Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, and relates to the field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: measuring the signal quality of a serving cell; when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a second threshold, monitoring first information, the first information being related to paging; and / or, when the signal quality of the serving cell is smaller than a second threshold, measuring the signal quality of the adjacent cell. According to the invention, the terminal equipment can be reminded to improve the channel condition or the receiving state, and the communication performance of the terminal equipment is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A paging message is a message used in a communication network to send a call or other important information to a user equipment (UE). When the network side needs to communicate with the UE, it can send a paging message to the UE so that the UE can make a corresponding response according to the paging message, such as establishing a call connection. The process of the network side sending a paging message to the UE can be referred to as paging.

[0003] When the network side sends a paging message to the UE, the paging message may be unreachable, such as the UE being unable to receive the paging message. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can remind a terminal device to improve the channel condition or reception status, and enhance the communication performance of the terminal device, such as enhancing the performance of the terminal device in receiving paging messages.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which includes: obtaining the signal quality of a serving cell; when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a second threshold, listening for first information related to paging; and / or, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold, obtaining the signal quality of a neighboring cell.

[0006] Exemplarily, the method described in the first aspect can be applied to a terminal device. For example, the method is executed by the terminal device or by a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0007] In this communication method, a network device can send first information related to paging to the terminal device. The terminal device can listen for the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold, and obtain the signal quality of a neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold. By listening for the first information and responding to the first information to improve the channel condition, the terminal device can enhance its communication performance in receiving paging messages.

[0008] For example, in a scenario where the channel condition of the terminal device is poor due to occlusion, by listening for the first information and responding to the first information, the terminal device can change from a state where paging is unreachable to a state where paging is reachable.

[0009] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device can preferentially camp on the current serving cell to monitor the first information to improve the channel conditions when the quality of the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) of the serving cell is poor, so as to continue to receive paging in the current serving cell. When the quality of the SSB of the serving cell is very poor, such as when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a second threshold (at this time, it can also be considered that the first information is also unreachable, or the terminal device cannot receive paging even if it improves the channel conditions), the terminal device starts neighbor cell measurement to ensure the communication service of the terminal device. When the terminal device continues to receive paging in the current serving cell and does not start neighbor cell measurement, there will be no subsequent cell reselection process evaluation, saving the power consumption of the terminal device for neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation.

[0010] In other words, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to obstruction, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel conditions by receiving the first information from the network side, so that it does not need to trigger neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation, and preferentially receives services in the current serving cell, which can save some of the overhead of neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation to a certain extent.

[0011] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment where it is not at the cell edge but the channel conditions of the current serving cell are poor due to obstruction, the satellite base station can use a stronger pre - prompt signal to prompt the terminal device to improve the channel conditions, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services in the current serving cell. The terminal device can not perform neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection process.

[0012] In a possible design, the step of "when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold, monitor the first information" includes: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, monitor the first information. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold, it can be considered that the communication quality of the terminal device in the current serving cell is good and it can normally receive paging. The terminal device can neither monitor the first information nor start neighbor cell measurement.

[0013] In this design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold, the terminal device can neither monitor the first information nor start neighbor cell measurement, saving the power consumption of monitoring the first information, or rather, saving the power consumption caused by unnecessary monitoring.

[0014] In a possible design, the first threshold and the second threshold are predefined, or pre - configured, or configured.

[0015] In another possible design, the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold can be predefined, or pre - configured, or configured.

[0016] In a possible design, the first threshold is related to the priority of the neighbor cell.

[0017] Exemplarily, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell in neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell in neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to a first value, where the first value is the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold or other defined values; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell in neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the first value; or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell in neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the intra-frequency measurement start threshold and the first value; or, when neighboring cells include neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value among the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold, the intra-frequency measurement start threshold, and the first value.

[0018] In this design, the magnitude of the first threshold is related to the priorities of neighboring cells, and the value of the first threshold is determined according to the neighboring cell priority type, which can make the value of the first threshold more matched with the measurement start threshold involved in the neighboring cell measurement scenario, or make the magnitude of the first threshold more in line with the requirements of the neighboring cell measurement scenario.

[0019] In a possible design, the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold is determined according to a first parameter, where the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0020] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold according to the first parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold; or, using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold; or, using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0021] In a possible design, the method further includes: when it is detected that a first condition is satisfied, stop listening for a first piece of information, and obtain the signal quality of a neighboring cell; the first condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a first threshold reaches a first duration, or the received first piece of information is ignored.

[0022] In this design, the first condition can be regarded as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the first condition is satisfied, stopping listening for the first piece of information and measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell can enable the terminal device to consider the fallback condition in the listening state, promptly break away from unnecessary listening, and perform normal neighboring cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, and the device has the function of implementing the method described in the first aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the first aspect above. For example, a measurement unit, a listening unit, etc.

[0024] Among them, the measurement unit is used to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell; the listening unit is used to listen for a first piece of information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a second threshold, and the first piece of information is related to paging; the measurement unit is further used to obtain the signal quality of a neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold.

[0025] In a possible design, the listening unit is specifically used to listen for the first piece of information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold.

[0026] In a possible design, the first threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

[0027] In a possible design, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to a first value, where the first value is the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold or other defined values; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the first value; or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the intra-frequency measurement start threshold and the first value; or, when the neighboring cells include neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value among the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold, the intra-frequency measurement start threshold, and the first value.

[0028] In a possible design, the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold is determined according to a first parameter, where the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0029] In a possible design, the monitoring unit is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that the first condition is satisfied; the measurement unit is further configured to obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cells after stopping monitoring the first information; the first condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches a first duration, or, the received first information is ignored.

[0030] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0031] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0032] Exemplarily, in the third aspect and the fourth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0033] The communication device described in the second aspect to the fourth aspect above may be a terminal device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a terminal device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the terminal device, the terminal device implements the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0035] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the second aspect to the fifth aspect provided above, reference may be made to the beneficial effects in the first aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0036] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method including: obtaining the signal quality of a serving cell; obtaining the signal quality of a neighboring cell; when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a fourth threshold, listening for a first piece of information, where the first piece of information is related to paging; and / or when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold, performing a cell reselection evaluation.

[0037] Exemplarily, the method described in the sixth aspect may be applied to a terminal device, e.g., the method is executed by the terminal device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0038] In this communication method, the network device may send the first piece of information related to paging to the terminal device. After the terminal device obtains the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold, the terminal device may listen for the first piece of information; when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold, the terminal device may perform a cell reselection evaluation. By listening for the first piece of information and responding to the first piece of information to improve the channel condition, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages. For example, in a scenario where the channel condition is poor due to occlusion, the terminal device can listen for the first piece of information and respond to the first piece of information, so that the terminal device changes from a state where paging is unreachable to a state where paging is reachable.

[0039] In addition, in this communication method, when the quality of the serving cell's SSB is poor, the terminal device can preferentially camp on the current serving cell to listen for the first piece of information to improve the channel conditions, so as to continue to receive paging in the current serving cell. When the quality of the serving cell's SSB is very poor, for example, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold (at this time, it can also be considered that the first piece of information is also unreachable, or even if the terminal device improves the channel conditions, it cannot receive paging), the terminal device starts the cell reselection evaluation to ensure the communication service of the terminal device. When the terminal device continues to receive paging in the current serving cell and does not start the cell reselection evaluation, the power consumption of the terminal device for cell reselection evaluation is saved.

[0040] In other words, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel conditions by receiving the first piece of information from the network side, so that it does not have to trigger the cell reselection evaluation, preferentially receives services in the current serving cell, and can save some cell reselection overhead to a certain extent.

[0041] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment that is not at the cell edge but has poor channel conditions of the current serving cell due to occlusion, the satellite base station can use a stronger pre-prompt signal to prompt the terminal device to improve the channel conditions, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services in the current serving cell. The terminal device can not execute the cell reselection evaluation process.

[0042] In a possible design, the step of listening for the first piece of information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold includes: listening for the first piece of information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold.

[0043] In this design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold, the terminal device neither listens for the first piece of information nor starts the cell reselection evaluation, saving the power consumption of listening for the first piece of information, or rather, saving the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening.

[0044] In a possible design, the third threshold and the fourth threshold are predefined, or pre-configured, or configured.

[0045] In another possible design, the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be predefined, or pre-configured, or configured.

[0046] In a possible design, the third threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

[0047] Exemplarily, when there is a neighbor cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighbor cells, the third threshold is determined according to the reselection threshold of the low-priority neighbor cell; or, when there is no neighbor cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighbor cells, the third threshold is determined according to a second value, and the second value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0048] In this design, the magnitude of the third threshold is related to the priority of the neighbor cell, and the value of the third threshold is determined according to the neighbor cell priority type, which can make the value of the third threshold more matched with the cell reselection thresholds involved in the cell reselection scenario, or make the magnitude of the third threshold more in line with the requirements of the cell reselection scenario.

[0049] In a possible design, the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold is determined according to a second parameter, and the second parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0050] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold according to the second parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold; or, using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold; or, using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold.

[0051] In a possible design, the method further includes: when it is detected that a second condition is satisfied, stop listening to the first information and perform a cell reselection evaluation; the second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches a second duration, or, the received first information is ignored.

[0052] In this design, the second condition can be regarded as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the second condition is satisfied, stopping listening to the first information and performing a cell reselection evaluation can enable the terminal device to consider the fallback condition when in the listening state, promptly break away from unnecessary listening, and perform a normal cell reselection evaluation to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the method described in the sixth aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the sixth aspect above. For example, a measurement unit, a monitoring unit, a reselection unit, etc.

[0054] Among them, the measurement unit is used to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell; the measurement unit is also used to obtain the signal quality of neighboring cells; the monitoring unit is used to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a fourth threshold, and the first information is related to paging; the reselection unit is used to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold.

[0055] In a possible design, the monitoring unit is specifically used to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold.

[0056] In a possible design, the third threshold is related to the priority of neighboring cells.

[0057] In a possible design, when there is a neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to the reselection threshold of the low-priority neighboring cell; or, when there is no neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to a second value, and the second value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0058] In a possible design, the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold is determined according to a second parameter, and the second parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0059] In a possible design, the monitoring unit is further used to stop monitoring the first information when it is detected that a second condition is satisfied; the reselection unit is further used to perform cell reselection evaluation after stopping monitoring the first information; the second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches a second duration, or the received first information is ignored.

[0060] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor, configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to execute the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0061] In a ninth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0062] Exemplarily, in the eighth aspect and the ninth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0063] The communication device described in any one of the above seventh aspect to the ninth aspect may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0064] In the tenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions are run in a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device, the terminal device implements the method described in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect.

[0065] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above seventh aspect to the tenth aspect, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the sixth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0066] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method including: obtaining the signal quality of a serving cell; obtaining the signal quality of a neighboring cell; performing cell reselection evaluation, and listening for a first piece of information, where the first piece of information is related to paging.

[0067] Exemplarily, the method described in the eleventh aspect may be applied to a terminal device, such as: the method is executed by the terminal device or by a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0068] In this communication method, the network device may send the first piece of information related to paging to the terminal device. After the terminal device obtains the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, it may perform cell reselection evaluation; when performing cell reselection evaluation, it may listen for the first piece of information. By listening for the first piece of information and responding to the first piece of information to improve the channel condition, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages.

[0069] For example, in a scenario where the channel condition of the terminal device is poor due to occlusion, by listening for the first piece of information and responding to the first piece of information, the terminal device can change from a state where paging is unreachable to a state where paging is reachable.

[0070] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation and monitor the first information simultaneously when the signal quality of the serving cell SSB is poor; when the first information is preferentially monitored, the terminal device can improve the channel condition and continue to receive paging in the current serving cell. This method can monitor the first information without changing the existing cell reselection evaluation process, so as to continue to camp on the current serving cell to receive paging.

[0071] In other words, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion and performs cell reselection evaluation, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel condition by receiving the first information from the network side, so as to preferentially receive services in the current serving cell.

[0072] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment where it is not at the cell edge but the channel condition of the current serving cell is poor due to occlusion, the satellite base station can use a stronger pre - hint signal to prompt the terminal device to improve the channel condition, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services in the current serving cell.

[0073] In a possible design, performing cell reselection evaluation and monitoring the first information includes: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, performing cell reselection evaluation and monitoring the first information. The method further includes: when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, performing cell reselection evaluation.

[0074] In this design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, it can be considered that the terminal device cannot receive paging normally even if it improves the channel condition. For example, the terminal device may be at the cell edge but not occluded. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation and monitor the first information; when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation, which can save the monitoring of the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold and save unnecessary monitoring.

[0075] Optionally, in this design, similar to the condition for monitoring the first information in the cell reselection evaluation stage, when cell selection is performed because the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, if the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, the first information can be monitored in the last serving cell while performing cell selection; if the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, cell selection can be performed without monitoring the first information.

[0076] It should be understood that when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion and performs cell selection, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel condition by receiving the first information from the network side, so as to preferentially receive services in the last serving cell.

[0077] In a possible design, the fifth threshold is predefined, or preconfigured, or configured.

[0078] In a possible design, the fifth threshold is determined according to a third value, and the third value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined value.

[0079] Exemplarily, the value of the fifth threshold can be an S-criterion threshold or other defined value.

[0080] In a possible design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, cell reselection evaluation is performed and the first information is listened for, including: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, cell reselection evaluation is performed and the first information is listened for. The method further includes: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold, cell reselection evaluation is performed.

[0081] In this design, the terminal device may not listen for the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold, and only perform cell reselection evaluation, saving the power consumption of listening for the first information, or rather, saving the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening.

[0082] Optionally, in this design, similar to the condition for listening for the first information in the cell reselection evaluation stage, when cell selection is performed because the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, if the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, the first information can be listened for in the last serving cell while performing cell selection; if the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold or less than the sixth threshold, cell selection can be performed without listening for the first information.

[0083] Or, in some other possible designs, when cell selection is performed because the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, listening for the first information can be started when cell selection is triggered; when a suitable cell is selected, or when the received first information is ignored, or when the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold, listening for the first information is stopped.

[0084] In a possible design, the sixth threshold can be predefined, or preconfigured, or configured. Or, the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold can be predefined, or preconfigured, or configured.

[0085] In a possible design, the difference between the sixth threshold and the fifth threshold is determined according to a third parameter, and the third parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0086] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold according to the third parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold; or, using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold; or, using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold.

[0087] In a possible design, the method further includes: when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, performing cell selection and listening for the first information.

[0088] In one implementation, the step of, when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, performing cell selection and listening for the first information includes: when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, performing cell selection and listening for the first information in the last serving cell.

[0089] Exemplarily, the situation where the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell includes: searching and measuring within a third time period and not finding any new suitable cells.

[0090] In a possible design, the method further includes: when it is detected that a third condition is satisfied, stopping listening for the first information. The third condition includes at least one of the following: cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell, or, the received first information is ignored.

[0091] In this design, the third condition can be considered as the fallback condition for the terminal device in the listening state. When it is detected that the third condition is satisfied and the listening for the first information is stopped, the terminal device can consider the fallback condition in the listening state and timely detach from unnecessary listening to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0092] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the function of implementing the method described in the eleventh aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the eleventh aspect above, for example, a measurement unit, a reselection unit, a listening unit, etc.

[0093] Among them, a measurement unit is used to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell; the measurement unit is also used to obtain the signal quality of neighboring cells; a reselection unit is used to perform cell reselection evaluation; a monitoring unit is used to monitor a first piece of information related to paging when the reselection unit performs cell reselection evaluation.

[0094] In a possible design, the reselection unit is specifically configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a fifth threshold; the monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first piece of information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and the reselection unit performs cell reselection evaluation; the reselection unit is also used to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0095] In a possible design, the fifth threshold is determined according to a third value, and the third value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0096] In a possible design, the reselection unit is specifically configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than a sixth threshold; the monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first piece of information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold and the reselection unit performs cell reselection evaluation; the reselection unit is also used to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold.

[0097] In a possible design, the difference between the sixth threshold and the fifth threshold is determined according to a third parameter, and the third parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first piece of information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0098] In a possible design, the device further includes: a selection unit configured to perform cell selection when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell; the monitoring unit is also used to monitor the first piece of information when the selection unit performs cell selection.

[0099] In one implementation, the monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first piece of information in the last serving cell when the selection unit performs cell selection.

[0100] Exemplarily, the failure of cell reselection evaluation to reselect to a suitable cell includes: searching and measuring within a third time period and not finding any new suitable cells.

[0101] In a possible design, the monitoring unit is also used to stop monitoring the first piece of information when it is detected that a third condition is satisfied; the third condition includes at least one of the following: cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell, or, the received first piece of information is ignored.

[0102] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to perform the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0103] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and perform the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0104] Exemplarily, in the thirteenth aspect and the fourteenth aspect, the processor is configured to perform the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0105] The communication device described in the above twelfth aspect to fourteenth aspect may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0106] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device, the terminal device implements the method described in the eleventh aspect or any possible design of the eleventh aspect.

[0107] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above twelfth aspect to fifteenth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects in the eleventh aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0108] In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the method including: performing cell reselection evaluation; when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, performing cell selection and listening for a first piece of information, where the first piece of information is related to paging.

[0109] Exemplarily, the method described in the sixteenth aspect can be applied to a terminal device, such as: the method is executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0110] In this communication method, a network device may send the first piece of information related to paging to the terminal device. When the cell reselection evaluation of the terminal device fails to reselect to a suitable cell, the terminal device may perform cell selection and listen for the first piece of information. By listening for the first piece of information and responding to the first piece of information to improve the channel condition, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages.

[0111] For example, in a scenario where the channel condition is poor due to occlusion, the terminal device can listen for the first information and respond to the first information, so that the terminal device changes from a state where paging is unreachable to a state where paging is reachable.

[0112] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device can perform cell selection and listen for the first information simultaneously when the SSB quality of the serving cell is poor; when the first information is preferentially listened for, the terminal device can improve the channel condition and return to the last serving cell to receive paging. This method can implement listening for the first information without changing the existing cell selection process, so as to return to the last serving cell to receive paging.

[0113] In other words, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion and performs cell selection, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel condition by receiving the first information from the network side, so as to return to the last serving cell to receive services.

[0114] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment where it is not at the cell edge but the channel condition of the current serving cell is poor due to occlusion, the satellite base station can prompt the terminal device to improve the channel condition through a stronger pre - prompt signal, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services, such as returning to the last serving cell to receive paging.

[0115] In one implementation, the listening for the first information includes: listening for the first information in the last serving cell.

[0116] Exemplarily, the failure of the cell reselection evaluation to reselect to a suitable cell includes: searching and measuring within a third time period and not finding any new suitable cell.

[0117] In a possible design, the method further includes: stopping listening for the first information when it is detected that a fourth condition is satisfied. The fourth condition includes at least one of the following: a suitable cell is selected, or the received first information is ignored, or the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than a seventh threshold.

[0118] In this design, the third condition can be considered as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the third condition is satisfied and the listening for the first information is stopped, the terminal device can consider the fallback condition in the listening state and timely break away from unnecessary listening to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device detects that the fourth condition is satisfied and stops listening for the first information, it saves the power consumption of listening for the first information, or rather, saves the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening.

[0119] In a possible design, the seventh threshold is predefined, or pre - configured, or configured.

[0120] In a possible design, the seventh threshold is determined according to a fourth value, and the fourth value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0121] In some examples, the value of the seventh threshold can be a value obtained by decreasing the S-criterion threshold or other defined values by a certain adjustment value.

[0122] In a possible design, the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value is determined according to a fourth parameter, and the fourth parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0123] Exemplarily, the manner of determining the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value according to the fourth parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value; or, using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value; or, using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value.

[0124] Optionally, when a terminal device in the cell selection and pre-indication listening state (i.e., the state of listening to the first information) searches for an acceptable cell, the terminal device may ignore and not camp on this acceptable cell, such as continuing to search for a suitable cell and listening to the first information.

[0125] In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, and the device has the function of implementing the method in the above sixteenth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method in the above sixteenth aspect, for example, a reselection unit, a selection unit, a listening unit, etc.

[0126] Among them, the reselection unit is used to perform cell reselection evaluation; the selection unit is used to perform cell selection when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell; the listening unit is used to listen to the first information when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell and perform cell selection, and the first information is related to paging.

[0127] In one implementation manner, the listening unit is specifically used to listen to the first information in the last serving cell.

[0128] Exemplarily, the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, including: searching and measuring within a third time period, and no new suitable cell is found.

[0129] In a possible design, the monitoring unit is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that a fourth condition is satisfied; the fourth condition includes at least one of the following: the cell selects a suitable cell, or the received first information is ignored, or the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than a seventh threshold.

[0130] In a possible design, the seventh threshold is determined according to a fourth value, and the fourth value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined value.

[0131] In a possible design, the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value is determined according to a fourth parameter, and the fourth parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0132] In an eighteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor, configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, cause the device to execute the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0133] In a nineteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0134] Exemplarily, in the eighteenth aspect and the nineteenth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0135] The communication devices described in the above seventeenth aspect to nineteenth aspect may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built in a terminal device.

[0136] In a twentieth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect is implemented. For example, when the computer software instructions run in a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built in a terminal device, the terminal device implements the method described in the sixteenth aspect or any possible design of the sixteenth aspect.

[0137] Understandably, for the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the seventeenth to twentieth aspects provided above, reference can be made to the beneficial effects in the sixteenth aspect and any of its possible designs, which will not be elaborated here.

[0138] In a twenty - first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which includes: sending a paging message; sending first information, where the first information is related to paging.

[0139] Exemplarily, the method described in the twenty - first aspect can be applied to a network device. For example, the method is executed by a network device or a device (such as a chip) built into the network device.

[0140] In some possible implementation manners, when the network device cannot page the terminal device (the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state), the network device may send the first information. For example, the first information may indicate that the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state or indicate that the terminal device cannot be paged, etc.

[0141] In some other possible implementation manners, when the time taken to page the terminal device is relatively long, the network device may also send the first information, and the first information is related to paging. For example, the first information may indicate that the paging quality of the terminal device is poor or the paging time is long, etc.

[0142] Optionally, the first information may directly indicate that the terminal device is paging - unreachable or has poor paging quality, or may indirectly indicate that the terminal device is paging - unreachable or has poor paging quality.

[0143] In a possible design, the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information (such as the first signal) is designed to be strong enough. For example, when a traditional paging message cannot be received by the UE, the signal carrying the first information can still be normally received by the UE. Exemplarily, under the same channel conditions, the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information is better than that of other signals (such as paging messages).

[0144] Optionally, the signal carrying the first information may be an enhanced existing signal, and the first information may be an existing field or a newly added field in the existing signal; or, the signal carrying the first information may also be a newly designed signal on an existing channel, and the first information may be a field in the newly designed signal; or, a new channel or a new hardware architecture may also be designed to implement the sending of the signal carrying the first information. The present application does not limit this.

[0145] This communication method can remind the terminal device to improve the channel conditions through the first information, and can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages. For example, in a scenario where the channel conditions of the terminal device are poor due to occlusion, by listening to and responding to the first information, the terminal device can change from a paging - unreachable state to a paging - reachable state.

[0146] In a twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a communication device having a function of implementing the method described in the first aspect above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions of the method described in the first aspect above. For example, a first sending unit, a second sending unit, etc.

[0147] Among them, the first sending unit is used to send a paging message; the second sending unit is used to send first information, and the first information is related to paging.

[0148] In a twenty-third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor configured to execute computer instructions stored in a memory, and when the computer instructions are executed, the device is caused to execute the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0149] In a twenty-fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0150] Exemplarily, in the twenty-third aspect and the twenty-fourth aspect, the processor is configured to execute the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0151] The communication devices described in the above twenty-second aspect to twenty-fourth aspect can be network devices or devices (such as chips) built in network devices.

[0152] In a twenty-fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect is implemented.

[0153] For example, when the computer software instructions run in a network device or a device (such as a chip) built in a network device, the network device is caused to implement the method described in the twenty-first aspect or any possible design of the twenty-first aspect.

[0154] It can be understood that the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the above twenty-second aspect to twenty-fifth aspect can refer to the beneficial effects in the twenty-first aspect and any of its possible designs, and will not be elaborated here.

[0155] In a twenty-sixth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, including: a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be used to send and receive information, or to communicate with other network elements. The processing unit can be used to process data. The device can implement the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof through the transceiver unit and the processing unit.

[0156] In a twenty-seventh aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, which can implement the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof when executed.

[0157] In a twenty-eighth aspect, the present application further provides a chip system, which includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; the interface circuits and the processors are interconnected by lines; the processors receive and execute computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuits to implement the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0158] In a twenty-ninth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, including: a network device and a terminal device. The network device executes the methods described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof; the terminal device executes the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0159] In a thirtieth aspect, the present application further provides a network element or a network device, which can be used to implement the methods described in the twenty-first aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0160] In a thirty-first aspect, the present application further provides a terminal device, which can be used to implement the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixth aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the eleventh aspect and any possible design thereof, or the methods described in the sixteenth aspect and any possible design thereof.

[0161] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects achievable by any one of the twenty-sixth aspect to the thirty-first aspect provided above, reference can be made to the beneficial effects described in the first aspect, the sixth aspect, the eleventh aspect, the sixteenth aspect, the twenty-first aspect, etc., and details are not elaborated herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0162] Figure 1 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0163] Figure 2 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0164] Figure 3 FIG. shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0165] Figure 4 FIG. shows another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0166] Figure 5 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of the principle of neighboring cell signal quality measurement provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0167] Figure 6 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of a listening threshold and its principle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0168] Figure 7 FIG. shows another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0169] Figure 8 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of the principle of cell reselection evaluation provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0170] Figure 9 FIG. shows another schematic diagram of a listening threshold and its principle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0171] Figure 10 FIG. shows another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0172] Figure 11 FIG. shows another schematic diagram of a listening threshold and its principle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0173] Figure 12Shows another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0174] Figure 13 Shows a schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0175] Figure 14 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0176] Figure 15 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0177] Figure 16 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0178] Figure 17 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application;

[0179] Figure 18 Shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation

[0180] A paging message is a message used in a communication network to send a call or other important information to a user equipment (UE). When the network side needs to communicate with the UE, it can send a paging message to the UE so that the UE can make a corresponding response according to the paging message, such as establishing a call connection. The process of the network side sending a paging message to the UE can be called paging.

[0181] Exemplarily, in 5G New Radio (NR), a User Equipment (UE) can have three Radio Resource Control (RRC) states, which are, in sequence: RRC connected / active state, RRC idle state, and RRC inactive state. The RRC idle state and the RRC inactive state can be referred to as the RRC disconnected state. The RRC connected state can be described as RRC_CONNECTED or RRC_ACTIVE, the RRC idle state can be described as RRC_IDLE, and the RRC inactive state can be described as RRC_INACTIVE. The RRC inactive state can also be referred to as the RRC non-active state. The network can notify a UE in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state to receive a paging message through paging. Alternatively, the network can send a short message to a UE in the RRC idle state, the RRC inactive state, or the RRC connected state through paging to indicate a System Information (SI) update, or an Earthquake and Tsunami Warning / Commercial Mobile Alert Service (ETWS / CMAS).

[0182] A UE in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state listens for one of its own paging occasions (POs) within each paging cycle to determine whether the network has performed paging. The UE can calculate the position of its PO according to a calculation formula specified in the protocol, based on its own UE identification information and paging-related parameters. The PO positions calculated by different UEs may be the same, that is, there may be multiple UEs listening to the same PO.

[0183] When the network sends a paging message to the UE, the paging message may be unreachable, such as the UE being unable to receive the paging message.

[0184] For example, when the UE is in an environment with a low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) or Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS), such as the UE being placed in a backpack pocket, or the UE being shaded by a tree, etc., due to experiencing penetration loss, the UE may be unable to receive the paging message, that is, the UE is in a state where the paging message is unreachable.

[0185] Against this background art, the present application provides a communication method that can remind the UE to improve the channel condition or the reception state, and enhance the communication performance of the UE, such as enhancing the performance of the UE receiving paging messages.

[0186] Exemplarily, Figure 1 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 1 the communication system shown. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system may include: a network device 110 and a terminal device 120.

[0187] Among them, the network device 110 may be referred to as an access network device or a radio access network (RAN) device, or a next-generation radio access network device. For example, the network device 110 may be a base station, or an access point, or a device in the access network that communicates with wireless terminals through one or more sectors on the air interface. Different access network devices can communicate with each other through the Xn interface.

[0188] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the network device 110 may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), etc. For example, the network device 110 may include: a base station in wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) or LTE, a next-generation base station (next generation node B, gNB), a next-generation evolved base station (next generation evolved node B, Ng-eNB), a transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), an evolved Node B (evolved Node B, eNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a Node B (Node B, NB), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (base band unit, BBU), or a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, Wifi) access point (access point, AP), a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (transmission point, TP) or a transmission and reception point (transmission and reception point, TRP), etc.

[0189] In some deployments, the gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, implementing radio resource control (RRC), and the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and related functions of the active antenna.

[0190] The terminal device 120 may also be referred to as a user equipment (UE). In some examples, the terminal device 120 may be an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile terminal (MT), a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, a user device, a target terminal, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0191] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device 120 can be a wireless terminal or a wired terminal. A wireless terminal can be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. For example, the terminal device 120 can be a mobile phone, a pad, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a cellular phone, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal in a 5G mobile communication system, or a terminal in a future evolved network, etc. The present application does not limit the specific product form of the terminal device 120.

[0192] Optionally, Figure 1 The communication system shown can be a WCDMA system, an LTE system, an advanced long term evolution LTE-A (LTE advanced) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a 5G NR system, and other wireless communication systems applying OFDM technology, etc. Or, it can also be a future 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G) network communication system, or other future communication systems. The present application does not limit the specific type of this communication system.

[0193] In addition, the foregoing communication system is only for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. For example, other devices may also be included in the communication system, such as network control devices, core network devices or network elements, etc., such as access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements. The network control device may be an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) system, also known as a network management system.

[0194] In some possible embodiments, Figure 1 the communication system shown may be implemented based on a non-terrestrial network (NTN). NTN is a general term for networks involving flying objects, including satellite communication networks, high altitude platform systems (HAPS), and air-to-ground networks. The key value scenarios mainly include areas with poor terrestrial coverage, maritime communications, public safety requirements, same communication between aircraft, railways, etc., aiming to provide mobile broadband services for users.

[0195] Among them, HAPS is carried on an airborne platform, mainly including airplanes, balloons, and airships. Taking the high altitude platform station as a mobile communication base station, it provides mobile services using the same frequency band as the ground mobile network. In this example, the network device 110 may include a high altitude platform station.

[0196] The satellite communication network relies on a spaceborne platform, mainly including low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites, medium earth orbiting (MEO) satellites, and geostationary earth orbiting (GEO) satellites. According to the relationship between the satellite and the base station, it can be divided into a transparent payload architecture and a regenerative payload architecture.

[0197] In a transparent payload architecture, the satellite is only responsible for signal forwarding and has no data processing capabilities. The base station (gNB) is located on the ground, and the satellite is connected to the base station through a gateway on the ground. The signal between the UE and the base station is transmitted through the satellite, and the data processing function remains at the base station. The link between the satellite and the UE is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the base station is called the feeder link.

[0198] In a regenerative payload architecture, the satellite has all or part of the functions of the base station, that is, the satellite can perform data processing, which is specifically divided into two forms: a complete base station is located on the satellite and the base station DU is located on the satellite. The link between the satellite / base station and the UE is called the service link.

[0199] According to the movement of the NTN cell in the ground coverage area, the NTN cell can be divided into the following three categories: earth-fixed, quasi-earth-fixed, and earth-moving. The coverage area of the earth-fixed type NTN cell is fixed to a certain area on the ground, that is, continuous fixed-point coverage, and the NTN cell provided by the GEO satellite is of this type. The coverage area of the quasi-earth-fixed type NTN cell is fixed to a certain area on the ground for a period of time and will be replaced by another area on the ground after a period of time, that is, fixed-point coverage within a period of time. LEO satellites and MEO satellites can provide NTN cells of this type. The coverage area of the earth-moving type NTN cell slides on the ground, and LEO satellites and MEO satellites can provide NTN cells of this type.

[0200] Exemplarily, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the composition of a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device may be the terminal device 120 in the above communication system. As Figure 2 shown, the terminal device may include: at least one processor 21, a memory 22, a communication interface 23, and a bus 24.

[0201] The processor 21 is the control center of the terminal device, which can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 21 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0202] Among them, the processor 21 can execute various functions of the terminal device by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 22 and calling data stored in the memory 22. For example, it can execute the steps performed by the terminal device in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0203] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 21 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 2 CPU0 and CPU1 shown in

[0204] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the terminal device may include multiple processors, such as Figure 2 the processor 21 and the processor 25 shown in

[0205] The memory 22 can store software programs of method steps executed by the terminal device and be controlled and executed by the processor 21. The memory 22 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0206] The memory 22 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 21 through the bus 24. Alternatively, the memory 22 can also be integrated with the processor 21, and this is not limited herein.

[0207] The communication interface 23 uses any device such as a transceiver for communicating with other devices or communication networks. The communication interface 23 can be an Ethernet interface, a radio access network (RAN) interface, a wireless local area networks (WLAN) interface, etc. The communication interface 23 can include a receiving unit to implement the receiving function and a transmitting unit to implement the transmitting function.

[0208] The bus 24 can be an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of representation, Figure 2 only a thick line is used to represent it herein, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0209] Although attached Figure 2The bus 24 is used in [the relevant context], but it can be understood that the bus can also be replaced by other forms of connection relationships, not limited to the bus itself.

[0210] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the composition of the above-mentioned network device (such as a base station) can also refer to Figure 2 as shown, or the network device can also include more or fewer components than Figure 2 shown, and there is no limitation here.

[0211] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is exemplarily described below. The processing described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided and performed by multiple execution entities, and these execution entities can be logically and / or physically separated. It should also be understood that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0212] Exemplarily, in the following description, the steps performed by the network device (such as a base station) can specifically be performed by the network device or a device (such as a chip) built into the network device. The steps performed by the terminal device (such as a UE) can specifically be performed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0213] It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and are not used for specifically limiting a certain feature. That is, the first or the second can include more content, rather than being limited to a specific concept. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. At least one means one or more; multiple means two or more. The embodiments of the present application can perform fewer steps than all the steps or more steps, without limitation. "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 the following situations: 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, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0214] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention application.

[0215] Figure 3 The flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 3 shown, the communication method may include S301 - S302.

[0216] S301. The network device sends a paging message to the terminal device.

[0217] Exemplarily, as described in the foregoing embodiments, the network device may send a paging message to the UE so that the UE can make a corresponding response according to the paging message, such as establishing a call connection. For example, the network device can notify the UE in the RRC idle state or RRC inactive state to receive the paging message through paging.

[0218] S302. The network device sends first information to the terminal device, and the first information is related to paging.

[0219] Exemplarily, when the terminal device is in a state with good channel conditions, the network device can normally page the terminal device. When the terminal device is in a state with poor channel conditions, such as in the NTN scenario, the terminal device is in a backpack pocket or in an environment with low signal - to - noise ratio or non - line - of - sight path such as being shaded by a tree. Due to penetration loss, the terminal device may not be able to receive the paging message, that is, the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state.

[0220] In some possible implementation manners, when the network device cannot page the terminal device (the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state), it may execute S302 to send the first information to the terminal device. The first information may be related to paging. For example, the first information may indicate that the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state, or indicate that the terminal device cannot be paged, etc. In other words, the timing for the network device to send the first information to the terminal device may be when it is determined that the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state.

[0221] Optionally, the network device or the network side can determine whether the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state by comparing whether the number of paging attempts exceeds the maximum number of paging times configured by the network side. For example, when the number of paging attempts exceeds the maximum number of paging times configured by the network side, it can be determined that the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state. Or, the network device can also determine whether the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state by other means. For example, when no response from the terminal device to the paging message is received within a preset duration, it is determined that the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state. The method for determining whether the terminal device is in a paging - unreachable state is not limited herein.

[0222] In some other possible implementation manners, when the time taken by the network device to page the terminal device is relatively long, the network device may also execute S302 to send a first piece of information to the terminal device. The first piece of information may be related to paging. For example, the first piece of information may indicate that the paging quality of the terminal device is poor or the paging time is long. In other words, the timing for the network device to send the first piece of information to the terminal device may be when it is determined that the time for the terminal device to respond to the paging or the time taken to page the terminal device is greater than a certain duration. This application does not limit the timing for the network device to send the first piece of information to the terminal device either.

[0223] Correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first piece of information.

[0224] After receiving the first piece of information, the terminal device may, according to the indication of the first piece of information, improve the channel condition to normally receive the paging message and enhance the communication performance of the UE, such as enhancing the performance of the UE to receive the paging message.

[0225] Exemplarily, the terminal device may receive the first piece of information and, after receiving the first piece of information, adjust the channel condition of the terminal device. Optionally, the manner of adjusting the channel condition of the terminal device may include: the terminal device actively adjusts its own hardware and / or software to adjust the channel condition, and / or the user adjusts the posture and / or external environment of the terminal device to adjust the channel condition.

[0226] For example, the terminal device may adjust the antenna to improve the channel condition. Or, the terminal device may send a prompt message to prompt the user that the paging of the terminal device is unreachable or the paging quality is poor, etc., so as to remind the user to adjust the posture of the terminal device, thereby improving the channel condition. For example, the user may take the terminal device out of the backpack pocket, or may move the terminal device to a position not blocked by the shade of a tree (such as an open area), etc.

[0227] The prompt message may include one or more of a sound prompt, a light prompt, a text prompt, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0228] Optionally, the first piece of information may be carried in a first signal. The first signal may also be referred to as a pre-prompt signal, a pre-paging signal, a pre-notification, a pre-reminder signal, etc. The name of the signal carrying the first piece of information is not limited herein.

[0229] Optionally, the first piece of information may directly indicate that the paging of the terminal device is unreachable or the paging quality is poor, or may indirectly indicate that the paging of the terminal device is unreachable or the paging quality is poor.

[0230] In a possible design, the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information (such as the first signal) is designed to be strong enough. For example, when a traditional paging message cannot be received by the UE, the signal carrying the first information can still be normally received by the UE. Exemplarily, under the same channel conditions, the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information is better than that of other signals (such as paging messages).

[0231] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the signal carrying the first information may be an enhanced existing signal, and the first information may be an existing field or a newly added field in the existing signal; or, the signal carrying the first information may also be a newly designed signal on an existing channel, and the first information may be a field in the newly designed signal; or, a new channel or a new hardware architecture may also be designed to implement the transmission of the signal carrying the first information, and the present application does not limit this.

[0232] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may listen for the first information to receive the first information. For example, the terminal device may start a listening process to listen for the first information. After the terminal device does not start the listening process or ends the listening process, it does not receive the first information or does not respond to the first information. Not responding to the first information may mean: ignoring the first information, such as not adjusting the channel conditions of the terminal device.

[0233] The timing for the terminal device to listen for the first information (or the timing to start the listening process) in the embodiments of the present application is exemplarily described below.

[0234] In some embodiments, the terminal device may obtain / measure the signal quality of the serving cell, and determine whether to listen for the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell. When not listening for the first information, it measures the signal quality of neighboring cells or obtains the signal quality of neighboring cells.

[0235] Exemplarily, Figure 4 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 4 shown, the communication method may include S401 - S403. S401 - S403 may be executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0236] S401. Obtain the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0237] Exemplarily, mobility management is an important operation in wireless mobile communication. It refers to changing the serving cell of the terminal device by handover (a connected - state behavior) or cell selection / re - selection (a non - connected - state behavior) when the signal quality of the serving cell of the terminal device deteriorates to a certain extent, such as selecting a neighboring cell with better communication quality as the new serving cell of the terminal device to ensure that the communication link between the network and the terminal device will not be interrupted due to the movement of the terminal device.

[0238] Radio resource management (RRM) measurement refers to enabling a terminal device to measure the communication quality of its serving cell and / or neighbor cells (non-serving cells). Handovers and cell selection / reselection involved in the above mobility management operations need to be based on the signal quality measurement results of the serving cell and the signal quality measurement results of neighbor cells.

[0239] For example, after a terminal device successfully camps on a cell, this cell can be referred to as the serving cell or the current serving cell. The terminal device obtains the signal quality of the serving cell and neighbor cells (cells adjacent to the serving cell). For example, it can periodically measure the signal quality of the serving cell and neighbor cells (cells adjacent to the serving cell). If the signal quality of the serving cell is poor while the signal quality of a neighbor cell is good, the terminal device can actively reselect a cell with a higher priority or better signal quality as the serving cell. This process is called cell reselection.

[0240] Exemplarily, when the terminal device is in the RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE) or the RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE), a network device (such as a base station) can broadcast a measurement configuration, and the terminal device can perform measurements according to the broadcast measurement configuration and independently use the measurement results for operations such as cell selection / reselection without reporting the measurement results to the network. The measurement process in the idle state / inactive state mainly includes the following two steps: 1. Measurement configuration; 2. Measurement execution.

[0241] Among them, in the step of measurement configuration, a network device (such as a base station) can provide a measurement configuration to the terminal device by broadcasting. For example, the measurement configuration is sent via system information (SI), such as in system information block 2 (SIB2), SIB3, SIB4, SIB5, etc. in the system information. The measurement configuration can include frequency point information, measurement time window configuration, threshold and offset parameters, etc.

[0242] The frequency point information is the relevant information of the frequency points used by the terminal device for cell reselection, and can include the center frequency and subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the frequency points, the band information to which the frequency points belong, the list of cells on the frequency points, the information of the set of reference signals to be measured, etc.

[0243] The measurement time window configuration is the measurement time configuration information used by the terminal device when measuring the above frequency points, that is, the terminal device performs the measurement of the frequency points within the time window indicated by this configuration. This configuration can be for each frequency point, that is, different frequency points can correspond to different measurement time window configurations.

[0244] The threshold and offset parameters can include various thresholds and offsets used by the terminal device when performing operations such as measurement result derivation and cell reselection criterion evaluation.

[0245] In the steps of measurement execution, the terminal device can perform measurements according to the measurement configuration broadcast by the network device.

[0246] Among them, for neighbor cell measurement, according to the relationship between the measurement frequency point and the serving cell frequency point, the measurement can be divided into intra-frequency measurement, inter-frequency measurement, and inter-RAT measurement. Intra-frequency measurement and inter-frequency measurement refer to intra-RAT measurement, that is, the neighbor cell and the serving cell use the same radio access technology (RAT). For example, both the neighbor cell and the serving cell adopt 5G NR technology. Inter-RAT measurement means that the neighbor cell and the serving cell use different RATs. For example, the serving cell uses 5G NR technology and the neighbor cell uses LTE technology, etc.

[0247] Exemplarily, the reference signals of the measurement frequency point can include: synchronization signal block (SSB) and channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS). SSB can also be referred to as synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block).

[0248] For neighbor cell measurement, according to the type of the reference signal of the frequency point, it can be further divided into SSB-based measurement and CSI-RS-based measurement. The measurement in the connected state can be based on SSB or CSI-RS; the measurement in the idle state / inactive state can be based on SSB.

[0249] Combining the classification methods of the above two measurement types, neighbor cell measurements can be specifically divided into: SSB-based intra-frequency measurements, SSB-based inter-frequency measurements, CSI-RS-based intra-frequency measurements, CSI-RS-based inter-frequency measurements, and inter-system measurements, etc.

[0250] It can be understood that if the center frequency of the SSB of a certain measurement frequency point is the same as the center frequency of the SSB of the serving cell, and the subcarrier spacing SCS of the SSBs of both is also the same, then the measurement of this frequency point is an intra-frequency measurement. If either the center frequency of the SSBs or the subcarrier spacing of the SSBs is different, then the measurement of this frequency point is an inter-frequency measurement.

[0251] When the terminal device performs signal quality measurements of the serving cell or neighbor cell signal quality measurements, three types of measurement results can be obtained, which are in turn: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SINR). Among them, each type of measurement result can be based on SSB or based on CSI-RS.

[0252] RSRP is defined as the linear average of the power of the resource elements (REs) carrying the reference signal within the measured bandwidth under consideration.

[0253] RSRQ is defined as a ratio, RSRQ = (N * RSRP) / NR carrier RSSI. RSSI refers to received signal strength indicator (RSSI). NR carrier RSSI is the linear average of the total received power observed by the terminal device on N resource blocks (RBs), and the sources include co-channel serving cells and non-serving cells, adjacent channel interference, thermal noise, etc.; N is the number of resource blocks RB in the RSSI measurement of the NR carrier; RSRP can be SS-RSRP or CSI-RSRP.

[0254] SINR is defined as the ratio of the linear average of the power of the resource elements RE carrying the reference signal, RSRP, to the linear average of the power of the noise (Noise) and interference (Interference) on these REs within the measured bandwidth under consideration, that is, SINR = RSRP / (Noise + Interference).

[0255] In the embodiment of the present application, S401 refers to the process in which the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell. Whether to execute the process of the terminal device measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell can be determined based on the conditions regarding the signal quality of the serving cell in S402 - S403.

[0256] It should be understood that the terminal device described in the embodiment of the present application may be in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state. Additionally, the terminal device can normally receive the SSB and use it for synchronization and measurement.

[0257] S402. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold, listen for the first information, where the first information is related to paging.

[0258] S403. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold, obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell.

[0259] The second threshold can be understood or defined as the threshold for stopping listening for the first information. In this embodiment, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell, it can determine whether to start listening for the first information or whether to measure the signal quality of the neighboring cell based on the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0260] In a possible design, that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold; that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0261] In another possible design, that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold may include: within a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold.

[0262] That the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold may include: within a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold.

[0263] Among them, the size of the period of time is not limited. Taking that the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the second threshold means that within a period of time before the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold as an example, the current moment may refer to the moment after the aforementioned period of time has elapsed since the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking that the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the second threshold means that within a period of time after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold as an example, the current moment may refer to the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0264] In some other possible designs, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold, which may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold (or the average value is greater than the second threshold); the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold, which may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold (or the average value is less than the second threshold). The number of time points is not limited herein.

[0265] This application does not limit the manner of determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the second threshold.

[0266] Optionally, when the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the second threshold, S402 or S403 may be executed, and there is no limitation here.

[0267] Exemplarily, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell, the signal quality of the serving cell may be greater than the second threshold, or may be less than or equal to the second threshold. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold, the terminal device may not measure the signal quality of the neighboring cell and listen for the first information, which is related to paging. The first information, the process of the terminal device listening for the first information, and the manner in which the terminal device responds to the listened first information, etc. may refer to the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated herein. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal device may measure the signal quality of the neighboring cell and not listen for the first information.

[0268] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, S402 and S403 may be in an "and / or" relationship. For example, after S402 is executed, the signal quality of the serving cell may change, such as decreasing to less than the second threshold. At this time, the terminal device may execute S403, and stop listening for the first information when executing S403.

[0269] Exemplarily, when measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell, it may be determined whether to initiate the measurement of the neighboring cell according to the signal quality of the serving cell and the priority of the neighboring cell (or referred to as the reselection priority). For example, Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of neighboring cell signal quality measurement provided by the embodiments of this application. As Figure 5As shown, the terminal device can first compare the priorities of neighboring cells and the current serving cell. According to the priorities, neighboring cells can be classified into the following three cases: 1) Neighboring cell with high priority, that is, the priority of the neighboring cell is higher than that of the serving cell; 2) Neighboring cell with the same priority, that is, the priority of the neighboring cell is the same as that of the serving cell; 3) Neighboring cell with low priority, that is, the priority of the neighboring cell is lower than that of the serving cell. Among them, cells on the same frequency point of the same RAT have the same cell priority, while the priorities of cells on different frequency points may be the same or different. For the case of neighboring cells with high priority, the neighboring cell measurement can be inter-frequency measurement or inter-system measurement. For the case of neighboring cells with the same priority, the neighboring cell measurement can be intra-frequency measurement, or inter-frequency measurement, or inter-system measurement. For the case of neighboring cells with low priority, the neighboring cell measurement can be inter-frequency measurement or inter-system measurement.

[0270] For the case of neighboring cells with high priority, the terminal device can perform inter-frequency measurement or inter-system measurement with higher priority. For example, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have different frequency points, or when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to different communication systems and the priority of the neighboring cell is higher than that of the serving cell, the terminal device can start measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell.

[0271] For the case of neighboring cells with the same priority, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have the same frequency point (i.e., intra-frequency), the terminal device can start measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than or equal to the first measurement threshold. The first measurement threshold can also be referred to as the intra-frequency measurement start threshold.

[0272] In one implementation, the signal quality of the serving cell can be expressed as "Srxlev", and Srxlev can represent the received signal level. Srxlev is an indicator of the received signal strength level, usually in dBm. Srxlev is used to evaluate the strength of the received signal, that is, the received power of the radio signal. The first measurement threshold can be defined as "SintraSearchP". For example, for the case of neighboring cells with the same priority, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have the same frequency point (i.e., intra-frequency), if the serving cell satisfies Srxlev > SintraSearchP, no intra-frequency measurement is performed; otherwise, that is, when the serving cell satisfies Srxlev ≤ SintraSearchP, the terminal device performs intra-frequency measurement (i.e., starts neighboring cell measurement).

[0273] In another implementation, the signal quality of the serving cell can be expressed as "Squal", and Squal can represent the received signal quality. Squal is an indicator of the received signal quality, usually expressed in the form of signal-to-noise ratio or bit error rate, etc. Squal is used to evaluate the quality of the received signal, that is, the reliability and clarity of the signal. This parameter mainly focuses on the signal quality, including factors such as signal-to-noise ratio and bit error rate. The first measurement threshold can be defined as "SIntraSearchQ". For example, in the case of the same priority for neighboring cells, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have the same frequency point (i.e., same frequency), if the serving cell satisfies Squal > SIntraSearchQ, then no same-frequency measurement is performed; otherwise, that is, when the serving cell satisfies Squal ≤ SIntraSearchQ, the terminal device performs same-frequency measurement (i.e., starts measuring neighboring cells).

[0274] It should be understood that Srxlev and Squal are the signal qualities of the current serving cell, which can be measured by the terminal device and calculated according to the S-criterion calculation formula, and are not sent by the network.

[0275] For the case of the same priority for neighboring cells, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have different frequency points (i.e., different frequencies), or when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to different communication systems (i.e., different systems), the terminal device can start measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than or equal to the second measurement threshold. The second measurement threshold can also be referred to as the different-frequency / different-system measurement start threshold.

[0276] Similarly, the signal quality of the serving cell can be expressed as "Srxlev", and the second measurement threshold can be defined as "SnonIntraSearchP". Or, the signal quality of the serving cell can be expressed as "Squal", and the second measurement threshold can be defined as "SnonIntraSearchQ". For example, in the case of the same priority for neighboring cells, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have different frequency points (i.e., different frequencies), or when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to different communication systems (i.e., different systems), if the serving cell satisfies Srxlev > SnonIntraSearchP or Squal > SnonIntraSearchQ, then no neighboring cell measurement is started; otherwise, that is, when the serving cell satisfies Srxlev ≤ SnonIntraSearchP or Squal ≤ SnonIntraSearchQ, the terminal device starts neighboring cell measurement.

[0277] For the case of a neighboring cell with a lower priority, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have different frequencies (i.e., different frequencies), or the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to different communication systems (i.e., different systems), the terminal device may start measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than or equal to a third measurement threshold. The third measurement threshold may also be a different frequency / different system measurement start threshold.

[0278] For example, the signal quality of the serving cell may be expressed as "Srxlev", and the third measurement threshold may be defined as "SnonIntraSearchP". Alternatively, the signal quality of the serving cell may be expressed as "Squal", and the third measurement threshold may be defined as "SnonIntraSearchQ". For the case of a neighboring cell with a lower priority, when the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to the same communication system and have different frequencies (i.e., different frequencies), or the neighboring cell and the serving cell belong to different communication systems (i.e., different systems), if the serving cell satisfies Srxlev > SnonIntraSearchP or Squal > SnonIntraSearchQ, the measurement of the neighboring cell is not started; otherwise, that is, when the serving cell satisfies Srxlev ≤ SnonIntraSearchP or Squal ≤ SnonIntraSearchQ, the terminal device starts measuring the neighboring cell.

[0279] In other words, in the embodiments of the present application, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold, the terminal device measures the signal quality of the neighboring cell, which may include: for neighboring cells with a higher priority than the serving cell, regardless of the quality of the serving cell, the measurement must be unconditionally started; for neighboring cells with a priority equal to or lower than the serving cell, the terminal device may compare the signal quality of the serving cell with the quality threshold sent down by the network. If it is greater than the threshold, the neighboring cell is not measured; otherwise, the neighboring cell is measured.

[0280] This embodiment does not limit the relative magnitudes of the second threshold, the same frequency measurement start threshold, and the different frequency / different system measurement start threshold.

[0281] Exemplarily, the cell priority (also referred to as the reselection priority) mentioned in the above description may be obtained from the system message of the current serving cell, configured by the network side, and sent to the terminal device by means of cell broadcast. Such a priority is a general cell reselection priority. The cell priority may also be obtained from an RRC Release message or inherited from other systems. Such a priority is a dedicated cell reselection priority. If the terminal device obtains the dedicated cell reselection priority, the general cell reselection priority may be ignored. However, when the terminal device enters different RRC states or the effective time of the dedicated cell reselection priority expires, the terminal device may delete the dedicated cell reselection priority.

[0282] Exemplarily, the configuration of the general cell reselection priority includes the cell reselection priority and the cell reselection sub-priority. The terminal device can add the cell reselection priority and the cell reselection sub-priority, and use the added priority as the final cell reselection priority of the configured frequency point for cell reselection. The cell reselection priority is divided according to the frequency point. That is to say, cells on the same frequency point in the same RAT (the same communication system) have the same cell reselection priority, and the cell reselection priorities of different frequency points may be the same or different.

[0283] Optionally, the value range of the cell reselection priority variable (CellReselectionPriority) can be 0 to 7, and the larger the value of this variable, the higher the priority. The value range of the cell reselection sub-priority variable (CellReselectionSubPriority) can be 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, etc., and the larger the value of this variable, the higher the priority.

[0284] It should be understood that after measuring the signal quality of the neighboring cell, the terminal device can perform a cell reselection evaluation (cellreselection evaluation process). The cell reselection evaluation refers to determining whether the neighboring cell meets the reselection conditions based on the signal quality of the neighboring cell and the neighboring cell priority, and reselecting to the neighboring cell that meets the reselection conditions according to the judgment result (that is, performing cell reselection), or not performing cell reselection when the reselection conditions are not met. The process of cell reselection evaluation can be seen in the following description.

[0285] As described above, in the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the network device can send the first information to the terminal device, and the first information is related to paging. The terminal device can listen for the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold; and obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold. By listening for the first information and responding to the first information to improve the channel condition, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages. For example, in a scenario where the channel condition is poor due to occlusion, the terminal device can become paging reachable from the original state of paging unreachability by listening for the first information and responding to the first information.

[0286] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device can preferentially camp on the current serving cell to monitor the first information to improve the channel condition when the quality of the serving cell's SSB is poor, so as to continue to receive paging in the current serving cell. When the quality of the serving cell's SSB is very poor, for example, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a second threshold (at this time, it can also be considered that the first information is also unreachable, or even if the terminal device improves the channel condition, it cannot receive paging), the terminal device starts neighbor cell measurement to ensure the communication service of the terminal device. When the terminal device continues to receive paging in the current serving cell and does not start neighbor cell measurement, there will be no subsequent cell reselection evaluation process, saving the power consumption of the terminal device for neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation.

[0287] In other words, in the embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel condition by receiving the first information from the network side, so that it does not have to trigger neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation, and preferentially receives services in the current serving cell, which can save some of the overhead of neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation to a certain extent.

[0288] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment where it is not at the cell edge but the channel condition of the current serving cell is poor due to occlusion, the satellite base station can use a stronger pre-prompt signal to prompt the terminal device to improve the channel condition, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services in the current serving cell. The terminal device can not perform the neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation process.

[0289] In a possible design, the step of monitoring the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold in the foregoing embodiment may include: monitoring the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold.

[0290] Exemplarily, in this design, a first threshold can be set for starting the monitoring of the first information. The terminal device can monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold, it can be considered that the communication quality of the terminal device in the current serving cell is good and it can normally receive paging. The terminal device can neither monitor the first information nor start neighbor cell measurement.

[0291] Similar to the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the second threshold in the foregoing embodiments, by way of example, in a possible design, the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the first threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold; the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the first threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0292] In another possible design, the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the first threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold; the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the first threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold. The magnitude of the period of time is not limited. Taking the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the first threshold meaning that during a period of time before the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment after continuing the foregoing period of time from the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the first threshold meaning that during a period of time after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0293] In still some other possible designs, the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the first threshold may include: at a plurality of consecutive or non - consecutive time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold (or the average value is greater than the first threshold); the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the first threshold may include: at a plurality of consecutive or non - consecutive time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold (or the average value is less than the first threshold). The number of time points is not limited.

[0294] This application does not limit the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the first threshold.

[0295] Optionally, the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the second threshold may be the same as the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the first threshold. For example, it may be determined whether it is greater than or less than the second threshold, and whether it is greater than or less than the first threshold according to the signal quality of the serving cell at the current moment.

[0296] Optionally, when the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the first threshold, the terminal device may monitor the first information or execute according to the logic that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold, such as neither monitoring the first information nor starting neighbor cell measurement.

[0297] In other words, in this design, the start condition for monitoring the first information is that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, and the stop / end condition for monitoring the first information is that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold or greater than the first threshold.

[0298] In this design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold, the terminal device can neither monitor the first information nor initiate neighbor cell measurement, saving the power consumption of monitoring the first information, or rather, saving the power consumption caused by unnecessary monitoring.

[0299] It should be understood that in this design, the actions performed by the terminal device may include: monitoring the first information and performing neighbor cell measurement. Whether the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation is based on neighbor cell measurement, which will not be discussed here for the time being. In this communication method, when the terminal device monitors the first information, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold (for the equal case, refer to the above description); when the terminal device performs neighbor cell measurement, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold.

[0300] In a possible design, the first threshold and the second threshold are predefined, or preconfigured, or configured.

[0301] For example, in one implementation, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the second threshold can be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as being pre-recorded / written and can be changed through software or hardware.

[0302] For another example, in another implementation, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the second threshold can be configured for the terminal device by a network device (such as a base station) through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as being recorded / written into the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0303] For yet another example, in yet another implementation, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the second threshold can be configured for the terminal device by other devices (such as other terminal devices) through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0304] For yet another example, in yet another implementation, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the second threshold do not require configuration by other devices and can be information predefined (which can be pre-recorded / written) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as information that cannot be changed by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the first threshold and the second threshold can be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0305] This application does not limit the implementation manners of the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0306] In another possible design, the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold may be predefined, preconfigured, or configured.

[0307] For example, in one implementation manner, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold may be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as being pre-recorded / written in advance and can be changed through software or hardware.

[0308] For another example, in another implementation manner, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold may be configured for the terminal device by a network device (such as a base station) through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as being recorded / written in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0309] For yet another example, in yet another implementation manner, the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold may be configured for the terminal device by other devices (such as other terminal devices) through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0310] For yet another example, in yet another implementation manner, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold do not need to be configured by other devices and may be information predefined (which can be pre-recorded / written in advance) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as being unchangeable by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold may be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0311] This application also does not limit the implementation manners of the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0312] It can be understood that when the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold are predefined, preconfigured, or configured, the terminal device may determine the second threshold according to the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0313] Optionally, in some embodiments, the magnitudes of the first threshold and the second threshold, or the magnitudes of the first threshold and the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold, may be set based on network-side rules, and the setting rules are not limited herein.

[0314] In some other embodiments, the magnitude of the first threshold may be related to the priority of the neighboring cell. Or rather, the magnitude of the first threshold is determined according to the priority of the neighboring cell.

[0315] It can be understood that, as described in the foregoing embodiments, the priority of the neighboring cell may be higher than that of the serving cell, or may be the same as or lower than that of the serving cell. For the serving cell, the priority of the neighboring cell may include the following situations: 1) There is only a neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells; 2) There is only a neighboring cell with a priority the same as that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells; 3) There is only a neighboring cell with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells; 4) There are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority the same as that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells; 5) There are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells; 6) There are only neighboring cells with a priority the same as that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells; 7) The neighboring cells include neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with a priority the same as that of the serving cell, and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell.

[0316] In a possible design, when there is only a neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, that is, for the first situation, the first threshold is determined according to the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold.

[0317] Or, when there is only a neighboring cell with a priority the same as that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, that is, for the second situation, the first threshold is determined according to the same-frequency measurement start threshold.

[0318] Or rather, when there is only a neighboring cell with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, that is, for the third situation, the first threshold is determined according to the first value, and the first value is the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold or other defined values.

[0319] Or rather, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority the same as that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, that is, for the fourth situation, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the same-frequency measurement start threshold.

[0320] Or rather, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, that is, for the fifth situation, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the first value.

[0321] Or rather, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority the same as that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, that is, for the sixth situation, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the same-frequency measurement start threshold and the first value.

[0322] Alternatively, when the neighboring cells include neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, that is, for the 7th case, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value among the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold, the intra-frequency measurement start threshold, and the first value.

[0323] Exemplarily, Table 1 shows an example of the value of the first threshold.

[0324] Table 1

[0325]

[0326]

[0327] As shown in Table 1, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold. Or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be the intra-frequency measurement start threshold. Alternatively, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be the first value, and the first value is the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold or other defined values. Or, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the intra-frequency measurement start threshold. Or, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be the larger value between the first value and the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold. Or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be the larger value between the intra-frequency measurement start threshold and the first value. Or, when the neighboring cells include neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the value of the first threshold can be the larger value among the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold, the intra-frequency measurement start threshold, and the first value.

[0328] In some other examples, the value of the first threshold can also be a value obtained by adjusting based on Table 1 above. For example, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be a value obtained by increasing or decreasing the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold. Or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell in the neighboring cells, the value of the first threshold can be a value obtained by increasing or decreasing the intra-frequency measurement start threshold. The other cases are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0329] In some other possible designs, the size of the first threshold may also be related to the priority of the neighboring cell in other ways, and the present application does not limit the specific relationship between the neighboring cell priority and the first threshold.

[0330] In this embodiment, the size of the first threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell, and the value of the first threshold is determined according to the neighboring cell priority type, which can make the value of the first threshold more matched with the measurement start threshold involved in the neighboring cell measurement scenario, or make the size of the first threshold more in line with the requirements of the neighboring cell measurement scenario.

[0331] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold may be determined according to the first parameter. The first parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0332] As described in the foregoing embodiments, the terminal device can actively adjust its own hardware and / or software to adjust the channel condition, and / or, the user adjusts the posture and / or external environment of the terminal device to adjust the channel condition. The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition may refer to: the difference between the signal quality of receiving the paging message after the terminal device adjusts the channel condition and the signal quality of receiving the paging message before adjusting the channel condition. That is, the signal quality gain refers to the signal quality that the terminal device can improve by adjusting the channel condition.

[0333] In addition, as also described in the foregoing embodiments, the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information (such as the first signal) is designed to be strong enough. For example, when the traditional paging message cannot be received by the UE, the signal carrying the first information can still be normally received by the UE. Or, under the same channel condition, the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information is better than that of other signals (such as the paging message). The signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message may refer to: the difference between the signal quality of the signal carrying the first information and the signal quality of the traditional paging message.

[0334] The maximum signal quality that can be received may refer to the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive in its own capability information. For example, the standard defines that the terminal device should have the ability to receive a signal quality of MAX, and the signal quality of the traditional paging message is K, then the first parameter may be the maximum signal quality MAX that the terminal device can receive.

[0335] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold according to the first parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold; or using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold; or using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold.

[0336] In the above embodiments, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the first threshold, the terminal device may not monitor the first information; or when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold, the terminal device may not monitor the first information and perform neighbor cell measurement. Optionally, in some embodiments, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, during the process of monitoring the first information, if it is detected that the first condition is satisfied, the terminal device may also exit the monitoring process (i.e., stop monitoring the first information), perform neighbor cell measurement, so as to ensure the normal neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation of the terminal device in a timely manner, and further ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0337] For example, the communication method further includes: when it is detected that the first condition is satisfied, stop monitoring the first information and obtain / measure the signal quality of the neighbor cell. It can be understood that this step can be implemented during the process of the terminal device monitoring the first information.

[0338] Wherein, the first condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches the first duration, or the received first information is ignored. The present application does not limit the magnitude of the first duration.

[0339] Exemplarily, when a paging-unreachable terminal device monitors the first information sent by a network device (such as a satellite base station), it can adjust the channel condition by itself or prompt the user to adjust the channel condition. When the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches the first duration, it can be considered that the terminal device cannot adjust to a good channel condition even after receiving the first information, and the terminal device can promptly break away from unnecessary monitoring to perform normal neighbor cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation.

[0340] For example, when the terminal device is located at the edge of the cell, the signal quality of the serving cell may be less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold. However, even after the terminal device receives the first message, it cannot adjust to good channel conditions. The duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches the first duration. The terminal device stops listening for the first message and measures the signal quality of neighboring cells, which can achieve timely detachment from unnecessary listening at the cost of some reselection delay and perform normal neighboring cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation.

[0341] Exemplarily, when the terminal device prompts the user to adjust the channel conditions, the user may actively choose to ignore the first message, or the user may not respond to the first message for a long time. This situation can also be considered that the first message is ignored. For example, after the terminal device receives the first message, it can issue an audible prompt to prompt the user to adjust the channel conditions. When the user actively turns off the audible prompt, or when the user does not respond all the time and the audible prompt automatically turns off after reaching a certain duration, it can be considered that the first message is ignored. When the first message is ignored, it can also be considered that the terminal device may not be able to adjust to good channel conditions. The terminal device can stop listening for the first message and measure the signal quality of neighboring cells, and timely detach from unnecessary listening to perform normal neighboring cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation.

[0342] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the above first condition.

[0343] In this embodiment, the first condition can be considered as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the first condition is satisfied, stopping listening for the first message and measuring the signal quality of neighboring cells can enable the terminal device to consider the fallback condition when in the listening state, timely detach from unnecessary listening, and perform normal neighboring cell measurement and cell reselection evaluation to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0344] Exemplarily, Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the listening threshold and principle provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the first threshold is greater than the second threshold. There is an adjustment value between the first threshold and the second threshold. The adjustment value can refer to the foregoing embodiment and can be determined according to the first parameter. The signal quality of the serving cell measured by the terminal device can have three possibilities: 1) in the range shown by point A in Figure 6 , that is, greater than the first threshold; 2) in the range shown by point B in Figure 6 , that is, less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold; 3) in Figure 6The range indicated by point C, i.e., less than the second threshold. Among them, the case where the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the first threshold can refer to the case greater than the first threshold or the case less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold; the case where the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the second threshold can refer to the case less than the second threshold or the case less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, which will not be elaborated here.

[0345] When the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 6 the range indicated by point A, i.e., greater than the first threshold, the terminal device may not trigger the start of neighbor cell measurement and does not monitor the first information. When the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 6 the range indicated by point B, i.e., less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, the terminal device may not trigger the start of neighbor cell measurement and starts to monitor the first information. When the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 6 the range indicated by point C, i.e., less than the second threshold, the terminal device may normally trigger the start of neighbor cell measurement and stop monitoring the first information.

[0346] Among them, for the case where the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 6 the range indicated by point B, when the terminal device detects that the first condition (see the foregoing embodiments) is satisfied, it may also stop monitoring the first information and normally trigger the start of neighbor cell measurement.

[0347] The above embodiments introduce the process in which the terminal device obtains the signal quality of the serving cell, determines whether to monitor the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and obtains / measures the signal quality of the neighbor cell when not monitoring the first information. In some other embodiments, the terminal device may obtain / measure the signal quality of the serving cell and perform neighbor cell signal quality acquisition / measurement. After completing the neighbor cell signal quality acquisition / measurement, the terminal device may determine whether to monitor the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and perform cell reselection evaluation when not monitoring the first information.

[0348] Exemplarily, Figure 7 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the communication method may include S701 - S703. S701 - S703 may be executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.

[0349] S701. Obtain the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0350] S701 refers to the process in which the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell. S701 may refer to S401 described above and will not be elaborated here.

[0351] Figure 7 The embodiments shown inFigure 4 The difference between the illustrated embodiments is that Figure 4 in the illustrated embodiment, whether the process of the terminal device measuring the signal quality of neighboring cells is executed can be determined based on the conditions of the signal quality of the serving cell in S402 - S403. And Figure 7 in the illustrated embodiment, after the terminal device executes S702 to measure the signal quality of neighboring cells, whether the process of cell reselection evaluation is executed can be determined based on the conditions of the signal quality of the serving cell in S703 - S704.

[0352] It should be understood that the terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application may be in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state. In addition, the terminal device can normally receive the SSB and use it for synchronization and measurement.

[0353] For example, after the terminal device executes S701, it can execute S702.

[0354] S702. Obtain the signal quality of neighboring cells.

[0355] Exemplarily, the specific implementation of measuring the signal quality of neighboring cells in S702 can also refer to the process of measuring the signal quality of neighboring cells in the foregoing embodiments. For example, referring to the Figure 5 illustrated principle of measuring the signal quality of neighboring cells, when the terminal device measures the signal quality of neighboring cells, it can determine whether to trigger neighboring cell measurement according to the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell priority, and measure the signal quality of neighboring cells when triggering neighboring cell measurement. The neighboring cell measurement process will not be elaborated here.

[0356] It should be understood that when it is determined in S702 not to execute the signal quality measurement of any neighboring cells according to the neighboring cell priority situation and the signal quality of the serving cell, the subsequent steps (such as S703 and S704) will not be executed. Figure 7 The illustrated process is only for the case where the signal quality of at least one neighboring cell is measured in S702.

[0357] S703. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold, listen for the first information, and the first information is related to paging.

[0358] S704. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation.

[0359] The fourth threshold can be understood or defined as the threshold for stopping listening for the first information. In this embodiment, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the signal quality of neighboring cells, it can determine whether to start listening for the first information or perform cell reselection evaluation based on the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0360] Similar to the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first threshold (and / or the second threshold) in the foregoing embodiments, in a possible design, that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold; that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0361] In another possible design, that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold; that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold. The magnitude of the period of time is not limited. Taking that the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the fourth threshold means that during a period of time before the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment after continuously lasting for the foregoing period of time starting from the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking that the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the fourth threshold means that during a period of time after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0362] In still some other possible designs, that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold (or the average value is greater than the fourth threshold); that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold (or the average value is less than the fourth threshold). The number of time points is not limited.

[0363] This application does not limit the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the fourth threshold.

[0364] Optionally, the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the fourth threshold may be the same as the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first threshold (and / or the second threshold) in the foregoing embodiments. For example, it may be determined whether it is greater than or less than the fourth threshold, whether it is greater than or less than the second threshold, and whether it is greater than or less than the first threshold according to the signal quality of the serving cell at the current moment.

[0365] Optionally, when the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the fourth threshold, S703 may be executed or S704 may be executed, which is not limited here.

[0366] Exemplarily, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the signal quality of the neighboring cell, the signal quality of the serving cell may be greater than the fourth threshold, or may be less than or equal to the fourth threshold. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold, the terminal device may not perform cell reselection evaluation and monitor the first information, where the first information is related to paging. The first information, the process by which the terminal device monitors the first information, and the manner in which the terminal device responds to the monitored first information, etc. may refer to the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated herein. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, the terminal device may perform cell reselection evaluation and not monitor the first information.

[0367] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, S703 and S704 may be in an and / or relationship. For example, after S703 is executed, the signal quality of the serving cell may change, such as decreasing to be less than the fourth threshold. At this time, the terminal device may execute S704, and stop monitoring the first information when executing S704.

[0368] Exemplarily, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold and cell reselection evaluation is performed, it may include: determining whether the neighboring cell meets the reselection condition (cell reselection measurement rule) according to the signal quality of the neighboring cell and the neighboring cell priority, and reselecting to the neighboring cell that meets the reselection condition (i.e., performing cell reselection) according to the determination result, or not performing cell reselection when the reselection condition is not met. For example, Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the principle of cell reselection evaluation provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, the terminal device may first compare the priorities of the neighboring cell and the currently served cell, and classify the neighboring cell into the following three cases according to the priority: 1) neighboring cell with high priority, that is, the priority of the neighboring cell is higher than the priority of the serving cell; 2) neighboring cell with the same priority, that is, the priority of the neighboring cell is the same as the priority of the serving cell; 3) neighboring cell with low priority, that is, the priority of the neighboring cell is lower than the priority of the serving cell. Among them, cells on the same frequency point of the same RAT have the same cell priority, and the cell priorities of different frequency points may be the same or different.

[0369] For the case of a neighboring cell with a higher priority, when the higher-priority neighboring cell satisfies Squal > ThreshX,HighQ or Srxlev > ThreshX,HighP within a time interval, and the terminal device has resided in the current serving cell for more than 1 second (or a preset residence duration, which can also be other values, such as 2 seconds), cell reselection to the higher-priority neighboring cell can be performed. Among them, when the higher-priority neighboring cell is a neighboring cell of a higher-priority NR frequency band, the time interval can be TreselectionNR; when the higher-priority neighboring cell is a neighboring cell of an inter-system frequency band, the time interval can be TreselectionRAT. The time interval can be referred to as the first preset time, and ThreshX,HighQ and ThreshX,HighP can be referred to as the first reselection threshold.

[0370] If multiple neighboring cells satisfy the conditions simultaneously, the terminal device can select the neighboring cell with the highest signal quality level Rn (Rn = Qmeas,n - Qoffset - Qoffsettemp) for cell reselection. Among them, Qmeas,n is the RSRP of the neighboring cell, Qoffset is the offset, and Qoffsettemp is the temporary offset.

[0371] Exemplarily, ThreshX,HighP and ThreshX,HighQ are the cell reselection thresholds for higher-priority neighboring cells. The signal quality of a higher-priority neighboring cell must be higher than this value for cell reselection. X represents the frequency, and each frequency has a corresponding threshold. This variable for a higher-priority neighboring cell of a different frequency is in SIB4, and this variable for a higher-priority neighboring cell of an inter-system is in SIB5.

[0372] For the case of neighboring cells with the same priority, it can be based on the R criterion. If the quality of the neighboring cell satisfies the S criterion (i.e., Srxlev > 0 and Squal > 0), by calculating the cell signal quality level (such as the aforementioned Rn), and then sorting according to the cell signal quality level, select the cell with the largest or nearly largest cell signal quality level; finally, among these cells, select the cell with the largest number of beam signal qualities that meet the requirements as the best cell, and it is said that this cell satisfies the cell reselection criterion. If the selected best cell continuously satisfies the cell reselection criterion during the time interval TreselectionNR, and the terminal device has resided in the current serving cell for more than 1 s (or a preset residence duration, which can also be other values, such as 2 seconds), then the terminal device initiates cell reselection to this neighboring cell.

[0373] For the case of a neighboring cell with a lower priority, when the serving cell satisfies Squal < ThreshServing,LowQ, and the neighboring cell satisfies Squal > ThreshX,LowQ within a time interval, or when the serving cell satisfies Srxlev < ThreshServing,LowP, and the neighboring cell satisfies Srxlev > ThreshX,LowP within a time interval, and the terminal device has resided in the current serving cell for more than 1 s (or a preset residence duration, which can also be other values, such as 2 s), the terminal device initiates cell reselection to the neighboring cell. Among them, when the lower-priority neighboring cell is a neighboring cell of a lower-priority NR frequency band, the time interval can be TreselectionNR; when the lower-priority neighboring cell is a neighboring cell of an inter-system frequency band, the time interval can be TreselectionRAT. Here, the time interval can be referred to as the second preset time, ThreshX,HighQ and ThreshX,HighP can be referred to as the second reselection threshold, and ThreshServing,LowP and ThreshServing,LowQ can be referred to as the third reselection threshold.

[0374] Exemplarily, ThreshServing,LowP and ThreshServing,LowQ are the cell reselection thresholds of the serving cell, ThreshX,LowP and ThreshX,LowQ are the cell reselection thresholds of the lower-priority neighboring cell, X represents the frequency, and each frequency has a corresponding threshold. The variable of the lower-priority neighboring cell with a different frequency is in SIB4, and the variable of the lower-priority neighboring cell of an inter-system is in SIB5.

[0375] Optionally, in Figure 8 the cell reselection process shown, if multiple cells with different priorities meet the cell reselection criteria, reselection to a higher-priority neighboring cell should be prioritized over reselection to a lower-priority neighboring cell.

[0376] It should be noted that Figure 7 the cell reselection evaluation described in the embodiment shown refers to that the terminal device makes a judgment on whether the cell reselection conditions are met according to the Figure 8 process shown, and performs cell reselection according to the judgment result (or reselects to a cell that meets the cell reselection conditions according to the judgment result), and does not limit that the terminal device will definitely reselect to a new cell.

[0377] This embodiment does not limit the relative magnitudes of the fourth threshold and the cell reselection threshold.

[0378] It should be understood that after the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation, it may reselect to a new cell or continue to camp on the current serving cell. Or, it may also occur that there is no other cell to camp on and the current serving cell does not meet the camping conditions. At this time, the terminal device can perform cell selection to select a suitable or acceptable cell to camp on, which will not be elaborated here. Or, the process of cell selection can be referred to as described below.

[0379] As described above, in the communication method provided in this embodiment, the network device can send the first information to the terminal device, and the first information is related to paging. After the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold, the terminal device can monitor the first information; when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation. By monitoring the first information and responding to the first information to improve the channel conditions, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages. For example, in a scenario where the channel conditions of the terminal device are poor due to occlusion, by monitoring the first information and responding to the first information, the terminal device can change from a state where paging is unreachable to a state where paging is reachable.

[0380] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device can preferentially camp on the current serving cell to monitor the first information to improve the channel conditions when the SSB quality of the serving cell is poor, so as to continue to receive paging in the current serving cell. When the SSB quality of the serving cell is very poor, such as when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold (at this time, it can also be considered that the first information is also unreachable, or even if the terminal device improves the channel conditions, it cannot receive paging), the terminal device starts cell reselection evaluation to ensure the communication service of the terminal device. When the terminal device continues to receive paging in the current serving cell and does not start cell reselection evaluation, the power consumption of the terminal device for performing cell reselection evaluation is saved.

[0381] In other words, in the embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel conditions by receiving the first information from the network side, so that it does not need to trigger cell reselection evaluation and preferentially receives services in the current serving cell, which can save some of the overhead of cell reselection evaluation to a certain extent.

[0382] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment where it is not at the cell edge but the channel conditions of the current serving cell are poor due to occlusion, the satellite base station can use a stronger pre-prompt signal to prompt the terminal device to improve the channel conditions, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services in the current serving cell. The terminal device can not execute the cell reselection evaluation process.

[0383] In a possible design, the step of monitoring the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold in the foregoing embodiments may include: monitoring the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold.

[0384] Exemplarily, in this design, a third threshold may be set for starting the monitoring of the first information. The terminal device may monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold. When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold, it may be considered that the communication quality of the terminal device in the current serving cell is good and the terminal device can receive paging normally. The terminal device may neither monitor the first information nor initiate cell reselection evaluation.

[0385] Similar to the method of determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first threshold, the second threshold, the fourth threshold, etc. in the foregoing embodiments, in a possible design, the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the third threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold; the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0386] In another possible design, the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold; the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the third threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold. The magnitude of the period of time is not limited. Taking the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold referring to the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold during a period of time before the current moment as an example, the current moment may be the moment after the foregoing period of time has elapsed since the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold referring to the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold during a period of time after the current moment as an example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0387] In still some other possible designs, the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the third threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold (or the average value is greater than the third threshold); the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the third threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold (or the average value is less than the third threshold). The number of time points is not limited.

[0388] This application does not limit the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the third threshold.

[0389] Optionally, the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the third threshold may be the same as the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first threshold (or the second threshold, the fourth threshold, etc.) in the foregoing embodiments. For example, based on the signal quality of the serving cell at the current moment, it can be determined whether it is greater than or less than the third threshold, whether it is greater than or less than the fourth threshold, whether it is greater than or less than the second threshold, and whether it is greater than or less than the first threshold.

[0390] Optionally, when the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the third threshold, the terminal device may listen for the first information or execute according to the logic that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold, such as neither listening for the first information nor initiating cell reselection evaluation.

[0391] In other words, in this design, the activation condition for listening for the first information is that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold, and the stop / end condition for listening for the first information is that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold or greater than the third threshold.

[0392] In this design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold, the terminal device may neither listen for the first information nor initiate cell reselection evaluation, saving the power consumption of listening for the first information, or rather saving the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening.

[0393] It should be understood that in this design, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells, the actions to be performed may include: listening for the first information and cell reselection evaluation. In this communication method, when the terminal device listens for the first information, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold (for the equal case, refer to the above description); when the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold.

[0394] In a possible design, the third threshold and the fourth threshold are predefined, or pre-configured, or configured.

[0395] For example, in one implementation, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the fourth threshold may be pre-configured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as recorded / written in advance and can be changed through software or hardware.

[0396] For another example, in another implementation, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be configured by a network device (such as a base station) for a terminal device through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as recording / writing to the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0397] For another example, in yet another implementation, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be configured for a terminal device by another device (such as another terminal device) through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0398] For another example, in yet another implementation, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the fourth threshold do not need to be configured by other devices and can be information predefined (which can be recorded / written in advance) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as information that cannot be changed by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0399] This application does not limit the implementation manners of the third threshold and the fourth threshold.

[0400] In another possible design, the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be predefined, or preconfigured, or configured.

[0401] For example, in one implementation, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as recording / writing in advance and can be changed through software or hardware.

[0402] For another example, in another implementation, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be configured for a terminal device by a network device (such as a base station) through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as recording / writing to the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0403] For another example, in yet another implementation, the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be configured for a terminal device by another device (such as another terminal device) through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0404] For another example, in another implementation, the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold do not need to be configured by other devices, and can be information predefined (which can be recorded / written in advance) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as information that cannot be changed by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0405] This application also does not limit the implementation manner of the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold.

[0406] It can be understood that when the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold are predefined, preconfigured, or configured, the terminal device can determine the fourth threshold according to the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold.

[0407] Optionally, in some embodiments, the magnitudes of the third threshold and the fourth threshold, or the magnitude of the difference between the third threshold and the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold, can be set based on network-side rules, and the setting rules are not limited herein.

[0408] In some other embodiments, the magnitude of the third threshold can be related to the priority of the neighboring cell. Or rather, the magnitude of the third threshold is determined according to the priority of the neighboring cell.

[0409] It can be understood that, as described in the foregoing embodiments, the priority of the neighboring cell may be higher than the priority of the serving cell, or may be the same as or lower than the priority of the serving cell.

[0410] In a possible design, the situation of the neighboring cells of the serving cell can be divided into two categories according to the type of priority. In the first category, there are neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells of the serving cell; in the second category, there are no neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells of the serving cell. For the first category, that is, when there are neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold can be determined according to the reselection threshold of the low-priority neighboring cell. For the second category, that is, when there are no neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold can be determined according to the second value, and the second value can be the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0411] Exemplarily, Table 2 shows an example of the value of the third threshold.

[0412] Table 2

[0413]

[0414] In Table 2, the reselection threshold of the low-priority neighboring cell refers to the foregoing Figure 8In the cell reselection principle shown, for the case of a neighboring cell with a lower priority, the cell reselection threshold of the serving cell, such as: ThreshServing,LowP or ThreshServing,LowQ.

[0415] As shown in Table 2, when there is a neighboring cell with a lower priority than the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the value of the third threshold can be the reselection threshold of the lower-priority neighboring cell. When there is no neighboring cell with a lower priority than the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the value of the third threshold can be the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0416] In some other examples, the value of the third threshold can also be a value obtained by adjusting based on Table 4 above. For example, when there is a neighboring cell with a lower priority than the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the value of the third threshold can be a value obtained by increasing or decreasing the reselection threshold of the lower-priority neighboring cell upward or downward. Or, when there is no neighboring cell with a lower priority than the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the value of the third threshold can be a value obtained by increasing or decreasing the S-criterion threshold or other defined values upward or downward.

[0417] In some other possible designs, the magnitude of the third threshold can also be related to the priority of the neighboring cell in other ways. This application does not limit the specific relationship between the neighboring cell priority and the third threshold.

[0418] In this embodiment, the magnitude of the third threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell, and the value of the third threshold is determined according to the neighboring cell priority type, which can make the value of the third threshold more matched with the cell reselection thresholds involved in the cell reselection scenario, or make the magnitude of the third threshold more in line with the requirements of the cell reselection scenario.

[0419] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold can be determined according to the second parameter. The second parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0420] The implementation of the second parameter is similar to that of the first parameter and can refer to the first parameter, which will not be elaborated here.

[0421] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold according to the second parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold; or using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold; or using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold.

[0422] In the above embodiments, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cells, when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the third threshold, the terminal device may not monitor the first information and does not perform cell reselection evaluation; or when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold, it does not monitor the first information and performs cell reselection evaluation; or when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold, it monitors the first information and does not trigger cell reselection evaluation. Optionally, in some embodiments, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold, during the process of monitoring the first information by the terminal device, if it is detected that the second condition is satisfied, it may also exit the monitoring process (i.e., stop monitoring the first information), perform cell reselection evaluation, so as to ensure the normal cell reselection evaluation of the terminal device in a timely manner, and further ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0423] For example, the communication method further includes: when it is detected that the second condition is satisfied, stop monitoring the first information and perform cell reselection evaluation. It can be understood that this step can be implemented during the process of the terminal device monitoring the first information.

[0424] Wherein, the second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches the second duration, or the received first information is ignored. The present application does not limit the magnitude of the second duration.

[0425] Exemplarily, after a paging-unreachable terminal device monitors the first information sent by a network device (such as a satellite base station), it can adjust by itself or prompt the user to adjust the channel condition. When the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches the second duration, it can be considered that the terminal device cannot adjust to a good channel condition even after receiving the first information, and the terminal device can promptly break away from unnecessary monitoring to perform normal cell reselection evaluation.

[0426] For example, when the terminal device is located at the cell edge, the signal quality of the serving cell may be less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold. However, even if the terminal device receives the first message, it cannot adjust to good channel conditions. The duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches the second duration. The terminal device stops listening for the first message and performs cell reselection evaluation, which can achieve timely detachment from unnecessary listening at the cost of some delay in cell reselection evaluation and perform normal cell reselection evaluation.

[0427] Exemplarily, the situation where the first message is ignored can be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here. When the first message is ignored, it can also be considered that the terminal device may not be able to adjust to good channel conditions. The terminal device can stop listening for the first message and perform cell reselection evaluation to timely detach from unnecessary listening and perform normal cell reselection evaluation.

[0428] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the above second condition.

[0429] In this embodiment, the second condition can be regarded as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the second condition is satisfied, stopping listening for the first message and performing cell reselection evaluation can enable the terminal device to consider the fallback condition in the listening state, timely detach from unnecessary listening, and perform normal cell reselection evaluation to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0430] Exemplarily, Figure 9 shows another schematic diagram of the listening threshold and principle provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 9 shown, the third threshold is greater than the fourth threshold. There is an adjustment value between the third threshold and the fourth threshold. The adjustment value can be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and can be determined according to the second parameter. After the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, the signal quality of the serving cell can have three possibilities: 1) located in the range shown by point A in Figure 9 , that is, greater than the third threshold; 2) located in the range shown by point B in Figure 9 , that is, less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold; 3) located in the range shown by point C in Figure 9 , that is, less than the fourth threshold. Among them, the situation where the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the third threshold can be referred to the situation where it is greater than the third threshold or less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold; the situation where the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the fourth threshold can be referred to the situation where it is less than the fourth threshold or less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold, and will not be elaborated here.

[0431] When the signal quality of the serving cell is located in Figure 9The range indicated by point A in the figure, that is, when it is greater than the third threshold, the terminal device may not trigger cell reselection evaluation and may not monitor the first information. When the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 9 The range indicated by point B in the figure, that is, when it is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold, the terminal device may not trigger cell reselection evaluation and starts to monitor the first information. When the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 9 The range indicated by point C in the figure, that is, when it is less than the fourth threshold, the terminal device may normally trigger cell reselection evaluation and stop monitoring the first information.

[0432] Among them, for the case where the signal quality of the serving cell is within Figure 9 the range indicated by point B in the figure, when the terminal device detects that the second condition (see the foregoing embodiments) is satisfied, it may also stop monitoring the first information and normally trigger cell reselection evaluation.

[0433] Exemplarily, in a possible scenario, the terminal device may be in the central area of the current service area, but is blocked and in a paging unreachable state. Compared with reselecting to a neighboring cell, the service quality of the terminal device in the current serving cell after improving the reception state according to the communication method provided in this application should be higher than that of the neighboring cell. In addition, due to the blockage, the signal of the neighboring cell may not be sufficient for the terminal device to reselect to. This application preferentially considers using the first information as a prompt to remind the terminal device to improve the reception state and try to camp on the current serving cell.

[0434] The above embodiments respectively introduce two schemes for the terminal device to monitor the first information. The first is a scheme in which after the terminal device obtains / measures the signal quality of the serving cell, it determines whether to monitor the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not monitoring the first information, obtains / measures the signal quality of the neighboring cell. The second is a scheme in which after the terminal device obtains / measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, it determines whether to monitor the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not monitoring the first information, performs cell reselection evaluation. In some other embodiments, the terminal device may obtain / measure the signal quality of the serving cell and obtain / measure the signal quality of the neighboring cell. After completing the acquisition / measurement of the signal quality of the neighboring cell, the terminal device may perform cell reselection evaluation and monitor the first information at the same time. Among them, performing cell reselection evaluation may include: determining whether the neighboring cell meets the reselection condition (cell reselection measurement rule) according to the signal quality of the neighboring cell and the neighboring cell priority, and reselecting to the neighboring cell that meets the reselection condition (that is, performing cell reselection) according to the judgment result, or not performing cell reselection when it does not meet the reselection condition.

[0435] Exemplarily, Figure 10 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 10As shown, the communication method may include S1001 - S1003. S1001 - S1003 may be executed by a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device. It should be understood that the terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application may be in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state. Additionally, the terminal device can normally receive SSBs and use them for synchronization and measurement.

[0436] S1001. Obtain the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0437] S1002. Obtain the signal quality of neighboring cells.

[0438] For S1001 - S1002, reference may be made to the process of signal quality measurement of the serving cell and neighboring cells in the foregoing embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0439] S1003. Perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information, which is related to paging.

[0440] Exemplarily, the process of cell reselection evaluation may refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein. Figure 10 In the shown embodiment, when the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation, it may also simultaneously start listening for the first information. The first information, the process by which the terminal device listens for the first information, and the manner in which the terminal device responds to the listened - for first information, etc., may refer to the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated either.

[0441] In other words, Figure 10 In the shown embodiment, the starting condition for listening for the first information may be whether cell reselection evaluation is triggered. The terminal device can simultaneously perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information.

[0442] It can be understood that during the process in which the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation and listens for the first information, when the terminal device adjusts the channel condition to improve the channel condition after listening for the first information, the terminal device may exit the cell reselection evaluation process and return to camp on the serving cell. Or, the terminal device may reselect to a new cell for camping. Or, there may be a situation where there is no other cell available for camping and the current serving cell also does not meet the camping conditions. At this time, the terminal device can perform cell selection and select a suitable or acceptable cell for camping.

[0443] Exemplarily, a suitable cell can be referred to as "Suitable Cell". A cell is considered a Suitable Cell if it meets the following conditions: 1) The public land mobile network (PLMN) of the cell is part of the selected PLMN or the registered PLMN or the PLMNs in the equivalent PLMN list; 2) The cell selection criteria are met; 3) According to the latest information provided by the network attached storage (NAS): The cell is not prohibited, the cell is part of at least one tracking area (TA), and the tracking area does not belong to the list of "tracking areas with prohibited roaming" that meet the above PLMN.

[0444] An acceptable cell can be referred to as "Acceptable Cell". An Acceptable Cell is a cell where the terminal device can camp to obtain limited services, such as initiating an emergency call and receiving ETWS and CMAS notifications. An Acceptable Cell meets the minimum requirements for initiating an emergency call and receiving ETWS and CMAS notifications in the NR network: The cell is not prohibited and the cell selection criteria are met.

[0445] When the terminal device is camping normally on the serving cell, it is in the normal camping state (which can be defined as the CampedNormally state). The Camped Normally state can apply to terminal devices in the RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states. When the terminal device is in the Camped Normally state, it can perform the following tasks: Listen to the cell paging channel according to the information broadcast in SIB1; Listen to the Short Message transmitted on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) scrambled with P-RNTI; Listen to the relevant system information; Perform the necessary measurements for the cell reselection evaluation procedure; Perform the cell reselection evaluation process on the following occasions / triggers: 1) UE internal trigger to meet the performance specified in 3GPP TS38.133; 2) When the information for the cell reselection evaluation process on the broadcast control channel (BCCH) is modified.

[0446] When the terminal device fails to reselect to a Suitable Cell during cell reselection evaluation, it can switch from the CampedNormally state to any cell selection state (which can be defined as the Any Cell Selection state). When the terminal device is in the Any Cell Selection state, it can perform cell selection. When the cell selection can select a Suitable Cell, the terminal device can camp on the Suitable Cell and switch from the Any Cell Selection state to the CampedNormally state. When the cell selection does not select a Suitable Cell, the terminal device can select an Acceptable Cell to camp on and switch from the Any Cell Selection state to the camped on any cell state (which can be defined as the Camped on Any Cell state).

[0447] The Any Cell Selection state applies to the RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE states. In this state, the terminal device shall perform the cell selection process to find a suitable cell. If the cell selection process fails to find a suitable cell after fully scanning all RATs and all frequency bands supported by the terminal device, the terminal device will attempt to find an acceptable cell of any PLMN to camp on, try all RATs supported by the terminal device, and preferentially search for high-quality cells. The terminal device that is not camped on any cell shall remain in the Any Cell Selection state.

[0448] When the terminal device camps on an Acceptable Cell, it can be in the RRC_IDLE state. The terminal device can perform the following tasks in the AnyCell Selection state: listen for Short Messages transmitted on the PDCCH scrambled with P-RNTI; listen for relevant system information; perform necessary measurements for the cell reselection evaluation procedure; perform the cell reselection evaluation process on the following occasions / triggers: 1) internally triggered by the UE to meet the performance specified in 3GPP TS 38.133; 2) when the information for the cell reselection evaluation process on the BCCH is modified; periodically attempt to find a suitable cell, try all frequencies of all RATs supported by the UE. If a suitable cell is found, the UE will move to the Camped Normally state.

[0449] Optionally, when the terminal device has no other cells to camp on and the current serving cell also does not meet the camping conditions, when performing cell selection, it can continue to listen for the first information.

[0450] For example, the method may include: the terminal device is performing a cell reselection evaluation, and when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect a suitable cell, performing a cell selection and monitoring the first information.

[0451] In one implementation, when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect a suitable cell, the terminal device may perform cell selection and monitor the first information in the last serving cell.

[0452] Exemplarily, when the terminal device performs cell selection, it is no longer resident in the serving cell. The serving cell becomes the last resident cell, or may be called the last serving cell (last serving cell) or the last serving cell. The terminal device may record the last resident cell and monitor the first information of the last resident cell (last serving cell).

[0453] Exemplarily, the failure of the cell reselection evaluation to reselect a suitable cell can be defined as: the terminal device fails to reselect a suitable cell after a period of cell reselection evaluation. For example, the failure of the cell reselection evaluation to reselect a suitable cell includes: the terminal device performs search and measurement within a third period of time and fails to find any new suitable cell,

[0454] The third duration may be 10 seconds or other durations, and there is no limit on the size of the third duration. Taking the aforementioned period of time (third duration) of 10 seconds as an example, if the UE in the RRC_IDLE state searches and measures using the same-frequency, different-frequency, and different-system cell information indicated in the system message within 10 seconds and does not find any new suitable cell, the UE may initiate a cell selection process for the selected PLMN.

[0455] In some other implementations, when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect a suitable cell, the terminal device can perform cell selection and monitor the first information in other cells. The other cells may be nearby cells with better quality, acceptable cells, etc.

[0456] The last serving cell or other cell that monitors the first information may be referred to as a monitoring cell, and the present application does not limit the specific implementation of the monitoring cell.

[0457] As described above, in the communication method provided in this embodiment, the network device may send first information related to paging to the terminal device. After the terminal device obtains / measures the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells, it may perform cell reselection evaluation; when performing cell reselection evaluation, it may listen for the first information. By listening for the first information and responding to the first information to improve the channel conditions, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages. For example, in a scenario where the channel conditions of the terminal device are poor due to obstruction, by listening for the first information and responding to the first information, the terminal device can change from a state where paging is unreachable to a state where paging is reachable.

[0458] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device may perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information simultaneously when the SSB quality of the serving cell is poor; when the first information is preferentially listened for, the terminal device may improve the channel conditions to continue receiving paging in the current serving cell. This method can listen for the first information without changing the existing cell reselection evaluation process and cell selection process, so as to continue to camp on the current serving cell to receive paging, or return to the last serving cell to receive paging. For example, during the process of the terminal device performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information, if the terminal device has not reselected to a new cell to camp on and adjusts the channel conditions to improve the channel conditions after listening for the first information, it can continue to camp on the current serving cell to receive paging; if the terminal device has no other cells to camp on and the current serving cell does not meet the camping conditions either, and during cell selection, adjusts the channel conditions to improve the channel conditions after listening for the first information, it can return to the last serving cell to receive paging.

[0459] In other words, in the embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to obstruction and performs cell reselection evaluation, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel conditions by receiving the first information from the network side to preferentially receive services in the current serving cell or the last serving cell.

[0460] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment where it is not at the cell edge but the channel conditions of the current serving cell are poor due to obstruction, the satellite base station can prompt the terminal device to improve the channel conditions through a stronger pre - prompt signal, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services in the current serving cell or the last serving cell.

[0461] In a possible design, performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information described in the foregoing embodiment may include: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information. The method further includes: when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, performing cell reselection evaluation.

[0462] The fifth threshold can be understood or defined as the threshold for starting to monitor the first piece of information. Exemplarily, when a terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation, the signal quality of the serving cell may be greater than the fifth threshold, or may be less than or equal to the fifth threshold. In this embodiment, when the terminal device performs cell reselection, it may determine whether to start monitoring the first piece of information based on the signal quality of the serving cell. For example, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, start monitoring the first piece of information.

[0463] Similar to the method of determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first to fourth thresholds in the foregoing embodiment, in one possible design, that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold; that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0464] In another possible design, that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold; that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold. The magnitude of the period of time is not limited. Taking that the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the fifth threshold means that during a period of time before the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment after continuously lasting the foregoing period of time starting from the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking that the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the fifth threshold means that during a period of time after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0465] In still other possible designs, that the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold (or the average value is greater than the fifth threshold); that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold (or the average value is less than the fifth threshold). The number of time points is not limited.

[0466] This application does not limit the method of determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the fifth threshold.

[0467] Optionally, the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the fifth threshold may be the same as the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first to fourth thresholds, etc. in the foregoing embodiments.

[0468] Optionally, when the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the fifth threshold, cell reselection evaluation may be performed and the first information may be listened for, or only cell reselection evaluation may be performed without listening for the first information, and there is no limitation here.

[0469] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, during the process of the terminal device performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, the signal quality of the serving cell may change, such as increasing to be greater than the fifth threshold. At this time, the terminal device may stop listening for the first information and only perform cell reselection evaluation.

[0470] There is no limitation on the magnitude of the fifth threshold in this embodiment.

[0471] In this embodiment, the situation where the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold may be considered as a situation where the terminal device cannot normally receive paging even if the channel condition is improved. For example, the terminal device may be at the cell edge but not blocked. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, cell reselection evaluation is performed and the first information is listened for; when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, cell reselection evaluation is performed, which can save the listening for the first information in the case where the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold and saves unnecessary listening.

[0472] Optionally, in this embodiment, similar to the condition for listening for the first information in the cell reselection evaluation stage, when cell selection is performed because the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, if the signal quality of the listening cell (such as the last serving cell) is less than the fifth threshold, the first information may be listened for on the listening cell (such as the last serving cell) while performing cell selection; if the signal quality of the listening cell (such as the last serving cell) is greater than the fifth threshold, cell selection may be performed without listening for the first information.

[0473] It should be understood that when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to occlusion and performs cell selection, there is an opportunity to receive the first information from the network side to adjust or improve its own channel condition to preferentially receive services in the last serving cell.

[0474] In a possible design, the fifth threshold is predefined, or preconfigured, or configured.

[0475] For example, in one implementation manner, the magnitude of the fifth threshold may be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as being recorded / written in advance and can be changed through software or hardware.

[0476] For another example, in another implementation manner, the size of the fifth threshold may be configured by a network device (such as a base station) to the terminal device through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as recording / writing into the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0477] For another example, in yet another implementation manner, the size of the fifth threshold may be configured by other devices (such as other terminal devices) to the terminal device through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0478] For another example, in yet another implementation manner, the size of the fifth threshold does not require configuration by other devices, and may be information predefined (which can be recorded / written in advance) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as information that cannot be changed by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the fifth threshold may be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0479] This application does not limit the implementation manner of the fifth threshold.

[0480] Optionally, in some embodiments, the size of the fifth threshold may be set based on network-side rules, and the setting rules are not limited herein.

[0481] In some other embodiments, the fifth threshold may be determined according to a third value, and the third value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0482] In some examples, the value of the fifth threshold may be an S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0483] In some other examples, the value of the fifth threshold may also be a value obtained by adjusting based on the third value. For example, the value of the fifth threshold may be a value obtained by increasing or decreasing the S-criterion threshold or other defined values upward or downward.

[0484] In a possible design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold in the foregoing embodiments, performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information may include: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information. The method further includes: when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold, performing cell reselection evaluation.

[0485] Similar to the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first to fifth thresholds in the foregoing embodiments, in a possible design, the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the sixth threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold; the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the sixth threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the sixth threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0486] In another possible design, the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the sixth threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the sixth threshold; the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the sixth threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold. The magnitude of the period of time is not limited. Taking the case where the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the sixth threshold means that during a period of time before the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the sixth threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment after the foregoing period of time has elapsed since the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking the case where the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the sixth threshold means that during a period of time after the current moment, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the sixth threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0487] In still other possible designs, the signal quality of the serving cell being greater than the sixth threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the sixth threshold (or the average value is greater than the sixth threshold); the signal quality of the serving cell being less than the sixth threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold (or the average value is less than the sixth threshold). The number of time points is not limited.

[0488] This application does not limit the method for determining whether the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than or less than the sixth threshold.

[0489] Optionally, the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the sixth threshold may be the same as the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first to fifth thresholds in the foregoing embodiments.

[0490] Optionally, when the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the sixth threshold, cell reselection evaluation may be performed and the first information may be monitored, or only cell reselection evaluation may be performed without monitoring the first information, which is not limited here.

[0491] Exemplarily, in this design, a sixth threshold can be set for stopping the monitoring of the first information. The terminal device can monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold. When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold, it can be considered that the first information is also unreachable, or even if the terminal device improves the channel condition, it cannot receive the paging. In this case, the terminal device can stop monitoring the first information and only perform cell reselection evaluation to save the power consumption of monitoring the first information.

[0492] In other words, in this design, the stop condition for monitoring the first information can be set based on the sixth threshold. For example, the stop / end condition for monitoring the first information is that the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold.

[0493] In this design, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold, the terminal device can stop monitoring the first information and only perform cell reselection evaluation, saving the power consumption of monitoring the first information, or saving the power consumption caused by unnecessary monitoring.

[0494] It should be understood that in this design, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells, the actions to be performed may include: monitoring the first information and cell reselection evaluation. In this communication method, when the terminal device monitors the first information and performs cell reselection evaluation simultaneously, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold (for the equal case, refer to the above description); when the terminal device only performs cell reselection evaluation, the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold or greater than the fifth threshold.

[0495] Optionally, in this design, similar to the condition for monitoring the first information in the cell reselection evaluation stage, when cell selection is performed because the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, if the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, the first information can be monitored in the last serving cell while performing cell selection; if the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold or less than the sixth threshold, cell selection can be performed without monitoring the first information.

[0496] Or, in some other possible designs, when cell selection is performed because the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, the start condition and stop condition for monitoring the first information in the cell selection stage can also refer to those described in the following embodiments. For example, monitoring of the first information is started when cell selection is triggered; monitoring of the first information is stopped when a suitable cell is selected, or when the received first information is ignored, or when the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold. For details, please refer to the following description and will not be elaborated here.

[0497] In a possible design, the sixth threshold may be predefined, preconfigured, or configured. Alternatively, the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be predefined, preconfigured, or configured.

[0498] For example, in one implementation, the magnitude of the sixth threshold may be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as being pre-recorded / written in advance and can be changed through software or hardware. Alternatively, the magnitude of the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0499] For another example, in another implementation, the magnitude of the sixth threshold may be configured for the terminal device by a network device (such as a base station) through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as being recorded / written in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself. Alternatively, the magnitude of the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be configured for the terminal device by a network device (such as a base station) through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message.

[0500] For yet another example, in yet another implementation, the sixth threshold may be configured for the terminal device by another device (such as another terminal device) through PC5-RRC signaling. Alternatively, the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be configured for the terminal device by another device (such as another terminal device) through PC5-RRC signaling.

[0501] For yet another example, in yet another implementation, the magnitude of the sixth threshold does not require configuration by other devices and may be information predefined (which can be pre-recorded / written in advance) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as being unchangeable by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the sixth threshold may be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner. Alternatively, the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0502] This application also places no restrictions on the implementation manners of the sixth threshold, and the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold.

[0503] It can be understood that when the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold is predefined, preconfigured, or configured, the terminal device can determine the sixth threshold according to the fifth threshold and the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold.

[0504] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold may be determined according to a third parameter. The third parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0505] The implementation of the third parameter is similar to that of the first parameter or the second parameter, and reference can be made to the first parameter, which will not be elaborated here.

[0506] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold according to the third parameter may include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold; or, using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold; or, using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold.

[0507] In the above embodiments, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, it can perform cell reselection evaluation and monitor the first information. Alternatively, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold or less than the sixth threshold; and perform cell reselection evaluation and monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold. Optionally, in some embodiments, during the process of the terminal device performing cell reselection evaluation and monitoring the first information, if it detects that the third condition is satisfied, it can also exit the monitoring process (i.e., stop monitoring the first information) to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0508] For example, the communication method further includes: stopping monitoring the first information when it is detected that the third condition is satisfied. It can be understood that this step can be implemented during the process of the terminal device monitoring the first information.

[0509] Wherein, the third condition includes at least one of the following: cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell, or, the received first information is ignored.

[0510] Exemplarily, the specific meaning of cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell can be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here. For example, cell reselection to a suitable cell means that in the cell reselection evaluation process, a neighbor cell that meets the reselection conditions is determined, and cell reselection is performed to that neighbor cell. The situation where the first information is ignored can also be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here either. When the first information is ignored, it can also be considered that the terminal device may not be able to adjust to good channel conditions, and the terminal device can stop listening to the first information to timely get out of unnecessary listening.

[0511] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the above-mentioned third condition.

[0512] In this embodiment, the third condition can be considered as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the third condition is met and the listening to the first information is stopped, it can enable the terminal device to consider the fallback condition in the listening state and timely get out of unnecessary listening to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0513] Exemplarily, Figure 11 shows another schematic diagram of the listening threshold and principle provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 11 shown, the fifth threshold is greater than the sixth threshold. There is an adjustment value between the fifth threshold and the sixth threshold. The adjustment value can be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and can be determined according to the third parameter. After the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighbor cell, cell reselection evaluation can be performed. When the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation, the signal quality of the serving cell can have three possibilities: 1) It is in the range shown by point A in Figure 11 , that is, greater than the fifth threshold; 2) It is in the range shown by point B in Figure 11 , that is, less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold; 3) It is in the range shown by point C in Figure 11 , that is, less than the sixth threshold. Among them, the situation where the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the fifth threshold can refer to the situation greater than the fifth threshold or the situation less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold; the situation where the signal quality of the serving cell is equal to the sixth threshold can refer to the situation less than the sixth threshold or the situation less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, and will not be elaborated here.

[0514] When the signal quality of the serving cell is in the range shown by point A in Figure 11 , that is, greater than the fifth threshold, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation and does not listen to the first information. When the signal quality of the serving cell is in the range shown by point B in Figure 11 , that is, less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation and listen to the first information at the same time. When the signal quality of the serving cell is in the range shown by point C in Figure 11In the range indicated by point C, that is, when it is less than the sixth threshold, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation and stop listening to the first information.

[0515] Among them, for the case where the signal quality of the serving cell is within the range indicated by point B in Figure 11 When the terminal device detects that the third condition (see the foregoing embodiments) is satisfied, it can also stop listening to the first information.

[0516] Exemplarily, in a possible scenario, the terminal device may be in the central area of the current service area, but is blocked and in a paging unreachable state. Compared with reselecting to a neighboring cell, the service quality of the terminal device in the current serving cell after improving the reception state according to the communication method provided in this application should be higher than that of the neighboring cell. In addition, due to the blockage, the signal of the neighboring cell may not be sufficient for the terminal device to reselect to. This application preferentially considers using the first information as a prompt to remind the terminal device to improve the reception state and try to camp on the current serving cell.

[0517] The foregoing embodiments respectively introduce three schemes for the terminal device to listen to the first information. The first is a scheme in which the terminal device determines whether to listen to the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell after obtaining / measuring the signal quality of the serving cell, and performs neighbor cell signal quality acquisition / measurement when not listening to the first information. The second is a scheme in which the terminal device determines whether to listen to the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell after obtaining / measuring the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, and performs cell reselection evaluation when not listening to the first information. The third is a scheme in which the terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation and listens to the first information at the same time after obtaining / measuring the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell. In some other embodiments, the terminal device can perform cell reselection evaluation after measuring the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cell, but when it fails to reselect to a suitable cell, it performs cell selection and listens to the first information, and the first information is related to paging.

[0518] Exemplarily, Figure 12 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. As Figure 12 shown, the communication method may include S1201-S1202. S1201-S1202 can be executed by the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device. It should be understood that the terminal device described in the embodiment of the present application may be in the RRC idle state or the RRC inactive state. In addition, the terminal device can normally receive the SSB and use it for synchronization and measurement.

[0519] S1201. Perform cell reselection evaluation.

[0520] Exemplarily, before the terminal device executes S1201, it may measure the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells. S1201 may include: determining whether a neighboring cell meets the reselection condition according to the signal quality of the neighboring cell and the neighboring cell priority, and reselecting to the neighboring cell that meets the reselection condition according to the determination result (i.e., performing cell reselection), or not performing cell reselection when the reselection condition is not met. For example, when it fails to reselect to a suitable cell, cell selection is performed. Regarding the signal quality measurement process of the serving cell and neighboring cells, and the specific process of cell reselection evaluation, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0521] As described in the foregoing embodiments, when performing cell reselection in S1201, the following results may occur: the cell reselects to a suitable cell; or, when the cell reselection fails to reselect to a suitable cell, cell selection is performed. In this embodiment, Figure 12 The shown process may be applicable to the case of performing cell selection when the cell reselection fails to reselect to a suitable cell.

[0522] S1202. When the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, perform cell selection and monitor the first information, where the first information is related to paging.

[0523] Exemplarily, the failure of the cell reselection evaluation to reselect to a suitable cell may be defined as: the terminal device fails to reselect to a suitable cell after a period of cell reselection evaluation. For example, the failure of the cell reselection evaluation to reselect to a suitable cell includes: the terminal device searches and measures within the third time period and does not find any new suitable cells.

[0524] Wherein, the third time period may be 10 seconds or other time periods, and there is no limit to the size of the third time period. Taking the foregoing period of time (the third time period) as 10 seconds as an example, if a UE in the RRC_IDLE state searches and measures using the same-frequency, different-frequency, and different-system cell information indicated in the system message within 10 seconds and does not find any new suitable cells, the UE may initiate the cell selection process for the selected PLMN.

[0525] Exemplarily, when the terminal device fails to reselect to a suitable cell during cell reselection and performs cell selection, the monitoring of the first information may also be enabled simultaneously. The first information, the process of the terminal device monitoring the first information, and the manner in which the terminal device responds to the monitored first information, etc., may refer to the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated.

[0526] The process of cell selection may refer to that described in the foregoing Figure 10 related embodiments and will not be elaborated either.

[0527] In other words, Figure 12In the illustrated embodiment, the activation condition for listening to the first information may be whether cell selection is triggered. The terminal device may perform cell selection and listen to the first information simultaneously.

[0528] It can be understood that during the process of the terminal device performing cell selection and listening to the first information, when the terminal device adjusts the channel condition to improve the channel condition after listening to the first information, the terminal device may exit the cell selection process and return to the last served cell for residence. Or, the terminal device may select a suitable cell for residence. Or, the terminal device may select an acceptable cell for residence.

[0529] In one implementation, when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, the terminal device may perform cell selection and listen to the first information in the last served cell.

[0530] Exemplarily, when the terminal device performs cell selection, it is no longer resident in the serving cell. The serving cell has become the previous resident cell, or can be referred to as the last serving cell or the previous serving cell. The terminal device may record the previous resident cell and listen to the first information of the previous resident cell (the last served cell).

[0531] For example, if the UE performs cell reselection evaluation but fails to reselect or reside on any suitable cell, that is, in the anycell selection state, it will perform cell selection and listen to the first information on the last serving cell.

[0532] In some other implementations, when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, the terminal device may perform cell selection and listen to the first information in other cells. The other cells may be nearby cells with better quality, acceptable cells, etc.

[0533] The above last served cell or other cells for listening to the first information may be referred to as listening cells, and the present application does not limit the specific implementation of the listening cells.

[0534] As described above, in the communication method provided in this embodiment, the network device may send the first information to the terminal device, and the first information is related to paging. When cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, the terminal device may perform cell selection and listen to the first information. By listening to the first information and responding to the first information to improve the channel condition, the terminal device can improve its communication performance for receiving paging messages. For example, in a scenario where the channel condition is poor due to occlusion, the terminal device can become paging reachable from the state where paging was previously unreachable by listening to the first information and responding to the first information.

[0535] In addition, in this communication method, the terminal device can perform cell selection and monitor the first information simultaneously when the signal strength of the serving cell's SSB is poor; when the first information is preferentially monitored, the terminal device can improve the channel condition and return to the last serving cell to receive paging. Without changing the existing cell selection process, this method can monitor the first information to return to the cell where it last camped to receive paging.

[0536] In other words, in the embodiments of this application, when the terminal device is in an environment where it is unreachable due to obstruction and performs cell selection, it has the opportunity to adjust or improve its own channel condition by receiving the first information from the network side to return to the cell where it last camped to receive services.

[0537] Exemplarily, in the NTN scenario, when the terminal device is paged in an environment that is not at the cell edge but has a poor channel condition of the current serving cell due to obstruction, the satellite base station can prompt the terminal device to improve the channel condition through a stronger pre-prompt signal, so that the terminal device can continue to obtain normal services, such as returning to the last serving cell to receive paging.

[0538] Figure 12 In the illustrated embodiments, when the terminal device fails to reselect to a suitable cell during cell reselection evaluation, it can perform cell selection and monitor the first information of the last serving cell. Optionally, in some embodiments, during the process of performing cell selection and monitoring the first information, if it is detected that the fourth condition is met, the monitoring process can also be exited (i.e., stop monitoring the first information) to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0539] For example, this communication method further includes: stopping monitoring the first information when it is detected that the fourth condition is met. It can be understood that this step can be implemented during the process of the terminal device monitoring the first information.

[0540] Wherein, the fourth condition includes at least one of the following: a suitable cell is selected, or the received first information is ignored, or the signal quality of the monitored cell (such as the last serving cell, hereinafter taking monitoring the first information in the last serving cell as an example) is less than the seventh threshold.

[0541] Exemplarily, the specific meaning of selecting a suitable cell can be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here. The situation where the first information is ignored can also be referred to in the foregoing embodiments and will not be elaborated here either. When the first information is ignored, it can also be considered that the terminal device may not be able to adjust to a good channel condition, and the terminal device can stop monitoring the first information to timely break away from unnecessary monitoring.

[0542] Optionally, when the signal quality of the last serving cell is equal to the seventh threshold, listening for the first information may be stopped or may continue, without limitation here. The seventh threshold may be used as the threshold for stopping listening for the first information. When the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold, the terminal device may consider that the first information is also unreachable, or when the terminal device cannot receive a paging even after improving the channel condition, the terminal device may stop listening for the first information to save the power consumption of listening for the first information.

[0543] In other words, in this embodiment, the stop condition for listening for the first information may be set based on the seventh threshold. For example, the stop / end condition for listening for the first information is that the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold.

[0544] Similar to the method of determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first to sixth thresholds in the foregoing embodiments, in a possible design, that the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold; that the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold may include: at the current moment, the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold. For example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0545] In another possible design, that the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold; that the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold may include: during a period of time before or after the current moment, the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold. The magnitude of the period of time is not limited. Taking that the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold means that during a period of time before the current moment, the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment after continuously lasting the foregoing period of time starting from the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured. Or, taking that the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold means that during a period of time after the current moment, the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold as an example, the current moment may be the moment when the signal quality of the serving cell is measured.

[0546] In still other possible designs, that the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than the seventh threshold (or the average value is greater than the seventh threshold); that the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold may include: at consecutive or non-consecutive multiple time points, the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold (or the average value is less than the seventh threshold). The number of time points is not limited.

[0547] This application does not limit the method for determining whether the signal quality of the last serving cell is greater than or less than the seventh threshold.

[0548] Optionally, the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the last serving cell and the seventh threshold may be the same as the method for determining the relative magnitude relationship between the signal quality of the serving cell and the first to sixth thresholds, etc. in the foregoing embodiments.

[0549] In this embodiment, the third condition can be regarded as the fallback condition when the terminal device is in the listening state. When it is detected that the third condition is satisfied and the listening of the first information is stopped, the terminal device can consider the fallback condition in the listening state and timely break away from unnecessary listening to ensure the communication performance of the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device detects that the fourth condition is satisfied and stops listening to the first information, the power consumption of listening to the first information is saved, or rather, the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening is saved.

[0550] It should be understood that in this communication method, when the terminal device listens to the first information and cell selection are carried out simultaneously, the terminal device fails to reselect to a suitable cell during cell reselection.

[0551] It should be noted that this application does not limit the above-mentioned fourth condition.

[0552] In a possible design, the seventh threshold is predefined, preconfigured, or configured.

[0553] For example, in one implementation, the magnitude of the seventh threshold can be preconfigured in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, such as being pre-recorded / written and can be changed through software or hardware.

[0554] For another example, in another implementation, the magnitude of the seventh threshold can be configured for the terminal device by a network device (such as a base station) through a system information block (SIB) message, or a radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or a master information block (MIB) message, such as being recorded / written into the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself.

[0555] For yet another example, in yet another implementation, the magnitude of the seventh threshold can be configured for the terminal device by another device (such as another terminal device) through a PC5-RRC signaling.

[0556] For another example, in another implementation manner, the size of the seventh threshold does not need to be configured by other devices, and can be information predefined (which can be recorded / written in advance) in the hardware and / or software of the terminal device itself, or can be understood as information that cannot be changed by the network device or other terminal devices. In other words, the seventh threshold can be predefined in the terminal device in a standard or protocol manner.

[0557] This application does not limit the implementation manner of the seventh threshold.

[0558] Optionally, in some embodiments, the size of the seventh threshold can be set based on the rules on the network side, and the setting rules are not limited herein.

[0559] In some other embodiments, the seventh threshold can be determined according to a fourth value, and the fourth value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0560] In some examples, the value of the seventh threshold can be a value obtained by decreasing the S-criterion threshold or other defined values by a certain adjustment value.

[0561] In some other examples, the value of the seventh threshold can also be the fourth value or a value greater than the fourth value, which is not limited herein.

[0562] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the seventh threshold can be less than the fourth value, and the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value is determined according to a fourth parameter. The fourth parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0563] The implementation of the fourth parameter is similar to that of the first parameter, the second parameter, or the third parameter. For example, the first parameter can be referred to, and details are not described herein again.

[0564] Exemplarily, the method for determining the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value according to the fourth parameter can include: using the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition (or a value close to the signal quality gain) as the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value; or, using the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message (or a value close to the signal quality difference) as the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value; or, using the difference between the maximum signal quality that the terminal device can receive and the signal quality of the traditional paging message (or a value close to the difference between the maximum signal quality and the signal quality of the traditional paging message) as the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value.

[0565] Optionally, in this embodiment, when a terminal device in the cell selection and pre - hint listening state (i.e., the state of listening for the first information) searches for an acceptable cell, the terminal device may ignore it and not camp on this acceptable cell, for example, continue to search for a suitable cell and listen for the first information.

[0566] Based on the above - described embodiments, the embodiments of the present application can provide at least four schemes for listening for the first information. After the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell, it determines whether to listen for the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not listening for the first information, the scheme for measuring the signal quality of neighboring cells can be called Scheme 1. After the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells, it determines whether to listen for the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not listening for the first information, the scheme for performing cell reselection evaluation can be called Scheme 2. After the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell and neighboring cells, it performs cell reselection evaluation and simultaneously listens for the first information, and this scheme can be called Scheme 3. The terminal device performs cell reselection evaluation, and when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, it performs cell selection and listens for the first information of the last serving cell, and this scheme can be called Scheme 4.

[0567] In Schemes 1 to 4, each scheme can be targeted at the scenario where the terminal device has poor channel conditions due to blockage, and the terminal device is prompted to improve the channel conditions through the first information, so that the terminal device that was originally paging - unreachable becomes paging - reachable, or the terminal device can continue to camp on the current serving cell or the last serving cell to receive services.

[0568] Optionally, in some other embodiments, among the above - mentioned Schemes 1 to 4, some embodiments involved in the partial schemes can also be combined to implement more embodiments.

[0569] For example, the embodiments involved in the above - mentioned Scheme 1 and the embodiments involved in Scheme 2 can be combined and implemented. For example, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell, it can determine whether to listen for the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not listening for the first information, measure the signal quality of neighboring cells; after the terminal device measures the signal quality of neighboring cells, it can also determine whether to listen for the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not listening for the first information, perform cell reselection evaluation.

[0570] Another example is that the embodiments involved in the above - mentioned Scheme 1 and the embodiments involved in Scheme 3 can be combined and implemented. For example, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell, it can determine whether to listen for the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not listening for the first information, measure the signal quality of neighboring cells; after the terminal device measures the signal quality of neighboring cells, it performs cell reselection evaluation and simultaneously listens for the first information.

[0571] For another example, the embodiments related to Solution 1 and the embodiments related to Solution 4 above can be combined and implemented. For example, after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the serving cell, it can determine whether to monitor the first information based on the signal quality of the serving cell, and when not monitoring the first information, perform neighbor cell signal quality measurement; after the terminal device measures the signal quality of the neighbor cell, it performs cell reselection evaluation, and when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, it performs cell selection and monitors the first information of the last serving cell.

[0572] Similarly, the embodiments related to Solution 2 and the embodiments related to Solution 4 above can also be combined and implemented, or the embodiments related to Solution 1, Solution 2, Solution 3, and Solution 4 above can also be combined and implemented, etc. This application will not list them one by one here.

[0573] Optionally, which solution the terminal device uses (such as a combination of one or some of the above Solutions 1 to 4) to monitor the first information can be pre-configured or defined, or can be indicated by the network device to the terminal device.

[0574] For example, in some embodiments, the method may further include: the terminal device receives indication information from a network device (such as a base station), and the indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to monitor the first information using a target solution. The target solution may be a combination of one or some of the above Solutions 1 to 4.

[0575] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, after the network device sends the first information or during the gap of sending the first information, it may send a paging message again. After the terminal device adjusts the channel conditions, it can monitor the paging message. When the network device pages the terminal device or still does not receive a response from the terminal device after sending the paging message for a certain period of time, it can stop sending the first information.

[0576] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, after the terminal device performs cell reselection or cell selection, the previously resident serving cell may be referred to as the old cell, or the source cell, or the previous resident cell. The newly resident cell after the terminal device performs cell reselection or cell selection may be referred to as the new cell, or the target cell, or the new resident cell.

[0577] It should be understood that in the above embodiments, the terminal device and / or the network device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also execute other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be executed in different orders presented in the embodiments, and it is possible not to execute all the operations in the embodiments of the present application. Moreover, the magnitude of the serial numbers of the steps does not mean the sequence of execution. The execution sequence of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0578] It can be understood that each network element involved in the above embodiments, such as the terminal device, the network device, etc., in order to implement the above functions, includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function.

[0579] For example, the embodiments of the present application may provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the above terminal device. The communication device may be the terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device. Figure 13 The structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. As Figure 13 shown, the communication device may include: a measurement unit 1301 and a monitoring unit 1302.

[0580] Among them, the measurement unit 1301 is used to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0581] The monitoring unit 1302 is used to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold, and the first information is related to paging.

[0582] The measurement unit 1301 is further used to obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold.

[0583] In a possible design, the monitoring unit 1302 is specifically used to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold.

[0584] In a possible design, the first threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

[0585] In a possible design, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to a first value, where the first value is the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold or other defined values; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; or, when there are only neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the first value; or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the intra-frequency measurement start threshold and the first value; or, when the neighboring cells include neighboring cells with priorities lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with priorities higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value among the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold, the intra-frequency measurement start threshold, and the first value.

[0586] In a possible design, the difference between the first threshold and the second threshold is determined according to a first parameter, where the first parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0587] In a possible design, the monitoring unit 1302 is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that a first condition is satisfied; the measuring unit 1301 is further configured to obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell after stopping monitoring the first information.

[0588] The first condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches a first duration, or the received first information is ignored.

[0589] Optionally, Figure 13 The shown communication device may further include a sending unit to implement the sending function, and a receiving unit to implement the receiving function.

[0590] For another example, an embodiment of the present application may further provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the above terminal device. The communication device may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device. Figure 14 shows another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 14 shown, the communication device may include: a measurement unit 1401, a monitoring unit 1402, and a reselection unit 1403.

[0591] Among them, the measurement unit 1401 is used to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0592] The measurement unit 1401 is further used to obtain the signal quality of neighboring cells.

[0593] The monitoring unit 1402 is used to monitor the first information related to paging when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold.

[0594] The reselection unit 1403 is used to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold.

[0595] In a possible design, the monitoring unit 1402 is specifically used to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold.

[0596] In a possible design, the third threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

[0597] In a possible design, when there is a neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to the reselection threshold of the low-priority neighboring cell; or, when there is no neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to a second value, and the second value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0598] In a possible design, the difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold is determined according to a second parameter, and the second parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0599] In a possible design, the monitoring unit 1402 is further used to stop monitoring the first information when it is detected that the second condition is satisfied; the reselection unit 1403 is further used to perform cell reselection evaluation after stopping monitoring the first information.

[0600] The second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration during which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches a second duration, or the received first information is ignored.

[0601] Optionally, Figure 14 The illustrated communication device may further include a sending unit to implement the sending function, and a receiving unit to implement the receiving function.

[0602] For another example, an embodiment of the present application may further provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the above terminal device. The communication device may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device. Figure 15 Another structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 15 shown, the communication device may include: a measurement unit 1501, a reselection unit 1502, and a monitoring unit 1503.

[0603] Among them, the measurement unit 1501 is used to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell.

[0604] The measurement unit 1501 is further used to obtain the signal quality of a neighboring cell.

[0605] The reselection unit 1502 is used to perform cell reselection evaluation.

[0606] The monitoring unit 1503 is used to monitor the first information related to paging when the reselection unit 1502 performs cell reselection evaluation.

[0607] In a possible design, the reselection unit 1502 is specifically configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a fifth threshold; the monitoring unit 1503 is specifically configured to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and the reselection unit 1502 performs cell reselection evaluation; the reselection unit 1502 is further configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold.

[0608] In a possible design, the fifth threshold is determined according to a third value, and the third value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0609] In a possible design, the reselection unit 1502 is specifically configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold; the monitoring unit 1503 is specifically configured to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold and the reselection unit 1502 performs cell reselection evaluation; the reselection unit 1502 is further configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold.

[0610] In a possible design, the difference between the sixth threshold and the fifth threshold is determined according to a third parameter, and the third parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0611] Figure 16 Another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 16 shown, on the basis of Figure 15 , the communication device may further include: a selection unit 1504, configured to perform cell selection when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell.

[0612] The monitoring unit 1503 is further configured to monitor the first information when the selection unit 1504 performs cell selection.

[0613] In one implementation, the monitoring unit 1503 is specifically configured to monitor the first information in the last serving cell when the selection unit 1504 performs cell selection.

[0614] Exemplarily, the failure to reselect to a suitable cell in cell reselection evaluation includes: no new suitable cell is found after searching and measuring within a third time period.

[0615] In a possible design, the monitoring unit 1503 is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it is detected that a third condition is satisfied; the third condition includes at least one of the following: cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell, or, the received first information is ignored.

[0616] Optionally, Figure 15 or Figure 16 The communication device shown may further include a sending unit to implement the sending function, and a receiving unit to implement the receiving function.

[0617] Again, for example, the embodiment of the present application may further provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the above terminal device. The communication device may be a terminal device or a device (such as a chip) built into the terminal device.Figure 17 Another structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 17 shown, the communication device may include: a reselection unit 1701, a selection unit 1702, and a monitoring unit 1703.

[0618] Among them, the reselection unit 1701 is used to perform cell reselection evaluation.

[0619] The selection unit 1702 is used to perform cell selection when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell.

[0620] The monitoring unit 1703 is used to monitor the first information related to paging when the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell and cell selection is performed.

[0621] In one implementation, the monitoring unit 1703 is specifically used to monitor the first information in the last serving cell.

[0622] Exemplarily, the failure of the cell reselection evaluation to reselect to a suitable cell includes: searching and measuring within a third time period and not finding any new suitable cells.

[0623] In a possible design, the monitoring unit 1703 is further used to stop monitoring the first information when it is detected that a fourth condition is satisfied; the fourth condition includes at least one of the following: the cell selects to a suitable cell, or the received first information is ignored, or the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than a seventh threshold.

[0624] In a possible design, the seventh threshold is determined according to a fourth value, and the fourth value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

[0625] In a possible design, the difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value is determined according to a fourth parameter, and the fourth parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; or the maximum signal quality that can be received.

[0626] Optionally, Figure 17 The shown communication device may further include a sending unit to implement the sending function, and a receiving unit to implement the receiving function.

[0627] For another example, the embodiment of the present application may further provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the above network device. The communication device may be a network device or a device (such as a chip) built into the network device. Figure 18 Another structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. As Figure 18As shown, the communication device may include: a first transmitting unit 1801 and a second transmitting unit 1802.

[0628] Among them, the first transmitting unit 1801 is used to transmit a paging message.

[0629] The second transmitting unit 1802 is used to transmit first information, where the first information is related to paging.

[0630] Optionally, Figure 18 the communication device shown may further include a receiving unit to implement a receiving function.

[0631] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or physically separated. And the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element; they can also all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units can be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware.

[0632] For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or can be integrated in a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program and called and executed by a certain processing element of the device to perform the function of the unit. In addition, these units can be fully or partially integrated together or can be independently implemented. The processing element mentioned here can also be called a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above units can be implemented through the integrated logic circuit in the processor element or in the form of software called by the processing element.

[0633] In one example, the units in any of the above devices can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method. For example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processing (DSP) circuits, or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0634] Again, when the units in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduling program, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU or other processors that can call programs. Again, these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0635] The above-mentioned receiving unit is an interface circuit or an input circuit of the device, and is used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the receiving unit is an interface circuit or an input circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or devices. When the communication device includes a transmitting unit, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit or an output circuit of the device, and is used to transmit signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit or an output circuit of the chip for transmitting signals to other chips or devices.

[0636] For example, an embodiment of the present application may further provide a communication device, which may include: a processor and an interface circuit. The processor may include one or more.

[0637] When the communication device is applied to a network device, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute each step performed by the network device in the above method.

[0638] When the communication device is applied to a terminal device, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute each step performed by the terminal device in the above method.

[0639] In one implementation, the units that respectively implement each corresponding step in the above method for a terminal device or a network device may be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the device for a terminal device or a network device may include a processing element and a storage element. The processing element calls the program stored in the storage element to execute the method performed by the corresponding terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment. The storage element may be a storage element on the same chip as the processing element, that is, an on-chip storage element.

[0640] In another implementation, the program for executing the method performed by the terminal device or the network device in the above method may be in a storage element on a different chip from the processing element, that is, an off-chip storage element. At this time, the processing element calls or loads the program from the off-chip storage element onto the on-chip storage element to call and execute the method performed by the corresponding terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0641] For example, an embodiment of the present application may further provide a communication device, which may include a processor for executing computer instructions stored in a memory. When the computer instructions are executed, the device is caused to execute the method performed by the above terminal device or network device. The memory may be located inside or outside the communication device. And the processor includes one or more.

[0642] In yet another implementation, the units in the terminal device or network device that implement the various steps in the above method may be configured as one or more processing elements, which may be correspondingly disposed on the terminal device or network device. Here, the processing elements may be integrated circuits, such as: one or more ASICs, or, one or more DSPs, or, one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these types of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be integrated together to form a chip.

[0643] The units in the terminal device or network device that implement the various steps in the above method may be integrated together and implemented in the form of an SOC. This SOC chip is used to implement the corresponding method. At least one processing element and a storage element may be integrated in this chip, and the corresponding method is implemented in the form of the processing element calling the program stored in the storage element; or, at least one integrated circuit may be integrated in this chip to implement the corresponding method; or, the above implementation methods may be combined, and the functions of some units are implemented in the form of the processing element calling a program, and the functions of some units are implemented in the form of an integrated circuit.

[0644] The processing elements here are the same as those described above and may be general-purpose processors, such as CPUs, or may also be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as: one or more ASICs, or, one or more microprocessor DSPs, or, one or more FPGAs, etc., or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0645] The storage element may be a memory or a collective term for multiple storage elements.

[0646] For example, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which may be applied to the above terminal device or network device. The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; the interface circuits and the processors are interconnected by lines; the processors receive and execute computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuits to implement the method executed by the corresponding terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. Among them, the electronic device may be the terminal device or network device itself or a device therein, or may also be other devices communicating with it.

[0647] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the above division of each functional module is used as an example. In practical applications, the above functions may be allocated to different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0648] In several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0649] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components displayed as units can be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or they can be distributed to multiple different places. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0650] In addition, the functional units in each embodiment of this application can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0651] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product, such as: a program. This software product is stored in a program product, such as a computer-readable storage medium, and includes several instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0652] For example, the embodiment of this application can also provide a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer software instructions; when the computer software instructions are run, the steps executed by the terminal device or the network device in the method described in the foregoing embodiment are realized.

[0653] Exemplarily, when the computer software instructions are run in a network device or a device (such as a chip) built into the network device, the network device is enabled to implement the steps executed by the network device in the foregoing embodiment.

[0654] Alternatively, when the computer software instructions run on a terminal device or a device (e.g., a chip) built into the terminal device, the terminal device is caused to implement the steps performed by the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0655] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may include: a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit may be used to transmit and receive information, or to communicate with other network elements. The processing unit may be used to process data. For example, the device may implement the methods performed by the foregoing terminal device or network device through the transceiver unit and the processing unit.

[0656] Optionally, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which may implement the methods performed by the foregoing terminal device or network device when executed.

[0657] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including: a network device and a terminal device. The network device performs the steps performed by the network device in the method described in the foregoing embodiments. The terminal device performs the steps performed by the terminal device in the method described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0658] Exemplarily, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network element or network device, which may be used to implement the method performed by the network device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0659] Exemplarily, an embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal device, which may be used to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0660] It should be understood that the description of technical features, technical solutions, beneficial effects or similar languages in the present application does not imply that all features and advantages can be achieved in any single embodiment. On the contrary, it can be understood that the description of features or beneficial effects means that at least one embodiment includes specific technical features, technical solutions or beneficial effects. Therefore, the description of technical features, technical solutions or beneficial effects in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the technical features, technical solutions and beneficial effects described in this embodiment can be combined in any appropriate manner. Those skilled in the art will understand that an embodiment can be implemented without one or more specific technical features, technical solutions or beneficial effects of a specific embodiment. In other embodiments, additional technical features and beneficial effects can also be identified in specific embodiments that do not embody all embodiments.

[0661] As described above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims described.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtaining the signal quality of the serving cell; When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a second threshold, listening for first information related to paging; And / or, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold, obtaining the signal quality of neighboring cells.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of listening for first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the second threshold includes: When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a first threshold and greater than the second threshold, listening for the first information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The first threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cells.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein When there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the threshold for starting inter-frequency or inter-system measurement; Or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the threshold for starting co-frequency measurement; Or, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to a first value, where the first value is the threshold for starting inter-frequency or inter-system measurement or other defined values; Or, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value of the threshold for starting inter-frequency or inter-system measurement and the threshold for starting co-frequency measurement; Or, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value of the threshold for starting inter-frequency or inter-system measurement and the first value; Or, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value of the threshold for starting co-frequency measurement and the first value; Or, when the neighboring cells include neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value of the threshold for starting inter-frequency or inter-system measurement, the threshold for starting co-frequency measurement, and the first value.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The difference between the first threshold and the second threshold is determined according to a first parameter, and the first parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; Or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: When it is detected that a first condition is satisfied, stopping listening for the first information and obtaining the signal quality of the neighboring cells; The first condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches a first duration, or the received first information is ignored.

7. A communication method, characterized in that The method includes: Obtaining the signal quality of the serving cell; Obtaining the signal quality of neighboring cells; When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a fourth threshold, listening for first information related to paging; And / or, when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fourth threshold, listening for the first information includes: When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold, listen for the first information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The third threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein When there is a neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to the reselection threshold for low-priority neighboring cells; Or, when there is no neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to a second value, and the second value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold is determined according to a second parameter, and the second parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel conditions; Or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that The method further includes: When it is detected that the second condition is satisfied, stop listening for the first information and perform cell reselection evaluation; The second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches a second duration, or the received first information is ignored.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain the signal quality of the serving cell; Obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell; Perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information, where the first information is related to paging.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The performing cell reselection evaluation and listening for the first information includes: When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information; The method further includes: When the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The fifth threshold is determined according to a third value, and the third value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information includes: When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation and listen for the first information; The method further includes: When the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold, perform cell reselection evaluation.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The difference between the sixth threshold and the fifth threshold is determined according to a third parameter, and the third parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel conditions; Or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that, The method further includes: When cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, perform cell selection and listen for the first information.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, perform cell selection and listen for the first information includes: When cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, perform cell selection and listen for the first information in the last serving cell.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, including: Search and measurement are performed within a third time period, and no new suitable cell is found.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 - 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: When it is detected that a third condition is satisfied, stop listening for the first information; The third condition includes at least one of the following: cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell, or the received first information is ignored.

22. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Perform cell reselection evaluation; When cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell, perform cell selection and listen for the first information, where the first information is related to paging.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The listening for the first information includes: Listen for the first information in the last serving cell.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The failure of cell reselection evaluation to reselect to a suitable cell includes: Search and measurement are performed within a third time period, and no new suitable cell is found.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22-24, characterized in that, The method further includes: When it is detected that a fourth condition is satisfied, stop listening for the first information; The fourth condition includes at least one of the following: cell selection to a suitable cell, or the received first information is ignored, or the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than a seventh threshold.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The seventh threshold is determined according to a fourth value, and the fourth value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined value.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein The difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value is determined according to a fourth parameter, and the fourth parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; Or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

28. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a paging message; Send the first information, where the first information is related to paging.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: A measurement unit for obtaining the signal quality of the serving cell; A listening unit for listening for the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a second threshold, where the first information is related to paging; The measurement unit is further configured to obtain the signal quality of neighboring cells when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the second threshold.

30. The device according to claim 29, characterized in that, The listening unit is specifically configured to listen for the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a first threshold and greater than the second threshold.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that, The first threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

32. The device according to claim 31, characterized in that, When there is only a neighboring cell with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold; Or, when there is only a neighboring cell with the same priority as the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; Or, when there is only a neighboring cell with a priority higher than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to a first value, where the first value is an inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold or other defined value; Or, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value of the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the intra-frequency measurement start threshold; Alternatively, when there are only neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold and the first value; Alternatively, when there are only neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value between the same-frequency measurement start threshold and the first value; Alternatively, when the neighboring cells include neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell, neighboring cells with the same priority as the serving cell, and neighboring cells with a priority higher than that of the serving cell, the first threshold is determined according to the larger value among the inter-frequency or inter-system measurement start threshold, the same-frequency measurement start threshold, and the first value.

33. The device according to any one of claims 30 - 32, characterized in that, The difference between the first threshold and the second threshold is determined according to a first parameter, and the first parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel conditions; Alternatively, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Alternatively, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

34. The device according to any one of claims 30 - 33, characterized in that, The monitoring unit is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that the first condition is satisfied; The measurement unit is further configured to obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell after stopping monitoring the first information; The first condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the first threshold reaches a first duration, or the received first information is ignored.

35. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: A measurement unit, configured to obtain the signal quality of the serving cell; The measurement unit is further configured to obtain the signal quality of the neighboring cell; A monitoring unit, configured to monitor first information related to paging when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than a fourth threshold; A reselection unit, configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fourth threshold.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein, Specifically, the monitoring unit is configured to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a third threshold and greater than the fourth threshold.

37. The device according to claim 36, characterized in that, The third threshold is related to the priority of the neighboring cell.

38. The device according to claim 37, characterized in that, When there are neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to the reselection threshold for low-priority neighboring cells; Alternatively, when there are no neighboring cells with a priority lower than that of the serving cell among the neighboring cells, the third threshold is determined according to a second value, and the second value is the S-criterion threshold or other defined values.

39. The device according to any one of claims 36 - 38, characterized in that, The difference between the third threshold and the fourth threshold is determined according to a second parameter, and the second parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel conditions; Alternatively, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Alternatively, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

40. The device according to any one of claims 36-39, characterized in that, The monitoring unit is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that the second condition is satisfied; The reselection unit is further configured to perform cell reselection evaluation after stopping monitoring the first information; The second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration for which the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the third threshold reaches a second duration, or the received first information is ignored.

41. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: a measurement unit, configured to obtain the signal quality of a serving cell; The measurement unit is further configured to obtain the signal quality of a neighboring cell; a reselection unit, configured to perform cell reselection evaluation; a monitoring unit, configured to monitor first information related to paging when the reselection unit performs cell reselection evaluation; 42. The device according to claim 41, characterized in that, The reselection unit is specifically configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than a fifth threshold; The monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and the reselection unit performs cell reselection evaluation; The reselection unit is further configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is greater than the fifth threshold.

43. The device according to claim 42, characterized in that, The fifth threshold is determined according to a third value, and the third value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined value.

44. The device according to claim 42 or 43, characterized in that, The reselection unit is specifically configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than a sixth threshold; The monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first information when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the fifth threshold and greater than the sixth threshold and the reselection unit performs cell reselection evaluation; The reselection unit is further configured to perform cell reselection evaluation when the signal quality of the serving cell is less than the sixth threshold.

45. The device according to claim 44, characterized in that, The difference between the sixth threshold and the fifth threshold is determined according to a third parameter, and the third parameter includes at least one of the following: the signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; or, the signal quality difference between the first information and a paging message; or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

46. The device according to any one of claims 41 to 45, characterized in that The apparatus further includes: a selection unit, configured to perform cell selection when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell; The monitoring unit is further configured to monitor the first information when the selection unit performs cell selection; 47. The device according to claim 46, wherein The monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first information in the last serving cell when the selection unit performs cell selection; 48. The device according to claim 46 or 47, characterized in that, That the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell includes: no new suitable cell is found after searching and measuring within a third duration.

49. The device according to any one of claims 46-48, characterized in that, The monitoring unit is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that the third condition is satisfied; The third condition includes at least one of the following: cell reselection or cell selection to a suitable cell, or the received first information is ignored.

50. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: a reselection unit, configured to perform cell reselection evaluation; a selection unit, configured to perform cell selection when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell; a monitoring unit, configured to monitor first information related to paging when cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell and the selection unit performs cell selection; 51. The device according to claim 50, characterized in that, The monitoring unit is specifically configured to monitor the first information in the last serving cell; 52. The device according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that, That the cell reselection evaluation fails to reselect to a suitable cell includes: Search and measurement are performed within the third time period, and no new suitable cell is found.

53. The device according to any one of claims 50 - 52, characterized in that, The monitoring unit is further configured to stop monitoring the first information when it detects that the fourth condition is satisfied; The fourth condition includes at least one of the following: the cell selects a suitable cell, or the received first information is ignored, or the signal quality of the last serving cell is less than the seventh threshold.

54. The device according to claim 53, characterized in that, The seventh threshold is determined according to a fourth value, and the fourth value is an S-criterion threshold or other defined value.

55. The device according to claim 54, characterized in that, The difference between the seventh threshold and the fourth value is determined according to a fourth parameter, and the fourth parameter includes at least one of the following: The signal quality gain that can be obtained by adjusting the channel condition; Or, the signal quality difference between the first information and the paging message; Or, the maximum signal quality that can be received.

56. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: A first sending unit, configured to send a paging message; A second sending unit, configured to send first information related to paging.

57. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-6, or execute the method according to any one of claims 7-12, or execute the method according to any one of claims 13-21, or execute the method according to any one of claims 22-27, or execute the method according to claim 28.

58. 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 1-6 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 7-12 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 13-21 to be implemented, or cause the method according to any one of claims 22-27 to be implemented, or cause the method according to claim 28 to be implemented.

59. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-6 is caused to be implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 7-12 is caused to be implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 13-21 is caused to be implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 22-27 is caused to be implemented, or the method according to claim 28 is caused to be implemented.

60. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes one or more interface circuits and one or more processors; The interface circuit and the processor are interconnected by a line; The processor receives and executes computer instructions from the memory of the electronic device through the interface circuit to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-6, or implement the method according to any one of claims 7-12, or implement the method according to any one of claims 13-21, or implement the method according to any one of claims 22-27, or implement the method according to claim 28.

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