Communication method, device and system

Abstract

Provided are a communication method, device and system, the method being executed by a terminal device or a device in the terminal device, the method comprising: monitoring a wake-up signal by using a first monitoring mode; if a first wake-up signal is received, waking up a main receiver MR of the terminal device, the first wake-up signal being used for indicating to wake up the MR; after the MR enters the sleep state, monitoring a wake-up signal by using a second monitoring mode; wherein the first monitoring mode is different from the second monitoring mode. The balance between time delay and energy saving can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the field of communications, in order to achieve lower power consumption of a terminal device, the receiving circuit of the terminal circuit is divided into a main circuit (or referred to as a main link) and an auxiliary circuit (which can be a low power-wake up receiver (LR or LP-WUR, simply denoted as LR below) or an auxiliary receiver, etc.). The main circuit receives data (or referred to as services) transmission when awakened, and does not receive data transmission when in sleep. If the network device has data to transmit, it sends a wake-up signal (which can be a low power wake up signal (LP-WUS)) to the auxiliary circuit, so that after the auxiliary circuit receives the wake-up signal, it wakes up the main circuit for data transmission.

[0003] This way of combining the main circuit and the auxiliary circuit for data transmission may have a relatively large time delay when the power consumption is low, and the power consumption is relatively high when the time delay is low. Therefore, how to achieve a balance between time delay and energy saving has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, device, and system, which can achieve a balance between time delay and energy saving.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which is applied to the terminal device side. Specifically, this method is executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) in the terminal device. The method includes: listening for a wake-up signal using a first listening mode; if a first wake-up signal is received, waking up the main radio (MR) of the terminal device, where the wake-up signal includes the first wake-up signal, and the first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR; after the MR enters the sleep state, listening for a wake-up signal using a second listening mode; where the first listening mode is different from the second listening mode.

[0006] Through the above method, if the terminal device receives a first wake-up signal when listening in the first listening mode, it switches from the first listening mode to the second listening mode. By switching between the two listening modes, the probability that the listening mode used by the terminal device matches the requirements of the scenario can be increased, achieving a balance between latency and energy saving. The second listening mode can be a listening mode that is tighter than the first listening mode or a listening mode that is looser than the first listening mode, and can be flexibly determined according to actual usage requirements. For example, if the second listening mode is a tighter listening mode, such as the listening duration period of the second listening mode is shorter than that of the first listening mode, and the sleep period of the second listening mode is longer than that of the first listening mode, switching to the second listening mode can reduce latency. If the second listening mode is a looser mode, such as the listening duration period of the second listening mode is longer than that of the first listening mode, and the sleep period of the second listening mode is shorter than that of the first listening mode, switching to the second listening mode can save energy. Flexibly switching to a tighter or looser listening mode that better suits the scenario needs can achieve a balance between latency and energy saving. In a possible implementation, the first listening mode is used to listen for wake-up signals; if a first wake-up signal is received within a first time period, the MR of the terminal device is woken up. Optionally, the first time period can be set by a timer or other means. For example, when the first listening mode is a periodic listening mode, the first time period can be set according to the count of the period corresponding to the periodic listening mode. The first time period can be set according to the needs of different scenarios to achieve more flexible wake-up control.

[0007] Optionally, multiple listening modes can be preset, such as storing these multiple listening modes in advance. The first listening mode is one of the multiple listening modes, and the second listening mode is a listening mode different from the first listening mode among the multiple listening modes.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first listening mode is a periodic listening mode, and the second listening mode is a continuous listening mode; or, the first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the second listening mode is a periodic listening mode. Optionally, if the first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, when it is determined that the possibility of receiving a wake-up signal within a period of time is small, such as when no wake-up signal is received within a period of time, the continuous listening mode can be switched to a periodic listening mode to save energy; if a wake-up signal is received within a period of time, the continuous listening mode is maintained to avoid causing latency; if the first listening mode is a periodic listening mode, when it is determined that the possibility of receiving a wake-up signal within a period of time is small, such as when no wake-up signal is received, the periodic listening mode can be maintained to save energy; if a wake-up signal is received, the continuous listening mode is switched to reduce the possible latency.

[0009] In a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the listening periods of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different. Optionally, the periodic listening mode may include a long-period listening mode and a short-period listening mode, where the listening period of the long-period listening mode is longer than that of the short-period listening mode. When the first listening mode is the long-period listening mode and the second listening mode is the short-period listening mode, since the listening period of the long-period listening mode is longer than that of the short-period listening mode, if the listening is switched from using the first listening period to using the second listening period, the latency can be reduced; when the second listening mode is the long-period listening mode and the first listening mode is the short-period listening mode, in this case, if the listening is switched from using the first listening period to using the second listening period, an energy-saving effect can be achieved.

[0010] In a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the corresponding relaxation levels of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different. The higher the relaxation level, the more energy-efficient the corresponding periodic listening mode is. Optionally, when the relaxation level of the first listening mode is lower than that of the second listening mode, if the listening is switched from using the first listening period to using the second listening period, an energy-saving effect can be achieved; when the relaxation level of the first listening mode is higher than that of the second listening mode, if the listening is switched from using the first listening period to using the second listening period, the latency can be reduced.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the relaxation level is used to indicate the ratio of the listening duration to the listening period. Exemplarily, the relaxation level indicates that the ratio of the listening duration to the listening period is at least two types, that is, the relaxation level corresponds to at least two levels, and the relaxation levels between the first listening mode and the second listening mode can differ by one level or multiple levels. Switching different relaxation levels can achieve different energy-saving or latency-reducing effects, making it more flexible to balance energy saving and latency.

[0012] In a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, where both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are continuous listening modes, and the corresponding maximum listening durations of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different. If a wake-up signal for waking up the MR is not received after a certain period of time after entering a certain listening mode, then switch to another listening mode. This period of time is the maximum listening duration, and the maximum durations of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different. If switching from a continuous listening mode with a longer maximum duration to a continuous listening mode with a shorter maximum duration, energy can be saved, and vice versa, the latency can be reduced to achieve the effect of balancing energy saving and latency.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first listening mode is to listen according to a first listening period, which is composed of a first listening duration period and a first sleep duration period, and the second listening mode is to listen according to a second listening period, which is composed of a second listening duration period and a second sleep duration period; wherein, the first listening period and the second listening period satisfy: the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is equal to the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is equal to the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is longer than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is longer than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, the first sleep duration period is shorter than the second sleep duration period, and the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is less than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is equal to the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is equal to the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is shorter than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is shorter than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, the first sleep duration period is longer than the second sleep duration period, and the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is greater than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period. Through the corresponding relationship between the first listening period and the second listening period, this application determines multiple possibilities for the terminal device or the device in the terminal device to switch from using the first listening mode to using the second listening mode, making the corresponding possibilities of the listening modes before and after the switch richer. In different usage scenarios, the terminal device or the device in the terminal device has a wider selection range for the listening modes before and after the switch, and the applicability of the communication method of this application is also more extensive.

[0014] Optionally, the second listening period that meets the above implementation method is indicated by the indication information carried in the first wake-up signal. Exemplarily, the terminal device is default set to switch to a more tightened listening mode every time it receives the first wake-up signal until it is the most tightened. However, if the network device determines that there is no need for service transmission temporarily according to the subsequent transmission situation, in order to save energy, it can indicate to use a more relaxed listening mode in the indication information of the first wake-up signal. At this time, the terminal device can switch according to the indication of the first wake-up signal, better adapt to the transmission requirements of the network device, and further achieve a better balance effect between energy saving and delay.

[0015] In a possible implementation method, the switching is performed according to a default or pre-set switching method. The first listening period and the second listening period meet the following conditions: the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the second sleep duration; or the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period; or the first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period; or the first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration; or the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration; or the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, the first sleep duration is shorter than the second sleep duration, and the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is less than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period. Switching according to the default or pre-set switching method can reduce system overhead and further save energy.

[0016] In a possible implementation method, listening to the wake-up signal can be implemented by a main body in the terminal device that can listen to the wake-up signal during MR sleep, such as a secondary receiver, a low-power receiver, etc. When listening to the wake-up signal is performed by the LR of the terminal device, the power consumption can be further reduced, achieving the effect of energy saving.

[0017] In a possible implementation, using the first listening mode to listen for a wake-up signal includes: after the wake-up signal function is activated, if the MR is in the first sleep state, using the first listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal. The activation of the wake-up signal function means that if the MR is in the sleep state, the auxiliary main body can be woken up to listen for the wake-up signal. For example, the LR can be woken up to listen for the wake-up signal. When the LR receives the wake-up signal, the LR can wake up the MR and enter the sleep state, and so on in a cycle. The first sleep state means that after the wake-up signal function is activated, the MR enters the sleep state for the first time. In the present application, when the MR is in the first sleep state, it can be determined to use the first listening mode for listening. In subsequent sleep states, the listening mode can be flexibly switched according to transmission scenarios and other situations. For example, it may be switched to using the second listening mode for listening, or it may maintain the first listening mode for listening, etc.

[0018] In a possible implementation, waking up the MR includes: if the first wake-up signal is for the MR, waking up the MR. Since the wake-up signal sent by the network device may not be a signal for the specified terminal device, if the first wake-up signal is not for the MR of the present terminal device, waking up the MR will cause unnecessary consumption. Therefore, if it is determined that the first wake-up signal is for the MR, then waking up the MR can make the wake-up more accurate and energy-saving.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the wake-up signal is a low power-wake up signal (LP-WUS). Using LP-WUS can further save power.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method is applied to the terminal device side. Specifically, this method is executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) in the terminal device. The method includes: using the first listening mode to listen for a wake-up signal. If the wake-up signal is not received, using the third listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal. The first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device; wherein, the first listening mode is different from the third listening mode.

[0021] Through the above method, if the terminal device side does not receive the first wake-up signal when listening using the first listening mode, it switches from the first listening mode to the third listening mode. The third listening mode can be a listening mode that is looser than the first listening mode. For example, the listening duration period of the third listening mode is longer than that of the first listening mode, and the sleep time period of the third listening mode is shorter than that of the first listening mode, etc., to achieve the effect of energy saving.

[0022] In a possible implementation, if the wake-up signal is not received within the first time period, the third listening mode is used to listen for the wake-up signal. Setting the first time period allows for switching of the listening mode according to the requirements of the listening time, making the time periods for listening using the first listening mode and switching to the third listening mode more reasonable.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the third listening mode is a periodic listening mode.

[0024] In a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the listening period of the first listening mode is shorter than the listening period of the second listening mode.

[0025] In a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the relaxation level corresponding to the first listening mode is lower than the relaxation level corresponding to the second listening mode. Optionally, the relaxation level is used to indicate the ratio of the listening duration to the listening period.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first listening mode listens according to the first listening period, and the first listening period consists of a first listening duration and a first sleep duration. The third listening mode listens according to the third listening period, and the third listening period consists of a third listening duration and a third sleep duration. Among them, the first listening period and the third listening period satisfy: the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the third sleep duration. Or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the third listening period in duration. Or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period in duration. Or, the first listening period is equal to the third listening period in duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration. Or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration. Or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, the first sleep duration is longer than the third sleep duration, and the ratio of the first listening duration to the first listening period is greater than the ratio of the third listening duration to the third listening period. Through these methods, it is possible to switch from a relatively tightened listening mode to a relatively relaxed listening mode. In the case of not receiving the first wake-up signal, a more relaxed listening mode is used, which is equivalent to using a more energy-efficient listening mode for listening.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the wake-up signal is LP-WUS, and using LP-WUS can further save power consumption.

[0028] In a possible implementation, listening for the wake-up signal is performed by the LR of the terminal device.

[0029] In a possible implementation, after the wake-up signal function is activated, if the MR is in the first sleep state, the first listening mode is used to listen for the wake-up signal.

[0030] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the second aspect of this application correspond to those of the first aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manners are similar, and will not be elaborated here.

[0031] In a third aspect, this application provides a communication method, which is applied to the terminal device side. Specifically, this method is executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) in the terminal device. The method includes: receiving a second wake-up signal, where the second wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device, and the second wake-up signal includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate waking up the MR during the listening duration of the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism of the MR or waking up the MR after a second time period.

[0032] According to the indication of the second wake-up signal, the time to wake up the MR can be restricted by the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism, or can be independent of this duration period. When the MR may activate the DRX mechanism, it is possible to wake up the MR in combination with the DRX mechanism or without combining the DRX mechanism, improving the flexibility of the combination of MR wake-up and the DRX mechanism. A possible implementation is that the MR activates the DRX mechanism. If the second wake-up signal indicates to wake up the MR during the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism of this MR, and when the second wake-up signal is received, the MR is in the sleep period of the DRX mechanism, then wait for the continuous listening duration period of the DRX mechanism (on ruration, hereinafter referred to as the continuous listening duration period of the DRX mechanism) to wake up the MR. If the second wake-up signal indicates to wake up the MR after a second period, then regardless of whether the MR is in the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism or the sleep period of the DRX mechanism (opportunity for DRX, hereinafter referred to as the sleep period of the DRX mechanism), the MR can be woken up after the second period when the second wake-up signal is received. This communication method can flexibly handle services sent by the network device. For example, when sending burst, urgent or temporary services, there is no need to wait for the MR to be in the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism. The first indication information can be used to indicate to wake up the MR after the second period, reducing the wake-up delay of the MR. For example, when sending subscription or regular services, the first indication information can be used to indicate to wake up the MR when the MR is in the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism, reducing unnecessary wake-up times and power consumption, achieving the effect of energy saving.

[0033] A possible implementation is that the MR corresponds to the method of the first aspect or the second aspect. When the MR is in the sleep period of DRX, it can be regarded as the MR provided by the first aspect or the second aspect entering the sleep state. Refer to the method of listening for the wake-up signal provided by the first aspect or the second aspect to wake up the MR, and when the MR enters the sleep state, the corresponding listening mode can be used for listening. Among them, receiving the second wake-up signal can be regarded as receiving the first wake-up signal. Except for waking up the MR according to the first indication information, other operations can refer to the above first wake-up signal and will not be elaborated.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the second wake-up signal is also used to indicate that after the MR sleeps, the second listening mode is used to listen for the wake-up signal.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the second wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device, and the second wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR during the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism of the MR. Alternatively, the second wake-up signal is used to indicate that the MR can be woken up during either the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism or the sleep period of the DRX mechanism. In this application, the second wake-up signal indicates the time period for waking up the MR, enabling the combination of waking up the MR with the DRX mechanism or waking up the MR without using the DRX mechanism when the MR may activate the DRX mechanism, thereby implementing a communication method that combines the wake-up signal with the DRX mechanism of the MR.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: if the second wake-up signal is for the MR, waking up the MR.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the wake-up signal is LP-WUS, and using LP-WUS can further save power. The second wake-up signal is the second LP-WUS.

[0038] It should be understood that in a possible implementation of the third aspect of this application, corresponding to the technical solution of the first aspect of this application, the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manners are similar, and will not be elaborated here.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, this application provides a communication method, which is applied to the network device side. Specifically, this method is executed by the network device or a device (such as a chip) in the network device. The method includes: sending a first wake-up signal, where the first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device and is used to indicate that after the MR sleeps, it uses a second listening mode to listen for wake-up signals.

[0040] The listening mode of the terminal device further includes a first listening mode:

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first listening mode is a periodic listening mode, and the second listening mode is a continuous listening mode; or, the first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the second listening mode is a periodic listening mode; in a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the listening periods of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different; in a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the relaxation levels corresponding to the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different. Optionally, the relaxation level is used to indicate the ratio of the listening duration period to the listening cycle duration.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the listening mode of the terminal device further includes a first listening mode; wherein, the first listening mode is to continuously listen for a first duration, and the first duration is different from the second duration; or, the first listening mode is to listen according to a first listening period, and the first listening period is composed of a first listening duration period and a first sleep duration period, and the first listening period and the second listening period satisfy: the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is equal to the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is equal to the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is longer than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is longer than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, the first sleep duration period is shorter than the second sleep duration period, and the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is less than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is equal to the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or, the first listening duration period is equal to the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is shorter than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep duration period is shorter than the second sleep duration period, or, the first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, the first sleep duration period is longer than the second sleep duration period, and the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is greater than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period.

[0043] It should be understood that, for the fourth aspect of the present application, corresponding to the technical solution of the first aspect of the present application, the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manners are similar, and will not be elaborated here.

[0044] Fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to the network device side. Specifically, this method is executed by the network device or a device (such as a chip) in the network device. The method includes: sending a second wake-up signal, which is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device. The second wake-up signal includes first indication information, which is used to indicate waking up the MR during the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism of the MR or waking up the MR after a second time period.

[0045] In a possible implementation manner, the second wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device, and the second wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR during the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism of the MR. Alternatively, the second wake-up signal is used to indicate that the MR can be woken up during the listening duration period or the sleep period of the DRX mechanism.

[0046] It should be understood that the fifth aspect of the present application corresponds to the technical solution of the third aspect of the present application. The beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manners are similar, and will not be elaborated here.

[0047] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) in the terminal device. The communication device includes modules for executing the method described in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner of any aspect, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. When the communication device is a terminal device, the transceiver can be a radio frequency module. When the communication device is a device in the terminal device, the transceiver can be an input / output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc.

[0048] Seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be a network device or a device (such as a chip) in the network device. The communication device includes modules for executing the method described in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner of any aspect, such as a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module can be a processor, and the transceiver module can be a transceiver. When the communication device is a network device, the transceiver can be a radio frequency module. When the communication device is a device in the network device, the transceiver can be an input / output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc.

[0049] Eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes at least one processor. The at least one processor is coupled to a storage medium, and the storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are run by the processor, the processor is used to execute the method described in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner of any aspect. The storage medium can be included in the device or located outside the device.

[0050] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which when executed by a processor, implements the method described in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner of any aspect.

[0051] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a processor, implement the method described in any of the above aspects or any possible implementation manner of any aspect.

[0052] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a system including a communication device as described in the sixth aspect and a communication device as described in the seventh aspect.

[0053] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the sixth to eleventh aspects of the present application are consistent or corresponding to those of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth aspect of the present application, and the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manners are similar, which will not be elaborated herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a wake-up signal wake-up mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system for service transmission provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of a continuous listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of a periodic listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 4 is one of the schematic flowcharts of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 is the second of the schematic flowcharts of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 6 is one of the schematic diagrams of the switching of listening modes provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 7 It is the third schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 8 It is the second schematic diagram of the switching of the listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 9 It is the fourth schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 10 It is the third schematic diagram of the switching of the listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 11 It is the schematic diagram of the cycle of a C-DRX provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 12 It is the fifth schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 13a It is the fourth schematic diagram of the switching of the listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Figure 13b It is the fifth schematic diagram of the switching of the listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 14 It is one of the schematic diagrams of the structure of a terminal device or a device in a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 15 It is the second schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device or a device in a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 16 It is the third schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device or a device in a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 17 It is one of the schematic diagrams of the structure of a network device or a device in a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 18 It is the second schematic diagram of the structure of a network device or a device in a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 19 It is the schematic diagram of the structure of device 80 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 20 It is the schematic diagram of the structure of a device 90 provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0077] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solutions in this application, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all the embodiments.

[0078] The term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of 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, and B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be single or multiple. "At least one of the following" or its similar expressions are used to represent any combination of the listed items. For example, at least one of A, B, and (or) C can represent: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, and A, B, and C exist simultaneously. Among them, A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0079] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe the specific order of the objects. For example, the first target object and the second target object, etc. are used to distinguish different target objects, rather than to describe the specific order of the target objects.

[0080] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design solution described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design solutions. Exactly speaking, using words such as "exemplary" or "for example" aims to present relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0081] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality" refers to two or more. For example, a plurality of processing units refers to two or more processing units; a plurality of systems refers to two or more systems.

[0082] For ease of understanding, the following first explains the relevant nouns or terms used in the embodiments of this application:

[0083] 1. LP-WUS

[0084] LP-WUS can be applied in scenarios where the reception of the terminal device is divided into primary reception and secondary reception. For example, in terms of hardware implementation, reference can be made to Figure 1 The receiving circuit of the terminal is divided into two parts, MR and LR. Among them, MR is used for data or service transmission, etc., and LR serves as an auxiliary receiver dedicated to listening for whether LP-WUS is received to listen for and process LP-WUS.

[0085] The energy-saving logic of the LP-WUS mechanism is that when there is no ongoing data or service transmission on the MR, it can enter the sleep state. MR sleep can reduce the power consumption of the terminal (or standby power consumption). When the MR is sleeping, the wake-up LR is responsible for detecting LP-WUS. When the LR receives LP-WUS, it wakes up the MR to perform data or service transmission.

[0086] 2. Duty-cycled monitoring

[0087] The main body of the received signal wakes up according to a certain period and continuously monitors whether a wake-up signal is received during a period of time. This monitored period of time can be defined as the monitoring duration period, and the period outside this monitoring duration period can be defined as the sleep period (or non-monitoring period). During the sleep period, the main body of the received signal does not work, or is turned off or sleeps, etc., that is, there is no energy consumption during the sleep period. Through duty-cycled monitoring, power consumption can be effectively reduced.

[0088] 3. Continuous monitoring

[0089] The main body of the received signal continuously monitors whether a wake-up signal is received.

[0090] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is executed by a terminal device (or a user equipment (UE) or a device in the terminal device (or a device in the UE, such as a chip)). In the embodiments of the present application, it is exemplified that this method is executed by the UE, and other execution entities can refer to the operations of the UE. The UE may include a main receiving module. In the embodiments of the present application, it is exemplified that the main receiving module is a hardened MR, simply referred to as MR for description, but not limited thereto. Modules that implement the main receiving function through software or other means can refer to the operations of the MR in this example.

[0091] For example, in the scenario of service transmission, a network device, such as a network node, needs to send service flows of multiple services to the UE. Suppose it includes the first service and the second service. The service flow of the first service includes multiple data packets, and the service flow of the second service also includes multiple data packets. The service flow is transmitted in the scenario shown in Figure 1 as shown. Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the communication system structure for service transmission provided by the embodiments of the present application, such as Figure 2As shown, the system 100 includes a UE 10 and a network device 20. When the first traffic flow is being transmitted, the UE 10 is in a wake-up state (such as receiving and sending data packets corresponding to the first traffic flow). If the transmission of the data packets of the first service is completed, and there is no transmission of the second service between the network device 20 and the UE 10 for a period of time, in order to save energy, the MR can enter the sleep state. Optionally, the MR entering the sleep state includes the MR being turned off, the MR sleeping, the MR not working, or the terminal not using the MR to receive data or service transmissions, etc. If the second service needs to be transmitted, the MR can be woken up to transmit the data packets of the second service. Optionally, the wake-up signal is usually sent by the network device 20 on the core network side to instruct the UE to wake up the MR. The UE can listen in by continuously receiving the wake-up signal, which is defined as the continuous listening mode, or the UE can listen in by receiving the wake-up signal in a duty cycle, which is defined as the periodic listening mode. Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of a continuous listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of a periodic listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3a shown, the continuous listening mode includes a continuous listening time period (that is, starting from when the continuous listening mode is used for listening until the wake-up signal is received and terminated). If the MR of the UE enters the sleep state, the UE can listen continuously to determine whether the wake-up signal is received. If the wake-up signal is received, the MR is woken up. As Figure 3bAs shown, the periodic listening mode includes at least one set of alternately appearing listening duration periods and non-listening periods (or called sleep periods). If the MR of the UE enters the sleep state, the UE can determine whether it receives a wake-up signal through duty cycle reception. For example, during the listening duration period, if a wake-up signal is received, the MR is woken up. If the wake-up signal arrives at the UE during the sleep period, that is, the UE does not receive the wake-up signal, the periodic listening mode is maintained. However, both of these listening methods have certain drawbacks. For example, referring to the above example, the network device needs to send the first service and the second service. After the data packet of the first service is sent, the data packet of the second service is not sent temporarily, and the MR enters the sleep state. When the network device needs to send the data packet of the second service, it needs to send a wake-up signal to the UE to wake up the MR. If the UE uses the continuous listening mode, although it can timely monitor the wake-up signal, it keeps listening all the time, reducing the energy-saving gain brought by the mechanism of introducing the wake-up signal to wake up the MR. If the UE uses the periodic listening mode, the wake-up signal may arrive during the sleep period of the UE, and the UE cannot receive this wake-up signal, maintaining the current sleep state and not waking up the MR. Only when the wake-up signal is received during the listening period after this sleep period can the MR be woken up. Therefore, the delay of waking up the MR is increased. To solve these problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a listening method to achieve a balance between delay and energy saving by dynamically adjusting the listening mode. A communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, which is executed by the UE, includes: S101 and S103. In addition, the method further includes S102 or S104, Figure 4 is an example where the method includes S101 to S104.

[0092] S101. The UE listens for the wake-up signal using the first listening mode.

[0093] Here, the first listening mode can be the listening mode that the UE enters by default after entering the LP-WUS mode, or the listening mode that the UE enters by default when the MR wakes up again to listen for the wake-up signal after sleeping, or the listening mode that the UE enters according to the configuration of the network device (for example, through the wake-up signal indication), and so on. Optionally, the UE may pre-store multiple listening modes, and the first listening mode is one of them. The multiple listening modes satisfy at least one of the following items: each listening mode can have different types; the maximum listening duration of each listening mode can be different; the listening duration period for receiving the wake-up signal or the sleep period for not receiving the wake-up signal in each listening mode can have different settings. Here, the types of listening modes include: continuous listening (i.e., listening continuously) mode, periodic listening (i.e., listening according to a certain listening period) mode. In addition, the maximum listening duration can be understood as: if the wake-up signal for waking up the MR is not received after a certain duration after entering a certain listening mode, then switch to another listening mode, and this duration is the maximum listening duration; if there is no exit mechanism for a certain listening mode, that is, regardless of whether the wake-up signal for waking up the MR is received or not, it will not switch to other listening modes, it can be understood that this listening mode has no maximum listening duration, or it can be understood that the maximum listening duration of this listening mode is infinite; both the continuous listening mode and the periodic listening mode can have a maximum listening duration. In addition, different listening duration periods and different sleep periods can be described by the length of the listening duration period and the length of the sleep period, or can be described by the length of the listening period.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the multiple listening modes include two continuous listening modes with different maximum listening durations, and the first listening mode can be any one of them.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the multiple listening modes include two listening modes, one is the continuous listening mode and the other is the periodic listening mode. The first listening mode can be the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the multiple listening modes include two periodic listening modes with different listening periods, and the first listening mode can be any one of them. For example, different listening periods can mean different lengths of the listening period. For example, one is a long-period listening mode and the other is a short-period listening mode. The first listening mode can be the long-period listening mode or the short-period listening mode. Another example is that different listening periods can mean different relaxation levels corresponding to the listening mode, and the first listening mode can be the listening mode corresponding to any one of the relaxation levels.

[0097] The above various possible implementation manners can be combined and used. For example, the multiple listening modes may include: two continuous listening modes with different listening durations, and one periodic listening. For another example, the multiple listening modes may include: one continuous listening mode and two periodic listening modes with different listening periods.

[0098] S102. If the UE receives a first wake-up signal, wake up the MR of the UE. The first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR.

[0099] Here, receiving the first wake-up signal may mean: receiving the first wake-up signal within a certain time period. The duration of this time period may be absolute time. For example, the unit of the duration of this time period may be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. The duration of this time period may also be relative time. For example, the unit of the duration of this time period may be system frame number (SFN), symbol, slot, subframe, radio frame, etc. This time period may be the maximum listening duration of the first listening mode.

[0100] Exemplarily, the network device may send multiple wake-up signals. If the wake-up signal is not the wake-up signal for a specified UE and the wake-up signal received by the UE is the first wake-up signal, after receiving it, the UE may first determine whether the first wake-up signal is the wake-up signal for this UE, that is, first determine whether the received first wake-up signal is used to wake up the MR of this UE. If so, wake up the MR according to the first wake-up signal. If not, do not wake up the MR.

[0101] After the MR is woken up and works for a period of time, if it is determined that there is no current work requirement, it can enter the sleep state again to save energy consumption. Exemplarily, the period of time can be comprehensively determined according to factors such as the data transmission volume and transmission time, and determined in advance. The period of time may be absolute time. For example, the unit of the period of time may be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. The period of time may also be relative time. For example, the unit of the period of time may be SFN, symbol, slot, subframe, radio frame, etc.

[0102] S103. After the MR of the UE enters the sleep state, use the second listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal, where the first listening mode is different from the second listening mode.

[0103] Here, the second listening mode may be the listening mode that the UE defaults to enter when listening for the wake-up signal again after the MR sleeps, or may also be the listening mode that the UE enters configured by the network device (for example, indicated by the wake-up signal), etc. The second listening mode may be one of the multiple listening modes pre-saved in the UE described above.

[0104] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application, after the MR enters the sleep state, the UE uses a listening mode, defined as the first listening mode. If the UR receives a wake-up signal when using the first listening mode, then when the MR enters the sleep state again, it uses another listening mode (defined as the second listening mode) for listening. The first listening mode and the second listening mode are different, which can make the UE use the listening mode more flexibly. For example, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are continuous listening modes, but the maximum listening duration of the second listening mode is shorter than that of the first listening mode; or, the first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the second listening mode is a periodic listening mode; or, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the listening period of the second listening mode is longer than that of the first listening mode; or, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the relaxation level corresponding to the second listening mode is higher than that corresponding to the first listening mode, etc. In this way, the UE can effectively save energy when switching from using the first listening mode to using the second listening mode. For another example, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are continuous listening modes, but the maximum listening duration of the second listening mode is longer than that of the first listening mode; or, the first listening mode is a periodic listening mode, and the second listening mode is a continuous listening mode; or, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the listening period of the second listening mode is shorter than that of the first listening mode; or, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the relaxation level corresponding to the second listening mode is lower than that corresponding to the first listening mode, etc. In this way, the UE can reduce the delay of receiving the wake-up signal when switching from using the first listening mode to using the second listening mode. In the embodiments of this application, the listening mode used by the UE before receiving the wake-up signal is different from the listening mode used when the MR goes to sleep again after receiving the wake-up signal. By switching the listening mode according to the actual requirements, the balance between delay and energy saving can be achieved, providing a better communication experience for users.

[0105] S104. If the UE does not receive the first wake-up signal, it uses the third listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal, where the first listening mode is different from the third listening mode.

[0106] Reference Figure 4 , if the UE receives the first wake-up signal, it corresponds to S102, and if it does not receive it, it corresponds to S104.

[0107] Here, if the first wake-up signal is not received, it may mean that the first wake-up signal is not received within a certain time period. The duration of this time period can be absolute time. For example, the unit of the duration of this time period can be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. The duration of this time period can also be relative time. For example, the unit of the duration of this time period can be SFN, symbol, time slot, subframe, radio frame, etc. This time period can be the maximum monitoring duration of the first monitoring mode.

[0108] In addition, the third monitoring mode can be the monitoring mode that is default to enter after a certain monitoring mode ends, or can be the monitoring mode configured by the network device (for example, indicated by a wake-up signal) to enter after a certain monitoring mode ends, and so on. The third monitoring mode can be one of the multiple monitoring modes pre-saved in the UE described above.

[0109] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the UE uses a monitoring mode after the MR enters the sleep state, which is defined as the first monitoring mode. If the UR does not receive a wake-up signal when using the first monitoring mode, it switches to use another monitoring mode (defined as the third monitoring mode) for monitoring. The first monitoring mode and the third monitoring mode are different, which can make the UE use the monitoring mode more flexibly. For example, both the first monitoring mode and the third monitoring mode are continuous monitoring modes, but the maximum monitoring duration of the third monitoring mode is shorter than that of the first monitoring mode; or, the first monitoring mode is a continuous monitoring mode, and the third monitoring mode is a periodic monitoring mode; or, both the first monitoring mode and the third monitoring mode are periodic monitoring modes, but the monitoring period of the third monitoring mode is longer than that of the first monitoring mode; or, both the first monitoring mode and the third monitoring mode are periodic monitoring modes, but the relaxation level corresponding to the third monitoring mode is higher than that corresponding to the first monitoring mode, and so on. In this way, the UE can effectively save energy when switching from using the first monitoring mode to using the third monitoring mode. By switching to another monitoring mode after the UE does not receive a wake-up signal when using a certain monitoring mode, the embodiments of the present application can provide a better communication experience for users.

[0110] Exemplarily, the UE can use software or hardware with signal reception functions to use the monitoring mode for monitoring. In the embodiments of the present application, the following will take the UE using the LR to monitor the wake-up signal when the MR enters the sleep state as an example for illustration, but it is not limited thereto. Other entities that can receive the wake-up signal when the MR is sleeping can refer to the operations of the LR to execute this communication method, and no further examples will be given.

[0111] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application will take the wake-up signal as LP-WUS as an example for illustration below. Other wake-up signals can refer to LP-WUS, and no further examples will be given.

[0112] In a possible implementation, both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening. For example, the first listening mode is a mode of listening according to the first listening period, where the first listening period consists of a first listening duration period and a first sleep duration period. The second listening mode is a mode of listening according to the second listening period, where the second listening period consists of a second listening duration period and a second sleep duration period. Exemplarily, if the UE receives a first LP-WUS (the first LP-WUS refers to the LP-WUS received by the UE), it can be considered that there may be some subsequent service requirements on the network device side. The probability of receiving the first LP-WUS during LR listening is relatively high, and the probability of needing to wake up the MR is also greater. Therefore, it can be defaulted that after receiving the first LP-WUS, when the MR enters the sleep state next time, the LR needs to switch to the more tightened second listening mode to avoid increasing the latency. Alternatively, the UE receives the first LP-WUS, and the first LP-WUS carries indication information, which can be defined as the second indication information. The second indication information is used to indicate that after the MR sleeps, the LR uses the second listening mode to listen for the LP-WUS. This is equivalent to the network device making a judgment based on the subsequent data packet transmission situation with the UE, and corresponding to the transmission situation, determining a mode that is tightened or relaxed compared to the first listening mode as the second listening mode, and indicating to the UE to use this second listening mode for listening through the second indication information, which can make the listening of the LR more in line with the subsequent transmission requirements. In this case, the second listening mode can be a listening mode that is tightened or relaxed compared to the first listening mode.

[0113] When the second listening mode is tighter than the first listening mode, the first listening period and the second listening period satisfy any one of the following conditions: The first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is shorter than the second listening period; or, the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period. In this case, the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration; or, the first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is longer than the second listening period; or, the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period can be shorter than the second listening period, can be equal to the second listening period in duration, or can be longer than the second listening period; or, the first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is shorter than the second listening period, and it is necessary to ensure that the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is less than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period. All of the above conditions satisfy the situation described above: Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the relaxation level corresponding to the second listening mode is lower than the relaxation level corresponding to the first listening mode. Among them, the condition for a longer first listening period satisfies the situation described above: Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the listening period of the second listening mode is shorter than the listening period of the first listening mode. For example, the first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration.

[0114] Such a design can ensure that the subsequent first LP-WUS sent by the network device is more likely to be received in time, avoiding increasing the delay.

[0115] When the second listening mode is more relaxed than the first listening mode, the first listening period and the second listening period satisfy any one of the following conditions: Or, the first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is longer than the second listening period; Or, the first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period. In this case, the first sleep duration is shorter than the second sleep duration; Or, the first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is shorter than the second listening period; Or, the first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period can be shorter than the second listening period, can be equal to the second listening period in duration, or can be longer than the second listening period; Or, the first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is longer than the second listening period, and it is necessary to ensure that the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is greater than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period. All of the above conditions satisfy the situation described above: both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the relaxation level corresponding to the second listening mode is higher than the relaxation level corresponding to the first listening mode. Among them, the condition for a shorter first listening period satisfies the situation described above: both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, but the listening period of the second listening mode is longer than the listening period of the first listening mode. For example, the first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep time is shorter than the second sleep duration.

[0116] In a possible implementation, one of the first listening mode and the second listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the other is a periodic listening mode. For example, the first listening mode is a mode of listening according to the first listening period, that is, the periodic listening mode, and the second listening mode is a mode of continuously listening, that is, the continuous listening mode. Among them, the first listening period is composed of the first listening duration and the first sleep duration. Or, the first listening mode is a mode of continuously listening, that is, the continuous listening mode, and the second listening mode is a mode of listening according to the second listening period, that is, the periodic listening mode. Among them, the second listening period is composed of the second listening duration and the second sleep duration. Exemplarily, LR can default to using the continuous listening mode to listen every time MR enters the sleep state. Or, regardless of whether LR is using the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode when receiving the first LP-WUS when MR enters the sleep state, LR will use the continuous listening mode when MR enters the sleep state next time. Or, the second indication information of the first LP-WUS instructs LR to use the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode as the second listening mode, and so on.

[0117] Optionally, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is that the UE uses the first listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal. If the wake-up signal is not received, the UE uses the third listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal; where the first listening mode is different from the third listening mode, and the third listening mode is to listen according to the third listening period, and the third listening period is composed of the third listening duration and the third sleep duration. This method can be combined with Figure 4 the method provided and can also be executed independently.

[0118] Since the wake-up signal is not received, the UE can consider that there may be no service requirements on the network device side for some time in the future. Therefore, it can default to switching to a more relaxed listening mode. Optionally, if the first listening mode is not the most relaxed listening mode, it can switch to the third listening mode after a period of time (such as after the first time period). If the first listening mode is the most relaxed listening mode, the current listening mode is maintained.

[0119] When the third listening mode is more relaxed than the first listening mode, the first listening period and the third listening period satisfy any one of the following conditions: the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the third sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is longer than the third listening period; or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the third listening period. In this case, the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration; or, the first listening duration is equal to the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is shorter than the third listening period; or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period can be shorter than the third listening period, can be equal to the third listening period in duration, or can be longer than the third listening period; or, the first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the third sleep duration. In this case, the first listening period is longer than the third listening period, and it is necessary to ensure that the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is greater than the ratio of the third listening time period to the third listening period.

[0120] Next, through several examples, the switching of different listening modes by the UE for different situations will be described. The communication methods in the following examples are taken as examples where the UE (including MR and LR) and at least one device (i.e., network device) set in the network execute. The device in the UE can execute with reference to the operation of the UE, and the device in the network device can execute with reference to the operation of the network device.

[0121] Figure 5 It is the second flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 It is the first switching diagram of the listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 shown, the method includes: S201 to S206.

[0122] S201. The UE activates the LP-WUS function. If the MR enters the first sleep state, the LR is awakened.

[0123] Exemplarily, activating the LP-WUS function can also be referred to as enabling the LP-WUS function, starting the LP-WUS function, enabling the LP-WUS function, or using the LR to listen for wake-up signals or signaling, etc. For example, the wake-up signal can be LP-WUS. Among them, enabling the LP-WUS function can also include: turning off the MR. Turning off the MR can be understood as the MR entering the sleep state or sleep mode.

[0124] Exemplarily, the activation of the LP-WUS function by the UE includes the UE waking up the LR, or turning on the LR, or starting the LR, or activating the LR, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the example of the UE waking up the LR is used for illustration. The activation of the LP-WUS function by the UE means that if the MR is in the sleep state, the LR can be woken up to listen for LP-WUS. When the LR receives the first LP-WUS, the LR can wake up the MR, the LR enters the sleep state, and then the MR enters the sleep state again, and the LR is woken up again, and so on in a cycle.

[0125] After the UE activates the LP-WUS function, the sleep state that the MR enters for the first time can be defined as the first sleep state. Assume that after the UE activates the LP-WUS function, if the MR has no data or services to transmit within a period of time, it enters the sleep state and wakes up the LR. This sleep of the MR is called the first sleep. In the embodiments of the present application, when the MR is in the first sleep state, it can be determined to use the first listening mode for listening. In subsequent sleep states, the listening mode can be flexibly switched according to the transmission scenario and other situations. For example, it may be switched to use the second listening mode for listening, or it may maintain the first listening mode for listening, etc.

[0126] In one example, after the UE activates the LP-WUS function and the MR of the UE enters the first sleep state, the LR is woken up, and the LR is responsible for listening for whether the LP-WUS is received. The LR can use the first listening mode for LP-WUS. After each time the LR is woken up, it can also determine to use the first listening mode or the second listening mode according to different situations. Figure 5 In the provided communication method, it can be designed that the first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the second listening mode is a periodic listening mode. The LR can, according to the default setting of the UE, use the continuous listening mode after the MR enters the sleep state for the first time, or it can also, according to the default setting of the UE, use the periodic listening mode after the MR enters the first sleep state. In subsequent operations, the LR then determines whether to use the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode for listening according to whether the first LP-WUS is received during listening. Refer to Figure 6 , the continuous listening mode refers to a mode of continuously listening for whether the LP-WUS is received (such as Figure 6 in which continuous listening starts from a, or continuous listening starts from i); the periodic listening mode includes multiple groups of alternately appearing listening duration periods (such as Figure 6 the cd period in Figure 6 and the sleep period (such as the de period in ). During the listening duration period, the LP-WUS can be received, and during the sleep period, no signal is received, that is, the LP-WUS is not received.

[0127] S202. After the MR of the UE wakes up the LR for the first time after falling asleep, the LR uses the continuous listening mode to listen for the LP-WUS. If the first LP-WUS is received within the first time period, S203 is executed; if the first LP-WUS is not received within the first time period, S204 is executed.

[0128] Optionally, the UE can preset that after the LP-WUS function is activated by the LR and the MR enters the first sleep state, the continuous listening mode is used by default.

[0129] Optionally, the UE can execute S203 when the LR receives each first LP-WUS, or can also execute S203 when it is determined that the first LP-WUS received by the LR is for the MR of this UE (that is, the first LP-WUS is a paging for the MR or the first LP-WUS of the UE where the LR is located). Executing S203 based on the first LP-WUS for this UE has stronger directivity, can avoid interference from other first LP-WUS received to wake up the MR, and has better energy-saving effect.

[0130] Exemplarily, the first time period can be denoted as T1, and T1 can be determined according to a timer configured with a certain duration. For example, the UE starts a first timer, and the duration of the first timer is T1. If the LR receives the first LP-WUS before the first timer expires, S203 is executed; if the first LP-WUS is not received during the timing of the first timer, S204 is executed.

[0131] Optionally, in addition to receiving the first LP-WUS and executing S203, the LR of the UE can also execute S203 when the LR receives and successfully decodes the first LP-WUS; or, execute S203 when the LR detects the first LP-WUS, etc. The embodiments of this application are described by taking receiving the first LP-WUS as an example, but are not limited thereto.

[0132] S203. The LR of the UE wakes up the MR, and the LR enters the sleep state.

[0133] Suppose during the continuous listening starting from a within the first time period in Figure 6 , if the first LP-WUS is received, the MR is woken up. Optionally, when the MR is woken up, the LR can enter the sleep state, or the LR can turn off the function of receiving signals (such as receiving the LP-WUS), or the UE turns off the LR, etc. The embodiments of this application are described by taking the LR entering the sleep state when the LR wakes up the MR as an example, but are not limited thereto.

[0134] Optionally, LR waking up MR may refer to turning on MR, or triggering MR to exit sleep (including triggering MR to exit the sleep state or sleep mode, etc.), or triggering MR to enter the wake-up state or wake-up mode (including triggering MR to start receiving service signals), etc. The manner of LR waking up MR is not limited.

[0135] Optionally, the manner of LR waking up MR includes: LR sending a signal to MR to wake up MR, or LR sending a current to MR to wake up MR, etc.

[0136] S204. The LR of the UE uses the periodic listening mode to listen to LP-WUS.

[0137] Exemplarily, the network device should know the listening rules of the UE using the listening mode, and can autonomously calculate the listening situation of the UE based on the moment when the UE activates the LP-WUS function. For example, the network device can calculate whether the current LR is awake or asleep. For example, when the LR is in the awake state, which listening mode is used for listening, etc. Based on the calculated result, the network device sends the first LP-WUS during the listening duration of the LR. For example, the network device calculates that the current LR uses the periodic listening mode and is in the listening duration, and then sends the first LP-WUS.

[0138] Optionally, the network device can track the listening situation of the UE. For example, when the UE receives the first LP-WUS, it feeds back to the network device. Based on this feedback, the network device can obtain the listening situation of the current LR. If the network device receives this feedback, it can determine that the LR is listening (such as in the continuous listening mode or the listening duration of the periodic listening mode). When the network device has data or service transmission requirements, it can send LP-WUS.

[0139] If the first LP-WUS is not received within the first time period, the UE may consider that the possibility of the network device transmitting data or services in the subsequent period of time is relatively low. For energy conservation, the current continuous listening mode used is switched to the periodic listening mode, that is, the LR uses the periodic listening mode.

[0140] Refer to Figure 6 the example of Figure 6 for illustration: After the MR sleeps for the first time, the LR uses the continuous listening mode (such as Figure 6 starting continuous listening from a), and starts the first timer. Assuming Figure 6 the duration of the ab period in Figure 6The de period in it) can appear alternately periodically. Each listening duration period and a sleep period form a cycle (such as Figure 6 the ce period in it), and the duration of each cycle is T cycle , where the duration of each listening duration period is T d1 (such as Figure 6 the cd period in it). If the LP-WUS sent by the network device reaches the UE during the sleep period of the LR, such as reaching the UE between the de periods shown in Figure 6 , the LR cannot receive the LP-WUS and continues to maintain the current state; if the LP-WUS sent by the network device, such as the first LP-WUS reaches the UE during the listening duration period of the LR, the LR receives the first LP-WUS, such as receiving the first LP-WUS at the g moment (the g moment is within the fh period of the listening duration period) shown in Figure 6 , then based on the first LP-WUS, the MR is woken up.

[0141] When the LR uses the periodic listening mode to listen for LP-WUS, if it receives the first LP-WUS, it executes S205; if it never receives the LP-WUS, it continues to listen in the more energy-efficient periodic listening mode.

[0142] Such as Figure 6 shown, during the listening duration period (i.e., the fh period of Figure 6 ) when the LR is in the periodic listening mode, at the g moment, it receives the first LP-WUS sent by the network device. Then the LR starts to wake up the MR at the g moment and enters the sleep mode. The MR is woken up at the m moment. The m moment can be the same as the g moment, or the m moment is after the g moment and the interval from the g moment is the wake-up delay.

[0143] S205: If the LR of the UE receives the first LP-WUS during the listening duration period, it wakes up the MR and enters the sleep state.

[0144] S206: After the MR of the UE sleeps for the second time, it wakes up the LR again, and the LR uses the continuous listening mode to listen for LP-WUS.

[0145] After the service processing of the UE is completed, the MR can enter the sleep state again and wake up the LR. The LR can still adopt the default continuous listening mode to continuously listen for whether it receives the LP-WUS.

[0146] Optionally, after S203 or S205, S206 can be executed.

[0147] Exemplarily, referring to Figure 6The following is an example for illustration: When MR finishes processing the service during the mn period, it is equivalent to sleeping for the second time at the nth moment. At the corresponding moment, LR uses the continuous listening mode again to listen to LP-WUS (for example, Figure 6 continuously listens starting from i). In one possible implementation, when LR starts the continuous listening mode, it starts the first timer again. The duration of the first timer is T1. The listening method can refer to the example after continuously listening starting from a in Figure 6 . In another possible implementation, when LR starts the continuous listening mode, it starts the second timer with a duration of T2. Assume that Figure 6 the duration of the ij period in is T2. If LR does not receive the first LP-WUS during the timing of the second timer, after the second timer expires, LR switches to a more energy-efficient periodic listening mode (the listening continuous time period of this periodic listening mode starts from Figure 6 k shown). For the subsequent operation of listening for LP-WUS in the periodic listening mode, reference can be made to the descriptions corresponding to S204 and S205, which will not be elaborated here; if the first LP-WUS is received during the timing of the second timer, then MR can be awakened. Reference can be made to the descriptions corresponding to S203 or S205, which will not be elaborated here.

[0148] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, T1 and T2 can be the same or different. In one example, T1 and T2 can be set by the timer. In one example, T1 and T2 can be set according to the determined moments calculated by the UE. For example, referring to Figure 6 , the UE calculates the moments corresponding to a, b, i, and j respectively, determines T1 based on the a moment and the b moment, determines T2 based on the i moment and the j moment, etc. In one example, the durations of T1 and T2 can be determined by the number of cycles in the periodic listening mode, such as the number of T cycle cycles, etc. The duration of T cycle can be set by the timer. The durations of T1, T2, T cycle and T d1 can be absolute time. For example, the units of T1, T2, T cycle and T d1 can be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. The durations of T1, T2, T cycle and T d1 can also be relative time. For example, the units of T1, T2, T cycle and T d1 can be SFN, symbol, time slot, subframe, radio frame, etc.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the UE can calculate the start moment of each continuous listening cycle, and the start moments of each listening continuous time period and sleep time period in the listening cycle of the periodic listening mode. Refer to Figure 6For example, when the UE enters the first sleep state in MR and the LR uses the continuous listening mode, the starting time of the continuous listening mode is calculated as a, and the LR starts continuous listening from time a. If the LR does not receive the first LP-WUS in the first time period, the LR switches to the periodic listening mode. The UE can calculate the starting time of the first listening duration period in the periodic listening mode as c, and the LR starts from time c and listens for a listening duration period of T d1 After listening for the listening duration period, it enters the sleep period, which is regarded as a cycle of T cycle duration. The UE calculates the starting time of the next listening duration period as e, and the LR starts from time e and listens for a listening duration period of T d1 listening duration period, and so on. Alternatively, the UE can calculate the starting time of each time period in the periodic listening mode. For example, it calculates that c, e, f, etc. are the starting times of each listening duration period, and d and h, etc. are the starting times of each sleep period, etc. The LR enters the corresponding time period according to the calculated time.

[0150] Optionally, the parameters and configurations used by the UE in the embodiments of this application include the first time period, T1, T2, T cycle and T d1 , or the starting time of the continuous listening mode, the starting and ending times of each listening duration period and sleep period in the periodic listening mode, etc. These parameters and configurations can all be calculated according to the calculation method pre-agreed between the UE and the network device. Alternatively, after obtaining these parameters and configurations, the network device can send them to the UE for the UE to use. In this case, the network device can carry the parameters and configurations in a broadcast message, such as a broadcast (system information block, SIB) message, and send them to the UE (such as a non-connected state UE); or the network device can send them to the UE in a dedicated signaling, such as a radio resource control (RRC) message (such as a connected state UE).

[0151] In the example provided by the embodiment of the present application, when the LR is in the periodic listening mode, the duration of the continuous listening period is determined according to the rules pre-agreed between the UE and the network device and is not triggered by events. In this way, the network device should know the listening rules of the UE using the listening mode and can independently calculate the listening situation of the UE based on the moment when the UE activates the LP-WUS, determine whether the LR is in the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode. If it is in the periodic listening mode, it can calculate whether it is in the continuous listening period or the sleep period, so that when the LR uses the continuous listening mode or when the LR is in the continuous listening period of the periodic listening mode, the first LP-WUS is sent, increasing the possibility of the first LP-WUS being received, thereby increasing the success rate of waking up the MR each time the first LP-WUS is sent, and also reducing the latency accordingly.

[0152] In addition to the method of using the default continuous listening mode provided in step S206 for communication, the LR can also use the method of tightening the next listening mode when receiving the first LP-WUS for communication. For example, if the LR receives the first LP-WUS in the periodic listening mode, wakes up the MR and then sleeps, after the MR completes the service, sleeps again and wakes up the LR, the LR switches to the continuous listening mode for listening; if the LR receives the first LP-WUS in the continuous listening mode, wakes up the MR and then sleeps, after the MR completes the service, sleeps again and wakes up the LR, the LR maintains the continuous listening mode.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the LP-WUS may carry indication information. The indication information may refer to the second indication information in the above example and is generated by the network device after judgment according to the current data or service transmission requirements and other situations, based on whether there is still data or service that needs to be processed by the MR in the future. The second indication information is used to indicate which listening mode the LR should use for listening after the UE wakes up the LR next time. For example, the network device determines that the current data needs to be sent once, and there will be no more data sent to the UE in a short time after the sending is completed. Therefore, the first LP-WUS can be sent. After receiving the first LP-WUS, the LR uses the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode according to the indication of the second indication information to listen for the subsequent LP-WUS. Suppose the network device determines that the current data being sent is the tail packet (i.e., the last data packet) of a traffic flow. After the tail packet is sent to the UE, the traffic flow is completed, and the MR does not need to work for a certain period of time. At this time, the second indication information of the first LP-WUS can indicate that the LR uses a relatively relaxed listening mode for listening. In Figure 5In the method shown, the LR uses two listening modes, namely, the continuous listening mode and the periodic listening mode, to switch between listening modes. Comparatively speaking, the periodic listening mode is relatively relaxed, and the continuous listening mode is relatively strict. Therefore, the second indication information can indicate that the LR uses the periodic listening mode. That is to say, when executing S206, the communication method can change from the LR using the continuous listening mode to listen to the LP-WUS to: the LR uses the periodic listening mode to listen to the LP-WUS according to the second indication information. Or, after the network device determines the currently transmitted data, there is still data that needs to be processed by the MR. The LR should listen to the LP-WUS in a relatively strict listening mode to avoid missing the LP-WUS. At this time, the second indication information carried in the first LP-WUS can indicate that the LR uses the continuous listening mode. Optionally, if both the UE and the network device know that the default listening mode used by the LR is the continuous listening mode, when it is necessary to switch to the periodic listening mode, it can be indicated by carrying information in the second indication information. For example, the information carried in the second indication information indicates that a switch is required. When it is not necessary to switch to the periodic listening mode, the second indication information does not carry information. Or, the second indication information corresponds to different listening modes by carrying different information, etc. Optionally, the second indication information can indicate that the LR uses the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode, and can also indicate that the LR switches to a more relaxed listening mode, or switches to a more strict listening mode, and so on.

[0154] Exemplarily, the indication information carried in the LP-WUS, such as the second indication information, can be in the form of bit positions, specific fields, predefined dictionaries, etc.

[0155] Exemplarily, 1-bit indication information can be carried in the LP-WUS to indicate that the LR uses the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode, or to indicate that the LR maintains the current listening mode.

[0156] Figure 5In the example, a communication method for listening is designed in which the LR dynamically switches between a continuous listening mode and a periodic listening mode (which can also be called a duty cycle listening mode). In this communication method, when the UE activates the LP-WUS function, the LR can use the continuous listening mode to continuously listen for whether the first LP-WUS is received. During the first time period, if the first LP-WUS is not received, it can be considered that the condition of non-dense reception is met, and the mode is switched to the periodic listening mode to save energy consumption. If the first LP-WUS is received during the listening duration of the periodic listening mode, the mode can be switched back to the continuous listening mode to avoid not timely listening to the LP-WUS sent by the subsequent network device within the current period and delaying the reception until the listening duration of the next period, thus causing a time delay in waking up the MR. By flexibly switching the listening mode in the embodiments of the present application, the use of the listening mode is more suitable for the current transmission requirements, achieving a balance between energy saving and time delay.

[0157] Figure 7 is the third schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 8 is the second schematic diagram of the switching of the listening mode provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, this method can be executed by the UE, and the UE includes an MR and an LR. This method includes: S301 to S310.

[0158] S301. The UE activates the LP-WUS function. If the MR enters the first sleep state, the LR is woken up.

[0159] Exemplarily, the LR can use the first listening mode or the second listening mode to listen for the LP-WUS. Figure 7 In the provided communication method, the first listening mode can be designed as a long-period listening mode, and the second listening mode can be designed as a short-period listening mode. The LR determines whether to use the long-period listening mode or the short-period listening mode for listening after the next wake-up according to whether the first LP-WUS is received during the continuous listening duration of each periodic listening mode. The long-period listening mode includes N groups of alternately appearing long-period listening continuous time periods (such as the ab time period and the cd time period in Figure 8 ) and long-period sleep time periods (such as the bc time period in Figure 8 ), and the LP-WUS can be received during the long-period listening continuous time period, and the LP-WUS cannot be received during the long-period sleep time period; the short-period listening mode includes M groups of alternately appearing short-period listening continuous time periods (such as the ef time period, the hi time period, and the jk time period in Figure 8 ) and short-period sleep time periods (such as Figure 8During the fh period and the ij period in it, the LP-WUS can be received during the short-cycle listening duration, and the LP-WUS cannot be received during the short-cycle sleep duration. Wherein, both N and M are positive integers greater than 0, and the second listening period is longer than the first listening period (that is, the listening period of the long-cycle listening mode is longer than the listening period of the short-cycle listening mode).

[0160] Optionally, the listening period of the long-cycle listening mode being longer than the listening period of the short-cycle listening mode satisfies any of the following conditions: the short-cycle listening duration is longer than the long-cycle listening duration; or, the short-cycle sleep duration is shorter than the long-cycle sleep duration; or, the short-cycle listening duration is longer than the long-cycle listening duration, and the short-cycle sleep duration is shorter than the long-cycle sleep duration.

[0161] Exemplarily, when the short-cycle listening duration is longer than the long-cycle listening duration and the short-cycle sleep duration is shorter than the long-cycle sleep duration, the duration of the first listening period and the duration of the second listening period can be equal.

[0162] In an actual usage scenario, the UE can default to entering the long-cycle listening mode or the short-cycle listening mode after each sleep of the MR. For example, if the UE defaults that after each sleep of the MR, the LR uses the long-cycle listening mode, then S302 is executed; if the UE defaults that after each sleep of the MR, the LR uses the short-cycle listening mode, then S307 is executed.

[0163] S302. After the first sleep of the MR of the UE, the LR is awakened. The LR uses the long-cycle listening mode to listen for the LP-WUS. If the first LP-WUS is received, the MR is awakened.

[0164] The LR receiving the first LP-WUS can also be that the LR receives and successfully decodes the first LP-WUS, or the LR detects the first LP-WUS, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the case where the LR receives the first LP-WUS is taken as an example for illustration, but it is not limited. The manner in which the LR awakens the MR and the state of the MR after awakening can refer to the description corresponding to S203 and will not be elaborated further.

[0165] Optionally, when the MR is awakened, the LR can enter the sleep state, or the LR can turn off the function of receiving signals (such as receiving the LP-WUS), or the UE turns off the LR, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the case where the LR enters the sleep state when the LR awakens the MR is taken as an example for illustration, but it is not limited.

[0166] Exemplarily, after the LP receives the first LP-WUS, it can first determine whether the first LP-WUS is for the UE where the LR is located, that is, whether the first LP-WUS is paging the UE where the LR is located. If so, the MR can be awakened; if not, the MR is not awakened.

[0167] Refer to Figure 8 the example of Figure 8 for illustration: After the first sleep of the MR, the LR uses the long-cycle listening mode to listen (such as Figure 8 starting to listen from a in Figure 8 ). Since the listening cycle of the long-cycle listening mode is longer than that of the short-cycle listening mode, it can be considered that maintaining the long-cycle listening mode can achieve the best energy-saving effect when the first LP-WUS is not received. Figure 8 In long , both the ab period and the cd period are the continuous time periods of long-cycle listening. For example, Figure 8 the bc period in

[0168] is the long-cycle sleep time period. A long cycle can be composed of a continuous time period of long-cycle listening and a long-cycle sleep time period (such as

[0169] the ac period in

[0170] ). The duration of each long cycle is T Figure 8 ). Assume that when the LR is listening during the cd period, it receives the first LP-WUS at the g moment. Then, based on the first LP-WUS, the MR is woken up. Optionally, after receiving the first LP-WUS, the LR can enter the sleep state, that is, it no longer maintains the continuous time period of long-cycle listening such as Figure 8 the gh period in Figure 8 to listen. Figure 8 In Figure 8During the eh period and the ik period), the duration of each short cycle is T short . If, within the third time period, the first LP-WUS sent by the network device arrives at the UE during the short-cycle sleep time period and the LR fails to receive this first LP-WUS, or if the network device does not send the first LP-WUS within the third time period, the UE can infer that the possibility of subsequently receiving the first LP-WUS is relatively low based on not receiving the first LP-WUS. Therefore, the UE switches to a more relaxed listening mode, i.e., the long-cycle listening mode, for listening to save energy. As Figure 8 shown, starting from time l, the long-cycle listening mode is used for listening, and the long cycle of this long-cycle listening mode is as Figure 8 shown in the lq period in. If, within the third time period, within a short-cycle listening duration (such as the ef period, the hi period, or the jk period), the UE receives the first LP-WUS, then based on the first LP-WUS, the MR is awakened. At this time, since the MR is awakened, the LR can consider that the possibility of subsequently receiving the first LP-WUS is relatively high. Therefore, when the LR wakes up next time, it still maintains the short-cycle listening mode for listening to avoid missing the first LR and causing latency.

[0171] Exemplarily, the third time period can be set by a timer, or can be set according to counting a certain number of long cycles, or according to counting a certain number of short cycles. For example, the third time period is denoted as T3. The LR can maintain a third timer with a duration of T3, or the LR can set T3 according to counting a certain number of short cycles, or the LR can set T3 according to counting a certain number of long cycles, etc. For example, referring to Figure 8 the example of, the LR can set T3 to be equal to 3 times T based on 3 short cycles included in the ek period short , or set T3 to be equal to 2 times T long . In a possible implementation, the LR can use T3 to determine whether to switch to the long-cycle listening mode in subsequent short-cycle listening modes, or other durations can be set to determine whether to switch to the long-cycle listening mode.

[0172] The duration of the long-cycle listening duration can be defined as T d2 , and the duration of the short-cycle listening duration is defined as T d3 . Optionally, T3, T long , T short , T d2 and T d3 can be absolute time. For example, T3, T long , T sh ort, T d2 and T d3The unit can be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. T3, T long , T sh ort, T d2 and T d3 can also be relative time, such as T3, T long , T sh ort, T d2 and T d3 The unit can be SFN, symbol, time slot, subframe, radio frame, etc. Among them, T long >T short . In one possible implementation, T d2 =T d3 . In one possible implementation, T long is an integer multiple of T short .

[0173] In the examples provided by the embodiments of this application Figure 7 , the durations of the long period and the short period of LR are determined according to the rules pre-agreed between the UE and the network device, and are not triggered by events. For example, at T d2 =T d3 , the durations of T d2 and T d3 are determined according to the rules pre-agreed between the UE and the network device. In this way, the network device should know the listening rules of the UE using the listening mode, and can independently calculate the listening situation of the UE based on the moment when the UE activates LP-WUS. If the network device determines that LR is in the listening duration (including the long-period listening duration and the short-period listening duration), it sends the first LP-WUS during its corresponding listening duration to increase the possibility of the UE receiving the first LP-WUS. When T d2 =T d3 , the LP-WUS sent by the network device is more likely to be received by LR during the long-period listening duration or the short-period listening duration. When the listening mode determined by the network device is the same as the listening mode used by the UE, there may be a situation where the sending of LP-WUS is not aligned with the listening of LR. For example, the network device incorrectly calculates that LR uses the short-period listening mode and is in the short-period listening duration, so it sends a first LP-WUS, but LR is actually using the long-period listening mode. When the first LP-WUS arrives at LR, it is very likely to fall within the long-period sleep duration. At this time, LR fails to receive the first LP-WUS and still maintains the long-period listening mode to listen. To reduce the delay, T long can be set to T shortan integer multiple (e.g., it can be set to 2 times). In this way, if the network device sends the first LP-WUS according to the duration of the first short-cycle listening period in the short-cycle listening mode, although the LR does not receive the LP-WUS during the current long-cycle listening period of the long cycle, when the network device sends the first LP-WUS according to the duration of the second short-cycle listening period in the short-cycle listening mode, the LR can receive the first LP-WUS during the second long-cycle listening period. Or, the network device sends the first LP-WUS according to the duration of the first short-cycle listening period in the short-cycle listening mode, and the LR does not receive the first LP-WUS during the current long-cycle listening period of the long cycle. The network device judges that the LR fails to receive the first LP-WUS based on conditions such as no hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback or uplink data of the UE within a certain period of time, and should be in the long-cycle listening mode. Therefore, it is changed to send the first LP-WUS during the long-cycle listening period of the LR long-cycle listening mode to increase the possibility of the LP-WUS being successfully received.

[0174] Optionally, the parameters and configurations used by the UE in the embodiments of the present application include the third time period, T3, T long , T short , T d2 and T d3 , or the start times of each long-cycle listening period and the first sleep period in the long-cycle listening mode, the start times of each short-cycle listening period and the second sleep period in the short-cycle listening mode, etc. These parameters and configurations can all be calculated according to the calculation method pre-agreed between the UE and the network device. Or, after these parameters and configurations are obtained by the network device, they can be sent to the UE for the UE to use. In this case, the network device can carry the parameters and configurations in a broadcast message, such as in a System Information Block (SIB) message, and send them to the UE (such as a non-connected UE); or, the network device can send them to the UE (such as a connected UE) in a dedicated signaling, such as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

[0175] S304. The LR of the UE wakes up the MR, and the LR enters the sleep state.

[0176] S305. After the third sleep of the MR of the UE, the LR is woken up again, and the LR uses the short-cycle listening mode to listen for the LP-WUS.

[0177] The method for the LR to use the short-cycle listening mode to listen for the first LP-WUS refers to the corresponding description in S303 and will not be elaborated here.

[0178] S306. The LR of the UE switches to the long-cycle listening mode to listen for the LP-WUS.

[0179] The method for the LR to use the long - period listening mode to listen for the first LP - WUS refers to the descriptions corresponding to S302 and S303, and will not be elaborated here.

[0180] S307. After the first sleep of the UE's MR, the LR is awakened. The LR uses the short - period listening mode to listen for the LP - WUS. If the first LP - WUS is received within the third time period, S308 is executed; if the first LP - WUS is not received within the third time period, S310 is executed.

[0181] The setting of the third time period refers to S303 and will not be elaborated here.

[0182] S308. The LR of the UE wakes up the MR, and the LR enters the sleep state.

[0183] S309. After the second sleep of the UE's MR, the LR is awakened again. The LR uses the short - period listening mode to listen for the LP - WUS.

[0184] The method for the LR to use the short - period listening mode to listen for the LP - WUS refers to the description corresponding to S303 and will not be elaborated here.

[0185] S310. The LR of the UE switches to the long - period listening mode to listen for the LP - WUS.

[0186] The method for the LR to use the long - period listening mode to listen for the LP - WUS refers to the descriptions corresponding to S302 and S303, and will not be elaborated here.

[0187] In a possible implementation, the LP - WUS may carry indication information. This indication information may be the second indication information, which can refer to the above examples (i.e., in the scenarios of the continuous listening mode and the periodic listening mode, the second indication information carried in the LP - WUS), and is used to indicate which listening mode the LR should use to listen after the next wake - up of the UE. For example, when the network device determines that the current data needs to be sent once and there will be no more data sent to the UE in a short time after the sending is completed, it can indicate that the LR uses a more relaxed listening mode to listen for the subsequent LP - WUS. Suppose the network device determines that the currently sent data is the tail packet of a traffic flow, it can indicate that the LR uses the long - period listening mode to listen. Figure 7In the method shown, if it is defaulted to enter the short-cycle listening mode for listening after each MR sleep, then, after receiving the first LP-WUS, the LR can switch to the long-cycle listening mode for listening according to the indication of the indication information in the first LP-WUS, which is more energy-efficient. Exemplarily, the indication information can be in the form of a bit, a specific field, a predefined dictionary, etc. Exemplarily, the LP-WUS carries 1-bit indication information, which is used to indicate that the LR uses the long-cycle listening mode, or is used to indicate the use of the short-cycle listening mode, or is used to indicate that the LR maintains the current listening mode. The indication method of the indication information can refer to the above examples and will not be elaborated here.

[0188] Figure 7 In the example of Figure 7 , a communication method for the LR to dynamically switch between the long-cycle listening mode and the short-cycle listening mode for listening is designed. In this communication method, after the UE activates the LP-WUS function, it can default to use the long-cycle listening mode or the short-cycle listening mode, and then switch the listening mode according to the situation of receiving the first LP-WUS. Usually, the UE can consider that after receiving the first LP-WUS, the listening mode used by the LR again should need to listen to the LP-WUS more tightly. Therefore, after each MR sleep, the LR can switch or remain in the short-cycle listening mode for listening. When the first LP-WUS is not received during the third time period in the short-cycle listening mode, it can be considered that the condition of non-dense reception is met, and the LR can switch to use the long-cycle listening mode to save energy consumption. By flexibly switching the listening mode in the embodiments of the present application, the use of the listening mode is more suitable for the current transmission requirements, achieving a balance between energy saving and delay.

[0189] In some actual usage scenarios, cycles with different relaxation levels can be set to correspond to different listening modes for listening to the LP-WUS, where the number of relaxation levels is at least 2. For example, the LR can switch to use cycle listening modes with multiple different relaxation levels to correspond to different scenarios for listening. Each cycle listening mode with one relaxation level has at least one corresponding cycle, and each cycle includes a listening duration period and a sleep duration period. During the communication process, if the first LP-WUS is received, then after the MR sleep, the LR uses a listening mode with a lower relaxation level (or a higher tightening level). If the first LP-WUS is not received for a period of time, in order to be more energy-efficient, the LR can switch to a listening mode with a higher relaxation level (or a lower tightening level). Optionally, this switch can be a step-by-step switch or a skip-level switch. In the embodiments of the present application, the step-by-step switch is taken as an example for illustration, but it is not limited. The skip-level switch can skip one or more levels and refer to Figure 9 the example implementation of Figure 9 .

[0190] In the embodiments of the present application, taking the example where the network device and the UE have pre-agreed on a monitoring mode with five relaxation levels, the communication methods corresponding to other numbers of relaxation levels can all refer to this example and will not be elaborated one by one. Figure 9 It is the fourth flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 10 It is the third switching schematic diagram of the monitoring mode provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 9 shown, the method includes: S401 to S405.

[0191] Optionally, the UE can pre-configure the periodic monitoring modes corresponding to five relaxation levels, which are simply denoted as relaxation level 0, relaxation level 1, relaxation level 2, relaxation level 3, and relaxation level 4 respectively. An increase in the relaxation level means that the monitoring duration becomes shorter, or the monitoring period becomes longer, or both the monitoring duration becomes shorter and the monitoring period becomes longer. Taking the example where the higher the relaxation level, the shorter the monitoring duration, the monitoring duration in relaxation level 0 (which can be denoted as monitoring duration 0) is the longest, and the monitoring durations in relaxation level 1 (which can be denoted as monitoring duration 1), relaxation level 2 (which can be denoted as monitoring duration 2), and relaxation level 3 (which can be denoted as monitoring duration 3) become shorter in sequence, and the monitoring duration in relaxation level 4 (which can be denoted as monitoring duration 4) is the shortest. That is to say, the relaxation level 4 has the highest relaxation level, and if the LR uses relaxation level 4 for monitoring, it is the most energy-efficient.

[0192] Exemplarily, increasing the relaxation level can be relaxing the original monitoring duration to or relaxing the monitoring period Tc corresponding to the original monitoring duration to K2 times, or relaxing the original monitoring duration to and relaxing the period Tc corresponding to the original monitoring duration to K2 times, where both K1 and K2 are greater than 1. For example, if the period of relaxation level 0 is Tc and the monitoring duration 0 is T d4 , the period of relaxation level 1 is or the monitoring duration 1 of relaxation level 1 is T d4 ×K2, or the period of relaxation level 1 is and the monitoring duration 1 is T d4 ×K2. The same applies to relaxation levels 2, 3, and 4 and will not be elaborated with examples.

[0193] S401. The UE activates the LP-WUS function. If the MR enters the first sleep state, the LR is awakened.

[0194] Exemplarily, taking the periodic listening mode with the lowest relaxation level, i.e., relaxation level 0, used by LR each time it wakes up by default as an example, assuming the period of relaxation level 0 is Tc and the listening duration period 0 is T d4 For example, in an actual usage scenario, the UE can default that after each sleep of MR, LR uses relaxation level 0.

[0195] Optionally, the UE can also default that after MR enters the sleep state each time, LR enters a listening mode with a relaxation level lower than the previous one used, without being limited to LR defaulting to turn on the lowest relaxation level, i.e., relaxation level 0.

[0196] S402. After the first sleep of the MR of the UE, wake up LR. LR uses relaxation level 0 to listen for LP-WUS. If the first LP-WUS is received within the fourth time period, then execute S403. If the first LP-WUS is not received within the fourth time period, then execute S405.

[0197] Exemplarily, denote the fourth time period as T4. T4 can be set by a timer with a fixed duration, or can be set according to counting the periods of a certain relaxation level for a certain number of times. For example, LR can maintain a fourth timer with a duration of T4. Or, LR uses relaxation level 0 to listen for LP-WUS and determines that T4 is 2 periods of relaxation level 0. If the first LP-WUS is not received within T4, then switch to listen for LP-WUS with relaxation level 1. After LR uses relaxation level 1 to listen for LP-WUS, T4 can be 2 periods of relaxation level 1. If the first LP-WUS is not received within T4, then switch to listen for LP-WUS with relaxation level 2, and so on, until switching to the periodic listening mode with the highest relaxation level. Optionally, it can also be further switched from the periodic listening mode with the highest relaxation level to the continuous listening mode. It should be noted that T4 in each relaxation level can be different. In the embodiments of this application, T4 is taken as an example of 2 counting periods corresponding to the relaxation level for illustration, but is not limited. LR listens for whether the first LP-WUS is received within the T4 duration of each relaxation level. If received, then execute S403, otherwise execute S405.

[0198] Optionally, the fourth time period, T4, T d4 and Tc can be absolute time. For example, the units of T4, T d4 and Tc can be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. T4, T d4 and Tc can also be relative time. For example, the units of T4, T d4 and Tc can be SFN, symbol, time slot, subframe, radio frame, etc.

[0199] Optionally, the situation where the LR receives the first LP-WUS may also be that the LR receives and successfully decodes the first LP-WUS, or the LR detects the first LP-WUS, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the example where the LR receives the first LP-WUS is used for illustration, but it is not limited. The manner in which the LR wakes up the MR and the state of the MR after waking up can both refer to the description corresponding to S203, and will not be elaborated here.

[0200] Optionally, when the MR is woken up, the LR may enter the sleep state, or the LR may turn off the function of receiving signals (such as receiving LP-WUS), or the UE may turn off the LR, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, the example where the LR enters the sleep state when the LR wakes up the MR is used for illustration, but it is not limited.

[0201] Exemplarily, after the LP receives the LP-WUS, it may first determine whether the LP-WUS is for the UE where the LP is located, that is, whether the LP-WUS is paging the UE where the LP is located. If so, it may confirm that the received LP-WUS is the first LP-WUS and wake up the MR; if not, it does not wake up the MR.

[0202] S403. The LR of the UE wakes up the MR, and the LR enters the sleep state.

[0203] S404. After the MR of the UE sleeps for the second time, it wakes up the LR again, and the LR listens for LP-WUS using the relaxation level 0.

[0204] After the service processing of the UE is completed, the MR may enter the sleep state again and wake up the LR. Since the first LP-WUS was received previously, the UE may listen for LP-WUS using the default relaxation level 0, or may use a more tightened periodic listening mode than the relaxation level used by the LR when the first LP-WUS was received previously. For example, the LR listens using a listening mode with a relaxation level tightened by 1 level or a relaxation level of X levels, where X is a positive integer greater than 1. The method for the LR to listen for LP-WUS using the relaxation level 0 refers to the description corresponding to S402 and will not be elaborated here.

[0205] S405. The LR of the UE switches to a listening mode with a higher relaxation level, repeats the timing and switches until the relaxation level 4.

[0206] Refer to Figure 10 the example of Figure 10 for illustration: After the MR sleeps for the first time, the LR listens for LP-WUS using the relaxation level 0 (such as Figure 10 starting from a in Figure 10 ). If the first LP-WUS is not received within T4 (that is, 2 cycles of the relaxation level 0, such asFigure 10 If the first LP-WUS is still not received within the ej time period), the listening mode can be switched to the more energy-efficient relaxation level 2 to listen for LP-WUS (starting from j as shown in Figure 10 ). If the first LP-WUS is received by the LR at time g during the listening duration period 2 of relaxation level 2 (i.e., the jk time period of the LR as shown in the figure), the MR is woken up based on the first LP-WUS. Optionally, after receiving the first LP-WUS, the LR can enter the sleep state, that is, it no longer maintains the listening duration period 2 of the gk time period. After receiving the first LP-WUS, the LR performs operations with reference to S403 and S404, combined with Figure 10 That is, the MR is woken up at time m. Assuming that the MR finishes processing the service during the mn time period, which is equivalent to starting the second sleep at time n, the UE can wake up the LR at the corresponding time of n. The LR uses relaxation level 0 to listen for LP-WUS (starting from q as shown in Figure 10 ), and listens whether the first LP-WUS is received within T4 (T4 can still be 2 cycles of relaxation level 0 at this time). If it is received, then perform operations with reference to S403 and S404 again. If it is not received, switch to a more relaxed relaxation level until the highest relaxation level is reached.

[0207] Optionally, the parameters and configurations used by the UE in the embodiments of the present application include the fourth time period, T4, T d4 and Tc, or the start times of the listening duration periods and sleep duration periods corresponding to each relaxation level, etc. These parameters and configurations can all be calculated according to the calculation methods pre-agreed between the UE and the network device. Alternatively, after obtaining these parameters and configurations, the network device can send them to the UE for the UE to use. In this case, the network device can carry the parameters and configurations in a broadcast message, such as an SIB message, and send them to the UE (such as a non-connected UE); or the network device can send them to the UE in a dedicated signaling, such as an RRC message (such as a connected UE).

[0208] In the embodiments of the present application Figure 9 In the examples provided, the start times and cycle durations of each relaxation level used by the LR are determined according to the rules pre-agreed between the UE and the network device, and are not triggered by events, such as Figure 10As shown, the start times a and q of the monitoring duration period 0 are both pre-calculated. For example, the monitoring starts at time n using relaxation level 0, but it doesn't start monitoring in the monitoring duration period 0 when using relaxation level 0. Instead, it starts monitoring in the monitoring duration period 0 at time q. This way can better align the monitoring duration period jointly determined by the network device and the UE, and can increase the possibility that the first LP-WUS sent by the network device is successfully received by the UE. When the monitoring mode determined by the network device is the same as the monitoring mode used by the UE, there may be a situation where the transmission of the first LP-WUS is not aligned with the monitoring duration period of the LR. For example, the UE uses the monitoring mode of relaxation level 3, but the network device thinks the UE uses the monitoring mode of relaxation level 2. As a result, the first LP-WUS sent by the network device is not received, and the UE still keeps monitoring using the monitoring mode of relaxation level 3, and may miss the first LP-WUS sent by the network device later according to the monitoring duration period 2 of relaxation level 2. A feasible solution is that the network device determines that by aligning the start nodes of each monitoring duration period, no matter which relaxation level monitoring mode the UE uses, the LP-WUS sent at the start of the monitoring duration period is likely to be successfully received. For example, the network device pre-sets that after each MR is turned off, the start time when the LR is turned on is set to 0, the start time of the first relaxation level monitoring duration period used by the LR is 0 + a, the start time of switching to the second relaxation level monitoring duration period is 0 + d, and the start time of switching to the second relaxation level monitoring duration period is 0 + i. In this way, no matter whether the monitoring mode used by the UE after switching is the same as that inferred by the network device, the probability that the UE receives the LP-WUS can be increased. Optionally, the network device can determine whether the LR has received the LP-WUS by judging whether there is HARQ feedback or uplink data from the UE within a certain time. Optionally, if the network device determines that the UE has not received the first LP-WUS, it can also send the first LP-WUS according to the monitoring duration period corresponding to the next Y-level relaxation level that is more relaxed, where Y depends on how much the relaxation level was increased by the UE last time. If the network device is not sure whether the UE has received the first LP-WUS, it can also send the first LP-WUS according to the monitoring duration period corresponding to the more tightened relaxation level to increase the possibility that the first LP-WUS can be successfully received.

[0209] In a possible implementation, the LP-WUS may carry indication information, which may be the second indication information. Referring to the above example (i.e., in the scenarios of the continuous listening mode and the periodic listening mode, the second indication information carried in the LP-WUS), it is used to indicate which relaxation level listening mode the LR should use for listening after the UE wakes up the LR next time. For example, when the network device determines that the current data needs to be sent once and there will be no more data sent to the UE in a short time after the sending is completed, it can indicate that the LR uses the most relaxed listening mode, such as the listening mode of relaxation level 4, to listen to the subsequent LP-WUS. Or, if the current LR is using the listening mode of relaxation level 1 and the network device determines that the data currently being sent is the last packet of a traffic flow, it can indicate that the LR uses the listening mode of relaxation level 2, relaxation level 3, or relaxation level 4 for listening, which is more energy-efficient. Exemplarily, the indication information may be in the form of bit positions, specific fields, predefined dictionaries, etc. The indication method of the indication information can refer to the above example and will not be exemplified again here.

[0210] Exemplarily, the LP-WUS may carry 1-bit indication information to indicate an increase or decrease in the relaxation level, or the LP-WUS may carry 2-bit indication information to indicate an increase, decrease, or maintenance of the relaxation level, or the LP-WUS may use 2 n bit indication information to adjust directionally to a specific relaxation level, where n is the total number of relaxation levels.

[0211] Figure 9 In the example of, a communication method for the LR to dynamically switch between listening modes of different relaxation levels for listening is designed. In this communication method, after the UE activates the LP-WUS function, it can default to using the listening mode with the lowest relaxation level for listening, and then switch the listening mode according to the situation of receiving the first LP-WUS. Generally, it is considered that after receiving the first LP-WUS, the relaxation level needs to be reduced when waking up the MR to listen to the LP-WUS. Therefore, if the LR receives the first LP-WUS during the listening duration of relaxation level 0, the next time the MR sleeps, the LR continues to use relaxation level 0. If the LR receives the first LP-WUS during the listening duration of a higher relaxation level, the next time the MR sleeps, the LR can use a lower (such as 1 level lower or Y levels lower) relaxation level listening mode for listening. The LR can use a listening mode that is 1 level lower or Y levels lower according to the actual usage scenario, which is more flexible. If the LR does not receive the first LP-WUS during the fourth time period of using each relaxation level, it can switch continuously until the highest relaxation level, and then maintain this most energy-efficient listening mode for listening. This switching method is more flexible and can handle more complex data and service transmission scenarios to achieve a balance between energy saving and latency.

[0212] In a possible implementation, in the connected state scenario, in order to save the power consumption of the UE while ensuring the effective transmission of data, a DRX mechanism can be introduced to control the behavior of the UE to monitor the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). If DRX is not used, the UE will continuously monitor the PDCCH to check if there is information from the serving cell. However, in the actual usage scenario, the UE may have some idle time and does not always interact with the network device effectively, that is, there is no upload or download service, or the transmission of call data such as voice data during the idle time. If the UE continuously monitors the PDCCH during idle time, it consumes more power. Therefore, the UE can activate the DRX mechanism and switch between the sleep time period of DRX and the monitoring duration period of DRX periodically, work during the monitoring duration period of DRX, and enter the sleep state during the sleep time period of DRX to achieve the purpose of energy saving and power saving. Corresponding to the UE provided in the embodiments of the present application, including MR and LR, DRX can be used by MR, such as the connected mode discontinuous reception (C-DRX) mechanism, to achieve the goal of energy saving and power saving. Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the cycle of a C-DRX provided by the embodiments of the present application, as Figure 11 shown, a cycle of a C-DRX includes a monitoring duration period of the DRX mechanism and a sleep time period of the DRX mechanism. After MR activates the C-DRX mechanism, it can monitor the PDCCH during the monitoring time period of the DRX mechanism (or called the awakened state of the DRX mechanism). For example, after MR is awakened and starts the monitoring time period of the DRX mechanism, it waits to receive the PDCCH. If the UE successfully decodes the PDCCH, it can stay in the monitoring time period of the DRX mechanism and start an inactivity timer. The inactivity timer is used to wait for the duration of successfully decoding the PDCCH again since the last successful decoding of the PDCCH. If the inactivity timer times out, the UE can enter the sleep time period of the DRX mechanism (or called entering the sleep state of the DRX mechanism). During the sleep time period of the DRX mechanism, MR no longer monitors the PDCCH. Therefore, the longer the sleep time period of the DRX mechanism, the lower the power consumption. Correspondingly, the latency will also increase.

[0213] To better balance power consumption and latency, an embodiment of the present application provides a wake-up signal, which can be defined as a second wake-up signal. Still taking the wake-up signal as LP-WUS as an example, in order to distinguish it from the LP-WUS carrying indication information for indicating the listening mode used by the LR in the previous example, the LP-WUS carrying whether the LR needs to combine the C-DRX mechanism of the MR for listening is defined as the second LP-WUS. Optionally, the second LP-WUS may carry indication information (which can be defined as the first indication information) for indicating the listening mode used by the LR, and communicate in combination with the above example.

[0214] Figure 12 is the fifth schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 12 shown, this method can be executed by a network device and a UE, and the UE includes an MR and an LR. This method includes: S501 to S504.

[0215] S501. The network device generates a second LP-WUS, and the second LP-WUS carries the first indication information for indicating to wake up the MR during the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism of the MR, or wake up the MR after a second time period.

[0216] Exemplarily, the second time period can be denoted as T5, and the duration of T5 can be determined according to a timer configured with a certain duration. The timing duration of this timer can be determined according to the latency between receiving the first indication information and waking up the MR, or T5 can be a duration specified by the network device, or T5 can also be determined according to the needs of the usage scenario. For example, in a certain scenario, it is necessary to wait for 10 seconds before waking up the MR, then T5 can be set according to this waiting time, etc.

[0217] Optionally, T5 can be an absolute time. For example, the unit of T5 can be milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc. T5 can also be a relative time. For example, the unit of T5 can be SFN, symbol, time slot, subframe, radio frame, etc.

[0218] Exemplarily, the second time period is the hardware wake-up latency of the MR, which can mean that the UE wakes up the MR immediately after receiving the second LP-WUS.

[0219] Exemplarily, if the first indication information indicates to wake up the MR during the listening duration period of the DRX mechanism of the MR, it means that the LR needs to combine the C-DRX mechanism of the MR for listening and waking up the MR. If the first indication information indicates to wake up the MR after the second time period, it means that the LR does not need to combine the C-DRX mechanism of the MR for listening and waking up the MR, that is, the LR can wake up the MR after the second time period when receiving the second LP-WUS.

[0220] Optionally, the first indication information may be in the form of bit positions, specific fields, predefined dictionaries, etc.

[0221] Optionally, the network device and the UE may pre - agree on which services need to be processed in a timely manner, which can be defined as the first - type services, and which services can be processed later, which can be defined as the second - type services. For example, the first - type services correspond to the UE having burst services, emergency services, or services (or data) that are about to lose timeliness, such as voice calls, etc.; the second - type services correspond to the UE's non - urgent or periodic services, such as emails, advertisements pushed by the platform, subscribed news, etc. Suppose the network device has a first - type service to transmit, then the first indication information carried in the corresponding generated second LP - WUS can be used to indicate waking up the MR after the second time period. Suppose the network device has a second - type service to transmit, then the first indication information carried in the corresponding generated second LP - WUS can be used to indicate waking up the MR during the monitoring duration of the DRX mechanism of the MR.

[0222] In some possible implementation manners, the first indication information may also indicate the UE to wake up the MR through other indication contents. For example, the first indication information can be used to indicate waking up the MR during the monitoring duration of the DRX mechanism of the MR, or indicating that the MR can be woken up during both the monitoring duration of the DRX mechanism and the sleep period of the DRX mechanism, etc.

[0223] S502. The network device sends the second LP - WUS.

[0224] Exemplarily, the network device can send the LP - WUS non - directionally or send the second LP - WUS to the UE.

[0225] S503. The LR of the UE receives the second LP - WUS and wakes up the MR during the monitoring duration of the DRX mechanism of the MR or wakes up the MR after the second time period according to the first indication information.

[0226] Exemplarily, if the first indication information indicates waking up the MR during the monitoring duration of the DRX of the MR, it is equivalent to waking up the MR in combination with the current C - DRX mechanism of the UE. Refer to Figure 13a . When the LR receives the second LP - WUS at time g, it does not wake up the MR first, but waits for the monitoring duration of the DRX mechanism of the MR to start and then wakes up the MR. If the first indication information indicates waking up the MR after the second time period, it is equivalent to waking up the MR without combining the current C - DRX mechanism of the UE. Refer to Figure 13b, if LR receives the second LP-WUS at time g, it can wake up MR at time h after time g without waiting for the listening duration of MR's DRX mechanism to start. In the case shown in FIG. 13, the second time period is the duration of the hg time period, i.e., T5. Optionally, after MR is woken up, MR enters the listening duration of the DRX mechanism and can start a timer, such as defined as the LP-WUS timer (as Figure 13b shown), MR listens to the PDCCH before the LP-WUS timer expires. When the LP-WUS timer expires, it enters the sleep period of the DRX mechanism again to save energy to the greatest extent. The LP-WUS timer is started for the first service corresponding to the currently received LP-WUS and belongs to a one-time timer. When the network device obtains the next first service again, it determines the duration of the next LP-WUS timer according to the time required by the next first service and starts it.

[0227] Optionally, in one example, the duration of T5 can be set by the timer exemplified in S501. In one example, the duration of T5 can be set according to the time determined by UE calculation. For example, referring to Figure 13b , UE calculates the times corresponding to g and h respectively, and determines T5 based on the times of g and h.

[0228] Optionally, if the first indication information indicates to wake up MR during the listening duration of MR's DRX mechanism, or indicates that MR can be woken up during either the listening duration or the sleep period of the DRX mechanism, the operations are performed with reference to the examples of the first indication information above and will not be elaborated here.

[0229] In one possible implementation, in combination with Figures 5 to 9 the example, when LR receives the second LP-WUS, it may be using different listening modes. If it is in the listening state (including the listening duration of the continuous listening mode and the periodic listening mode), the second LP-WUS can be regarded as carrying the first LP-WUS indicating whether it is necessary to combine with MR's C-DRX mechanism to listen and wake up MR. For various listening modes of LR, MR can be woken up with reference to the above examples: for example, LR may be in Figure 5 the example, during the listening duration of the continuous listening mode or the periodic listening mode, receiving the second LP-WUS, and the method of waking up MR refers to Figure 5 the example; for example, LR may be in Figure 7 the example, during the long-period listening duration of the long-period listening mode or the short-period listening duration of the short-period listening mode, receiving the second LP-WUS, and the method of waking up MR refers to Figure 7 the example; for example, LR may be in Figure 9In the example, for the listening duration of the listening modes with different relaxation levels, when receiving the second LP-WUS, the method for waking up the MR refers to Figure 9 the example of, which will not be elaborated separately here.

[0230] S504. The LR of the UE wakes up the MR, and the LR enters the sleep state.

[0231] Optionally, the parameters and configurations used by the network device and the UE in the embodiments of this application include the second time period, T5, or the start time of waking up the MR, etc. These parameters and configurations can all be calculated according to the calculation method pre-agreed between the UE and the network device. Or, after obtaining these parameters and configurations, the network device can send them to the UE for the UE to use. In this case, the network device can carry the parameters and configurations in a broadcast message, such as a broadcast (system information block, SIB) message, and send them to the UE (such as a non-connected state UE); or, the network device can send them to the UE in a dedicated signaling, such as a radio resource control (RRC) message (such as a connected state UE).

[0232] In the embodiments of this application, by carrying the first indication information in the second LP-WUS to indicate the coupling or decoupling of the listening of the LR and the C-DRX mechanism of the MR, the wake-up time of the MR for receiving the PDCCH can be flexibly selected, and it is applicable to the scenario where the UE activates the C-DRX mechanism, making the application scenarios of balancing latency and energy saving more extensive.

[0233] Figure 14 is one of the schematic structural diagrams of a terminal device or a device in a terminal device provided by the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 14 shown, the terminal device 30 or the device 30 in the terminal device includes: an MR 301 and a listening module 302. The listening module 302 is used to listen for wake-up signals using the first listening mode; if a first wake-up signal is received, the MR of the terminal device is woken up, and the first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR 301; after the MR enters the sleep state, it listens for wake-up signals using the second listening mode; wherein, the first listening mode is different from the second listening mode.

[0234] In a possible implementation manner, the listening module 302 is specifically configured to wake up the MR 301 if a first wake-up signal is received within the first time period.

[0235] In a possible implementation manner, the listening module 302 is the LR of the terminal device.

[0236] In a possible implementation, the monitoring module 302 is specifically configured to, after the wake-up signal function is activated, if the MR is in the sleep state, monitor the wake-up signal using the first monitoring mode.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the monitoring module 302 is specifically configured to wake up the MR if the first wake-up signal is for the MR.

[0238] It should be understood that Figure 14 The modules shown are only examples, and each module can perform its operations or variations of its operations with reference to the method part in the embodiments of the present application. In the examples provided in the embodiments of the present application, other operations can also be performed, and the examples in the embodiments of the present application are not used as a limitation.

[0239] Figure 15 This is the second structural schematic diagram of a terminal device or a device in a terminal device provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 15 shown, the terminal device 40 or the device 40 in the terminal device includes: an MR 401 and a monitoring module 402.

[0240] The monitoring module 402 is configured to monitor the wake-up signal using the first monitoring mode, and if the wake-up signal is not received, monitor the wake-up signal using the third monitoring mode; wherein, the first monitoring mode is different from the third monitoring mode.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the monitoring module 402 is specifically configured to, if the wake-up signal is not received within the first time period, monitor the wake-up signal using the third monitoring mode.

[0242] In a possible implementation, the monitoring module 402 is the LR of the terminal device.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the monitoring module 402 is specifically configured to, after the wake-up signal function is activated, if the MR is in the sleep state, monitor the wake-up signal using the first monitoring mode.

[0244] It should be understood that Figure 15 The modules shown are only examples, and each module can perform its operations or variations of its operations with reference to the method part in the embodiments of the present application. In the examples provided in the embodiments of the present application, other operations can also be performed, and the examples in the embodiments of the present application are not used as a limitation.

[0245] Figure 16 This is the third structural schematic diagram of a terminal device or a device in a terminal device provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 16 shown, the terminal device 50 or the device 50 in the terminal device includes: an MR 501 and a monitoring module 502.

[0246] The monitoring module 502 is configured to receive a second wake-up signal, which is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device. The second wake-up signal includes first indication information, which is used to indicate waking up the MR during the monitoring duration of the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism of the MR or waking up the MR after a second time period.

[0247] In a possible implementation manner, the monitoring module 502 is the LR of the terminal device.

[0248] In a possible implementation manner, specifically, after the wake-up signal function is activated, if the MR is in the sleep state, the monitoring module 502 uses the first monitoring mode to monitor the wake-up signal.

[0249] In a possible implementation manner, specifically, if the second wake-up signal is for the MR, the monitoring module 502 wakes up the MR.

[0250] It should be understood that Figure 16 The modules shown are only examples. Each module can perform its operations or perform variations of its operations with reference to the method part in the embodiments of the present application. In the examples provided in the embodiments of the present application, other operations can also be performed, and it is not limited by the examples in the embodiments of the present application.

[0251] Figure 17 is one of the schematic structural diagrams of a network device or a device in a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 17 shown, the network device 60 or the device 60 in the network device includes: a sending module 601 and a processing module 602. The processing module 602 is configured to obtain a first wake-up signal, which is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device. Optionally, the first wake-up signal can also be used to indicate that after the MR sleeps, the second monitoring mode is used to monitor the wake-up signal. The sending module 601 is configured to send the first wake-up signal.

[0252] It should be understood that Figure 17 The modules shown are only examples. Each module can perform its operations or perform variations of its operations with reference to the method part in the embodiments of the present application. In the examples provided in the embodiments of the present application, other operations can also be performed, and it is not limited by the examples in the embodiments of the present application.

[0253] Figure 18 is one of the schematic structural diagrams of a network device or a device in a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 18As shown, the network device 70 or the device 70 in the network device includes: a sending module 701 and a processing module 702. The processing module 702 is used to obtain a second wake-up signal, and the second wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device. The second wake-up signal includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate waking up the MR during the listening duration of the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism of the MR or waking up the MR after a second time period. The sending module 701 is used to send the second wake-up signal. Optionally, the second wake-up signal may further include second indication information.

[0254] It should be understood that Figure 18 The modules shown are only examples, and each module may perform its operations or perform variations of its operations with reference to the method part in the embodiments of the present application. In the examples provided in the embodiments of the present application, other operations may also be performed, and the examples in the embodiments of the present application are not used as a limitation.

[0255] In the embodiments of the present application, Figures 14 to 16 The provided terminal device or the device in the terminal device can all be applied in a scenario such as Figure 2 the provided scenario, and implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application as a part of the UE 10 or the UE 10. Figures 17 to 18 The provided network device or the device in the network device can all be applied in a scenario such as Figure 2 the provided scenario, and implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application as a part of the network device 20 or the network device 20. Exemplarily, Figure 2 the provided system 100 may be a 5G NR system. The 5G NR system includes a 5G core network (5G core network, 5GC) and a 5G radio access network (radio access network, RAN. Since the interface between the RAN and the 5GC is NG, it is usually denoted as NG-RAN). The 5GC includes a network element access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) and a user plane function (user plane function, UPF). The NG-RAN may include at least one network device, such as a 5G network device (usually denoted as gNB) and a 4G network device connected to the 5GC (usually denoted as ng-eNB). When the network device provides services for the UE, the gNB is responsible for providing the user plane and control plane protocol functions of 5G NR for the UE, and the ng-eNB is responsible for providing the user plane and control plane protocol functions of 4G E-UTRA for the UE. Figure 2This is an example of a system architecture for implementing the embodiments of the present application, used to illustrate the possible scenarios that the embodiments of the present application may achieve. The communication method of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied in other systems, which is not limited. In some actual usage scenarios, the gNB can send information to the UE, such as paging information, information related to cell residence determination, etc. The UE can send information to the gNB, such as an RRC connection establishment request message or a resume request message, etc. The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be combined and applied in these scenarios.

[0256] In addition, as Figure 19 shown, Figure 19 This is a schematic structural diagram of the device 80 according to the embodiments of the present application. Figure 19 The device 80 shown includes a transceiver 801 and a processor 802. The device 80 can be used to execute the methods S101 to S104, or execute S201 to S206, or execute S301 to S310, or execute S401 to S405, or execute S501 to S504 in the above embodiments. The device 80 is equivalent to the UE exemplified in the method, or the device 80 is equivalent to the network device exemplified in the method. When the device 80 is used as a UE, it can also include an MR.

[0257] It should be noted that the division of each part in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. The various functions in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated in one processor, or the transceiver and the processor can exist separately. The MR can be attributed to the transceiver, or the MR and the transceiver can be divided separately, etc. The above integrated devices can be implemented in the form of hardware, such as a chip, or in the form of software functional units.

[0258] In addition, the embodiments of the present application also provide a device 90. Refer to Figure 20 shown, Figure 20 This is a schematic structural diagram of a device 90 provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 20As shown, device 90 may include a processor 901, a memory 902 coupled to the processor 901, and a transceiver 903. The transceiver 903 may include an MR, an LR, a communication interface, an optical module, etc., and is used to receive packets or data information, etc. The processor 901 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP, and is used to execute the relevant steps of wake-up signal processing in the devices exemplified in the above embodiments. The processor may also be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The above PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. The processor 901 may refer to one processor or may include multiple processors. The memory 902 may include a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM); the memory may also include a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD); the memory 902 may also include a combination of the above types of memories. The memory 902 may refer to one memory or may include multiple memories, and is used to store program instructions. In one embodiment, computer-readable instructions are stored in the memory 902, and the computer-readable instructions include multiple software modules, such as a sending module, a processing module, and a receiving module. After the processor 901 executes each software module, it may perform corresponding operations according to the instructions of each software module. In this embodiment, the operations performed by a software module actually refer to the operations performed by the processor 901 according to the instructions of the software module. Optionally, the processor 901 may also store the program code or instructions for executing the solution of the embodiments of the present application. In this case, the processor 901 does not need to read the program code or instructions from the memory 902.

[0259] The device 90 can be used to execute the methods in the above embodiments. Specifically, the device 90 can execute the operations performed by the UE in method S101 to S104 or execute S201 to S206, or execute S301 to S310, or execute S401 to S405, or execute S501 to S504 in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the device 90 can execute the operations performed by the network device in method S101 to S104 or execute S201 to S206, or execute S301 to S310, or execute S401 to S405, or execute S501 to S504 in the above embodiments.

[0260] In addition, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device includes a storage medium and a processor connected to the storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are run by the processor, the processor is used to implement some or all of the operations in any one of the methods in the foregoing embodiments.

[0261] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored, and when the instructions are run on a processor, some or all of the operations in any one of the methods in the foregoing embodiments are implemented.

[0262] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a processor, some or all of the operations in any one of the methods in the foregoing embodiments are implemented.

[0263] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, including: an interface circuit and a processor. The interface circuit is connected to the processor, and the processor is used to cause the chip to execute some or all of the operations in any one of the methods in the foregoing embodiments.

[0264] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, and the memory is used to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the chip system is caused to implement some or all of the operations in any one of the methods in the foregoing embodiments.

[0265] Optionally, the processor in the chip system can be one or more. The processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that implements by reading software code stored in the memory.

[0266] Optionally, the memory in the chip system may also be one or more. The memory may be integrated with the processor or separately provided from the processor. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Exemplarily, the memory may be a non-transitory processor, such as a read-only memory (ROM). It may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or separately provided on different chips. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the type of the memory and the setting manner of the memory and the processor.

[0267] Exemplarily, the chip system may be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0268] The embodiments of the present application further provide a system, including one or several of the above-mentioned devices, apparatuses, computer-readable storage media, computer program products, chips, or chip systems. It can be applied in Figure 2 the scenarios shown, but there is no limitation.

[0269] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification, claims, and drawings of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such used data may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order different from that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units does not necessarily limit to those clearly listed steps or units, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these process, method, product, or device.

[0270] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, apparatus, and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be described herein again.

[0271] In several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of units is only a logical service division. In actual implementation, there can be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces, and the indirect couplings or communication connections of devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0272] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0273] In addition, the business units in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software business units.

[0274] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software business unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the technical solution of this application can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in each embodiment of this application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, ROM, RAM, Random Access Memory, magnetic disks, or optical discs and other various media that can store program codes.

[0275] Those skilled in the art should be able to realize that in the above one or more examples, the services described in this application can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these services can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, where communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0276] The above specific embodiments have further elaborated on the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above is only the specific embodiments of the present application.

[0277] The above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than limiting it; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Listening for a wake-up signal using a first listening mode; If a first wake-up signal is received, waking up the main receiver (MR) of the terminal device, where the first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR; After the MR enters the sleep state, listening for a wake-up signal using a second listening mode; Wherein, the first listening mode is different from the second listening mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The "if a first wake-up signal is received" includes: If the first wake-up signal is received within a first time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The first listening mode is a periodic listening mode and the second listening mode is a continuous listening mode; or The first listening mode is a continuous listening mode and the second listening mode is a periodic listening mode.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the listening periods of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the relaxation levels corresponding to the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The relaxation level is used to indicate the ratio of the listening duration to the listening period.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 6, wherein The first listening mode listens according to a first listening period, the first listening period is composed of a first listening duration and a first sleep duration, the second listening mode listens according to a second listening period, and the second listening period is composed of a second listening duration and a second sleep duration; Wherein, the first listening period and the second listening period satisfy: The first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the second sleep duration, or The first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or The first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration, or The first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is longer than the second sleep duration, or The first listening duration is shorter than the second listening duration, the first sleep duration is shorter than the second sleep duration, and the ratio of the first listening time period to the first listening period is less than the ratio of the second listening time period to the second listening period, or The first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the second sleep duration, or The first listening duration is longer than the second listening duration, and the first listening period is equal to the second listening period, or The first listening duration is equal to the second listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the second sleep duration, The duration of the first listening period is longer than that of the second listening period, and the duration of the first sleep period is shorter than that of the second sleep period, or, The duration of the first listening period is longer than that of the second listening period, the duration of the first sleep period is longer than that of the second sleep period, and the ratio of the first listening period to the first listening cycle is greater than the ratio of the second listening period to the second listening cycle.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first wake-up signal is further used to indicate that after the MR sleeps, the second listening mode is used to listen for the wake-up signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Listening for the wake-up signal is performed by the auxiliary receiver LR of the terminal device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The using the first listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal includes: After the wake-up signal function is activated, if the MR is in the first sleep state, the first listening mode is used to listen for the wake-up signal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, Waking up the MR includes: If the first wake-up signal is for the MR, wake up the MR.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Using the first listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal, if the wake-up signal is not received, using the third listening mode to listen for the wake-up signal, and the first wake-up signal is used to indicate waking up the MR of the terminal device; Wherein, the first listening mode is different from the third listening mode.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The if the wake-up signal is not received includes: If the wake-up signal is not received within the first time period.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein The first listening mode is a continuous listening mode, and the third listening mode is a periodic listening mode.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the listening cycle of the first listening mode is shorter than that of the second listening mode.

16. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the relaxation level corresponding to the first listening mode is lower than the relaxation level corresponding to the second listening mode.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The relaxation level is used to indicate the ratio of the listening duration to the listening cycle.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12, 13, 15 to 17, wherein The first listening mode listens according to the first listening cycle, the first listening cycle is composed of the first listening duration and the first sleep duration, the third listening mode listens according to the third listening cycle, and the third listening cycle is composed of the third listening duration and the third sleep period; Wherein, the first listening cycle and the third listening cycle satisfy: The first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is equal to the third sleep duration, or, The first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first listening cycle is equal to the third listening cycle in duration, or, The first listening cycle is equal to the third listening cycle in duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration, or, The first listening duration is longer than the third listening duration, and the first sleep duration is shorter than the third sleep duration, or, The first listening duration period is longer than the third listening duration period, the first sleep period is longer than the third sleep period, and the ratio of the first listening period to the first listening cycle is greater than the ratio of the third listening period to the third listening cycle.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving a second wake-up signal for indicating to wake up the main receiver (MR) of the terminal device, where the second wake-up signal includes first indication information for indicating to wake up the MR during a listening duration period of a discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism of the MR or to wake up the MR after a second period.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The second wake-up signal is received by a secondary receiver (LR) of the terminal device.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Sending a first wake-up signal for indicating to wake up the main receiver (MR) of the terminal device and for indicating to use a second listening mode to listen for wake-up signals after the MR sleeps.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The listening mode of the terminal device further includes a first listening mode; The first listening mode is a periodic listening mode and the second listening mode is a continuous listening mode; or The first listening mode is a continuous listening mode and the second listening mode is a periodic listening mode.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein The listening mode of the terminal device further includes a first listening mode; Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the listening cycles of the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein The listening mode of the terminal device further includes a first listening mode; Both the first listening mode and the second listening mode are periodic listening modes, and the relaxation levels corresponding to the first listening mode and the second listening mode are different.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The relaxation level is used to indicate the ratio of the listening duration period to the listening cycle duration.

26. The method according to any one of claims 21, 23 to 25, characterized in that, The listening mode of the terminal device further includes a first listening mode; Wherein, the first listening mode is to continuously listen for a first duration, and the first duration is different from the second duration; or The first listening mode is to listen according to a first listening cycle, and the first listening cycle is composed of a first listening duration period and a first sleep period, and the first listening cycle and the second listening cycle satisfy: The first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep period and the second sleep period have equal durations, or The first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first listening cycle and the second listening cycle have equal durations, or The first listening duration period and the second listening duration period have equal durations, and the first sleep period is longer than the second sleep period, or The first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep period is longer than the second sleep period, or The first listening duration period is shorter than the second listening duration period, the first sleep period is shorter than the second sleep period, and the ratio of the first listening period to the first listening cycle is less than the ratio of the second listening period to the second listening cycle, or, The first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep period and the second sleep period have equal durations, or, The first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first listening cycle and the second listening cycle have equal durations, or, The first listening duration period and the second listening duration period have equal durations, and the first sleep period is shorter than the second sleep period, or, The first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, and the first sleep period is shorter than the second sleep period, or, The first listening duration period is longer than the second listening duration period, the first sleep period is longer than the second sleep period, and the ratio of the first listening period to the first listening cycle is greater than the ratio of the second listening period to the second listening cycle.

27. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Sending a second wake-up signal, where the second wake-up signal is used to instruct to wake up the main receiver MR of the terminal device, and the second wake-up signal includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct to wake up the MR during the listening duration period of the discontinuous reception DRX mechanism of the MR or to wake up the MR after a second period.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, or includes a module for executing the method according to claim 19 or 20, or includes a module for executing the method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, or includes a module for executing the method according to claim 27.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, or configured to execute the method according to claim 19 or 20, or configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, or configured to execute the method according to claim 27.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when run, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18 to be implemented, or cause the method according to claim 19 or 20 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 21 to 26 to be implemented, or cause the method according to claim 27 to be implemented.

31. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed, cause the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 12 to 18 to be implemented, or cause the method according to claim 19 or 20 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 21 to 26 to be implemented, or cause the method according to claim 27 to be implemented.

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