Communication method and device, terminal equipment and network equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, terminal equipment and network equipment, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: when one SI message is completely in an activation time or one SI message is not completely in a non-activation time, determining that the SI message is valid; alternatively, when one SI message portion is within the active time or one SI message portion is not within the inactive time, it is determined that the SI message is invalid. Visibly, for all SI messages within the activation time or all SI messages not within the inactivation time, the network device can send / not discard the SI messages, and the terminal device can receive / monitor the SI messages to determine that the SI messages are effective, so that the system design, signaling and terminal device implementation can be simplified, and the system design, signaling and terminal device implementation can be simplified. The enhancement of the SI message configuration is realized, and the real inactivation time of the network equipment can also be prevented from being reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus, a terminal device, and a network device. Background Art

[0002] In a communication system, a network needs to broadcast common downlink signals / channels, and the common downlink signals / channels may include a synchronization signal / PBCH block (SSB), a system information block 1 (SIB1), a system information block x (SIBx), etc.

[0003] The network device may send the common downlink signals / channels only within a certain period of time, so as to enter the sleep state as much as possible, thereby saving energy consumption. However, how to limit the network device to send the common downlink signals / channels only within a certain period of time, or to control the terminal device to receive the common downlink signals / channels only within a certain period of time, in order to enhance the communication process of the common downlink signals / channels, is a problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, a terminal device, and a network device, in order to enhance the communication process in which the network device needs to send common downlink signals / channels or the terminal device needs to receive common downlink signals / channels.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method of this application includes:

[0006] When an SI message is all within the activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is all not within the non-activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is partially within the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, when an SI message is partially not within the non-activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

[0007] It can be seen that for an SI message that is all within the activation time, or for an SI message that is all not within the non-activation time, the network device may send / do not discard the SI message, and the terminal device may receive / monitor the SI message, so as to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, realizing the enhancement of the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true non-activation time of the network device.

[0008] Alternatively, for some SI messages within the activation time or for some SI messages not within the deactivation time, the network device may not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device may not receive / listen / ignore the SI message, so as to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, achieving enhanced SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0009] In a second aspect, a communication method according to the present application includes:

[0010] When a part of an SI message is within the activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when a part of an SI message is within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an entire SI message is not within the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, when an entire SI message is within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

[0011] It can be seen that for some SI messages within the activation time or for some SI messages within the deactivation time, the network device may still send / not discard the SI message, and the terminal device may still receive / listen to the SI message, so as to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, achieving enhanced SI message configuration, but also retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0012] Alternatively, for all SI messages not within the activation time or for all SI messages within the deactivation time, the network device may not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device may not receive / listen / ignore the SI message, so as to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, achieving enhanced SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0013] In a third aspect, a communication method according to the present application includes:

[0014] When a part or all of an SI message is within the deactivation time, determine to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time.

[0015] In this way, for SI messages that are partially or entirely within the non-active time, the network device can advance and combine the SI message to be sent within the SI window during the active time, and the terminal device can advance and combine the SI message to be received within the SI window during the active time, so as to move the SI message into the SI window during the active time, thereby ensuring that all SI messages are within the active time and retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0016] In a fourth aspect, a communication method according to the present application includes:

[0017] Determine the time position of the SI message group.

[0018] In this way, by the network device / terminal device determining the time position of the SI message group, the SI message group can be evenly distributed over multiple active times, solving the problem that evenly distributed SI messages (with the same interval for all SI messages) fall within the non-active time.

[0019] In a fifth aspect, a communication method according to the present application includes:

[0020] Determine the monitoring part within the SI window;

[0021] Monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this monitoring part.

[0022] It should be noted that the length w of the SI window can be increased, such that the length w of the SI window includes a complete or partial active time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, i.e., x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the length w of the SI window is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the terminal device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the terminal device can only monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this part, thereby avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0023] In a sixth aspect, a communication method according to the present application includes:

[0024] Determine the monitoring part within the SI window;

[0025] Send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this monitoring part.

[0026] It should be noted that the SI window length w can be increased so that the SI window length w includes a complete or partial activation time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, that is, x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the SI window length w is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the network device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the network device can send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message only within this part, thus avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0027] In a seventh aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0028] A determination unit, configured to determine that an SI message is valid when the entire SI message is within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is valid when the entire SI message is not within the non - activation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when a part of the SI message is within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when a part of the SI message is not within the non - activation time.

[0029] In an eighth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0030] A determination unit, configured to determine that an SI message is valid when a part of the SI message is within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is valid when a part of the SI message is within the non - activation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when the entire SI message is not within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when the entire SI message is within the non - activation time.

[0031] In a ninth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0032] A determination unit, configured to determine to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time when a part or all of the SI message is within the non - activation time.

[0033] In a tenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0034] A determination unit, configured to determine the time position of the SI message group.

[0035] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0036] A determination unit, configured to determine the monitoring part within the SI window;

[0037] A receiving unit, configured to monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this monitoring part.

[0038] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0039] a determination unit configured to determine a monitoring portion within an SI window;

[0040] a sending unit configured to send a PDCCH corresponding to an SI message within the monitoring portion.

[0041] In a thirteenth aspect, the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to fifth aspect are applied to a terminal device.

[0042] In a fourteenth aspect, the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to fourth aspect or sixth aspect are applied to a network device.

[0043] In a fifteenth aspect, a terminal device according to the present application includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored in the memory. Wherein, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to fifth aspect.

[0044] In a sixteenth aspect, a network device according to the present application includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored in the memory. Wherein, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to fourth aspect or sixth aspect.

[0045] In a seventeenth aspect, a chip according to the present application includes a processor and a communication interface. Wherein, the processor executes the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to sixth aspect.

[0046] In an eighteenth aspect, a chip module according to the present application includes a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor. Wherein, the processor executes the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to sixth aspect.

[0047] In a nineteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium according to the present application stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to sixth aspect. For example, the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor.

[0048] In a twentieth aspect, a computer program product according to the present application includes a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps in any one of the methods designed in the above first aspect to sixth aspect. For example, the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figures 2 to 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figures 7 to 9 is a block diagram of the functional units of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0054] It should be understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, software, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but further includes steps or units not listed, or further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0055] The "embodiments" involved in the embodiments of the present application mean that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in combination with the embodiments can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0056] The " / or" in the embodiments of the present application describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone; A and B exist simultaneously; B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural.

[0057] In the embodiments of the present application, the symbol " / " can represent an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. In addition, the symbol " / " can also represent a division sign, that is, perform a division operation. For example, A / B can represent A divided by B.

[0058] The "at least one (piece)" or its similar expression in the embodiments of the present application refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item (piece) or plural items (pieces), which means one or more, and multiple means two or more. For example, at least one (piece) of a, b, or c can represent the following seven situations: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0059] In the embodiments of the present application, "equal to" can be used in conjunction with "greater than" and is applicable to the technical solutions adopted when it is greater than, or can also be used in conjunction with "less than" and is applicable to the technical solutions adopted when it is less than. When "equal to" is used in conjunction with "greater than", it is not used in conjunction with "less than"; when "equal to" is used in conjunction with "less than", it is not used in conjunction with "greater than".

[0060] In the embodiments of the present application, "(of)", "corresponding / relevant", "corresponding", and "indicated" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the difference is not emphasized, the meanings they express are the same.

[0061] The "connection" in the embodiments of the present application refers to various connection methods such as direct connection or indirect connection to achieve communication between devices, and no specific limitation is imposed on this.

[0062] In the embodiments of the present application, "network" can be expressed as the same concept as "system", and a communication system is a communication network.

[0063] The relevant content, concepts, meanings, technical problems, technical solutions, beneficial effects, etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are described below.

[0064] I. Communication System, Terminal Device, and Network Device

[0065] 1. Communication System

[0066] The present application can be applied to various communication systems to meet the requirements of different communication scenarios.

[0067] Optionally, the present application can be applied to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, a New Radio (NR) system, an evolved system of the NR system, an LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, an NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, a Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), a 6th-Generation (6G) communication system, etc.

[0068] Optionally, the present application can be applied to communication scenarios such as a Device to Device (D2D) system, a Machine to Machine (M2M) system, a Machine Type Communication (MTC), a Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) system, a Vehicle to Everything (V2X) system, a Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) system, and passive Internet of Things communication.

[0069] Optionally, the present application can be applied to scenarios such as beamforming, carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or standalone (SA) deployment scenarios.

[0070] Since the embodiments of the present application describe each embodiment in combination with a terminal device and a network device, the terminal device and the network device involved will be specifically described below.

[0071] 2. Terminal Device

[0072] A terminal device can be a device with transceiver functions, and can also be referred to as a terminal, a passive device, an Internet of Things device, a user equipment (UE), a remote UE, a relay UE, an access terminal device, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile device, a remote station, a mobile device, a user terminal device, a smart terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device.

[0073] For example, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver functions, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in unmanned autonomous driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, or a wireless terminal device in smart home, etc.

[0074] Again, for example, the terminal device can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication functions, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a next-generation communication system (such as an NR communication system, a 6G communication system), or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0075] Optionally, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can be deployed on water (such as a ship, etc.); it can be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, a balloon, a satellite, etc.).

[0076] Optionally, the terminal device can include a device with wireless communication functions, such as a chip system, a chip, a chip module. By way of example, the chip system can include a chip and can also include other discrete devices.

[0077] Optionally, the terminal device may be a chip, a chip module, a device, a unit, etc., without specific limitation thereto.

[0078] 3. Network device

[0079] The network device may be a device with transceiver functions and can be used for communication with the terminal device.

[0080] Optionally, the network device may be responsible for radio resource management (RRM) on the air interface side, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption, data transceiver, etc.

[0081] Optionally, the network device may include a base station (BS) in a communication system or a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) for providing wireless communication functions, that is, the network device may include devices in the RAN.

[0082] For example, the devices in the RAN may include an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE communication system, a next generation evolved node B (ng-eNB) in an NR communication system, a next generation node B (gNB) in an NR communication system, a master node (MN) in a dual-connectivity architecture, a second node or a secondary node (SN) in a dual-connectivity architecture, etc., without specific limitation thereto.

[0083] Optionally, the network device may include devices in a core network (CN).

[0084] For example, the devices in the CN may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a user plane function (UPF), a session management function (SMF), etc.

[0085] Optionally, the network device may also be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, a relay station, a communication device in a future evolved PLMN network, a communication device in an NTN network, etc.

[0086] Optionally, the network device may include a device that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, or may include other discrete devices.

[0087] Optionally, the network device may be a transmission and reception point (TRP).

[0088] Optionally, the network device may communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network. For example, the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks, etc.

[0089] Optionally, the network device may include an independent node to implement the functions of the above base station, or may include two or more independent nodes to implement the functions of the above base station. For example, the network device includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), such as gNB-CU and gNB-DU. Further, in some other embodiments of the present application, the network device may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). Among them, the CU implements a part of the functions of the network device, and the DU implements another part of the functions of the network device. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, and implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. In addition, the AAU may implement some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. Since the information of the RRC layer will ultimately become the information of the PHY layer, or is transformed from the information of the PHY layer, therefore, in this network deployment, high-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling) can be considered to be generated by the CU and sent by the DU, or sent jointly by the DU and the AAU. It can be understood that the network device may include at least one of the CU, the DU, and the AAU. In addition, the CU may be classified as a RAN device, or the CU may also be classified as a core network device, and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0090] Optionally, the network device may be any site in a multi-site that performs coherent joint transmission (CJT) with the terminal device, or another site outside the multi-site, or another network device that communicates with the terminal device over the network, without specific limitation thereto. Among them, multi-site coherent joint transmission may be joint coherent transmission by multiple sites, or different data belonging to the same physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is sent from different sites to the terminal device, or multiple sites are virtualized into one site for transmission. Names with the same meaning specified in other standards are also applicable to this application, that is, this application does not limit the names of these parameters. The sites in multi-site coherent joint transmission may be remote radio heads (RRHs), transmit-receive points (TRPs), etc., without specific limitation thereto.

[0091] Optionally, the network device may be any site in a multi-site that performs non-coherent joint transmission with the terminal device, or another site outside the multi-site, or another network device that communicates with the terminal device over the network, without specific limitation thereto. Among them, multi-site non-coherent joint transmission may be joint non-coherent transmission by multiple sites, or different data belonging to the same PDSCH is sent from different sites to the terminal device. Names with the same meaning specified in other standards are also applicable to this application, that is, this application does not limit the names of these parameters. The sites in multi-site non-coherent joint transmission may be RRHs, TRPs, etc., without specific limitation thereto. The transmission scheme of multiple TRPs may include the S-DCI based M-TRP transmission scheme or the M-DCI based M-TRP transmission scheme.

[0092] It should be noted that the TRP in this application is not limited to the coherent joint transmission or non-coherent joint transmission scenarios, and may also be applicable to other scenarios, without specific limitation thereto.

[0093] Optionally, the network device may have mobility characteristics. For example, the network device may be a mobile device. Optionally, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device may also be a base station located on land, water, etc.

[0094] Optionally, the network device may provide services to a cell, and the terminal device in the cell may communicate with the network device through transmission resources (such as spectrum resources). Among them, the cell may be a macro cell, small cell, metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, etc.

[0095] Optionally, the network device in the embodiment of the present application may be a chip, chip module, device, unit, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0096] 4. Exemplary description

[0097] The following gives an exemplary description of the communication system in the embodiment of the present application.

[0098] Exemplarily, the network architecture of a communication system in the embodiment of the present application can be referred to Figure 1 . As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 10 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120.

[0099] It should be noted that Figure 1 this is only an example of the network architecture of a communication system, and does not limit the network architecture of the communication system in the embodiment of the present application.

[0100] For example, the communication system 10 may further include a server or other devices.

[0101] For another example, in addition to the network device 110, the communication system 10 may further include other network devices.

[0102] For another example, in addition to the terminal device 120, the communication system 10 may further include other terminal devices.

[0103] II. Enhancement of the communication process

[0104] 1. Description

[0105] Network energy savings is an issue that operators and equipment manufacturers are more concerned about. Network energy savings is very beneficial for reducing operating costs and environmental protection.

[0106] Generally speaking, when the network load is zero or low, the transmission of common downlink signals / channels accounts for a relatively large proportion of the transmission energy consumption of the base station. The common downlink signals / channels may include SSB, SIB1, SIBx, etc. Among them, SIB1 is also called the remaining main system information (RMSI), and SIBx is also called other system information (OSI).

[0107] To save the energy consumption of the communication system, this embodiment can limit the network device to transmit the common downlink signals / channels only within a certain period of time, or limit the network device not to transmit the common downlink signals / channels within a certain period of time.

[0108] It should be noted that the period of time during which the network device can transmit the common downlink signals / channels can be called the "active period (or active time)", and the period of time during which the network device can not transmit the common downlink signals / channels can be called the "non-active period (or non-active time)".

[0109] Of course, the active period can also be called the "active window", and the non-active period can also be called the "non-active window".

[0110] In addition, since the common downlink signals / channels can be transmitted periodically by the network device (correspondingly, the terminal device listens periodically), this embodiment can limit the network device to transmit the common downlink signals / channels only within a periodically occurring period of time, that is, the periodically occurring period of time can be called the active time. In this way, the active time can be periodically occurring; correspondingly, the non-active time can be periodically occurring.

[0111] Optionally, the periodically occurring period of time can be defined in the way of discontinuous transmission (DTX). Among them, DTX can be composed of repeated DTX cycles, and one DTX cycle can include DTX active time and DTX non-active time. In this way, the active time can be the DTX active time.

[0112] Of course, DTX can also be referred to as cell DTX. Since network devices mainly broadcast common downlink signals / channels to terminal devices in the idle state / inactive state, DTX can also be referred to as cell DTX for terminal devices in the idle state / inactive state.

[0113] Optionally, the periodically occurring time can be defined by a periodically occurring time window. In this way, the active time can be the periodically occurring time window, and the inactive time can be the time outside this time window.

[0114] In addition, the transmission of common downlink signals / channels by network devices is not affected during the active time, but may be affected during the inactive time. For example, some common downlink signals / channels are not transmitted during the inactive time. The combination of SSB, SIB1, or SIBx with the active time / inactive time will be described separately below.

[0115]

SSB

[0116] SSB may not be transmitted during the inactive time.

[0117] For cell search, if the network device does not transmit SSB during the inactive time, since the terminal device can blindly detect whether SSB is transmitted, the terminal device will not perform combined reception on the untransmitted SSB. Here, cell search can include cell search in cell initial selection, cell selection, and cell reselection.

[0118] For measurement, since the network device can "restrict" which position of the SSB the terminal device measures by configuring the synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SMTC). If the network device does not transmit SSB during the inactive time, then the network device can use SMTC to restrict the terminal device to measure at the position where SSB is transmitted. Therefore, the inactive time may not affect the terminal device's measurement.

[0119]

SIB1

[0120] SIB1 is sent with a period of 160 milliseconds and a repetition period of 20 milliseconds, and is repeated 4 times with a 20 - millisecond period. Among them, the content of each repetition (such as the information bits before encoding) remains unchanged, and it is sent once every 160 - millisecond period. In addition, for different 160 - millisecond periods, the sent content can be updated. In short, the window of SIB1 can be regarded as a 160 - millisecond window, and the head and tail are connected.

[0121] For the terminal device to obtain SIB1, if the network device does not send SIB1 during the inactive time, as long as the active time contains the window of SIB1, then the network device will send a complete SIB1 (repeated 4 times with a 20 - millisecond period) during the active time. Therefore, the inactive time may not affect the terminal device's reception of SIB1.

[0122]

SIBx

[0123] SIBx (x > 1) is carried by the system information message (SI message). The system information message can be called the SI message. All SI messages are sent in a series of windows that are connected end - to - end. An SI message is sent in one of these windows, and the window lengths of these windows are configured to the same value. Among them, these windows can be called the system information window (SI window), and the system information window can also be called the SI window. For simplicity of description, here we do not distinguish between SI messages and SI windows. The SI message can also be called the SIBx message. The SI window can also be called the SIBx window.

[0124] The start slot of the nth SI message is a, where a = x mod N; the system frame number (SFN) of the start frame satisfies SFN mod T = floor(x / N), where x=(n - 1)*w, w is the window length of the SI message, T is the period of the nth system information message, and N is the number of slots in a frame. For example, the start frame of the first SI message is the frame with SFN = 0, that is, the 0th frame, and the start slot is the 0th slot; the start frame number of the second SI message satisfies SFN mod T = floor(w / N), and the start slot is the a = w mod Nth slot; and so on.

[0125] Different SI messages can have different periods. If the periods and sequence numbers n of SI messages are not configured properly, different SI messages may collide within the same SI window. However, the protocol stipulates that an SI message can only be sent within one SI window. Therefore, network devices need to be configured correctly to avoid collisions. To avoid collisions, the minimum period of all configured SI messages often needs to be greater than the maximum sequence number n. In fact, the sequence number n of an SI message can be regarded as an offset within the maximum configured period, where the offset refers to the offset to the nth SI window.

[0126] For a terminal device to obtain SI messages, since SI messages are periodic and the activation time is also periodic, this will cause some SI messages within these SI windows to always be outside the activation time, ultimately resulting in the terminal device being unable to receive these SI messages.

[0127] In summary, this embodiment needs to enhance the configuration of SI messages to ensure that SI messages are not within the non-activation time and are as much as possible within the activation time. 2. Specific Embodiments

[0129]

Solution 1

[0130] In "Solution 1", this embodiment considers how to enhance the configuration of SI messages to ensure that SI messages are not within the non-activation time and are as much as possible within the activation time. Additionally, for SI messages, it is assumed that the network device can configure the start point of the activation time to be the same as or close enough to the start point of the first SI message.

[0131] Specifically, in "Solution 1", this embodiment considers that at least one activation time contains all SI messages, that is, within this activation time, SI messages appear at least once, and then it can be processed as follows: SI messages are sent within the activation time and discarded outside the activation time. Specifically as follows:

[0132] Optionally, if an SI message is entirely within the activation time, then send this SI message.

[0133] Optionally, if an SI message is partially within the activation time, then send this SI message.

[0134] Next, this embodiment will specifically illustrate the above content in the following multiple ways. Among them, each way can be related to each other, can be independent of each other, and the same content between each way can be referenced to each other, and this will not be elaborated here.

[0135]

Way 1-1

[0136] In "Way 1-1", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 2It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0137] S210. When an SI message is entirely within the activation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is entirely outside the deactivation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is valid; or, when a part of an SI message is within the activation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is invalid; or, when a part of an SI message is outside the deactivation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is invalid.

[0138] It should be noted that "valid" in this embodiment is equivalent to "existent", "sent by the network device", or "receivable by the terminal device". Additionally, "invalid" in this embodiment is equivalent to "non-existent", "not sent by the network device", or "not receivable by the terminal device".

[0139] It can be seen that for an SI message that is entirely within the activation time, or for an SI message that is entirely outside the deactivation time, the terminal device can receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0140] Or, for an SI message with a part within the activation time, or for an SI message with a part outside the deactivation time, the terminal device can not receive / not monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0141] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when an SI message is entirely within the activation time, the network device determines that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is entirely outside the deactivation time, the network device determines that the SI message is valid; or, when a part of an SI message is within the activation time, the network device determines that the SI message is invalid; or, when a part of an SI message is outside the deactivation time, the network device determines that the SI message is invalid.

[0142] It can be seen that for an SI message that is entirely within the activation time, or for an SI message that is entirely outside the deactivation time, the network device can send / not discard the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0143] Alternatively, for part of the SI messages within the activation time or for part of the SI messages not within the deactivation time, the network device may not send / discard the SI messages to determine that the SI messages are invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0144] Optionally, a part of the SI message refers to a symbol, time slot or frame of a part of the SI message; the whole SI message refers to all symbols, time slots or frames of the SI message. In this way, this embodiment can have different levels of time units, such as including symbols, time slots and frames, which can make the system more flexible.

[0145] Optionally, an SI message is valid, which means that the terminal device receives / listens to / does not discard the SI message, or the network device sends / does not ignore the SI message. In this way, the behaviors of the network device / terminal device can be clarified.

[0146] Optionally, an SI message is invalid, which means that the terminal device does not receive / does not listen to / discards the SI message, or the network device does not send / ignores the SI message. In this way, the behaviors of the network device / terminal device can be clarified.

[0147]

Method 1-2

[0148] In "Method 1-2", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0149] S310. When a part of an SI message is within the activation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is valid; or, when a part of an SI message is within the deactivation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is valid; or, when the whole SI message is not within the activation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is invalid; or, when the whole SI message is within the deactivation time, the terminal device determines that the SI message is invalid.

[0150] It can be seen that for part of the SI messages within the activation time or for part of the SI messages within the deactivation time, the terminal device can still receive / listen to the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0151] Alternatively, for all SI messages outside the activation time or for all SI messages within the deactivation time, the terminal device may not receive / not monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0152] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when a part of an SI message is within the activation time, the network device determines that the SI message is valid; or when a part of an SI message is within the deactivation time, the network device determines that the SI message is valid; or when an entire SI message is outside the activation time, the network device determines that the SI message is invalid; or when an entire SI message is within the deactivation time, the network device determines that the SI message is invalid.

[0153] It can be seen that for SI messages with part within the activation time or for SI messages with part within the deactivation time, the network device can still send / not discard the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0154] Alternatively, for all SI messages outside the activation time or for all SI messages within the deactivation time, the network device may not send / discard the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0155] Optionally, a part of an SI message refers to a part of symbols, time slots or frames of the SI message; an entire SI message refers to all symbols, time slots or frames of the SI message. In this way, this embodiment can have different levels of time units, such as including symbols, time slots and frames, which can make the system more flexible.

[0156] Optionally, an SI message is valid means that the terminal device receives / monitors / does not discard the SI message, or the network device sends / does not ignore the SI message. In this way, the behavior of the network device / terminal device can be clarified.

[0157] Optionally, an SI message is invalid means that the terminal device does not receive / does not monitor / discards the SI message, or the network device does not send / ignores the SI message. In this way, the behavior of the network device / terminal device can be clarified.

[0158]

Solution 2

[0159] In "Solution 2", this embodiment considers how to enhance the SI message configuration to ensure that the SI message is not within the non-active time but as much as possible within the active time. Additionally, for the SI message, it is assumed that the network device can configure the start point of the active time to be the same as or close enough to the start point of the first SI message.

[0160] Specifically, in "Solution 2", this embodiment considers that all active times cannot contain all SI messages, that is, at least one SI message is outside the active time (i.e., within the non-active time). Then, the network device cannot perform simple processing (sending / dropping), but needs to make adjustments. For example, the SI message outside the active time can be advanced to the SI window within the active time, breaking the rule that "one SI message can only be sent in one SI window". Specifically as follows:

[0161] Optionally, if a SI message partially or entirely falls within a non-active time, by formulating rules, the SI message is advanced to the active time before the non-active time.

[0162] Optionally, define a SI message group, that is, including one or more SI messages, and try to make the SI message group all fall within the active time.

[0163] Optionally, increase the SI window length (abbreviated as window length) w so that the SI window length w contains a complete or partial active time. In this way, since all SI windows have the same window length, any SI window can contain a complete active time, and the SI message can be sent within the active time.

[0164] Next, this embodiment will specifically illustrate the above content in the following multiple ways. Among them, the various ways can be related to each other, can be independent of each other, and the same content among the various ways can be referenced to each other, which will not be elaborated here.

[0165]

Method 2-1

[0166] In "Method 2-1", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0167] S410. When a SI message is partially or entirely within the non-active time, the terminal device determines to receive the SI message in the SI window within the active time.

[0168] Among them, determining to receive the SI message in the SI window within the active time can be understood as moving the SI message to the SI window within the active time.

[0169] In this way, for SI messages that are partially or entirely within the non-active time, the terminal device can advance and merge the SI message into the SI window within the active time in advance, so as to move the SI message into the SI window within the active time, thereby ensuring that all SI messages are within the active time and retaining the SI messages as much as possible.

[0170] Receive the SI message in an optional and determined SI window within the active time, including:

[0171] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-active time, then determine to receive the SI message in the k-th SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time, where k is a positive integer.

[0172] Among them, determining to receive the SI message in the k-th SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time can be understood as moving the SI message to the k-th SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time.

[0173] In this way, for an SI message that is partially within the non-active time, this embodiment can advance the entire SI message in advance and "positionally" advance and merge the SI message into an SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through this rule. At the same time, it is applicable to the scenario of "when there are P (P is an integer greater than 1) SI windows within the non-active time, there are at least P SI windows within the active time".

[0174] Optionally, receiving the SI message in the SI window within the active time includes:

[0175] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-active time, then determine to receive the SI message in the k1-th SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time, where both k and k1 are positive integers; among them, k1 = k mod K, mod represents the modulo operation, K represents the number of SI windows within the active time, and k mod K represents the remainder of k divided by K.

[0176] Among them, determining to receive the SI message in the k1-th SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time can be understood as moving the SI message to the k1-th SI window within the active time that is closest to and before the non-active time.

[0177] In this way, for the case where there are P (P > K) SI windows during the non-active time, but there are no P SI windows during the active time and only K SI windows, since there are no P SI windows during the active time, in this embodiment, through the modulo operation, multiple SI windows during the non-active time can be simultaneously "aligned" and advanced into one SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through this rule.

[0178] Correspondingly, taking a network device as an example, when a SI message is partially or fully within the non-active time, the network device determines to send the SI message in the SI window during the active time.

[0179] In this way, for a SI message that is partially or fully within the non-active time, the network device can advance and merge the SI message into the SI window during the active time for transmission, realizing the movement of the SI message into the SI window during the active time, so as to ensure that all SI messages are within the active time and retain the SI messages as much as possible.

[0180] Optionally, determining to send the SI message in the SI window during the active time includes:

[0181] If the SI message is in the k-th SI window during the non-active time, then determine to send the SI message in the k-th SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time, where k is a positive integer.

[0182] Among them, determining to send the SI message in the k-th SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time can be understood as moving the SI message into the k-th SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time.

[0183] In this way, for a SI message that is partially within the non-active time, this embodiment can advance the entire SI message completely, and "align" and advance and merge the SI message into one SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through this rule. At the same time, it is applicable to the scenario of "when there are P (P is an integer greater than 1) SI windows during the non-active time, there are at least P SI windows during the active time".

[0184] Optionally, determining to send the SI message in the SI window during the active time includes:

[0185] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-active time, then determine to send the SI message within the k1-th SI window during the most recent active time before the non-active time, where both k and k1 are positive integers; where k1 = k mod K, mod represents the modulo operation, K represents the number of SI windows during the active time, and k mod K represents the remainder of k divided by K.

[0186] Among them, determining to send the SI message within the k1-th SI window during the most recent active time before the non-active time can be understood as moving the SI message to the k1-th SI window during the most recent active time before the non-active time.

[0187] In this way, for the case where there are P (P > K) SI windows during the non-active time, but there are not P SI windows but only K SI windows during the active time, since there are not P SI windows during the active time, in this embodiment, through the modulo operation, multiple SI windows during the non-active time can be simultaneously "aligned" and advanced to one SI window during the most recent active time before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through this rule.

[0188]

Method 2-2

[0189] In "Method 2-2", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0190] S510. The terminal device determines the time position of the SI message group.

[0191] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the concept of an SI message group or an SI message subset can be introduced, so that the SI messages within the SI message group still remain continuous (SI windows are continuous), enabling the SI message group to be evenly distributed over multiple active times, and the gap between adjacent SI message groups is large enough.

[0192] In this way, by the terminal device determining the time position of the SI message group, the SI message group can be evenly distributed over multiple active times, solving the problem that evenly distributed SI messages (all SI messages have the same interval) fall within the non-active time.

[0193] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, the network device determines the time position of the SI message group.

[0194] In this way, the network device determines the time position of the SI message group, so that the SI message groups can be evenly distributed within multiple activation times, solving the problem that evenly distributed SI messages (with the same interval between all SI messages) fall within non-activated times.

[0195] Optionally, the time position of the SI message group is the start position of the SI message group. Herein, the start position of the SI message group can represent the interval between the SI message group and other SI message groups (the interval between the start positions of adjacent SI message groups).

[0196] In this way, the terminal device / network device can first determine the inter-group interval between adjacent SI message groups, and then determine the SI messages within the SI message group.

[0197] Optionally, determining the time position of the SI message group includes: calculating the time position of the SI message group according to a predefined formula.

[0198] In this way, the terminal device / network device can calculate the time position of the SI message group by substituting the value configured by the high-layer parameter into the predefined formula.

[0199] Optionally, the predefined formula is:

[0200] x = ((n - 1) mod K) * w + (m - 1) * v;

[0201] Wherein, x represents the window position of the SI message group, w represents the SI window length, K represents the number of SI messages within an SI message group, n represents the index of the SI message, m represents the index of the SI message group, and v represents the inter-group interval between adjacent SI message groups.

[0202] In this way, through the predefined formula, adjacent SI message groups are evenly distributed discontinuously (with intervals), and the SI messages within the SI message group are continuously distributed.

[0203]

Method 2-3

[0204] In "Method 2-3", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0205] S610. The terminal device determines the listening part within the SI window;

[0206] S620. The terminal device listens for the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this listening part.

[0207] It should be noted that the SI window length w can be increased so that the SI window length w includes a complete or partial activation time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, that is, x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the SI window length w is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the terminal device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the terminal device can only monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this part, thus avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0208] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, the network device determines the monitoring part within the SI window and sends the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this monitoring part.

[0209] It can be seen that to avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the network device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the network device can only send the monitoring of the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this part, thus avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0210] Optionally, the starting position of the monitoring part can be preset or given by a higher-layer parameter. In this way, the starting position can be preset as the starting position of the SI window, and the starting position can also be the symbol index, time slot index, or frame index within the SI window given by the higher-layer parameter.

[0211] Optionally, the ending position of the monitoring part can be preset or given by a higher-layer parameter. In this way, the ending position can be preset as the ending position of the SI window, and the ending position can also be the symbol index, time slot index, or frame index within the SI window given by the higher-layer parameter.

[0212] Optionally, the duration of the monitoring part can be preset or given by a higher-layer parameter. In this way, the position of the monitoring part can be defined by defining the starting position and duration of the monitoring part, or by defining the ending position and duration of the monitoring part.

[0213]

Solution 3

[0214] In "Solution 3", this embodiment considers how to reduce the impact of the above network energy saving and / or SI message enhancement on existing (stock) terminal devices.

[0215] Specifically, this embodiment can formulate rules to restrict existing (stock) terminal devices from accessing the cell used to support SI message enhancement.

[0216] Optionally, a terminal device without network energy saving capabilities determines not to access the cell for transmitting the MIB based on one or more bits in the MIB. Correspondingly, the network device sets one or more bits in the MIB to restrict the access of terminal devices without network energy saving capabilities to the cell for transmitting the MIB. In this way, a terminal device with network energy saving capabilities can ignore these one or more bits in the MIB and can receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB; a terminal device without network energy saving capabilities can determine not to receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB based on these one or more bits in the MIB.

[0217] Optionally, a terminal device without SIBx enhancement capabilities determines not to access the cell for transmitting the MIB based on one or more bits in the MIB. Correspondingly, the network device sets one or more bits in the MIB to restrict the access of terminal devices without SIBx enhancement capabilities to the cell for transmitting the MIB. Here, SIBx enhancement includes SIBx enhancement for network energy saving. In this way, a terminal device with SIBx enhancement capabilities can ignore these one or more bits in the MIB and can receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB; a terminal device without SIBx enhancement capabilities can determine not to receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB based on these one or more bits in the MIB. Here, SIBx enhancement can also be referred to as SI message enhancement or SI window enhancement.

[0218] The following embodiments will specifically illustrate the above content in the following ways. Among them, each way can be related to each other, can be independent of each other, and the same content between each way can be referenced to each other, which will not be elaborated here.

[0219]

Method 3-1

[0220] In "Method 3-1", the terminal device can determine whether the cell transmitting the SIB1 supports SIBx enhancement based on the SIB1. Here, the terminal device is a terminal device with SIBx enhancement capabilities, which ignores those one or more bits in the MIB and receives the SIB1 of the cell for transmitting the MIB. The high-layer parameters in the SIB1 indicate whether the cell transmitting the SIB1 supports SIBx enhancement. The terminal device can determine whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 supports SIBx enhancement based on the high-layer parameters.

[0221] If the cell for transmitting the SIB1 does not support SIBx enhancement, then the terminal device receives the SIBx in the original manner.

[0222] Alternatively, if the cell that sends the SIB1 supports SIBx enhancement, the terminal device determines to receive SIBx in the manner of SIBx enhancement described in the above "Solution 1" or "Solution 2".

[0223] Alternatively, if the cell that sends the SIB1 supports SIBx enhancement and the SIBx message is within the non-active time, that is, not within the active time, the terminal device determines to receive SIBx in the manner of SIBx enhancement described in the above "Solution 1" or "Solution 2". Here, the position of the SIBx message can be determined semi-statically.

[0224] III. Example description of a communication device

[0225] The above mainly introduces the solution of the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the method side. It can be understood that in order for the network device / terminal device to implement the above functions, it includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the manner of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0226] The embodiment of the present application can perform the division of functional units on the network device / terminal device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software program module. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiment of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0227] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, Figure 7 is a block diagram of the functional unit composition of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 700 includes: a determination unit 701.

[0228] Optionally, the determination unit 701 can be a module unit for processing signals, data, information, sequences, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0229] Optionally, the determination unit 701 can be integrated in the processing unit.

[0230] It should be noted that the processing unit may be a processor or a controller. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a baseband chip, a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure of the present application. The processing unit may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0231] Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a storage unit for storing the computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 700. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0232] Optionally, the communication device 700 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0233] Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a communication unit. It should be noted that the communication unit may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0234] Optionally, the determining unit 701 is configured to execute any step performed by a chip / chip module / terminal device / network device, etc. in the above method embodiments. A detailed description will be given below.

[0235] Specifically, the determining unit 701 is configured to execute the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, etc., it can optionally call other units to complete the corresponding operations. Since the present application involves multiple methods, a detailed description will be given separately from each method below.

[0236] In "Mode 1-1", the determining unit 701 is configured to determine that an SI message is valid when the entire SI message is within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is valid when the entire SI message is not within the deactivation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when a part of the SI message is within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when a part of the SI message is not within the deactivation time.

[0237] It can be seen that for all SI messages within the activation time, or for all SI messages not within the deactivation time, the network device can send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid. This can not only simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also avoid reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0238] Alternatively, for some SI messages within the activation time, or for some SI messages not within the deactivation time, the network device can not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can not receive / not monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid. This can not only save the energy consumption of the communication system, simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also avoid reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0239] Optionally, a part of the SI message refers to a symbol, time slot or frame of a part of the SI message;

[0240] All of the SI message refers to all symbols, time slots or frames of the SI message.

[0241] In this way, this embodiment can have different levels of time units, such as including symbols, time slots and frames, making the system more flexible.

[0242] Optionally, the SI message is valid means that the terminal device receives or monitors the SI message, or the network device sends the SI message;

[0243] The SI message is invalid means that the terminal device does not receive or monitor the SI message, or the network device does not send or ignores the SI message.

[0244] In this way, the behavior of the network device / terminal device can be clarified.

[0245] In "Mode 1-2", the determination unit 701 is configured to determine that the SI message is valid when a part of the SI message is within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is valid when a part of the SI message is within the deactivation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when all of the SI message is not within the activation time; or, determine that the SI message is invalid when all of the SI message is within the deactivation time.

[0246] It can be seen that for some SI messages within the activation time or for some SI messages outside the activation time, the network device can still send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can still receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid. This can not only simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also retain as many SI messages as possible.

[0247] Alternatively, for all SI messages outside the activation time or for all SI messages within the non-activation time, the network device can not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can not receive / monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid. This can not only save the energy consumption of the communication system, simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also avoid reducing the true non-activation time of the network device.

[0248] Optionally, a part of the SI message refers to a part of the symbols, time slots or frames of the SI message;

[0249] All of the SI message refers to all of the symbols, time slots or frames of the SI message.

[0250] In this way, this embodiment can have different levels of time units, such as symbols, time slots and frames, which can make the system more flexible.

[0251] Optionally, an SI message is valid means that the terminal device receives or monitors the SI message, or the network device sends the SI message;

[0252] An SI message is invalid means that the terminal device does not receive or monitor the SI message, or the network device does not send or ignores the SI message.

[0253] In this way, the behavior of the network device / terminal device can be clarified.

[0254] In "Mode 2-1", the determination unit 701 is configured to determine to receive or send the SI message in the SI window within the activation time when a part or all of an SI message is within the non-activation time.

[0255] In this way, for an SI message that is partially or fully within the non-activation time, the network device can merge the SI message in advance into the SI window within the activation time for sending, and the terminal device can merge the SI message in advance into the SI window within the activation time for receiving, so as to move the SI message into the SI window within the activation time, thereby ensuring that all SI messages are within the activation time and retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0256] Optionally, in terms of determining to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time, the determining unit 701 is configured to:

[0257] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-activation time, then determine to receive the SI message in the k-th SI window within the activation time that is closest and before the non-activation time, where k is a positive integer.

[0258] In this way, for a partial SI message within the non-activation time, this embodiment can advance the entire complete SI message, and "positionally" advance and merge the SI message into an SI window within the activation time that is closest and before the non-activation time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through such a rule. Meanwhile, it is applicable to the scenario of "when there are P (P is an integer greater than 1) SI windows during the non-activation time, there are at least P SI windows within the activation time".

[0259] Optionally, in terms of determining to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time, the determining unit 701 is configured to:

[0260] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-activation time, then determine to receive the SI message in the k1-th SI window within the activation time that is closest and before the non-activation time, where both k and k1 are positive integers;

[0261] where k1 = k mod K, and mod represents the modulo operation, and K is the number of SI windows within the activation time.

[0262] In this way, for the case where there are P (P > K) SI windows during the non-activation time, but there are not P SI windows within the activation time but only K SI windows, since there are not P SI windows within the activation time, this embodiment can, through the modulo operation, make multiple SI windows within the non-activation time all "positionally" advance and merge into an SI window within the activation time that is closest and before the non-activation time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through such a rule.

[0263] Optionally, in terms of determining to send the SI message in the SI window within the activation time, the determining unit 701 is configured to:

[0264] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-activation time, then determine to send the SI message in the k-th SI window within the activation time that is closest and before the non-activation time, where k is a positive integer.

[0265] In this way, for an SI message during a non-active time, this embodiment can advance the entire complete SI message, and "vertically" advance and merge the SI message into an SI window within the nearest active time before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through such rules. At the same time, it is applicable to the scenario of "when there are P (P is an integer greater than 1) SI windows during the non-active time, there are at least P SI windows during the active time".

[0266] Optionally, in terms of determining to send an SI message in an SI window during the active time, the determining unit 701 is configured to:

[0267] If the SI message is within the k-th SI window during the non-active time, then determine to send the SI message within the k1-th SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time, where both k and k1 are positive integers;

[0268] Wherein, k1 = k mod K, and mod represents the modulo operation, and K is the number of SI windows during the active time.

[0269] In this way, for the case where there are P (P > K) SI windows during the non-active time, but there are not P SI windows but only K SI windows during the active time, since there are not P SI windows during the active time, this embodiment can, through the modulo operation, make multiple SI windows during the non-active time "vertically" advance and merge into one SI window during the nearest active time before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through such rules.

[0270] In "Mode 2-2", the determining unit 701 is configured to determine the time position of the SI message group.

[0271] In this way, by the network device / terminal device determining the time position of the SI message group, the SI message group can be evenly distributed over multiple active times, solving the problem that evenly distributed SI messages (all SI messages have the same interval) fall within the non-active time.

[0272] Optionally, the time position of the SI message group is the start position of the SI message group.

[0273] Optionally, determining the time position of the SI message group includes:

[0274] Calculating the time position of the SI message group according to a predefined formula.

[0275] In this way, the terminal device / network device can calculate the time position of the SI message group by substituting the values configured by the higher-layer parameters into the predefined formula.

[0276] Optionally, the predefined formula is:

[0277] x = ((n - 1) mod K) * w + (m - 1) * v;

[0278] Where x represents the time position of the SI message group, w represents the SI window length, K represents the number of SI messages in an SI message group, n represents the index of the SI message, m represents the index of the SI message group, and v represents the inter-group interval between adjacent SI message groups.

[0279] In this way, through the predefined formula, adjacent SI message groups are non-continuously (with intervals) and evenly distributed, and the SI messages within the SI message group are continuously distributed.

[0280] It should be noted that Figure 7 For the specific implementation of each operation in the above embodiments, reference can be made to the description in the method embodiments shown above, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0281] IV. Another example illustration of a communication device

[0282] The above mainly introduces the "Mode 2-3" of the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the method side. It can be understood that for the terminal device to implement the above functions, it includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving the hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0283] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional units of the terminal device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software program module. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0284] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, Figure 8 is a block diagram of the functional unit composition of another communication device in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 800 includes: a determination unit 801 and a receiving unit 802.

[0285] Optionally, the determination unit 801 may be a module unit for processing signals, data, information, sequences, etc., and no specific limitation is imposed thereon.

[0286] Optionally, the receiving unit 802 may be a module unit for receiving signals, data, information, sequences, etc., and no specific limitation is imposed thereon.

[0287] Optionally, the determination unit 801 may be integrated in the processing unit.

[0288] It should be noted that the processing unit may be a processor or a controller. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a baseband chip, a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present application. The processing unit may also be a combination for implementing computing functions, such as a combination including one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0289] Optionally, the receiving unit 802 may be integrated in the communication unit. It should be noted that the communication unit may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0290] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a storage unit for storing the computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 800. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0291] Optionally, the communication device 800 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0292] Optionally, the determination unit 801 and the receiving unit 802 are used to execute any step performed by a chip / chip module / terminal device, etc. in the above method embodiments. Details are described below.

[0293] In specific implementation, the determination unit 801 and the receiving unit 802 are used to execute the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units may be selectively called to complete the corresponding operations.

[0294] The determination unit 801 is used to determine the monitoring part within the SI window;

[0295] A receiving unit 802, configured to monitor a PDCCH corresponding to an SI message within the monitoring part.

[0296] It should be noted that the SI window length w can be increased so that the SI window length w includes a complete or partial activation time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, that is, x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the SI window length w is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the terminal device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the terminal device can only monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this part, thereby avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0297] In addition, Figure 8 For the specific implementation of each operation in the above embodiments, reference can be made to the description in the above "Method 2-3", which will not be elaborated here.

[0298] Optionally, the starting position of the monitoring part is preset or given by a higher-layer parameter.

[0299] In this way, the starting position can be preset as the starting position of the SI window, and the starting position can also be the symbol index, time slot index, or frame index within the SI window given by a higher-layer parameter.

[0300] Optionally, the ending position of the monitoring part is preset or given by a higher-layer parameter.

[0301] In this way, the ending position can be preset as the ending position of the SI window, and the ending position can also be the symbol index, time slot index, or frame index within the SI window given by a higher-layer parameter.

[0302] Optionally, the duration of the monitoring part is preset or given by a higher-layer parameter.

[0303] In this way, the position of the monitoring part can be defined by defining the starting position and duration of the monitoring part, or by defining the ending position and duration of the monitoring part.

[0304] V. Another example description of a communication device

[0305] The above mainly introduces "Method 2-3" of the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the method side. It can be understood that in order for a network device to implement the above functions, it includes the corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0306] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional units of the network device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software program module. It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0307] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, Figure 9 is a block diagram of the functional unit composition of another communication device in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 900 includes: a determination unit 901 and a transmission unit 902.

[0308] Optionally, the determination unit 901 can be a module unit for processing signals, data, information, sequences, etc., and no specific limitation is imposed thereon.

[0309] Optionally, the transmission unit 902 can be a module unit for transmitting signals, data, information, sequences, etc., and no specific limitation is imposed thereon.

[0310] Optionally, the determination unit 901 can be integrated in the processing unit.

[0311] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or a controller. For example, it can be a baseband processor, a baseband chip, a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0312] Optionally, the sending unit 902 can be integrated in the communication unit. It should be noted that the communication unit can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0313] Optionally, the communication device 900 can further include a storage unit for storing the computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 900. The storage unit can be a memory.

[0314] Optionally, the communication device 900 can be a chip or a chip module.

[0315] Optionally, the determining unit 901 and the sending unit 902 are used to execute any step performed by a chip / chip module / terminal device, etc. in the above method embodiments. A detailed description will be given below.

[0316] In specific implementation, the determining unit 901 and the sending unit 902 are used to execute the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units can be selectively called to complete the corresponding operations.

[0317] The determining unit 901 is used to determine the monitoring part within the SI window;

[0318] The sending unit 902 is used to send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this monitoring part.

[0319] It should be noted that the SI window length w can be increased so that the SI window length w includes a complete or partial activation time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, i.e., x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the SI window length w is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the network device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the network device can send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message only within this part, thereby avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0320] In addition, Figure 9 The specific implementation of each operation in the above embodiments can be found in the description in "Method 2 - 3" above, and will not be specifically elaborated here.

[0321] Optionally, the starting position of the monitoring part is preset or given by a higher - layer parameter.

[0322] In this way, the starting position can be preset as the starting position of the SI window, and the starting position can also be the symbol index, time - slot index, or frame index within the SI window given by a higher - layer parameter.

[0323] Optionally, the ending position of the monitoring part is preset or given by a higher - layer parameter.

[0324] In this way, the ending position can be preset as the ending position of the SI window, and the ending position can also be the symbol index, time - slot index, or frame index within the SI window given by a higher - layer parameter.

[0325] Optionally, the duration of the monitoring part is preset or given by a higher - layer parameter.

[0326] In this way, the position of the monitoring part can be defined by defining the starting position and duration of the monitoring part, or by defining the ending position and duration of the monitoring part.

[0327] VI. Example description of a terminal device

[0328] Please refer to Figure 10 , Figure 10 which is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the terminal device 1000 may include a processor 1010, a memory 1020, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1010 and the memory 1020.

[0329] Optionally, the memory 1020 includes, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 1020 is used to store the program code executed by the terminal device 1000 and the transmitted data.

[0330] Optionally, the terminal device 1000 further includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0331] Optionally, the processor 1010 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1010 is a central processing unit (CPU), the central processing unit (CPU) can be a single-core central processing unit (CPU) or a multi-core central processing unit (CPU).

[0332] Optionally, the processor 1010 can be a baseband chip, a chip, a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0333] In specific implementation, the processor 1010 in the terminal device 1000 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1021 stored in the memory 1020 and perform the corresponding steps of the method embodiments shown above. Since the present application involves multiple modes, the following will be described in detail from each mode.

[0334] In "Mode 1-1", the processor 1010 in the terminal device 1000 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1021 stored in the memory 1020 and perform the following steps:

[0335] When an SI message is entirely within the activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is entirely outside the non-activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is partially within the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, when an SI message is partially outside the non-activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

[0336] It can be seen that for all SI messages within the activation time, or for all SI messages not within the deactivation time, the network device can send / not discard the SI message, and the terminal device can receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid. This can not only simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also avoid reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0337] Alternatively, for some SI messages within the activation time, or for some SI messages not within the deactivation time, the network device can not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can not receive / not monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid. This can not only save the energy consumption of the communication system, simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also avoid reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0338] In "Mode 1-2", the processor 1010 in the terminal device 1000 is configured to execute the computer program or instruction 1021 stored in the memory 1020, and perform the following steps:

[0339] When a part of an SI message is within the activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when a part of an SI message is within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is not within the activation time at all, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, when an SI message is within the deactivation time at all, determine that the SI message is invalid.

[0340] It can be seen that for some SI messages within the activation time, or for some SI messages within the deactivation time, the network device can still send / not discard the SI message, and the terminal device can still receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid. This can not only simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also retain as many SI messages as possible.

[0341] Alternatively, for all SI messages not within the activation time, or for all SI messages within the deactivation time, the network device can not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can not receive / not monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid. This can not only save the energy consumption of the communication system, simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, simplify the implementation of the terminal device, enhance the SI message configuration, but also avoid reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0342] In "Mode 2-1", the processor 1010 in the terminal device 1000 is configured to execute the computer program or instruction 1021 stored in the memory 1020, and perform the following steps:

[0343] When a SI message is partially or entirely within the inactive time, determine that the SI message is received within the SI window during the active time.

[0344] In this way, for a SI message that is partially or entirely within the inactive time, the network device can advance and combine the SI message and send it within the SI window during the active time, and the terminal device can advance and combine the SI message and receive it within the SI window during the active time, so that the SI message is moved into the SI window during the active time, thereby ensuring that all SI messages are within the active time and retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0345] In "Mode 2-2", the processor 1010 in the terminal device 1000 is configured to execute the computer program or instruction 1021 stored in the memory 1020, and perform the following steps:

[0346] Determine the time position of the SI message group.

[0347] In this way, by the network device / terminal device determining the time position of the SI message group, the SI message group can be evenly distributed over multiple active times, solving the problem that evenly distributed SI messages (with the same interval for all SI messages) fall within the inactive time.

[0348] In "Mode 2-3", the processor 1010 in the terminal device 1000 is configured to execute the computer program or instruction 1021 stored in the memory 1020, and perform the following steps:

[0349] Determine the monitoring part within the SI window;

[0350] Monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this monitoring part.

[0351] It should be noted that the length w of the SI window can be increased, such that the length w of the SI window includes a complete or partial active time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, i.e., x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the length w of the SI window is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the terminal device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the terminal device can only monitor the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this part, thereby avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0352] VII. Example Illustration of a Network Device

[0353] Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 which is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the network device 1100 may include a processor 1110, a memory 1120, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1110 and the memory 1120.

[0354] Optionally, the memory 1120 includes but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 1120 is used to store the program code and the data transmitted by the network device 1100.

[0355] Optionally, the network device 1100 further includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0356] Optionally, the processor 1110 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1110 is a central processing unit (CPU), the central processing unit (CPU) may be a single-core central processing unit (CPU) or a multi-core central processing unit (CPU).

[0357] Optionally, the processor 1110 may be a baseband chip, a chip, a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof.

[0358] In specific implementation, the processor 1110 in the network device 1100 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1121 stored in the memory 1120, and execute the corresponding steps of the method embodiment shown above. Since the present application involves multiple modes, the following will be described in detail from each mode.

[0359] In "Mode 1-1", the processor 1110 in the network device 1100 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1121 stored in the memory 1120, and execute the following steps:

[0360] When an SI message is entirely within the activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is entirely outside the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is partially within the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, when an SI message is partially outside the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

[0361] It can be seen that for an SI message that is entirely within the activation time or for an SI message that is entirely outside the deactivation time, the network device can send / not discard the SI message, and the terminal device can receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0362] Or, for an SI message that is partially within the activation time or for an SI message that is partially outside the deactivation time, the network device can not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device can not receive / not monitor / ignore the SI message to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0363] In "Mode 1-2", the processor 1110 in the network device 1100 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1121 stored in the memory 1120, and perform the following steps:

[0364] When an SI message is partially within the activation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is partially within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, when an SI message is entirely outside the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, when an SI message is entirely within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

[0365] It can be seen that for an SI message that is partially within the activation time or for an SI message that is partially within the deactivation time, the network device can still send / not discard the SI message, and the terminal device can still receive / monitor the SI message to determine that the SI message is valid, thereby not only simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the SI message configuration, but also retaining as many SI messages as possible.

[0366] Alternatively, for all SI messages that are not within the activation time, or for all SI messages that are within the deactivation time, the network device may not send / discard the SI message, and the terminal device may not receive / listen to / ignore the SI message, so as to determine that the SI message is invalid, thereby not only saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, achieving enhanced SI message configuration, but also avoiding reducing the true deactivation time of the network device.

[0367] In "Mode 2-1", the processor 1110 in the network device 1100 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1121 stored in the memory 1120, and perform the following steps:

[0368] When a part or all of an SI message is within the deactivation time, determine to send the SI message in the SI window within the activation time.

[0369] In this way, for an SI message that is partially or entirely within the deactivation time, the network device can advance and combine the SI message to be sent within the SI window within the activation time, and the terminal device can advance and combine the SI message to be received within the SI window within the activation time, so that the SI message is moved to the SI window within the activation time, thereby ensuring that all SI messages are within the activation time and retaining the SI message as much as possible.

[0370] In "Mode 2-2", the processor 1110 in the network device 1100 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1121 stored in the memory 1120, and perform the following steps:

[0371] Determine the time position of the SI message group.

[0372] In this way, by the network device / terminal device determining the time position of the SI message group, the SI message group can be evenly distributed over multiple activation times, solving the problem that evenly distributed SI messages (all SI messages have the same interval) fall within the deactivation time.

[0373] In "Mode 2-3", the processor 1110 in the network device 1100 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1121 stored in the memory 1120, and perform the following steps:

[0374] Determine the listening part within the SI window;

[0375] Send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within this listening part.

[0376] It should be noted that the SI window length w can be increased so that the SI window length w includes a complete or partial activation time, and the formula for the starting position of the original SI window (SI message) remains unchanged, that is, x = (n - 1) × w. However, since the SI window length w is increased, it may cause an increase in the number of times the terminal device monitors the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message. To avoid an increase in the complexity of the terminal device, the network device can determine a part within the SI window (i.e., the monitoring part). In this way, the network device can send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message only within this part, thereby avoiding an increase in the complexity of the terminal device.

[0377] VIII. Other related example descriptions

[0378] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to a network device or within a network device. That is to say, the execution entity of the above method embodiments can be a network device, a chip, a chip module, a module, or a transmitter of a network device, etc., without specific limitations.

[0379] The embodiments of the present application also provide a chip, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory. Wherein, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0380] The embodiments of the present application also provide a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory. Wherein, the processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0381] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0382] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0383] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, including the above-mentioned network device and terminal device.

[0384] It should be noted that for each of the above embodiments, for the sake of simple description, they are all expressed as a series of combinations of actions. Those skilled in the art should be aware that the present application is not limited by the described order of actions, because some steps in the embodiments of the present application can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. In addition, those skilled in the art should also be aware that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules, or units involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments of the present application.

[0385] In the above embodiments, the description of each embodiment of the present application has its own emphasis. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0386] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a hardware manner or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a terminal device or a management device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the terminal device or the management device.

[0387] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that in one or more of the above examples, the functions described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wirelessly (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that the computer can access or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

[0388] Each device and product described in the above embodiments, and each module / unit included therein, may be a software module / unit, a hardware module / unit, or may be partly a software module / unit and partly a hardware module / unit. For example, for each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit included therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit included therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for each device and product applied to or integrated into a terminal device, each module / unit included therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components inside the terminal device, or at least part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the terminal device, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0389] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate on the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the above description is only the specific embodiments of the embodiments of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: When an entire System Information (SI) message is within the activation time, determining that the SI message is valid; Or, When an entire SI message is not within the deactivation time, determining that the SI message is valid; or, When a part of an SI message is within the activation time, determining that the SI message is invalid; or, When a part of an SI message is not within the deactivation time, determining that the SI message is invalid.

2. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: When a part of an SI message is within the activation time, determining that the SI message is valid; or, When a part of an SI message is within the deactivation time, determining that the SI message is valid; or, When an entire SI message is not within the activation time, determining that the SI message is invalid; or, When an entire SI message is within the deactivation time, determining that the SI message is invalid.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The part of the SI message refers to a symbol, time slot, or frame of a part of the SI message; The entire SI message refers to all symbols, time slots, or frames of the SI message.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The SI message being valid means that the terminal device receives or monitors the SI message, or the network device sends the SI message; The SI message being invalid means that the terminal device does not receive or monitor the SI message, or the network device does not send or ignores the SI message.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: When a part or all of an SI message is within the deactivation time, determining to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The determining to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time includes: If the SI message is within the k-th SI window within the deactivation time, then determining to receive the SI message in the k-th SI window within the activation time that is before and closest to the deactivation time, where k is a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein The determining to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time includes: If the SI message is within the k-th SI window within the deactivation time, then determining to receive the SI message within the k1-th SI window within the activation time that is before and closest to the deactivation time, where both k and k1 are positive integers; where k1 = k mod K, and mod represents the modulo operation, and K is the number of SI windows within the activation time.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Determining the time position of an SI message group.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The time position of the SI message group is the start position of the SI message group.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The determining the time position of the SI message group includes: Calculating the time position of the SI message group according to a predefined formula.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The predefined formula is: x = ((n - 1) mod K) * w + (m - 1) * v; where x represents the time position of the SI message group, w represents the SI window length, K represents the number of SI messages within an SI message group, n represents the index of the SI message, m represents the index of the SI message group, and v represents the inter-group interval between adjacent SI message groups.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Determining the monitoring part within the SI window; Monitoring the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) corresponding to the SI message within the monitoring part.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Determining the monitoring part within the SI window; Send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within the monitoring portion.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The starting position of the monitoring portion is preset or given by a higher layer parameter.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The ending position of the monitoring portion is preset or given by a higher layer parameter.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The duration of the monitoring portion is preset or given by a higher layer parameter.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A determination unit, configured to determine that the SI message is valid when an entire system information SI message is within the activation time; Or, When an entire SI message is not within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, When a part of an SI message is within the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, When a part of an SI message is not within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A determination unit, configured to determine that the SI message is valid when a part of the SI message is within the activation time; Or, When a part of the SI message is within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is valid; or, When an entire SI message is not within the activation time, determine that the SI message is invalid; or, When an entire SI message is within the deactivation time, determine that the SI message is invalid.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A determination unit, configured to determine to receive the SI message in the SI window within the activation time when a part or all of the SI message is within the deactivation time.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A determination unit, configured to determine the time position of the SI message group.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A determination unit, configured to determine the monitoring portion within the SI window; A receiving unit, configured to monitor the physical downlink control channel PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within the monitoring portion.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: A determination unit, configured to determine the monitoring portion within the SI window; A sending unit, configured to send the PDCCH corresponding to the SI message within the monitoring portion.

23. A terminal device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-12, 14-16.

24. A network device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instruction stored on the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instruction to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-11, 13-16.

25. A chip, comprising a processor and a communication interface, characterized in that, The processor executes the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-16.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-16.

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