Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device, which are used for solving the problem of poor energy-saving effect caused by detecting SSB by DRX (Discontinuous Reception) terminal equipment. The method comprises the following steps: receiving SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information comprises the period duration of an SMTC window and the initial position of the SMTC window; and determining the period duration of the DRX according to the period duration of the SMTC window, and determining the initial position of the DRX according to the initial position of the SMTC window. According to the embodiment of the invention, the SMTC window and the DRX are indicated through association, so that the network equipment can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and the DRX, and the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfiguration is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Since continuous monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) will increase the energy consumption of the terminal device, the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism is introduced. A DRX cycle includes an activation period and a sleep period. The On Duration period is called the activation period. During the activation period, the terminal device is in the wake-up state to monitor the PDCCH. When the terminal device enters the sleep period, the terminal device no longer monitors the PDCCH to achieve the purpose of energy saving. The longer the sleep period, the better the energy saving effect of the terminal.

[0003] In satellite communication scenarios, as the satellite moves, the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) index of the terminal device will change, so that when the SSB reaches the terminal device, the terminal device is in a sleep period, resulting in poor energy saving effect of the terminal device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for solving the problem that a DRX terminal device detecting SSB results in poor energy saving effect.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, wherein the execution subject of the method may be a terminal device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the terminal device, and the method may be implemented by the following steps: receiving SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information including the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; determining the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determining the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0006] In the embodiment of the present application, by associating and indicating the SMTC window and DRX, the network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and DRX, thereby avoiding the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfigurations.

[0007] In a possible design, the DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer. The DRX cycle duration can be associated with the SMTC window cycle duration through the above design.

[0008] In one possible design, N is a default value or a network device configuration.

[0009] In a possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0010] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0011] Among them, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation.

[0012] The above design can make the starting position of the SMTC window the same as the starting position of the DRX window.

[0013] In a possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0014] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0015] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or, offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or, offset1 is a preset value.

[0016] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0017] In a possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0018] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0019] Among them, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or, offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or, offset2 is a preset value.

[0020] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0021] In a possible design, the SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: determining the duration of the DRX duration according to the duration of the SMTC window. The above design can associate the duration of the SMTC window with the duration of the DRX duration.

[0022] In a possible design, the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0023] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0024] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0025] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0026] Alternatively, the duration of the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0027] Through the above design, the SMTC window and the On Duration of DRX can be matched, so that when the SSB reaches the terminal device, the terminal device is just in the On Duration period. In this way, the terminal device only needs to wake up the terminal device once to complete the PDCCH detection and SSB detection, which can reduce the energy consumption on the terminal device side.

[0028] In one possible design, the method also includes: receiving indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

[0029] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, wherein the executor of the method may be a network device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the network device, and the method may be implemented through the following steps: sending SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information including the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; determining the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determining the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0030] In the embodiment of the present application, by associating and indicating the SMTC window and DRX, the network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and DRX, thereby avoiding the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfigurations.

[0031] In a possible design, the DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer. The DRX cycle duration can be associated with the SMTC window cycle duration through the above design.

[0032] In one possible design, N is a default value or a network device configuration.

[0033] In a possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0034] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0035] Among them, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation.

[0036] Through the above design, the starting position of the SMTC window can be made the same as the starting position of the DRX window.

[0037] In a possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0038] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0039] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or, offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or, offset1 is a preset value.

[0040] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0041] In a possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0042] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0043] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or, offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or, offset2 is a preset value.

[0044] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0045] In a possible design, the SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: determining the duration of the DRX duration according to the duration of the SMTC window. The above design can associate the duration of the SMTC window with the duration of the DRX duration.

[0046] In a possible design, the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0047] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0048] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0049] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0050] Alternatively, the duration of the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0051] Through the above design, the SMTC window and the On Duration of DRX can be matched, so that when the SSB reaches the terminal device, the terminal device is just in the On Duration period. In this way, the terminal device only needs to wake up the terminal device once to complete the PDCCH detection and SSB detection, which can reduce the energy consumption on the terminal device side.

[0052] In one possible design, the method also includes: sending indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

[0053] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a terminal device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the terminal device. The method may be implemented through the following steps: receiving a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate the starting position of the DRX; and determining the starting position of the DRX according to the MAC CE.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present application, the starting position or the change of the starting position of DRX is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of configuring DRX.

[0055] In one possible design, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0056] In one possible design, the n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0057] In one possible design, the n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the duration in the DRX relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0058] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The executor of the method may be a network device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the network device. The method may be implemented through the following steps: determining a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate the starting position of the DRX; and sending a MAC CE.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present application, the starting position or the change of the starting position of DRX is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of configuring DRX.

[0060] In one possible design, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0061] In one possible design, the n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0062] In one possible design, the n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the duration in the DRX relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0063] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, the execution subject of the method may be a terminal device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the terminal device, and the method may be implemented through the following steps: receiving a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate an SMTC window; and determining the SMTC window according to the MAC CE.

[0064] In the embodiment of the present application, the change of the SMTC window is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of the terminal device for constantly configuring the SMTC window due to satellite movement.

[0065] In one possible design, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0066] In one possible design, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0067] In one possible design, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE is used to activate one set of SMTC configurations among multiple sets of SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple sets of SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, the execution subject of the method may be a network device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the network device, and the method may be implemented through the following steps: determining a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate an SMTC window; and sending a MAC CE.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, the change of the SMTC window is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of the terminal device for constantly configuring the SMTC window due to satellite movement.

[0070] In one possible design, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0071] In one possible design, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0072] In one possible design, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE is used to activate one set of SMTC configurations among multiple sets of SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple sets of SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0073] In a seventh aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip in a terminal device. The communication device has the function of implementing any method provided in the first aspect, the third aspect, or the fifth aspect. The communication device can be implemented by hardware, or can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0074] In one possible design, the communication device includes: a processor, which is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions of the terminal device in the method shown above. The communication device may also include a memory, which can be coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is used to support communication between the communication device and equipment such as a service satellite, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface can be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface.

[0075] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, which are respectively used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0076] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing unit) and a communication unit (or communication unit), which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in the first aspect, the third aspect or the fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, wherein the device is a satellite or a chip in a satellite. The communication device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, or the sixth aspect. The communication device can be implemented by hardware, or can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device includes: a processor, which is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions of serving the satellite in the method shown above. The communication device may also include a memory, which can be coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is used to support communication between the communication device and a terminal device or other device, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface can be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface.

[0079] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, which are respectively used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0080] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing unit) and a communication unit (or communication unit), which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in the second aspect, the fourth aspect or the sixth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0081] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the methods in the aforementioned first aspect, third aspect, fifth aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0082] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the methods in the aforementioned second aspect, fourth aspect, sixth aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0083] In the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible design is implemented.

[0084] In the twelfth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method in any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible design.

[0085] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, the chip system includes a processor and may also include a memory, for implementing the method in any aspect of the first to sixth aspects and any possible design. The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0086] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus described in the first aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus described in the second aspect (such as a network device).

[0087] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus described in the third aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus described in the fourth aspect (such as a network device).

[0088] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus described in the fifth aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus described in the sixth aspect (such as a network device).

[0089] The technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solutions of any of the seventh to sixteenth aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solutions of the first aspect mentioned above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a DRX according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 4 A flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an association relationship between a DRX and SMTC window according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an association relationship between a DRX and SMTC window according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an association relationship between a DRX and SMTC window according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Figure 8 A flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] Fig.13 A flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0107] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0108] Below, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0109] 1. Discontinuous reception (DRX)

[0110] In order to reduce power consumption, when there is no data transmission, the terminal device can stop receiving the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (the terminal device will stop PDCCH blind detection at this time) to reduce power consumption, thereby increasing battery life. Discontinuous reception (DRX) technology can help save power. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure the DRX cycle for the terminal device, such as Figure 1 As shown, during the activation period (on duration), the terminal device monitors the PDCCH normally, and during the sleep period (opportunity for DRX), the terminal device can enter the sleep state and does not receive the PDCCH to reduce power consumption.

[0111] The parameter drx-OnDurationTimer is used to configure the length of the On Duration period in a DRX cycle.

[0112] The parameter drx-SlotOffset is used to configure the delay of starting the DRX OnDuration timer, that is, in a DRC cycle, the DRX OnDuration timer starts after the time slot offset indicated by drx-SlotOffset after the start of the On Duration subframe. drx-SlotOffset is the offset within the subframe and is less than 1ms.

[0113] Parameter drx-InactivityTimer: During the On Duration period, when the terminal device has uplink and downlink data transmission scheduling, the network device will start or restart a drx-InactivityTimer, and the terminal device will remain in the active state until the timer expires. If the drx-InactivityTimer is running, even if the DRX OnDuration timer has expired, the terminal device still needs to monitor the downlink PDCCH until the drx-InactivityTimer expires.

[0114] In order to meet the power consumption and data delay requirements of terminal devices, two DRX cycles are introduced: DRX short cycle and DRX long cycle. For DRX long cycle, the parameter drx-LongCycle indicates the cycle value of DRX long cycle, and the parameter drx-StartOffset indicates the offset of DRX long cycle. These two parameters together determine the starting subframe of DRX long cycle. For DRX short cycle, the parameter drx-ShortCycle indicates the cycle value of DRX short cycle, and the parameter drx-ShortCycleTimer is used to configure the number of DRX short cycles.

[0115] The terminal device can be configured with a long DRX cycle by default. If the terminal device is configured with a short DRX cycle and drx-InactivityTimer is triggered, it will enter the short DRX cycle after the drx-InactivityTimer timing ends, and the drx-ShortCycleTimer will be started. If the drx-ShortCycleTimer times out without data transmission, the terminal device will switch to the long DRX cycle. For example, if drx-ShortCycleTimer is configured with 16, the short DRX cycle will be repeated 16 times. If the terminal device does not receive uplink and downlink data transmission scheduling during these 16 short DRX cycles, the terminal device will switch to the long DRX cycle to save power. In addition, the network side can achieve the switching of long and short cycles through signaling such as DRX command (DRX command) media access control channel element (MAC CE).

[0116] 2. Synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB-based measurement timing configuration, SMTC)

[0117] SMTC is a window for SSB measurement configured by the network device for the terminal device. The terminal device only needs to perform SSB measurement within the SMTC window and does not need to perform SSB measurement outside the window.

[0118] 3. NTN Communication

[0119] NTN communication can also be called satellite communication. The architecture of satellite communication is divided into two categories. One is the transparent forwarding architecture, such as Figure 2 As shown in Figure 1, the satellite only acts as a relay or amplifier, and can perform RF filtering, amplification, etc. to regenerate the signal. The second is the regenerative architecture, such as Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the satellite can be used as a new generation node B (generated node B, gNB), distributed unit (distributed unit, DU), relay. The relay here is different from the relay in the first category. It is no longer a simple relay, but also has signal processing functions, similar to integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes or other relay nodes. Among them, when the satellite acts as a gNB, DU, IAB or other relay node, its function is similar to that of an ordinary gNB, DU, IAB or other relay node.

[0120] NTN communication provides seamless coverage for terminal devices by deploying the functions of access network equipment or part of the access network equipment on non-ground equipment (such as high-altitude platforms or satellites, etc.). Since non-ground equipment is less affected by natural disasters, the reliability of the communication system can be improved. To facilitate the explanation and understanding of the solution of the embodiment of the present application, this application will later explain the NTN communication system in which the access network equipment is deployed on a satellite as an example. In addition, for the convenience of description, this application will later replace the "access network equipment on the satellite" with "satellite" and replace the "NTN communication" with "satellite communication". That is, the communication between the terminal equipment and the satellite involved in the subsequent application actually refers to the communication between the terminal equipment and the access network equipment on the satellite. Here is a unified explanation, and no further description will be given later.

[0121] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "plurality" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0122] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0123] It should be noted that, in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0124] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof mentioned in the following description of the embodiments of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0125] The foregoing text introduces some of the terms involved in the embodiments of the present application. The following text introduces the architecture of the network system to which the method provided by the present application is applied.

[0126] The network elements involved in the embodiments of the present application include network devices and terminal devices.

[0127] A network device is an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals, such as a new generation base station (generation Node B, gNodeB). A network device may be a device for communicating with a mobile device. A network device may be an AP in a wireless local area network (WLAN), an evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE), or a relay station or access point or integrated access and backhaul (IAB), or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device in a future 5G network or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, or a gNodeB (gNB) in an NR system, etc. In addition, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device provides services for a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) used by the cell. In addition, in other possible cases, the network device may be other devices that provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the network device. For the convenience of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the device that provides wireless communication function for the terminal device is called a network device.

[0128] The terminal device may be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and indication information. The wireless terminal device may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal device may communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (e.g., radio access network, RAN). The wireless terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone, mobile phone), a computer and a data card. For example, it may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network. For example, personal communications service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, and other devices. The wireless terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station (remotestation), an access point (AP), a remote terminal device (remote terminal), an access terminal device (access terminal), a user terminal device (user terminal), a user agent, a subscriber station (SS), a customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile terminal (MT), etc. The wireless terminal device may also be a wearable device and a next generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN network, a terminal device in a new radio (NR) communication system, etc.

[0129] In addition, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to other future-oriented communication technologies. The network architecture and service scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by this application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0130] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the types and standards of the above communication systems. For example, the communication system may be a fifth generation (5G) communication system, a long term evolution (LTE) communication system, and the like.

[0131] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to the fourth generation mobile communication system (4G), 5G system, NTN system (for example Figure 2 The NTN system with transparent forwarding architecture shown in FIG. Figure 3 The NTN system with the regenerative architecture shown, or the NTN system with other architectures), vehicle to everything (V2X), Long Term Evolution - Internet of Vehicles (LTE-vehicle, LTE-V), vehicle to vehicle (vehicle to vehicle, V2V), Internet of Vehicles, Machine Type Communications (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), Long Term Evolution - Machine to Machine (LTE-machine to machine, LTE-M), machine to machine (machine to machine, M2M), Internet of Things, or future mobile communication systems.

[0132] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0133] The technical features involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced below.

[0134] According to the terminology described above, the terminal device is in an active state during the On Duration period and can monitor the downlink signal, and the terminal device wakes up in the SMTC window to monitor the SSB. In the satellite scenario, as the satellite moves, the SSB index of the terminal device will change, and the On Duration time of the terminal device and the arrival time of the SSB will not match, causing the terminal device to wake up at multiple times for detection.

[0135] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and device for solving the problem that the DRX terminal device detects SSB, which leads to poor energy saving effect. The method and the device are based on the same concept. Since the principles of solving the problem by the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0136] The communication method provided by the present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0137] like Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application, the method comprising:

[0138] S401, the network device sends SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes the period length of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the SMTC configuration information.

[0139] S402, the terminal device determines DRX configuration information according to the configuration information of the SMTC window, wherein the DRX configuration information includes the DRX cycle duration and the DRX start position.

[0140] Specifically, the terminal device may determine the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determine the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0141] Exemplarily, the cycle duration of DRX can be N times the cycle duration of the SMTC window, where N is an integer. Wherein, N is a default value or a value configured by the network device. For example, the terminal device and the network device default to the value of N. For another example, the network device indicates the value of N to the terminal device. For another example, when the network device does not indicate the value of N to the terminal device, N takes the default value, and when the network device indicates the value of N to the terminal device, N is the value indicated by the network device.

[0142] Exemplarily, the starting position of DRX can be determined according to the starting position of the SMTC window and the cycle duration of DRX.

[0143] Example 1: The starting position of DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0144] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0145] Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, and drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX. When the DRX long cycle is configured and activated, drx-Cycle can be the drx-LongCycle mentioned in the previous terminology introduction. When the DRX short cycle is configured and activated, drx-Cycle can be the drx-ShortCycle mentioned in the previous terminology introduction.

[0146] The mod operation is a remainder operation.

[0147] As an example, assuming that N is equal to 2, that is, the cycle length of DRX is twice the cycle length of the SMTC window, the relationship between DRX and SMTC window can be as follows: Figure 5 shown.

[0148] Example 2: The starting position of DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0149] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0150] Here, offset1 is a bias greater than 0.

[0151] Optionally, offset1 is indicated by the network device. For example, offset1 may be indicated by an existing field or a newly added field.

[0152] Alternatively, offset1 is determined according to the periodic duration of the SMTC window. For example, offset1 is 1 / 2 of the periodic duration of the SMTC window, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0153] Alternatively, offset1 is determined according to the DRX cycle duration, for example, offset1 is 1 / 2 of the DRX cycle duration, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0154] Alternatively, offset1 is a preset value.

[0155] As an example, assuming that N is equal to 2, that is, the cycle duration of DRX is twice the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and offset1 is 1 / 2 of the cycle duration of the SMTC window, the relationship between DRX and SMTC window can be as follows: Figure 6 shown.

[0156] Example 3: The starting position of DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0157] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0158] Here, offset2 is a bias greater than 0.

[0159] Optionally, offset2 is indicated by the network device. For example, offset2 may be indicated by an existing field or a newly added field.

[0160] Alternatively, offset2 is determined according to the periodic duration of the SMTC window. For example, offset2 is 1 / 2 of the periodic duration of the SMTC window, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0161] Alternatively, offset2 is determined according to the DRX cycle duration, for example, offset2 is 1 / 2 of the DRX cycle duration, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0162] Alternatively, offset2 is a preset value.

[0163] As an example, assuming that N is equal to 2, that is, the cycle duration of DRX is twice the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and offset2 is 1 / 2 of the cycle duration of the SMTC window, the relationship between DRX and SMTC window can be as follows: Figure 7 shown.

[0164] In a possible implementation, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window. The terminal device may also determine the duration of the On Duration in the DRX according to the duration of the SMTC window.

[0165] For example, the relationship between the On Duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0166] The duration of the On Duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0167] Alternatively, the duration of On Duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0168] Alternatively, the duration of On Duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0169] Alternatively, the duration of On Duration is offset backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0170] Optionally, the relationship between the duration of the SMTC window and the duration of the On Duration in DRX may be predefined by a protocol or may be indicated by a network device.

[0171] S403, the network device determines DRX configuration information according to the configuration information of the SMTC window, wherein the DRX configuration information includes the DRX cycle duration and the DRX start position.

[0172] Specifically, the network device can determine the DRX cycle duration according to the SMTC window cycle duration, and determine the DRX start position according to the SMTC window start position. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0173] Optionally, the network device may also determine the duration of the On Duration in the DRX according to the duration of the SMTC window. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0174] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the execution order of S402 and S403. S402 may be executed first and then S403, or S403 may be executed first and then S402, or S402 and S403 may be executed simultaneously.

[0175] Optionally, the network device may indicate the association between the SMTC window and DRX through downlink control information (DCI) or media access control channel element (MAC CE) or radio resource control (RRC) signaling. For example, the association between the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the cycle duration of DRX may be indicated. For another example, the association between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of DRX may be indicated. Alternatively, the association between the duration of the SMTC window and the duration of the On Duration in DRX may be indicated.

[0176] Alternatively, the network device may also indicate the association relationship between the SMTC window and DRX through a cell broadcast message. In this way, the terminal devices in the current cell can use the same association relationship.

[0177] Alternatively, the network device first indicates the association relationship between the SMTC window and DRX through a cell broadcast message. After the terminal device accesses the network device, the network device may update the association relationship between the SMTC window and DRX of the terminal device through DCI or MAC CE or RRC signaling.

[0178] It should be noted that Figure 4 Only the determination of DRX configuration information according to SMTC configuration information is used as an example for explanation. In a specific implementation, SMTC configuration information can also be determined according to DRX configuration information. For example, the network device sends DRX configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device and the network device determine SMTC configuration information according to the DRX configuration information. The association relationship between DRX and SMTC windows can be referred to in Figure 4 The above is not further explained here.

[0179] In the embodiment of the present application, the SMTC window and DRX are associated and indicated so that the On Duration of the SMTC window and DRX can be matched, so that when the SSB arrives at the terminal device, the terminal device is just in the On Duration period, so that the terminal device only needs to wake up the terminal device once to complete the PDCCH detection and SSB detection, which can reduce the energy consumption on the terminal device side. And through the above embodiment, the network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and DRX, avoiding the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfigurations.

[0180] The above describes the relationship between the SMTC window and DRX. The following describes the configuration method of the SMTC window and DRX. It should be understood that the configuration method of the SMTC window described below can be implemented alone or in combination with the DRX. Figure 4 The methods are combined as a solution, for example, the SMTC window can be configured by the configuration method of the SMTC window described below, and the above Figure 4 The DRX is determined by the association between the DRX and SMTC windows in the method. The DRX configuration method described below can be implemented separately or in combination with Figure 4 The methods are combined and implemented as a solution. For example, DRX can be configured by the DRX configuration method described below, and the above Figure 4 In the method, the association relationship between DRX and SMTC window determines the SMTC window.

[0181] like Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application, the method comprising:

[0182] S801, the network device determines MAC CE, where MAC CE is used to indicate the start position of DRX.

[0183] In one example, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, for example, indicating drx-LongCycleStartOffset, where drx-LongCycleStartOffset indicates the starting position of the DRX long cycle, and n1 is an integer greater than 0. For example, 2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX (0 to 10239 ms), such as Fig. 9 As another example, a padding byte in the MAC CE indicates the starting position of the partial DRX (0 to 256 ms), as shown in Fig.10 shown.

[0184] In another example, n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the start position of the DRX relative to the start position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0. For example, 1 padding byte in the MAC CE indicates the offset (-127 to 128 ms) from the current drx-LongCycleStartOffset, such as Fig.11 shown.

[0185] Optionally, the n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE may also indicate an offset value (ie, drx-SlotOffset) of the starting position of the DRX duration relative to the starting position of the DRX, where n3 is an integer greater than 0. Fig. 9 The example shown shows that the first two bytes of the padding field in the MAC CE represent drx-LongCycleStartOffset (0 to 10239 ms), and the last byte represents drx-SlotOffset (0 to 31). Fig.12 After receiving the MAC CE, the terminal device can calculate the start time of On Duration according to the drx-LongCycleStartOffset and drx-SlotOffset indicated by the MACCE.

[0186] Optionally, the MAC CE may also indicate the function of the MAC CE through n4 bytes, that is, the MAC CE indicates the DRX start position through n4 bytes. For example, the MAC CE may indicate the function of the MAC CE through a reserved byte in a logical channel identification (LCID) field or an extended LCID (eLCID) field.

[0187] S802: The network device sends the MAC CE, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the MAC CE.

[0188] S803, the terminal device determines the starting position of DRX according to MAC CE.

[0189] In a possible implementation manner, the network device may make the SMTC window and onDuration overlap when configuring DRX.

[0190] In the embodiment of the present application, the starting position or the change of the starting position of DRX is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of configuring DRX.

[0191] like Fig.13 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application, the method comprising:

[0192] S1301, the network device determines MAC CE, where MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window.

[0193] In one example, the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: a period duration of the SMTC window, a starting position of the SMTC window, or a duration of the SMTC window.

[0194] Optionally, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0195] For example, the 2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the period length of the SMTC window ( Fig.14 The starting position offset of the SMTC window ( Fig.14 ), and the duration of the SMTC window ( Fig.14 In the expression, it is the duration of the Fig.14 As shown. Among them, the period duration (3 bits) of the SMTC window can indicate sf5, sf10, sf20, sf40, sf80, sf160, sf320, sf640, etc. The duration (3 bits) of the SMTC window can indicate sf1, sf2, sf2, sf3, sf4, sf4, sf5, sf6, sf7, sf8. The starting position (10 bits) of the SMTC window can indicate an offset of 0 to 1023sf, where sf represents subframe.

[0196] For another example, a padding byte in the MAC CE indicates the starting position of the SMTC window, such as Fig.15 As shown, the starting position (8 bits) of the SMTC window can represent a starting offset of 0 to 255 sf.

[0197] In another example, the MAC CE is used to activate one SMTC configuration among multiple SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0198] S1302: The network device sends a MAC CE, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the MAC CE.

[0199] S1303: The terminal device determines the SMTC window according to the MAC CE.

[0200] Optionally, the MAC CE may also indicate the function of the MAC CE through n4 bytes, that is, the MAC CE indicates that the MAC CE configures the SMTC window through n4 bytes. For example, the MAC CE may indicate the function of the MAC CE through a reserved byte in a logical channel identification (LCID) field or an extended LCID (eLCID) field.

[0201] In the embodiment of the present application, the change of the SMTC window is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of the terminal device for constantly configuring the SMTC window due to satellite movement.

[0202] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, the present application embodiment provides a communication device, the structure of which can be as follows: Fig.16 As shown, it includes a communication unit 1601 and a processing unit 1602.

[0203] In one embodiment, the communication device can be used to implement Figure 4 In the embodiment of the method executed by the terminal device, the device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip or a chipset in the terminal device or a part of the chip for executing the function of the related method. Among them, the communication unit 1601 is used to receive SMTC configuration information, and the SMTC configuration information includes the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; the processing unit 1602 is used to determine the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window; and, determine the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0204] Exemplarily, the cycle duration of DRX is N times the cycle duration of the SMTC window, where N is an integer.

[0205] Exemplarily, N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

[0206] Exemplarily, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0207] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0208] Among them, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and mod operation is a remainder operation;

[0209] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0210] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0211] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or, offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or, offset1 is a preset value;

[0212] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0213] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0214] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or, offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or, offset2 is a preset value.

[0215] Optionally, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit 1602 is further configured to:

[0216] The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

[0217] Exemplarily, the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0218] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0219] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0220] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0221] Alternatively, the duration of the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0222] Optionally, the communication unit 1601 is further configured to:

[0223] Indication information is received, where the indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a duration of the duration and a duration of the SMTC window.

[0224] In one embodiment, Fig.16 The communication device shown can be used to implement Figure 4 In the embodiment of the method performed by the network device, the device may be the network device itself, or a chip or a chipset in the network device or a part of the chip for performing the function of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is used to send SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information includes the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; the processing unit 1602 is used to determine the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determine the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0225] Exemplarily, the cycle duration of DRX is N times the cycle duration of the SMTC window, where N is an integer.

[0226] Exemplarily, N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

[0227] Exemplarily, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0228] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0229] Among them, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and mod operation is a remainder operation;

[0230] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0231] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0232] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or, offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or, offset1 is a preset value;

[0233] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0234] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0235] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or, offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of DRX or the cycle duration of DRX, or, offset2 is a preset value.

[0236] Optionally, the SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit 1602 is further configured to determine the duration of the DRX duration according to the duration of the SMTC window.

[0237] Exemplarily, the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0238] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0239] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0240] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0241] Alternatively, the duration of the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0242] Optionally, the communication unit 1601 is further configured to:

[0243] Send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

[0244] In one embodiment, the communication device can be used to implement Figure 8In the embodiment of the method performed by the terminal device, the device may be the terminal device itself, or a chip or a chipset in the terminal device or a part of the chip used to perform the function of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is used to receive a MAC CE, and the MAC CE is used to indicate the starting position of the DRX; the processing unit 1602 is used to determine the starting position of the DRX according to the MAC CE.

[0245] Exemplarily, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0246] Exemplarily, n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0247] Exemplarily, n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the duration in the DRX relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0248] In one embodiment, Fig.16 The communication device shown can be used to implement Figure 8 In the embodiment of the method performed by the network device, the device can be the network device itself, or a chip or a chipset in the network device or a part of the chip used to perform the function of the related method. The processing unit 1602 is used to determine the MAC CE, and the MAC CE is used to indicate the starting position of the DRX. The communication unit 1601 is used to send the MAC CE.

[0249] Exemplarily, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0250] Exemplarily, n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0251] Exemplarily, n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the duration in the DRX relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0252] In one embodiment, the communication device can be used to implement Fig.13 In the embodiment of the method performed by the terminal device, the device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip or a chipset in the terminal device or a part of the chip used to perform the function of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is used to receive a MAC CE, and the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window; the processing unit 1602 determines the SMTC window according to the MAC CE.

[0253] Exemplarily, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0254] Exemplarily, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0255] Exemplarily, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE is used to activate one set of SMTC configurations among multiple sets of SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple sets of SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0256] In one embodiment, Fig.16 The communication device shown can be used to implement Fig.13 In the embodiment of the method performed by the network device, the device may be the network device itself, or a chip or a chipset in the network device or a part of the chip used to perform the function of the related method. Among them, the processing unit 1602 is used to determine the MAC CE, and the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window; the communication unit 1601 is used to send the MAC CE.

[0257] Exemplarily, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0258] Exemplarily, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0259] Exemplarily, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE is used to activate one set of SMTC configurations among multiple sets of SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple sets of SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0260] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into one module. The above-mentioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of each module in the embodiments of the present application may further refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment.

[0261] In one possible approach, the communication device may be as follows Fig.17 As shown, the device may be a communication device or a chip in a communication device, wherein the communication device may be a terminal device in the above embodiment or a network device in the above embodiment. The device includes a processor 1701 and a communication interface 1702, and may also include a memory 1703. Among them, the processing unit 1602 may be the processor 1701. The communication unit 1601 may be the communication interface 1702. Optionally, the processor 1701 and the memory 1703 may also be integrated together.

[0262] The processor 1701 may be a CPU, or a digital processing unit, etc. The communication interface 1702 may be a transceiver, or an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, etc. The device further includes: a memory 1703, which is used to store the program executed by the processor 1701. The memory 1703 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 1703 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0263] The processor 1701 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1703, specifically to execute the actions of the processing unit 1602, which will not be described in detail in this application. The communication interface 1702 is specifically used to execute the actions of the communication unit 1601, which will not be described in detail in this application.

[0264] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1702, the processor 1701 and the memory 1703 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Fig.17 The memory 1703, the processor 1701 and the communication interface 1702 are connected via a bus 1704. Fig.17 The connections between other components are shown in bold lines, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.17 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0265] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to be executed by the above-mentioned processor, which includes a program required to be executed by the above-mentioned processor.

[0266] The present application also provides a communication system, including a Figure 4 In the embodiment of the terminal device function and the communication device for realizing Figure 4 The communication device of the network device function in the embodiment.

[0267] The present application also provides a communication system, including a Figure 8 In the embodiment of the terminal device function and the communication device for realizing Figure 8 The communication device of the network device function in the embodiment.

[0268] The present application also provides a communication system, including a Fig.13 In the embodiment of the terminal device function and the communication device for realizing Fig.13 The communication device of the network device function in the embodiment.

[0269] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application may adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application may adopt the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that include computer-usable program code.

[0270] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0271] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0272] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0273] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applicable to a terminal device, and the method comprises: Receive synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information including the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; Determine the cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window; The starting position of the DRX is determined according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Indication information is received, where the indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a duration of the duration and a duration of the SMTC window.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applicable to a terminal device, and the method comprises: Sending synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; Determine the cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window; The starting position of the DRX is determined according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the DRX or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is applicable to a terminal device, and comprises: A communication unit, configured to receive synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes a cycle duration of the SMTC window and a starting position of the SMTC window; A processing unit, configured to determine a cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to a cycle duration of the SMTC window; And, determining the starting position of the DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

18. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

19. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit is further configured to: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The communication unit is further used for: Indication information is received, where the indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a duration of the duration and a duration of the SMTC window.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is applicable to a terminal device, and comprises: A communication unit, configured to send synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes a cycle duration of the SMTC window and a starting position of the SMTC window; A processing unit, configured to determine a cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to a cycle duration of the SMTC window; And, determining the starting position of the DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

25. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the DRX or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

26. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit is further configured to: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

28. The device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The communication unit is further used for: Send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer storage medium stores computer-readable instructions, and when the computer-readable instructions are executed on the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is executed.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is run on a device, the device is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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