Method for starting and stopping DRX / DTX duration timer and user equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a method for starting a DRX / DTX duration timer by user equipment and the user equipment. The method comprises the following steps: under the condition that a cell or an MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission (cell DRX / DTX) configuration information, judging whether a starting condition indicating that the user equipment is indicated to activate the cell DRX / DTX is met or not; and when the starting condition is satisfied, starting the cell DRX / DTX duration timer at a starting opportunity for starting the cell DRX / DTX duration timer calculated based on the cell DRX / DTX configuration information received from the network.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a method for starting a DRX / DTX duration timer and a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer performed by a user equipment and a corresponding user equipment. Background Art

[0002] Network energy saving is beneficial to reducing environmental impact and saving operator costs. By lengthening the time interval for the base station to continuously receive and send data and shutting down the transmission and reception of some symbols, the base station can be put into a sleep state, or the cell where it is located can be put into a network energy saving mode, thereby reducing the power consumption of the base station and achieving network energy saving. For the above reasons, in December 2022, at the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) RAN#98e plenary meeting, the NR network energy saving work project for version 18 (see non-patent document: RP-223540 New WID: Network energy savings for NR) was approved. One of the goals of this work project is to enhance cell DRX and cell DTX in the RRC connected state, that is, network discontinuous reception and network discontinuous transmission, so as to achieve network energy saving. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to solve the problem of when a UE activates / deactivates cell DRX and / or cell DTX, and when to start and stop related timers after cell DRX and / or cell DTX are introduced.

[0004] According to a method of the present invention, there is provided a method for starting a DRX / DTX duration timer executed by a user equipment, comprising: in a case where the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission, i.e., cell DRX / DTX configuration information, judging whether a start condition indicating that the user equipment is instructed to activate cell DRX / DTX is met; and when the start condition is met, starting the cell DRX / DTX duration timer at the start timing of starting the cell DRX / DTX duration timer calculated based on the cell DRX / DTX configuration information received from the network.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer performed by a user equipment is provided, comprising: in a case where the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission, i.e., cell DRX / DTX configuration information, determining whether a stop condition indicating that the user equipment is instructed to deactivate cell DRX / DTX is met; when the stop condition is met, determining whether a cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running; and if the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running, stopping the cell DRX / DTX duration timer.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer performed by a user equipment is provided, comprising: in a case where the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission, i.e., cell DRX / DTX configuration information, if a cell DRX / DTX command MAC CE indicating stopping the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is received, determining whether the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running; and if the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running, stopping the cell DRX / DTX duration timer.

[0007] According to the present invention, a timer related to cell DRX and / or cell DTX can be started / stopped preparatory at an appropriate timing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the timing advance amount according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for starting a DRX / DTX duration timer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 3 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 4 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 5 The figure is a simplified structural block diagram of a user equipment UE involved in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments described below. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, detailed descriptions of known technologies that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted to prevent confusion in understanding the present invention.

[0014] The following describes some of the terms involved in the present invention. The specific meanings of the terms can be found in the latest 3GPP standard specifications.

[0015] UE:User Equipment

[0016] NR: New Radio, a new generation of wireless technology

[0017] MAC: Medium Access Control

[0018] MAC CE: MAC control element

[0019] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0020] RRC CONNECTED: RRC connected state

[0021] RRC INACTIVE: RRC inactive state

[0022] RRC IDLE: RRC idle state

[0023] RAN: Radio Access Network, wireless access layer

[0024] PDCCH: Physical downlink control channel, physical downlink control channel

[0025] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel, physical uplink control channel

[0026] PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel, physical uplink shared channel

[0027] PBCH: Physical broadcast channel

[0028] SFN:System Frame Number system frame number

[0029] PDU: Protocol Data Unit

[0030] SSB: SS / PBCH block, synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block

[0031] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0032] C-RNTI: Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0033] RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0034] RSRQ: Reference Signal Received Quality

[0035] SpCell: Special Cell, including PCell and PSCell

[0036] DC: Dual Connectivity

[0037] MCG: Master Cell Group

[0038] SCG: Secondary Cell Group

[0039] PCell: Primary Cell

[0040] PSCell: Primary SCG Cell

[0041] MIB: Master Information Block, main message block

[0042] DRX: Discontinuous Reception

[0043] DTX: Discontinuous Transmission

[0044] SIB: System Information Block, system message block

[0045] NES: network energy saving

[0046] gNB: the next Generation Node B

[0047] RLF: Radio Link Failure, radio link failure

[0048] SN: Sequence Number

[0049] CN: Core Network

[0050] SR: Scheduling Request

[0051] UL-SCH: Uplink Shared Channel, uplink shared channel

[0052] BWP: Bandwidth Part, bandwidth part

[0053] CSI: Channel State Information

[0054] SRS: Sounding Reference Signal, channel detection reference signal

[0055] HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request

[0056] TAG: Timing Advance Group, timing advance group

[0057] PTAG: Primary Timing Advance Group

[0058] STAG: Secondary Timing Advance Group

[0059] In the present invention, network (network or NW), base station (base station or gNB or eNB) and RAN can be used interchangeably. The network can be a long-term evolution LTE network, a new radio access technology (New RAT, NR) network, an enhanced long-term evolution eLTE network, or other networks defined in subsequent evolution versions of 3GPP.

[0060] In the present invention, the user equipment UE may refer to a device supporting network energy saving, may refer to a device supporting Cell DRX and / or Cell DTX, or may refer to other types of NR devices or LTE devices.

[0061] In the present invention, "feedback", "submit", "report", "send", "transmit or transport", "inform", "indicate", "provide" can be used interchangeably. "Use", "make available", "apply", "implement", "enable", "activate", "perform", "do" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0062] In the present invention, "associate", "correspond" and "map" can be used interchangeably.

[0063] In the present invention, receive, detect and monitor can be used interchangeably.

[0064] In the present invention, activation period and activation time can be used interchangeably, deactivation period and deactivation time can be used interchangeably, and "deactivation (non-active or deactive)" and "sleep" can be used interchangeably.

[0065] In the present invention, "time" can be time, duration, period, etc.

[0066] In the present invention, the "physical layer" may also be referred to as "layer one (L1)" or "lower layer" and may be used interchangeably.

[0067] It should be noted that, in this specification, two things connected by "and", "or", or "and / or" may represent different ways of expressing the same meaning in different application scenarios. There may be a relationship of inclusion and being included between the two, and they do not necessarily refer to completely different contents.

[0068] Hereinafter, a description is given of related art of the present invention.

[0069] Cell DTX

[0070] In order to save network power consumption, the network can transmit discontinuously. The network can configure Cell DTX for the UE so that the UE knows how the network transmits discontinuously in a certain cell. After the network configures the Cell DTX configuration information for the UE through an RRC message, the UE can consider that the Cell DTX is activated; the network deletes the configured Cell DTX through an RRC message, and the UE can consider that the Cell DTX is deactivated. The state of Cell DTX can also be indicated after configuration through a physical layer indication, such as DCI (more specifically, DCI format 2_9), that is, indicating that Cell DTX is activated or deactivated. The Cell DTX configuration information can include information such as the discontinuous transmission period, the start transmission timer, and the start transmission offset. Cell DTX can be divided into two parts: activation time and inactivation time. During the activation time, the network performs downlink transmission, and during the inactivation time, the network does not transmit data. The activation time includes the transmission duration (on-duration), and may also include a portion of the transmission duration extended due to various reasons, and may also include the time when the network needs to transmit due to various reasons.

[0071] During the activation time of Cell DTX, the UE needs to monitor PDCCH to obtain downlink allocation and / or uplink authorization for new transmission, and receive downlink data, that is, the UE's downlink monitoring and receiving behavior is not affected. During the inactive time of Cell DTX, the UE generally does not need to monitor PDCCH to obtain downlink allocation and / or uplink authorization for new transmission. However, the UE still needs to monitor paging and obtain system messages. Generally, during the inactive time of Cell DTX, the UE's uplink transmission is not affected, that is, the network's reception is not affected.

[0072] Cell DRX

[0073] In order to save network power consumption, the network can receive discontinuously. The network can configure Cell DRX for the UE so that the UE knows how the network receives discontinuously in a certain cell. After the network configures the Cell DRX configuration information for the UE through the RRC message, the Cell DRX can be assumed to be activated; the network deletes the configured Cell DRX through the RRC message, and the UE can think that the Cell DRX is deactivated. After configuration, the state of Cell DRX can also be indicated through physical layer indications, such as DCI (more specifically, DCI format 2_9), that is, indicating the activation or deactivation of Cell DRX. The Cell DRX configuration information can include information such as the discontinuous reception period, the start reception timer, and the start reception offset. Cell DRX can be divided into two parts: activation time and inactivation time. The network receives data during the activation time, and does not receive data during the inactivation time. The activation time includes the reception duration (on-duration), and may also include the part where the reception duration is extended due to various reasons, and may also include the time when the network needs to receive due to various reasons.

[0074] During the activation time of Cell DRX, the UE performs uplink transmission normally. During the inactive time of Cell DRX, the UE performs the random access process normally, but if the SR is triggered, the SR pending (suspended) can be sent until the end of the deactivation time of Cell DRX (that is, entering the activation time of Cell DRX), which means that if the SR transmission timing overlaps with the inactive time of Cell DRX, the SR will not be sent. Generally, during the inactive time of Cell DRX, the UE downlink monitoring or reception is not affected, that is, the network transmission is not affected.

[0075] When the network configures only one of Cell DRX or Cell DTX, the physical layer indication as described above may include a bit for indicating the state of the currently configured Cell DRX or Cell DTX, i.e., activation or deactivation. For example, when the bit value is "0", it indicates that the configured Cell DRX or Cell DTX is deactivated, and when the bit value is "1", it indicates that the configured Cell DRX or Cell DTX is activated.

[0076] When the network is configured with Cell DRX and Cell DTX (i.e., both Cell DRX and Cell DTX are configured), the physical layer indication as described above may include two bits, one bit indicating the status of the currently configured Cell DTX (i.e., activated or deactivated), and the other bit indicating the status of the currently configured Cell DRX (i.e., activated or deactivated).

[0077] When the network is configured with Cell DRX and Cell DTX (i.e., both Cell DRX and Cell DTX are configured), the values ​​of some or all parameters in Cell DRX and Cell DTX need to be the same, thereby reducing the implementation complexity of the network and UE. For example, the value of the discontinuous transmission period is the same as the value of the discontinuous reception period, the value of the start transmission timer is the same as the value of the start reception timer, and other parameters are similar and will not be repeated.

[0078] Upon receiving the Cell DTX / Cell DRX activation or deactivation indicated by the physical layer sent by the network, the UE may delay application of the activation / deactivation, i.e., activate or deactivate the Cell DTX / Cell DRX several slots after receiving the slot indicated by the physical layer.

[0079] UE-side connected DRX

[0080] In the RRC connected state, the network can configure the UE-side connected DRX for the UE, allowing the UE to receive discontinuously, that is, to allow the UE to periodically enter the sleep state at certain times and not monitor the PDCCH. When it needs to monitor the PDCCH, it wakes up from the sleep state, so that the UE can save power.

[0081] The cells (one or more) in one MAC entity can be configured in two UE-side DRX groups, and each UE-side DRX group can have its own parameter configuration. If the network configures only one UE-side DRX group, all cells (one or more) in the MAC entity belong to this UE-side DRX group.

[0082] Time advance N TA

[0083] Time advance N TA It can be used to calculate the timing advance between downlink and uplink.

[0084] like Figure 1 As shown, in order to maintain uplink synchronization, the UE needs to start the transmission of the i-th uplink frame (Uplink Frame i) some time before the start position of the i-th downlink frame (Downlink Frame i). This time period can be determined by the time advance value T TA Characterization, T TA =(N TA +N TA，offset )*T c , where T cIt is a time parameter related to the carrier frequency.

[0085] The Timing Advance Command and Absolute Timing Advance Command MAC CE contain an index value, which is recorded as T A , used to calculate N TA When receiving the Timing Advance Command contained in the random access response or in the MSG B, or receiving the AbsoluteTiming Advance Command MAC CE, the UE can calculate N based on the TA therein. TA In other words, TA indirectly indicates the value of N TA The value of .

[0086] From the above formula, we can know that the time advance N TA Can be used to determine the time advance value T TA , so the two statements can be used interchangeably in this article, where the time advance value T TA It can be referred to as TA value for short.

[0087] Timing Advance Group (TAG)

[0088] In order to maintain uplink time alignment (UL time alignment), each cell is divided into a TAG, and cells with the same time advance belong to the same TAG. In order to manage the validity of the TA value, each TAG can have its own timer timeAlignmentTimer (time alignment timer) to control the effective time of the uplink synchronization of the cells (Serving Cells) belonging to the TAG. When the TA value is updated, the timeAlignmentTimer of the corresponding TAG will be started or restarted; when the timeAlignmentTimer of a TAG times out, it means that the uplink of the cell belonging to the TAG is no longer synchronized, and the UE clears the cached data in the HARQ buffer. The TAG of the SpCell containing the MAC entity is called PTAG, and other TAGs are called STAGs.

[0089] The present invention discusses when the UE activates / deactivates Cell DRX / Cell DTX, and when to start and stop related timers after the introduction of Cell DRX and / or Cell DTX. Through the present invention, Cell DRX / Cell DTX can be correctly activated / deactivated, related timers can be started or stopped in time, unnecessary UE calculations and repeated timer start operations can be reduced, and abnormal processing caused by timeAlignmentTimer timer timeout can be avoided, thereby avoiding or reducing the impact of Cell DTX / CellDRX on the service performance of the UE.

[0090] The following is an overview of each implementation method of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the expression "DRX / DTX" refers to "DRX and / or DTX". For example, "cell DRX / DTX configuration information" refers to "cell DRX and / or DTX configuration information", and "cell DRX / DTX duration timer" refers to "cell DRX and / or DTX duration timer". The so-called "configured with cell DRX / DTX configuration information" means, in other words, that the cell DRX function and / or cell DTX function are configured.

[0091] Figure 2 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for starting a DRX / DTX duration timer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] like Figure 2 As shown, at 202, it is determined whether the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell DRX / DTX configuration information.

[0093] In the case where the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with the cell DRX / DTX configuration information, at 204, it is determined whether a start condition indicating that the user equipment is instructed to activate the cell DRX / DTX is satisfied.

[0094] As an example, the start condition may include any one of the following: the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is configured for the first time, and the user equipment is configured to activate the cell DRX / DTX if the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is configured; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the cell DRX / DTX is activated before the reconfiguration is performed; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to maintain the cell DRX / DTX state before the reconfiguration; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to maintain the cell DRX / DTX state before the reconfiguration, and before the reconfiguration is performed, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated or the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is not running; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed to activate the cell DRX / DTX when the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured. DTX; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed to activate the cell DRX / DTX when the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated or the cell DRX / DTX timer is not running before the reconfiguration is performed; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to use the downlink indication to activate / deactivate the cell DRX / DTX; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to use the downlink indication to activate / deactivate the cell DRX / DTX, and the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated or the cell DRX / DTX timer is not running before the reconfiguration is performed; an activation indication for the cell DRX / DTX is received, and the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is not running; an activation indication for the cell DRX / DTX is received, and before the reconfiguration is performed, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated; an activation indication for the cell DRX / DTX is received, and the delay time indicated by the physical layer has passed since the activation indication was received.

[0095] When the start condition is met, at 206, based on the cell DRX / DTX configuration information received from the network, a start timing of starting the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is calculated.

[0096] Then at 208, at the calculated start timing, the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is started.

[0097] Here, if the cell DRX / DTX is configured for the corresponding cell, the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is a timer for the corresponding cell, and if the cell DRX / DTX is configured for the corresponding MAC entity, the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is a timer for the corresponding MAC entity. The same is true in the following implementations.

[0098] Figure 3 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] like Figure 3 As shown, at 302, it is determined whether the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell DRX / DTX configuration information.

[0100] In the case that the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with the cell DRX / DTX configuration information, at 304, it is determined whether a stop condition indicating that the user equipment is instructed to deactivate the cell DRX / DTX is satisfied.

[0101] The stop condition may include any one of the following: the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is deleted, and the user equipment is configured to deactivate the cell DRX / DTX if the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is deleted; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and before the reconfiguration is performed, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated; the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed to maintain the cell DRX / DTX state before the reconfiguration, and before the reconfiguration is performed, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated; a deactivation indication for the cell DRX / DTX is received, and a delay time indicated by the physical layer has passed since the deactivation indication was received.

[0102] When the stop condition is met, at 306, it is determined whether the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running.

[0103] If the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running, then at 308, the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is stopped.

[0104] Figure 4 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] like Figure 4 As shown, at 402, it is determined whether the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell DRX / DTX configuration information.

[0106] In case the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with the cell DRX / DTX configuration information, at 404, it is determined whether a cell DRX / DTX command MAC CE instructing to stop the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is received.

[0107] If the cell DRX / DTX command MAC CE is received, then at 406, it is determined whether the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running.

[0108] If the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running, then at step 408, the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is stopped.

[0109] Several embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below to illustrate each implementation in more detail.

[0110] In the following embodiments of the present invention, a "cell" may refer to a cell of a MAC entity (corresponding to / managing), or a cell corresponding to a connected DRX group on the UE side, and a "cell" may be one or more cells.

[0111] Example 1

[0112] Optionally, in step one, the UE receives Cell DTX configuration information (e.g., CellDTX-Config) sent by the network. Optionally, the Cell DTX configuration information may be included in an RRC-specific message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message). Optionally, the CellDTX configuration information may include, but is not limited to: Cell DTX cycle, Cell DTX OnDurationTimer (an activation time at the beginning of a CellDTX cycle), Cell DTX StartOffset (Cell DTX start subframe), Cell DTXSlotOffset (a delay before the start of OnDurationTimer). Optionally, when the UE receives the Cell DTX configuration information, it is considered that the corresponding MAC entity is configured with the Cell DTX configuration information, or the corresponding cell is configured with the Cell DTX configuration information.

[0113] Optionally, the UE receives an RRC-specific message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) sent by the network, which includes a CellDTX state maintenance indication information for indicating whether the UE's current Cell DTX state continues to be maintained. Optionally, the CellDTX state maintenance indication information may be included in the Cell DTX configuration information. For example, a possible implementation is: the Cell DTX state maintenance indication information is one bit, and if the RRC-specific information includes the Cell DTX state maintenance indication information, it indicates that the current Cell DTX state needs to be maintained (i.e., if the current Cell DTX is activated, it continues to be activated, and if it is deactivated, it continues to be deactivated), otherwise, if the RRC-specific information does not include the CellDTX state maintenance indication information, it indicates that the Cell DTX needs to be activated regardless of the current Cell DTX state. For example, another possible implementation is: the Cell DTX state maintenance indication information is a bit. If the Cell DTX state maintenance indication takes a certain value (such as "1"), it means that the current Cell DTX state needs to be maintained (that is, if the current Cell DTX is activated, it continues to be activated, and if it is deactivated, it continues to be deactivated). If the Cell DTX state maintenance indication takes another specific value (such as "0"), it means that the Cell DTX needs to be activated regardless of the current Cell DTX state. Optionally, the RRC layer of the UE receives the Cell DTX state maintenance indication, determines whether the Cell DTX state needs to be maintained according to the implementation described above, and notifies the MAC layer of this information.

[0114] Alternatively, optionally, the UE receives an RRC-specific message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) sent by the network including a reconfiguration activation indication, and the reconfiguration activation indication can be used to indicate whether the UE needs to activate Cell DTX when the Cell DTX configuration information is updated (e.g., if the indication takes the value 1, it indicates that Cell DTX needs to be activated, and if the indication takes the value 0, it indicates that Cell DTX does not need to be activated). Optionally, the Cell DTX state maintenance indication information can be included in the Cell DTX configuration information.

[0115] Alternatively, optionally, the RRC-specific message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) received by the UE from the network includes an indication of adopting a lower layer, and the indication of adopting a lower layer can be used to indicate whether the UE needs to activate / deactivate Cell DTX according to the indication received by the lower layer (e.g., if the indication takes the value 1, it indicates that a downlink indication is used to activate / deactivate Cell DTX, and if the indication takes the value 0, it indicates that a downlink indication is not used to activate / deactivate Cell DTX). Optionally, the Cell DTX state maintenance indication information can be included in the Cell DTX configuration information.

[0116] Optionally, in step 2, for each cell configured with Cell DTX configuration information, or for a MAC entity configured with Cell DTX configuration information, the MAC entity performs at least one of the following judgments:

[0117] -Cell DTX configuration information is configured for the first time or reconfigured by the upper layer;

[0118] -Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by the upper layer), and Cell DTX (status) is activated;

[0119] -Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by the upper layer) and Cell DTXOnDurationTimer is running;

[0120] -Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (Cell DTX state maintenance indication, or upper layer indication) the Cell DTX state does not need to be maintained, optionally, and the Cell DTX (state) is deactivated or the Cell DTXOnDurationTimer is not running;

[0121] -Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (reconfiguration activation indication, or upper layer indication) Cell DTX needs to be activated when the Cell DTX configuration information is updated, optionally and Cell DTX (status) is deactivated or Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is not running;

[0122] -Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (by a lower layer indication or an upper layer indication) no downlink indication is used to activate / deactivate Cell DTX, optionally, and Cell DTX (status) is deactivated or CellDTX OnDurationTimer is not running;

[0123] -Received Cell DTX (status) activation indication (indicated by lower layer) and Cell DTXOnDurationTimer is not running;

[0124] -Received Cell DTX (state) activation indication (indicated by lower layer), and Cell DTX (state) is deactivated;

[0125] - A Cell DTX (state) activation indication (indicated by the lower layer) is received, and n slots (defined by the lower layer and optionally indicated to the MAC layer) have passed since the activation indication was received.

[0126] The judgment of the above conditions is independent of execution, that is, the execution order of each of the above conditions can be interchanged.

[0127] Among them, "modified or updated (by the upper layer)" can also be expressed as "reconfigured (by the upper layer)".

[0128] Wherein, optionally, the upper layer refers to the RRC layer. Optionally, the lower layer refers to the physical layer.

[0129] Wherein, optionally, the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX of the cell, or the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX of the MAC entity. The Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is the Cell DTXOnDurationTimer of the cell, or the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer of the MAC entity.

[0130] Among them, "configured for the first time (by the upper layer)" may include but is not limited to: the UE receives the Cell DTX configuration information for the first time after entering the RRC connected state or the RRC connection is established; the UE receives the Cell DTX configuration information for the first time after switching from one cell to another, and the Cell DTX configuration information may be received through an RRC reconfiguration message with synchronous reconfiguration; the UE receives the Cell DTX configuration information for the first time after recovering from the RRC inactive state to the RRC connected state, and the Cell DTX configuration information may be received through an RRC recovery message.

[0131] When at least one of the above conditions is met, the MAC entity calculates the starting subframe of the Cell DTX cycle according to the Cell DTX cycle and Cell DTXStartOffset, and starts the OnDurationTimer of Cell DTX at a position offset by SlotOffset from the starting position of the starting subframe. Optionally, the Cell DTXOnDurationTimer started is for the cell, or the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer started is for the MAC entity.

[0132] Example 2

[0133] According to Example 1, step 1 of this embodiment is the same as step 1 of Example 1.

[0134] Optionally, in step 2, for each cell configured with Cell DTX configuration information, or for a MAC entity configured with Cell DTX configuration information, the MAC entity performs at least one of the following judgments:

[0135] -Cell DTX configuration information is deleted (by the upper layer);

[0136] - A Cell DTX (state) deactivation indication (indicated by a lower layer) is received, and the Cell DTX (state) (of the cell) is activated;

[0137] -Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (the upper layer indicates that) the Cell DTX state (of the cell) needs to be maintained, and the Cell DTX (state) (of the cell) is deactivated;

[0138] - A Cell DTX (state) deactivation indication (indicated by the lower layer) is received, and n slots (defined by the lower layer and optionally indicated to the MAC layer) have passed since the activation indication was received.

[0139] The judgment of the above conditions is independent of execution, that is, the execution order of each of the above conditions can be interchanged.

[0140] Among them, "modified or updated (by the upper layer)" can also be expressed as "reconfigured (by the upper layer)".

[0141] Wherein, optionally, the upper layer refers to the RRC layer. Optionally, the lower layer refers to the physical layer.

[0142] If at least one of the above conditions is met, the MAC entity stops the Cell DTXOnDurationTimer (if the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is running).

[0143] Wherein, optionally, the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX of the cell, or the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX of the MAC entity. The Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is the Cell DTXOnDurationTimer of the cell, or the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer of the MAC entity.

[0144] Alternatively, optionally, in step two, the Cell DTX configuration information is modified or updated (by the upper layer), and the (upper layer indicates) Cell DTX state (of the cell) needs to be maintained, and the Cell DTX (state) (of the cell) is deactivated or the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is not running, then the MAC entity continues to maintain the Cell DTX state (of the cell) in a deactivated state.

[0145] Example 3

[0146] Optionally, in step one, the UE receives Cell DRX configuration information (e.g., CellDRX-Config) sent by the network. Optionally, the Cell DRX configuration information may be included in an RRC-specific message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message). Optionally, the CellDRX configuration information may include, but is not limited to: Cell DRX cycle, Cell DRX OnDurationTimer (an activation time at the beginning of a CellDRX cycle), Cell DRX StartOffset (Cell DRX start subframe), Cell DRXSlotOffset (a delay before the start of OnDurationTimer). Optionally, when the UE receives the Cell DRX configuration information, it is considered that the corresponding MAC entity is configured with the Cell DRX configuration information, or the corresponding cell is configured with the Cell DRX configuration information.

[0147] Optionally, the RRC-specific message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) sent by the network received by the UE includes a CellDRX state maintenance indication information for indicating whether the current Cell DRX state of the UE continues to be maintained. Optionally, the CellDRX state maintenance indication information may be included in the Cell DRX configuration information. For example, a possible implementation is: the Cell DRX state maintenance indication information is a bit, if the RRC-specific information includes the Cell DRX state maintenance indication information, it indicates that the current Cell DRX state needs to be maintained (i.e., if the current Cell DRX is activated, it continues to be activated, and if it is deactivated, it continues to be deactivated), otherwise if the RRC-specific information does not include the CellDRX state maintenance indication information, it indicates that the Cell DRX needs to be activated regardless of the current Cell DRX state. For example, another possible implementation is: the Cell DRX state maintenance indication information is a bit. If the Cell DRX state maintenance indication value is a certain specific value (such as "1"), it means that the current Cell DRX state needs to be maintained (that is, if the current Cell DRX is activated, it continues to be activated, and if it is deactivated, it continues to be deactivated). If the Cell DRX state maintenance indication value is another specific value (such as "0"), it means that regardless of the current Cell DRX state, the Cell DRX needs to be activated.

[0148] Alternatively, optionally, the UE receives an RRC-specific message (e.g., an RRC reconfiguration message) sent by the network including a reconfiguration activation indication, and the reconfiguration activation indication can be used to indicate whether the UE needs to activate Cell DRX when the Cell DRX configuration information is updated (e.g., if the indication takes the value 1, it indicates that Cell DRX needs to be activated, and if the indication takes the value 0, it indicates that Cell DRX does not need to be activated). Optionally, the Cell DRX state maintenance indication information can be included in the Cell DRX configuration information.

[0149] Alternatively, optionally, the RRC-specific message (e.g., RRC reconfiguration message) received by the UE from the network includes an indication of adopting a lower layer, and the indication of adopting a lower layer can be used to indicate whether the UE needs to activate / deactivate Cell DRX according to the indication received by the lower layer (e.g., if the indication takes the value 1, it indicates that a downlink indication is used to activate / deactivate Cell DRX, and if the indication takes the value 0, it indicates that a downlink indication is not used to activate / deactivate Cell DRX). Optionally, the Cell DRX state maintenance indication information can be included in the Cell DRX configuration information.

[0150] Optionally, in step 2, for each cell configured with Cell DRX configuration information, or for a MAC entity configured with Cell DRX configuration information, the MAC entity performs at least one of the following judgments:

[0151] -Cell DRX configuration information is configured for the first time or reconfigured by the upper layer;

[0152] -Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by the upper layer), and Cell DRX (status) is activated;

[0153] -Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by the upper layer) and the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is running;

[0154] -Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (Cell DTX state maintenance indication, or upper layer indication) the Cell DRX state does not need to be maintained, optionally, and the Cell DRX (state) is deactivated or the Cell DRXOnDurationTimer is not running;

[0155] -Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (reconfiguration activation indication, or upper layer indication) Cell DRX needs to be activated when the Cell DRX configuration information is updated, optionally and Cell DRX (status) is deactivated or Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is not running;

[0156] -Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (by a lower layer indication or an upper layer indication) no downlink indication is used to activate / deactivate Cell DRX, optionally, and Cell DRX (status) is deactivated or CellDRX OnDurationTimer is not running;

[0157] -Received Cell DRX (status) activation indication (indicated by lower layer) and Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is not running;

[0158] -Received Cell DRX (status) activation indication (indicated by lower layer), and Cell DRX (status) is deactivated;

[0159] - A Cell DRX (status) activation indication (indicated by lower layers) is received, and n slots (defined by lower layers and optionally indicated to the MAC layer) have passed since the activation indication was received.

[0160] The judgment of the above conditions is independent of execution, that is, the execution order of each of the above conditions can be interchanged.

[0161] Among them, "modified or updated (by the upper layer)" can also be expressed as "reconfigured (by the upper layer)".

[0162] Wherein, optionally, the upper layer refers to the RRC layer. Optionally, the lower layer refers to the physical layer.

[0163] Wherein, optionally, the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX of the cell, or the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX of the MAC entity.

[0164] Among them, "configured for the first time (by the upper layer)" may include but is not limited to: the UE receives the Cell DRX configuration information for the first time after entering the RRC connected state or the RRC connection is established; the UE receives the Cell DRX configuration information for the first time after switching from one cell to another, and the Cell DRX configuration information may be received through an RRC reconfiguration message with synchronous reconfiguration; the UE receives the Cell DRX configuration information for the first time after recovering from the RRC inactive state to the RRC connected state, and the Cell DRX configuration information may be received through an RRC recovery message.

[0165] When at least one of the above conditions is met, the MAC entity calculates the starting subframe of the Cell DRX cycle according to the Cell DRX cycle and Cell DRXStartOffset, and starts the OnDurationTimer of Cell DRX at a position offset by SlotOffset from the starting position of the starting subframe. Optionally, the Cell DRXOnDurationTimer started is for the cell, or the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer started is for the MAC entity.

[0166] Example 4

[0167] According to Example 3, step 1 of this embodiment is the same as step 1 of Example 3.

[0168] Optionally, in step 2, for each cell configured with Cell DRX configuration information, or for a MAC entity configured with Cell DRX configuration information, the MAC entity performs at least one of the following judgments:

[0169] -Cell DRX configuration information is deleted (by the upper layer);

[0170] - A Cell DRX (state) deactivation indication (indicated by a lower layer) is received, and the Cell DRX (state) (of the cell) is activated;

[0171] -Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by an upper layer), and (the upper layer indicates) that the Cell DRX state (of the cell) needs to be maintained, and the Cell DRX (state) (of the cell) is deactivated;

[0172] - A Cell DRX (status) deactivation indication (indicated by the lower layer) is received, and n slots (defined by the lower layer and optionally indicated to the MAC layer) have passed since the activation indication was received.

[0173] The judgment of the above conditions is independent of execution, that is, the execution order of each of the above conditions can be interchanged.

[0174] Among them, "modified or updated (by the upper layer)" can also be expressed as "reconfigured (by the upper layer)".

[0175] Wherein, optionally, the upper layer refers to the RRC layer. Optionally, the lower layer refers to the physical layer.

[0176] When at least one of the above conditions is met, the MAC entity stops the Cell DRXOnDurationTimer (if the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is running).

[0177] Wherein, optionally, the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX of the cell, or the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX of the MAC entity. The Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is the Cell DRXOnDurationTimer of the cell, or the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer of the MAC entity.

[0178] Alternatively, optionally, in step two, the Cell DRX configuration information is modified or updated (by the upper layer), and the (upper layer indicates) Cell DRX state (of the cell) needs to be maintained, and the Cell DRX (state) (of the cell) is deactivated or the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is not running, then the MAC entity continues to maintain the Cell DRX state (of the cell) in a deactivated state.

[0179] Example 5

[0180] Optionally, based on Example 1, the steps are the same as step 1 of Example 1.

[0181] Optionally, in step 2, for each cell configured with Cell DTX configuration information, or for a MAC entity configured with Cell DTX configuration information, upon receiving a Cell DTX Command MAC CE sent by the network, the MAC entity stops the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer (if the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is running). Optionally, the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX of the cell, or the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX of the MAC entity. The Cell DTX OnDurationTimer is the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer of the cell, or the Cell DTX is the Cell DTX OnDurationTimer of the MAC entity.

[0182] Optionally, the LCID (Logical Channel Identifier) ​​in the MAC subheader of the Cell DTX Command MAC CE may be set to a specific value so that the UE can identify the MAC CE. Optionally, the size of the Cell DTX Command MAC CE is fixed to 0 bits.

[0183] Example 6

[0184] Optionally, based on Example 3, the steps are the same as step 1 of Example 1.

[0185] Optionally, in step 2, for each cell configured with Cell DRX configuration information, or for a MAC entity configured with Cell DRX configuration information, upon receiving a Cell DRX Command MAC CE sent by the network, the MAC entity stops the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer (if the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is running). Optionally, the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX of the cell, or the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX of the MAC entity. The Cell DRX OnDurationTimer is the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer of the cell, or the Cell DRX is the Cell DRX OnDurationTimer of the MAC entity.

[0186] Optionally, the LCID (Logical Channel Identifier) ​​in the MAC subheader of the Cell DRX Command MAC CE may be set to a specific value so that the UE can identify the MAC CE. Optionally, the payload size of the Cell DRX Command MAC CE is fixed to 0 bits.

[0187] Example 7

[0188] Optionally, during the inactive period of Cell DTX, the UE pauses or suspends timeAlignmentTimer (if the timeAlignmentTimer is running), and after entering the active period of Cell DTX, the UE resumes timeAlignmentTimer.

[0189] Or, optionally, when timeAlignmentTimer times out, if timeAlignmentTimer is associated with PTAG and is within the activation period of Cell DTX (or not within the inactive period of Cell DTX), all HARQ buffers for all cells are cleared. Optionally, when timeAlignmentTimer times out, if timeAlignmentTimer is associated with STAG and is within the activation period of Cell DTX (or not within the inactive period of CellDTX), all HARQ buffers for all cells belonging to this STAG are cleared.

[0190] Or, optionally, during the operation of timeAlignmentTimer, the UE also needs to monitor the dynamic assignment during the inactive period of Cell DTX.

[0191] Among them, optionally, the timeAlignmentTimer is the timeAlignmentTimer of the TAG corresponding to the cell corresponding to the Cell DTX; or the timeAlignmentTimer is the timeAlignmentTimer of the TAG corresponding to the MAC entity corresponding to the Cell DTX; or the timeAlignmentTimer is the timeAlignmentTimer of the TAG corresponding to the Cell DTX.

[0192] Figure 5 1 is a simplified structural diagram of a user equipment UE according to the present invention. Figure 5As shown, the user equipment UE500 includes a processor 501 and a memory 502. The processor 501 may include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded processor, etc. The memory 502 may include, for example, a volatile memory (such as a random access memory RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a non-volatile memory (such as a flash memory), or other memories, etc. The memory 502 stores program instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor 501, the above method performed by the user equipment described in detail in the present invention may be executed.

[0193] The program running on the device according to the present invention can be a program that enables a computer to implement the functions of the embodiments of the present invention by controlling a central processing unit (CPU). The program or the information processed by the program can be temporarily stored in a volatile memory (such as a random access memory RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a non-volatile memory (such as a flash memory), or other memory systems.

[0194] The program for realizing the functions of various embodiments of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The corresponding functions can be realized by making a computer system read the program recorded on the recording medium and executing these programs. The so-called "computer system" herein can be a computer system embedded in the device, and can include an operating system or hardware (such as a peripheral device). "Computer-readable recording medium" can be a semiconductor recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a recording medium of a short-term dynamic storage program, or any other recording medium that is computer-readable.

[0195] The various features or functional modules of the devices used in the above embodiments can be implemented or executed by circuits (e.g., single-chip or multi-chip integrated circuits). Circuits designed to perform the functions described in this specification may include general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above devices. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any existing processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The above circuits may be digital circuits or analog circuits. In the case where new integrated circuit technologies have emerged to replace existing integrated circuits due to advances in semiconductor technology, one or more embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented using these new integrated circuit technologies.

[0196] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Although various examples of the embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. Fixed or non-mobile electronic devices installed indoors or outdoors can be used as terminal devices or communication devices, such as AV equipment, kitchen equipment, cleaning equipment, air conditioners, office equipment, vending machines, and other household appliances.

[0197] As mentioned above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific structure is not limited to the above embodiments, and the present invention also includes any design changes that do not deviate from the main purpose of the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the components with the same effect described in the above embodiments can be replaced with each other.

Claims

1. A method for starting a DRX / DTX duration timer performed by a user equipment, comprising: In a case where the cell or the MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission, i.e., cell DRX / DTX configuration information, determining whether a start condition indicating that the user equipment is instructed to activate cell DRX / DTX is met; as well as When the start condition is met, the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is started at the start timing of starting the cell DRX / DTX duration timer calculated based on the cell DRX / DTX configuration information received from the network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The start condition includes any of the following: The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is configured for the first time, and the user equipment is configured to activate cell DRX / DTX if the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is configured; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the cell DRX / DTX is activated before the reconfiguration is performed; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to maintain the cell DRX / DTX state before the reconfiguration; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to maintain the cell DRX / DTX state before the reconfiguration, and before the reconfiguration is performed, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated or the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is not running; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed to activate the cell DRX / DTX when the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed to activate the cell DRX / DTX when the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and before performing the reconfiguration, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated or the cell DRX / DTX timer is not running; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to use a downlink indication to activate / deactivate the cell DRX / DTX; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed not to use a downlink indication to activate / deactivate the cell DRX / DTX, and before performing the reconfiguration, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated or the cell DRX / DTX timer is not running; An activation indication for a cell DRX / DTX is received, and the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is not running; An activation indication for DRX / DTX of the cell is received, and before performing the reconfiguration, DRX / DTX of the cell is deactivated; An activation indication for cell DRX / DTX is received, and a delay time indicated by the physical layer has passed since the activation indication was received.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is configured for the first time including any of the following situations: The user equipment receives the cell DRX / DTX configuration information for the first time after establishing an RRC connection; The user equipment receives the DRX / DTX configuration information of the cell for the first time after switching from one cell to another cell; The user equipment receives the cell DRX / DTX configuration information for the first time after recovering from the inactive state to the RRC connected state.

4. A method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer performed by a user equipment, comprising: In a case where the cell or the MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission, i.e., cell DRX / DTX configuration information, determining whether a stop condition indicating that the user equipment is instructed to deactivate cell DRX / DTX is satisfied; When the stop condition is met, determining whether the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running; and If the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running, stop the cell DRX / DTX duration timer.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The stop condition includes any of the following: The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is deleted, and the user equipment is configured to deactivate the cell DRX / DTX if the cell DRX / DTX configuration information is deleted; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and before performing the reconfiguration, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated; The cell DRX / DTX configuration information is reconfigured, and the user equipment is instructed to maintain the cell DRX / DTX state before the reconfiguration, and before the reconfiguration is performed, the cell DRX / DTX is deactivated; A deactivation indication for cell DRX / DTX is received, and a delay time indicated by the physical layer has passed since the deactivation indication was received.

6. The method according to claim 2 or 5, wherein: The indication on whether to maintain the cell DRX / DTX before the reconfiguration is sent to the user equipment through an RRC dedicated message, or is included in the cell DRX / DTX configuration information and sent to the user equipment.

7. A method for stopping a DRX / DTX duration timer performed by a user equipment, comprising: In a case where the cell or MAC entity corresponding to the user equipment is configured with cell discontinuous reception / transmission, i.e., cell DRX / DTX configuration information, if a cell DRX / DTX command MAC CE indicating to stop the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is received, determining whether the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running; and If the cell DRX / DTX duration timer is running, stop the cell DRX / DTX duration timer.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The logical channel identifier in the MAC subheader of the cell DRX / DTX command MAC CE is set to a specific value.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The cell DRX / DTX command MAC CE has no load.

10. A user equipment, comprising: processor; as well as Memory, which stores instructions, Wherein, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is performed.

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