Measurement indication method and device

Abstract

A measurement indication method and device, the method comprising: sending first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or pilot frequency measurement within a first measurement period; and under the condition that the first indication information indicates that the same-frequency measurement and / or the different-frequency measurement are / is not carried out in the first measurement time period, carrying out data transmission in the first measurement time period. The communication method provided by the present application can be applied to a network device or a terminal device, and can indicate a subsequent measurement period for measuring signals or transmission data of an adjacent cell, thereby reducing the influence on the signal quality measurement frequency as much as possible while reducing the data transmission delay and improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a measurement indication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the continuous development of the fifth-generation (5G) communication system, the data transmission delay has been continuously reduced, and the transmission capacity has become larger and larger. The 5G communication system has gradually penetrated into some multimedia services with high real-time requirements and large data capacity requirements, such as video transmission, cloud gaming (CG), and extended reality (XR), where XR includes virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

[0003] With the rapid improvement of communication transmission rates, real-time video transmission services have gradually become one of the core services in the current network. With the continuous progress and improvement of extended reality technology, related industries have also developed vigorously. Nowadays, VR technology, as a type of XR, has entered various fields related to people's production and life, such as education, entertainment, military, medical, environmental protection, transportation, and public health. Compared with traditional video services, VR has the advantages of multiple perspectives and strong interactivity, providing users with a brand-new visual experience.

[0004] In addition to smartphones, people increasingly hope to enhance the XR experience through terminals such as head mounted displays (HMDs) or smart glasses (such as VR glasses and AR glasses). Therefore, with the increasing popularity of XR devices, how to improve the user experience has become a key research issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, aiming to reduce the data transmission delay, improve the user experience, and minimize the impact on the signal quality measurement frequency as much as possible.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal (such as a modulation and demodulation (modem) chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip that includes a modem core). Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, the method includes: sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during a first measurement period; and when the first indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the first measurement period, performing data transmission during the first measurement period.

[0007] The present application proposes a communication method that can indicate that subsequent measurement periods are used to measure the signals of neighboring cells or transmit data, while reducing the transmission delay of data, improving the user experience, and minimizing the impact on the measurement frequency of signal quality as much as possible.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed during the first measurement period.

[0009] This implementation manner is more suitable for application scenarios where the signal quality fluctuates greatly or the service data volume fluctuates greatly. The terminal device needs to flexibly change the use of the measurement period according to real-time requirements.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed during multiple measurement periods; where the multiple measurement periods include the first measurement period.

[0011] This implementation manner is more suitable for application scenarios where the service data volume is stable or the signal quality is stable. The terminal device can generate the first indication information according to the change rules of the service data volume or the signal quality.

[0012] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, when the overlapping duration between the first measurement period and the delay budget period of data transmission is greater than the overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the first measurement period.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, when the overlapping duration between the first measurement period and the delay budget period of data transmission is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the first measurement period.

[0014] This implementation method gives priority to the user experience and has good effects in scenarios where terminal devices such as VR games are relatively stationary and the signal quality is stable.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: performing radio resource management (RRM) measurement in a second measurement period to obtain an RRM measurement result; in a case where the RRM measurement result is greater than an RRM measurement threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the first measurement period.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: performing RRM measurement in a second measurement period to obtain an RRM measurement result; in a case where the RRM measurement result is greater than or equal to an RRM measurement threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the first measurement period.

[0017] This implementation method gives priority to maintaining a high signal quality and is more suitable for continuously moving terminal devices such as in-vehicle devices.

[0018] Judging the use of subsequent measurement periods according to the packet delay budget period or the RRM measurement result can reduce unnecessary measurements and continuously transmit service data.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the first period. Sending the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information within the first period.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, there is a first interval period between the first period and the first measurement period.

[0021] Setting the first interval period can allow the terminal to complete the transmission of the information sent in the first period before the measurement period as much as possible.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the duration of the first interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a case where there is an overlap between the first measurement period and the first period, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the first measurement period.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the periodic duration of the first period is configured by the network device.

[0025] The configuration of the first period of this implementation method is independent of the measurement period and has high compatibility in different communication systems.

[0026] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to the network side, such as an access network device on the network side, a module in the access network device (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. Taking the application of this method to an access network device as an example, the method includes: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during a first measurement period; and when the first indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the first measurement period, performing data transmission during the first measurement period.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during the first measurement period.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during multiple measurement periods; where the multiple measurement periods include the first measurement period.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a first time period. Receiving the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information within the first time period.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, there is a first interval period between the first time period and the first measurement period.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the duration of the first interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the periodic duration of the first time period is configured by a network device.

[0033] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or a chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or an SoC chip or a SIP chip including a modem core). Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, the method includes: receiving third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during a second measurement period; and when the third indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the second measurement period, performing data transmission during the second measurement period.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during a third measurement period.

[0035] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during multiple measurement periods; wherein, the multiple measurement periods include a third measurement period.

[0036] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a second period; receiving the third indication information, including: receiving the third indication information within the second period.

[0037] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, there is a second interval period between the second period and the third measurement period.

[0038] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the duration of the second interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0039] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the cycle duration of the second period is configured by a network device.

[0040] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the network side, such as an access network device on the network side, a module in the access network device (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. Taking the method applied to an access network device as an example, the method includes: sending third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during a second measurement period; in the case where the third indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the second measurement period, data transmission is performed during the second measurement period.

[0041] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during the third measurement period.

[0042] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement during multiple measurement periods; wherein, the multiple measurement periods include the third measurement period.

[0043] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, in the case where the overlapping duration between the third measurement period and the delay budget period of data transmission is greater than an overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the third measurement period.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, when the overlapping duration between the third measurement period and the latency budget period of data transmission is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, the third indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the third measurement period.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: performing an RRM measurement in a fourth measurement period to obtain an RRM measurement result; when the RRM measurement result is greater than the RRM measurement threshold, the third indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the third measurement period.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: performing an RRM measurement in a fourth measurement period to obtain an RRM measurement result; when the RRM measurement result is greater than or equal to the RRM measurement threshold, the third indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the third measurement period.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: sending a fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a second period; sending the third indication information, including: sending the third indication information within the second period.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, there is a second interval period between the second period and the third measurement period.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the duration of the second interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0050] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, when there is an overlap between the third measurement period and the second period, the third indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the third measurement period.

[0051] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the periodic duration of the second period is configured by a network device.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the functions of implementing the first aspect or the third aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to performing the operations involved in the first aspect or the third aspect above. The module, unit, or means can be specifically implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0053] Sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which has the functions of implementing the second aspect or the fourth aspect above. For example, the communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above. The module, unit, or means can be specifically implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0054] Seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory is used to store part or all of the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect or the third aspect above. The one or more processors can execute the computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation manner in the first aspect or the third aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication function within the communication device and / or the communication function between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0055] In a possible implementation manner, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0056] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device may further include the memory.

[0057] The above communication device may be a terminal, or a communication module in the terminal, or a chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or an SoC or SIP chip including a modem module.

[0058] Eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory is used to store part or all of the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above. The one or more processors can execute the computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation manner in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication function within the communication device and / or the communication function between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0059] In a possible implementation manner, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the communication device may further include the memory.

[0061] The above communication device may be a network device, or a communication module in a network device, or a chip responsible for communication functions in a network device, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or an SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0062] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least one communication device described in the above seventh aspect and at least one communication device described in the above eighth aspect.

[0063] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction runs on a computer, the method described in any implementation manner of the first aspect, or the method described in any implementation manner of the third aspect is executed.

[0064] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the method described in any implementation manner of the first aspect is executed, or the method described in any implementation manner of the third aspect is executed.

[0065] It can be understood that the description of the beneficial effects of any aspect from the second aspect to the eleventh aspect can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1 is a network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0067] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an SMTC provided by the present application.

[0068] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an MGC provided by the present application.

[0069] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a data transmission process provided by the present application.

[0070] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the first time period configuration information provided by the present application.

[0071] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a scenario where the packet delay budget time period and the measurement time period overlap provided by the present application.

[0072] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a scenario where the first time period and the measurement time period overlap provided by the present application.

[0073] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a data transmission process provided by the present application.

[0074] Figure 10 Schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0075] Figure 11 Schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0076] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0077] Figure 1 Shows a possible and non-limiting system schematic diagram. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as Figure 1 110a and 110b in Figure 1 , collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 120a - 120j in

[0078] The RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), for example, 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or an evolved system for the future (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0079] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as an access network device, RAN entity, access node, etc., forms part of a communication system and is used to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, Figure 1 network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, Figure 1 network elements 110a and 110b in the figure can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a - 120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions. It should be understood that the core network device and RAN node in this application can sometimes also be collectively referred to as network devices.

[0080] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, evolved NodeB (eNodeB), access point (AP), transmission reception point (TRP), next generation NodeB (gNB), next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, base station in a future mobile communication system, or access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as Figure 1 110a in the figure), micro base station or indoor station (such as Figure 1 110b in the figure), relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle or in-vehicle device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). A communication module, circuit or chip for performing corresponding communication functions can also be provided in the RAN node. Program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions can also be configured in the RAN node. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module or software that can implement all or part of the RAN node functions.

[0081] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement partial functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0082] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be called an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be called an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0083] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the above communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, transportation vehicle with wireless communication function, communication module, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal. Usually, a communication module, circuit or chip for executing corresponding communication functions is provided in the terminal. Program instructions for executing corresponding communication functions can also be configured in the terminal.

[0084] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application may also involve Figure 1 devices or transmission nodes not shown in Figure 1 Of course, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application may also only include

[0085] The network architecture applied to the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture capable of realizing the functions of the above various devices is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] In the above communication system, the downlink control information (DCI) includes scheduling information for the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). When the network needs to transmit data to a terminal, it generates a DCI message containing information such as PDSCH resource allocation, modulation, and coding parameters, and sends it to the terminal via the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The terminal that receives the DCI will decode the data received subsequently on the PDSCH according to the information therein. For example, the terminal will know which resource blocks, at what time, and with what modulation and coding methods to receive the data. Then, within the time window specified by the DCI, the network will send the actual data packet on the PDSCH. The terminal correctly decodes this data based on the previously received DCI. Similarly, the uplink control information (UCI) includes scheduling information for the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0087] In a mobile cellular network, when a terminal moves from one cell (base station coverage area) to another cell, handover between cells is required. Before the handover, the terminal needs to measure the signals of neighboring cells to determine when to hand over. During the measurement period, the terminal and the network device preferentially transmit and receive measurement signals, and only transmit and receive a small amount of important data signals. Therefore, the data transmission rate is very low during the measurement period, and users using XR devices will perceive an obvious delay in data transmission.

[0088] Specifically, the measurement is divided into intra-frequency measurement and inter-frequency measurement. Intra-frequency measurement means that the cell where the terminal is currently located and the target cell to be measured are on the same carrier frequency point. During intra-frequency measurement, the terminal can measure through the reference signals inserted during data transmission without affecting the transmission and reception of data. The handover of terminals in modern communication systems is based on the terminal measurement of the synchronization signal block (SSB). The terminal realizes time and frequency synchronization and obtains necessary system information by receiving and decoding the SSB.

[0089] SSB-based RRM measurement timing configuration (SMTC) is a resource management mechanism. Radio resource management (RRM) is responsible for managing and optimizing the resource allocation of a wireless communication system to ensure service quality and network performance. SMTC specifically refers to the SSB-based RRM measurement timing configuration. SMTC provides a specific time window for the terminal, called the SSB-based RRM measurement timing (SMT) period. Within this time window, the terminal can perform inter-cell measurements, such as reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ), without conflicting with normal uplink data transmission.

[0090] SMTC is usually sent by the network side to the terminal through an RRC message. This message contains the specific configuration information about SMT. The terminal can perform measurement operations within the specified time window according to the received configuration information. Specifically, SMTC includes: The SSB-based RRM measurement timing repetition period (SMTRP) can be 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms; The SMT offset is the number of milliseconds represented by a natural number and is less than or equal to SMTRP, indicating the time delay from the start time of SMTRP to the start time of the SSB-based RRM measurement timing period (SMTP). The SSB-based RRM measurement timing length (SMTL) can be 1 ms, 2 ms, 3 ms, 4 ms, or 5 ms. The following combines Figure 2 to illustrate the configuration information of SMT with examples.

[0091] For example Figure 2As shown, SFN (system frame number) refers to the frame number of the system. It is a sequence number starting from 0 and used to identify a downlink transmission time interval (TTI). A radio frame includes 10 subframes, and the length of one subframe is 1 ms. Figure 2 The gray subframes in Figure 2 It can also be further obtained that SMTRP is 2 radio frames, that is, 20 ms; SMT offset is 2 ms, and SMTL is 4 ms.

[0092] Inter-frequency measurement means that the cell where the terminal is currently located (serving cell) and the target cell are not on the same carrier frequency point. The resource management mechanism of measurement gap configuration (MGC) can be adopted, that is, a measurement gap (MG) period is reserved. During this period, the terminal will not send or receive any data, but tune the receiver to the target cell frequency point for inter-frequency measurement, and then switch back to the serving cell when the MG time ends. The period when the terminal pauses communicating with the serving cell to measure inter-frequency neighboring cells or other cells of different radio access technologies (RAT) is called the MG period.

[0093] MGC is usually sent by the network side to the terminal through an RRC message. This message contains specific configuration information about MG, and the terminal can perform measurement operations within the specified time window according to the received configuration information. Specifically, MGC includes: The measurement gap repetition period (MGRP) can be 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms; The MG offset is the number of milliseconds represented by a natural number and is less than or equal to MGRP, indicating the time delay from the start time of MGRP to the start time of the measurement gap period (MGP). The measurement gap length (MGL) can be 1.5 ms, 3 ms, 3.5 ms, 4 ms, 5.5 ms, or 6 ms. The following combines Figure 3 to give an example of the configuration information of MG.

[0094] Such as Figure 3 As shown, a radio frame includes 10 subframes, and the length of one subframe is 1 ms. Figure 3 The gray subframes in Figure 3It can also be further obtained that MGRP is 2 frames, that is, 20 ms; the MG offset is 13 ms, and MGL is 6 ms.

[0095] In the above embodiments, both the SMT period and the MG period can be referred to as measurement periods, and both the SMT duration and the MG duration can be referred to as measurement durations. Both SMTRP and MGRP can be referred to as measurement cycles, and both the SMT offset and the MG offset can be referred to as measurement offsets. The measurement offset represents the time delay from the start time of the measurement cycle to the start time of the measurement period. It can be considered that through the cycle, offset, and duration, a periodically repeated period can be determined.

[0096] In multiple embodiments of the present application, "sending information" can be understood as a device sending information to another device, or, it can also be understood as a logical module inside the device sending information to another logical module. For example, "a network device sends information" can be understood as the network device sending information to another device (such as a terminal), or, it can be understood as logical module 1 in the network device sending information to logical module 2 in the network device.

[0097] Similarly, "receiving information" in the present application can be understood as a device receiving information from another device, or, it can also be understood as a logical module inside the device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "a network device receives information" can be understood as the network device receiving information from another device (such as a terminal), or, it can be understood as logical module 1 in the network device receiving information from logical module 2 in the network device.

[0098] In the present application, "sending information to (such as a network device)" or the relevant schematic in the drawings can be understood that the destination of this information is the network device. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the network device. "Receiving information from (such as a network device)" or "receiving information sent by (such as a network device)" or "receiving information from (such as a network device)", or the relevant schematic in the drawings can be understood that the source of this information is the network device, and it can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the network device. The information may be subjected to necessary processing, such as format change, etc., between the source and the destination of the information sending, but the destination can be understood as the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the present application can be understood similarly, and will not be elaborated here.

[0099] In the related art, there is a time delay when sending data, and the data of some frames needs to be transmitted within a relatively long period. In some cases, the sending time of some data partially overlaps with the measurement period, resulting in the need for this part of the data to continue transmission after the measurement period ends, and users will perceive an obvious delay during the measurement period, with a poor experience. However, if a longer measurement period is simply selected, the measurement frequency of the signal quality will be reduced, and the terminal device cannot switch cells in a timely manner when the signal quality is poor.

[0100] In view of this, the present application proposes a communication method, which can indicate that subsequent measurement periods are used to measure the signals of neighboring cells or transmit data, while reducing the sending delay of data and improving the user experience, and minimizing the impact on the measurement frequency of signal quality as much as possible.

[0101] The measurement indication method and device will be further introduced below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It can be understood that in the present application, the network device and the terminal are used as examples of the execution entities of this interaction schematic, but the present application does not limit the execution entities of the interaction schematic. For example, the method executed by the network device in the present application can also be implemented by a module in the network device (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; the method executed by the terminal in the present application can also be implemented by a communication module in the terminal or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal (such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or an SoC chip containing a modem core, or a SIP chip).

[0102] The following combines Figure 4 the following schematic diagram of the data transmission process to detail a data transmission process S400 provided in this embodiment.

[0103] S410, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal.

[0104] Specifically, the second indication information is used to indicate the first period for the terminal to send the first indication information to the network device.

[0105] In one embodiment, the second indication information includes a monitoring period, a monitoring offset, and a monitoring duration, and the second indication information can be used as the configuration information for the first period. During the first period, the network device monitors the first indication information sent by the terminal. Specifically, as Figure 5 shown, the start time of a monitoring period coincides with the start time of a measurement period. The durations of both the monitoring period and the measurement period are 20 ms, the monitoring offset is 3 ms, and the monitoring duration is 10 ms. Through the monitoring period, the monitoring offset, and the monitoring duration, the corresponding first period can be determined.

[0106] It can be seen that the measurement period immediately follows the first period. Due to the transmission delay of information, at the start of the measurement period, the information sent by the terminal in the first period may not have been completely transmitted. Optionally, a post-monitoring offset is set, which represents the time delay from the end of the first period to the start of the next measurement period, so as to ensure that the information sent by the terminal in the first period is completed before the measurement period as much as possible. Further, when the network device sets a post-monitoring offset for an active downlink bandwidth part (BWP) or an active uplink BWP, the terminal device does not need to monitor the PDCCH or the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) in the BWP during the period corresponding to the post-monitoring offset.

[0107] Specifically, the post-monitoring offset can be set according to the subcarrier spacing of the above BWP. For example, in the NR system, usually, one subframe includes 2 complete time slots, that is, the duration of one time slot is 0.5 ms. It can be stipulated that the relationship between the subcarrier spacing and the post-monitoring offset satisfies Table 1.

[0108] Table 1

[0109] Subcarrier Spacing / kHz Post-Monitoring Bias / ms 15 0.5 30 0.5 60 0.5 120 1.0 240 2.0 360 3.0 480 4.0

[0110] Similarly, a pre-monitoring offset can also be defined, which represents the time delay from the start of the first period to the start of the next measurement period.

[0111] Further, the monitoring duration can be calculated according to the pre-monitoring configuration and the post-monitoring offset. As Figure 6 shown, the start time of a monitoring period coincides with the start time of a measurement period. The durations of both the monitoring period and the measurement period are 20 ms, the post-monitoring offset is 2 ms, and the pre-monitoring offset is 10 ms. The monitoring duration can be obtained as 8 ms, and then the first period can be obtained.

[0112] In multiple embodiments of this application, the start time of one period coincides with the start time of another period, and the subframe number at the start of one period is the same as the subframe number at the start of another period. It should be understood that in a communication system, the number of time slots or symbols can also be used to represent a specific period. By replacing the subframe number above with the number of time slots or symbols, it can also be determined whether the start time of one period coincides with the start time of another period. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0113] In summary, in multiple embodiments of this application, for any specified period, the corresponding period can be determined through the period, offset, and duration; the corresponding period can also be determined through the period, pre-offset, and post-offset.

[0114] In another embodiment, the second indication information includes a monitoring period, a pre-monitoring bias, and a post-monitoring bias. Of course, the second indication information may also include all the parameters related to the first time period mentioned in the above embodiments. The present embodiment does not limit the representation manner of the first time period and the specific content of the second indication information.

[0115] Optionally, the second indication information may be sent through DCI signaling, MAC CE, RRC signaling, or a combination of at least two of them. For example, one of DCI signaling, MAC CE, and RRC signaling indicates the target cell; or, MAC CE or RRC configures a candidate set of neighboring cells, and DCI indicates the target cell in the candidate set; or, RRC configures a candidate set of neighboring cells, and MAC CE indicates the target cell in the candidate set; or, RRC configures a set of candidate sets of neighboring cells, MAC CE indicates the candidate set of neighboring cells, and DCI indicates the target cell.

[0116] In one embodiment, a suitable manner is selected for each control information to carry the second indication information. For the case of combined use of control information, one of DCI signaling, MAC CE, or RRC signaling carries the second indication information. For DCI signaling, some DCI scrambled by a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) has a reserved field. For example, after DCI 1_0 is scrambled by a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI), there is a reserved field with a length of 16 bits, and this reserved field can be used to carry the second indication information. For MAC CE, the length / command identifiers (LCID) field of MAC CE is used to indicate the type of MAC CE. Among them, the LCID field has reserved values. In the downlink shared channel (DLSCH), the reserved values are 33 to 46, and in the uplink shared channel (ULSCH), the reserved values are 33 to 51. A MAC CE of a protocol data unit (PDU) can be set to a reserved type, and the second indication information is carried in this PDU. For RRC signaling, RRC is a high-layer message, and its specific structure and content can be customized to carry the second indication information.

[0117] Specifically, the terminal and the network device can stipulate the length and fields of the second indication information in the communication protocol in advance. For example, the second indication information includes three fields: monitoring period, monitoring offset, and monitoring duration. These three fields can respectively represent twice the number of milliseconds corresponding to them as integers in 10 bits, so the length of the second indication information is 30 bits. Taking the monitoring duration as an example, the length of the monitoring duration field is 10 bits, and the value of A indicates that the monitoring duration is A / 2 ms, so the maximum value of the monitoring duration is 1023 / 2 = 511.5 ms. It is possible to consider using MAC CE or RRC to transmit the second indication information.

[0118] It is also possible to set enumerated values for the monitoring period and the monitoring duration respectively, or set an enumerated value for the combination of the monitoring period and the monitoring duration. For example, use 3-bit enumerated identifiers to represent the monitoring period and the monitoring duration respectively, or use 6-bit enumerated identifiers to represent the combination of the monitoring period and the monitoring duration, and then use 10 bits to represent twice the number of milliseconds of the monitoring offset. Then the length of the second indication information is 16 bits. The 16-bit reserved field in the scrambled DCI can be used to transmit the second indication information. An example of the enumeration of a possible combination of the monitoring period and the monitoring duration is shown in Table 2.

[0119] Table 2

[0120] Enumeration Identifier Monitoring Duration / ms Monitoring Period / ms 0 6 40 1 6 80 2 3 40 3 3 80 4 6 20 5 6 160 6 4 20 7 4 40 8 4 80 9 4 160

[0121] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second indication information sent by the network device and configures relevant parameters.

[0122] It should be understood that the configuration information of the first time period can also be pre-configured separately in the terminal and the network device, that is, S410 is optional.

[0123] S420, the terminal determines the uses of one or more subsequent measurement time periods and generates the first indication information.

[0124] Specifically, the measurement time period can be used for data transmission or measurement, that is, the uses of the measurement time period include the terminal device transmitting data during the measurement time period, or the terminal device measuring the signals of neighboring cells during the measurement time period.

[0125] The first indication information is used to indicate the uses of one or more subsequent measurement time periods, that is, the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device measures the signals of neighboring cells during one or more subsequent measurement time periods, or is used for data transmission. Among them, measuring the signals of neighboring cells includes co-frequency measurement and inter-frequency measurement, and data transmission includes the terminal sending uplink data to the network device, the network device sending downlink data to the terminal, and the terminal sending sidelink data between terminals. This embodiment does not limit the method of measuring the signals of neighboring cells or the method of data transmission.

[0126] In multiple embodiments of the present application, that one time period overlaps with another time period means that there is at least one subframe in one time period, and the number of this subframe is the same as the number of a subframe in the other time period. The subframe that exists in both time periods is called an overlapping subframe. Further, the total duration of consecutive overlapping subframes is called the overlapping duration. It should be understood that in a communication system, the numbers of time slots or symbols can also be used to represent specific time periods. By replacing the numbers of the above-mentioned subframes with the numbers of time slots or symbols, the overlapping duration can also be calculated. This embodiment does not limit this.

[0127] In one embodiment, the uses of one or more subsequent measurement time periods can be determined according to the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period. Wherein, the duration required to send information is called the packet delay budget (PDB), and the time period where the packet delay budget is located is called the packet delay budget time period. In this embodiment, the start time of a monitoring period coincides with the start time of a measurement period, and the durations of both the monitoring period and the measurement period are 20 ms, and the same set of period numbers is used to represent the monitoring period and the measurement period. As Figure 7 shown, within period 0, there is an overlap between the packet delay budget time period and the measurement time period, so the measurement time period corresponding to period 0 is used for data transmission. Within period 1, there is no overlap between the packet delay budget time period and the measurement time period, so the measurement time period corresponding to period 1 is used for measurement. Further, it can also be set that when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is less than the overlapping duration threshold, this measurement time period is used for measurement; when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, this measurement time period is used for data transmission. The overlapping duration threshold can be adjusted according to the durations of the packet delay budget time period and the measurement time period. For example, the preset threshold is the minimum of the duration of the measurement time period and the duration of the packet delay budget time period; or, according to the above embodiment, the overlapping duration threshold is 0 ms; or, the overlapping duration threshold is fixed at 2 ms. This embodiment does not limit the selection of the overlapping duration threshold.

[0128] It should be understood that the judgment condition in the present application can be understood as a necessary condition, and at the same time, it is not limited whether this condition is a sufficient condition or a sufficient and necessary condition. For example, when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is less than the overlapping duration threshold, this measurement time period is used for measurement. Such a description includes two possible situations: when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is less than the overlapping duration threshold, this measurement time period is used for measurement; or, when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is less than the overlapping duration threshold, and other conditions also need to be met, this measurement time period is used for measurement.

[0129] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, the duration of the overlap between the measurement period and the packet delay budget period is compared with the overlap duration threshold, and the uses of the measurement period are classified according to "less than" and "greater than or equal to". In similar embodiments, the uses of the measurement period can also be classified according to "greater than" and "less than or equal to", which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0130] Optionally, the network device may send the overlap duration threshold to the terminal, or the overlap duration threshold is pre-configured by the network device and the terminal respectively, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0131] This implementation mode gives priority to the user experience and has good effects in scenarios where the terminal device is relatively stationary and the signal quality is stable, such as VR games.

[0132] In another embodiment, the use of a subsequent measurement period may be determined according to the RRM measurement result and the RRM measurement threshold, where the RRM measurement result may be measured during a measurement period before the first period. The RRM measurement threshold may be pre-set or sent by the network device to the terminal. Specifically, when the RRM measurement result is greater than or equal to the RRM measurement threshold, the subsequent measurement period is used for data transmission; when the RRM measurement result is less than the RRM measurement threshold, the subsequent measurement period is used for measurement. Among them, RRM includes parameters such as RSRP, RSRQ, signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), and handover parameters. More specifically, the RSRP may be the layer 1 reference signal received power (layer 1 RSRP, L1-RSRP) or the layer 3 reference signal received power (layer 3 RSRP, L3-RSRP), etc. Thresholds can be set for the above parameters and some other parameters included in RRM, and measurements can also be made, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0133] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, the RRM measurement result and the RRM measurement threshold are compared, and the uses of the measurement period are classified according to "less than" and "greater than or equal to". In similar embodiments, the uses of the measurement period can also be classified according to "greater than" and "less than or equal to", which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0134] Optionally, the network device may send the RRM measurement threshold to the terminal. The RRM measurement threshold may be an RSRP threshold, or a combination of an RSRP threshold and an RSRQ threshold, or a combination of other RRM parameters. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the RRM measurement threshold sent by the network device.

[0135] Similarly, the terminal can send the RRM measurement results measured by the terminal to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the RRM measurement results measured by the terminal sent by the terminal.

[0136] When transmitting the RRM measurement threshold or the RRM measurement result by using RRC, MAC CE, UCI or DCI, the opposite number of the RSRP in decibel-milliwatts (dBm) can be represented by a 1-byte integer. For example, if the range of the RSRP is usually -140 dBm to -44 dBm, the value of the RSRP field is 44 to 140; the RSRQ in decibels (dB) can be represented by a signed 1-byte integer. For example, the common range of the RSRQ that can be represented is -20 dB to 3 dB. The representation methods of other RRM are similar to those of the RSRP or the RSRQ, and will not be elaborated here.

[0137] This implementation method preferentially maintains a higher signal quality and is more suitable for terminal devices that continuously move, such as in-vehicle devices.

[0138] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, the duration of the monitoring period and the measurement period is the same, but this application does not make any limitation in this regard. Specifically, the duration of the monitoring period can be configured by the network device (for example, according to needs).

[0139] In one embodiment, the start time of a monitoring period coincides with the start time of a measurement period, and the duration of the monitoring period is an integral multiple of the duration of the measurement period. Specifically, assuming that the duration of the monitoring period is 4 times the duration of the measurement period, it is possible to determine whether the subsequent 4 measurement periods are used for data transmission according to the overlapping duration of the measurement period and the packet delay budget period. The specific method is similar to the foregoing embodiment and will not be elaborated here. It is also possible to determine whether the subsequent multiple measurement periods are used for data transmission according to the RRM measurement threshold. When the RRM measurement result is greater than or equal to the RRM measurement threshold, the subsequent 4 measurement periods are used for data transmission; when the RRM measurement result is less than the RRM measurement threshold, the subsequent 4 measurement periods are used for measurement.

[0140] In another embodiment, the ratio of the duration of the monitoring period to the duration of the measurement period is not an integer. It is possible to determine the use of the subsequent one measurement period according to the overlapping duration of the measurement period and the first period. As Figure 8 shown in the scenario, the duration of the measurement period is 20 ms, and the duration of the monitoring period is 16 ms. Figure 8The subframe numbers in it are subframes 0 to 39. It can be found that there is an overlap between the first time period and the measurement time period in subframes 35 to 38. Therefore, it can be considered that the measurement time period corresponding to subframes 35 to 39 is "invalid", that is, during the first time period corresponding to subframes 19 to 23, the measurement time period corresponding to subframes 35 to 39 is used for data transmission. For the first time period that does not overlap with the measurement time period, the specific judgment method can refer to the foregoing embodiments.

[0141] The configuration of the first time period in this implementation manner is independent of the measurement time period, and has high compatibility in different communication systems.

[0142] Judging the use of subsequent measurement time periods according to the packet delay budget time period or the RRM measurement result can reduce unnecessary measurements and continuously transmit service data.

[0143] S430, the terminal sends the first indication information to the network device during the first time period.

[0144] Correspondingly, the network device receives the first indication information sent by the terminal during the first time period.

[0145] Specifically, the first indication information can be sent through UCI signaling, MAC CE, RRC signaling, or a combination of at least two of them. The specific method is similar to the sending method of the second indication information and will not be elaborated here.

[0146] In the foregoing embodiments, the use of subsequent one or more measurement time periods can be judged according to the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period, and the first indication information is generated. Among them, when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is less than the overlapping duration threshold, this measurement time period is used for measurement; when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, this measurement time period is used for data transmission. Optionally, when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, the terminal triggers a signaling and sends the signaling to the network device, indicating that this measurement time period is used for data transmission; when the overlapping duration between the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period is less than the overlapping duration threshold, the terminal device does not generate a signaling and does not send the first indication information, indicating that this measurement time period is used for measurement. Or, in both judgment results, the terminal triggers a signaling and sends the signaling to the network device, and the use of the measurement time period is represented by the content of the signaling. That is to say, the first indication information can be represented by whether to trigger a signaling or by the specific content of the signaling. It should be understood that the method for judging the use of subsequent one or more measurement time periods in this embodiment includes all the judgment methods of the foregoing embodiments, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0147] The terminal and the network device can specify the length of the first indication information in the communication protocol in advance. In one embodiment, the first indication information includes N bits, and the k-th bit is used to indicate whether to measure the signal of the neighboring cell in the subsequent k-th measurement period; where N and k are both positive integers and k ≤ N, and N can be configured by the network device or specified in the relevant protocol in advance. For example, the length of the first indication information is 3 bits. If the first indication information is 101 (binary), it means that the subsequent 3 measurement periods are used for transmitting data, measurement, and transmitting data respectively. Of course, 010 can also be used to represent the same information.

[0148] This implementation method is more suitable for application scenarios where the signal quality fluctuates greatly or the service data volume fluctuates greatly. The terminal device needs to flexibly change the use of the measurement period according to real-time requirements.

[0149] It should be understood that the measurement period is periodically repeated, and the first period can be periodically repeated. Optionally, in a communication system, one of the UCI signaling, MAC CE, or RRC signaling carries the first indication information, and the terminal sends the first indication information to the network device in multiple first periods.

[0150] In another communication system, one of the MAC CE or RRC signaling carries the first indication information, and the terminal does not send the first indication information in some of the first periods. The network device can consider that in these first periods when the first indication information is not received, it is regarded as receiving the same first indication information as that of the corresponding previous first period. For example, for any two consecutive first periods, the network device receives the first indication information in the previous first period, indicating that the next measurement period is for measurement. Subsequently, the network device does not receive the first indication information in the next first period, then the network device considers that the next measurement period of the next first period is also for measurement. Or, according to the foregoing embodiment, the next measurement period of these first periods when the network device receives the first indication information is for transmitting data, and the next measurement period of these first periods when the network device does not receive the first indication information is for measurement.

[0151] In another embodiment, the length of the first indication information is 1 bit, and the first indication information is used to indicate the use of all measurement periods before the terminal sends the first indication information next time. For example, if the value of the first indication information is 0, then all measurement periods before the terminal sends the first indication information next time are used for transmitting data; if the value of the first indication information is 1, then all measurement periods before the terminal sends the first indication information next time are used for measurement.

[0152] Correspondingly, the first indication information is used to indicate the use of all measurement periods before the network device receives the first indication information next time.

[0153] This implementation method is more suitable for application scenarios where the volume of service data or the signal quality is stable. The terminal device can generate first indication information according to the variation rules of the volume of service data or the signal quality.

[0154] In yet another embodiment, the first time period is not periodically repeated. After receiving the second indication information, the terminal sets a first time period, and the start time of this first time period coincides with the start time of a measurement period. After the end of this first time period, until the terminal receives the second indication information next time, the terminal will not set another first time period. Optionally, the first indication information is used to indicate the use of all measurement time periods before the terminal sends the first indication information next time; or, the first indication information is used for the use of the first measurement time period after this first time period, and other measurement time periods are used for measurement.

[0155] This implementation method is more flexible, and at the same time has the advantages of the aforementioned two methods, and is suitable for more complex service scenarios.

[0156] S440. The network device sends a confirmation message to the terminal.

[0157] Specifically, the confirmation message is used to determine that the network device has received the first indication information.

[0158] Specifically, if the network device successfully receives and decodes the first indication information sent by the terminal, it will send a DCI with an acknowledgement (ACK) bit set to 1 to the terminal through the PDSCH within the next downlink time window. The confirmation message can be this DCI with ACK information.

[0159] If the network device fails to receive or decode the data of the terminal, the terminal can re - send the first indication information, or the network device can consider that the first indication information has not been received during the current first time period.

[0160] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the confirmation message sent by the network device.

[0161] It should be understood that S440 is optional.

[0162] S450. The terminal transmits data or performs measurements.

[0163] Specifically, the terminal performs the function of transmitting data or measuring according to the use of the subsequent one or more measurement time periods determined in S420.

[0164] This application also proposes a data transmission method. The terminal can indicate whether the subsequent one or more measurement time periods are used for data transmission, reducing the data transmission delay and improving the user experience.

[0165] The following is combined with, for example Figure 9The schematic diagram of the data transmission process shown below details a data transmission process S900 provided in this embodiment.

[0166] S910. The network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal.

[0167] Specifically, the network device sends the fourth indication information to the terminal during the second time period. S910 is similar to S410, and the fourth indication information is similar to the second indication information. The second indication information and the specific sending method are introduced in detail in S410 and will not be elaborated here.

[0168] S920. The network device determines the usage of one or more subsequent measurement time periods and generates third indication information.

[0169] Specifically, the measurement time period can be used for data transmission or measurement, and the third indication information is used to indicate the usage of one or more subsequent measurement time periods. The third indication information is similar to the first indication information. The first indication information is introduced in detail in S420 and will not be elaborated here.

[0170] Optionally, the usage of one or more subsequent measurement time periods can be determined according to the overlapping duration of the measurement time period and the packet delay budget time period; or, the usage of one subsequent measurement time period can be determined according to the RRM measurement result measured by the terminal and the RRM measurement threshold; or, the usage of one subsequent measurement time period can be determined according to the overlapping duration of the measurement time period and the second time period. The specific processes of the above three determination methods are similar to the specific process of the terminal determining the usage of one or more subsequent measurement time periods in S420 and will not be elaborated here.

[0171] S930. The network device sends the third indication information to the terminal during the first time period.

[0172] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the third indication information sent by the network device during the second time period.

[0173] Specifically, the third indication information can be sent through DCI signaling, MAC CE, RRC signaling, or a combination of at least two of them. The specific sending method and content are similar to the first indication information and will not be elaborated here.

[0174] It should be understood that the second time period is cyclically repeated. Optionally, in a communication system, one of DCI signaling, MAC CE, or RRC signaling carries the first indication information, and the network device sends the third indication information to the terminal during multiple second time periods. In another communication system, one of DCI signaling, MAC CE, or RRC signaling carries the third indication information, and the terminal does not send the third indication information during some of the second time periods. The terminal may consider that during these second time periods when the third indication information is not received, it is regarded as receiving the same third indication information as that in the corresponding previous second time period. The specific process of this step is similar to S430 and will not be elaborated here.

[0175] S950, the terminal transmits data or performs measurements according to the third indication information.

[0176] This application proposes a data transmission method. The network device can indicate whether one or more subsequent measurement time periods are used for data transmission, reduce the data transmission delay, and improve the user experience.

[0177] The above provides a detailed description of the data transmission method provided by this application. Next, the communication device provided by this application is introduced.

[0178] Figure 10 Shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the communication device involved in the embodiments of this application. As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 may include modules or units corresponding to the above method embodiments. In a possible design, the communication device 1000 includes: a processing unit 1002 and a communication unit 1003. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a storage unit 1001 for storing device program codes and / or data.

[0179] The communication device 1000 may be the terminal-side device in the above embodiments. For example, a terminal or a communication module in the terminal, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the terminal.

[0180] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 1003 is used to send the first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed during the first measurement time period. The processing unit 1002 is used to control the communication device 1000 to perform data transmission operations during the first measurement time period when the first indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed during the first measurement time period.

[0181] In a possible design, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed during the first measurement time period.

[0182] In a possible design, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in multiple measurement periods, where the multiple measurement periods include a first measurement period.

[0183] In a possible design, when the overlapping duration between the first measurement period and the latency budget period of data transmission is greater than the overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the first measurement period. Alternatively, when the overlapping duration between the first measurement period and the latency budget period of data transmission is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the first measurement period.

[0184] In a possible design, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to control the communication device 1000 to perform RRM measurement operations in the second measurement period and obtain RRM measurement results. When the RRM measurement result is greater than the RRM measurement threshold, or when the RRM measurement result is greater than or equal to the RRM measurement threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the first measurement period.

[0185] In a possible design, the communication unit 1003 is further configured to receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the first time period. The communication unit 1003 is configured to send the first indication information, including: the communication unit 1003 is configured to send the first indication information within the first time period.

[0186] Optionally, there is a first interval period between the first time period and the first measurement period, and the duration of this first interval period may be related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0187] Optionally, when there is an overlap between the first measurement period and the first time period, the first indication information is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the first measurement period.

[0188] Optionally, the periodic duration of the first time period is configured by the network device.

[0189] For example, in another embodiment, the communication unit 1003 is configured to receive third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the third measurement period. The processing unit 1002 is configured to control the communication device 1000 to perform data transmission operations in the third measurement period when the third indication information indicates that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the third measurement period.

[0190] In a possible design, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the third measurement period.

[0191] In a possible design, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in multiple measurement periods, where the multiple measurement periods include a third measurement period.

[0192] In a possible design, the communication unit 1003 is further configured to receive fourth indication information, and the fourth indication information is used to indicate a second time period. The communication unit 1003 is configured to receive the third indication information, including: the communication unit 1003 is configured to receive the third indication information within the second time period.

[0193] Optionally, there is a second interval period between the second time period and the third measurement period, and the duration of the second interval period may be related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0194] Optionally, the cycle duration of the second time period is configured by the network device.

[0195] In a possible design, when the communication device 1000 is a terminal or a communication module in a terminal, the functions of the processing unit 1002 may be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip including a modem core. The functions of the communication unit 1003 may be implemented by a transceiver circuit.

[0196] In a possible design, when the communication device 1000 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a terminal, such as a modem chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip including a modem core, the functions of the processing unit 1002 may be implemented by a circuit system including one or more processors or processor cores in the above-mentioned chip. The functions of the communication unit 1003 may be implemented by an interface circuit or a data transceiver circuit on the above-mentioned chip.

[0197] The communication device 1000 may be the network-side device in the above embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 1003 is configured to receive first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in a first measurement period; the processing unit 1002 is configured to control the communication device 1000 to perform data transmission in the first measurement period when the first indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed in the first measurement period.

[0198] In a possible design, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in the first measurement period.

[0199] In a possible design, one bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in multiple measurement periods; where the multiple measurement periods include the first measurement period.

[0200] In a possible design, the communication unit 1003 is further configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a first time period. The communication unit 1003 is further configured to receive first indication information, including: the communication unit 1003 is further configured to send the first indication information within the first time period.

[0201] Optionally, there is a first interval time period between the first time period and the first measurement time period, and the duration of the first interval time period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0202] Optionally, the periodic duration of the first time period is configured by the network device.

[0203] For example, in another embodiment, the communication unit 1003 sends third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement within a second measurement time period; the processing unit 1002 is configured to control the communication device 1000 to perform data transmission within the second measurement time period when the third indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the second measurement time period.

[0204] In a possible design, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement within a third measurement time period.

[0205] In a possible design, one bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement within multiple measurement time periods; where the multiple measurement time periods include the third measurement time period.

[0206] In a possible design, when the overlapping duration between the third measurement time period and the time delay budget time period of data transmission is greater than an overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the third measurement time period. Alternatively, when the overlapping duration between the third measurement time period and the time delay budget time period of data transmission is greater than or equal to the overlapping duration threshold, the third indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the third measurement time period.

[0207] In a possible design, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to control the communication device 1000 to perform RRM measurement within a fourth measurement time period to obtain an RRM measurement result; when the RRM measurement result is greater than the RRM measurement threshold, or when the RRM measurement result is greater than or equal to the RRM measurement threshold, the third indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the third measurement time period.

[0208] In a possible design, the communication unit 1003 is further configured to send a fourth indication message, where the fourth indication message is used to indicate a second time period; the communication unit 1003 is configured to send a third indication message, including: the communication unit 1003 is configured to send the third indication message within the second time period.

[0209] Optionally, there is a second interval period between the second time period and the third measurement period, and the duration of the second interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

[0210] Optionally, in the case where the third measurement period and the second time period overlap, the third indication message is used to indicate that no co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the third measurement period.

[0211] Optionally, the cycle duration of the second time period is configured by the network device.

[0212] It can be understood that the division of units in the above device is only a division of logical functions. One function can correspond to one functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or part of the units can be integrated into one physical entity, or distributed among different physical entities. In addition, the above functional units can be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Whether a certain function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for a specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0213] In an example, the functional units in any of the above devices can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods. For example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0214] In an example, the storage unit 1001 may include a random access memory, a flash memory, a read only memory, a programmable read only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0215] See Figure 11 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The terminal 1100 can correspond to Figure 1 the terminal shown in, and is used to implement the operations of the terminal in the above embodiments. As Figure 11 shown, the terminal includes: one or more antennas 1110, a radio frequency processing system 1120, and a processor system 1130.

[0216] In the downlink or sidelink direction, the radio frequency processing system 1120 receives a radio frequency signal through the antenna 1110 and sends the signal after radio frequency processing to the processor system 1130 for further processing. In the uplink or sidelink direction, after the processor system 1130 processes the information on the terminal side into a signal, it sends the signal to the radio frequency processing system 1120. The radio frequency processing system 1120 processes the signal through radio frequency and then sends it through the antenna 1110.

[0217] In one example, the radio frequency processing system 1120, as a communication interface for the terminal to communicate externally, may include a radio frequency front end 1121 (RF front end, RFFE) and a radio frequency transceiver 1122 (RF transceiver). The RFFE 1121 is mainly used to perform one or more of the processes such as shaping, passband selection, or gain on the RF signal received by the antenna or the RF signal to be sent through the antenna, and may include one or more of components such as a radio frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a power amplifier, antenna tuning, and a low noise amplifier. The RFFE 1121 can be a circuit system composed of multiple discrete devices or can be integrated and packaged in one or more chips. The radio frequency transceiver 1122 is used to process the RF signal received by the RFFE into a baseband / intermediate frequency signal for the processor system 1130 to perform the next step of processing, and to process the baseband / intermediate frequency signal provided by the processor system 1130 into an RF signal to be sent to the RFFE 1121. The baseband / intermediate frequency signal transmitted between the radio frequency transceiver 1122 and the processor system 1130 can be a digital signal or an analog signal. The radio frequency transceiver 1122 can be implemented by one or more chips, and this chip is usually referred to as a radio frequency chip (RFIC).

[0218] In one example, the processor system 1130 may include one or more processors for processing signals and executing one or more communication protocols. Optionally, the processor system 1130 may further include a memory 1136. In one example, the one or more processors include at least one baseband processor 1131 (also referred to as a modem processor). The memory 1136 is used to store data and / or computer program instructions. Optionally, the processor system 1130 may further include one or more application processors 1132 for implementing the processing of the terminal operating system and the application layer. Optionally, the processor system 1130 may further include one or more of a voice subsystem 1133, a multimedia subsystem 1134, or an interface circuit 1135. Among them, the voice subsystem 1133 is used to process voice signals, the multimedia subsystem 1134 is used to process multimedia-related operations such as video encoding and decoding, image processing, etc., and the interface circuit 1135 is used to implement communication with other terminal components such as a display 1140, an input device 1150, a memory 1160, etc. The above components in the processor system 1130 may communicate with each other through a bus or a communication interface circuit.

[0219] In one example, the processor system 1130 may be packaged into a processor chip, such as a SoC chip or a SIP chip. In one example, the processor system 1130 may be a system composed of multiple chips. For example, the baseband processor 1131 among them may be separately packaged into a chip, or packaged into a chip together with part or all of the circuits of the radio frequency processing system.

[0220] In one example, the memory 1136 may be on-chip memory, that is, located on the processor system 1130 chip. In one example, the memory 1160 may be off-chip memory, that is, located outside the processor system 1130 chip.

[0221] In one example, the baseband processor 1131 may include one or more processor cores 11311 and interface circuitry 11314. The one or more processor cores 11311 are configured to process signals and execute one or more communication protocols. Optionally, the baseband processor 1131 may further include a memory 11312, which is configured to store at least some corresponding computer program instructions and / or data. In one example, the one or more processor cores 11311 implement the related operations in the above method embodiments by executing the computer program instructions stored in the memory 11312. In the present disclosure, the memory 11312 being configured to store the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data may mean that the memory 11312 is configured to store all the corresponding computer program instructions and / or data for the processor cores 11311 to execute; or it may mean that the memory 11312 is configured to store some corresponding computer program instructions and / or data, where the some corresponding computer program instructions and / or data include the computer program instructions and / or data currently required to be executed by the processor cores 11311, and the memory 11312 may store different parts of the computer program instructions and / or data multiple times for the processor cores 11311 to execute to implement the related operations in the above method embodiments. The interface circuitry 11314 serves as a communication interface to enable communication with other components, such as transmitting signals to the radio frequency processing system 1120, and communicating with other subsystems and related components of the processor system 1130 via a bus, such as transmitting data control signals between the application processor 1132, and transmitting data or computer program instructions between the memory 1136 or the memory 1160. Optionally, in order to reduce the load on the processor cores, a baseband signal processing circuit 11313 may be provided to implement at least some of the baseband signal processing operations, including one or more of signal demodulation, modulation, encoding, or decoding, etc.

[0222] In one example, the communication device provided in the present application may be a terminal 1100, a communication module including a processor system 1130 and a radio frequency system 1120, the processor system 1130, or the baseband processor 1131.

[0223] The above-mentioned processor, processor system, application processor, baseband processor, processor circuit or processor core may be collectively referred to as a processor, which may include one or a combination of a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an artificial intelligence processor, or a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0224] The above-mentioned memory may include one or more of the following storage media: such as random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), phase-change memory (PCM), resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), cache, register, read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), hard disk, etc. In one example, the computer program instructions for executing the above embodiments may be stored in a non-volatile memory, such as at least a part of the above-mentioned memory 1160 (such as one or more of ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or hard disk). When the terminal is running, the corresponding computer program instructions may be partially or fully loaded into a memory with a faster transmission speed with the processor, such as at least a part of the above-mentioned memory 1136 and / or memory 11312 (such as one or more of RAM, SRAM, DRAM, PCM, RERAM, MRAM, FRAM, cache, or register), for the processor to execute to implement the steps in the above method embodiments.

[0225] In one example, the radio frequency transceiver 1122 and the radio frequency front end 1121 may also be packaged in one chip. In one example, the radio frequency transceiver 1122, the radio frequency front end 1121, and the baseband processor 1131 may also be packaged in one chip.

[0226] The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application may be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B, or C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and "at least one of A, B, and C" can also be understood to include A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. Also, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0227] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0228] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate a device for implementing the functions specified in Figure 1 one flow or multiple flows and / or blocks Figure 1 one block or multiple blocks.

[0229] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory generate a manufactured article including an instruction device, and the instruction device implements the functions specified in Figure 1 one flow or multiple flows and / or blocks Figure 1 one block or multiple blocks.

[0230] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, so that a series of operation steps are performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the steps for the functions specified in one process or a plurality of processes and / or boxes Figure 1 one process or a plurality of processes and / or boxes Figure 1 in one box or a plurality of boxes.

[0231] Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement within a first measurement period; When the first indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the first measurement period, data transmission is performed within the first measurement period.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein One bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the first measurement period.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, One bit of the first indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in multiple measurement periods; where the multiple measurement periods include the first measurement period.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, When the overlapping duration between the first measurement period and the latency budget period of the data transmission is greater than an overlapping duration threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the first measurement period.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further includes: Performing radio resource management (RRM) measurement in a second measurement period to obtain an RRM measurement result; When the RRM measurement result is greater than an RRM measurement threshold, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the first measurement period.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a first period; The sending of the first indication information includes: Sending the first indication information within the first period.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, There is a first interval period between the first period and the first measurement period.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The duration of the first interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that When there is an overlap between the first measurement period and the first period, the first indication information is used to indicate that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the first measurement period.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The periodic duration of the first period is configured by a network device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether to perform co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement within a third measurement period; When the third indication information indicates that co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is not performed within the third measurement period, data transmission is performed within the third measurement period.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein One bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed within the third measurement period.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein One bit of the third indication information is used to indicate whether co-frequency measurement and / or inter-frequency measurement is performed in multiple measurement periods; where the multiple measurement periods include the third measurement period.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a second period; The receiving of the third indication information includes: Receiving the third indication information within the second period.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, There is a second interval period between the second period and the third measurement period.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The duration of the second interval period is related to the subcarrier spacing.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The periodic duration of the second period is configured by a network device.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising one or more processors, the one or more processors being coupled to a memory and configured to execute computer instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or to cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising units for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instructions are stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is caused to be executed, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17 is caused to be executed.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is caused to be executed, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17 is caused to be executed.

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