Communication method and device, computer program product and readable storage medium

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, a computer program product and a readable storage medium, the communication method comprising: receiving a first signal / channel within a first activation time, the first signal / channel comprising at least one of paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, system information. By adopting the scheme, the energy consumption of the network equipment can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Network energy savings (network power saving) has become a major concern for mobile communication operators and mobile communication equipment manufacturers. Typically, when the network load is light, the transmission of public downlink signals (channels) consumes a large amount of energy in network equipment.

[0003] In the prior art, a common downlink signal / channel is combined with cell discontinuous transmission (cell DTX), and the common downlink signal / channel is not transmitted periodically.

[0004] In the prior art, in an idle state and / or an inactive state, a network device consumes a large amount of energy to send a public downlink signal / channel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiment of the present invention aims at providing at least a communication method capable of reducing the energy consumption required by a network device to send a common downlink signal / channel.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, comprising: receiving a first signal / channel within a first activation time, wherein the first signal / channel comprises at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

[0007] The network device can send the first signal / channel during a first activation time, which can be the activation time of the first cycle. The terminal device can receive the first signal / channel during the first activation time, which can be the activation time of the first cycle. The duration corresponding to the first activation time is less than the duration of the first cycle. Therefore, the network device only sends the first signal / channel during a portion of the first cycle, which can reduce the energy consumption of the network device. Correspondingly, the terminal device only receives the first signal / channel during a portion of the first cycle, which can reduce the energy consumption of the terminal device.

[0008] Optionally, the first activation time is within a first cycle.

[0009] The first cycle may include one or more first activation times. The network device may send the first signal / channel during the one or more first activation times, and correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first signal / channel during the one or more first activation times.

[0010] Optionally, the starting point of the first activation time is the starting point of a paging frame group.

[0011] Optionally, the duration of the first activation time is one or more paging frame groups.

[0012] The network device configures the starting point of the first activation time and the duration of the first activation time for the terminal device. The terminal device can determine the specific position of the first activation time within the first period based on the starting point of the first activation time and the duration of the first activation time, and then receive the first signal / channel within the determined first activation time.

[0013] Optionally, the starting paging frame of paging frame group i is the i*Q+0th paging frame; wherein Q is the number of paging frames between adjacent paging frame groups, and the starting point of paging frame group 0 is offset by O paging frames relative to the starting point of the first cycle.

[0014] The network device can define the specific location of each paging frame group by defining the number O of paging frames offset between the starting point of the paging frame group i and the starting point of the first cycle, as well as the number of paging frames between adjacent paging frame groups, thereby reducing the signaling overhead required for the network device to configure the specific location of each paging frame.

[0015] Optionally, the paging frame group includes P paging frames.

[0016] Optionally, the value of Q is 0. When the value of Q is 0, different paging frame groups are continuous. The value of O can also be 0, and the first paging frame group begins with the first paging frame in the first cycle. This default setting can further reduce the signaling overhead of the network device configuring the specific location of the paging frame.

[0017] Optionally, the number of paging frames that the starting point of the paging frame group i is offset from the starting point of the first cycle is 0. i .

[0018] The network device can configure the offset of the starting point of each paging frame group relative to the starting point of the first cycle. i , determine the specific position of each paging frame group in the first cycle.

[0019] Optionally, the starting system frame number of paging frame group i is SFN_i=SFN+offset[i]; wherein SFN is the starting system frame number of the first cycle, SFN_i is the starting system frame number of the paging frame group i, and offset[i] is the offset between the starting system frame number of the paging frame group i and SFN.

[0020] The network device can configure the offset [i] between the starting system frame number of each paging frame group and the starting system frame number of the first cycle. Based on offset [i], the terminal device determines the starting system frame number of each paging frame group and further determines the specific position of each paging frame group within the first cycle.

[0021] Optionally, the starting system frame number of the first activation time i is SFN_i=SFN+offset[i]; wherein SFN is the starting system frame number of the first cycle, and offset[i] is the offset between the starting system frame number of the first activation time i and SFN.

[0022] The network device can configure an offset, offset[i], between the starting system frame number of each first activation time and the starting system frame number of the first period. Based on offset[i], the terminal device determines the starting system frame number of each first activation time and, therefore, the specific position of each first activation time within the first period.

[0023] Optionally, the duration of the first activation time is one or more frames.

[0024] Optionally, the starting point of the first activation time is the starting point of a paging cycle group.

[0025] Optionally, the duration of the first activation time is one or more paging cycle groups.

[0026] Optionally, the starting paging cycle of paging cycle group i is the i*Q1+O1th paging cycle; wherein Q1 is the number of paging cycles between adjacent paging cycle groups, and the starting point of paging cycle group 0 is offset by O paging cycles relative to the starting point of the first cycle.

[0027] The network device may configure multiple paging cycles within the first cycle, some of which may constitute a paging cycle group. The terminal device may determine the paging cycle group corresponding to the first activation time based on the configuration of the network device, and then receive the first signal / channel within the paging cycle group.

[0028] Optionally, the paging cycle group i includes P1 paging cycles.

[0029] Optionally, the value of Q1 is 0, and different paging cycle groups are continuous. The value of O1 can also be 0, and the starting paging cycle of the first paging cycle group is the first paging cycle of the first cycle. This default setting can further reduce the signaling overhead of the network device configuring the specific location of the paging frame.

[0030] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides another communication method, comprising: sending a first signal / channel within a first activation time, wherein the first signal / channel comprises at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

[0031] In a third aspect, the present invention also provides a communication device, comprising: a processing unit, configured to receive a first signal / channel within a first activation time, wherein the first signal / channel comprises at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, the present invention also provides another communication device, including: a sending unit, used to send a first signal / channel within a first activation time, the first signal / channel including at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, system information.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is run by a processor, the steps of any of the above-mentioned communication methods are executed.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, the present invention further provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program / instruction, wherein the steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods are executed when the computer program / instruction is run by a computer.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, the present invention also provides another communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be run on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods when running the computer program. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a first period and a first activation time in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a first cycle and a paging cycle in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of a communication device in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Typically, when the network load is low, the transmission of common downlink signals / channels consumes a significant amount of energy in network devices. Common downlink signals / channels may include Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), System Information Block 1 (SIB1), System Information Block x (SIBx), paging, and Random Access Response (RAR). SIB1 is also known as Remaining Main System Information (RMSI), and SIBx is also known as Other System Information (OSI).

[0041] The common downlink signal / channel may be combined with cell DTX, that is, the common downlink signal / channel may not be transmitted periodically.

[0042] Cell DTX is mainly used for terminal devices in connected state. Cell DTX can also be called cell DTX for terminal devices in connected state. Cell DTX can be composed of repeated cell DTX cycles (also called cycles), and a cell DTX cycle includes an active period and a non-active period. The active period and the non-active period appear alternately. It is worth noting that the active period is a time period, which can be called the active time; the non-active period is a time period, which can be called the non-active time. Generally speaking, the network device's transmission of downlink signals / channels during the active period is not affected, that is, the network device can send certain downlink signals / channels during the active period. The network device's transmission of certain downlink signals / channels during the inactive period will be affected, that is, the network device may not send certain downlink signals / channels during the inactive period.

[0043] With the continuous evolution of communication technology, network equipment may not send or send fewer synchronization signal blocks during the inactive period of cell DTX. In this case, cell DTX has a smaller impact on the cell search and measurement of terminal devices, but a greater impact on the downlink synchronization of terminal devices.

[0044] In addition, to achieve energy saving for terminal devices, the terminal device can be configured for UE connected state discontinuous reception (C-DRX). UE C-DRX consists of repeated UE C-DRX cycles. A UE C-DRX cycle includes active time and inactive time. During the inactive time, the terminal device does not receive certain downlink signals / channels, such as part of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and part of the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0045] With the development of communication technology, the above-mentioned cell DTX can be extended to general discontinuous transmission. Specifically, discontinuous transmission can include any one or more of the following: connected cell DTX, non-connected cell DTX, paging discontinuous transmission (DTX), SSB DTX, and system information DTX. Among them, some discontinuous transmissions are for terminal devices in the connected state; some discontinuous transmissions are for terminal devices in the non-connected state. Here, the non-connected state includes the idle state and / or the inactive state.

[0046] In the present invention, discontinuous transmission may be composed of repeated cycles of discontinuous transmission, and a cycle of discontinuous transmission includes an active period and a non-active period. The active period and the non-active period appear alternately. It is worth noting that the active period is a time period, which may be referred to as the active time, and the non-active period is a time period, which may be referred to as the non-active time. Generally speaking, the network device is not affected in sending downlink signals / channels during the active period, that is, the network device may send downlink signals / channels normally; the network device may be affected in sending certain signals / channels during the non-active period, that is, the network device may not send or send less certain signals / channels. The above description is from the perspective of the network device. For the terminal device, DTX means that it receives signals / channels normally during the active period, and does not receive or receives less certain signals / channels during the non-active period.

[0047] In the following embodiments of the present invention, the first period may be a period of discontinuous transmission.

[0048] For connected cell DTX (which can be regarded as cell DTX in 5G New Radio (NR) Release 18 (Release 18) or its enhancement), the network device's transmission of connected signals / channels during the active period is not affected, that is, the network device can send connected signals / channels normally; during the inactive period, the network device's transmission of certain connected signals / channels will be affected (such as certain physical downlink control channels (PDCCH) and certain reference signals), that is, the network device may not send or send fewer connected signals / channels. The above description is from the perspective of the network device. For the terminal device, connected cell DTX means that the terminal device receives connected signals / channels normally during the active period, and does not receive or receives fewer connected signals / channels during the inactive period.

[0049] For non-connection cell DTX, the network device's transmission of non-connection signals / channels during the active period is unaffected, meaning the network device can transmit non-connection signals / channels normally. However, during the inactive period, the network device's transmission of certain non-connection signals / channels (such as SSB and / or system information) is affected, meaning the network device may not transmit or transmit fewer non-connection signals / channels. The above description is from the perspective of the network device. For the terminal device, non-connection cell DTX means that the terminal device can receive non-connection signals / channels normally during the active period, but not receive or receive fewer non-connection signals / channels during the inactive period.

[0050] With paging DTX, the network device's ability to send paging messages during the active period is unaffected, meaning it can send paging messages normally. However, during the inactive period, the network device's ability to send paging messages is affected, meaning it can send fewer or no paging messages. The above description is from the perspective of the network device. For the terminal device, paging DTX means it can receive paging messages normally during the active period, but not or fewer paging messages during the inactive period. For paging DTX, the active period is also called the paging window.

[0051] System Information DTX (DTX) affects the ability of network devices to transmit system information during active periods, meaning they can transmit system information normally. However, it affects the ability of network devices to transmit certain system information during inactive periods, meaning they may not transmit or transmit less system information. System information includes System Information Block 1 (SIB1) and / or Other System Information (OSI). Regarding OSI, it affects the ability of network devices to transmit System Information Window (SI-Window) during active periods, meaning they can transmit SI-Window normally. However, it affects the ability of network devices to transmit certain SI-Window during inactive periods, meaning they may not transmit or transmit less system information. The above description is from the perspective of the network device. For terminal devices, System Information DTX means they receive system information normally during active periods and do not receive or receive less system information during inactive periods.

[0052] For Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) DTX, the network device's transmission of SSBs during the active period is not affected, that is, the network device can send SSBs normally; during the inactive period, the network device's transmission of (certain) SSBs will be affected, that is, the base station will not send or send less (certain) SSBs. The "(certain)" here can refer to the fact that SSBs may be divided into different types. The above description is from the perspective of the network device. For the terminal device, SSB DTX means that SSBs are received normally during the active period, and not received or received less (certain) SSBs during the inactive period.

[0053] In specific applications, for SSB, the network device can configure some SSBs that are affected by discontinuous transmission for basic downlink synchronization of the terminal device. In the following embodiments, the SSBs affected by discontinuous transmission are referred to as first-class SSBs. The period of the first-class SSB is usually small, such as 5 milliseconds (ms), 20ms, 40ms, etc. The first-class SSB can be the SSB configured in the cell, the SSB reconfigured by the Radio Resource Control (RRC), or a newly configured SSB.

[0054] The network device can configure some SSBs that are not affected by discontinuous transmission for the terminal device to perform cell search and / or cell measurement. In the following embodiments, the SSBs that are not affected by discontinuous transmission are referred to as second-type SSBs. The period of the second-type SSB is usually greater than the period of the first-type SSB. For example, the period of the second-type SSB is 160ms. The second-type SSB can be the SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) configured in this cell, the SSB configured by SIB1, or a non-newly configured SSB.

[0055] Typically, SSBs are beam-scanned, with each SSB corresponding to a beam. Network devices can send multiple SSBs within 5ms. Multiple SSBs within 5ms form an SSB burst.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present invention, multiple first-type SSBs within 5 ms constitute a first-type SSB burst, and multiple second-type SSBs within 5 ms constitute a second-type SSB burst. The first-type SSB burst can also be referred to as an SSB burst affected by discontinuous transmission, and the second-type SSB burst can also be referred to as an SSB burst not affected by discontinuous transmission.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present invention, a wake-up signal is used by a network device to instruct a terminal device to wake up, such as by monitoring the PDCCH. The wake-up signal may include a connected state wake-up signal and / or a disconnected state wake-up signal. As the names suggest, a connected state wake-up signal may be a wake-up signal used by a terminal device in a connected state, and a disconnected state wake-up signal may be a wake-up signal used by a terminal device in a disconnected state.

[0058] Specifically, the connection state wake-up signal may include DCP (DCI with CRC scramble by PS-RNTI), DCI format 2_6 (DCI format 2_6), etc. When the terminal device in the connection state receives the connection state wake-up signal and the corresponding wake-up indication is wake up, the terminal device in the connection state wakes up, such as monitoring PDCCH (opening the onDuration timer).

[0059] Specifically, the non-connected state wake-up signal may include a paging early indication (PEI) PDCCH, a DCI format 2_9, etc. When a non-connected state terminal device receives a non-connected state wake-up signal and the corresponding wake-up indication (PEI) is wake up, the non-connected state terminal device wakes up, such as monitoring PDCCH (monitoring paging PDCCH).

[0060] For ease of description, in the following embodiments of the present invention, the activation period of discontinuous transmission may be referred to as the first activation time. For a terminal device in a non-connected state, the first activation time described in the following embodiments of the present invention may include the activation period of discontinuous transmission in a non-connected state.

[0061] For a terminal device in a non-connected state, discontinuous transmission can also be discontinuous reception (UE idle / inactive state discontinuous reception, UE I-DRX) of the terminal device in a non-connected state. In other words, discontinuous transmission is strictly aligned with UE C-DRX. At this time, the first activation time can also include the activation time of the terminal device.

[0062] In addition, for a terminal device in a non-connected state, discontinuous transmission can also be discontinuous reception (UE idle / inactive state discontinuous reception, UE I-DRX) of the terminal device in a non-connected state. In other words, discontinuous transmission and UE I-DRX are strictly aligned. At this time, the first activation time can also include the target paging frame / paging opportunity of the terminal device.

[0063] For idle and / or inactive terminal devices, the common downlink signals / channels are almost evenly distributed in I-DRX, which makes it difficult for network devices to enter a deeper sleep state, resulting in higher energy consumption.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device may receive the first signal / channel within the first activation time. That is, the terminal device may not receive the first signal / channel outside the first activation time. Correspondingly, the network device may send the first signal / channel within the first activation time. That is, the network device may not send the first signal / channel outside the first activation time. The duration corresponding to the first activation time is less than the duration of the first cycle, so the network device only sends the first signal / channel during a partial time period of the first cycle, which extends the sleep time of the network device and can reduce the energy consumption of the network device. Similarly, the terminal device only receives the first signal / channel during a partial time period of the first cycle, which extends the sleep time of the terminal device and can reduce the energy consumption of the terminal device.

[0065] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] The terminal device described in the embodiments of the present application is a device with wireless communication capabilities, and may also be referred to as a terminal, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment, industrial control terminal equipment, user equipment (UE) unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, wireless communication device, UE agent, or UE device. The UE can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the UE can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. Exemplarily, the UE may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an all-in-one computer, an in-vehicle terminal, a virtual reality (VR) UE, an augmented reality (AR) UE, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a wearable device, a UE in a future mobile communication network, or a UE in a future evolved public mobile land network (PLMN), etc. In some embodiments of the present application, the UE may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system, wherein the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present application, a network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for a terminal device, and may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, an access network element, an access network device, etc. The network device may support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE, NR, etc. For example, the network device includes, but is not limited to: a next-generation base station (gNB) in 5G, an evolved node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a mobile switching center, etc. The network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device may be a relay station, an access point, an on-board device, a terminal device, a wearable device, a network device in future mobile communications, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN. In some embodiments, the network device may also be a device that provides wireless communication functions for a terminal device, such as a chip system. For example, the chip system may include a chip and may also include other discrete devices.

[0068] In some embodiments, the network device may also communicate with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0069] The following describes the relevant terms provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0070] In specific applications, network equipment can configure some SSBs that are affected by discontinuous transmission for basic downlink synchronization of terminal devices.

[0071] In the following embodiments, the SSB affected by discontinuous transmission is referred to as a first-class SSB. The period of the first-class SSB is usually short, such as 5 milliseconds (ms), 20 ms, or 40 ms. The first-class SSB can be an SSB configured in the current cell, an SSB reconfigured by the Radio Resource Control (RRC), or a newly configured SSB.

[0072] The network device can configure some SSBs that are not affected by discontinuous transmission for the terminal device to perform cell search and / or cell measurement. In the following embodiments, the SSBs that are not affected by discontinuous transmission are referred to as second-type SSBs. The period of the second-type SSB is usually greater than the period of the first-type SSB. For example, the period of the second-type SSB is 160ms. The second-type SSB can be the SSB measurement time configuration (SMTC) configured in this cell, the SSB configured by SIB1, or a non-newly configured SSB.

[0073] Typically, SSBs are beam-scanned, with each SSB corresponding to a beam. Network devices can send multiple SSBs within 5ms. Multiple SSBs within 5ms form an SSB burst.

[0074] In the embodiment of the present invention, multiple first-type SSBs within 5 ms constitute a first-type SSB burst, and multiple second-type SSBs within 5 ms constitute a second-type SSB burst. The first-type SSB burst can also be referred to as an SSB burst affected by discontinuous transmission, and the second-type SSB burst can also be referred to as an SSB burst not affected by discontinuous transmission.

[0075] The embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method, referring to Figure 1 , the following is a detailed description through specific steps.

[0076] In a specific implementation, the communication method provided in step 101 below can be executed by a chip (such as a baseband chip) with data processing capabilities in the terminal device, or by a chip module (such as a baseband chip module) with data processing capabilities in the terminal device, or by the terminal device. The following description takes the communication method provided in step 101 performed by the terminal device as an example.

[0077] Step 101: The terminal device receives a first signal / channel within a first activation time, where the first signal / channel includes at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

[0078] That is, the terminal device does not receive the first signal / channel outside the first activation time.

[0079] Accordingly, the network device sends the first signal / channel within the first activation time. In other words, the network device does not send the first signal / channel outside the first activation time.

[0080] In a specific implementation, the synchronization signal block included in the first signal / channel may be a first type SSB. Alternatively, the synchronization signal block included in the first signal / channel includes a first type SSB burst.

[0081] In the embodiment of the present invention, the first period may include one or more first activation times. That is, the first activation time is included in the first period.

[0082] In the following embodiments, a case where the first activation time is included in the first cycle is described.

[0083] Reference Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of a first cycle and a first activation time in an embodiment of the present invention is given. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the length of the first cycle is 1280ms, and the first activation time is a part of the first cycle.

[0084] Therefore, the network device can send the first signal / channel only within the first activation time, and there is no need to send the first signal / channel in other time periods within the first cycle, thereby extending the sleep time of the network device, and thus effectively reducing the energy consumption of the network device. Similarly, the terminal device can receive the first signal / channel only within the first activation time, and there is no need to receive the first signal / channel in other time periods within the first cycle, thereby extending the sleep time of the terminal device, and thus effectively reducing the energy consumption of the terminal device.

[0085] In an embodiment of the present invention, the network device may configure the starting point of the first activation time and the duration of the first activation time. The network device may send the configured starting point of the first activation time and the duration of the first activation time to the terminal device in the form of configuration parameters. The terminal device determines the starting point of the first activation time and the duration of the first activation time based on the received configuration parameters.

[0086] In a specific implementation, the starting point of the first activation time may be the starting point of a paging frame group, and the duration of the first activation time may be one or more paging frame groups. The paging frame group identifier may start from 0. In the following description, the paging frame group identified as i may be referred to as paging frame group i.

[0087] For example, the first activation time includes two paging frame groups, namely paging frame group 0 and paging frame group 1. In some examples, paging frame group 0 may also be referred to as the first paging frame group, and paging frame group 1 may also be referred to as the second paging frame group.

[0088] If a first activation time includes a paging frame group, the starting point of the first activation time is the starting point of the paging frame group; if a first activation time includes two or more paging frame groups, the starting point of the first activation time is the starting point of the first paging frame group.

[0089] For example, if the first activation time 0 includes paging frame group 0, the starting point of the first activation time 0 is the starting point of paging frame group 0. For another example, if the first activation time 0 includes paging frame group 0 and paging frame group 1, and paging frame group 0 is located before paging frame group 1 in the time domain, the starting point of the first activation time 0 is the starting point of paging frame group 0.

[0090] In a specific implementation, the starting point of a paging frame group can be defined as follows: for paging frame group i, its corresponding starting paging frame is the i*Q+0th paging frame in the first cycle; where Q is the number of paging frames between adjacent paging frame groups, and the starting point of paging frame group 0 is offset by O paging frames relative to the starting point of the first cycle. i, Q, and O are all integers. If the first activation time includes N paging frame groups, then 0≤i≤N-1.

[0091] A paging frame group i may include P paging frames, which may be consecutive or non-consecutive paging frames.

[0092] In some embodiments, among the N paging frame groups, the starting point of paging frame group i is the i*(P+Q)+0th paging frame.

[0093] The value of Q can be 0, then the P paging frames in paging group i are continuous. The value of O is 0, then the starting paging frame of the first paging frame group (ie, paging frame group 0) is the starting paging frame of the first cycle.

[0094] It is understandable that the values ​​of Q and O may also be other values ​​and are not limited to the above examples.

[0095] For example, the length of the first cycle is 1280 ms, P = 4, Q = 0, and O = 0. The first activation time occupies the first 640 ms of the first cycle. The first activation time includes one paging frame group, paging frame group 0. Paging frame group 0 includes four consecutive paging frames, and the starting paging frame of paging frame group 0 is the starting paging frame of the first cycle. The starting paging frame of the first cycle is frame 0, so the four paging frames included in paging frame group 0 are frames 0 to 3, respectively.

[0096] Thus, the network device can define the paging frame group in the first activation time by the paging frame index. Furthermore, by defining the number P of paging frames in the first paging frame group, the number Q of paging frames between adjacent first paging frame groups, and the offset O, the index of the paging frames included in each paging frame group can be defined, thereby simplifying signaling and reducing the signaling overhead required by the network device to configure the specific location of each paging frame.

[0097] In a specific implementation, the network device may also configure the offset between each paging frame group and the starting point of the first cycle. Specifically, the number of paging frames that the starting point of the paging frame group i is offset from the starting point of the first cycle is 0. i .

[0098] In some embodiments, the paging frame group may include P consecutive paging frames, and the specific value of P may be configured by the network device or pre-defined in the communication protocol. i , determine the specific location of each paging frame group.

[0099] For example, the length of the first cycle is 1280ms. The first cycle includes two first activation times, the first first activation time corresponds to paging frame group 0, and the second first activation time corresponds to paging frame group 1. The network device configures the number of paging frames offset from the starting point of paging frame group 0 to 0 relative to the starting point of the first cycle, and the number of paging frames offset from the starting point of paging frame group 1 to 32 relative to the starting point of the first cycle. Therefore, the starting point of the first first activation time is frame 0, and the starting point of the second first activation time is frame 32. Each paging frame group includes 8 paging frames, so the specific positions of paging frame group 0 are frames 0 to 7, and the specific positions of paging frame group 1 are frames 32 to 39.

[0100] In a specific implementation, the network device may configure an offset between the starting system frame number of each paging frame group and the starting system frame number of the first cycle.

[0101] Specifically, the starting point of a paging frame group can be defined as follows: the starting system frame number of paging frame group i is SFN_i = SFN + offset[i], where SFN is the starting system frame number of the first cycle, SFN_i is the starting system frame number of paging frame group i, and offset[i] is the offset between the starting system frame number of paging frame group i and SFN. A paging frame group can include P consecutive paging frames, and the specific value of P can be configured by the network device. Thus, the terminal device can determine the specific location of each paging frame group based on the offset corresponding to each paging frame group.

[0102] For example, the length of the first cycle is 1280ms. The first cycle includes two first activation times, the first first activation time corresponding to paging frame group 0, and the second first activation time corresponding to paging frame group 1. The network device configures offset[0] to 0 and offset[1] to 32. The first first activation time starts at frame 0, and the second first activation time starts at frame 32. Each paging frame group includes 8 paging frames, so the specific positions of paging frame group 0 are frames 0 to 7, and the specific positions of paging frame group 1 are frames 32 to 39.

[0103] In a specific implementation, the network device can configure an offset between the starting point of each first activation time and the starting point of the first cycle. Since the starting point of the first cycle is known, the terminal device can determine the starting point of the first activation time based on the starting point of the first cycle and the offset.

[0104] If the first period includes multiple first activation times, the network device may configure a corresponding offset for each first activation time. Different first activation times have different offsets from the start point of the first period. The terminal device may determine the start points of different first activation times based on the start point of the first period and the offsets corresponding to the different first activation times.

[0105] For example, the first cycle includes two first activation times, wherein the offset between the start point of the first first activation time and the start point of the first cycle is 0, and the offset between the start point of the second first activation time and the start point of the first cycle is 320 ms.

[0106] In a specific implementation, the network device may configure an offset between a starting system frame number of each first activation time and a starting system frame number of the first period.

[0107] Specifically, the starting point of the first activation time can be defined as follows: the starting system frame number of the first activation time i can be determined using the following formula: SFN_i = SFN + offset[i]; where SFN is the starting system frame number of the first cycle, SFN_i is the starting system frame number of the first activation time i, and offset[i] is the offset between the starting system frame number of the first activation time i and SFN.

[0108] For example, the first cycle includes one first activation time. The starting system frame number of the first cycle is 0, and offset[0] is 32, so the starting system frame number of the first activation time 0 is 32.

[0109] As another way, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first activation time includes one or more paging cycles. In this case, since the first cycle duration is longer than the first activation time, the first cycle may very likely include multiple paging cycles.

[0110] In the following embodiments, a case where the first activation time includes one or more paging cycles is described.

[0111] Reference Figure 3 , a schematic diagram of a first cycle and a paging cycle in an embodiment of the present invention is given.

[0112] Figure 3 The first cycle includes four paging cycles, the length of which is 1280 ms. The four paging cycles are paging cycle 0, paging cycle 1, paging cycle 2, and paging cycle 3, respectively, and the length of each paging cycle is 320 ms.

[0113] In a specific implementation, the starting point of the first activation time may be the starting point of a paging cycle group. The duration of the first activation time may be one or more paging cycle groups. A paging cycle group may include at least one paging cycle.

[0114] In some embodiments, the identification of the paging cycle group may start from 0. In the following description, the paging cycle group identified as i may be referred to as paging cycle group i.

[0115] For example, the first activation time includes two paging cycle groups, namely paging cycle group 0 and paging cycle group 1. In some examples, paging cycle group 0 may also be referred to as the first paging cycle group, and paging cycle group 1 may also be referred to as the second paging cycle group.

[0116] Specifically, the starting point of a paging cycle group can be defined as follows: for paging cycle group i, the corresponding starting paging frame is the i*Q1+O1th paging frame within the first cycle; where Q1 is the number of paging cycles between adjacent paging cycle groups, and the starting point of paging cycle group 0 is offset by O1 paging cycles relative to the starting point of the first cycle. i, Q1, and O1 are all integers. If the first activation time includes N paging cycle groups, then 0 ≤ i ≤ N-1.

[0117] Paging cycle group i may include P1 paging cycles, which may be consecutive P paging cycles or non-consecutive P1 paging cycles.

[0118] In some embodiments, among the N paging cycle groups, the starting point of paging cycle group i is the i*(P1+Q1)+O1th paging cycle.

[0119] The value of Q1 can be 0, then the P1 paging cycles in paging cycle group i are continuous. The value of O1 is 0, then the starting paging cycle of the first paging cycle group (ie, paging cycle group 0) is the starting paging cycle of the first cycle.

[0120] It is understandable that the values ​​of Q1 and O1 may also be other values ​​and are not limited to the above examples.

[0121] For example, the length of the first cycle is 1280 ms, P1 = 2, Q1 = 0, and O1 = 0. The first cycle includes paging cycles 0 to 3, and the first activation time includes paging cycle group 0. The starting paging cycle of paging cycle group 0 is paging cycle 0, and paging cycle group 0 includes paging cycle 0 and paging cycle 1.

[0122] Combining the above examples and Figure 3 It can be seen that the first activation time includes paging cycle 0 and paging cycle 1.

[0123] Thus, the network device can define the paging cycle group in the first activation time using the paging cycle index. Furthermore, by defining the number P of paging cycles within a first paging cycle group, the number Q of paging cycles between adjacent first paging cycle groups, and the offset O, the index of the paging cycles included in each paging cycle group can be defined, thereby simplifying signaling and reducing the signaling overhead required by the network device to configure the specific location of each paging cycle.

[0124] In some embodiments, whether the terminal device receives the first type of signal / channel is also related to cell switching or handover. Correspondingly, whether the network device sends the first type of signal / channel is also related to cell switching or handover.

[0125] When a terminal device receives a cell switch or handover command, the terminal device begins receiving the first type of signal / channel. Specifically, the terminal device may be pre-configured with the first type of signal / channel of the target cell. When the terminal device receives the cell switch or handover command, it will not begin receiving the first type of signal / channel of the target cell until a preset time interval has passed (the time interval is required for the terminal device to complete the cell switch or handover).

[0126] Accordingly, when the network device (network device of the source cell) sends a cell conversion or switching command, the network device (network device of the target cell) starts to send the first type of signal / channel. Specifically, the network device (network device of the source cell) can configure the first type of signal / channel of the target cell for the user device in advance. After the network device (network device of the source cell) sends the cell conversion or switching command, after a preset time interval (the terminal device needs to pass this time interval to complete the cell conversion or switching), the network device (network device of the target cell) starts to send the first type of signal / channel. In this way, only when the user device is converted or switched to the target cell, the target cell starts to send the first type of signal / channel, and the user device starts to receive the first type of signal / channel, which reduces the energy consumption of the network device of the target cell (the sleep time of the network device of the target cell can be extended) while ensuring that the user device accesses the target cell.

[0127] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication method, comprising: transmitting a first signal / channel within a first activation time, the first signal / channel comprising at least one of the following: paging, a paging advance indication, a synchronization signal block, and system information. The aforementioned communication method may correspond to the communication method provided in step 101, except that the aforementioned communication method is executed by a chip with data processing capabilities in a network device, or by a chip module with data processing capabilities in the network device, or by the network device.

[0128] In a specific implementation, the network device may not transmit the first signal / channel outside of the first activation time. The duration corresponding to the first activation time is shorter than the duration of the first cycle. Therefore, the network device transmits the first signal / channel only during a portion of the first cycle, thereby extending the sleep time of the network device and reducing its energy consumption. Similarly, the terminal device receives the first signal / channel only during a portion of the first cycle, thereby extending the sleep time of the terminal device and reducing its energy consumption.

[0129] In a specific implementation, the network device may configure the starting point of the first activation time and / or the duration of the first activation time for the terminal device. Specifically, the corresponding description of the starting point of the first activation time and / or the duration of the first activation time can refer to the content provided in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0130] Reference Figure 4 , a communication device 40 in an embodiment of the present invention is given, including: a processing unit 401, used to receive a first signal / channel within a first activation time, the first signal / channel including at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, system information.

[0131] In a specific implementation, the specific execution process of the above-mentioned processing unit 401 can correspond to step 101 and will not be repeated here.

[0132] In a specific implementation, the above-mentioned communication device 40 may correspond to a chip with a data processing function in a terminal device, or correspond to a chip module with a data processing function in a terminal device, or correspond to a terminal device.

[0133] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication device, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a first signal / channel within a first activation time, wherein the first signal / channel comprises at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information. The transmitting unit may correspond to a chip having data processing capabilities in a network device, or to a chip module having data processing capabilities in the network device, or to the network device.

[0134] In specific implementations, the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments may be software modules / units or hardware modules / units, or may be partially software modules / units and partially hardware modules / units.

[0135] For example, for each device or product applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit contained therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules / units may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for each device or product applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit contained therein may be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units may be located in the same component (such as a chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some of the modules / units may be implemented in the form of software programs. The element can be implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on the processor integrated inside the chip module, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in the terminal, the various modules / units contained therein can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (for example, chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components in the terminal, or, at least some modules / units can be implemented in the form of a software program, which runs on the processor integrated inside the terminal, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits.

[0136] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is run by a processor, the steps of the communication method provided in any of the above embodiments are executed.

[0137] An embodiment of the present invention further provides another communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be run on the processor, and when the processor runs the computer program, the steps of the communication method provided in any of the above embodiments are executed.

[0138] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instruction, characterized in that when the computer program / instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the communication method provided in any of the above embodiments are implemented.

[0139] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may include: ROM, RAM, disk or CD, etc.

[0140] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: A first signal / channel is received within a first activation time, where the first signal / channel includes at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The starting point of the first activation time is the starting point of a paging frame group.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The duration of the first activation time is one or more paging frame groups.

4. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The starting paging frame of paging frame group i is the i*Q+0th paging frame; wherein Q is the number of paging frames between adjacent paging frame groups, and the starting point of paging frame group 0 is offset by O paging frames relative to the starting point of the first cycle.

5. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The paging frame group includes P paging frames.

6. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein: The value of Q is 0.

7. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein: The value of O is 0.

8. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The number of paging frames that the starting point of the paging frame group i is offset from the starting point of the first cycle is 0. i .

9. The communication method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The starting system frame number of paging frame group i is SFN_i=SFN+offset[i]; wherein SFN is the starting system frame number of the first cycle, SFN_i is the starting system frame number of the paging frame group i, and offset[i] is the offset between the starting system frame number of the paging frame group i and SFN.

10. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The starting system frame number of the first activation time i is SFN_i=SFN+offset[i]; wherein SFN is the starting system frame number of the first cycle, and offset[i] is the offset between the starting system frame number of the first activation time i and SFN.

11. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The duration of the first activation time is one or more frames.

12. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The first activation time is within a first period.

13. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein: The starting point of the first activation time is the starting point of a paging cycle group.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, wherein: The duration of the first activation time is one or more paging cycle groups.

15. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The starting paging cycle of paging cycle group i is the i*Q1+O1th paging cycle, where Q1 is the number of paging cycles between adjacent paging cycle groups, and the starting point of paging cycle group 0 is offset by O paging cycles relative to the starting point of the first cycle.

16. The communication method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The paging cycle group includes P1 paging cycles.

17. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein: The value of Q1 is 0.

18. The communication method according to claim 15, wherein: The value of O1 is 0.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein: The first activation time includes M paging cycles.

20. A communication method, characterized in that: include: A first signal / channel is sent within a first activation time, where the first signal / channel includes at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: include: The processing unit is configured to receive a first signal / channel within a first activation time, where the first signal / channel includes at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: include: The sending unit is configured to send a first signal / channel within a first activation time, where the first signal / channel includes at least one of the following: paging, paging advance indication, synchronization signal block, and system information.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transient storage medium, and a computer program is stored thereon, wherein: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 are executed.

24. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that When the computer program / instructions are executed on a computer, the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 19 are executed.

25. A communication device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be run on the processor, characterized in that: When the processor runs the computer program, the processor performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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