Communication method and related device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a related device, which are beneficial to improving the energy-saving gain of using a wake-up signal by terminal equipment in a connected state. The method comprises: a network device sending a wake-up signal to a terminal device, the wake-up signal being used for indicating to monitor a PDCCH and / or a PDSCH; the terminal equipment starts the first timer and monitors the PDCCH and / or the PDSCH during the operation period of the first timer; and the terminal equipment determines whether to start a second timer after the timing of the first timer is finished according to whether first indication information is received during the running period of the first timer, the first indication information is used for indicating that the service transmission is finished, and the second timer is used for continuously monitoring the PDCCH and / or the PDSCH after the timing of the first timer is finished.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Wake-up radio (WUR) can be understood as a function to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices. For terminal devices, WUR refers to the introduction of a low-power (LP) interface on top of the traditional main radio (MR) module / circuit. This LP interface is implemented through a simple circuit or chip with low power consumption. For example, the LP interface can be implemented through a wake-up receiver (WUR). The MR is used to receive data / service transmissions normally. When there is no ongoing data / service transmission on the MR, it can enter a sleep state to minimize the power consumption of the terminal device. When there is a need for data / service transmission, the WUR can be used to receive a wake-up signal (WUS), which is used to wake up the MR.

[0003] Current standards discuss allowing connected terminal devices to listen for wake-up signals outside the active time of discontinuous reception (DRX) to trigger listening to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Specifically, after receiving a wake-up signal, the terminal device starts a timer and listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the timer's execution. Each time the terminal device successfully decodes a PDCCH, it starts a DRX inactivity timer. When this timer or the DRX inactivity timer expires, the terminal device can enter a sleep state to continue listening for wake-up signals.

[0004] However, in the wake-up signal mode, the mechanism of multiplexing the DRX inactive timer may cause unnecessary PDCCH listening, which will affect the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using the wake-up signal in the connected state. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which is beneficial to improving the energy-saving gain of terminal devices using wake-up signals in a connected state.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core). The following description uses the application of this method to a terminal device as an example.

[0007] The method includes: receiving a wake-up signal, which indicates that the PDCCH and / or PDSCH should be monitored; starting a first timer and monitoring the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the first timer; determining whether to start a second timer after the first timer has finished running, based on whether a first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, wherein the first indication information indicates that the service transmission has ended, and the second timer is used to continue monitoring the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer has finished running.

[0008] Based on the technical solution of this application, the terminal device determines whether to start a second timer to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH based on whether it receives a first indication message during the operation of the first timer. If the first indication message is received during the operation of the first timer, it indicates that the service transmission has ended, and the terminal device does not need to start the second timer. If the first indication message is not received during the operation of the first timer, it indicates that the service transmission has not ended, and the terminal device can start the second timer to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. This method of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH is more flexible and helps to avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, thereby improving the energy-saving gain of the terminal device when using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0009] The second timer can be the same as the first timer. That is, the terminal device starts the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, which can be regarded as the terminal device restarting the first timer.

[0010] The second timer can also be seen as an extension of the first timer, that is, after the first timer finishes counting down, the duration of the second timer is extended to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining whether to start the second timer after the first timer ends, based on whether the first instruction information is received during the operation of the first timer, includes: if the first instruction information is not received during the operation of the first timer, determining to start the second timer after the first timer ends; if the first instruction information is received during the operation of the first timer, determining not to start the second timer after the first timer ends.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer; wherein the first indication information is carried in a first PDSCH or a first PDCCH, the first PDSCH being the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH being the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH. This makes the form of carrying the first indication information more flexible.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, if no first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, the method further includes: starting a second timer after the first timer finishes counting; continuing to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer; and determining whether to restart the second timer after the second timer finishes counting, based on whether the first indication information is received during the operation of the second timer.

[0014] In this application, the terminal device can determine whether it needs to restart the second timer to continue listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH based on whether it receives the first indication information during the operation of the second timer. This makes the method of listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH more flexible and helps to avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, thereby improving the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0015] Secondly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the network side, such as network devices or communication modules in network devices, or circuits or chips in network devices that are responsible for communication functions (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or SoC chips or SIP chips containing modem cores). The following description uses the application of this method to network devices as an example.

[0016] The method includes: sending a wake-up signal to indicate listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH; starting a first timer and sending PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the first timer; and sending a first indication message to indicate that the service transmission has ended.

[0017] Based on the technical solution of this application, the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device according to the transmission status of service data. The terminal device can determine whether to start a second timer after the first timer expires, in order to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, based on whether it receives the first indication message during the first timer's operation. If the service volume is small and can be completed during the first timer's operation, the network device sends the first indication message during the first timer's operation. If the service volume is large and cannot be completed during the first timer's operation, the network device does not send the first indication message during the first timer's operation. This method of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH is more flexible and helps to avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, thereby improving the energy-saving gain of the terminal device using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0018] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, sending the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information during the operation of the first timer. The first indication information is carried in a first PDSCH or a first PDCCH, where the first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

[0019] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, before sending the first indication information, the method further includes: after the first timer expires, starting a second timer, the second timer being used by the terminal device to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer expires. Sending the first indication information includes: sending the first indication information during the operation of the second timer. The first indication information is carried in the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH, where the first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

[0020] It should be understood that the second aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the first aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here.

[0021] Thirdly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). The following description uses the application of this method to a terminal device as an example.

[0022] The method includes: after receiving a wake-up signal, starting a first timer, the wake-up signal being used to indicate listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH; listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the first timer; and receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether to start a second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, the second timer being used to continue listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer has finished counting down.

[0023] Based on the technical solution of this application, the terminal device can determine whether to start the second timer after the first timer expires based on the second indication information. Whether the second indication information indicates that the second timer should not be started after the first timer expires depends on the transmission status of the service data. For example, when service data transmission is not intensive, the second indication information indicates that the second timer does not need to be started; while when service data transmission is intensive, the second indication information indicates that the second timer needs to be started. This method of monitoring PDCCH and / or PDSCH is more flexible, helps avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH monitoring, and ensures the energy-saving gain of the terminal device using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0024] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, where the second indication information is used to indicate the start of the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer.

[0025] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, receiving the second indication information includes receiving a wake-up signal, which includes the second indication information. This helps to reduce signaling overhead.

[0026] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, receiving the second indication information includes: listening for the second indication information within a first time window, where the end time of the first time window is before the start time of the first timer, or where the start and end times of the first time window are during the operation of the first timer. This transmission method is more flexible.

[0027] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information is carried in any of the following signaling: downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE) message, radio resource control (RRC) message, or broadcast message.

[0028] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, where the second indication information is used to indicate whether to start the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, the method further includes: starting the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down; and receiving third indication information during the operation of the second timer, the third indication information being used to indicate whether to restart the second timer after the second timer has finished counting down.

[0029] In this application, if the service data cannot be transmitted completely during the second timer's operation, the third indication information can be used to instruct the second timer to be restarted after its countdown ends, so as to continue monitoring the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. If the service data can be transmitted completely during the second timer's operation, the third indication information can be used to instruct that the second timer does not need to be restarted after its countdown ends. This method of monitoring the PDCCH and / or PDSCH is more flexible and helps to avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary monitoring of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, thereby improving the energy-saving gain of the terminal device when using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0030] Fourthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the network side, such as network devices or communication modules in network devices, or circuits or chips in network devices that are responsible for communication functions (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or SoC chips or SIP chips containing modem cores). The following description uses the application of this method to network devices as an example.

[0031] The method includes: determining whether a second timer needs to be started after the first timer expires, wherein the first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and the second timer is used to continue listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer expires; and sending a second indication message, the second indication message being used to indicate whether the second timer should be started after the first timer expires.

[0032] Based on the technical solution of this application, the network device can determine whether to start the second timer after the first timer expires, depending on the transmission status of the service data. For example, if the service data transmission is intensive (or the traffic volume is large) and cannot be completed during the first timer's operation, the network device can instruct the terminal device to start the second timer after the first timer expires. Conversely, if the service data transmission is not intensive (or the traffic volume is small) and can be completed during the first timer's operation, the network device can instruct the terminal device not to start the second timer after the first timer expires. This method of monitoring PDCCH and / or PDSCH is more flexible, helps avoid unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH monitoring and reduces power consumption, and ensures energy-saving gains when the terminal device uses the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0033] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, it is determined whether the second timer needs to be started after the first timer has finished counting down, including: when business data transmission is intensive, it is determined that the second timer needs to be started after the first timer has finished counting down; when business data transmission is not intensive, it is determined that the second timer does not need to be started after the first timer has finished counting down.

[0034] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, where the second indication information is used to indicate the start of the second timer, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer.

[0035] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, sending the second indication information includes: sending a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal including the second indication information.

[0036] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, sending the second instruction information includes: sending the second instruction information within a first time window, wherein the end time of the first time window is prior to the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the first time window are during the operation of the first timer.

[0037] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second instruction information is carried in any of the following signaling: DCI, MACCE, RRC message, or broadcast message.

[0038] It should be understood that the fourth aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the third aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, so they will not be repeated here.

[0039] Fifthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the network side, such as network devices or communication modules in network devices, or circuits or chips in network devices that are responsible for communication functions (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or SoC chips or SIP chips containing modem cores). The following description uses the application of this method to network devices as an example.

[0040] The method includes: determining the length of a first timer and / or the length of a third timer, wherein the first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used by the terminal device to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and the third timer is a timer triggered after successful decoding of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH; and sending fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer.

[0041] Based on the technical solution of this application, the network device can dynamically adjust the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer according to the transmission status of service data. For example, when service data transmission is intensive, the network device indicates a longer first timer and / or third timer to the terminal device, which helps to ensure the transmission of service data; when service data transmission is not intensive, the network device indicates a shorter first timer and / or third timer to the terminal device, which helps to avoid unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and thus improve the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using wake-up signals in connected mode.

[0042] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, determining the length of the first timer and / or the third timer includes: when business data transmission is intensive, determining that the length of the first timer is greater than or equal to a first value, and / or determining that the length of the third timer is greater than or equal to a second value; when business data transmission is not intensive, determining that the length of the first timer is less than the first value, and / or determining that the length of the third timer is less than the second value.

[0043] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, sending the fourth indication information includes sending a wake-up signal, which includes the fourth indication information. This sending method helps to save signaling overhead.

[0044] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the fourth indication information is sent, including: sending the fourth indication information within a second time window, where the end time of the second time window is before the start time of the first timer, or where the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer. This sending method is more flexible.

[0045] Sixthly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). The following description uses the application of this method to a terminal device as an example.

[0046] The method includes: receiving fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the length of a first timer and / or the length of a third timer, the first timer being started after receiving a wake-up signal and being used by the terminal device to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the wake-up signal being used to indicate listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and the third timer being a timer triggered after successfully decoding PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0047] Based on the technical solution of this application, the terminal device can dynamically adjust the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer according to the instructions of the network device. This helps to avoid unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH monitoring, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and thus improve the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0048] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, receiving the fourth indication information includes: receiving a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal including the fourth indication information.

[0049] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, receiving the fourth indication information includes: receiving the fourth indication information within a second time window, wherein the end time of the second time window is prior to the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer.

[0050] It should be understood that the sixth aspect of this application corresponds to the technical solution of the fifth aspect of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, so they will not be repeated here.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for executing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects. Specifically, the apparatus includes a module for executing the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0052] In one design, the device may include modules that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the above aspects. These modules may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0053] In another design, the device is a communication chip, which may include input circuitry or interface for transmitting information or data, and output circuitry or interface for receiving information or data.

[0054] In another design, the device is a terminal device or a network device, which may include a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0055] In another design, the device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, and the device may be configured in a terminal device or a network device.

[0056] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, such that the device performs the method in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0057] Optionally, the device further includes a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0058] Optionally, the device may also include a transmitter and a receiver, which may be separate or integrated together and referred to as a transceiver.

[0059] Ninthly, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when the computer program is run, causes a computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0061] In one aspect, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing data involved in the above methods.

[0062] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0063] Optionally, the chip system may consist of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0064] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a communication system, including a terminal device for implementing the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and a network device for implementing the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0065] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a communication system, including a terminal device for implementing the method described in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and a network device for implementing the method described in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0066] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a communication system, including a network device for implementing the method described in the fifth aspect and any possible implementation of the fifth aspect, and a terminal device for implementing the method described in the sixth aspect and any possible implementation of the sixth aspect.

[0067] It should be understood that aspects seven to fourteen of this application correspond to the technical solutions of aspects one to six of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0068] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture;

[0070] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a wake-up mechanism in MR (Morphological Resonance).

[0071] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle;

[0072] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a DRX timer;

[0073] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of MAC CE in a DRX mechanism;

[0074] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a wake-up signal works.

[0075] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 10A This is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of this application where the second timer is not started;

[0077] Figure 10B This is a schematic diagram of starting a second timer provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 10C This is a schematic diagram of stopping a first timer provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 11 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 12A This is a schematic diagram of another method for starting a second timer provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 12B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method of not starting the second timer, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] Figure 12C This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method of starting a second timer provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figures 13A to 13C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the timing of sending a second indication message according to an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 14 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0085] Figure 15A This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method for starting a second timer, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0086] Figure 15B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method of not starting the second timer, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 16A This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method for starting a second timer, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0088] Figure 16B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method of not starting the second timer, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 17A This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method of not starting the second timer, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 17B This is a schematic diagram illustrating another method for starting a second timer, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0091] Figure 18This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for reporting UE capability information, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0092] Figure 19 and Figure 20 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0093] Figure 21 This is a schematic block diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0094] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. Figure 1 The communication system 1000 shown includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 101. Optionally, the communication system 1000 also includes an Internet 102. The radio access network 100 may include at least one RAN node (e.g., Figure 1 110a and 110b in the above), may also include at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 (Referring to devices 120a-120j). Terminals connect wirelessly to the RAN node, and the RAN node connects to the core network 101 wirelessly or via a wired connection. Core network equipment and RAN nodes can be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the RAN node can be integrated into the same physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some core network equipment functions and some RAN node functions. Terminals and RAN nodes can connect to each other via wired or wireless connections. Figure 1 This is just an illustration; the communication system may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1 Not shown in the image.

[0096] The wireless access network 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as the 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G) system (also known as the long term evolution (LTE) system), the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5G) system (also known as the new radio (NR) system), or it can be applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems, etc., and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0097] The wireless access network 100 can also be an open RAN (open-RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). The wireless access network 100 can also be a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a satellite communication network, a high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication network, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication network, or a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication network. The wireless access network 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0098] RAN nodes, also known as RAN devices or access network devices, are used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes in the communication system 1000 can be of the same type or different types.

[0099] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access point (AP) in a satellite, an IAB node, or an access network device in an NTN communication system; that is, it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or a satellite. A RAN node can also be a macro base station (such as...) Figure 1 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 1 RAN nodes can be 110b), relay nodes or donor nodes, or wireless controllers in CRAN scenarios. RAN nodes can also function as base stations in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Optionally, access network devices can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the access network device can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0100] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that RAN nodes can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or devices that include both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as access network equipment within the RAN or core network equipment within the core network; this is not limited here.

[0101] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an O-RAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0102] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from RAN nodes. Terminals can also be referred to as terminal devices, terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), D2D, V2X communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, smart cities, etc. Specifically, a terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0103] RAN nodes and terminals can be fixed or mobile. RAN nodes and terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of RAN nodes and terminals.

[0104] The roles of RAN nodes and terminals can be relative. For example, Figure 1The helicopter or drone 120i can be configured as a mobile RAN node. For terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a RAN node; however, for RAN node 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a radio interface protocol. Alternatively, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a RAN node-to-RAN node interface protocol; in this case, 120i is also a RAN node relative to 110a. Therefore, both RAN nodes and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 110a and 110b can be referred to as communication devices with RAN node functions. Figure 1 The 120a-120j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0105] Communication between RAN nodes and terminals, between RAN nodes, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can also be conducted using spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0106] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the RAN node can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the RAN node, or by a control subsystem that includes RAN node functions. This control subsystem, including RAN node functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0107] Core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. Examples of some core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0108] Taking the aforementioned radio access network 100 as an example, which is a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN), i.e., a 5G radio access network, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. See also... Figure 2 The communication system includes a 5G core network (5GC), NG-RAN, and UE.

[0109] 5GC includes multiple network elements, such as Figure 2 The AMF and UPF shown in the diagram, 5GC can also include many other network elements. Figure 2 Not shown in the diagram. NG-RAN includes multiple network elements, such as... Figure 2 The diagram shows gNB (i.e., 5G base station) and ng-eNB (i.e., 4G base station connected to 5GC). NG-RAN can also include many other network elements. Figure 2 Not shown in the image.

[0110] A gNB is a device deployed in a RAN that meets 5G standards to provide wireless communication functions for a UE. A gNB can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, and vehicle-mounted equipment. A gNB can also be a TRP (Transmission Measurement Function) or a TMF (Transmission Measurement Function). A gNB can include a CU (Cubic Unit) and DU (Digital Unit) integrated on it.

[0111] exist Figure 2 In this context, the UE's serving base station gNB is responsible for providing the UE with 5G NR user plane and control plane protocol functions, while the UE's serving base station ng-eNB is responsible for providing the UE with the evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (TRAN) user plane and control plane protocol functions.

[0112] Taking the aforementioned wireless access network 100 as an O-RAN as an example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 3The O-RAN network architecture further decomposes the network functions of the CU and DU as defined by 3GPP, and these functions are interconnected through open, standardized, and secure interfaces. Compared to the 3GPP architecture, O-RAN defines an orchestration layer with a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller and a function layer with a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller, and defines the switching interface A1 between the two layers. In addition, it defines the E2 interface between the near-real-time RAN intelligent controller and the O-CU and O-DU, the F1 interface between the O-CU and O-DU, and the fronthaul interface between the O-DU and O-RU.

[0113] The orchestration layer includes design, inventory, and configuration. The functional layer includes third-party applications, radio connection management, mobility management, quality of service (QoS) management, interface management, trained models, and the RAN database.

[0114] O-CU and O-DU are deployed with different protocol layers. As one implementation, O-CU-CP deploys the RRC layer and the control plane portion of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer (referred to as PDCP-C); O-CU-UP deploys the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer and the user face of the PDCP layer (referred to as PDCP-U); and O-DU deploys the radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer (PHY) layer. O-CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as AMF network elements in a 5G system. O-CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions, such as UPF network elements in a 5G system. O-RU deploys the RRC layer.

[0115] It should be understood that the system architecture described in this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0116] Before introducing the communication method and related apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application, the following points should be made first.

[0117] First, in the embodiments shown below, the terms and English abbreviations, such as Wake-up Signal (WUS), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), etc., are merely exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future protocols.

[0118] Second, in the embodiments shown below, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations are merely for descriptive convenience to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and purpose. For example, "first instruction information" and "second instruction information" are only used to distinguish different instruction information and do not limit their order, nor are they used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first," "second," etc., are not necessarily different.

[0119] Third, "at least one" means one or more, while "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and / or c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0120] Fourth, in this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. For example, the first instruction information in the embodiments of this application indicates one or more contents. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can only indicate a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0121] Fifth, the correspondences shown in the tables of this application can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this application is not limiting. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows of the tables in this application may not be configured. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the headings of the above tables can also use other names that the communication device can understand, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters can also be other values ​​or representations that the communication device can understand. When implementing the above tables, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables, etc.

[0122] Sixth, in this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send a wake-up signal to a terminal device" can be understood as the destination of the wake-up signal being the terminal device, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive a wake-up signal from a network device" can be understood as the source of the wake-up signal being the network device, which may include direct reception from the network device via the air interface or indirect reception from the network device via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0123] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between terminal devices and network devices; or they can occur within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0124] Seventh, in this application, "time unit" refers to any unit of time. A time unit can be a radio frame, subframe, slot, mini-slot, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM) symbol, millisecond (ms), or fractional milliseconds (e.g., 1 / 32 ms). Alternatively, a time unit can be multiple slots, multiple subframes, multiple mini-slots, multiple OFDM symbols, several milliseconds, or several fractional milliseconds. A radio frame may include multiple subframes, a subframe may include one or more slots, and a slot may include at least one symbol. Alternatively, a radio frame may include multiple slots, and a slot may include at least one symbol.

[0125] Eighth, in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances, not to a time limit, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" are interchangeable, and "when" and "under certain circumstances" are interchangeable. "When" and "if" / "if" are interchangeable.

[0126] Ninth, in this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0127] Tenth, in this application, the solutions in each embodiment can be used in a reasonable combination, and the explanations or descriptions of various terms, similar operations, or steps appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the various embodiments, without limitation.

[0128] To better understand the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies and concepts involved in this application are briefly described below.

[0129] 1. Wake-up Radio (WUR)

[0130] WUR can be understood as a function that reduces the power consumption of terminal devices. For terminal devices, wake-up radio refers to the introduction of an LP interface on top of the traditional MR (Matching, Memory, and Radio) interface. This LP interface is implemented through a simple circuit or chip with low power consumption. This application does not limit the specific form of the LP interface. For example, the LP interface can be implemented through a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR), a wake-up receiver (WUR), a low-power radio (LR), a wake-up module, or a wake-up circuit. In this document, WUR can refer to a wake-up radio or a wake-up receiver. WUR in this document can be replaced with LP-WUR, LR, a wake-up module, or a wake-up circuit.

[0131] The MR (Mobile Receiver) is used for normal data / service transmission. When there is no ongoing data / service transmission on the MR, or when there is no data / service transmission requirement, the MR can enter a shutdown, sleep, or hibernation state to minimize the power consumption of the terminal device. When there is a data / service transmission requirement, the WUR (Wake-up Controller) can be used to wake up the MR in the shutdown, sleep, or hibernation state.

[0132] See Figure 4 The diagram shown illustrates the wake-up mechanism of the MR. The signal received by the terminal device through the WUR can be referred to as WUS. When the WUR detects / receives the WUS, it can wake up the MR that is in a powered-off, sleep, or hibernation state.

[0133] It should be understood that this application does not limit the type of wake-up signal. For example, a wake-up signal can be a signal, a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS), a low-power PDCCH, a low-power PDSCH, a low-power physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), a low-power physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a low-power synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS), a low-power tracking reference signal (TRS), a low-power channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), a low-power positioning signal, a low-power sensing communication signal, a low-power sounding reference signal (SRS), a low-power random access channel (RACH), a low-power preamble, a low-power contention resolution message, a low-power downlink control information (DCI) signal, or a low-power uplink control information (UCI) signal, etc.

[0134] WUS bit information can be mapped to time units in various ways, or in other words, WUS bit information can be modulated in various ways. For example, with on-off keying (OOK) modulation, the WUR in the terminal device receives the WUS using envelope detection. Alternatively, with OFDM modulation, the WUR in the terminal device receives the WUS using phase detection.

[0135] OOK modulation uses the presence or absence of a signal to represent digital information. The bit information corresponding to a signal is mapped to at least one time unit through OOK modulation. One time unit corresponds to one bit of information, and the bit information is determined by detecting whether there is a signal in the time unit. A time unit with a signal means that the signal amplitude is not zero; this time unit is also called an ON time unit, or the time unit is in ON mode. Conversely, a time unit without a signal means that the signal amplitude is zero; this time unit is also called an OFF time unit, or the time unit is in OFF mode. Generally, if a sequence is transmitted in a time unit, then that time unit has a signal; if no sequence is transmitted in a time unit, then that time unit has no signal. For a given time unit, being ON or in ON mode can be decoded as 1; conversely, being OFF or in OFF mode can be decoded as 0.

[0136] The modulation method of WUS can be a combination of the above modulation methods. For example, it can be a modulation method that combines OOK and OFDM. It can be simply understood as fusing / superimposing OFDM sequences on the time unit where there is a signal.

[0137] 2. Discontinuous Reception (DRX) Mechanism

[0138] In wireless communication systems, without a DRX mechanism, terminal devices continuously listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH to detect information from the serving cell. However, in reality, terminal devices often do not continuously exchange information with network devices, nor do they continuously perform data upload or download operations; voice data is not constantly transmitted during a call either. If the terminal device continues to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH even when there is no data exchange with the network device, it will increase the terminal device's power consumption. Therefore, to save power consumption while ensuring effective data transmission, a DRX mechanism can be introduced to control the terminal device's PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening behavior. It should be noted that the accompanying diagram below uses the terminal device listening to the PDCCH as an example.

[0139] When DRX is configured, the terminal device can periodically enter a sleep state for a period of time. During this period, the terminal device does not need to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH. When it is necessary to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the terminal device wakes up from the sleep state, which can save the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0140] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle. (Example) Figure 5As shown, DRX is implemented on a periodic basis, and a DRX period consists of an active time and a non-active time. Figure 5 The period during which the terminal device is identified as "on duration" after waking up is called the active period. This is the time during which the terminal device listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. During this active period, the terminal device is in a woken-up state. During this period, the terminal device starts a timer (drx-onDurationTimer). The terminal device remains active and listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH while the timer is running. After the timer expires, the terminal device enters a sleep state. For ease of description, this timer will be referred to as the DRX wake-up timer below. When the terminal device enters a sleep state, it no longer listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, thereby saving power. The longer the sleep time, the better the energy efficiency of the terminal device.

[0141] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a DRX timer, such as... Figure 6 As shown, during the activation period, the terminal device starts a DRX activation timer. When the terminal device has uplink and downlink data transmission scheduling, if the terminal device successfully decodes a PDCCH and / or PDSCH, then the terminal device will start a DRX inactivity timer (drx-InactivityTimer) and wait for successful decoding of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH again. After successfully decoding and scheduling a newly transmitted PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the terminal device restarts the timer (the timer is not restarted during retransmission). If the DRX inactivity timer is running, even if the DRX wake-up timer has expired, the terminal device still needs to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH until the DRX inactivity timer expires and returns to the sleep state.

[0142] The current protocol defines the DRX activation time, which is the time during which the terminal device needs to remain awake and listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, including:

[0143] (1) During the DRX wake-up timer (started at the beginning of the DRX cycle) or the DRX inactivity timer (not necessarily at the beginning of the DRX cycle) is running.

[0144] (2) The DRX downlink retransmission timer (drx-RetransmissionTimerDL) or the DRX uplink retransmission timer (drx-RetransmissionTimerUL) is running.

[0145] (3) A scheduling request (SR) was sent on the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and the SR is waiting to be processed (the activation time will only begin after the SR is sent).

[0146] (4) After successfully receiving the random access response (RAR) during the non-contention random access process, i.e. after successful non-contention random access, the PDCCH and / or PDSCH scrambled with the cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) to indicate the new transmission have not yet been received.

[0147] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE in the DRX mechanism. The DRX mechanism includes two types of MAC CEs: DRX command MAC CE and DRX long-cycle command MAC CE. The DRX command MAC CE is used to stop the DRX activation timer and the DRX inactivity timer, aiming to terminate the DRX activation time of the terminal device so that the terminal device can enter DRX sleep mode as quickly as possible. The DRX long-cycle command MAC CE is used to stop the DRX activation timer and the DRX inactivity timer, and to instruct the terminal device to switch to using the DRX long-cycle state.

[0148] MAC CE signaling can terminate relevant timers early, but its use introduces significant resource overhead to the network side. Furthermore, the current MAC CE protocol can only terminate early to shorten PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening time, but it cannot extend it. Sending additional PDCCH and / or PDSCH to trigger the DRX inactivity timer introduces additional signaling overhead, and the adjustment granularity may be too large, resulting in unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, thus affecting the energy-saving gain of the terminal device using wake-up signals in connected mode.

[0149] The current standard discusses that terminal devices in connected mode can listen for wake-up signals outside the DRX activation period to trigger PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening. This means the terminal device no longer starts the existing DRX activation timer to listen for PDCCH and / or PDSCH. When the terminal device is operating in WUR state and hears a wake-up signal to trigger its activation during the wake-up signal listening time, the WUR wakes up the MR after a certain period and starts a new timer (hereinafter referred to as the first timer). The terminal device listens for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation. Currently, whether the first timer reuses an existing timer (such as the aforementioned DRX inactive timer) or designs another timer is undecided.

[0150] In the wake-up signal operation mode, the current discussion specifies that other timer behaviors of the terminal device listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH are unaffected. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating how a wake-up signal works, such as... Figure 8 As shown, after receiving a wake-up signal, the terminal device enters the wake-up state from the sleep state. The terminal device starts a first timer. During the operation of the first timer, the terminal device listens for the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. When the terminal device successfully decodes the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the first timer, it starts a DRX inactive timer. After the first timer or the DRX inactive timer expires, the terminal device can enter the sleep state and continue listening for the wake-up signal.

[0151] The length of the first timer may be affected by several factors: If the first timer is configured too short, and service data transmission is intensive, the network device may not be able to ensure timely transmission of PDCCH and / or PDSCH, posing challenges to network device resource scheduling. Since the network device cannot know in advance the service details to be sent to the terminal device, it cannot guarantee sufficient resources for timely transmission of PDCCH and / or PDSCH by sending a wake-up signal in advance. If the network device chooses to delay sending the wake-up signal to ensure sufficient resources, this will introduce some latency to service data transmission. If the first timer is configured too long, and service data transmission is sparse or infrequent, it may cause unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, thus affecting the energy-saving gain of the terminal device using the wake-up signal in connected mode.

[0152] If the first timer reuses the existing DRX inactive timer, since the current network usually configures the length of the DRX inactive timer to be up to 100ms, while the transmission duration of service data may be shorter than the configured length of the DRX inactive timer, this will cause unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, affecting the energy-saving gain of the terminal device using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0153] To avoid unnecessary power consumption waste caused by PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, this application provides a communication method in which the network device can dynamically adjust the terminal device's PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening behavior through signaling according to the terminal device's service situation, so that the terminal device's PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening behavior conforms to the current service data transmission situation. This helps to avoid unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, thereby improving the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using wake-up signals in the connected state.

[0154] The following is a combination of... Figures 9 to 1 3. Consider the scenario where the first timer reuses the second timer. More specifically, consider whether the second timer needs to be started after the first timer finishes counting down to continue monitoring the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The second timer is a newly designed timer, distinct from the DRX inactive timer mentioned above.

[0155] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. The steps of method 900 can be interactively executed by a terminal device (or modules within the terminal device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc.) and a network device (or modules within the network device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc.). The following description uses a terminal device and a network device as examples. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into execution by at least one of CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0156] Method 900 includes steps S901 to S903, and each step will be described in detail below.

[0157] S901, the network device sends a wake-up signal to the terminal device, which indicates that it is listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the wake-up signal.

[0158] In this embodiment, the terminal device is in RRC connection mode. When there is no service data transmission, the terminal device can enter sleep mode to save power. While the terminal device is in sleep mode, its WUR (Wake-up Controller) is activated and used to listen for wake-up signals.

[0159] After the service data arrives at the network device, the network device sends a wake-up signal to the terminal device. The terminal device's WUR listens to the wake-up signal, determines that it needs to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and then wakes up the MR to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0160] The wake-up signal is used to indicate that PDCCH and / or PDSCH are being monitored. It can also be described as indicating that there is subsequent PDCCH and / or PDSCH transmission, or that there is subsequent PDCCH and / or service data transmission.

[0161] S902, the terminal device starts a first timer and listens for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation. Correspondingly, the network device starts a first timer and sends PDCCH and / or PDSCH to the terminal device during the first timer's operation.

[0162] It should be understood that both the terminal device and the network device maintain a first timer. For the terminal device, it can start the first timer after receiving a wake-up signal. The first timer indicates the time domain position at which the terminal device begins listening to the PDCCH and the duration of listening. For the network device, it can start the first timer after sending a wake-up signal. The first timer indicates the time domain position at which the network device begins sending the PDCCH and the duration for which it can send the PDCCH.

[0163] It should also be understood that the first timer can be viewed as a timer triggered / activated by a wake-up signal. The terminal device can start the first timer immediately after receiving a wake-up signal, or after a certain period of time. Similarly, the network device can start the first timer immediately after sending a wake-up signal, or after a certain period of time.

[0164] Optionally, the length of the first timer can be predefined by the protocol, or the length of the first timer can be indicated by the network device through broadcast signaling, dedicated signaling, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0165] S903, the terminal device determines whether to start the second timer after the first timer ends, based on whether it receives the first instruction information during the operation of the first timer.

[0166] For network devices, after starting the first timer, the network device sends the first indication information.

[0167] Network devices can determine when to send the first indication information based on the transmission status of service data. If the service volume is small, or the service data transmission is not intensive, the service data can be transmitted within the first timer's execution period, then the first indication information may be sent during the first timer's execution period; or, if the service volume is large, or the service data transmission is intensive, the service data cannot be transmitted within the first timer's execution period, then the first indication information may be sent during the second timer's execution period.

[0168] It should be understood that both the terminal device and the network device can maintain a second timer simultaneously. For the terminal device, the second timer can instruct the terminal device to start listening to the PDCCH in the time domain and for the duration of listening after the first timer expires. For the network device, the second timer can instruct the network device to start sending the PDCCH in the time domain and for the duration of sending the PDCCH after the first timer expires.

[0169] The first indication information is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended. The first indication information can also be described as the tail packet (i.e. the last data packet of the service transmission) indication.

[0170] The second timer is used by the terminal device to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer has finished. In other words, if the service transmission is not completed, the terminal device can start the second timer after the first timer has finished and continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the second timer's operation.

[0171] The length of the second timer can be predefined by the protocol, or it can be configured by the network device through broadcast signaling, for example, by configuring the terminal device at the cell level through a system information block (SIB) message; or it can be configured by the network device through RRC signaling, for example, by configuring the terminal device through an RRC reconfiguration message; or it can be configured by the network device through non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, for example, by configuring the terminal device at the terminal level through a registration receive message.

[0172] The length of the second timer can be an absolute time unit, such as seconds, milliseconds, or microseconds, or it can be a time measurement unit of communication systems such as time slots, symbols, frames, subframes, or miniframes, or it can be an absolute value.

[0173] In another description, the second timer can be replaced by a time window, such as an extended time window. If the terminal device cannot receive all PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's execution, the terminal device can start the extended time window and continue listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH within the extended time window. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can identify the end position of the first timer and the end position of the extended time window, and then listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the time period between the end position of the first timer and the end position of the extended time window.

[0174] It should be understood that the second timer can be the same as the first timer. That is, if the terminal device does not receive the first indication information during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device can restart the first timer. That is, "S903, the terminal device determines whether to start the second timer after the first timer ends based on whether the first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer" can be replaced with the description: "S903, the terminal device determines whether to restart the first timer after the first timer ends based on whether the first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer".

[0175] It should also be understood that starting the second timer can be seen as an extension of the first timer, that is, extending the time for the terminal device to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Specifically, "S903, the terminal device determines whether to start the second timer after the first timer has ended, based on whether it received the first indication information during the first timer's operation" can be replaced with: "S903, the terminal device determines whether to extend the time for listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, based on whether it received the first indication information during the first timer's operation." The extended time can be predefined by the protocol or indicated by the network device through signaling.

[0176] The first instruction information can be carried in different forms. The forms of carrying the first instruction information are introduced below.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the first indication information can be carried in either the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH. The first PDSCH is the PDSCH carrying the last data packet of the service, and the first indication information can be carried in the first PDSCH in data form or in the form of a MAC CE. The first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH; that is, the first PDCCH can be considered an accompanying PDCCH. The first PDCCH can indicate relevant information about the first PDSCH, such as its time-domain and / or frequency-domain position. Simultaneously, the first PDCCH also carries the first indication information, indicating that the service transmission has ended. This approach helps to save signaling overhead.

[0178] In another possible implementation, the first indication information can also be carried in the second PDCCH. The second PDCCH is an unscheduled PDCCH, or a non-associated PDCCH, used only for the transmission of control information. The network device can send the second PDCCH to the terminal device immediately after sending the last data packet, or the network device can send the second PDCCH before sending the last data packet to the terminal device. That is, the second PDCCH can be sent before or after the first indication information.

[0179] For example, if the first indication information carries a specific field, it indicates that the first indication information is a tail packet indication, that is, the first indication information is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended; if the specific field is omitted, it indicates that the first indication information is not a tail packet indication.

[0180] For example, if the first indication information carries a specific field of 1 bit, if the bit status is "1", it indicates that the first indication information is a tail packet indication, that is, the first indication information is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended; if the bit status is "0", it indicates that the first indication information is not a tail packet indication.

[0181] For example, if the first indication information carries a specific field, and the specific field indicates "true", it means that the first indication information is a tail packet indication, that is, the first indication information is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended; if the specific field indicates "false", it means that the first indication information is not a tail packet indication.

[0182] It should be noted that network devices can determine when to send the first indication message based on the transmission status of service data. If service data transmission has ended, the network device can send the first indication message to the terminal device to indicate that service transmission has concluded. Figure 10AAs shown, if the service transmission ends during the first timer's operation, the terminal device can receive the first indication information during the first timer's operation. In this case, since the service transmission has ended, the terminal device does not need to start the second timer. Figure 10B As shown, if the first indication information is not received during the first timer operation, it means that the service transmission has not ended. In order to continue listening to the subsequent PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the terminal device needs to extend the listening time of PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Therefore, the terminal device can start the second timer after the first timer ends and continue to listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the second timer operation.

[0183] It should be noted that after the terminal device starts the second timer, if the terminal device still does not receive the first indication information during the operation of the second timer, the terminal device determines that it needs to restart the second timer to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. If the terminal device receives the first indication information during the operation of the second timer, the terminal device can stop listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH and fall back to the sleep state to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0184] In one possible implementation, if the terminal device receives the first indication information during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device can wait for the first timer to finish counting down before returning to a sleep state to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. Alternatively, if the terminal device receives the first indication information during the operation of the second timer, the terminal device can wait for the second timer to finish counting down before returning to a sleep state to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0185] In another possible implementation, such as Figure 10C As shown, if the terminal device receives the first indication information during the first timer's operation, the terminal device can immediately stop the first timer after receiving the last data packet. Alternatively, if the terminal device receives the first indication information after receiving the last data packet, for example, if it is carried in the second PDCCH mentioned above, then the terminal device will immediately stop the first timer after receiving the second PDCCH. This helps reduce the need for additional PDCCH and / or PDSCH monitoring, thus saving power consumption of the terminal device.

[0186] In the embodiment described in conjunction with method 900 above, the network device indicates that the service transmission has ended through a first indication message. The terminal device determines whether to start a second timer to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH based on whether it receives the first indication message during the operation of the first timer. When the service data transmission is not intensive and can be completed during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device does not need to start the second timer and can stop the operation of the first timer in advance after receiving the first indication message. When the service data transmission is intensive and cannot be completed during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device needs to start the second timer to extend the listening time of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH to ensure the transmission of service data. This method of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH is more flexible and helps to avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, thereby improving the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0187] In the embodiment described in method 900, the first indication information can be seen as an implicit indication to the terminal device whether it needs to start the second timer. Furthermore, the network device can also send a display signaling message to the terminal device to indicate whether the terminal device needs to start the second timer, as detailed in the following description of method 1100.

[0188] Figure 11 This is a schematic flowchart of another communication method 1100 provided in this application embodiment. The steps of method 1100 can be interactively executed by a terminal device (or modules in the terminal device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc.) and a network device (or modules in the network device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc.). The following description uses a terminal device and a network device as examples. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into execution by at least one of CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0189] Method 1100 includes steps S1101 to S1104, which are described in detail below.

[0190] S1101, after receiving the wake-up signal, the terminal device starts the first timer. The wake-up signal is used to indicate that the PDCCH and / or PDSCH should be monitored.

[0191] The description of the wake-up signal and the first timer can be found above, and will not be repeated here.

[0192] S1102, During the first timer operation, the terminal device listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0193] For network devices, after sending a wake-up signal, the network device can start a first timer, and during the operation of the first timer, the network device sends PDCCH and / or PDSCH to the terminal device; for terminal devices, after receiving a wake-up signal, the terminal device starts a first timer, and during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device listens to PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0194] It should be understood that the terminal device may start the first timer immediately after receiving the wake-up signal, or it may start the first timer after a period of time. Similarly, the network device may start the first timer immediately after sending the wake-up signal, or it may start the first timer after a period of time.

[0195] For an explanation of this step, please refer to the description of S902 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0196] S1103, the network device determines whether the second timer needs to be started after the first timer has finished counting down.

[0197] The network device can determine whether to start the second timer after the first timer expires based on the transmission status of service data. For example... Figure 12A As shown, when business data transmission is intensive, or the amount of data to be transmitted is large and cannot be completed within the first timer's execution period, the network device can determine that a second timer needs to be started after the first timer expires. This second timer allows continued listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during its execution, ensuring the transmission of business data. For example... Figure 12B As shown, when business data transmission is not intensive, or the amount of data to be transmitted is small and can be completed during the first timer's operation, the network device can determine that there is no need to start the second timer after the first timer ends.

[0198] For more information on the second timer, please refer to the description above; it will not be repeated here.

[0199] S1104, the network device sends a second indication message to the terminal device, the second indication message indicating whether a second timer needs to be started after the first timer expires. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second indication message.

[0200] For example, the length of the second indication information is 1 bit. A bit state of "1" indicates that the second timer needs to be started after the first timer ends, and a bit state of "0" indicates that the second timer does not need to be started after the first timer ends. Alternatively, a bit state of "0" indicates that the second timer needs to be started after the first timer ends, and a bit state of "1" indicates that the second timer does not need to be started after the first timer ends.

[0201] In this embodiment, the network device sends a second indication message to the terminal device based on the transmission status of service data, indicating whether a second timer needs to be started after the first timer expires. This allows for flexible control over the terminal device's behavior of listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, so that the second timer does not need to be started when service data transmission is not intensive, but is started when service data transmission is intensive to ensure the transmission of service data. This makes the method of listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH more flexible, helps to avoid the power consumption caused by unnecessary listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and ensures the energy-saving gain of the terminal device using the wake-up signal in the connected state.

[0202] Optionally, if the second indication information is used to instruct the second timer to be started after the first timer expires, the terminal device starts the second timer after the first timer expires. Optionally, the network device also starts the second timer after the first timer expires. Further, during the operation of the second timer, the network device sends a third indication information to the terminal device, indicating whether to restart the second timer after its expiration. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the third indication information during the operation of the second timer.

[0203] It should be understood that if the third indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should not be restarted after the second timer expires, it means that the service data can be transmitted during the operation of the second timer. If the third indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should be restarted after the second timer expires, it means that the service data cannot be transmitted during the operation of the second timer. In this case, the terminal device needs to restart the second timer to listen to subsequent PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer in order to ensure the transmission of service data.

[0204] Optionally, when the second timer is used to indicate that the second timer is started after the first timer has finished counting, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer.

[0205] It should be understood that because the network device can determine whether the service data can be transmitted within the first timer's runtime based on the available service data before sending the wake-up signal, it can then determine whether a second timer needs to be started, and how many times the second timer needs to be started. The more intensive the service data, the longer the time required to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and the more likely the second timer may need to be started to ensure the transmission of service data.

[0206] It should also be understood that network devices may have pre-allocated other functions to the time-frequency resources after the first timer ends. If a second timer needs to be started after the first timer ends, the time-frequency resources listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the second timer's operation cannot be connected in the time domain to the time-frequency resources listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation. In this scenario, the network device can indicate the time-domain and / or frequency-domain location of the second timer through second indication information.

[0207] For example, the second indication information indicates the start position and length of the second timer. For time-domain resources, the start position can be represented by the system frame number (SFN) or system time, and the length can be an absolute time unit, such as seconds, milliseconds, or microseconds, or a time measurement unit of the communication system such as a time slot, symbol, frame, subframe, or miniframe. For frequency-domain resources, the start position can be the sequence number of the physical resource block (PRB) of the cell's bandwidth part (BWP), and the length can be a value at the granularity of resource block (RB), RB group (RBG), resource element group (REG), or subcarrier. When the network device does not configure the frequency-domain resources of the second timer to the terminal device, but only configures the time-domain resources of the second timer, it can be considered as using the same frequency-domain resources as the first timer.

[0208] The time-domain position and / or frequency-domain position of the second timer can also be a mapping of time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources, indicated by an index. For example, the index (e.g., 0, 1, 2…N) can be mapped to a time-domain / frequency-domain relationship by an algorithm or formula predefined by the protocol / configured by the network device. The first indication information includes an index value indicating the time-domain / frequency-domain position of the second timer.

[0209] like Figure 12CAs shown, the starting position of the second timer can also be a time-domain position X time units after the ending position of the first timer. This time unit can be an absolute time unit, such as a second, millisecond, or microsecond, or it can be a time measurement unit of a communication system, such as a time slot, symbol, frame, subframe, or miniframe.

[0210] It should be understood that the terminal device may receive the third indication information during the operation of the second timer; that is, the listening time for the third indication information is during the operation of the second timer. If the terminal device receives the third indication information during the operation of the second timer, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should be restarted after its countdown ends, then the terminal device will restart the second timer after its countdown ends. If the terminal device receives the third indication information during the operation of the second timer, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should not be restarted after its countdown ends, then the terminal device will stop listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after its countdown ends. Alternatively, if the second indication information is also used to indicate the number of times the second timer needs to be started, then the network device may not send the third indication information to the terminal device during the operation of the second timer; that is, the terminal device can determine whether the second timer needs to be restarted after its countdown ends based on the indication of the second indication information.

[0211] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can receive the second indication information at different listening times / listening locations / receiving locations. The timing of receiving the second indication information is described below.

[0212] In one possible implementation, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device, including: the network device sending a wake-up signal to the terminal device, the wake-up signal including the second indication information. For example... Figure 13A As shown, the network device can send the second indication information to the terminal device in the wake-up signal, which helps reduce signaling overhead. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the second indication information when listening for the wake-up signal. In this implementation, after receiving the wake-up signal carrying the second indication information, the network device starts the first timer, meaning that S1104 can be executed before S1101.

[0213] In another possible implementation, the network device sends a second indication message to the terminal device, including: the network device sending the second indication message to the terminal device within a first time window. For example... Figure 13B As shown, the end time of the first time window is before the start time of the first timer. Or, as... Figure 13CAs shown, the first time window is located during the operation of the first timer. More specifically, the start and end positions of the first time window are located during the operation of the first timer. That is, the network device can send the second indication information to the terminal device during the operation of the first timer. Correspondingly, the terminal device can listen for the second indication information for a period of time before the first timer starts, or the terminal device can listen for the second indication information during the operation of the first timer. In this implementation, the network device can send the second indication information to the terminal device before starting the first timer, that is, S1104 can be executed before S1101; or, the network device can send the second indication information to the terminal device after starting the first timer, that is, S1104 can be executed after S1101.

[0214] Optionally, the network device sending the second indication information before the start time of the first timer, and the terminal device receiving the second indication information before the start time of the first timer, includes: the network device sending the second indication information to the terminal device via L1 signaling / L2 signaling before the start time of the first timer, wherein the L1 signaling is, for example, DCI, and the L2 signaling is, for example, MAC CE. After receiving the wake-up signal, the terminal device listens for the second indication information during a listening period before starting the first timer, i.e., within a first time window. The starting position of the first time window can be a position offset backward by a certain period from the start / end position of the wake-up signal listening period, or the starting position of the first time window can be a position offset forward by a certain period from the start position of the first timer.

[0215] It should be understood that the length of the first time window, the time offset of the starting position of the first time window relative to the reference point, and the information of the reference point are time parameters. These time parameters can be absolute time units, such as seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds, or they can be time measurement units of communication systems such as time slots, symbols, frames, subframes, and miniframes.

[0216] Optionally, the network device transmits the second indication information during the operation of the first timer, including: the network device can transmit the second indication information at a position offset by T1 time units from the start position of the first timer, and the length of the time window for transmitting the second indication information can be a continuous M1 time units. Where T1 is greater than or equal to 0, and M1 is greater than 0. The time unit can be an absolute time unit, such as a second, millisecond, or microsecond, or it can be a time measurement unit of a communication system such as a time slot, symbol, frame, subframe, or miniframe. One possible design is that the terminal device listens for the second indication information within the first n symbols after the first timer starts.

[0217] Optionally, the network device sending the second indication information during the first timer operation includes: the network device sending the second indication information to the terminal device after sending the first PDCCH or the first PDSCH during the first timer operation. Alternatively, the network device may carry the second indication information in the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH, or the network device may carry the second indication information in the second PDCCH. Wherein, the first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH, and the second PDCCH is a non-associated PDCCH.

[0218] For more information on the first PDCCH, the second PDCCH, and the first PDSCH, please refer to the description above; they will not be repeated here.

[0219] Optionally, the second indication information can be carried in any of the following signaling methods: wake-up signal, DCI, MAC CE, RRC message, or broadcast message. Among these, carrying the second indication information via DCI or MAC CE provides more flexibility in indicating whether to start the second timer and reduces the transmission delay of the second indication information.

[0220] Optionally, the third instruction information may be carried in any of the following signaling: DCI, MAC CE, RRC message, or broadcast message.

[0221] Unlike the scheme that triggers the DRX inactive timer via PDCCH, in methods 900 and 1100 described above, the terminal device does not start the DRX inactive timer after successful decoding. This decouples the PDCCH from the DRX inactive timer, which avoids excessively long DRX inactive timers causing additional PDCCH and / or PDSCH monitoring and affecting the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0222] The following considers a scheme where the first timer reuses the third timer. That is, after the terminal device successfully decodes the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, it starts the third timer. However, the network device can dynamically adjust the length of the third timer according to the transmission status of service data. See the description of method 1400 below for details.

[0223] Figure 14This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another communication method 1400 provided in this application embodiment. The steps of method 1400 can be interactively executed by a terminal device (or modules within the terminal device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc.) and a network device (or modules within the network device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc.). The following description uses a terminal device and a network device as examples. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into execution by at least one of CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0224] Method 1400 includes steps S1401 and S1402, which are described in detail below.

[0225] S1401, the network device determines the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer. The first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used by the terminal device to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The third timer is a timer triggered after successfully decoding the PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0226] The third timer is a timer triggered after successful decoding of PDCCH and / or PDSCH. It can also be described as a timer activated by PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0227] It should be understood that after starting the first timer, the terminal device listens for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation. After successfully decoding PDCCH and / or PDSCH for the first time, the terminal device starts the third timer and listens for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the third timer's operation. If PDCCH and / or PDSCH are detected during the third timer's operation, the terminal device restarts the third timer and continues to listen for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the third timer's operation until the third timer expires, at which point the terminal device returns to sleep mode.

[0228] It should be understood that during the operation of the third timer, if the first timer has not yet finished counting down, the first timer will operate normally. If the third timer has not yet finished counting down during the operation of the first timer, the third timer will operate normally. If no PDCCH and / or PDSCH are detected during the operation of the third timer, the terminal device can enter sleep mode after the third timer finishes counting down.

[0229] For example, the third timer is a DRX inactive timer.

[0230] For more information on the first timer and the wake-up signal, please refer to the description above; it will not be repeated here.

[0231] Optionally, the network device determines the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer, including: the network device determines the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer based on the transmission status of service data.

[0232] Optionally, the network device determines the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer based on the transmission status of service data. This includes: when service data transmission is intensive, determining that the length of the first timer is greater than or equal to a first value, and / or determining that the length of the third timer is greater than or equal to a second value; when service data transmission is sluggish, determining that the length of the first timer is less than the first value, and / or determining that the length of the third timer is less than the second value. In other words, when service data transmission is intensive, a longer time is required to ensure transmission; therefore, the network device can determine a longer first timer and / or a longer third timer. When service data transmission is sluggish, a shorter time is required to complete transmission; therefore, the network device can determine a shorter first timer and / or a shorter third timer.

[0233] The length of the timer (first timer or third timer) described in this application can be the absolute time length of the timer, and the time unit can be an absolute time unit, such as a second, millisecond, or microsecond, or it can be a time measurement unit of a communication system such as a time slot, symbol, frame, subframe, or miniframe.

[0234] The length of the timer (first timer or third timer) described in this application can also be a tiered length. For example, the fourth indication information carries different fields to indicate the length of the timer. Different length levels can correspond to configured length values. The correspondence between length levels and length values ​​can be predefined by the protocol or configured by the network device through dedicated signaling, broadcast signaling, etc. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0235] For example, the length value of field 1 (e.g., named "long") is 100ms, the length value of field 2 (e.g., named "medium") is "50ms", and the length value of field 3 (e.g., named "short") is "20ms".

[0236] It should be understood that the above-mentioned different fields marked with "long", "medium" and "short" to represent the length of the timer are only examples. The length of the timer can also be represented by more or fewer levels, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0237] S1402, the network device sends a fourth indication message to the terminal device, the fourth indication message indicating the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the fourth indication message.

[0238] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can receive the fourth indication information at different listening times / listening locations / receiving locations. The timing of receiving the second indication information is described below.

[0239] In one possible implementation, the network device sends a fourth indication message to the terminal device, including sending a wake-up signal, which includes the fourth indication message. That is, the network device can indicate the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer via the wake-up signal. This transmission method helps reduce signaling overhead.

[0240] In another possible implementation, the network device sends a fourth indication message to the terminal device, including: the network device sending the fourth indication message to the terminal device within a second time window. The end time of the second time window is before the start time of the first timer; that is, the second time window is the time window between receiving the wake-up signal and starting the first timer. Alternatively, the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer; that is, the second time window is within the operation of the first timer, and the network device sends the fourth indication message to the terminal device within the second time window that is within the operation of the first timer. This sending method is more flexible.

[0241] Optionally, the network device sending the fourth indication information before the start time of the first timer, and the terminal device receiving the fourth indication information before the start time of the first timer, includes: the network device sending the fourth indication information to the terminal device via L1 signaling / L2 signaling before the start time of the first timer, wherein the L1 signaling is, for example, DCI, and the L2 signaling is, for example, MAC CE. After receiving the wake-up signal, the terminal device listens for the fourth indication information during a listening period before starting the first timer, i.e., within a second time window. The starting position of the second time window can be a position offset backward by a certain period from the starting / ending position of the wake-up signal listening period, or the starting position of the second time window can be a position offset forward by a certain period from the starting position of the first timer.

[0242] It should be understood that the length of the second time window, the time offset of the starting position of the first time window relative to the reference point, and the information of the reference point are time parameters. These time parameters can be absolute time units, such as seconds, milliseconds, and microseconds, or they can be time measurement units of communication systems such as time slots, symbols, frames, subframes, and miniframes.

[0243] Optionally, the network device sends a fourth indication message to the terminal device during a second time window while the first timer is running. This includes the network device sending the fourth indication message at a position offset by T2 time units from the start position of the first timer. The length of the time window for sending the fourth indication message can be a continuous M2 time units. Here, T1 is greater than or equal to 0, and M2 is greater than 0. The time unit can be an absolute time unit, such as a second, millisecond, or microsecond, or it can be a time measurement unit of a communication system, such as a time slot, symbol, frame, subframe, or miniframe. One possible design is that the terminal device listens for the fourth indication message within the first m symbols after the first timer starts.

[0244] In this embodiment, the network device can dynamically adjust the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer according to the transmission status of service data. For example, when service data transmission is intensive, the network device indicates a longer first timer and / or third timer to the terminal device, which helps to ensure the transmission of service data; when service data transmission is not intensive, the network device indicates a shorter first timer and / or third timer to the terminal device, which helps to avoid unnecessary PDCCH and / or PDSCH listening, reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, and thus improve the energy saving gain of the terminal device when using wake-up signals in connected mode.

[0245] In conjunction with the above Figure 9 and Figure 11 In the described communication method, the terminal device can determine whether to start a second timer based on an instruction from the network device. Besides the network device's instruction, the terminal device can also determine whether to start a second timer independently based on monitoring of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, as described below.

[0246] In one possible implementation, after receiving a wake-up signal, the terminal device starts a first timer. During the operation of the first timer, the terminal device listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The terminal device counts the proportion of time slots that are actually listened to during the operation of the first timer to the total number of time slots of the first timer. This proportion can reflect the size of the traffic to some extent.

[0247] For example Figure 15A As shown, if the proportion of time slots actually monitored during the first timer's operation to the total number of time slots in the first timer exceeds a first threshold, it indicates a large traffic volume or dense traffic data. In such cases, it may be impossible to receive all the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation alone. In this situation, the terminal device can start a second timer after the first timer has finished counting down; for example... Figure 15BAs shown, if the proportion of time slots actually monitored during the first timer's operation to the total number of time slots in the first timer is less than a first threshold, it indicates that the traffic volume is small, or the traffic data is not dense. In this case, it is highly likely that all PDCCH and / or PDSCH can be received during the first timer's operation. Therefore, the terminal device does not need to start a second timer. The first threshold can be an absolute value, and the unit can be a percentage, such as 80% or 90%.

[0248] In another possible implementation, after receiving a wake-up signal, the terminal device starts a first timer. During the operation of the first timer, the terminal device listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The terminal device counts the number of time slots of PDCCH and / or PDSCH actually listened to during the operation of the first timer and compares this number of time slots with a second threshold, which can reflect the traffic volume to some extent.

[0249] For example Figure 16A As shown, if the number of time slots actually monitored during the first timer's operation exceeds the second threshold, it indicates a large traffic volume or dense traffic data. In such cases, it may be impossible to receive all the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation alone. In this situation, the terminal device can start a second timer after the first timer has finished counting down. For example... Figure 16B (As shown, if the number of time slots actually monitored for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer operation is less than the second threshold, it indicates that the traffic volume is small, or the traffic data is not dense. It is highly likely that the PDCCH and / or PDSCH can be received during the first timer operation. In this case, the terminal device does not need to start the second timer. The second threshold can be an absolute value.)

[0250] In another possible implementation, after receiving a wake-up signal, the terminal device starts a first timer. During the operation of the first timer, the terminal device listens to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The terminal device records the time interval between the position of the last PDCCH and / or PDSCH listened to during the operation of the first timer and the end position of the first timer, and compares this time interval with the magnitude of a third threshold. This time interval can reflect to some extent whether the service data has been transmitted within the first timer.

[0251] For example Figure 17AAs shown, if the time interval between the last PDCCH and / or PDSCH detected during the first timer's operation and the end position of the first timer is greater than the third threshold, it indicates that the traffic volume is small, or the traffic data transmission is not intensive. It is highly likely that the PDCCH and / or PDSCH can be received completely during the first timer's operation. In this case, the terminal device does not need to start the second timer; for example... Figure 17B As shown, if the time interval between the last PDCCH and / or PDSCH detected during the first timer's operation and the end position of the first timer is less than the third threshold, it indicates that the traffic volume is large, or that the traffic data transmission is relatively dense, and it is impossible to receive all PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the first timer's operation. In this case, the terminal device can start the second timer after the first timer ends.

[0252] The first threshold, second threshold, or third threshold mentioned above may be predefined by the protocol or configured by the network device through dedicated signaling, broadcast signaling, etc. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0253] As described above, the terminal device can activate a second timer to extend the listening time for the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Whether the terminal device can activate the second timer can be considered a UE capability, and the network device needs to obtain information on whether the terminal device has the capability to activate the second timer. Therefore, the terminal device can report this capability information, such as whether it supports using the second timer, to the network device.

[0254] For example Figure 18 As shown, when the AMF network element does not store the UE context, the terminal device sends UE Capability Information to the network device, which includes information indicating whether the terminal device supports the use of the second timer. The network device can forward the terminal device's air interface capabilities to the AMF network element via UE Radio Capability Information Indication messages (containing UE Radio Capability IE and UE Radio Capability for Paging IE). When the AMF network element stores the UE context, the AMF network element sends the UE Capability Information to the network device.

[0255] Optionally, after receiving the UE capability information, the network device may send an acknowledgment (ACK) to the terminal device to indicate that it has successfully received the UE capability information.

[0256] It should be understood that since the second timer feature is used in the DRX mechanism, in one possible design, the terminal device may also support the use of the second timer if it supports the DRX mechanism.

[0257] The above refers to Figure 8 and Figure 11 The description decouples the first timer from the DRX inactive timer, instead using a scheme where the first timer reuses the second timer. Since the DRX inactive timer is a current mechanism, network devices need to enable and control both the DRX inactive timer and the second timer.

[0258] For example, the network device may provide cell-level enable control in broadcast signaling, such as SIB messages; or, the network device may provide UE-level enable control in RRC-specific signaling (such as RRC reconfiguration messages) or NAS signaling (such as registration receive messages).

[0259] In one possible implementation, the enable control information for the DRX inactive timer and the enable control information for the second timer can be carried in the same information element (IE). The information indicated by this information element may include: indicating that the second timer is used instead of the DRX inactive timer, or indicating that the DRX inactive timer is used instead of the second timer.

[0260] In one possible design, the cell uses a 1-bit indicator; for example, a bit state of "1" indicates the use of the DRX inactive timer, a bit state of "0" indicates the use of a second timer, and vice versa.

[0261] In another possible design, the cell uses a string enumeration indication. For example, the DRX inactive timer is named name1, and the second timer is named name2. Using an enumeration form like ENUMERATED(name1) indicates using the DRX inactive timer, or ENUMERATED(name2) indicates using the second timer. Alternatively, the cell can carry ENUMERATED(true), where "true" indicates using the DRX inactive timer, or ENUMERATED(false), where "false" indicates using the second timer, and vice versa.

[0262] In another possible implementation, the enable control information for the DRX inactive timer and the enable control information for the second timer can be carried in two separate cells. For example, cell 1 indicates whether the DRX inactive customizer is supported, and cell 2 indicates whether the second timer is supported.

[0263] In one possible design, the information cell could be a 1-bit indicator. For example, a bit state of "1" in information cell 1 indicates support for the DRX inactive timer, and a bit state of "0" indicates that the DRX inactive timer is not supported, or vice versa. Similarly, a bit state of "1" in information cell 2 indicates support for the second timer, and a bit state of "0" indicates that the second timer is not supported, or vice versa.

[0264] In another possible design, the information cell can be a string used for enumeration indications. For example, information cell 1 could be in the form of ENUMERATED(supported / true, or not supported / false). When information cell 1 indicates supported / true, it means that the DRX inactive timer is supported; when information cell 1 indicates not supported / false, it means that the DRX inactive timer is not supported. Similarly, information cell 2 could be in the form of ENUMERATED(supported / true, or not supported / false). When information cell 2 indicates supported / true, it means that the second timer is supported; when information cell 2 indicates not supported / false, it means that the second timer is not supported.

[0265] It should be noted that when the enable control information for the DRX inactive timer and the enable control information for the second timer are carried in two separate information cells, if both information cells indicate support for the corresponding mechanism, for example, information cell 1 indicates support for the DRX inactive timer and information cell 2 indicates support for the second timer, then the terminal device and network device will use the DRX inactive timer mechanism by default.

[0266] In addition to the aforementioned method of enabling the DRX inactive timer or the second timer based on the network device's instruction, the terminal device can also report its preference for the two monitoring mechanisms to the network device through UE assistance information (UAI). For example, it can report its preference for using the DRX inactive timer / second timer, or its preference for not using the DRX inactive timer / second timer, or its level of energy saving requirement. If the energy saving requirement is high, the second timer can be used; if the energy saving requirement is low, the DRX inactive timer can be used.

[0267] Alternatively, in a possible implementation for a de-enabled scenario, when the terminal device is in low power mode, the terminal device can send a UAI to the network device. The UAI carries de-enabled information, which is used to request the network device to de-enable the DRX inactive timer or the second timer.

[0268] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0269] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application above are described using terminal devices and network devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by the terminal device itself or by different functional entities constituting the terminal device. The steps executed by the network device can be implemented by the network device itself or by different functional entities constituting the network device. For example, the network device is an access network device, which can be a CU-DU architecture, where the CU can generate indication information and the DU can send indication information. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the terminal device and network device can include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0270] The above text combines Figure 9 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 14 The communication method according to the embodiments of this application is described in detail below, in conjunction with Figure 19 and Figure 20 The present application provides a detailed description of the communication apparatus according to embodiments thereof.

[0271] Figure 19 and Figure 20 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0272] like Figure 19 As shown, the communication device 1900 includes a transceiver module 1910 and a processing module 1920. The transceiver module 1910 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication module.

[0273] The device 1900 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the device 1900 can be a component (e.g., a chip) configured in the terminal device or network device. The processing module 1920 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 1910 is used to perform receiving and transmitting-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0274] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0275] It should be noted that device 1900 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, device 1900 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by device 1900 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0276] Optionally, the device 1900 is used to perform the above. Figure 9 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 14 The actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the illustrated embodiments are shown above. For details, please refer to the above. Figure 9 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 14 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0277] Optionally, the device 1900 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store data and / or to store computer programs or instructions. The processing module 1920 can read the computer programs / instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device 1900 can implement the above-described method embodiments.

[0278] When device 1900 is used to achieve, as Figure 9 In the method embodiment shown, when the terminal device functions as follows: the transceiver module 1910 receives a wake-up signal, which is used to indicate listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH; the processing module 1920 is used to: start a first timer and listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the first timer; and, based on whether a first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, determine whether to start a second timer after the first timer ends, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended, and the second timer is used to continue listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer ends.

[0279] Optionally, if no first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, it is determined that the second timer will be started after the first timer ends; if the first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, it is determined that the second timer will not be started after the first timer ends.

[0280] Optionally, a first indication message is received during the operation of the first timer; wherein the first indication message is carried in a first PDSCH or a first PDCCH, the first PDSCH being the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH being the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

[0281] Optionally, if no first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, the processing module 1920 is configured to: start a second timer after the first timer ends; continue to monitor PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer; and determine whether to restart the second timer after the second timer ends based on whether the first indication information is received during the operation of the second timer.

[0282] When device 1900 is used to achieve, as Figure 9 In the method embodiment shown, when the network device functions as follows, the transceiver module 1910 is used to: send a wake-up signal, which is used to indicate listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH; the processing module 1920 is used to: start a first timer and send PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the first timer; the transceiver module 1910 is also used to: send a first indication information, which is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended.

[0283] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: transmit first indication information during the operation of the first timer. The first indication information is carried in a first PDSCH or a first PDCCH, where the first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

[0284] Optionally, the processing module 1920 is configured to: start a second timer after the first timer expires, the second timer being used by the terminal device to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer expires. The transceiver module 1910 is configured to: send first indication information during the operation of the second timer. The first indication information is carried in the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH, where the first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

[0285] When device 1900 is used to achieve, as Figure 11In the method embodiment shown, when the terminal device functions as follows, the processing module 1920 is configured to: after receiving a wake-up signal, start a first timer, the wake-up signal indicating that the PDCCH and / or PDSCH should be monitored; and, during the operation of the first timer, monitor the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The transceiver module 1910 is configured to: receive second indication information, the second indication information indicating whether to start a second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, the second timer being used to continue monitoring the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer has finished counting down.

[0286] Optionally, when the second indication information is used to indicate that the second timer is started after the first timer has finished counting down, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer.

[0287] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: receive second indication information, including: receiving a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal including the second indication information.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: receive second indication information, including: listening to the second indication information within a first time window, wherein the end time of the first time window is before the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the first time window are during the operation of the first timer.

[0289] Optionally, the second indication information is carried in any of the following signaling: DCI, MAC CE, RRC message, or broadcast message.

[0290] Optionally, if the second indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should be started after the first timer has finished counting down, the processing module 1920 is configured to: start the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down. The transceiver module 1910 is configured to: receive a third indication information during the operation of the second timer, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the second timer should be restarted after the second timer has finished counting down.

[0291] When device 1900 is used to achieve, as Figure 11In the method embodiment shown, when the network device functions, the processing module 1920 is used to: determine whether a second timer needs to be started after the first timer expires. The first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The second timer is used to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer expires. The transceiver module 1910 is used to: send second indication information, which indicates whether to start the second timer after the first timer expires.

[0292] Optionally, when the second indication information is used to indicate the start of the second timer, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the operation of the second timer.

[0293] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is used to: send a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal including second indication information.

[0294] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: send a second indication message within a first time window, wherein the end time of the first time window is prior to the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the first time window are during the operation of the first timer.

[0295] Optionally, the second indication information is carried in any of the following signaling: DCI, MAC CE, RRC message, or broadcast message.

[0296] When device 1900 is used to achieve, as Figure 14 In the method embodiment shown, when the network device functions as follows, the processing module 1920 is used to: determine the length of a first timer and / or the length of a third timer. The first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used by the terminal device to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The third timer is a timer triggered after successfully decoding the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The transceiver module 1910 is used to: send fourth indication information, which indicates the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer.

[0297] Optionally, the processing module 1920 is configured to: determine that the length of the first timer is greater than or equal to a first value when business data transmission is intensive, and / or determine that the length of the third timer is greater than or equal to a second value; and determine that the length of the first timer is less than the first value when business data transmission is not intensive, and / or determine that the length of the third timer is less than the second value.

[0298] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is used to: send a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal including fourth indication information.

[0299] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: send a fourth indication message within a second time window, wherein the end time of the second time window is prior to the start time of the first timer, or wherein the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer.

[0300] When device 1900 is used to achieve, as Figure 11 When the terminal device functions as shown in the method embodiment, the transceiver module 1910 is used to: receive fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer, the first timer being started after receiving a wake-up signal and being used by the terminal device to listen to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, the wake-up signal being used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH, and the third timer being a timer triggered after successfully decoding the PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0301] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: receive fourth indication information, including: receiving a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal including the fourth indication information.

[0302] Optionally, the transceiver module 1910 is configured to: receive fourth indication information within a second time window, wherein the end time of the second time window is prior to the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer.

[0303] For a more detailed description of each step, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0304] Figure 20 This is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 2000 provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 20 As shown, device 2000 includes one or more processors 2010 and interface circuitry 2020. The one or more processors 2010 and interface circuitry 2020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuitry 2020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, device 2000 may also include memory 2030 for storing instructions executed by processor 2010, or for storing input data required by processor 2010 to execute instructions, or for storing data generated after processor 2010 executes instructions. Sometimes, interface circuitry 2020 can also be understood as part of the one or more processors 2010, in which case device 2000 includes the one or more processors 2010.

[0305] The one or more processors 2010 and memory 2030 can be configured separately or integrated, and this application does not limit this.

[0306] When device 2000 is used to achieve Figure 9 , Figure 11 or Figure 14 In the method shown, the one or more processors 2010 are used to implement the functions of the processing module 1920, and the interface circuit 2020 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 1910.

[0307] When the aforementioned device 2000 is a chip applied to a terminal device, the chip of the terminal device implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the terminal device receives information from the network device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, and then sent to the chip of the terminal device by these modules. The chip of the terminal device sends information to the network device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, and then sent to the network device by these modules.

[0308] When the aforementioned device 2000 is a chip applied to a network device, the chip of the network device implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the network device receives information from the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent by these modules to the chip of the terminal device. The chip of the network device sends information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, and then sent by these modules to the terminal device.

[0309] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0310] This application also provides a computer program product, including: a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described above.

[0311] This application also provides a chip, which includes at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the methods in the above embodiments, such as receiving or processing data involved in the methods in the above embodiments.

[0312] Figure 21This is a schematic block diagram of a chip system 2100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 2100 includes a processor module, a storage module, a radio frequency / antenna module, and a power supply module.

[0313] Processor modules: used for various calculations, including the central processing unit (CPU), which is responsible for executing various instructions, including those for applications, operating systems, and other software; the graphics processing unit (GPU) is mainly responsible for graphics processing, but the CPU can also handle some graphics tasks, such as rendering application interfaces; the modem is used to modulate or demodulate signals so that digital signals can be transmitted in space.

[0314] Storage module: Includes random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). RAM is temporary storage space in the terminal device, used to temporarily store data that is currently in use, such as open web pages, messages from chat applications, game status, etc.; ROM is read-only storage space in the terminal device, used to store system files, pre-installed applications, and firmware.

[0315] Power module: Used to provide voltage and current to other modules to maintain the normal operation of the chip;

[0316] Radio frequency / antenna module: used to amplify signals and radiate them into space, or to receive wireless signals in space; for the purposes of this application, the radio frequency / antenna module includes MR and WUR, where WUR is used to receive wake-up signals and MR is used to receive PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0317] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the processor can be a CPU, but it can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0318] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, combining them with its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0319] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modules and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0320] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0321] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0322] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0323] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0324] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0325] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal being used to indicate listening to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH); Start the first timer and listen for PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the execution of the first timer; Based on whether a first indication message is received during the operation of the first timer, it is determined whether to start a second timer after the first timer has finished counting down. The first indication message is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended, and the second timer is used to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer has finished counting down.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to start the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, based on whether a first indication message is received during the operation of the first timer, includes: If the first indication information is not received during the operation of the first timer, it is determined that the second timer will be started after the first timer finishes counting down. If the first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer, it is determined that the second timer will not be started after the first timer has finished counting down.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first indication information is received during the operation of the first timer; wherein the first indication information is carried in the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH, the first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the first indication information is not received during the operation of the first timer, the method further includes: After the first timer finishes counting down, the second timer is started; During the operation of the second timer, continue to monitor PDCCH and / or PDSCH; Whether to restart the second timer after its countdown ends depends on whether the first indication information is received during the operation of the second timer.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal being used to indicate listening to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH); Start the first timer and send PDCCH and / or PDSCH during the execution of the first timer; Send a first indication message, which is used to indicate that the service transmission has ended.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sending of the first indication information includes: The first indication information is sent during the operation of the first timer; The first indication information is carried in the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH. The first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Before sending the first indication information, the method further includes: After the first timer finishes counting down, a second timer is started. The second timer is used by the terminal device to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer finishes counting down. The sending of the first indication information includes: During the operation of the second timer, the first indication information is sent; The first indication information is carried in the first PDSCH or the first PDCCH. The first PDSCH is the PDSCH of the last data packet carrying the service, and the first PDCCH is the PDCCH that schedules the first PDSCH.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: After receiving the wake-up signal, the first timer is started. The wake-up signal is used to indicate that the physical downlink control channel PDCCH and / or physical downlink shared channel PDSCH are being monitored. During the operation of the first timer, listen to PDCCH and / or PDSCH; Receive a second indication message, which indicates whether to start a second timer after the first timer has finished counting down, and the second timer is used to continue listening to PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer has finished counting down.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the second indication information is used to indicate that a second timer should be started after the first timer has finished counting down, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH being monitored during the operation of the second timer.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The receipt of the second indication information includes: The wake-up signal is received, and the wake-up signal includes the second indication information.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The receipt of the second indication information includes: Listen for the second indication information within the first time window, where the end time of the first time window is before the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the first time window are during the operation of the first timer.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in any of the following signaling: Downlink Control Information (DCI), Media Access Control (MAC) CE, Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, or broadcast messages.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, When the second indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should be started after the first timer has finished counting down, the method further includes: After the first timer finishes counting down, the second timer is started; During the operation of the second timer, a third indication is received, which indicates whether the second timer should be restarted after the second timer has finished counting down.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine whether a second timer needs to be started after the first timer expires. The first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used to listen to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). The wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The second timer is used to continue listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH after the first timer expires. Send a second indication message, which indicates whether to start the second timer after the first timer has ended.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Determining whether the second timer needs to be started after the first timer has finished counting down includes: In situations involving intensive business data transmission, it is determined that the second timer needs to be started after the first timer has finished counting down. If business data transmission is not intensive, it is determined that there is no need to start the second timer after the first timer has finished counting down.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, When the second indication information is used to indicate the start of the second timer, the second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The number of times the second timer needs to be started, the length of the second timer, the time domain position of the second timer, or the frequency domain position of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH being monitored during the operation of the second timer.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The sending of the second instruction information includes: Send the wake-up signal, which includes the second indication information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that, The sending of the second instruction information includes: The second indication information is sent within a first time window, the end time of which is before the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the first time window are during the operation of the first timer.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in any of the following signaling: Downlink Control Information (DCI), Media Access Control (MAC) CE, Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, or broadcast messages.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that, When the second indication information is used to indicate that the second timer should be started after the first timer has finished counting down, the method further includes: After the first timer finishes counting down, the second timer is started; During the operation of the second timer, a third indication message is sent, which indicates whether the second timer should be restarted after the second timer has finished counting down.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The length of a first timer and / or the length of a third timer are determined. The first timer is started after a wake-up signal is sent and is used by the terminal device to listen to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The wake-up signal is used to indicate listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The third timer is a timer triggered after successfully decoding the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Send a fourth indication message, which is used to indicate the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, Determining the length of the first timer and / or the length of the third timer includes: In cases of intensive business data transmission, the length of the first timer is determined to be greater than or equal to a first value, and / or the length of the third timer is determined to be greater than or equal to a second value; When business data transmission is not intensive, the length of the first timer is determined to be less than the first value, and / or the length of the third timer is determined to be less than the second value.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The sending of the fourth indication information includes: Send the wake-up signal, which includes the fourth indication information.

24. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, The sending of the fourth indication information includes: The fourth indication information is sent within a second time window, the end time of which is before the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer.

25. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The terminal device receives a fourth indication message, which indicates the length of a first timer and / or a third timer. The first timer is started after receiving a wake-up signal and is used for the terminal device to listen to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and / or the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). The wake-up signal indicates that the terminal device is listening to the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. The third timer is a timer triggered after successfully decoding the PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The receipt of the fourth indication information includes: The wake-up signal is received, and the wake-up signal includes the fourth indication information.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The receipt of the fourth indication information includes: The fourth indication information is received within a second time window, the end time of which is before the start time of the first timer, or the start and end times of the second time window are during the operation of the first timer.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 13, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 21 to 24, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 27.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing a program or instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 4 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 5 to 7 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 8 to 13 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 14 to 20 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 21 to 24 to be executed, or cause the method of any one of claims 25 to 27 to be executed.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 13 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 21 to 24 to be executed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 27 to be executed.

31. A computer program product, characterized in that, include: A computer program or instruction that, when executed, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 13 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 21 to 24 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 25 to 27 to be performed.

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