Mechanism for cell activation

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to mechanisms for cell activation, in particular first cell activation when applying cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) / discontinuous reception (DRX). Specifically, a network device sends a configuration of a cell DTX and / or a configuration of a cell DRX of a first cell to a terminal device. The network device also sends an activation indication for the first cell. The terminal device monitors a set of reference signals from the network device during an activation process of the first cell. The terminal device also sends a report based on the measurement of the reference signal set to a special cell or a cell of a physical uplink control channel cell. In this way, the activation delay of the first cell can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for cell activation. Background Art

[0002] Network energy saving is a hot topic in the field of communications. For example, in order to save power at the network device, cell DTX / DRX is also proposed on the network device side. Similarly, cell DTX / DRX is a technology that allows network devices to sleep in a DTX / DRX cycle when there are no packets to send / receive. However, when cell DTX / DRX and other technologies are applied simultaneously, it is not clear how the terminal device and the network device behave. Summary of the invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided. The device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to: receive a configuration of a first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; receive an activation indication for the first cell from the network device; and monitor a reference signal set from the network device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0004] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a device is provided. The device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the device causes: sending a configuration of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; and sending a reference signal set to the terminal device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0005] In a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving a configuration of a first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; receiving an activation indication for the first cell from the network device; and monitoring a reference signal set from the network device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0006] In a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: sending a configuration of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell, a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; and sending a reference signal set to the terminal device during the activation process of the first cell.

[0007] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a first device is provided. The first device includes a component for receiving a configuration of a first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; a component for receiving an activation indication for the first cell from the network device; and a component for monitoring a reference signal set from the network device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0008] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a component for sending a configuration of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following items: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; a component for sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; and a component for sending a reference signal set to the terminal device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0009] In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least execute the method according to the third aspect.

[0010] In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0011] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0014] Figure 2 A signaling diagram of cell DTX / DRX according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0015] Figure 3A schematic diagram of cell DTX / DRX according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0016] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Schematic diagrams of cell DTX / DRX according to example embodiments of the present disclosure are respectively shown;

[0017] Figure 5 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0018] Figure 6 A flowchart showing a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0019] Figure 7 shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0020] Figure 8 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only for illustrative purposes and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the way described below.

[0023] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0024] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0025] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc., preceding nouns, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and they do not limit the order of the nouns. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more listed terms.

[0026] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is combined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0027] As used herein, unless explicitly stated, performing a step "in response to A" does not indicate that the step is performed immediately after "A" occurs, and may include one or more intermediate steps.

[0028] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise", "include", "have", "have", "include" and / or "include" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0029] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) only hardware circuit implementations (such as only analog implementations and / or digital circuits) and (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (if applicable):

[0030] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0031] (ii) any portion of a hardware processor with software (including a digital signal processor, software, and memory working together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions); and

[0032] (c) A hardware circuit and / or processor, such as a microprocessor or portion of a microprocessor, that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when not needed for operation.

[0033] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or its) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example and if applicable to the elements of a particular claim, the term circuitry also covers a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, network device, or other computing or networking device.

[0034] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that follows any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal equipment and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G) communication protocols and / or any other protocols currently known or developed in the future. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will certainly be communication technologies and systems that can embody future types of the present disclosure. It should not be considered that the scope of the present disclosure is limited to the aforementioned system.

[0035] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network, via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services from it. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a Node B (Node B or NB), an evolved NodeB (e Node B or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a low-power node (such as a femto), a micro, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or a non-terrestrial network device (such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, and a geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellite), an aircraft network device, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, a radio access network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at an IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion similar to a UE toward a parent node, and a DU portion of an IAB node is similar to a base station toward a next-hop IAB node.

[0036] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local ring phone, a tablet computer, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable computer, a desktop computer, an image capture terminal device such as a digital camera, a game terminal device, a music storage and playback device, a vehicle-mounted wireless terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop mounted device (LME), a USB dongle, a smart device, a wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of an industrial and / or automated processing chain), consumer electronic devices, equipment operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) part of the IAB node (eg, relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0037] As used herein, the terms "resource", "transmission resource", "resource block", "physical resource block" (PRB), "uplink resource" or "downlink resource" may refer to any resource used to perform communication, for example, communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources, code domain resources, or any other combination of time domain, frequency domain, spatial and / or code domain resources that enable communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated, resources in the frequency domain and the time domain will be used as examples of transmission resources to describe some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Note that the example embodiments of the present disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0038] As used herein, the term "primary cell (PCell)" may refer to a cell operating on the primary frequency in an MCG, where a terminal device performs an initial connection establishment procedure or initiates a connection reestablishment procedure. The term "secondary cell (SCell)" used herein may refer to a cell that provides additional wireless resources for a terminal device configured with carrier aggregation (CA). For dual-connection operation, the term "special cell (Sp Cell)" refers to the PCell of an MCG or the PSCell of an SCG, depending on whether the medium access control (MAC) entity is associated with the MCG or the SCG, respectively. Otherwise, the term "SpCell" may refer to a PCell. SpCell may support physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission and contention-based random access.

[0039] As used herein, the term "RRC connected state" or "RRC connected mode" used herein may refer to a state in which a service radio bearer and a data radio bearer are allocated to a terminal device. The term "RRC idle state" or "RRC idle mode" used herein may refer to a state in which a terminal device is turned on but has no RRC connection established. The term "RRC inactive state" or "RRC inactive mode" used herein may refer to a state when there is an RRC connection that has been suspended.

[0040] As used herein, the term "cell discontinuous reception (DRX)" used herein may refer to a technology that allows a network device to receive data or sleep for a period of time. The term "cell discontinuous transmission (DTX)" used herein refers to a technology that allows a network device to send data or sleep for a period of time. Cell DRX / DTX can be used in mobile communications to save the battery of a network device. The term "on period" or "activation period" used for cell DRX refers to a period of time in which a network device can monitor a channel, such as a physical control channel or a physical shared channel, and receive data or control information on the channel. The term "DRX period" or "DRX opportunity" or "off period" or "off duration period" or "inactive / inactive period" used for cell DRX refers to a period of time in which a network device does not monitor a channel and does not receive data or control information on a channel. The term "DRX period" used herein includes a DRX period in which a network device can monitor a channel and a DRX period in which a network device can skip channel reception. The term "on duration" or "active period" used for cell DTX refers to a period of time in which a network device can send data or control information on a channel (e.g., a physical control channel or a physical shared channel). The term "DTX period" or "DTX opportunity" or "off period" or "off duration" or "inactive / non-active period" for cell DTX used herein refers to a time period during which a network device does not send data or control information on a channel. The term "DTX cycle" used herein includes an on-duration period during which a network device can send data or control information on a channel and a DTX period during which a network device can skip channel transmission. The term "DRX cycle" used herein includes an on-duration period during which a network device can receive data or control information on a channel and a DRX period during which a network device can skip channel reception.

[0041] The term "cell activation" used herein may refer to a process in which there is a transmission via a cell radio link control (RLC) bearer. The term "cell deactivation" used herein may refer to a process in which there is no transmission via a cell radio link control (RLC) bearer. Here, the cell activation may include the activation of an SCell and / or the activation of a PSCell.

[0042] As described above, cell DTX / DRX is proposed. For example, the agreed cell DTX / DRX can be configured using radio resource control (RRC) signaling and activated / deactivated using layer 1 (L1) / layer 2 (L2) signaling and UE and gNB behaviors during cell DTX / DRX active and inactive periods. For example, it is not expected that the UE receives and / or processes periodic or semi-persistent channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) from the gNB during the inactive period of cell DTX. In other words, the network device can omit it during the inactive period for energy saving.

[0043] In the case of carrier aggregation, the SCell can be activated / deactivated using the SCell activation / deactivation medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) or the enhanced SCell activation / deactivation MAC CE, and different requirements have been defined based on the configuration of available reference signals (e.g., synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (PBCH) (SSB) and / or CSI-RS) for synchronization and measurement and depending on whether the SCell activation / deactivation MAC CE or the indicated enhanced SCell activation / deactivation MAC CE with tracking reference signal (TRS) is used. However, the interaction between cell DTX / DRX and cell activation (e.g., SCell activation or PSCell activation) is not discussed.

[0044] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to cell activation when cell DTX / DRX is applied. Specifically, a network device sends a configuration of a cell DTX and / or a configuration of a cell DRX of a first cell to a terminal device. The network device also sends an activation indication for the first cell. The terminal device monitors a reference signal set from the network device during the activation process of the first cell. In this way, the delay of SCell activation can be reduced.

[0045] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a first device 110 and a second device 120 may communicate with each other.

[0046] The first device 110 may be a terminal device, such as a UE. The second device 120 may be a network device, such as a gNB. The second device 120 may provide one or more cells, which may include a cell 122-1 or multiple cells 122-1 to 122-M, where the cell 122-1 may be a PCell and the remaining cells may be SCells. M may be a suitable integer.

[0047] In the following, for the purpose of illustration, some example embodiments are described in which the first device 110 operates as a terminal device and the second device 120 operates as a network device. However, in some example embodiments, the operations described in conjunction with the terminal device may be implemented at a network device or other device, and the operations described in conjunction with the network device may be implemented at a terminal device or other device.

[0048] In some example embodiments, if first device 110 is a terminal device and second device 120 is a network device, a link from second device 120 to first device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), and a link from first device 110 to second device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In DL, second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In UL, first device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and second device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0049] The communication in the communication environment 100 can be implemented according to any appropriate communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), the fifth generation (5G), the sixth generation (6G), etc., wireless local area network communication protocols such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. In addition, the communication can utilize any appropriate wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division duplex (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technology currently known or developed in the future.

[0050] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] refer to Figure 2 , which illustrates a signaling process 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 The signaling flow 200 is discussed, for example, by using the first device 110 and the second device 120. For illustration purposes only, the cell 122-1 is described as a primary secondary cell and the cell 122-2 is described as a secondary cell.

[0052] Second device 120 sends (2010) a configuration of a cell (also referred to as a "first cell") (e.g., cell 122-1 or cell 122-2) to first device 110. In other words, first device 110 receives the configuration of the first cell from second device 120. The configuration includes one or more of: a configuration of a cell DTX of the first cell or a configuration of a cell DRX of the cell. In some example embodiments, the configuration of the first cell may be sent via RRC signaling.

[0053] The configuration may indicate the period of the cell DTX or cell DRX. The configuration may also indicate the on-duration period of the cell DTX or cell DRX. In addition, the configuration may indicate the offset of the on-duration period of the cell DTX or cell DRX. For illustration purposes only, Figure 3 is an example of the configuration of cell DTX. Figure 3 As shown, the configuration of the cell DTX may indicate the periodicity 310 of the cell DTX. The configuration of the cell DTX may also indicate the on-duration period 320 of the cell DTX in which the second device 120 may send data and / or control information. In addition, the configuration of the cell DTX may indicate an offset 330, which indicates the starting time slot of the cell DTX.

[0054] In some example embodiments, second device 120 may send (2015) activation of cell DTX or cell DRX to first device 110. In other words, first device 110 may receive activation of cell DTX or cell DRX from second device 120. For example, activation of cell DTX or cell DRX may be sent using layer 1 (L1) signaling to activate cell DTX operation.

[0055] The second device 120 sends (2020) an activation indication for the first cell to the first device 110. In other cases, the first device 110 receives an activation indication for the first cell from the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the activation indication may be used to activate the cell 122-1 as a PSCell. Alternatively, the activation indication may be used to activate the cell 122-2 as an SCell. For example, the second device 120 may send an activation command (e.g., a MAC command SCell / PSCell activation command or an SCG activation command) to the first device 110 based on a decision to activate the SCell. In some other example embodiments, an activation indication for the first cell (e.g., PSCell 122-1 or SCell 122-1) may be sent in an RRC reconfiguration message. For purposes of illustration only, SCell activation is used as an example in the following description. Note that the embodiments described below may also be applied to PSCell activation.

[0056] After receiving the activation indication, the first device 110 may perform the first cell activation process. Figure 4AAs shown, after receiving the activation indication at time 410, the first device 110 can be expected to perform automatic gain control (AGC), time and frequency synchronization, L1 reference signal received power (RSRP) measurement, and CSI measurement in order to activate the SCell 122-2. Specifically, the CSI measurement can be based on a semi-persistent / persistent (SP / P)-CSI-RS configured for channel measurement, and the first device 110 can send a valid CSI report as an end point of the SCell activation process. In some example embodiments, upon receiving the SCell activation command in time slot n, the first device 110 may be able to send a valid CSI report and apply actions associated with the activation command for the SCell no later than time slot n. is activated.

[0057] The first device 110 monitors (2030) a reference signal set from the second device 120 during an activation process of the first cell (eg, SCell 122-2). Figure 4B As shown, after receiving the activation indication at time 410, the first device 110 may monitor the reference signal set at one or more monitoring opportunities 420-1 and 420-2. The second device 120 sends (2030) the reference signal set to the first device 110. In other words, the first device 110 receives the reference signal set from the second device 120. In this way, the impact of cell DTX / DRX on SCell activation delay can be minimized.

[0058] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 may determine that the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell (e.g., SCell 122-2) is disabled based on receiving an activation indication for the first cell. For example, upon receiving the SCell activation command, the cell DTX / DRX of SCell 122-2 may be automatically / implicitly disabled. In other words, the first device 110 may autonomously disable the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell upon activating the first cell without a separate command from the second device 120 for deactivating the cell discontinuous transmission. The second device 120 deactivates the cell continuous transmission of the first cell upon activating the first cell.

[0059] Alternatively, the configuration may also include a configuration of another DTX. In this case, in some embodiments, after receiving an activation indication for the first cell, the first device 110 may switch from the cell DTX to another cell DTX. For example, if more than one cell DTX / DRX mode is supported, upon receiving the SCell activation command, the cell DTX / DRX of the SCell may be switched to another cell DTX mode. Another cell DTX mode may be configured by the second device 120 to better meet the SCell activation process.

[0060] After the activation process of the first cell, the second device 120 may send an activation indication of the cell DTX for the first cell to the first device 110. In this case, after receiving the activation indication of the cell DTX for the first cell, the first device 110 may determine that the cell DTX for the first cell is activated based on the activation indication for the cell DTX. In other words, the activation of the cell DTX after the activation of the first cell may be explicitly indicated by the second device 120. Alternatively, the activation of the cell DTX after the activation of the first cell may be implicitly indicated by the second device 120. In some other example embodiments, the first device 120 may determine that the cell DTX of the first cell is activated based on a timer after the activation process of the first cell. Alternatively, the first device 120 may determine that the cell DTX of the first cell is activated after the activation process of the first cell (i.e., without a timer).

[0061] In some example embodiments, second device 120 may transmit a reference signal set during an activation process of the first cell, regardless of the inactive period of cell DTX. In other words, first device 110 may receive a reference signal set during an activation process of the first cell, regardless of the inactive period of cell DTX. For example, a reference signal set (e.g., periodic / semi-persistent CSI) may be transmitted or may be used for CSI measurement, regardless of the inactive period of cell DTX during cell activation, without an explicit deactivation indication of cell DTX / DRX.

[0062] In some other example embodiments, the set of reference signals may be a set of tracking reference signals or CSI-RS indicated in the activation indication. In this case, in some example embodiments, the second device 120 may send a set of tracking reference signals in an inactive period of cell DTX during the activation process of the first cell. In other words, the first device 110 may receive a set of tracking reference signals in an inactive period of cell DTX during the activation process of the first cell. The first device 110 may perform measurements on the set of tracking reference signals. For example, a set of tracking reference signals indicated in an enhanced SCell activation / deactivation medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) may be sent by the second device 120, even if it is in an inactive period of cell DTX, so that the first device 110 may perform synchronization and measurements based on the set of tracking reference signals during the activation process of the first cell.

[0063] In an example embodiment, the first device 110 may determine that the active period of the cell DTX is extended during the activation process of the first cell. For example, the active period of the cell DTX / DRX for the activated SCell 122-2 may be extended for the first device 110 during the SCell activation. As an example, the active period of the cell DTX / DRX may be extended until the first device 110 transmits a valid CSI report of the first device 110 to complete the SCell activation process.

[0064] In another example embodiment, the second device 120 may send a deactivation indication of the cell DTX. In other words, the first device 110 may receive a deactivation indication of the cell DTX from the serving cell. In this case, the first device 110 may determine that the cell DTX is deactivated before receiving an activation indication for the first cell. For example, the deactivation indication may be sent in downlink control information (DCI). Alternatively, the deactivation indication may be sent in a MAC CE. For example, the cell DTX / DRX may be activated / deactivated using a cross-carrier indication in a DCI or MAC CE, so that the cell DTX / DRX may be deactivated from other activated serving cells before the second device 120 sends (2020) an activation indication to activate the first cell.

[0065] Return to reference Figure 2 , the first device 110 may perform a certain measurement based on the reference signal set (2050). For example, the first device 110 may perform CSI measurement on the reference signal set.

[0066] The first device 110 may send (2060) a report based on the measurement of the reference signal set to another cell (also referred to as a "second cell") that is a special cell or a physical uplink control channel cell. In other words, the second device 120 receives the report from the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the second cell may be a SpCell. Alternatively, the second cell may be a PUCCH SCell. In one example, if the activated SCell is a downlink-only SCell that is not configured with a PUCCH, the first device 110 sends (2060) the report on a PCell or a PSCell. If the activated SCell is a PUCCH SCell that is configured with a PUCCH, the first device 110 sends (2060) the report on the PUCCH SCell itself. In some example embodiments, if the first cell is a SCell, the second cell is a PCell or a PSCell that is different from the first cell. Alternatively, if the first cell is a PUCCH cell, the first cell and the second cell are the same cell.

[0067] In some example embodiments, if the report is configured to be sent, the first device 110 may determine that the cell DRX of the second cell is deactivated. For example, the cell DTX / DRX may be implicitly deactivated on the second cell (i.e., SpCell or PUCCH SCell) where the CSI report of the activated SCell 122-2 is configured to be reported.

[0068] In some other example embodiments, the first device 110 may send a report regardless of an inactive period of cell DRX of a second cell, wherein a CSI report of an activated first cell (e.g., SCell 122-2) is configured to be reported during an activation procedure of the first cell. In other words, the second device 120 may receive a report during an activation procedure of the first cell (e.g., SCell 122-2) regardless of an inactive period of cell DRX of the cell. For example, during SCell activation, a CSI report for the activated SCell may be sent regardless of whether the SpCell or PUCCH SCell for the CSI report of the SCell is in the activation period until a non-out-of-range (OoR) / valid value is sent.

[0069] Alternatively, during the activation process of the first cell (e.g., SCell 122-2), at least one valid report may be allowed to be sent regardless of the inactive period of the cell DRX of the second cell. For example, at least a valid CSI report may be allowed to be sent regardless of the inactive period of the cell DRX of the second cell, where the CSI report of the activated SCell 122-2 is configured to be reported during the Scell ​​activation phase (i.e., a CSI report with a non-OoR / invalid value may still be sent only during the cell DRX active period). The CSI report with an OoR value for the SCell may be omitted.

[0070] In some other example embodiments, the first device 110 may determine that the active period of the cell DRX of the second cell is extended until the second device 120 receives the CSI report. For example, the cell DTX / DRX active period may be extended for the SpCell or PUCCH SCell for activating CSI reporting of the SCell until a valid CSI report is received.

[0071] In another example embodiment, the second device 120 may send a deactivation indication for cell DRX of the second cell, wherein the CSI report of the activated first cell is configured to be reported. In other words, the first device 110 may receive a deactivation indication for the cell DRX of the cell from the serving cell. In this case, the first device 110 may determine that the cell DRX needs to be deactivated before receiving the activation indication for the SCell 122-2. For example, the deactivation indication may be sent in downlink control information (DCI). Alternatively, the deactivation indication may be sent in a MAC CE. For example, the second device 120 may deactivate the cell DTX / DRX of the second cell (i.e., the SpCell or PUCCH SCell for CSI reporting for the activated SCell) before the second device 120 sends (2020) an activation indication to activate the first cell (e.g., SCell 122-2).

[0072] According to reference Figure 2 The described embodiment can maintain the reference signaling for measurement or synchronization and CSI reporting during the cell DRX / DTX operation, or in other words, the cell activation process is not affected or delayed by the inactive period of the cell DTX / DRX. This can ensure that the CSI report during the cell DTX / DRX period can be reported in time, thereby reducing the cell activation delay.

[0073] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example method 500 implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The method 500 is described from the perspective of the first device 110.

[0074] At block 510, the first device 110 receives configuration of a first cell from a network device. The configuration includes at least one of: configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell.

[0075] At block 520 , the first device 110 receives an activation indication for the first cell from a network device.

[0076] At block 530 , the first device 110 monitors a set of reference signals from a network device during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further includes: determining that cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is deactivated based on receiving an activation indication for the first cell.

[0078] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further includes: receiving an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell from a network device; and determining that the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is activated based on the activation indication of the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell.

[0079] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: after the activation process of the first cell, determining based on a timer that the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is activated. Alternatively, the method 500 further comprises: after the activation process of the first cell, determining that the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is activated.

[0080] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further includes: determining to switch from the cell discontinuous transmission to another cell discontinuous transmission according to determining that the configuration further includes a configuration of another cell discontinuous transmission.

[0081] In some example embodiments, method 500 further includes: receiving a set of reference signals from a network device during an activation process of the first cell, regardless of an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further includes: during an activation process of the first cell, receiving a tracking reference signal set in an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell; and performing measurement on the tracking reference signal set.

[0083] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises determining that an active period of discontinuous transmission of the cell is extended during an activation procedure of the first cell until the first device 110 sends a valid report.

[0084] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further includes: receiving a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous transmission from a serving cell; and determining that the cell discontinuous transmission is deactivated before receiving an activation indication for the first cell.

[0085] In some example embodiments, at block 540, the first device 110 may send a report based on the measurement of the reference signal set to a second cell that is a special cell or a physical uplink control channel cell.

[0086] In some example embodiments, method 500 further includes: when the first cell is a secondary cell configured with a physical uplink control channel, determining that cell discontinuous reception of the physical uplink control channel secondary cell is disabled; or when the first cell is a secondary cell not configured with a physical uplink control channel, determining that cell discontinuous reception of the special cell is disabled.

[0087] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises: in response to determining that the report is configured to be sent, determining that cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated.

[0088] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further comprises sending the report regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell during the activation procedure of the first cell.

[0089] In some example embodiments, sending of at least one valid report is allowed regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0090] In some example embodiments, method 500 further comprises: determining that an active period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is extended until the network device receives the report.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the method 500 further includes: receiving a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell from the serving cell; and determining that the cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated before receiving the activation indication for the first cell.

[0092] Optionally, the method 500 further includes: receiving an activation indication of cell discontinuous reception or cell discontinuous transmission from a network device.

[0093] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a terminal device.

[0094] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method 600 implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The method 600 is described from the perspective of the second device 120.

[0095] At block 610, the second device 120 sends a configuration of the first cell to the terminal device. The configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell.

[0096] At block 620 , the second device 120 sends an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device.

[0097] At block 630 , the second device 120 transmits a set of reference signals to the terminal device during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0098] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: deactivating cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell based on the activation indication for the first cell.

[0099] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: sending an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell to the terminal device.

[0100] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: after the activation process of the first cell, activating the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell based on the timer. Optionally, the method 600 further comprises: after the activation process of the first cell, activating the cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell.

[0101] In some example embodiments, method 600 further includes: switching from a cell discontinuous transmission to another cell discontinuous transmission.

[0102] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: during an activation procedure of the first cell, sending a reference signal set to the terminal device regardless of an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: during an activation process of the first cell, sending a tracking reference signal set in an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

[0104] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: extending an active period of discontinuous transmission of the cell during an activation procedure of the first cell until the apparatus receives a valid report.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: sending a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous transmission to the terminal device; and deactivating the cell discontinuous transmission before the activation indication for the first cell.

[0106] In some example embodiments, at block 640, the second device 120 receives from the terminal device a report based on measurements of a reference signal set of a cell being a special cell or a physical uplink control channel cell.

[0107] In some example embodiments, when the first cell is a secondary cell configured with a physical uplink control channel, cell discontinuous reception of the physical uplink control channel secondary cell is disabled, or when the first cell is a secondary cell not configured with a physical uplink control channel, cell discontinuous reception of the special cell is disabled.

[0108] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: based on determining that the report configuration is received, deactivating cell discontinuous reception of the second cell.

[0109] In some example embodiments, method 600 further comprises receiving the report regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the cell during the activation procedure of the first cell.

[0110] In some example embodiments, reception of at least one valid report is allowed regardless of an inactive period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0111] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further comprises: extending an active period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell until the apparatus receives the report.

[0112] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: sending a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell to the terminal device; and deactivating the cell discontinuous reception of the second cell before receiving the activation indication for the first cell.

[0113] In some example embodiments, the method 600 further includes: sending an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception to the terminal device.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises a network device.

[0115] In some example embodiments, any of the methods 500 can be performed (e.g., Figure 1 The first device 110 in the method 500 may include a device for performing the corresponding operation of the method 500. The device may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device may be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in Figure 1 In the first device 110.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus includes: a component for receiving a configuration of the first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; a component for receiving an activation indication for the first cell from the network device; and a component for monitoring a reference signal set from the network device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining that cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is deactivated based on receiving an activation indication for the first cell.

[0118] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes: a component for receiving an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell from a network device; and a component for determining that cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is activated based on the activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the first device further comprises: means for determining that cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is activated based on a timer after an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0120] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining to activate cell discontinuous transmission for the first cell after an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining to switch from the discontinuous transmission of the cell to the discontinuous transmission of another cell according to determining that the configuration further comprises a configuration of discontinuous transmission of another cell.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a reference signal set from a network device during an activation procedure of the first cell regardless of an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the reference signal set is a tracking reference signal set indicated in an activation indication and wherein the first device further comprises: a component for receiving the tracking reference signal set in an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell during an activation process of the first cell; and a component for performing measurements on the tracking reference signal set.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining that an active period of discontinuous transmission of the cell is extended during an activation procedure of the first cell until the first apparatus sends a valid report.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes: means for receiving a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous transmission from a serving cell; and means for determining that cell discontinuous transmission is deactivated before receiving an activation indication for the first cell.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for sending a report based on the measurement of the reference signal set to a second cell that is a special cell or a physical uplink control channel cell.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for determining, based on determining that the report is configured to be sent, that cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first device also includes: a component for determining that cell discontinuous reception of a physical uplink control channel secondary cell is disabled when the first cell is a secondary cell configured with a physical uplink control channel, or a component for determining that cell discontinuous reception of a special cell is disabled when the first cell is a secondary cell not configured with a physical uplink control channel.

[0129] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the report during an activation procedure of the first cell regardless of an inactive period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell.

[0130] In some example embodiments, sending of at least one valid report is allowed regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0131] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for determining that an active period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is extended until the report is received by the network device.

[0132] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further includes: means for receiving a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell from the serving cell; and means for determining that the cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated before receiving the activation indication for the first cell.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises: means for receiving an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception from a network device.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus comprises a terminal device.

[0135] In some example embodiments, the first apparatus further comprises means for performing the method 500 or other operations of some example embodiments of the first device 110. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause execution of the first apparatus.

[0136] In some example embodiments, any of the methods 600 can be performed (e.g., Figure 1 The second device 120 in the second apparatus 120 may include means for performing the corresponding operations of method 600. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuit or a software module. The second apparatus may be implemented as or included in Figure 1 In the second device 120 in.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus includes: a component for sending a configuration of the first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; a component for sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; and a component for sending a reference signal set to the terminal device during an activation process of the first cell.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for deactivating cell discontinuous transmission for the first cell based on the activation indication for the first cell.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for sending an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell to the terminal device.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for activating cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell based on a timer after an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for activating cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell after an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further includes means for switching from discontinuous transmission of a cell to discontinuous transmission of another cell.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for sending a reference signal set to the terminal device during an activation procedure of the first cell regardless of an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the reference signal set is a tracking reference signal set indicated in the activation indication, and wherein the second apparatus further comprises: means for transmitting the tracking reference signal set in an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0145] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for extending an active period of discontinuous transmission of the cell during an activation procedure of the first cell until the second apparatus receives a valid report.

[0146] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: a component for sending a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous transmission to the terminal device; and a component for deactivating cell discontinuous transmission before the activation indication for the first cell. In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: a component for receiving a report from the terminal device, the report being based on a measurement of a reference signal set of a cell being a special cell or a physical uplink control channel cell.

[0147] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for deactivating cell discontinuous reception of the second cell in response to determining that the report configuration is received.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the second device further includes: a component for disabling cell discontinuous reception of a physical uplink control channel secondary cell when the first cell is a secondary cell configured with a physical uplink control channel; or a component for disabling cell discontinuous reception of a special cell when the first cell is a secondary cell not configured with a physical uplink control channel.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the report regardless of an inactive period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell during the activation procedure of the first cell.

[0150] In some example embodiments, reception of at least one valid report is allowed regardless of an inactive period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell during an activation procedure of the first cell.

[0151] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for extending an active period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell until the second apparatus receives the report.

[0152] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises: means for sending a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell to the terminal device; and means for deactivating cell discontinuous reception of the second cell before sending an activation indication for the first cell.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further includes: a component for sending an activation indication of cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception to the terminal device.

[0154] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus comprises a network device.

[0155] In some example embodiments, the second apparatus further comprises means for performing the method 600 or other operations of some example embodiments of the second device 120. In some example embodiments, the apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause execution of the second apparatus.

[0156] Figure 7 700 is a simplified block diagram of an apparatus 700 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus 700 may be provided to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 1. As shown in the figure, the apparatus 700 includes one or more processors 710, one or more memories 720 coupled to the processors 710, and one or more communication modules 740 coupled to the processors 710.

[0157] The communication module 740 is used for two-way communication. The communication module 740 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 740 may include at least one antenna.

[0158] As non-limiting examples, processor 710 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and may include one or more of the following: a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 700 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time slaved to a clock of a synchronized main processor.

[0159] The memory 720 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 724, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), optical disk, laser disk, and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 722 and other volatile memories that will not last for the duration of a power outage.

[0160] The computer program 730 includes computer executable instructions executed by the associated processor 710. The instructions of the program 730 may include instructions for performing the operations / actions of some example embodiments of the present disclosure. The program 730 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 724. The processor 710 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading the program 730 into the RAM 722.

[0161] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented with the aid of a program 730, so that the device 700 may execute the following steps: Figures 2 to 6 Any process of the present disclosure discussed. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the program 730 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 700 (such as in the memory 720) or in other storage devices accessible to the device 700. The device 700 may load the program 730 from the computer-readable medium to the RAM 722 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. The term "non-transitory" as used herein is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal), not a limitation on data storage persistence (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0163] Figure 8 An example of a computer readable medium 800 is shown which may be in the form of a CD, DVD or other optical storage disk. The computer readable medium 800 has a program 730 stored thereon.

[0164] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, and other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0165] Some example embodiments of the present disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium). The computer program product includes computer executable instructions, such as those included in a program module executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform any method as described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functions of the program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. Machine executable instructions for program modules can be executed in local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0166] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, enables the functions / operations specified in the flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0167] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer readable media, etc.

[0168] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor systems, devices or apparatuses, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer readable storage media would include an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0169] In addition, although operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or performing all of the operations shown to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Unless explicitly stated, certain features described in the context of a separate embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, unless explicitly stated, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0170] Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receiving a configuration of a first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell, or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; receiving an activation indication for the first cell from the network device; During an activation process of the first cell, a reference signal set from the network device is monitored.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device: Based on reception of the activation indication of the first cell, it is determined that the cell discontinuous transmission for the first cell is deactivated.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device: After the activation process of the first cell, it is determined based on a timer that the cell discontinuous transmission for the first cell is activated.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device: After the activation process of the first cell, it is determined that the cell discontinuous transmission for the first cell is activated.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device: According to the determination that the configuration further includes a configuration of discontinuous transmission of another cell, it is determined to switch from the discontinuous transmission of the cell to the discontinuous transmission of the another cell.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device: During the activation process of the first cell, the set of reference signals is received from the network device regardless of an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reference signal set is a tracking reference signal set, and wherein the apparatus is caused to: During the activation process of the first cell, receiving the tracking reference signal set within an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell; and Measurements are performed on the set of tracking reference signals.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device: It is determined that an active period of discontinuous transmission of the cell is extended during an activation process of the first cell until the device sends a valid report.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device: receiving a deactivation indication of discontinuous transmission of the cell from a serving cell; Before receiving the activation indication for the first cell, it is determined that discontinuous transmission of the cell is deactivated.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device: A report based on the measurement of the reference signal set is sent to a second cell which is a special cell or a physical uplink control channel secondary cell.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the device: Based on the determination that the report configuration is to be sent, it is determined that cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the device: When the first cell is a secondary cell configured with a physical uplink control channel, determining to disable cell discontinuous reception of the physical uplink control channel secondary cell; or, When the first cell is a secondary cell for which a physical uplink control channel is not configured, it is determined to disable cell discontinuous reception of the special cell.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the device: During the activation procedure of the first cell, a report is sent regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein during the activation procedure of the first cell, sending of at least one valid report is allowed regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the device: It is determined that an active period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is extended until the network device receives the report.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein the device: receiving, from a serving cell, an indication of deactivation of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell; and Before receiving the activation indication for the first cell, it is determined that cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated.

17. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the device is: An activation indication of discontinuous reception of the cell or an activation indication of discontinuous transmission of the cell is received from the network device.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the apparatus comprises a terminal device.

19. An apparatus for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: Sending a configuration of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; Sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; During an activation process of the first cell, a reference signal set is sent to the terminal device.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the device: Based on the activation indication for the first cell, cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell is deactivated.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the device: After the activation process of the first cell, the cell discontinuous transmission is activated for the first cell based on a timer.

22. The device according to claim 20, wherein the device: After the activation process of the first cell, the cell discontinuous transmission is activated for the first cell.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the device: Switch from the discontinuous transmission of the cell to another discontinuous transmission of the cell.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the device: During the activation process of the first cell, the set of reference signals is sent to the terminal device regardless of an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the reference signal set is a tracking reference signal set, and wherein the apparatus is caused to: During the activation process of the first cell, the tracking reference signal set is sent during an inactive period of discontinuous transmission of the cell.

26. The device of claim 19, wherein the device: During the activation process of the first cell, an active period of discontinuous transmission of the cell is extended until the device receives a valid report.

27. The device of claim 19, wherein the device: Sending a deactivation indication of discontinuous transmission of the cell to the terminal device; Before the activation indication for the first cell, cell discontinuous transmission is deactivated.

28. The device of claim 19, wherein the device: A report based on measurements of the set of reference signals is received from the terminal device.

29. The device according to claim 28, wherein the device: Based on the determination that the report configuration is received, cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein the device: When the first cell is a secondary cell configured with a physical uplink control channel, disabling cell discontinuous reception of the physical uplink control channel secondary cell; or, When the first cell is a secondary cell for which a physical uplink control channel is not configured, the cell discontinuous reception of the special cell is disabled.

31. The device of claim 28, wherein the device: During the activation procedure of the first cell, a report is received regardless of an inactivity period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein during the activation procedure of the first cell, reception of at least one valid report is allowed regardless of an inactive period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus is caused to: An active period of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is extended until the report is received by the apparatus.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus: Sending a deactivation indication of cell discontinuous reception of the second cell to the terminal device; and Before sending the activation indication for the first cell, cell discontinuous reception of the second cell is deactivated.

35. The apparatus of any one of claims 19-34, wherein the apparatus is caused to: An activation indication of discontinuous reception of the cell or an activation indication of discontinuous transmission of the cell is sent to the terminal device.

36. The apparatus of any one of claims 19-34, wherein the apparatus comprises a network device.

37. A method for communication, comprising: Receiving, at an apparatus, a configuration of a first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; receiving an activation indication for the first cell from the network device; During an activation process of the first cell, a reference signal set from the network device is monitored.

38. A method for communication, comprising: Sending, at an apparatus, a configuration of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; Sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; During an activation process of the first cell, a reference signal set is sent to the terminal device.

39. An apparatus for communication, comprising: means for receiving a configuration of a first cell from a network device, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; means for receiving, from the network device, an activation indication for the first cell; as well as Means for monitoring a set of reference signals from the network device during an activation procedure of the first cell.

40. An apparatus for communication, comprising: A component for sending a configuration of a first cell to a terminal device, wherein the configuration includes at least one of the following: a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission of the first cell or a configuration of cell discontinuous reception of the first cell; A component for sending an activation indication for the first cell to the terminal device; as well as Means for sending a set of reference signals to the terminal device during an activation procedure of the first cell.

41. A computer readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least perform the method of claim 37 or claim 38.

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