the start positions of the first PTW and the second PTW overlap through the offset value, then the offset value can be -256; suppose it is necessary to make the end positions of the first PTW and the second PTW overlap through the offset value, then the offset value can be -156. Other cases can be inferred by analogy and will not be elaborated here.

[0169] Implementation method 2:

[0170] The difference between implementation method 2 and implementation method 1 is that it is not necessary to make the first PTW and the second PTW overlap in the time domain through the offset value, and there is no need to increase the signaling overhead in implementation. The following is a detailed description.

[0171] If the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, at this time, the first PTW and the second PTW are within the same PH, and the start position of the first PTW and the start position of the second PTW are both determined according to the first eDRX cycle value, or the start position of the first PTW and the start position of the second PTW are both determined according to the second eDRX cycle value.

[0172] Specifically, in this implementation method, when the first PTW and the second PTW are within the same PH, the SFN corresponding to the start position of the first PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW can satisfy the following formula:

[0173] SFN = 256 * i eDRX , i eDRX = floor(UE_ID / T eDRX,H ) mod 4 ··· (11)

[0174] Among them, the value of T eDRX,H is the first eDRX cycle or the second eDRX cycle.

[0175] For example, suppose the value of UE_ID mod T 1 eDRX,H is 4, and the value of UE_ID mod T 2 eDRX,H is 6. As Figure 10 shown, if according to the method in the prior art, the SFN corresponding to the start position of the first PTW is equal to 0, and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW is equal to 512, and the two do not overlap. According to the method provided in this application, when the value of T eDRX,H is T 1 eDRX,H , the SFN corresponding to the start position of the first PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW are both equal to 0; or when the value of T eDRX,H is T2 eDRX,H At that time, the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW and the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW are both equal to 512.

[0176] Because the same T is used eDRX,H The starting positions of the first PTW and the second PTW are determined. Therefore, the starting positions of the first PTW and the second PTW must overlap. This can reduce the wake-up time of the terminal device and the total number of POs monitored by the terminal device while reducing signaling overhead, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0177] It should be noted that in another case, if the first pH and the second pH are different pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle, and the starting position of the second PTW in the second pH is determined according to the second eDRX cycle. Specifically, the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH and the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW in the second pH can be determined according to formula (2), which will not be elaborated here.

[0178] In this embodiment of the application, when listening to RAN paging messages, PTW may not be configured. In this case, the terminal device listens to paging messages according to the scheme shown in Figure 4(b) with the RAN paging cycle, which will be described in detail below.

[0179] like Figure 11 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0180] Figure 11 In the process, the RAN paging cycle is used to receive RAN paging messages, and the second eDRX cycle is used to receive CN paging messages. While listening for RAN paging messages, the terminal device listens for paging messages according to the RAN paging cycle. While listening for CN paging messages, outside the second PTW within the second eDRX cycle, the terminal device enters a sleep state; within the second PTW, the terminal device listens for paging messages according to cycle T. See also... Figure 11 , the method comprising:

[0181] Optionally, S1101: The network device determines the first PF based on the paging frame offset value.

[0182] Optionally, S1102: The terminal device determines the first PF based on the paging frame offset value.

[0183] In this context, the first PF and the second PF are the same PF; the first PF is the PF located in the RAN paging cycle, and the second PF is any PF in the PTW of the second eDRX cycle. The execution order of S1101 and S1102 is not limited; they can be executed sequentially or simultaneously.

[0184] It should be noted that "the first PF and the second PF are the same" means that the system frame number of the first PF is the same as that of the second PF. The terminal device can be in an RRC inactive state.

[0185] It should be noted that prior to S1101, network devices could configure information such as the RAN paging cycle and the second eDRX cycle for terminal devices. For example, a network device could send first configuration information to a terminal device, which included information such as the RAN paging cycle.

[0186] The first configuration information can be carried through an RRC connection release message or an RRC release message. The first configuration information may also include a paging frame offset value. When the network device does not configure the paging frame offset value for the terminal device, the paging frame offset value can be determined by the terminal device, or it can be determined in other ways; this embodiment of the application is not limited to this.

[0187] The network device can also send second configuration information to the terminal device, which includes the second eDRX cycle. The second configuration information may also indicate other information, such as the window length of the second PTW in the second eDRX cycle. The second configuration information can be carried through the attach request message during the attach process; or it can be carried through the TAU request message during the TAU process.

[0188] As described above, a RAN paging cycle includes one PF; the second PTW of the second eDRX cycle includes multiple PFs, with an interval of T between adjacent PFs. T is the minimum value among the RAN paging cycle, the terminal device's specific paging cycle, and the default paging cycle.

[0189] It should be noted that the number of POs included in a PF within a RAN paging cycle is the same as the number of POs included in a PF within the second eDRX cycle, both being Ns, where Ns is an integer greater than 0.

[0190] In this embodiment, the paging frame offset value is used to compensate for the interval between the PF in the RAN paging cycle and the PF in the second eDRX cycle, so that the PF in the RAN paging cycle and the PF in the second eDRX cycle coincide, thereby reducing the total number of POs that the terminal device needs to listen to in the PF, reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, and improving the efficiency of listening to paging messages.

[0191] The specific implementation of the paging frame offset value is not limited in the embodiments of this application. One possible implementation is that the paging frame offset value is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is the PF determined according to the first eDRX period. The third PF may refer to the PF before the position offset of the first PF is performed according to the paging frame offset value.

[0192] For example, the paging frame offset value PF_offset1 can satisfy the following formula:

[0193] PF_offset1 = SFN 2 -SFN 3 ···(12)

[0194] Among them, SFN 2 Indicates the system frame number of the second PF, SFN 3 This indicates the system frame number of the third PF.

[0195] The system frame number of the second PF can satisfy the following form:

[0196] (SFN 2 +PF_offset)mod T=(T div N1)*(UE_ID mod N1)···(13)

[0197] The system frame number of the third PF can satisfy the following form:

[0198] (SFN 3 +PF_offset)mod T_rp=(T_rp div N2)*(UE_ID mod N2)···(14)

[0199] Wherein, PF_offset is used to determine the offset of the PF, T_rp represents the RAN paging period, N1 represents the total number of PFs included in the second eDRX period, N2 represents the total number of PFs included in period T, and UE_ID is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device. In this embodiment, the network device can send SIB1 to the terminal device, and SIB1 includes parameters such as PF_offset, N1, and N2.

[0200] Combining the previous examples, the system frame number SFN of the first PF 1 It can meet the following requirements:

[0201] (SFN 1 +PF_offset+PF_offset1)mod T_rp=(T_rp div N2)*(UE_ID modN2)···(15)

[0202] Here, PF_offset1 represents the paging frame offset value.

[0203] For example, such as Figure 12 The diagram illustrates the relationship between the positions of the third PF and the second PF, determined according to methods in the prior art. In the embodiments of this application, as shown... Figure 13 As shown, the interval between the third PF and the second PF can be used as the paging offset value to offset the third PF so that the first PF (the offset third PF) coincides with the second PF, thereby reducing the total number of POs that the terminal device needs to listen to in the PF and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0204] It should be noted that the positions of PO in the first PF and the second PF can be determined according to the previous formula (4), which will not be repeated here.

[0205] S1103: When the paging terminal device is determined, the network device schedules the paging message in the first PF.

[0206] S1104: The terminal device listens to the PO in the first PF.

[0207] The specific processes of S1103 and S1104 can be referred to the previous descriptions, and will not be repeated here.

[0208] Through the above process, the paging frame offset value is used to make the first PF in the RAN paging cycle coincide with the second PF in the second eDRX cycle, thereby reducing the number of PFs that the terminal device needs to listen to, reducing the total number of POs that need to be listened to, reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, and improving the efficiency of listening to paging messages.

[0209] In existing networks, for non-narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) terminal devices, eDRX mode can only be used if the device is configured with eDRX and the network supports eDRX. In eDRX mode, the minimum eDRX period is 5.12 seconds. When the eDRX period is configured to 5.12 seconds, the terminal device listens for a Point of Interest (PO) every 5.12 seconds. The SFN (Special Function Network) where the PO is located satisfies the following formula, where T = 5.12 seconds.

[0210] (SFN+PF_offset)mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N)···(16)

[0211] Since the minimum eDRX period is 5.12s, when the terminal device is in eDRX mode, it may not be able to receive the emergency broadcast service message within the specified time (e.g., 4s). Therefore, this application can provide a method to solve this problem.

[0212] In this embodiment, an eDRX period of less than 5.12s is introduced. The value of the eDRX period of less than 5.12s can be 2.56s, etc., and this embodiment is not limited.

[0213] For ease of description, eDRX periods shorter than 5.12s will be referred to as mini periods, for example, mini period = 2.56s.

[0214] like Figure 14 As shown, the method includes:

[0215] S1401: Network device sends periodic indication information.

[0216] The period indication information indicates the eDRX period configuration supported by the network device, wherein the eDRX period configuration supported by the network device includes at least an eDRX period of less than 5.12s, such as supporting an eDRX period of 2.56s.

[0217] Network devices can send periodic indication information via broadcast or unicast.

[0218] S1402: The terminal device sends a request message to the network device, which requests the configuration of an eDRX period of less than 5.12s.

[0219] The request message can be non-access stratum (NAS) signaling. When the terminal device supports eDRX and requests to use eDRX, it can use NAS signaling to request that the eDRX period be configured to be less than 5.12s, for example, requesting that the eDRX period be configured to be 2.56s.

[0220] For example, NAS signaling can be a registration request message, in which the eDRX period of the request is added and set to 2.56s.

[0221] It should be noted that if the network device does not send period indication information, or does not indicate to the terminal device that its supported eDRX period configuration includes an eDRX period of less than 5.12s, then the minimum value of the eDRX period that the terminal device requests to configure is 5.12s.

[0222] This method enables terminal devices to achieve longer sleep power savings compared to DRX cycles, while also supporting the reception of emergency broadcast services.

[0223] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, network devices or terminal devices may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0224] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0225] Similar to the above concept, such as Figure 15 As shown, this application embodiment also provides an apparatus 1500 for implementing the functions of the network device or terminal device in the above method. For example, the apparatus can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The apparatus 1500 may include: a processing unit 1501 and a communication unit 1502.

[0226] In this embodiment of the application, the communication unit may also be called a transceiver unit, which may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0227] The following, combined with Figures 15 to 16 This application provides a detailed description of the communication device provided in its embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail here will be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0228] A communication unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver unit. A processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in communication unit 1502 that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in communication unit 1502 that implements the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, communication unit 1502 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver circuit. A receiving unit can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. A transmitting unit can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0229] Communication device 1500 performs the above embodiment Figure 5 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows:

[0230] The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging superframe PH based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and to determine a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW;

[0231] A communication unit is used to listen to the PO in the first PTW and the second PTW;

[0232] Wherein, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and offset value. Alternatively, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting positions of both the first PTW and the second PTW are determined according to the first eDRX period value, or the starting positions of both the first PTW and the second PTW are determined according to the second eDRX period value.

[0233] Communication device 1500 performs the above embodiment Figure 5 The function of the network device in the process shown is as follows:

[0234] The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging superframe PH based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and to determine a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW;

[0235] The communication unit is used to schedule paging messages within the first PTW and / or the second PTW when a paging terminal device is determined;

[0236] Wherein, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and offset value. Alternatively, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting positions of both the first PTW and the second PTW are determined according to the first eDRX period value, or the starting positions of both the first PTW and the second PTW are determined according to the second eDRX period value.

[0237] Communication device 1500 performs the above embodiment Figure 11 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows:

[0238] The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging frame (PF) based on the paging frame offset value; the first PF and the second PF are the same PF; the first PF is a PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF is any PF in the paging time window (PTW) of the second eDRX cycle; the communication unit is configured to listen for the PO in the first PF.

[0239] Communication device 1500 performs the above embodiment Figure 11 The function of the network device in the process shown is as follows:

[0240] The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging frame (PF) based on the paging frame offset value; the first PF and the second PF are the same PF; the first PF is a PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF is any PF in the paging time window (PTW) of the second eDRX cycle; the communication unit is configured to schedule paging messages in the first PF when a paging terminal device is determined.

[0241] The above is just an example. Processing unit 1501 and communication unit 1502 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 5 to 11 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not repeated here.

[0242] like Figure 16 The image shown is of the apparatus 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 16 The device shown can be Figure 15 The illustrated device represents one hardware circuit implementation. This communication device can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments described. For ease of explanation, Figure 16 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0243] like Figure 16As shown, the communication device 1600 includes a processor 1610 and an interface circuit 1620. The processor 1610 and the interface circuit 1620 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1620 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1600 may also include a memory 1630 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1610, or storing input data required by the processor 1610 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1610 executes instructions.

[0244] When the communication device 1600 is used to implement Figures 3 to 6 In the method shown, the processor 1610 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1501, and the interface circuit 1620 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 1502.

[0245] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal device, the information being sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0246] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent from the network device to the terminal device.

[0247] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0248] In embodiments of this application, the processor may be a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, portable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a network device or terminal device. The processor and storage medium may also exist as discrete components in a network device or terminal device.

[0249] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0250] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0251] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0252] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device and includes: The first paging superframe PH is determined according to the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and the second PH is determined according to the second eDRX period; wherein, the first PH includes the first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes the second PTW; Listen for paging opportunity (PO) in the first PTW and the second PTW; If the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and offset value.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first PTW overlaps with the second PTW in the time domain.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The offset value is the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value; The second parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the second eDRX cycle; the first parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the first eDRX cycle.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second parameter value is used to determine the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW; The first parameter value is used to determine the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW, wherein the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The offset value is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value; Wherein, the first threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, and the second threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW; the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value are from the network device.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The step of determining the first paging superframe PH based on the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period includes: The first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to network devices, including: The first paging superframe PH is determined according to the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and the second PH is determined according to the second eDRX period; wherein, the first PH includes the first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes the second PTW; When a paging terminal device is identified, paging messages are scheduled within the first PTW and / or the second PTW; If the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and offset value.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first PTW overlaps with the second PTW in the time domain.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The offset value is the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value; The second parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the second eDRX cycle; the first parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the first eDRX cycle.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second parameter value is used to determine the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW; The first parameter value is used to determine the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW, wherein the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

13. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The offset value is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value; Wherein, the first threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, and the second threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW; the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

14. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value originate from the network device.

15. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle.

16. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The step of determining the first paging superframe PH based on the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period includes: The first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device and includes: The first paging superframe PH is determined according to the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and the second PH is determined according to the second eDRX period; wherein, the first PH includes the first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes the second PTW; Listen for paging timing PO in the first PTW and the second PTW; wherein, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the first eDRX cycle value, or the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the second eDRX cycle value.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to network devices, including: The first paging superframe PH is determined according to the first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and the second PH is determined according to the second eDRX period; wherein, the first PH includes the first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes the second PTW; When a paging terminal device is identified, paging messages are scheduled within the first paging time window (PTW) and / or the second PTW. Wherein, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the first eDRX period value, or the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the second eDRX period value.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a terminal device and includes: The first paging frame PF is determined based on the paging frame offset value; The first PF and the second PF are the same PF; the first PF is the PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF is any PF in the paging time window PTW of the second eDRX cycle; Listen for paging opportunities (PO) in the first PF.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The paging frame offset value is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is a PF determined according to the RAN paging cycle.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to network devices, including: The first paging frame PF is determined based on the paging frame offset value; The first PF and the second PF are the same PF; the first PF is the PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF is any PF in the paging time window PTW of the second eDRX cycle; When a paging terminal device is identified, the paging message is scheduled in the first PF.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The paging frame offset value is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is a PF determined according to the RAN paging cycle.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging superframe PH based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and to determine a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; A communication unit is used to listen for paging opportunity PO in the first PTW and the second PTW; If the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and offset value.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first PTW overlaps with the second PTW in the time domain.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The offset value is the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value; The second parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the second eDRX cycle; the first parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the first eDRX cycle.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that, The second parameter value is used to determine the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW; The first parameter value is used to determine the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW, wherein the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The offset value is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value; Wherein, the first threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, and the second threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW; the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

28. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value are from the network device.

29. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, If the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle.

30. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The processing unit is specifically used for: The first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging superframe PH based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and to determine a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; The communication unit is used to schedule paging messages within the first PTW and / or the second PTW when a paging terminal device is determined; If the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX period and offset value.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that, The first PTW overlaps with the second PTW in the time domain.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The offset value is the difference between the second parameter value and the first parameter value; The second parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the second eDRX cycle; the first parameter value is determined based on the identifier of the terminal device and the first eDRX cycle.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, characterized in that, The second parameter value is used to determine the system frame number (SFN) corresponding to the starting position of the second PTW; The first parameter value is used to determine the SFN corresponding to the starting position of the third PTW, wherein the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

35. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The offset value is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value; Wherein, the first threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the start position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the end position of the third PTW, and the second threshold value is the difference between the SFN corresponding to the end position of the second PTW and the SFN corresponding to the start position of the third PTW; the third PTW is the PTW determined in the first PH according to the first eDRX cycle.

36. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The first eDRX cycle, the second eDRX cycle, and / or the offset value originate from the device.

37. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that, If the first pH and the second pH are different pH values, the starting position of the first PTW in the first pH is determined according to the first eDRX cycle.

38. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The processing unit is specifically used for: The first PH is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the PH offset value, wherein the PH offset value is determined based on the first eDRX cycle and the second eDRX cycle.

39. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging superframe PH based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and to determine a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; A communication unit is used to listen for paging opportunity PO in the first PTW and the second PTW; wherein, if the first PH and the second PH are the same PH, the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the first eDRX period value, or the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the second eDRX period value.

40. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is configured to determine a first paging superframe PH based on a first extended discontinuous reception eDRX period, and to determine a second PH based on a second eDRX period; wherein the first PH includes a first paging time window PTW, and the second PH includes a second PTW; The communication unit is used to schedule paging messages within the first paging time window (PTW) and / or the second PTW when a paging terminal device is determined. Wherein, if the first pH and the second pH are the same pH, the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the first eDRX period value, or the starting position of the first PTW and the starting position of the second PTW are both determined according to the second eDRX period value.

41. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is used to determine the first paging frame PF based on the paging frame offset value; The first PF and the second PF are the same PF; The first PF is a PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF is any PF in the paging time window PTW of the second eDRX cycle; A communication unit is used to listen for paging opportunities (PO) in the first PF.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that, The paging frame offset value is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is a PF determined according to the RAN paging cycle.

43. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is used to determine the first paging frame PF based on the paging frame offset value; The first PF and the second PF are the same PF; The first PF is a PF located in the paging cycle of the Radio Access Network (RAN), and the second PF is any PF in the paging time window PTW of the second eDRX cycle; A communication unit is used to schedule paging messages in the first PF when a paging terminal device is determined.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that, The paging frame offset value is the difference between the frame number of the second PF and the frame number of the third PF; the third PF is a PF determined according to the RAN paging cycle.

45. A communication device, characterized in that, Including processor and memory: The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the processor executes the computer program or instructions, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 22 is performed.

46. ​​A chip, characterized in that, The method includes a processor coupled to a memory for executing a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the processor executes the computer program or instructions, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 22 is performed.

47. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer stores instructions that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

48. A computer program product, characterized in that, The device stores computer-readable instructions, which, when read and executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22.

Images