Synchronization method and device

Abstract

A synchronization method and apparatus, the synchronization method comprising: monitoring first downlink control information (DCI), the first DCI being used for uplink synchronization; and performing uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI. By adopting the scheme, the terminal equipment without GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) capability can be synchronized with the network equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a synchronization method and device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3 rd In the non-terrestrial network (NTN) scenario of the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) version (release) 17, terminal devices with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) capabilities usually obtain their own location information based on GNSS measurements, and calculate the round trip time (RTT) of the service link based on the location information and ephemeris information, and perform timing advance (TA) compensation and frequency compensation to maintain uplink synchronization with network devices.

[0003] However, for terminal devices without GNSS capabilities (non-GNSS UE), it is impossible to obtain GNSS information, and thus it is impossible to calculate the RTT of the service link, and it is impossible to use traditional technologies to achieve uplink synchronization with network devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a synchronization method and apparatus to enable a terminal device without GNSS capability to maintain uplink synchronization with a network device.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a synchronization method, including: monitoring first downlink control information DCI, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization; and performing uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI.

[0006] In the embodiment of the present application, the first DCI indicates information for uplink synchronization, so that the terminal device can adjust the uplink synchronization based on the first DCI without acquiring GNSS information. Therefore, it is helpful for the terminal device without GNSS capability to achieve uplink synchronization with the network device.

[0007] Optionally, the terminal device monitors the first DCI in a non-continuous DRX cycle, where the DRX cycle includes a DRX activation period and a DRX sleep period.

[0008] The terminal device can monitor the first DCI during the DRX activation period and the DRX sleep period. Since the terminal device can receive the DCI for uplink synchronization during the entire DRX cycle, the terminal device can perform uplink synchronization adjustment during the entire DRX cycle and maintain synchronization with the network device during the entire DRX cycle. On the basis of the existing protocol, the behavior of the terminal device monitoring DCI during the DRX sleep period is added, and the protocol changes are relatively small.

[0009] Optionally, the terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX sleep period.

[0010] The terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX sleep period, performs uplink synchronization adjustment based on the first DCI, and can still maintain synchronization with the network device during the DRX sleep period.

[0011] Optionally, the first DCI includes DCI scrambled by a first wireless network temporary identifier RNTI, and the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group or a terminal device.

[0012] For example, the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group, and the first DCI can be used for uplink synchronization of multiple terminal devices in the terminal device group, thereby reducing the overhead of the network device. For example, for a terminal device, the terminal device monitors the first DCI, the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization of the first terminal device group, and the terminal device belongs to the first terminal device group, then the terminal device can perform uplink synchronization adjustment based on the first DCI.

[0013] Optionally, the first RNTI includes a newly defined RNTI or a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI.

[0014] The newly defined RNTI is different from the RNTI defined in the existing protocol. For example, the value of the newly defined RNTI is different from the value of the C-RNTI.

[0015] For example, the newly defined RNTI may be referred to as SYN-RNTI (synchronous RNTI), and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the name of the newly defined RNTI.

[0016] The DCI is encrypted with the newly defined RNTI to obtain the first DCI. Specifically, the DCI encrypted with the newly defined RNTI is only used to indicate uplink synchronization, not to indicate scheduling information. When the terminal device monitors the DCI encrypted with the newly defined RNTI and successfully descrambles it, it can determine that the DCI is the first DCI, and then perform uplink synchronization adjustment.

[0017] Optionally, the first DCI includes timing advance information. Alternatively, the first DCI includes frequency adjustment information. Alternatively, the first DCI includes timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0018] Specifically, the terminal device can perform time synchronization adjustment based on the timing advance information. The terminal device can perform frequency synchronization adjustment based on the frequency adjustment information. Thus, the terminal device can maintain uplink synchronization with the network device based on the first DCI.

[0019] Optionally, further, the terminal device may also monitor a second DCI during the DRX activation period, where the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization and is different from the first DCI.

[0020] The terminal device monitors the second DCI during the DRX activation period, performs uplink synchronization adjustment, and maintains uplink synchronization with the network device during the DRX activation period.

[0021] Optionally, the second DCI includes DCI scrambled by a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI.

[0022] Specifically, the second DCI is obtained by scrambling the C-RNTI, which is compatible with the existing protocol while maintaining uplink synchronization with the network device, and has little modification to the existing protocol.

[0023] Optionally, the monitoring period of the first DCI is not less than the monitoring period of the second DCI.

[0024] The monitoring period of the terminal device during the DRX sleep period is not less than the monitoring period during the DRX activation period. That is to say, during the DRX activation period, the terminal device monitors the second DCI more frequently; during the DRX sleep period, the terminal device monitors the first DCI at a relatively low frequency, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device during the DRX sleep period.

[0025] Optionally, the terminal device monitors the DCI, and determines whether the DCI is the first DCI based on the frequency domain resource allocation domain of the DCI.

[0026] When a terminal device monitors DCI, it can determine whether the DCI is used to indicate uplink synchronization based on the frequency domain resource allocation field of the DCI.

[0027] Optionally, the terminal device listens to the first DCI in the search space.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present application provides another synchronization method, including: sending first downlink control information DCI, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device sends a first DCI for uplink synchronization, and indicates information for uplink synchronization through the first DCI. The terminal device obtains the first DCI and performs uplink synchronization adjustment based on the first DCI. This helps the terminal device without GNSS capability to achieve uplink synchronization with the network device.

[0030] Optionally, the network device sends the first DCI during a DRX activation period and a DRX sleep period.

[0031] The network device sends the first DCI during the DRX activation period and the DRX dormancy period, and the terminal device can monitor the first DCI during the DRX activation period and the DRX dormancy period. Therefore, the terminal device can perform uplink synchronization adjustment throughout the DRX cycle and maintain synchronization with the network device throughout the DRX cycle.

[0032] Optionally, the network device sends the first DCI during the DRX sleep period.

[0033] The network device sends the first DCI during the DRX sleep period. The terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX sleep period and performs uplink synchronization adjustment based on the first DCI. Thus, the terminal device can still maintain synchronization with the network device during the DRX sleep period.

[0034] Optionally, the first DCI includes DCI scrambled by a first wireless network temporary identifier RNTI, and the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group or a terminal device.

[0035] For example, the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group, and the first DCI can be used for uplink synchronization of multiple terminal devices in the terminal device group, thereby reducing the overhead of the network device. For example, for a terminal device, the terminal device monitors the first DCI, the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization of the first terminal device group, and the terminal device belongs to the first terminal device group, then the terminal device can perform uplink synchronization adjustment based on the first DCI.

[0036] The first RNTI is used to identify the terminal device group. The network device can indicate uplink synchronization of multiple terminal devices in the terminal device group through the first DCI, without sending the first DCI to each terminal device in the terminal device group, thereby reducing power consumption of the network device.

[0037] Optionally, the first RNTI includes a newly defined RNTI or a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI.

[0038] Specifically, the newly defined RNTI is different from the RNTI defined in the existing protocol. For example, the value of the newly defined RNTI is different from the C-RNTI defined in the existing protocol.

[0039] To provide a specific example, the newly defined RNTI may be named SYN-RNTI (synchronous RNTI). It is understandable that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific name of the newly defined RNTI.

[0040] The DCI encrypted with the newly defined RNTI is only used to indicate uplink synchronization, not scheduling information. When the terminal device monitors the DCI encrypted with the newly defined RNTI and successfully descrambles it, it can determine that the DCI is the first DCI, and then perform uplink synchronization adjustment.

[0041] Optionally, the first DCI includes timing advance information. Alternatively, the first DCI includes frequency adjustment information. Alternatively, the first DCI includes timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0042] Specifically, the network device may send timing advance information to the terminal device through the first DCI, so that the terminal device performs time synchronization adjustment. The network device may also send frequency adjustment information to the terminal device through the first DCI, so that the terminal device performs frequency synchronization adjustment. Thus, the terminal device can maintain uplink synchronization with the network device based on the first DCI.

[0043] Optionally, the network device sends a second DCI during the DRX activation period, where the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization and is different from the first DCI.

[0044] The network device sends the second DCI during the DRX activation period. The terminal device monitors the second DCI during the DRX activation period, performs uplink synchronization adjustment, and maintains synchronization with the network device during the DRX activation period.

[0045] Optionally, the second DCI includes DCI scrambled by a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI.

[0046] Specifically, the second DCI is obtained by scrambling the C-RNTI defined in the existing protocol, which can be compatible with the existing protocol while maintaining uplink synchronization with the network device, and the modification of the existing protocol is relatively small.

[0047] Optionally, the monitoring period of the first DCI is not less than the monitoring period of the second DCI.

[0048] During the DRX activation period, the terminal device monitors the second DCI more frequently; during the DRX sleep period, the terminal device monitors the first DCI at a relatively low frequency, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device during the DRX sleep period.

[0049] Optionally, the network device sends a first DCI in the search space.

[0050] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of any of the above-mentioned synchronization methods are executed.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a device, including: a communication unit, configured to monitor a first DCI, wherein the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization adjustment; and a processing unit, configured to de-interlace the first DCI received by the communication unit, and perform uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides another device, including: a sending unit, configured to send first downlink control information DCI, wherein the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization.

[0053] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides another device, including a memory and a processor, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory, and when the processor runs the computer program, any one of the synchronization methods described above is executed.

[0054] For example, the device may be a chip or a chip module, or may be a device, etc., which is not limited. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a synchronization method in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an existing DRX cycle;

[0057] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring period distribution of a DCI in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 4 This is another DCI monitoring period distribution diagram in the embodiment of the present application.

[0059] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of a synchronization device in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] The terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application is a device with a wireless communication function, which may also be referred to as a terminal, a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), an access terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, an industrial control terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent or a UE device, etc. The UE may be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the UE may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. Exemplarily, the UE may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an all-in-one computer, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a virtual reality (VR) UE, an augmented reality (AR) UE, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a UE in a future mobile communication network, or a UE in a future evolved public mobile land network (PLMN), etc. In some embodiments of the present application, the UE may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system, wherein the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device, and can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, or an access network element, an access network device, etc. Among them, the network device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. For example, the network device includes but is not limited to: a next generation base station (generation nodeB, gNB) in 5G, an evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a node B (node ​​B, NB), a base station controller (basestation controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (for example, home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (baseband unit, BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), a transmitting point (transmitting point, TP), a mobile switching center, etc. The network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a terminal device, a wearable device, and a network device in future mobile communications or a network device in a future evolving PLMN. In some embodiments, the network device may also be a device having a wireless communication function for a terminal device, such as a chip system. For example, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0063] In some embodiments, the network device may also communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0064] The present application embodiment provides a synchronization method, referring to Figure 1 , the following is a detailed description through specific steps.

[0065] In a specific implementation, the synchronization method described in the following steps 101 to 102 can be executed by a chip with a data processing function in a terminal device, or by a chip module with a data processing function in a terminal device, or by a terminal device. The following description is made by taking the synchronization method described in the following steps 101 to 102 executed by a terminal device as an example.

[0066] Step 101: monitor first downlink control information DCI.

[0067] In some specific implementations, the terminal device accesses the network device and initiates a random access process. After completing the random access process, the terminal device enters a radio resource control (RRC) connected state (RRC-connected). When the terminal device is in the RRC connected state, it maintains synchronization with the network device.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may be a device without GNSS capability, in other words, the terminal device cannot implement the GNSS positioning function. For example, the terminal device does not include a GNSS module. Or, the GNSS module of the terminal device cannot be used normally.

[0069] It is understandable that the terminal device may also be a device with GNSS capabilities. If the terminal device is a device with GNSS capabilities, the terminal device may use the synchronization method provided in this application to perform uplink synchronization with the network device. Alternatively, the terminal device may also use the synchronization method provided in the prior art to perform uplink synchronization with the network device, such as: the terminal device obtains its own location information based on GNSS measurement, calculates the RTT of the service link based on the location information and ephemeris information, performs timing advance compensation and frequency compensation, and maintains uplink synchronization with the network device.

[0070] In an embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device may indicate relevant information about uplink synchronization to the terminal device.

[0071] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device may send first downlink control information (Downlink Control Information, DCI), and the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization. Specifically, the first DCI may include information for uplink synchronization. Accordingly, the terminal device may monitor the first DCI and obtain information for uplink synchronization therefrom.

[0072] Step 102: perform uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI, or perform uplink synchronization according to the first DCI.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present application, after the terminal device obtains the information for uplink synchronization from the first DCI, it can perform uplink synchronization adjustment based on the obtained information for uplink synchronization to maintain uplink synchronization with the network device.

[0074] In a specific implementation, the first DCI may include timing advance information (TA). Alternatively, the first DCI may include frequency adjustment information. Alternatively, the first DCI may include timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0075] For example, the first DCI includes timing advance information. The terminal device can obtain the timing advance information from the first DCI, and maintain time synchronization with the network device based on the timing advance information.

[0076] In a specific implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the first DCI may include a time indication field, and the value of the time indication field may be used to indicate the timing advance information. The terminal device receives the first DCI, reads the value of the time indication field from the first DCI, and thereby determines the timing advance information.

[0077] For another example, the first DCI includes frequency adjustment information. The terminal device obtains the frequency adjustment information from the first DCI, and maintains frequency synchronization with the network device based on the frequency adjustment information.

[0078] In a specific implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the first DCI may include a frequency indication field, and the value of the frequency indication field may be used to indicate the frequency adjustment information. The terminal device receives the first DCI, reads the value of the frequency indication field from the first DCI, and thereby determines the frequency adjustment information.

[0079] For another example, the first DCI includes timing advance information and frequency adjustment information. The terminal device obtains the timing advance information and frequency adjustment information from the first DCI, and maintains time synchronization and frequency synchronization with the network device based on the timing advance information and the frequency adjustment information. In a specific implementation of an embodiment of the present application, the first DCI may include a time indication field and a frequency indication field, the value of the time indication field can be used to indicate the timing advance information, and the value of the frequency indication field is used to indicate the frequency adjustment information. The terminal device receives the first DCI, and obtains the value of the time indication field to determine the timing advance information, and obtains the value of the frequency indication field to determine the frequency adjustment information.

[0080] Therefore, the first DCI for uplink synchronization is sent down by the network device, and the terminal device performs uplink synchronization adjustment based on the monitored first DCI to maintain synchronization with the network device.

[0081] In some embodiments of the present application, the network device may send the first DCI in a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device may monitor the first DCI in the DRX cycle.

[0082] In a specific implementation, the DRX cycle may include a DRX activation period (On duration) and a DRX sleep period (DRX-OFF). That is, the terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX activation period and the DRX sleep period.

[0083] Reference Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of an existing DRX cycle is given. In specific applications, the duration of the DRX cycle, the duration of the DRX activation period, the duration of the DRX dormancy period, etc. can be set according to different application scenarios.

[0084] In an embodiment of the present application, the first DCI may be a DCI scrambled by a first radio network temporary identity (Radio Network Temporary Identity, RNTI). The first RNTI may be used to identify a terminal device, or may be used to identify a terminal device group. If the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group, the terminal device group includes at least one terminal device.

[0085] In a specific implementation, the first RNTI may continue to use the RNTI defined in the existing protocol, for example, the first RNTI may continue to use the RNTI defined in the R17 version.

[0086] Specifically, the first RNTI can be the cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI) corresponding to the terminal device, or the configured scheduling (CS) RNTI, or the semi-static (SP) channel state information (Channel State Information, CSI) RNTI, or the modulation and coding (MSC) RNTI.

[0087] In the embodiment of the present application, the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization. To distinguish it from the DCI used for scheduling, the network device may specially set the value of the frequency domain resource assignment field of the first DCI to indicate that the DCI is used for uplink synchronization rather than scheduling.

[0088] In a specific implementation, the frequency domain resource allocation domain of the first DCI can be set to all 0s or all 1s. The terminal device monitors the DCI and obtains the value of the frequency domain resource allocation domain of the DCI. If it is detected that the value of the frequency domain resource allocation domain of the DCI is all 0s or all 1s, the DCI is determined to be the first DCI for uplink synchronization; otherwise, the DCI is determined to be a DCI for scheduling.

[0089] In a specific implementation, the first RNTI may also be a newly defined RNTI. The newly defined RNTI may be used to identify different terminal devices, or may be used to identify different terminal device groups. The newly defined RNTI may be different from the RNTI defined in the existing protocol, and is a brand new RNTI.

[0090] For example, the value of the newly defined RNTI may be different from the value of the C-RNTI, and also different from the values ​​of the above-mentioned CS-RNTI, SP-CSI-RNTI, and MCS-RNTI.

[0091] The newly defined RNTI is used to scramble the DCI to obtain the first DCI, and the first DCI is only used to indicate uplink synchronization information and may not be used to indicate scheduling information.

[0092] In other words, if the terminal device monitors the DCI encrypted with the newly defined RNTI and successfully descrambles it, it can be determined that the DCI is used to indicate uplink synchronization information, but not to indicate scheduling information.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present application, the network device sends a first DCI during the DRX sleep period, and the first DCI can be encrypted using C-RNTI or a newly defined RNTI. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX sleep period, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI, thereby maintaining synchronization with the network device during the DRX sleep period.

[0094] Alternatively, in some other embodiments of the present application, the network device sends a first DCI during the DRX activation period, and the first DCI may be encrypted using a C-RNTI or a newly defined RNTI. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX activation period, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI, thereby maintaining synchronization with the network device during the DRX activation period.

[0095] Alternatively, in some other embodiments of the present application, the network device may also send the first DCI during both the DRX sleep period and the DRX activation period. The terminal device may monitor the first DCI during both the DRX sleep period and the DRX activation period, and may maintain uplink synchronization with the network device throughout the DRX cycle.

[0096] Alternatively, in some other embodiments of the present application, the network device may send a first DCI during a DRX sleep period and send a second DCI during a DRX activation period, wherein the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization and the second DCI is different from the first DCI. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the second DCI during the DRX activation period and maintains uplink synchronization with the network device based on the second DCI; and monitors the first DCI during the DRX sleep period and maintains uplink synchronization with the network device based on the first DCI.

[0097] That is, the network device can send different DCIs (such as the first DCI and the second DCI mentioned above) during the DRX activation period and the DRX sleep period. The terminal device monitors different DCIs during the DRX activation period and the DRX sleep period to maintain uplink synchronization with the network device.

[0098] In a specific implementation, the second DCI may include information for uplink synchronization. The second DCI may include timing advance information (TA). Or, the second DCI includes frequency adjustment information. Or, the second DCI includes timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0099] It should be noted that the information for uplink synchronization included in the second DCI may be different from the information for uplink synchronization included in the first DCI. Alternatively, part of the information for uplink synchronization included in the second DCI is the same as part of the information for uplink synchronization included in the first DCI. Alternatively, the information for uplink synchronization included in the second DCI is the same as the information for uplink synchronization included in the first DCI.

[0100] In this embodiment of the present application, the second DCI may include DCI scrambled by the second RNTI.

[0101] In a specific implementation, the second RNTI may be an RNTI defined in an existing protocol.

[0102] Specifically, the second RNTI may be the C-RNTI corresponding to the terminal device, or the CS-RNTI, or the SP-CSI-RNTI, or the modulation and coding MSC-RNTI.

[0103] In a specific implementation, the second RNTI may also be a newly defined RNTI. The newly defined RNTI may be used to identify different terminal devices, or may be used to identify different terminal device groups. The newly defined RNTI may be a completely new RNTI that is different from the RNTI defined in the existing protocol.

[0104] In an embodiment of the present application, the monitoring period of the second DCI may not be greater than the monitoring period of the first DCI, that is, the monitoring period of the terminal device during the DRX activation period is less than or equal to the monitoring period during the DRX sleep period.

[0105] In other words, during the DRX activation period, the terminal device monitors the DCI more frequently, while during the DRX dormant period, the terminal device monitors the DCI less frequently, which can effectively reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0106] In the above embodiment of the present application, the network device sending the first DCI may refer to: the network device sending the first DCI in the first search space (Search Space, SS). Correspondingly, the terminal device monitoring the first DCI may refer to: the terminal device monitoring the first DCI in the first search space.

[0107] The network device sending the second DCI may refer to: the network device sending the second DCI in a second search space (Search Space, SS). Correspondingly, the terminal device monitoring the second DCI may refer to: the terminal device monitoring the second DCI in the second search space.

[0108] The specific configuration parameters of the first search space may be different from those of the second search space. For example, the control resource set corresponding to the first search space is different from the control resource set corresponding to the second search space. The listening period corresponding to the first search space is not less than the listening period of the second search space, that is, the listening period of the first DCI is not less than the listening period of the second DCI.

[0109] Alternatively, in some other embodiments of the present application, the network device may send the first DCI during the DRX activation period. The terminal device may monitor the first DCI during the DRX activation period. The first DCI is DCI scrambled by the C-RNTI.

[0110] Further, in another embodiment of the present application, the network device sends a second DCI during the DRX sleep period, and the terminal device monitors the second DCI during the DRX sleep period. The second DCI is different from the first DCI.

[0111] Reference Figure 3 , a schematic diagram of the monitoring period distribution of a DCI in an embodiment of the present application is given. Figure 3 The monitoring period of DCI monitoring performed by the terminal device during the DRX activation period is smaller than the monitoring period of DCI monitoring performed by the terminal device during the DRX sleep period.

[0112] Reference Figure 4 , a schematic diagram of another DCI monitoring period distribution in an embodiment of the present application is given. Figure 3In the embodiment, the monitoring period of the terminal device for DCI monitoring in the DRX activation period is equal to the monitoring period of the terminal device for DCI monitoring in the DRX dormancy period. The synchronization method provided in the above embodiment of the present application is described below through specific examples.

[0113] Embodiment 1

[0114] In this embodiment, the terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX dormant period and monitors the second DCI during the DRX active period. The RNTI used to obtain the first DCI is different from the RNTI used to obtain the second DCI. For example, the first DCI is a DCI scrambled by the newly defined RNTI, and the second DCI is scrambled by the C-RNTI.

[0115] In one embodiment of the present application, the terminal device completes the random access process and enters the connected state. The network device configures the terminal device to monitor the first DCI during the DRX dormant period and the second DCI during the DRX active period through radio resource control signaling, and configures the monitoring period corresponding to the first DCI and the monitoring period corresponding to the second DCI.

[0116] The first DCI is DCI scrambled using the newly defined RNTI, and the second DCI is DCI scrambled using the C-RNTI.

[0117] For example, the first DCI includes three fields, namely a DCI format indicator field (DCI format indicator), a time indication field and a frequency indication field, wherein: the DCI format indication field is used to indicate the format of the first DCI, the time indication field is used to indicate timing advance information, and the frequency indication field is used to indicate frequency adjustment information.

[0118] Specifically, the length of the DCI format indication field can be 1 bit. When the value of the DCI format indication field is 0, it indicates that the DCI is used for uplink synchronization adjustment. The length of the time indication field can be x bits, where x is a positive integer. The length of the frequency indication field can be y bits, where y is a positive integer. The value of x can be related to the value of the timing advance information, and the value of y can be related to the value of the frequency adjustment information. Alternatively, the values ​​of x and y can be fixed. In specific applications, the values ​​of x and y can be set according to actual needs.

[0119] The network device configures the value of the frequency domain resource allocation field in the second DCI to be all 0 or all 1 to indicate that the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization. The network device sets the value of the time indication field of the second DCI, and the value of the time indication field of the second DCI represents the timing advance information; the network device sets the value of the frequency indication field of the second DCI, and the value of the frequency indication field of the second DCI represents the frequency adjustment information.

[0120] In a specific example, the time indication field of the second DCI may include a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field, a new data indicator (NDI) field, a redundancy version (RV) field, a HARQ process number (HARQ process number) field, etc. The length of the MCS field is 5 bits, the length of the NDI field is 1 bit, the length of the RV field is 2 bits, and the length of the HARQ process number is 4 bits. That is, the length of the time indication field of the second DCI may be 12 bits.

[0121] The frequency indication field of the second DCI includes a transmit power control (TPC) command field, a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource indicator field, an antenna port field, an SRS request field, and the like.

[0122] It should be noted that the specific components of the time indication field and the frequency indication field of the second DCI are not limited to the above examples. With the further evolution of the standard, the time indication field and the frequency indication field of the second DCI may also include fields of other types or names. In the embodiment of the present application, the specific components of the time indication field and the frequency indication field of the second DCI are not limited.

[0123] Furthermore, the above-mentioned time indication domain may also be replaced by other names or other forms of information, such as a time information domain, a time adjustment domain, etc., and its meaning is to indicate timing advance information. Correspondingly, the above-mentioned frequency indication domain may also be replaced by other names or other forms of information, as long as it can indicate frequency adjustment information.

[0124] After completing the above configuration, the network device sends the second DCI in the second search space during the DRX activation period.

[0125] During the DRX activation period, the terminal device monitors the second search space according to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) configuration. The terminal device monitors DCI, which is scrambled with C-RNTI and has a corresponding format of format0_1. The terminal device uses C-RNTI to decode the monitored DCI and obtains the value of the frequency domain resource allocation field of the DCI as all 0s or all 1s. The terminal device determines that the DCI is used for uplink synchronization rather than for scheduling information. In other words, the terminal device determines that the monitored DCI is the second DCI.

[0126] The terminal device obtains the timing advance information from the time indication field of the second DCI, obtains the frequency adjustment information from the frequency indication field of the second DCI, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment based on the obtained timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0127] The network device sends the first DCI in the first search space during the DRX sleep period. The terminal device monitors the DCI in the first search space during the first DRX sleep period. Since the first DCI is encrypted using the newly defined RNTI, the terminal device detects that the DCI is encrypted using the newly defined RNTI and can determine that the monitored DCI is the first DCI. The terminal device performs uplink synchronization adjustment according to the timing advance information and frequency adjustment information indicated by the first DCI.

[0128] Embodiment 2

[0129] In this embodiment, the terminal device monitors the second DCI during the DRX activation period and monitors the first DCI during the DRX dormancy period, wherein both the first DCI and the second DCI are DCIs scrambled by the newly defined RNTI.

[0130] In one embodiment of the present application, the terminal device completes the random access process and enters the connected state. The network device configures the terminal device to monitor the first DCI during the DRX sleep period and the second DCI during the DRX activation period through radio resource control signaling, and configures the monitoring period corresponding to the first DCI and the monitoring period corresponding to the second DCI. Both the first DCI and the second DCI are DCIs encrypted with the newly defined RNTI. The monitoring period corresponding to the first DCI is the same as the monitoring period corresponding to the second DCI.

[0131] Referring to the above example, the first DCI includes three fields, namely, a DCI format indication field (DCI formatindicator), a time indication field and a frequency indication field, wherein: the DCI format indication field is used to indicate the format of the first DCI, the time indication field is used to indicate timing advance information, and the frequency indication field is used to indicate frequency adjustment information.

[0132] Specifically, the length of the DCI format indication field may be 1 bit. When the value of the DCI format indication field is 0, it indicates that the DCI is used for uplink synchronization adjustment. The length of the time indication field may be x bits, where x is a positive integer. The length of the frequency indication field may be y bits, where y is a positive integer.

[0133] Correspondingly, the second DCI may also include three fields, namely, a DCI format indication field (DCI formatindicator), a time indication field and a frequency indication field, wherein: the DCI format indication field is used to indicate the format of the first DCI, the time indication field is used to indicate timing advance information, and the frequency indication field is used to indicate frequency adjustment information.

[0134] Specifically, the length of the DCI format indication field may be 1 bit. When the value of the DCI format indication field is 0, it indicates that the DCI is used for uplink synchronization adjustment. The length of the time indication field may be x bits, where x is a positive integer. The length of the frequency indication field may be y bits, where y is a positive integer.

[0135] The network device sends the second DCI in the second search space during the DRX activation period. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second DCI in the second search space during the DRX activation period. The terminal device obtains the timing advance information and the frequency adjustment information from the second DCI, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment during the DRX activation period.

[0136] The network device sends the first DCI in the first search space during the DRX sleep period. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first DCI in the first search space during the DRX sleep period. The terminal device obtains the timing advance information and the frequency adjustment information from the first DCI, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment during the DRX sleep period.

[0137] Embodiment 3

[0138] In this embodiment, the terminal device monitors the first DCI during the DRX dormant period and monitors the second DCI during the DRX active period, wherein the monitoring period of the first DCI is greater than the monitoring period of the second DCI.

[0139] Specifically, the RNTI used to obtain the first DCI and the RNTI used to obtain the second DCI may be the same or different. For example, the first DCI is a DCI scrambled by C-RNTI, and the second DCI is a DCI scrambled by C-RNTI. For another example, the first DCI is a DCI scrambled by C-RNTI, and the second DCI is a DCI scrambled by CS-RNTI.

[0140] In one embodiment of the present application, the terminal device completes the random access process and enters the connected state. The network device configures the terminal device to monitor the first DCI during the DRX sleep period and the second DCI during the DRX activation period through radio resource control signaling, and configures the monitoring period corresponding to the first DCI and the monitoring period corresponding to the second DCI. Both the first DCI and the second DCI are C-RNTI defined in the existing protocol.

[0141] Referring to the configuration of the second DCI described in the above example:

[0142] The network device configures the value of the frequency domain resource allocation field in the second DCI to be all 0 or all 1 to indicate that the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization. The network device sets the value of the time indication field of the second DCI, and the value of the time indication field of the second DCI represents the timing advance information; the network device sets the value of the frequency indication field of the second DCI, and the value of the frequency indication field of the second DCI represents the frequency adjustment information.

[0143] The time indication field of the second DCI may include an MCS field, an NDI field, an RV field, a HARQ process number field, etc. The network device uses at least one of the MCS field, the NDI field, the RV field, and the HARQ process number field to represent the timing advance information.

[0144] The frequency indication field of the second DCI may include a TPC command field, an SRS resource indicator field, an Antenna port field, an SRS request field, etc. The network device uses at least one of the TPC command field, the SRS resource indicator field, the Antenna port field, and the SRS request field to represent the frequency adjustment information.

[0145] Accordingly, the configuration of the first DCI may refer to the configuration of the second DCI:

[0146] The network device configures the value of the frequency domain resource allocation field in the first DCI to be all 0 or all 1 to indicate that the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization. The network device sets the value of the time indication field of the first DCI, and the value of the time indication field of the first DCI represents the timing advance information; the network device sets the value of the frequency indication field of the first DCI, and the value of the frequency indication field of the first DCI represents the frequency adjustment information.

[0147] The time indication field of the first DCI includes an MCS field, an NDI field, an RV field, a HARQ process number field, etc. The network device uses at least one of the MCS field, the NDI field, the RV field, and the HARQ process number field to represent the timing advance information.

[0148] The frequency indication field of the first DCI includes a TPC command field, an SRS resource indicator field, an Antenna port field, an SRS request field, etc. The network device uses at least one of the TPC command field, the SRS resource indicator field, the Antenna port field, and the SRS request field to represent the frequency adjustment information.

[0149] It should be noted that the specific components of the above-mentioned time indication domain and frequency indication domain are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. With the further evolution of the standard, the time indication domain and the frequency indication domain may also include fields of other types or names. In the embodiment of the present application, the specific components of the time indication domain and the frequency indication domain are not limited.

[0150] Furthermore, the above-mentioned time indication domain may also be replaced by other names or other forms of information, such as a time information domain, a time adjustment domain, etc., and its meaning is to indicate timing advance information. Correspondingly, the above-mentioned frequency indication domain may also be replaced by other names or other forms of information, as long as it can indicate frequency adjustment information.

[0151] The network device sends the second DCI in the second search space during the DRX activation period. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second DCI in the second search space during the DRX activation period. The terminal device obtains the timing advance information and the frequency adjustment information from the second DCI, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment during the DRX activation period.

[0152] The network device sends the first DCI in the first search space during the DRX sleep period. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first DCI in the first search space during the DRX sleep period. The terminal device obtains the timing advance information and the frequency adjustment information from the first DCI, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment during the DRX sleep period.

[0153] Embodiment 4

[0154] In this embodiment, the terminal device monitors DCI only during the DRX activation period, and does not monitor DCI during the DRX sleep period. The above-mentioned DCI is the first DCI or the second DCI. The terminal device does not monitor DCI during the DRX sleep period, which may mean: during the DRX sleep period, neither the first DCI nor the second DCI is monitored.

[0155] In one embodiment of the present application, the terminal device completes the random access process and enters the connected state. The network device configures the terminal device to monitor the second DCI during the DRX activation period and not monitor the DCI during the DRX dormant period through radio resource control signaling, and configures the monitoring period corresponding to the second DCI. The above-mentioned second DCI is DCI scrambled by C-RNTI.

[0156] After completing the above configuration, the network device sends the second DCI in the second search space during the DRX activation period.

[0157] During the DRX activation period, the terminal device monitors the second search space according to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) configuration. The terminal device monitors DCI, which is scrambled with C-RNTI and has a corresponding format of format0_1. The terminal device uses C-RNTI to decode the monitored DCI and obtains the value of the frequency domain resource allocation field of the DCI as all 0s or all 1s. The terminal device determines that the DCI is used for uplink synchronization rather than for scheduling information. In other words, the terminal device determines that the monitored DCI is the second DCI.

[0158] The terminal device obtains the timing advance information from the time indication field of the second DCI, obtains the frequency adjustment information from the frequency indication field of the second DCI, and performs uplink synchronization adjustment based on the obtained timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0159] Since the terminal device does not monitor DCI during the DRX sleep period, the terminal device cannot obtain timing advance information and frequency adjustment information during the DRX sleep period, and cannot maintain uplink synchronization with the network device.

[0160] The present application also provides another synchronization method. Figure 1 The synchronization method described above is executed by a chip with data processing function in a network device, or by a chip module of a chip with data processing function in the network device, or by the network device. In the following embodiments, the synchronization method is described by taking the network device as executing the synchronization method.

[0161] In a specific implementation, the synchronization method performed by the network device includes: sending first downlink control information DCI, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization.

[0162] In a specific implementation, the network device may indicate relevant information of uplink synchronization to the terminal device. In an embodiment of the present application, the network device may send a first DCI, and the first DCI may include information for uplink synchronization. Accordingly, the terminal device may monitor the first DCI to obtain information for uplink synchronization therefrom.

[0163] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device may send the first DCI during the DRX activation period and the DRX sleep period. Correspondingly, the terminal device may monitor the first DCI during the DRX activation period and the DRX sleep period.

[0164] In a specific implementation, the network device may send the first DCI during the DRX sleep period. The terminal device may monitor the first DCI during the DRX sleep period. The first DCI may include timing advance information (TA), or include frequency adjustment information, or include both timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0165] The first DCI may include a DCI scrambled by the first RNTI. The first RNTI may be used to identify a terminal device, or may be used to identify a terminal device group. If the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group, the terminal device group includes at least one terminal device. The first RNTI may use the RNTI defined in the existing protocol. The first RNTI may also be a newly defined RNTI. Specifically, the specific meaning of the newly defined RNTI may refer to the above embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0166] In the embodiment of the present application, the network device may also send a second DCI during the DRX activation period, the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization, and the second DCI is different from the first DCI. The terminal device may monitor the second DCI during the DRX activation period and perform uplink synchronization adjustment according to the second DCI.

[0167] Specifically, the network device sending the second DCI may refer to the network device sending the second DCI in a search space (Search Space, SS). Correspondingly, the terminal device may monitor the second DCI in the search space.

[0168] In a specific implementation, the second DCI may include information for uplink synchronization. The second DCI may also include timing advance information (TA), or include frequency adjustment information, or include both timing advance information and frequency adjustment information.

[0169] It should be noted that the information for uplink synchronization included in the second DCI may be different from the information for uplink synchronization included in the first DCI. Alternatively, part of the information for uplink synchronization included in the second DCI is the same as part of the information for uplink synchronization included in the first DCI. Alternatively, the information for uplink synchronization included in the second DCI is the same as the information for uplink synchronization included in the first DCI.

[0170] In an embodiment of the present application, the second DCI may include DCI scrambled by the second RNTI. The second RNTI may be a C-RNTI corresponding to the terminal device, or a CS-RNTI, or an SP-CSI-RNTI, or a modulation and coding MSC-RNTI. The second RNTI may also be a newly defined RNTI.

[0171] In the above embodiment of the present application, the network device sending the first DCI may refer to: the network device sending the first DCI in the first search space (Search Space, SS). Correspondingly, the terminal device monitoring the first DCI may refer to: the terminal device monitoring the first DCI in the first search space.

[0172] The network device sending the second DCI may refer to: the network device sending the second DCI in a second search space (Search Space, SS). Correspondingly, the terminal device monitoring the second DCI may refer to: the terminal device monitoring the second DCI in the second search space.

[0173] In a specific implementation, the monitoring period corresponding to the first search space is not less than the monitoring period of the second search space, that is, the monitoring period of the first DCI is not less than the monitoring period of the second DCI.

[0174] Reference Figure 5 , a device 50 in an embodiment of the present application is provided, comprising: a communication unit 501 and a processing unit 502, wherein:

[0175] The communication unit 501 is configured to receive first downlink control information DCI, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization adjustment;

[0176] The processing unit 502 is configured to descramble the first DCI received by the communication unit 501, and perform uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI.

[0177] In a specific implementation, the specific execution process of the above-mentioned communication unit 501 and the processing unit 502 can correspond to step 101 to step 102, which will not be repeated here.

[0178] The above-mentioned device 50 may correspond to a chip with a data processing function in a terminal device, or to a chip module including a chip with a data processing function in a terminal device, or to a terminal device.

[0179] An embodiment of the present application further provides another synchronization device, including: a sending unit, configured to send first downlink control information DCI, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization.

[0180] The above-mentioned device including the sending unit may correspond to a chip with a data processing function in a network device, or to a chip module including a chip with a data processing function in a network device, or to a network device.

[0181] In a specific implementation, each module / unit included in each device or product described in the above embodiments may be a software module / unit or a hardware module / unit, or may be partly a software module / unit and partly a hardware module / unit.

[0182] For example, for each device or product applied to or integrated in a chip, each module / unit contained therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for each device or product applied to or integrated in a chip module, each module / unit contained therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as a chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of software programs. The element can be implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on a processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in the terminal, the various modules / units contained therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (for example, chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components in the terminal, or, at least some modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on a processor integrated inside the terminal, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0183] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the synchronization method provided in any of the above embodiments is executed.

[0184] An embodiment of the present application further provides another device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the synchronization method provided in any of the above embodiments when running the computer program.

[0185] A person skilled in the art may understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments may be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a program, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may include: ROM, RAM, disk or CD, etc.

[0186] Although the present application is disclosed as above, the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A synchronization method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Monitoring first downlink control information DCI, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization; Perform uplink synchronization adjustment according to the first DCI.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The monitoring of the first DCI includes: The first DCI is monitored in a discontinuous reception DRX cycle, where the DRX cycle includes a DRX activation period and a DRX sleep period.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The monitoring of the first DCI includes: During the DRX sleep period, monitor the first DCI.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first DCI includes DCI scrambled by a first wireless network temporary identifier RNTI, and the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group or a terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first RNTI includes a newly defined RNTI or a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first DCI includes timing advance information and / or frequency adjustment information.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: During the DRX activation period, monitoring a second DCI, where the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization and is different from the first DCI; Perform uplink synchronization adjustment according to the second DCI.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second DCI includes DCI scrambled by the C-RNTI.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The monitoring period of the first DCI is not less than the monitoring period of the second DCI.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The monitoring of the first DCI includes: Monitoring DCI, where the DCI includes a frequency domain resource allocation field; According to the frequency domain resource allocation domain, it is determined that the DCI is the first DCI.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The monitoring of the first DCI includes: The first DCI is monitored in the search space.

12. A synchronization method, characterized in that: include: The first downlink control information DCI is sent, where the first DCI is used for uplink synchronization.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The sending of the first DCI includes: The first DCI is sent in a discontinuous reception DRX cycle, where the DRX cycle includes a DRX activation period and a DRX sleep period.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The sending of the first DCI includes: The first DCI is sent during the DRX sleep period.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that: The first DCI includes DCI scrambled by a first wireless network temporary identifier RNTI, and the first RNTI is used to identify a terminal device group or a terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first RNTI includes a newly defined RNTI or a cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first DCI includes timing advance information and / or frequency adjustment information.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: During the DRX activation period, a second DCI is sent, where the second DCI is used for uplink synchronization and is different from the first DCI.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second DCI includes DCI scrambled by the C-RNTI.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The monitoring period of the first DCI is not less than the monitoring period of the second DCI.

21. The synchronization method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that: The sending of first downlink control information DCI includes: The first DCI is sent on the search space.

22. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program executes the steps of the synchronization method according to any one of claims 1 to 11; or, the computer program executes the steps of the synchronization method according to any one of claims 12 to 21.

23. A synchronization device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory, characterized in that: The processor runs the computer program to execute the synchronization method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or executes the synchronization method according to any one of claims 12 to 21.

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