Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the step of determining that paging in a paging cycle is invalid when all or part of paging in the paging cycle is in inactive time. Therefore, for all or part of the paging cycle in the inactive time, the network equipment does not need to send the paging in the paging cycle, and the terminal equipment does not need to monitor the paging in the paging cycle at all, so that the paging in the paging cycle is determined to be invalid, the energy consumption of a communication system is saved, the system design is simplified, and the communication efficiency is improved. Signaling is simplified, network equipment or terminal equipment implementation is simplified, and paging configuration enhancement is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

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

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

[0003] The network device can send 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 common downlink signals / channels only within a certain period of time, or control the terminal device to receive 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, aiming 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 all or part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactive time, determine that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid.

[0007] In this way, for a paging cycle in which all or part of the paging is within the inactive time, the network device does not need to send the paging within the paging cycle, and the terminal device does not need to monitor the paging within the paging cycle at all, so as to determine that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid, thereby saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, and realizing the enhancement of paging configuration.

[0008] In a second aspect, a communication method of this application includes:

[0009] When part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactive time, determine that the paging within the paging cycle and within the inactive time is invalid.

[0010] In this way, for some paging cycles during the inactive time, the network device simply discards the paging during the inactive time, and the terminal device does not need to monitor this part of the paging, so as to determine that the paging during this paging cycle and this inactive time is invalid, thereby saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, enhancing the paging configuration, and retaining the paging during the active time.

[0011] In a third aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0012] When the target PF is within the inactive time, determine the PF within the active time as the target PF.

[0013] In this way, for some paging cycles during the inactive time, since the PF within the active time is used as the target PF, the network device can advance and combine the target PF of some terminal devices into the PF within the active time, and these terminal devices can also advance and combine the target PF into the PF within the active time, so as to ensure that the target PF of these terminal devices is within the active time, enhancing the paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0014] In a fourth aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0015] When the target PO is within the inactive time, determine the PO within the active time as the target PO.

[0016] In this way, for some paging cycles during the inactive time, since the PO within the active time is used as the target PO, the network device can advance and combine the target PO of some terminal devices into the PO within the active time, and these terminal devices can also advance and combine the target PO into the PO within the active time, so as to ensure that the target PO is within the active time, enhancing the paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0017] In a fifth aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0018] When the target paging is within the inactive time, determine that the target paging is valid, or determine that the target paging is invalid.

[0019] It can be seen that for some paging cycles during the inactive time, when the target paging is within the inactive time, the network device can extend the active time before or after the inactive time. In this way, the target paging changes from the original inactive time to the extended active time, so as to determine that the target paging is valid and avoid the increase of paging delay. Or,

[0020] For some paging cycles during the inactive time, when the target paging is within the inactive time, the network device may not extend the active time before or after the inactive time, but directly discard / not send the target PF. In this way, some terminal devices do not need to receive the target PF, thus determining that the target paging is invalid and saving power consumption. Additionally, since there are still other paging cycles within the active time, there will be no situation where some terminal devices cannot be paged. Doing so can simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, and simplify the implementation of the network device / terminal device. Of course, the paging delay may be increased.

[0021] In a sixth aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0022] Determine the time position of the target PF group.

[0023] In this way, by determining the time position of the target PF group, the target PF group can be evenly distributed within multiple active times in the paging cycle, solving the problem that evenly distributed PFs (with the same interval for all PFs) fall within the inactive time.

[0024] In a seventh aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0025] When the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, determine the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0026] It can be seen that by using the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window, the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can postpone receiving the RAR until the nearest active time.

[0027] In an eighth aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0028] When the end point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, determine the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0029] It can be seen that by using the start point of the active time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window, the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the start point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can postpone receiving the RAR until the next active time.

[0030] In a ninth aspect, a communication method of the present application includes:

[0031] When the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, it is determined that the RAR within the RAR window is valid; or,

[0032] When the end point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, it is determined that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0033] It can be seen that when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device can advance the start point of the nearest active time after the inactive time to the start point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can advance the activation time, so that the network device / terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid. Or,

[0034] When the end point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device can postpone the end point of the nearest active time before the inactive time to the end point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can advance the activation time, so that the network device / terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

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

[0036] A determination unit, configured to determine that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid when all or part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactive time.

[0037] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0038] A determination unit, configured to determine that the paging within the paging cycle and within the inactive time is invalid when part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactive time.

[0039] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0040] A determination unit, configured to determine the PF within the active time as the target PF when the target PF is within the inactive time.

[0041] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0042] A determination unit, configured to determine the PO within the active time as the target PO when the target PO is within the inactive time.

[0043] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0044] A determination unit, configured to determine that the target paging is valid or determine that the target paging is invalid when the target paging is within the inactive time.

[0045] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0046] A determination unit, configured to determine the time position of a target PF group.

[0047] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0048] A determination unit, configured to, when the start point of a random access response (RAR) window is within an inactive time, determine the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0049] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0050] A determination unit, configured to, when the end point of an RAR window is within an inactive time, determine the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0051] In an eighteenth aspect, a communication device according to the present application includes:

[0052] A determination unit, configured to determine that an RAR within the RAR window is valid when the start point of the RAR window is within an inactive time; or determine that an RAR within the RAR window is valid when the end point of the RAR window is within an inactive time.

[0053] In a nineteenth aspect, the steps in any one of the methods designed in the first aspect to the ninth aspect above are applied to a terminal device.

[0054] In a twentieth aspect, the steps in any one of the methods designed in the first aspect to the ninth aspect above are applied to a network device.

[0055] In a twenty-first aspect, a terminal device according to the present application 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 in any one of the methods designed in the first aspect to the ninth aspect above.

[0056] In a twenty-second aspect, a network device according to the present application 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 in any one of the methods designed in the first aspect to the ninth aspect above.

[0057] In a twenty-third aspect, a chip of the present application includes a processor and a communication interface, where the processor executes the steps in the method designed in any one of the first to ninth aspects above.

[0058] In a twenty-fourth aspect, a chip module of the present application includes a transceiver component and a chip, and the chip includes a processor, where the processor executes the steps in the method designed in any one of the first to ninth aspects above.

[0059] In a twenty-fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium of the present application stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps in the method designed in any one of the first to ninth aspects above are implemented. For example, the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor.

[0060] In a twenty-sixth aspect, a computer program product of the present application includes a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps in the method designed in any one of the first to ninth aspects above are implemented. For example, the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor. Description of the Drawings

[0061] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figures 2 to 12 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 13 is a block diagram of the functional units of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0066] 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 inclusions. 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 also includes unlisted steps or units, or other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, the "embodiment" means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase at 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 explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0068] The "and / or" in the embodiments of the present application describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three situations: A exists alone; both A and B exist simultaneously; B exists alone. Among them, A and B may be singular or plural.

[0069] In the embodiments of the present application, the symbol " / " may indicate an "or" relationship between the preceding and following associated objects. Additionally, the symbol " / " may also represent a division sign, that is, perform a division operation. For example, A / B may represent A divided by B.

[0070] The "at least one (item)" 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 or multiple items, and refers to one or more, where multiple refers to two or more. For example, at least one (item) of a, b or c may represent the following seven situations: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b and c. Among them, each of a, b, c may be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0071] The "equal to" in the embodiments of the present application 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".

[0072] In the embodiments of the present application, "(of)", "corresponding / relevant", "corresponding", and "indicated" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, the meanings they convey are the same.

[0073] 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 limitation is imposed on this.

[0074] The "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be expressed as the same concept as the "system", and a communication system is a communication network.

[0075] The relevant content, concepts, meanings, technical problems, technical solutions, beneficial effects, etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application will be described below.

[0076] I. Communication System, Terminal Device, and Network Device

[0077] 1. Communication System

[0078] The present application can be applied to various communication systems to meet different communication scenario requirements.

[0079] Optionally, the present application can be applied to long term evolution (LTE) systems, advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) systems, new radio (NR) systems, evolved NR systems, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) systems, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), 6th-Generation (6G) communication systems, etc.

[0080] Optionally, the present application can be applied to communication scenarios such as device to device (D2D) systems, machine to machine (M2M) systems, machine type communication (MTC), vehicle to vehicle (V2V) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) systems, narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, passive internet of things communication, etc.

[0081] Optionally, the present application can be applied to scenarios such as beamforming, carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or standalone (SA) deployment.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 2. Terminal Device

[0084] The 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 user terminal device, a smart terminal device, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device.

[0085] 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 treatment, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home, etc.

[0086] For another 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.

[0087] 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.).

[0088] Optionally, the terminal device may include a device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0089] Optionally, the terminal device may be a chip, a chip module, a device, a unit, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0090] 3. Network device

[0091] The network device may be a device with transceiver functions and may be used for communication with the terminal device.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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-connection architecture, a secondary node (SN) in a dual-connection architecture, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0095] Optionally, the network device may include devices in a core network (CN).

[0096] 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.

[0097] Optionally, the network device may also be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, a relay station, a communication device in an evolved PLMN network in the future, a communication device in an NTN network, etc.

[0098] Optionally, the network device may include a device having a wireless communication function for the terminal device, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. Exemplarily, the chip system may include a chip or may include other discrete devices.

[0099] Optionally, the network device may be a transmission and reception point (TRP).

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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 jointly sent by the DU and the AAU. It can be understood that the network device may include at least one of the CU, DU, and 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.

[0102] 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), transmission and reception points (TRPs), etc., without specific limitation thereto.

[0103] 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 for multiple TRPs may include the S-DCI based M-TRP transmission scheme or the M-DCI based M-TRP transmission scheme.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] Optionally, the network device may serve 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, a small cell, a metro cell, a micro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, etc.

[0107] Optionally, the network device in the embodiment of the present application may be a chip, a chip module, a device, a unit, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0108] 4. Exemplary description

[0109] The following makes an exemplary description of the communication system in the embodiment of the present application.

[0110] Exemplarily, for the network architecture of a communication system in the embodiment of the present application, reference may be made to Figure 1 . As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 10 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120.

[0111] 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.

[0112] For example, the communication system 10 may further include a server or other devices.

[0113] For another example, in addition to the network device 110, the communication system 10 may further include other network devices.

[0114] For another example, in addition to the terminal device 120, the communication system 10 may further include other terminal devices.

[0115] II. Enhancement of the communication process

[0116] 1. Description

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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 can include SSB, SIB1, SIBx, paging, RAR, etc. Among them, SIB1 is also known as the remaining main system information (RMSI), and SIBx is also known as the other system information (OSI).

[0119] 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 period of time, or limit the network device not to transmit the common downlink signals / channels within a period of time.

[0120] 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)".

[0121] 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".

[0122] 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 period. In this way, the active period can be periodically occurring; correspondingly, the non-active period can be periodically occurring.

[0123] 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 a DTX cycle can include DTX active time and DTX non-active time. In this way, the active period can be the DTX active time. Of course, DTX can also be called cell DTX. Since the network device mainly broadcasts the common downlink signals / channels for the terminal devices in the idle state / inactive state, DTX can also be called cell DTX for the terminal devices in the idle state / inactive state.

[0124] 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 non-active time can be the time outside this time window.

[0125] In addition, the network device sending common downlink signals / channels during the active time is not affected, but the network device sending common downlink signals / channels during the non-active time may be affected. For example, some common downlink signals / channels are not sent during the non-active time. The combinations of SSB, SIB1, SIBx, paging, or RAR with the active time / non-active time are described below respectively.

[0126]

SSB

[0127] The SSB may not be sent during the non-active time. Additionally, for cell search, if the network device does not send the SSB during the non-active time, since the terminal device can blindly detect whether the SSB is sent, the terminal device will not perform combined reception on the non-sent SSB. Here, the cell search can include cell search in cell initial selection, cell selection, and cell reselection.

[0128] For measurement, since the network device can "restrict" which location of the SSB the terminal device measures by configuring the Synchronization Signal Block Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC). If the network device does not send the SSB during the non-active time, then the network device can use SMTC to restrict the terminal device to measure at the location where the SSB is sent. Therefore, the non-active time may not affect the terminal device's measurement.

[0129]

SIB1 / SIBx

[0130] Since SIB1 / SIBx can be sent discontinuously, SIB1 / SIBx may not be sent during the non-active time. Additionally, since SIB1 / SIBx itself is sent within a configured window, the non-active time may not affect the terminal device's cell search.

[0131]

Paging

[0132] Idle / Inactive state terminal devices need to monitor the PDCCH related to paging, also known as Type 2-PDCCH. The radio network temporary identity (RNTI) of the PDCCH related to paging is P-RNTI, and the downlink control information (DCI) format used is DCI format 1-0.

[0133] When the terminal device detects the PDCCH related to paging (the CRC is successfully scrambled with P-RNTI), the terminal device can then parse the DCI. This DCI may contain a short message, enabling the terminal device to obtain an alert message or perform system information update. Additionally, this DCI may also contain scheduling information, enabling the terminal device to receive the physical downlink share channel (PDSCH) related to paging, thereby obtaining the paging message and further initiating a random access process to enter the connected state.

[0134] The monitoring occasion of the PDCCH related to paging can be configured by a search space set (SSS).

[0135] The time-domain position of paging is evenly distributed. The time-domain position of paging includes the paging frame (PF), paging occasion (PO), and paging monitoring occasion (PMO).

[0136] The PF is within the paging cycle. There are N (N is a positive integer) PFs in one paging cycle, and these N PFs are evenly distributed within the paging cycle. Among them, the paging cycle is time-continuous, that is, two consecutive paging cycles are connected end to end. Additionally, one PF can be a radio frame or a system frame.

[0137] PO is within PF, and there are Ns (Ns is a positive integer) POs in one PF, and these Ns POs are concentrated at the beginning of PF. Among them, PO can be used to determine the starting point of the monitoring time within PF, can indicate the time domain position of the paging-related PDCCH, can be used to transmit paging downlink control information (paging downlink control information, paging DCI), can be composed of multiple subframes, multiple time slots or multiple OFDM symbols, and can be composed of multiple paging-related PDCCH monitoring times. The monitoring time of the paging-related PDCCH can also be called PMO or paging PDCCH monitoring time.

[0138] PMO is in PO, and there are X (X is a positive integer) PMOs in one PO. These X PMOs are concentrated at the beginning of PO. One PMO corresponds to one beam (associated with one SSB). One PMO is a PDCCH monitoring opportunity. PMO is sent periodically according to the paging search space configuration (i.e., configured by the parameter pagingSearchSpace). The paging search space is also called the third type of common search space set (Type3-PDCCH common search space set, Type3-PDCCH CSS set).

[0139] In summary, since the time domain positions of paging are evenly distributed, paging may be within the inactive time. To prevent the terminal device from not receiving paging, this embodiment needs to enhance the paging configuration to ensure that the paging is not within the inactive time, but within the active time as much as possible.

[0140]

RAR

[0141] The time domain position of RAR is a window. Generally, the window can be called a RAR window, and the position of the RAR window starts after a preset or configured time after the terminal device sends a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0142] Since the RAR window or part of the RAR window may be within the inactive time, in order to prevent the terminal device from failing to receive the RAR, this embodiment needs to enhance the RAR window configuration to ensure that the RAR window or part of the RAR window is not within the inactive time, but within the active time as much as possible. 2. Specific implementation methods

[0144] [Solution 1]

[0145] In "Solution 1", this embodiment considers how to enhance the paging configuration to ensure that paging does not occur during the non-active time and as much as possible during the active time. Additionally, for paging, this embodiment can assume that the network can configure the start point of the active time to be the same as or close enough to the start point of the paging cycle.

[0146] Optionally, for at least one active time that contains a complete paging cycle, if a paging cycle is entirely or partially within the non-active time, discard that paging cycle.

[0147] Optionally, for at least one active time that contains a complete paging cycle, if a paging cycle is partially within the non-active time, discard the paging within that paging cycle and within the non-active time.

[0148] 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, and this will not be elaborated further.

[0149]

Method 1-1

[0150] In "Method 1-1", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0151] S210. When the paging within a paging cycle is entirely or partially within the non-active time, the terminal device determines that the paging within that paging cycle is invalid.

[0152] In this way, for a paging cycle that is entirely or partially within the non-active time, the terminal device does not need to monitor the paging within that paging cycle at all to determine that the paging within that paging cycle is invalid, thereby saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, and achieving the enhancement of the paging configuration.

[0153] Optionally, the paging being invalid means that the terminal device does not need to monitor / does not receive / ignores the paging. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device can be made clear.

[0154] Optionally, the paging within the paging cycle refers to all PFs, all POs, and / or all PMOs within that paging cycle. In this way, for PFs, POs, and / or PMOs, the behavior of the terminal device can be further made clear, that is, the terminal device does not monitor / does not receive / ignores all PFs, all POs, and / or all PMOs within that paging cycle.

[0155] Optionally, at least one activation time includes a complete paging cycle. In this way, although the paging cycle is completely discarded, it will not cause a terminal device to be unable to find any valid PF / PO, because at least one activation time includes a complete paging cycle.

[0156] Optionally, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the activation time. In this way, when the paging cycle is less than or equal to the activation time, for multiple activation times, at least one activation time includes a complete paging cycle.

[0157] The above enhancements to paging configuration are described by taking the terminal device as an example. Next, the network device will be taken as an example for description.

[0158] Taking the network device as an example, when all or part of the paging within a paging cycle is within a non-activation time, the network device determines that the paging within this paging cycle is invalid.

[0159] In this way, for a paging cycle that is all or partially within a non-activation time, the network device can completely discard the paging within this paging cycle to determine that the paging within this paging cycle is invalid, thereby saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device, and achieving the enhancement of paging configuration.

[0160] Optionally, the paging within the paging cycle being invalid means that the network device discards / does not send the paging within this paging cycle. In this way, the behavior of the network device can be made clear.

[0161] Optionally, the paging within the paging cycle refers to all PFs, all POs, and / or all PMOs within this paging cycle. In this way, for PFs, POs, and / or PMOs, the behavior of the network device can be further clarified, that is, the network device discards / does not send all PFs, all POs, and / or all PMOs within this paging cycle.

[0162] Optionally, at least one activation time includes a complete paging cycle. In this way, although the paging cycle is completely discarded, it will not cause the network device to not send any valid PFs / POs at all, because at least one activation time includes a complete paging cycle.

[0163] Optionally, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the activation time. In this way, when the paging cycle is less than or equal to the activation time, for multiple activation times, at least one activation time includes a complete paging cycle.

[0164]

Method 1-2

[0165] In "Method 1-2", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0166] S310. When the paging part within a paging cycle is during the inactive time, the terminal device determines that the paging within this paging cycle and during this inactive time is invalid.

[0167] In this way, for the paging cycles partially during the inactive time, the terminal device does not need to monitor this part of the paging to determine that the paging within this paging cycle and during this inactive time is invalid, thereby saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the terminal device, enhancing the paging configuration, and retaining the paging during the active time.

[0168] Optionally, the paging being invalid means that the terminal device does not need to monitor / does not receive / ignores this paging. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device can be clarified.

[0169] Optionally, the paging within a paging cycle refers to all PFs, all POs, and / or all PMOs within this paging cycle. In this way, for PFs, POs, and / or PMOs, the behavior of the terminal device can be further clarified, that is, the terminal device does not monitor / does not receive / ignores some PFs, some POs, and / or some PMOs within this paging cycle and during the inactive time.

[0170] Optionally, at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle. In this way, although this paging cycle is completely discarded, it will not cause a certain terminal device to be completely unable to find valid PFs / POs, because at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle.

[0171] Optionally, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the active time. In this way, when the paging cycle is less than or equal to the active time, for multiple active times, at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle.

[0172] The above describes the enhancement of the paging configuration by taking the terminal device as an example. Next, it will be described by taking the network device as an example.

[0173] Taking the network device as an example, when the paging part within a paging cycle is during the inactive time, the network device determines that the paging within this paging cycle and during this inactive time is invalid.

[0174] In this way, for the paging cycles partially during the inactive time, the network device only discards the paging during the inactive time to determine that the paging within this paging cycle and during this inactive time is invalid, thereby simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device, enhancing the paging configuration, and retaining the paging during the active time.

[0175] Optionally, paging is invalid, which means that the network device discards / does not send the paging. In this way, the behavior of the network device can be clarified.

[0176] Optionally, the paging within a paging cycle refers to all PFs, all POs, and / or all PMOs within that paging cycle. In this way, for PFs, POs, and / or PMOs, the behavior of the network device can be further clarified, that is, the network device discards / does not send some PFs, some POs, and / or some PMOs within the non-active time of that paging cycle.

[0177] Optionally, at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle. In this way, although the paging cycle is completely discarded, it will not cause the network device to not send any valid PFs / POs at all, because at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle.

[0178] Optionally, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the active time. In this way, when the paging cycle is less than or equal to the active time, for multiple active times, at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle.

[0179]

Solution 2

[0180] In "Solution 2", this embodiment considers how to enhance the paging configuration to ensure that paging does not occur during non-active time and as much as possible during active time. In addition, for paging, this embodiment can assume that the network can configure the start point of the active time to be the same as or close enough to the start point of the paging cycle.

[0181] Optionally, when the paging cycle is greater than the active time, generally speaking, no active time can contain a complete paging cycle, that is, all or some POs of at least one PF fall within a non-active time. If all POs of a PF fall within a non-active time, by formulating rules, this PF is advanced to the active time before this non-active time.

[0182] Optionally, when the paging cycle is greater than the active time, if some POs of a PF fall within a non-active time, by formulating rules, these POs are advanced to the active time before this non-active time;

[0183] Optionally, when the paging cycle is greater than the active time, extend the active time before this non-active time to make these PFs fall within this active time.

[0184] Optionally, when the paging cycle is greater than the active time, extend the active time before this non-active time to make these POs fall within this active time

[0185] Optionally, when the paging cycle is greater than the activation time, modify the formula of PF, introduce the concept of PF group, and make all PF groups within the activation time.

[0186] 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 among each way can be referenced to each other, which will not be elaborated here.

[0187]

Method 2-1

[0188] 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:

[0189] S410. When the target PF is within the non-activation time, the terminal device determines the PF within the activation time as the target PF.

[0190] Among them, the target PF may refer to the PF of the terminal device itself.

[0191] Among them, the PF within the activation time being used as the target PF may mean that the target PF is advanced and merged into the PF within the activation time before this non-activation time.

[0192] In this way, for some paging cycles within the non-activation time, since some terminal devices can determine the PF within the activation time as the target PF, these terminal devices can advance and merge the target PF into the PF within the activation time, so as to ensure that the target PFs of these terminal devices are all within the activation time, realizing the enhancement of paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0193] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the target PF is within the non-activation time, the network device determines the PF within the activation time as the target PF.

[0194] Among them, the target PF may refer to the PF of the terminal device.

[0195] Among them, the PF within the activation time being used as the target PF may mean that the target PF is advanced and merged into the PF within the activation time before this non-activation time.

[0196] In this way, for some paging cycles within the non-activation time, since the network device can determine the PF within the activation time as the target PF, the network device can advance and merge the target PFs of some terminal devices into the PF within the activation time, so as to ensure that the target PFs of these terminal devices are all within the activation time, realizing the enhancement of paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0197] Optionally, determining the PF within the activation time as the target PF includes:

[0198] If the target PF is the k-th PF within the non-activation time, then use the k-th PF within the nearest activation time before the non-activation time as the target PF, where k is a positive integer.

[0199] In this way, for some paging cycles within the non-activation time, since part of the PF (i.e., one or more PFs) of this paging cycle is within the non-activation time, this embodiment can advance the entire part of the PF, and one PF that needs to be advanced is "aligned" and merged into one PF within the nearest activation time before the non-activation 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) PFs within the non-activation time, there are at least P PFs within the activation time".

[0200] Optionally, determining the PF within the activation time as the target PF includes:

[0201] If the target PF is the k-th PF within the non-activation time, then use the k1-th PF within the nearest activation time before the non-activation time as the target PF, where both k and k1 are positive integers; where k1 = k mod K, mod represents the modulo operation, K represents the number of PFs within the activation time, and k mod K represents the remainder of k divided by K.

[0202] In this way, for the case where there are P (P > K) PFs within the non-activation time but there are not P PFs within the activation time but only K PFs, since there are not P PFs within the activation time, this embodiment can make multiple PFs within the non-activation time be "aligned" and merged into one PF within the nearest activation time before the non-activation time through the modulo operation, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through this rule.

[0203] Optionally, when the target PF is within the non-activation time, it includes that all POs of the target PF are within the non-activation time.

[0204] In this way, for all POs of the target PF being within the non-activation time, this embodiment can simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, and simplify the implementation of the terminal device.

[0205] Optionally, the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle. In this way, since the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle, all or part of the POs of at least one PF within the paging cycle will be within a non-activation time, so there is a target PF within the non-activation time.

[0206] Optionally, the activation time is less than the paging period. In this way, since the activation time is less than the paging period, the activation time does not include a complete paging period.

[0207]

Method 2-2

[0208] 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:

[0209] S510. When the target PO is within the non-activation time, the terminal device determines the PO within the activation time as the target PO.

[0210] Wherein, the target PO refers to the PO of the terminal device itself.

[0211] Wherein, the PO within the activation time being used as the target PO may mean that the target PO is advanced and merged into the PO within the activation time before the non-activation time.

[0212] In this way, for some paging periods within the non-activation time, since some terminal devices determine the PO within the activation time as the target PO, these terminal devices can advance and merge the target PO into the PO within the activation time, so as to ensure that the target POs of these terminal devices are all within the activation time, realizing the enhancement of paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0213] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the target PO is within the non-activation time, the network device determines the PO within the activation time as the target PO.

[0214] Wherein, the target PO may refer to the PO of the terminal device.

[0215] Wherein, the PO within the activation time being used as the target PO may mean that the target PO is advanced and merged into the PO within the activation time before the non-activation time.

[0216] In this way, for some paging periods within the non-activation time, since the network device can determine the PO within the activation time as the target PO, the network device can advance and merge the target POs of some terminal devices into the PO within the activation time, so as to ensure that the target POs of these terminal devices are all within the activation time, realizing the enhancement of paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0217] Optionally, determining the PO within the activation time as the target PO includes:

[0218] If the target PO is the mth PO of the target PF within the non-activation time, then the mth PO of the target PF within the nearest activation time before the non-activation time is used as the target PO, where m is a positive integer.

[0219] In this way, for some paging cycles within the non-active time, since some POs (i.e., one or more POs) of the target PF within this paging cycle are within the non-active time, this embodiment can advance the entire part of these POs, and one PO to be advanced needs to be "aligned" and advanced into one PO within the nearest active time of the target PF before the non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through such a rule. At the same time, it is applicable to the scenario of "when there are Q (Q is an integer greater than 1) POs of the target PF within the non-active time, there are at least Q POs of the target PF within the active time".

[0220] Optionally, determining the PO within the active time as the target PO includes:

[0221] If the target PO is the m-th PO of the target PF within the non-active time, then the m1-th PO of the target PF within the nearest active time before the non-active time is taken as the target PO, where both m and m1 are positive integers; among them, m1 = m mod M, mod represents the modulo operation, M is the number of POs of the target PF within the active time, and m mod M represents the remainder of m divided by M.

[0222] In this way, for the case where there are Q (Q > M) POs of the target PF within the non-active time, but there are not Q POs but only M POs of the target PF within the active time, since there are not Q POs within the active time, this embodiment can, through the modulo operation, make multiple POs within the non-active time be simultaneously "aligned" and advanced into one PO within the nearest active time of the target PF before this non-active time, thereby simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, and simplifying the implementation of network devices / terminal devices through such a rule.

[0223] Optionally, some POs of the target PF are within the non-active time. In this way, since some POs of the target PF are within the non-active time, there is a target PO within the non-active time, so this embodiment can perform refined processing on the part of POs within the non-active time to avoid as much as possible the increase in paging delay.

[0224] Optionally, the active time does not include a complete paging cycle. In this way, since the active time does not include a complete paging cycle, some POs of the target PF within the paging cycle will be within a non-active time, and thus there is a target PO within the non-active time.

[0225] Optionally, the active time is less than the paging cycle. In this way, since the active time is less than the paging cycle, the active time does not include a complete paging cycle.

[0226]

Method 2-3

[0227] In "Mode 2-3", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0228] S610. When the target paging is within the inactivity time, the terminal device determines that the target paging is valid.

[0229] Among them, the target paging refers to the paging of the terminal device itself.

[0230] It can be seen that for some paging cycles within the inactivity time, when the target paging is within the inactivity time, the network device can extend the activation time before or after the inactivity time. In this way, the target paging changes from the original within the inactivity time to within the extended activation time, so that the terminal device determines that the target paging is valid, avoiding an increase in paging delay.

[0231] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the target paging is within the inactivity time, the network device determines that the target paging is valid.

[0232] It can be seen that for some paging cycles within the inactivity time, when the target paging is within the inactivity time, the network device extends the activation time before or after the inactivity time. In this way, the target paging changes from the original within the inactivity time to within the extended activation time, so that the network device determines that the target paging is valid, avoiding an increase in paging delay.

[0233] Optionally, that the target paging is valid means that the terminal device needs to monitor / receive the target paging, or the network device needs to send the target paging. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device / network device can be clarified.

[0234] Optionally, the target paging includes a target PF, a target PO, and / or a target PMO. In this way, for the target PF, the target PO, and / or the target PMO, the behavior of the terminal device / network device can be further clarified.

[0235] Optionally, the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle. In this way, since the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle, there is target paging within the inactivity time within the paging cycle.

[0236] Optionally, the activation time is less than the paging cycle. In this way, since the activation time is less than the paging cycle, the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle.

[0237]

Mode 2-4

[0238] In "Mode 2-4", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 7It is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0239] S710. When the target paging is within the inactivity time, the terminal device determines that the target paging is invalid.

[0240] Wherein, the target paging refers to the paging of the terminal device itself.

[0241] It can be seen that for some paging cycles within the inactivity time, when the target paging is within the inactivity time, the network device may not extend the active time before or after the inactivity time, but directly discard / not send the target PF. In this way, some terminal devices do not need to receive the target PF, thereby determining that the target paging is invalid, saving the energy consumption of the communication system. In addition, since there are still other paging cycles within the active time, there will be no situation where some terminal devices cannot be paged. Doing so can simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, and simplify the implementation of the terminal device. Of course, the paging delay may be increased.

[0242] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the target paging is within the inactivity time, the network device determines that the target paging is invalid.

[0243] It can be seen that for some paging cycles within the inactivity time, when the target paging is within the inactivity time, the network device may not extend the active time before or after the inactivity time, but directly discard / not send the target PF, thereby determining that the target paging is invalid, saving the energy consumption of the communication system. In addition, since there are still other paging cycles within the active time, there will be no situation where some terminal devices cannot be paged. Doing so can simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, and simplify the implementation of the network device. Of course, the paging delay may be increased.

[0244] Optionally, that the target paging is invalid means that the terminal device does not need to monitor / receive the target paging, or the network device does not need to send / ignores the target paging. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device / network device can be clarified.

[0245] Optionally, the target paging includes the target PF, the target PO, and / or the target PMO. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device / network device for the target PF, the target PO, and / or the target PMO can be further clarified.

[0246] Optionally, the active time does not include a complete paging cycle. In this way, since the active time does not include a complete paging cycle, there is target paging within the inactivity time in the paging cycle.

[0247] Optionally, the active time is less than the paging cycle. In this way, since the active time is less than the paging cycle, the active time does not include a complete paging cycle.

[0248]

Method 2-5

[0249] In “Method 2-5”, taking a terminal device as an example, Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0250] S810. The terminal device determines the time position of the target PF group.

[0251] Wherein, the target PF group refers to the PF group of the terminal device itself.

[0252] Wherein, the PF interval within the target PF group (which can also be referred to as the intra-group interval of the target PF group) is small enough, and the interval between the target PF group and the adjacent PF group (i.e., the inter-group interval of the adjacent PF groups) is large enough.

[0253] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the concept of a PF group or a PF subset can be introduced, making the PF interval within the PF group (which can also be referred to as the intra-group interval of the PF group) small enough, and the inter-group interval between adjacent PF groups large enough.

[0254] In this way, by the terminal device determining the time position of the target PF group, the target PF group can be evenly distributed within multiple activation times in the paging cycle, solving the problem that evenly distributed PFs (all PF intervals are the same) fall within non-activation times.

[0255] Correspondingly, taking a network device as an example, the network device determines the time position of the target PF group.

[0256] In this way, by the network device determining the time position of the target PF group, the target PF group can be evenly distributed within multiple activation times in the paging cycle, solving the problem that evenly distributed PFs (all PF intervals are the same) fall within non-activation times.

[0257] Optionally, the time position of the target PF group is the start position of the target PF group. Wherein, the start position of the target PF group can represent the interval between the target PF group and the adjacent PF group (the distance between the start positions of adjacent PF groups).

[0258] In this way, the terminal device / network device can first determine the inter-group interval between adjacent PF groups, and then determine the PF interval within the target PF group.

[0259] Optionally, the start position of the target PF group is the start system frame number (SFN) of the target PF group. In this way, the start position of the target PF group is the start position in terms of frames. At the same time, the SFN is absolute time for a cell, and using the SFN can enable both the network device / terminal device to determine the absolute start time.

[0260] Optionally, determining the time position of the target PF group includes: calculating the time position of the target PF group according to a predefined formula.

[0261] In this way, the terminal device / network device can calculate the time position of the target PF group by substituting the value configured by the high-layer parameter into the predefined formula.

[0262] Optionally, the predefined formula is:

[0263] (A + offset) mod T = (T / W) * (UE_ID mod W);

[0264] Wherein, A represents the time position of the target PF group, offset represents an offset, T represents the length of the paging cycle, W represents the number of PF groups within the paging cycle, and UE_ID represents the terminal device identifier.

[0265] In this way, through the predefined formula, the W PF groups are evenly distributed within the paging cycle, and (UE_ID mod M) can map the log2(M) least significant bits (LSBs) of the terminal device identifier to these W PF groups or W time positions.

[0266]

Solution 3

[0267] In "Solution 3", this embodiment considers how to enhance the RAR window configuration to ensure that the RAR window or a part of the RAR window is not within the non-active time, but as much as possible within the active time.

[0268] Optionally, when the start point of the RAR window is within a non-active time, the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the nearest active time after this non-active time.

[0269] Optionally, when the start point of the RAR window is within a non-active time, the start point of the nearest active time after this non-active time is advanced to the start point of the RAR window.

[0270] The following embodiments 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, which will not be elaborated here.

[0271]

Way 3-1

[0272] In "Way 3-1", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 9 is a schematic flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0273] S910. When the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the terminal device determines the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0274] Among them, determining the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window may mean that the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window.

[0275] It can be seen that by postponing the start point of the RAR window to the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window, the terminal device can receive the RAR within the nearest active time.

[0276] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device determines the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0277] It can be seen that by postponing the start point of the RAR window to the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window, the network device can send the RAR within the nearest active time.

[0278] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes the start frame of the RAR window; the start point of the active time includes the start frame of the active time.

[0279] In this way, by clarifying that the start point is the start frame, the system design can be simplified, the signaling can be simplified, and the implementation of the network device / terminal device can be simplified.

[0280] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes the start time slot of the RAR window; the start point of the active time includes the start time slot of the active time.

[0281] In this way, by clarifying that the start point is the start time slot, the system design can be simplified, the signaling can be simplified, the implementation of the network device / terminal device can be simplified, and it can be refined to the time slot to reduce the delay.

[0282] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes the start symbol of the RAR window; the start point of the active time includes the start symbol of the active time.

[0283] In this way, by clarifying that the start point is the start symbol, it can be refined to the symbol to reduce the delay.

[0284]

Method 3-2

[0285] In "Mode 3-2", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 10 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0286] S1010. When the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0287] It can be seen that when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device can advance the start point of the nearest active time after the inactive time to the start point of the RAR window. In this way, the terminal device can advance the activation time, so that the terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0288] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0289] It can be seen that when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device can advance the start point of the nearest active time after the inactive time to the start point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device can advance the activation time, so that the network device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0290] Optionally, the RAR within the RAR window being valid means that the terminal device needs to listen for / receive the RAR within the RAR window, or the network device needs to send the RAR within the RAR window. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device / network device can be clarified.

[0291]

Solution 4

[0292] In "Solution 4", this embodiment considers how to enhance the RAR window configuration to ensure that the RAR window or a part of the RAR window is not within the inactive time and is as much as possible within the active time.

[0293] Optionally, when the end point of the RAR window is within an inactive time, the end point of the RAR window is advanced to the end point of the nearest active time before the inactive time.

[0294] Optionally, when the end point of the RAR window is within an inactive time, the end point of the nearest active time before the inactive time is postponed to the end point of the RAR window.

[0295] Next, this embodiment will specifically describe 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 mutually referenced, which will not be elaborated here.

[0296]

Method 4-1

[0297] In “Method 4-1”, taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 11 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0298] S1110. When the end point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the terminal device determines the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0299] Among them, determining the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window may mean that the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window.

[0300] It can be seen that by postponing the start point of the RAR window to the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window, the terminal device can postpone receiving the RAR within the next active time.

[0301] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the end point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device determines the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0302] In this way, since the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the end point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window, the network device can postpone sending the RAR within the next active time.

[0303] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes the start frame of the RAR window; the end point of the RAR window includes the end frame of the RAR window; the end point of the active time includes the end frame of the active time.

[0304] In this way, by clarifying that the start point is the start frame and the end point is the end frame, the system design can be simplified, the signaling can be simplified, and the implementation of the network device / terminal device can be simplified.

[0305] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes the start time slot of the RAR window; the end point of the RAR window includes the end time slot of the RAR window; the end point of the active time includes the end time slot of the active time.

[0306] In this way, by clarifying that the start point is the start time slot and the end point is the end time slot, the system design can be simplified, the signaling can be simplified, the implementation of the network device / terminal device can be simplified, and it can be refined to the time slot to reduce the delay.

[0307] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes the start symbol of the RAR window; the end point of the RAR window includes the end symbol of the RAR window; the end point of the activation time includes the end symbol of the activation time.

[0308] In this way, by defining the start point as the start symbol, it can be refined to the symbol level, reducing latency.

[0309]

Method 4-2

[0310] In "Method 4-2", taking the terminal device as an example, Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, specifically including the following steps:

[0311] S1210. When the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, the terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0312] It can be seen that when the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, the network device can postpone the end point of the most recent activation time before the non-activation time to the end point of the RAR window. In this way, the terminal device can advance the activation time, so that the terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0313] Correspondingly, taking the network device as an example, when the start point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, the network device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0314] It can be seen that when the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, the network device can postpone the end point of the most recent activation time after the non-activation time to the end point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device can advance the activation time, so that the network device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0315] Optionally, the RAR within the RAR window being valid means that the terminal device needs to listen for / receive the RAR within the RAR window, or the network device needs to send the RAR within the RAR window. In this way, the behavior of the terminal device / network device can be clarified.

[0316]

Solution 5

[0317] In "Solution 5", this embodiment considers how to reduce the impact of the above network energy saving, paging enhancement, and / or RAR enhancement on existing (stock) terminal devices.

[0318] Specifically, this embodiment can formulate rules to restrict existing (stock) terminal devices from accessing the cells used to support network energy saving, paging enhancement, and / or RAR enhancement.

[0319] Optionally, a terminal device without network energy saving capability determines not to access the cell for transmitting the MIB according to one or more bits in the MIB. Correspondingly, the network device sets one or more bits in the MIB to restrict the access of the terminal device without network energy saving capability to the cell for transmitting the MIB. In this way, the terminal device with network energy saving capability can ignore these one or more bits in the MIB and receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB; the terminal device without network energy saving capability can determine not to receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB according to these one bit in the MIB.

[0320] Optionally, a terminal device without paging enhancement capability determines not to access the cell for transmitting the MIB according to one or more bits in the MIB. Correspondingly, the network device sets one or more bits in the MIB to restrict the access of the terminal device without paging enhancement capability to the cell for transmitting the MIB. Here, paging enhancement includes paging enhancement for network energy saving. In this way, the terminal device with paging enhancement capability can ignore these one or more bits in the MIB and receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB; the terminal device without paging enhancement capability can determine not to receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB according to these one or more bits in the MIB.

[0321] Optionally, a terminal device without RAR enhancement capability determines not to access the cell for transmitting the MIB according to one or more bits in the MIB. Correspondingly, the network device sets one or more bits in the MIB to restrict the access of the terminal device without RAR enhancement capability to the cell for transmitting the MIB. Here, RAR enhancement includes RAR enhancement for network energy saving. In this way, the terminal device with RAR enhancement capability can ignore these one or more bits in the MIB and receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB; the terminal device without RAR enhancement capability determines not to receive SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB according to these one or more bits in the MIB.

[0322] Next, this embodiment will specifically describe 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 cross-referenced, which will not be elaborated here.

[0323]

Method 5-1

[0324] In "Mode 5-1", the terminal device can determine whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports paging enhancement based on the SIB1 or SIBx. Here, the terminal device is a terminal device with paging enhancement capabilities. It receives the SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB regardless of one or more bits in the MIB. The SIB1 or SIBx contains a higher-layer parameter indicating whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports paging enhancement. The terminal device determines whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports paging enhancement based on this higher-layer parameter.

[0325] If the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx does not support paging enhancement, then the terminal device receives paging in the original manner.

[0326] Alternatively, if the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports paging enhancement, then the terminal device determines to receive paging using the paging enhancement method described in the above "Solution 1" or "Solution 2".

[0327] Alternatively, if the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports paging enhancement and its target PF or PO is within the non-active time, that is, not within the active time, then the terminal device determines to receive paging using the paging enhancement method described in the above "Solution 1" or "Solution 2". Here, the position of the target PF or PO can be determined semi-statically.

[0328]

Mode 5-2

[0329] In "Mode 5-2", the terminal device can determine whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports RAR enhancement based on the SIB1 or SIBx. Here, the terminal device is a terminal device with RAR enhancement capabilities. It receives the SIB1 and / or SIBx of the cell for transmitting the MIB regardless of one or more bits in the MIB. The SIB1 or SIBx contains a higher-layer parameter indicating whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports RAR enhancement. The terminal device determines whether the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports RAR enhancement based on this higher-layer parameter.

[0330] If the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx does not support RAR enhancement, then the terminal device receives the RAR in the original manner.

[0331] Alternatively, if the cell for transmitting the SIB1 or SIBx supports RAR enhancement, then the terminal device determines to receive the RAR using the above-described RAR enhancement method.

[0332] Alternatively, if the cell used to send the SIB1 or SIBx supports paging enhancement and the RAR window is within the non-active time, i.e., not within the active time, then the terminal device determines to receive the RAR in the enhanced RAR manner described in the above "Solution 3" or "Solution 4". Here, the position of the RAR window is related to the transmission time of the preamble, and the transmission time of the preamble can be determined semi-statically.

[0333] III. Example Illustration of a Communication Device

[0334] 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, in combination with 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 way 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 function for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0335] The embodiment of the present application can divide the network device / terminal device into functional units 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.

[0336] In the case of adopting an integrated unit, Figure 13 is a block diagram of the functional unit composition of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 includes: a determination unit 1301.

[0337] Optionally, the determination unit 1301 can be a module unit for processing signals, data, information, sequences, etc., and no specific limitation is imposed thereon.

[0338] Optionally, the determination unit 1301 can be integrated in the processing unit.

[0339] 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 connection 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.

[0340] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a storage unit for storing the computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 1300. The storage unit can be a memory.

[0341] Optionally, the communication device 1300 can be a chip or a chip module.

[0342] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a communication unit. It should be noted that the communication unit can be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, etc.

[0343] Optionally, the determining unit 1301 is used to execute any step performed by a chip / chip module / terminal device / network device, etc. in the above method embodiments. The following is a detailed description.

[0344] Specifically, when implemented, the determining unit 1301 is used to execute the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, it can optionally call other units to complete the corresponding operations. Since the present application involves multiple methods, the following will be described in detail from each method.

[0345] In "Mode 1-1", the determining unit 1301 is used to determine that the paging within a paging cycle is invalid when all or part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactive time.

[0346] In this way, for a paging cycle that is entirely or partially within the non-active time, the network device does not need to send the paging within this paging cycle, and the terminal device does not need to listen for the paging within this paging cycle at all, so as to determine that the paging within this paging cycle is invalid, thereby saving the energy consumption of the communication system, simplifying the system design, simplifying the signaling, simplifying the implementation of the network device / terminal device, and realizing the enhancement of paging configuration.

[0347] Optionally, that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid means that the terminal device does not need to listen for the paging within the paging cycle.

[0348] Optionally, the paging within the paging cycle refers to all paging frames PF, all paging opportunities PO, and / or all paging monitoring opportunities PMO within the paging cycle.

[0349] Optionally, at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle; or, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the active time. In "Mode 1-2", the determination unit 1301 is configured to determine that the paging within the paging cycle and within the non-active time is invalid when part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the non-active time.

[0350] In this way, for a paging cycle that is partially within the non-active time, the network device only discards the paging within the non-active time, and the terminal device does not need to listen for this part of the paging, so as to determine that the paging within the paging cycle and within the non-active time 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, and realizing the enhancement of paging configuration, but also retaining the paging within the active time.

[0351] Optionally, that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid means that the terminal device does not need to listen for the paging within the paging cycle.

[0352] Optionally, the paging within the paging cycle refers to all paging frames PF, all paging opportunities PO, and / or all paging monitoring opportunities PMO within the paging cycle.

[0353] Optionally, at least one active time contains a complete paging cycle; or, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the active time.

[0354] In "Mode 2-1", the determination unit 1301 is configured to determine the PF within the active time as the target PF when the target PF is within the non-active time.

[0355] In this way, for some paging cycles within the non-active time, since the PF within the active time is used as the target PF, the network device can advance and merge the target PFs of some terminal devices into the PF within the active time, and these terminal devices can also advance and merge the target PFs into the PF within the active time, so as to ensure that the target PFs of these terminal devices are all within the active time, enhancing the paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0356] Optionally, in determining the PF within the active time as the target PF, the determining unit 1301 is configured to:

[0357] If the target PF is the k-th PF within the non-active time, then use the k-th PF within the nearest active time before the non-active time as the target PF, where k is a positive integer.

[0358] Optionally, in determining the PF within the active time as the target PF, the determining unit 1301 is configured to:

[0359] If the target PF is the k-th PF within the non-active time, then use the k1-th PF within the nearest active time before the non-active time as the target PF, where both k and k1 are positive integers;

[0360] where k1 = k mod K, mod represents the modulo operation, and K represents the number of PFs within the active time.

[0361] Optionally, when the target PF is within the non-active time, all the POs including the target PF are within the non-active time.

[0362] Optionally, the active time does not include a complete paging cycle, or the active time is less than the paging cycle.

[0363] In "Mode 2-2", the determining unit 1301 is configured to determine the PO within the active time as the target PO when the target PO is within the non-active time.

[0364] In this way, for some paging cycles within the non-active time, since the PO within the active time is used as the target PO, the network device can advance and merge the target POs of some terminal devices into the PO within the active time, and these terminal devices can also advance and merge the target POs into the PO within the active time, so as to ensure that the target POs are all within the active time, enhancing the paging configuration and avoiding the increase of paging delay.

[0365] Optionally, in determining the PO within the active time as the target PO, the determining unit 1301 is configured to:

[0366] If the target PO is the m-th PO of the target PF during the deactivation time, then use the m-th PO of the target PF during the most recent activation time before the deactivation time as the target PO, where m is a positive integer.

[0367] Optionally, for determining the PO during the activation time as the target PO, the determining unit 1301 is configured to:

[0368] If the target PO is the m-th PO of the target PF during the deactivation time, then use the m1-th PO of the target PF during the most recent activation time before the deactivation time as the target PO, where both m and m1 are positive integers;

[0369] where m1 = m mod M, mod represents the modulo operation, and M is the number of POs of the target PF during the activation time.

[0370] Optionally, some POs of the target PF are during the deactivation time.

[0371] Optionally, the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle, or the activation time is less than the paging cycle.

[0372] In "Mode 2-3", the determining unit 1301 is configured to determine that the target paging is valid when the target paging is during the deactivation time.

[0373] It can be seen that for some paging cycles during the deactivation time, when the target paging is during the deactivation time, the network device can extend the activation time before or after the deactivation time. In this way, the target paging changes from the original deactivation time to the extended activation time, so as to determine that the target paging is valid and avoid an increase in paging delay.

[0374] Optionally, that the target paging is valid means that the terminal device needs to monitor the target paging;

[0375] That the target paging is invalid means that the terminal device does not need to monitor the target paging.

[0376] Optionally, the target paging includes at least one target PF, at least one target PO, and / or at least one target PMO within the paging cycle.

[0377] Optionally, the activation time does not include a complete paging cycle, or the activation time is less than the paging cycle.

[0378] In "Mode 2-4", the determining unit 1301 is configured to determine that the target paging is invalid when the target paging is during the deactivation time.

[0379] It can be seen that for some paging cycles during the inactive time, when the target paging is during the inactive time, the network device may not extend the active time before or after the inactive time, but directly discard / not send the target PF. In this way, some terminal devices do not need to receive the target PF, thereby determining that the target paging is invalid and saving the energy consumption of the communication system. In addition, since there are still other paging cycles during the active time, there will be no situation where some terminal devices cannot be paged. Doing so can simplify the system design, simplify the signaling, and simplify the implementation of the network device / terminal device. Of course, the paging delay may be increased.

[0380] Optionally, the target paging is valid, which means that the terminal device needs to monitor the target paging;

[0381] The target paging is invalid, which means that the terminal device does not need to monitor the target paging.

[0382] Optionally, the target paging includes at least one target PF, at least one target PO, and / or at least one target PMO within the paging cycle.

[0383] Optionally, the active time does not include a complete paging cycle, or the active time is less than the paging cycle.

[0384] In "Mode 2-5", the determining unit 1301 is used to determine the time position of the target PF group.

[0385] In this way, by determining the time position of the target PF group, the target PF group can be evenly distributed within multiple active times in the paging cycle, solving the problem that evenly distributed PFs (all PF intervals are the same) fall within the inactive time.

[0386] Optionally, the time position of the target PF group is the start position of the target PF group.

[0387] Optionally, the start position of the target PF group is the start system frame number of the target PF group.

[0388] Optionally, in terms of determining the time position of the target PF group, the determining unit 1301 is used for:

[0389] Calculating the time position of the target PF group according to a predefined formula.

[0390] Optionally, the predefined formula is:

[0391] (A + offset) mod T = (T / W) * (UE_ID mod W);

[0392] Wherein, A represents the time position of the target PF group, offset represents an offset, T represents the length of the paging period, W represents the number of PF groups within the paging period, and UE_ID represents the terminal device identifier.

[0393] In "Mode 3-1", the determination unit 1301 is configured to, when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, determine the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0394] It can be seen that by using the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window, the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the start point of the inactive time or the start point of the nearest active time after the start point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can postpone receiving the RAR within the nearest active time.

[0395] Optionally, the start point of the RAR window includes one of the start frame, start time slot, or start symbol of the RAR window;

[0396] The start point of the active time includes one of the start frame, start time slot, or start symbol of the active time.

[0397] In "Mode 3-2", the determination unit 1301 is configured to, when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, determine that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0398] It can be seen that when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, the network device can advance the start point of the nearest active time after the inactive time to the start point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can advance the active time, so that the network device / terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0399] Optionally, the RAR within the RAR window is valid means that the terminal device needs to monitor the RAR within the RAR window.

[0400] In "Mode 4-1", the determination unit 1301 is configured to, when the end point of the RAR window is within the inactive time, determine the start point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

[0401] It can be seen that by using the active time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window, the start point of the RAR window is postponed to the start point of the inactive time or the end point of the nearest active time after the end point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can postpone receiving the RAR within the next active time.

[0402] Optionally, the end point of the RAR window includes one of an end frame, an end time slot, or an end symbol of the RAR window;

[0403] The end point of the activation time includes one of an end frame, an end time slot, or an end symbol of the activation time;

[0404] The start point of the RAR window includes one of a start frame, a start time slot, or a start symbol of the RAR window.

[0405] In "Mode 4-2", the determination unit 1301 is configured to determine that the RAR within the RAR window is valid when the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time.

[0406] It can be seen that when the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, the network device can postpone the end point of the nearest activation time before the non-activation time to the end point of the RAR window. In this way, the network device / terminal device can advance the activation time, so that the network device / terminal device determines that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

[0407] Optionally, the RAR within the RAR window is valid, which means that the terminal device needs to listen to the RAR within the RAR window.

[0408] It should be noted that Figure 13 For the specific implementation of each operation in the foregoing embodiments, reference may be made to the description in the method embodiments shown above, and details are not described herein again.

[0409] IV. Example Illustration of a Terminal Device

[0410] Please refer to Figure 14 , Figure 14 which is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the terminal device 1400 may include a processor 1410, a memory 1420, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1410 and the memory 1420.

[0411] Optionally, the memory 1420 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 1420 is used to store the program code executed by the terminal device 1400 and the data transmitted.

[0412] Optionally, the terminal device 1400 further includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0413] Optionally, the processor 1410 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1410 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).

[0414] Optionally, the processor 1410 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.

[0415] In specific implementation, the processor 1410 in the terminal device 1400 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1421 stored in the memory 1420, and execute the corresponding steps of the method embodiment shown above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0416] V. Example Illustration of a Network Device

[0417] Please refer to Figure 15 , Figure 15 which is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the network device 1500 may include a processor 1510, a memory 1520, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1510 and the memory 1520.

[0418] Optionally, the memory 1520 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 1520 is used to store the program code executed by the network device 1500 and the data transmitted.

[0419] Optionally, the network device 1500 further includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0420] Optionally, the processor 1510 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). When the processor 1510 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).

[0421] Optionally, the processor 1510 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.

[0422] In specific implementation, the processor 1510 in the network device 1500 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 1521 stored in the memory 1520, and execute the corresponding steps of the method embodiments shown above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0423] VI. Other related example descriptions

[0424] Optionally, the above method embodiments may be applied to a network device or within a network device. That is to say, the execution subject of the above method embodiments may be a network device, a chip, a chip module, a module, or a transmitter of a network device, etc., and no specific limitation is made thereto.

[0425] The embodiment of the present application further provides 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.

[0426] The embodiment of the present application further provides 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.

[0427] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps described in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0428] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps described in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0429] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including the above network device and terminal device.

[0430] It should be noted that, for the above respective embodiments, for the sake of simple description, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations. Those skilled in the art should know that the present application is not limited by the described action sequence, because some steps in the embodiments of the present application may be performed in other sequences or simultaneously. In addition, those skilled in the art should also know 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.

[0431] In the above embodiments, each embodiment of the present application is described with emphasis on different aspects. For parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0432] 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 a RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, removable hard disk, 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. Additionally, 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.

[0433] 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 in a wired manner (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 contains one or more integrated available media. 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.

[0434] Each device and product described in the above embodiments, and each module / unit included therein, can be a software module / unit, a hardware module / unit, or can 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 can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit, or at least part of the module / unit can 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 module / unit can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit; for each device and product applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit included therein can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit, and different modules / units can 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 module / unit can 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 module / unit can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit; for each device and product applied to or integrated into a terminal device, each module / unit included therein can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit, and different modules / units can 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 module / unit can 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 module / unit can be implemented in a hardware manner such as a circuit.

[0435] The specific embodiments described above further elaborate on the purpose, 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 should be included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, including: When all or part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactivity time, determining that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid.

2. A communication method, characterized in that including: When part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the inactivity time, determining that the paging within the paging cycle and within the inactivity time is invalid.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, That the paging within the paging cycle is invalid means that the terminal device does not need to monitor the paging within the paging cycle.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The paging within the paging cycle refers to all paging frames PF, all paging occasions PO, and / or all paging monitoring occasions PMO within the paging cycle.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, At least one activation time includes a complete said paging cycle; or, the paging cycle is less than or equal to the activation time.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, including: When the target PF is within the inactivity time, determining the PF within the activation time as the target PF.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein Said determining the PF within the activation time as the target PF includes: If the target PF is the k-th PF within the inactivity time, then taking the k-th PF within the nearest activation time before the inactivity time as the target PF, where k is a positive integer.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Said determining the PF within the activation time as the target PF includes: If the target PF is the k-th PF within the inactivity time, then taking the k1-th PF within the nearest activation time before the inactivity time as the target PF, where both k and k1 are positive integers; where k1 = k mod K, mod represents the modulo operation, and K represents the number of PFs within the activation time.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, That the target PF is within the inactivity time includes that all POs of the target PF are within the inactivity time.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, including: When the target PO is within the inactivity time, determining the PO within the activation time as the target PO.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Said determining the PO within the activation time as the target PO includes: If the target PO is the m-th PO of the target PF within the inactivity time, then taking the m-th PO of the target PF within the nearest activation time before the inactivity time as the target PO, where m is a positive integer.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein Said determining the PO within the activation time as the target PO includes: If the target PO is the m-th PO of the target PF within the inactivity time, then taking the m1-th PO of the target PF within the nearest activation time before the inactivity time as the target PO, where both m and m1 are positive integers; where m1 = m mod M, mod represents the modulo operation, and M is the number of POs of the target PF within the activation time.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, Part of the POs of the target PF are within the inactivity time.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, including: When the target paging is within the inactivity time, determining that the target paging is valid, or determining that the target paging is invalid.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein That the target paging is valid means that the terminal device needs to monitor the target paging; That the target paging is invalid means that the terminal device does not need to monitor the target paging.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The target paging includes at least one target PF, at least one target PO, and / or at least one target PMO within the paging cycle.

17. The method according to any one of claims 6-16, characterized in that, The activation time does not include a complete paging cycle, or the activation time is less than the paging cycle.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: Determine the time position of the target PF group.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The time position of the target PF group is the start position of the target PF group.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The start position of the target PF group is the start system frame number of the target PF group.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 - 20, characterized in that, The determining the time position of the target PF group includes: Calculate the time position of the target PF group according to a predefined formula.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The predefined formula is: (A + offset) mod T = (T / W) * (UE_ID mod W); Wherein, A represents the time position of the target PF group, offset represents an offset, T represents the length of the paging cycle, W represents the number of PF groups within the paging cycle, and UE_ID represents the terminal device identifier.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: When the start point of the random access response RAR window is within the non-activation time, determine the start point of the non-activation time or the nearest activation time after the start point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The start point of the RAR window includes one of the start frame, start time slot, or start symbol of the RAR window; The start point of the activation time includes one of the start frame, start time slot, or start symbol of the activation time.

25. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: When the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, determine the end point of the non-activation time or the nearest activation time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The end point of the RAR window includes one of the end frame, end time slot, or end symbol of the RAR window; The end point of the activation time includes one of the end frame, end time slot, or end symbol of the activation time; The start point of the RAR window includes one of the start frame, start time slot, or start symbol of the RAR window.

27. A communication method, characterized in that, Including: When the start point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, determine that the RAR within the RAR window is valid; Or, When the end point of the RAR window is within the non-activation time, determine that the RAR within the RAR window is valid.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein That the RAR within the RAR window is valid means that the terminal device needs to listen to the RAR within the RAR window.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, Including: A determining unit, configured to determine that the paging within the paging cycle is invalid when all or part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the non-activation time; or, A determining unit, configured to determine that the paging within the paging cycle and within the non-activation time is invalid when part of the paging within a paging cycle is within the non-activation time; or, A determining unit, configured to determine the PF within the activation time as the target PF when the target PF is within the non-activation time; or, A determining unit, configured to determine the PO within the activation time as the target PO when the target PO is within the non-activation time; or, A determining unit, configured to determine that the target paging is valid or determine that the target paging is invalid when the target paging is within the non-activation time; or, A determining unit, configured to determine the time position of the target PF group; or, A determining unit, configured to determine the start point of the inactivity time or the start point of the nearest activation time after the start point of the random access response (RAR) window as the start point of the RAR window when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactivity time; Or, A determining unit, configured to determine the start point of the inactivity time or the end point of the nearest activation time after the end point of the RAR window as the start point of the RAR window when the end point of the RAR window is within the inactivity time; Or, A determining unit, configured to determine that the RAR within the RAR window is valid when the start point of the RAR window is within the inactivity time; or, A determining unit, configured to determine that the RAR within the RAR window is valid when the end point of the RAR window is within the inactivity time.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-28 are implemented.

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