Communication method and device and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, and a computer readable storage medium, and the communication method comprises the steps: determining the time domain position of a paging monitoring opportunity for receiving a paging message based on the time domain position of a low-power-consumption wake-up signal monitoring opportunity and a time offset. By adopting the scheme, the paging time delay of the terminal equipment can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, a device, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] To improve the service life of the battery of a terminal device, currently, 3GPP is discussing the content related to a Low Power Wake Up Signal (LP-WUS). The terminal device includes a main receiver (i.e., a receiver for normal data communication) and a low-power receiver. When the main receiver is in a deep sleep state / flight mode / shutdown state, the low-power receiver can receive the low-power wake up signal sent by a network device, and then determine whether the main receiver needs to exit the deep sleep state / flight state / shutdown state and enter an active state / power-on startup.

[0003] It takes a relatively long state transition delay for the main receiver to transition from a deep sleep state / flight mode / shutdown state to a normal working state (able to receive paging messages). Therefore, after the terminal device receives the low-power wake up signal through the low-power receiver, the main receiver needs a certain amount of time to perform the state transition and then can receive the paging message.

[0004] In the prior art, the paging delay of the terminal device is relatively large. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the objectives of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a communication method that can reduce the paging delay of a terminal device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, including: determining the time domain position of a paging listening opportunity for receiving a paging message based on the time domain position of a low-power wake up signal listening opportunity and a time offset.

[0007] The terminal device determines the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity for receiving the paging message based on the time domain position of the low-power wake up signal listening opportunity and the time offset. Furthermore, the terminal device can receive the paging message at the determined time domain position of the paging listening opportunity. Compared with the solution of determining the paging opportunity after the main receiver wakes up according to the terminal identifier and relevant paging parameters, the communication method provided by the present invention can effectively reduce the paging delay of the terminal device.

[0008] Optionally, the paging listening opportunity may include: a paging PDCCH listening opportunity.

[0009] Optionally, the terminal device may obtain first configuration information that configures time parameters of the paging PDCCH listening opportunity.

[0010] The terminal device can obtain the first configuration information, obtain the time parameter of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and then determine the time domain position of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and receive the paging message at the determined time domain position of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0011] Optionally, the number of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities is one; the time parameter of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity includes at least one of the following: the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and the time interval between two adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain.

[0012] The number of paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities configured by the network device is one. Based on the time parameter of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the terminal device can determine information such as the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and the time interval between two adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain. Thus, the terminal device can determine the time domain position of each PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0013] Optionally, based on the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity and the time offset, determine the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0014] The terminal device determines that the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is: the time slot obtained by extending the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity by the time offset. Thus, the terminal device can determine the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity and then receive the paging signal.

[0015] Optionally, the number of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities is M, where M is a positive integer and M≥2; the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the time interval between two adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain, the time parameter of each paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity; the time parameter of any paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity includes at least one of the following: the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and the time interval between two adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain.

[0016] The network device can also be configured with multiple paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities. Based on the first configuration information, the terminal device can determine the start time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity and / or the time interval between adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain, as well as information such as the start symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity in each paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain. Furthermore, the terminal device can receive paging signals at different paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0017] Optionally, based on the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity and the time offset, determine the start time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0018] The terminal device can determine the start time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity based on the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity and the time offset. Since the first configuration information configures the time interval between adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain and the time parameters of each paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the time domain positions corresponding to each paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity can be determined.

[0019] Optionally, the terminal device can determine the associated paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity based on the identification information; and receive the paging message at the associated paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0020] The terminal device can determine the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity associated with itself from multiple paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on its own identification information, and then receive the paging message at the determined paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0021] Optionally, the paging monitoring opportunity includes a target paging opportunity; the target paging opportunity is: the first paging opportunity located after the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity and with a time interval from the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity not less than the time offset.

[0022] The terminal device can determine the target paging opportunity as: the first paging opportunity located after the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity and with a time interval from the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity not less than the time offset. The terminal device can receive the paging message at the determined target paging opportunity.

[0023] Optionally, the paging monitoring opportunity includes: M consecutive paging opportunities; the time interval between the first paging opportunity among the M paging opportunities and the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity is not less than the time offset.

[0024] If the paging monitoring occasion includes M consecutive paging occasions, the terminal device may determine the first paging occasion among the M paging occasions, and thus be able to determine the time domain positions of the M paging occasions respectively.

[0025] Optionally, the terminal device may determine an associated target paging occasion from the M paging occasions based on the identification information, and receive a paging message at the target paging occasion.

[0026] The terminal device may select a corresponding target paging occasion from M consecutive paging occasions based on its own identification information, and thus receive a paging message at the target paging occasion.

[0027] Optionally, if the terminal device detects that the state transition delay is greater than the time offset, the terminal device may determine that the paging monitoring occasion is a pre-configured paging occasion. That is to say, when the state transition delay of the terminal device is long and the delayed time domain position after the state transition is already after the time domain position of the paging monitoring occasion, the terminal device may receive a paging message at the paging occasion configured for it by the network device based on the legacy mode.

[0028] Optionally, the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion includes: the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion.

[0029] Optionally, the terminal device may further receive second configuration information, which may be used to configure the time offset. Thereby, the terminal device determines the time offset based on the second configuration information, and further determines the time domain position of the paging monitoring occasion based on the time offset and the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion.

[0030] Optionally, the terminal device may further obtain indication information, which indicates obtaining the time domain position of the paging monitoring occasion based on the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion and the time offset.

[0031] When the terminal device determines that it has received the indication information, it may perform the above operation of "obtaining the time domain position of the paging monitoring occasion based on the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion and the time offset". If the terminal device does not receive the indication information, it may continue to receive paging messages in accordance with the legacy mode specified in the existing protocol.

[0032] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides another communication method, including: sending second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure a time offset, and the time offset is associated with the time domain position of a low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion.

[0033] Optionally, the network device may also send first configuration information, where the first configuration information configures time parameters of a paging PDCCH monitoring occasion.

[0034] Optionally, the number of paging PDCCH monitoring occasions is one; the time parameters of the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion include at least one of the following: the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion in the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion, the number of PDCCH monitoring occasions, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring occasion, and the time interval between two adjacent PDCCH monitoring occasions in the time domain.

[0035] Optionally, the number of the paging PDCCH monitoring occasions is M, where M is a positive integer and M≥2; the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the time interval between two adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring occasions in the time domain, the time parameters of each paging PDCCH monitoring occasion; the time parameters of any paging PDCCH monitoring occasion include at least one of the following: the number of PDCCH monitoring occasions, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring occasion, and the time interval between two adjacent PDCCH monitoring occasions in the time domain.

[0036] Optionally, the network device may also send indication information, where the indication information instructs the terminal device to obtain the time domain position of the paging monitoring occasion based on the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion and the time offset.

[0037] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a communication device, including: a determining unit, configured to determine the time domain position of a paging monitoring occasion for receiving a paging message based on the time domain position of a low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion and the time offset.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, the present invention further provides another communication device, including: a sending unit, configured to send second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure a time offset, and the time offset is associated with the time domain position of a low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion.

[0039] In a fifth aspect, the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transitory storage medium, and a computer program is stored thereon, and when the computer program is run by a processor, the steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods are executed.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, the present invention further provides another communication device, including a memory and a processor, where a computer program capable of running on the processor is stored on the memory, and when the processor runs the computer program, the steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods are executed. Description of the Drawings

[0041] Figure 1 It is a flowchart of a communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 3 It is another schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 4 It is yet another schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 5 It is still another schematic diagram of an application scenario in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of another communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0049] In the prior art, after the terminal device receives a low-power wake-up signal through a low-power receiver, the main receiver needs a period of time to perform state conversion and then can receive paging messages. In addition, considering the paging cycle, after the main receiver of the terminal device completes the state conversion, it needs to wait until the arrival of the target paging occasion (PO) and receive paging messages at the target paging occasion. The above-mentioned target paging occasion is a paging occasion determined based on the identity of the terminal device (UE-ID) and related parameters. The specific process of determining the target paging occasion can refer to the existing protocol.

[0050] It can be seen that in the prior art, after the main receiver of the terminal device completes the state conversion, it may not be able to immediately receive paging messages, resulting in a relatively large paging delay of the terminal device.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device determines the time-domain position of the paging listening occasion for receiving paging messages based on the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal and the time offset. Furthermore, after the main receiver of the terminal device completes the state conversion, it can timely receive paging messages at the determined time-domain position of the paging listening occasion without waiting for the arrival of the target paging occasion (PO), so that the paging delay of the terminal device can be effectively reduced.

[0052] To make the above objects, features, and beneficial effects of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following detailed description will be given to specific embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] The terminal device described in the embodiments of this application is a device with wireless communication capabilities, and can also be referred to as a terminal, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal device, in-vehicle terminal device, industrial control terminal device, user equipment (UE), UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, wireless communication device, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The UE can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the UE can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. Exemplarily, the UE can be a mobile phone, tablet (pad), desktop computer, laptop computer, all-in-one computer, in-vehicle terminal, virtual reality (VR) UE, augmented reality (AR) UE, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable device, UE in a future mobile communication network, or UE in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. In some embodiments of this application, the UE can also be a device with transceiver capabilities, such as a chip system. Among them, the chip system can include a chip and can also include other discrete devices.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, a network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, and can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, or an access network element, an access network device, etc. Among them, the network device can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. Exemplarily, the network device includes, but is not limited to: the next-generation base station (generation node B, gNB) in 5G, evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), mobile switching center, etc. The network device can also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a terminal device, a wearable device, and a network device in future mobile communications or a network device in a future evolved PLMN, etc. In some embodiments, the network device can also be a device with the function of providing wireless communication for terminal devices, such as a chip system. Exemplarily, the chip system can include a chip and can also include other discrete devices.

[0055] In some embodiments, the network device can also communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0056] The embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, as follows Figure 1 , which will be described in detail through specific steps below.

[0057] In a specific implementation, the communication method provided by the following steps 100 to 101 may be executed by a chip with data processing capabilities in the terminal device (such as a baseband chip, etc.), or by a chip module with data processing capabilities in the terminal device (such as a baseband chip module, etc.), or by the terminal device. The following takes the terminal device executing the communication method provided by steps 100 to 101 as an example for illustration.

[0058] Step 101: Determine the time-domain position of the paging listening opportunity for receiving a paging message based on the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

[0059] In a specific implementation, when the terminal device is in a deep sleep state, or the terminal device is in flight mode, or the terminal device is in a shutdown state, the network device may send a low-power wake-up signal to the terminal device to wake up the terminal device for relevant data transmission. The terminal device may receive the low-power wake-up signal through a low-power receiver at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity, and then determine whether to wake up the main receiver. The low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity may be pre-configured for the terminal device by the network device.

[0060] In a specific implementation, the time offset may be configured for the terminal device by the network device. The network device may determine the time-domain position of the paging listening opportunity corresponding to the terminal device, and then obtain the time difference between the time-domain position of the paging listening opportunity and the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity, and determine the time offset.

[0061] In an embodiment of the present invention, the network device may send second configuration information to the terminal device, and configure the time offset for the terminal device through the second configuration information. Correspondingly, the terminal device may execute step 101 after executing the following step 100.

[0062] In a specific implementation, the network device may send the second configuration information to the terminal device through high-layer signaling. The unit of the time offset may be a time slot, a subframe, a millisecond, a frame, etc.

[0063] Step 100: Obtain the second configuration information.

[0064] After the terminal device obtains the second configuration information, it can obtain the time offset configured by the network device therefrom. Further, the terminal device may determine the time-domain position of the paging listening opportunity for receiving a paging message based on the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

[0065] In some embodiments, the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity may include the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity. The terminal device may determine the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity based on the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

[0066] In other embodiments, the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity may also include the time domain start position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity. The terminal device may determine the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity based on the time domain start position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

[0067] It can be understood that the network device may also instruct the terminal device to determine the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity based on the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset. Accordingly, the time offset configured by the network device is the time offset relative to the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

[0068] Alternatively, instruct the terminal device to determine the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity based on the time domain start position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset. Accordingly, the time offset configured by the network device is the time offset relative to the time domain start position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

[0069] In the embodiments of the present invention, both the terminal device and the network device may default that the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity is determined based on the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset. Thus, the network device only needs to configure the time offset for the terminal device through the second configuration information. The terminal device obtains the time offset and combines it with the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity to determine the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity.

[0070] In the embodiments of the present invention, the paging listening opportunity may include a paging PDCCH listening opportunity. The network device may also send the first configuration information to the terminal device and configure the time parameter of the paging PDCCH listening opportunity for the terminal device through the first configuration information. The terminal device receives the first configuration information and obtains the time parameter of the paging PDCCH listening opportunity from the first configuration information.

[0071] In a specific implementation, the number of paging PDCCH listening opportunities may be 1 or multiple. One paging PDCCH listening opportunity may include one or more PDCCH listening opportunities.

[0072] In a specific implementation, when the number of paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities is one, the time parameters of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity may include at least one of the following: the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the number of symbols of each PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain, etc.

[0073] Based on the time domain end position and time offset of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity, the terminal device can determine the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity. The starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is located in the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity. In other words, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the starting symbol of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0074] Based on the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity and the number of symbols of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the time domain position of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity can be determined. Based on the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain, the starting time domain position of the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity can be determined. Further, based on the number of symbols of the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the time domain position of the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity can be determined, and so on.

[0075] For example, if the terminal device UE1 determines that the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity is t0 and determines the time offset as X based on the second configuration information, the terminal device can determine that the first time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is located in slot1. A paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity includes 3 PDCCH monitoring opportunities, a PDCCH monitoring opportunity includes 3 symbols, the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain is 2 symbols, and the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the first symbol of the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0076] Thus, the terminal device can determine that: the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is slot1, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the first symbol of slot1, the time domain position of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the 1st to 3rd symbols of slot1, the time domain position of the second PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the 6th to 8th symbols of slot1, and the time domain position of the third PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the 11th to 13th symbols of slot1. Thus, the time domain position of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is the 1st to 13th symbols of slot1.

[0077] It should be noted that the above examples are only used to illustrate the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion and the PDCCH monitoring occasion, and do not limit the number of time slots occupied by the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion, the number of PDCCH monitoring occasions, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring occasion, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring occasions in the time domain.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present invention, the low-power wake-up signal sent by the network device can correspond to one or more terminal devices. That is to say, one or more terminal devices can monitor the low-power wake-up signal sent by the network device at the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion and receive the paging message at the determined paging PDCCH monitoring occasion.

[0079] For example, the network device sends a low-power wake-up signal. UE1 and UE2 monitor the low-power wake-up signal sent by the network device at the same low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion. Both UE1 and UE2 receive the paging message at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion (PO1), and the network device can send the paging messages corresponding to UE1 and UE2 at PO1.

[0080] In some embodiments, for different terminal devices, the state transition delay of their corresponding main receivers may be different. That is to say, after different terminal devices receive the low-power wake-up signal, the delay for the main receiver to transition from the deep sleep state to the normal working state may be different. Some terminal devices have a shorter state transition delay, which is less than the above time offset. While some terminal devices have a longer state transition delay, which may be greater than the above time offset.

[0081] In the embodiments of the present invention, for terminal devices with a state transition delay less than the time offset, they can receive the paging message at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion. For terminal devices with a state transition delay greater than the time offset, since they have missed the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion after the state transition is completed, they receive the paging message at the paging occasion configured by the network device for them after the state transition is completed. Here, the paging occasion configured by the network device for the terminal device may refer to: the paging occasion (legacy PO) configured by the network device for the terminal device based on the existing communication protocol.

[0082] Refer to Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of an application scenario in the embodiments of the present invention is given. Figure 2 In, UE1 and UE2 receive the low-power wake-up signal at the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion 20. The state transition delay △1 of the main receiver of UE1 is less than the time offset X, while the state transition delay △2 of the main receiver of UE2 is greater than the time offset X. UE1 receives the paging message at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion, and UE2 receives the paging message at the legacy PO configured by the network device for it.

[0083] In an embodiment of the present invention, a network device may configure M paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities for a terminal device, where M is a positive integer and M≥2. The network device configures at least one of the following in the first configuration information: the time interval between adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain, and the time parameters of each paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity. The time parameters of any paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity may include at least one of the following: the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain.

[0084] The terminal device obtains the first configuration information, determines that the network device has configured M paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities, and the time interval between adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities. The terminal device may also determine any one or more of the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, the number of symbols of the PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain based on the first configuration information.

[0085] The terminal device may determine the starting time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity based on the time domain end position and time offset of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity. The terminal device may sequentially determine the starting time slots of the remaining paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities based on the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain. The above time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain may refer to the time interval between the starting time slots of adjacent paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities.

[0086] For any paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, after determining its starting time slot, the starting symbol of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity may be determined based on the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring opportunity. The time domain position of the paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is determined based on the number of symbols of each paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity, the number of PDCCH monitoring opportunities, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the time domain.

[0087] For example, the network device configures the number of paging PDCCH monitoring opportunities as M = 2. The terminal device UE1 determines that the time domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal monitoring opportunity is t0, and determines the time offset as X based on the second configuration information. Then the terminal device may determine that the starting time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is slot1. The time interval between the starting time slot of the second paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity and the starting time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is 2 time slots. Therefore, the terminal device determines that the starting time slot of the second paging PDCCH monitoring opportunity is slot3.

[0088] For the first paging PDCCH monitoring occasion, it includes 3 PDCCH monitoring occasions. Each PDCCH monitoring occasion includes 3 symbols. The time interval between two temporally adjacent PDCCH monitoring occasions is 2 symbols. The starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion is the first symbol of the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion. The time parameters of the second paging PDCCH monitoring occasion are the same as those of the first paging PDCCH monitoring occasion.

[0089] Thus, the terminal device can determine that: the starting time slot of the first paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is slot1, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion is the first symbol of slot1, the temporal position of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 1st to the 3rd symbols of slot1, the temporal position of the second PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 6th to the 8th symbols of slot1, and the temporal position of the third PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 11th to the 13th symbols of slot1. Thus, the temporal position of the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 1st to the 13th symbols of slot1.

[0090] The starting time slot of the second paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is slot3, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion is the first symbol of slot3, the temporal position of the first PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 1st to the 3rd symbols of slot3, the temporal position of the second PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 6th to the 8th symbols of slot3, and the temporal position of the third PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 11th to the 13th symbols of slot3. Thus, the temporal position of the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is the 1st to the 13th symbols of slot3.

[0091] In the embodiment of the present invention, when the network device configures M paging PDCCH monitoring occasions, the network device can send paging messages corresponding to multiple terminal devices on the M paging PDCCH monitoring occasions. The M paging PDCCH monitoring occasions are associated with multiple terminal devices of a low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion.

[0092] For example, at the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion 1, UE1, UE2, and UE3 receive the low-power wake-up signal sent by the network device. The network device configures 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions, and the network device can send paging messages on the 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions. UE1, UE2, and UE3 can receive paging messages on the above 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions.

[0093] In a specific implementation, the terminal device can determine the associated paging PDCCH monitoring occasion from M paging PDCCH monitoring occasions based on its own identification information. The terminal device can receive paging messages at the associated paging PDCCH monitoring occasion.

[0094] In some embodiments, the terminal device can determine the associated paging PDCCH monitoring occasion by using the following formula: i = UE-ID mod M, where UE-ID is the identification information of the terminal device, and i is the identification of the associated paging PDCCH monitoring occasion.

[0095] For example, UE1, UE2, and UE3 receive low-power wake-up signals sent by the network device at the low-power wake-up signal monitoring occasion 1. The network device configures 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions. The first paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is used to send paging messages for UE1, the second paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is used to send paging messages for UE2, and the third paging PDCCH monitoring occasion is used to send paging messages for UE3.

[0096] UE1 determines that there are 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions, and based on its own identification information "1", determines that it receives paging messages at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion 1. Correspondingly, UE2 determines that there are 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions, and based on its own identification information "2", determines that it receives paging messages at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion 2. UE3 determines that there are 3 paging PDCCH monitoring occasions, and based on its own identification information "3", determines that it receives paging messages at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion 3.

[0097] It can be understood that the association relationship between the above paging PDCCH monitoring occasion and the terminal device can be pre-configured, or predefined in the protocol in advance, or configured by the network device for the terminal device. The network device can also pre-know the association relationship between the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion and the terminal device in advance, and then send paging messages for different terminal devices at different paging PDCCH monitoring occasions.

[0098] As described above, the state transition delay of the main receivers of different terminal devices is relatively short and can be less than the time offset. However, the state transition delay of the main receivers of some terminal devices is relatively long and greater than the time offset.

[0099] For terminal devices with a state transition delay less than the time offset, paging messages can be received at the associated paging PDCCH monitoring occasion. For terminal devices with a state transition delay greater than the time offset, since the associated paging PDCCH monitoring occasion has been missed after the state transition is completed, paging messages are received at the paging occasion configured for them by the network device after the state transition is completed.

[0100] Reference Figure 3 , another application scenario schematic diagram in the embodiment of the present invention is given. Figure 3 In, UE1 and UE2 receive low-power wake-up signals at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 30. The network device configures a paging PDCCH listening opportunity 31 and a paging PDCCH listening opportunity 32.

[0101] The state transition delay △1 of the main receiver of UE1 is less than the time offset X, and the state transition delay △2 of the main receiver of UE2 is greater than the time offset X. UE1 receives a paging message at the paging PDCCH listening opportunity 31, and UE2 receives a paging message on the legacy PO configured for it by the network device.

[0102] In the embodiment of the present invention, the paging listening opportunity may include a target paging opportunity.

[0103] In a specific implementation, the target paging opportunity may be: the first paging opportunity that is located after the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity in the time domain and whose time interval from the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity is not less than the time offset. One or more terminal devices receive low-power wake-up signals at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

[0104] When the paging listening opportunity includes a target paging opportunity, the above-mentioned one or more terminal devices receive paging messages at the target paging opportunity.

[0105] For example, UE1 and UE2 receive low-power wake-up signals at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 1, and UE1 and UE2 determine the corresponding target paging opportunity as the paging opportunity 1 based on the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 1 and the time offset. UE1 and UE2 receive paging messages at the paging opportunity 1.

[0106] As described above, the state transition delays of the main receivers of different terminal devices are relatively short and can be less than the time offset. While the state transition delays of the main receivers of some terminal devices are relatively long and greater than the time offset.

[0107] For terminal devices with a transition delay less than the time offset, paging messages can be received at the determined target paging opportunity. For terminal devices with a transition delay greater than the time offset, since the target paging opportunity has been missed after the state transition is completed, paging messages are received at the paging opportunity configured for them by the network device after the state transition is completed.

[0108] Reference Figure 4 , another application scenario schematic diagram in the embodiment of the present invention is given. Combining Figure 4, UE1 and UE2 receive the low-power wake-up signal at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 40. The target paging opportunity is PO1, which is after the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 40 and is the first paging opportunity whose time interval from the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 40 is not less than the time offset X.

[0109] The state transition delay △1 of the primary receiver of UE1 is less than the time offset X, and the state transition delay △2 of the primary receiver of UE2 is greater than the time offset X. UE1 receives the paging message at PO1, and UE2 receives the paging message on the legacy PO configured by the network device for it.

[0110] In a specific implementation, the paging listening opportunity may also include M consecutive paging opportunities, where: the time interval between the first paging opportunity among the M paging opportunities and the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity is not less than the time offset. All terminal devices that receive the low-power wake-up signal at this low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity can receive the paging message on the M consecutive paging opportunities.

[0111] For example, at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 1, UE1, UE2, and UE3 receive the low-power wake-up signal sent by the network device. The network device configures 3 consecutive paging opportunities, and the network device can send paging messages in the 3 paging opportunities. UE1, UE2, and UE3 can receive the paging messages in the above 3 paging opportunities.

[0112] In a specific implementation, the terminal device can determine the associated target paging opportunity from the M paging opportunities based on its own identification information. The terminal device can receive the paging message at the target paging opportunity.

[0113] In some embodiments, the terminal device can use the following formula to determine the target: i = UE-ID mod M, where UE-ID is the identification information of the terminal device and i is the identification of the target.

[0114] For example, UE1, UE2, and UE3 receive the low-power wake-up signal sent by the network device at the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity 1. The network device configures 3 paging opportunities. The first paging opportunity is used to send the paging message of UE1, the second paging opportunity is used to send the paging message of UE2, and the third paging opportunity is used to send the paging message of UE3.

[0115] UE1 determines that there are 3 paging occasions, and based on its own identification information "1", determines that it receives paging messages on paging occasion 1. Correspondingly, UE2 determines that there are 3 paging occasions, and based on its own identification information "2", determines that it receives paging messages on paging occasion 2. UE3 determines that there are 3 paging occasions, and based on its own identification information "3", determines that it receives paging messages on paging occasion 3.

[0116] It can be understood that the association relationship between the above paging occasions and the terminal devices can be pre-configured, or predefined in the protocol in advance, or configured by the network device for the terminal devices. The network device can also pre-obtain the association relationship between the above paging occasions and the terminal devices, and then send paging messages of different terminal devices at different paging occasions.

[0117] As described above, the state transition delay of the primary receivers of different terminal devices is relatively short and can be less than the time offset. While the state transition delay of the primary receivers of some terminal devices is relatively long and greater than the time offset.

[0118] For terminal devices with a transition delay less than the time offset, paging messages can be received at the determined target paging occasion. For terminal devices with a transition delay greater than the time offset, since the corresponding target paging occasion has been missed after the state transition is completed, after the state transition is completed, paging messages are received at the paging occasion configured for it by the network device.

[0119] Refer to Figure 5 , another schematic diagram of an application scenario in the embodiment of the present invention is given. Figure 5 In, UE1 and UE2 receive low-power wake-up signals at low-power wake-up signal listening occasion 50. The network device configures paging occasion PO1 and paging occasion PO2.

[0120] The state transition delay △1 of the primary receiver of UE1 is less than the time offset X, and the state transition delay △2 of the primary receiver of UE2 is greater than the time offset X. UE1 receives paging messages at paging occasion PO1, and UE2 receives paging messages at the legacy PO configured for it by the network device.

[0121] In the embodiment of the present invention, it can be indicated by the network device whether the terminal device executes the above communication method. That is to say, the network device can indicate the terminal device to adopt the above communication method through indication information. Correspondingly, if the terminal device does not receive the indication information, the terminal device can adopt the existing method to determine the paging occasion and receive paging messages.

[0122] In some embodiments, the network device can carry the indication information through system information or carry the above indication information through a low-power wake-up signal.

[0123] For example, a network device sets a specific bit field in a low-power wake-up signal, and the length of the specific bit field is 1 bit. When the value of the specific bit field is "1", it can indicate that the terminal device adopts the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention to determine the paging listening opportunity, and then receive the paging message. If the value of the specific bit field is "0", the terminal device can use the existing method to determine the paging opportunity and receive the paging message.

[0124] Referring to Figure 6 , another communication method in the embodiment of the present invention is given, and the following will be described in detail through specific steps.

[0125] In a specific implementation, the communication method provided in step 601 below can be executed by a chip with data processing capabilities in the network device, or by a chip module with data processing capabilities in the network device, or by the network device. The following takes the network device as an example for description.

[0126] Step 601: Send second configuration information.

[0127] In a specific implementation, the network device can configure a time offset through the second configuration information and send the second configuration information to the terminal device. The time offset can be associated with the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity. The terminal device obtains the time offset from the second configuration information, and then determines the paging listening opportunity based on the time offset and the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

[0128] Specifically, the process of the terminal device determining the paging listening opportunity can be correspondingly referred to the relevant descriptions in steps 100 to 101 above.

[0129] In the embodiment of the present invention, the network device can also send first configuration information to the terminal device, and the first configuration information can be used to configure the time parameters of the paging PDCCH listening opportunity.

[0130] In a specific implementation, the specific content of the time parameters of the paging PDCCH listening opportunity can also be referred to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0131] In the embodiment of the present invention, the network device can also send indication information to the terminal device, and indicate the terminal device to determine the time domain position of the paging listening opportunity based on the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

[0132] Specifically, it can refer to the description of the network device in steps 100 to 101 above, and the actions performed by the network device will not be elaborated here.

[0133] Referring to Figure 7, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication device 70, including: a determination unit 701, configured to determine the time-domain position of a paging listening opportunity for receiving a paging message based on the time-domain position of a low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and a time offset.

[0134] In a specific implementation, the communication device 70 may further include an acquisition unit 700, configured to acquire second configuration information.

[0135] In a specific implementation, the specific execution processes of the above-mentioned acquisition unit 700 to determination unit 701 may refer to step 100 to step 101 correspondingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0136] In a specific implementation, the above-mentioned communication device 70 may correspond to a chip with data processing capabilities in a terminal device, or correspond to a chip module including a chip with data processing capabilities in a terminal device, or correspond to a terminal device.

[0137] Refer to Figure 8 , an embodiment of the present invention provides another communication device 80, including: a sending unit 801, configured to send second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure a time offset, and the time offset is associated with the time-domain position of a low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

[0138] In a specific implementation, the specific execution process of the above-mentioned sending unit 801 may refer to step 601 correspondingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0139] In a specific implementation, the above-mentioned communication device 80 may correspond to a chip with data processing capabilities in a network device, or correspond to a chip module including a chip with data processing capabilities in a network device, or correspond to a network device.

[0140] In a specific implementation, for each module / unit included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, it may be a software module / unit, a hardware module / unit, or may be partially a software module / unit and partially a hardware module / unit.

[0141] For example, for each device or product applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit included therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit; for each device or product applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit included therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit; for each device or product applied to or integrated into a terminal, each module / unit included therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components inside the terminal, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of a software program that runs on a processor integrated inside the terminal, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as a circuit.

[0142] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transitory storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is run by a processor, it executes the communication method provided in any one of the above embodiments.

[0143] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication device, including a memory and a processor, where a computer program that can run on the processor is stored on the memory, and when the processor runs the computer program, it executes the communication method provided in any one of the above embodiments.

[0144] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments can be completed by a program instructing relevant hardware, and this program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the storage medium may include: ROM, RAM, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.

[0145] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that including: determine the time-domain position of the paging listening occasion for receiving a paging message based on the time-domain position and time offset of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein The paging listening occasion includes: a paging PDCCH listening occasion.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein It further includes: obtain first configuration information, where the first configuration information configures the time parameters of the paging PDCCH listening occasion.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein The number of the paging PDCCH listening occasions is one; the time parameters of the paging PDCCH listening occasion include at least one of the following: the starting symbol of the first PDCCH listening occasion in the paging PDCCH listening occasion, the number of PDCCH listening occasions, the number of symbols of the PDCCH listening occasion, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH listening occasions in the time domain.

5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein determine the starting time slot of the paging PDCCH listening occasion based on the time-domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion and the time offset.

6. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein The number of the paging PDCCH listening occasions is M, M is a positive integer and M≥2; the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: the time interval between adjacent paging PDCCH listening occasions in the time domain, and the time parameters of each paging PDCCH listening occasion; The time parameters of any paging PDCCH listening occasion include at least one of the following: the number of PDCCH listening occasions, the starting symbol of the first PDCCH listening occasion, the number of symbols of the PDCCH listening occasion, and the time interval between adjacent PDCCH listening occasions in the time domain.

7. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein determine the starting time slot of the first paging PDCCH listening occasion based on the time-domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion and the time offset.

8. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein It further includes: determine the associated paging PDCCH listening occasion based on the identification information; receive a paging message at the associated paging PDCCH listening occasion.

9. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The paging listening occasion includes a target paging occasion; the target paging occasion is: the first paging occasion that is located after the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion and the time interval from the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion is not less than the time offset.

10. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein The paging listening occasion includes: M consecutive paging occasions; the time interval between the first paging occasion among the M paging occasions and the time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion is not less than the time offset.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, wherein It further includes: determine the associated target paging occasion from the M paging occasions based on the identification information; receive a paging message at the target paging occasion.

12. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein It further includes: in response to the state transition delay being greater than the time offset, determine the paging listening occasion as: a pre-configured paging occasion.

13. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein The time-domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion includes: the time-domain end position of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion.

14. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein It further includes: obtain second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure the time offset.

15. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, It further includes: obtain indication information, where the indication information indicates obtaining the time-domain position of the paging listening occasion based on the time-domain position and time offset of the low-power wake-up signal listening occasion.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, including: Send second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure a time offset, and the time offset is associated with a time domain position of a low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

17. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Further included: Send first configuration information, where the first configuration information configures time parameters of a paging PDCCH listening opportunity.

18. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein The number of paging PDCCH listening opportunities is one; the time parameters of the paging PDCCH listening opportunity include at least one of the following: a starting symbol of the first PDCCH listening opportunity in the paging PDCCH listening opportunity, the number of PDCCH listening opportunities, the number of symbols of the PDCCH listening opportunity, and a time interval between temporally adjacent PDCCH listening opportunities.

19. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein The number of paging PDCCH listening opportunities is M, where M is a positive integer and M≥2; the first configuration information includes at least one of the following: a time interval between temporally adjacent paging PDCCH listening opportunities, time parameters of each paging PDCCH listening opportunity; the time parameters of any paging PDCCH listening opportunity include at least one of the following: the number of PDCCH listening opportunities, a starting symbol of the first PDCCH listening opportunity, the number of symbols of the PDCCH listening opportunity, and a time interval between temporally adjacent PDCCH listening opportunities.

20. The communication method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that Further included: Send indication information, where the indication information instructs the terminal device to obtain a time domain position of a paging listening opportunity based on the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Included: A determination unit, configured to determine a time domain position of a paging listening opportunity for receiving a paging message based on the time domain position of the low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity and the time offset.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Included: A sending unit, configured to send second configuration information, where the second configuration information is used to configure a time offset, and the time offset is associated with a time domain position of a low-power wake-up signal listening opportunity.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium being a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transitory storage medium, having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is run by a processor, it executes the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 15; or, when the computer program is run by a processor, it executes the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

24. A communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein a computer program capable of running on the processor is stored on the memory, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it executes the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 15; or, when the processor runs the computer program, it executes the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

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