Communication methods, devices, equipment, storage media, and software products

Abstract

This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product. The communication method includes: monitoring the Paging Indication Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) to obtain indication information; and determining, based on the indication information, the state of at least one reference signal, or determining whether to monitor the PDCCH, with the state being either available or unavailable. This enables a terminal device to determine the state of a reference signal based on the reference signal.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the application number 202011407189.8 and the original application date is December 4, 2020. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0003] When the terminal device is in an idle state, it needs to listen to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) used to carry paging messages to determine whether a paging message has been sent to it.

[0004] In related technologies, when a terminal device is in an idle state, to achieve PDCCH listening, the network device needs to send additional reference signals to the terminal device to reduce the time the terminal device needs to wake up before the paging opportunity. The terminal device performs Automatic Gain Control (AGC) adjustments / time-frequency synchronization (channel tracking) based on the synchronization signal block and the additional reference signals, thereby achieving paging reception and energy saving. In the above technologies, the additional reference signals are usually signals that do not exist in the communication system (including network devices and UEs), thus leading to higher communication system overhead and reduced capacity. Currently, in order to reduce communication system overhead and increase capacity, network devices usually send the reference signals sent to connected terminal devices to idle terminal devices.

[0005] However, network devices typically send reference signals intended for connected terminal devices to idle terminal devices. This results in idle terminal devices being unable to determine the availability of the reference signal upon receiving it. Furthermore, because the wake-up time is relatively long, the power consumption of the terminal device listening for paging opportunities is high.

[0006] In particular, the aforementioned power consumption problem becomes more severe when terminal devices need to wake up frequently to receive paging. Therefore, reducing the frequency of terminal devices waking up to receive paging (including waking up to listen to the physical downlink control channel PDCCH) is also an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product for enabling a terminal device to determine the state of a reference signal based on a reference signal.

[0008] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, including:

[0009] Listen to the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for paging indication and obtain indication information;

[0010] Based on the instruction information, determine the status of at least one reference signal, or determine whether to listen to the paging PDCCH, with the status being either available or unavailable.

[0011] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied to a terminal device. The device includes: an acquisition module and a determination module, wherein...

[0012] The acquisition module is used to listen to the paging indication physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and acquire indication information;

[0013] The determination module is used to determine the status of at least one reference signal or to determine whether to listen to the paging PDCCH, and whether the status is available or unavailable, based on the indication information.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a terminal device, including: a processor and a memory;

[0015] The memory stores instructions that the computer executes;

[0016] The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in memory, causing the processor to perform the method described in the first aspect above.

[0017] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method described in the first aspect above.

[0018] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in the first aspect above.

[0019] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product. The communication method includes: monitoring the Paging Indication Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) to obtain indication information; and determining the state of at least one reference signal, or determining whether to monitor the PDCCH, with the state being either available or unavailable, based on the indication information. This communication method enables a terminal device to determine the state of a reference signal (i.e., whether the reference signal is available) based on the indication information, thereby shortening the terminal device's wake-up time, reducing the overhead of the communication system, and increasing the capacity of the communication system. This achieves a combined optimization of energy saving in the terminal device, reduced communication system overhead, and increased communication system capacity. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This application scenario diagram illustrates the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the first reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the second reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the second reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the third reference point provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the fourth reference point provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the terminal device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of the application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, communication system, product, or device that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0034] In existing technologies, when a terminal device is in an idle state, such as idle mode or radio resource control (RRC) idle, it needs to listen to the paging PDCCH. Generally, the terminal device needs to determine the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion through the configuration of the paging frame (PF), paging occasion (PO), and paging search space set, and then listen to the paging PDCCH at the paging PDCCH monitoring occasion. In 5G New Radio (NR), the terminal device performs AGC adjustment / time-frequency tracking (channel tracking) / measurement based on the synchronization signal block (SSB) before it can listen to the paging PDCCH at the paging occasion. In practical applications, synchronization signal bursts (SS-bursts) (each SS-burst includes multiple SSBs) do not exist in every subframe or time slot, but are sent at certain time periods (e.g., 5 milliseconds, 10 milliseconds, 20 milliseconds, etc.). Therefore, generally, the terminal device needs to wake up at least two SS-bursts before the PO and use these two SS-bursts for AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization, or for AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization / measurement. When the terminal device has undergone a long sleep period, such as when the PO configuration results in a large interval between the two POs that the terminal device needs to listen to, the UE may need to wake up three SS-bursts before the PO and use these three SS-bursts for AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization, or for AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization / measurement. This will cause the terminal device to wake up too early, resulting in higher power consumption.

[0035] Furthermore, in the prior art, network devices can be configured with additional reference signals and sent to terminal devices, enabling terminal devices to perform AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization or AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization / measurement using fewer SS-bursts (such as one) and additional reference signals. This avoids terminal devices waking up too early, thereby saving power for terminal devices.

[0036] In the aforementioned prior art, while additional reference signals shorten the wake-up time of terminal devices and save power, these additional reference signals are typically not present in the communication system. This increases the overhead of the communication system and reduces its capacity. A possible improvement is to allow idle terminal devices to utilize reference signals (TRS / CSI-RS) used by connected terminal devices. In other words, the network device shares the reference signals used by connected terminal devices with idle terminal devices, thereby reducing communication system overhead. However, the reference signals of connected terminal devices may become unavailable (or nonexistent or invalid) when a connected terminal device leaves the connected state (RRC release). In this case, the idle terminal devices need to be notified that the reference signal is unavailable.

[0037] Therefore, how to notify idle terminal devices whether a reference signal is available is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. To solve the above problem, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that enables terminal devices to determine the status of a reference signal (whether it is available or unavailable) through indication information corresponding to a paging monitoring occasion (PMO) or a paging occasion (PO), thus enabling terminal devices to determine whether the reference signal is available and solving the technical problem that idle terminal devices cannot determine whether the reference signal is available.

[0038] The following is combined with Figure 1 The application scenarios of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an application scenario of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes a network device 11 and multiple terminal devices. For example, the multiple terminal devices include terminal device 12 and terminal device 13. Terminal device 12 is in a connected state, and terminal device 13 is in an idle state. Network device 11 can send a reference signal sent to terminal device 12 to terminal device 13. Network device 11 sends indication information to terminal device 13 so that terminal device 13, upon receiving the indication information, can determine the state of the reference signal.

[0040] In this application, "network device" refers to a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. This includes, but is not limited to: Evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE), base station (gNodeB or gNB) or TRP in New Radio (NR) technology, base stations in Evolution After Next (EER) communication systems, access nodes, wireless relay nodes, and wireless backhaul nodes in Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) communication systems. Base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, or balloon stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same technology mentioned above, or they can support networks using different technologies mentioned above. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission receiving points (TRPs).

[0041] In this application, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. The terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (e.g., on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal device, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, wearable terminal device, etc. The terminal equipment involved in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The terminal equipment may also be fixed or mobile.

[0042] The technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .like Figure 2 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment includes:

[0044] S201. Listen to the paging indication (PI) physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to obtain indication information.

[0045] Optionally, the execution entity in this application embodiment can be a terminal device or a communication device installed in the terminal device. The state determination device can be implemented through a combination of software and / or hardware. The Paging Early Indication (PDCCH) can also be called the Paging Early Indication (PEI) PDCCH.

[0046] In one possible design, the paging indication PDCCH is listened to before at least one paging frame PF or paging timing PO to obtain the indication information.

[0047] Listening for the paging instruction PDCCH before at least one PF or PO can be achieved by either of the following feasible methods 10 and 11:

[0048] Method 11, listening to the paging PDCCH before at least one PF or PO, includes: listening to the paging indication PDCCH at the paging indication PDCCH listening time. Wherein, the paging indication PDCCH listening time is before at least one PF or PO, and is closest to the first PF among at least one PF or the first PO among at least one PO.

[0049] Method 12, listening to the Paging Indication PDCCH before at least one PF or PO, includes: listening to the Paging Indication PDCCH at the Paging Indication PDCCH listening timing. The Paging Indication PDCCH listening timing is before at least one PF or PO, and is closest to the first PF among at least one PF or the first PO among at least one PO, and has a complete duration. The complete duration is specified by a high-level parameter of the Paging Indication PDCCH search space.

[0050] In Rel-15 New Radio (NR), a Point of Purchase (PO) includes at least one Point of Purchase (PMO), where each PMO is associated with a SSB. That is, within a PO, the Kth PMO is associated with the Kth SSB, where K ranges from 1 to X, and X is the total number of PMOs included in a PO.

[0051] S202. Based on the indication information, determine the status of at least one reference signal, or determine whether to listen to the paging PDCCH, with the status being either available or unavailable.

[0052] Optionally, at least one reference signal can be configured to correspond to an SSB (with a QCL relationship) via a transmission configuration indication (TCI), where the TCI is sent by one network device to another. The at least one reference signal includes a tracking reference signal (TRS) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). A CSI-RS can consist of one CSI-RS resource. A TRS can consist of four CSI-RS resources within two slots, with two CSI-RS resources in one slot; alternatively, a TRS can consist of two CSI-RS resources within one slot.

[0053] Specifically, the instruction information has any one of the following uses from methods 21 to 24.

[0054] Method 21: Determine the state of at least one reference signal based on the instruction information.

[0055] Method 22: Based on the instruction information, determine whether to listen to the paging PDCCH.

[0056] Method 23: When it is determined that paging PDCCH monitoring is required based on the indication information, the status of at least one reference signal is determined to be available. In this way, when the terminal device determines that paging PDCCH monitoring is required based on the indication information, it can determine that the status of at least one reference signal is available. At this time, the indication information simultaneously indicates whether paging PDCCH monitoring is needed and the status of at least one reference signal. This saves bits in the indication information.

[0057] Method 24: When it is determined that paging PDCCH monitoring is required based on the indication information, the status of at least one reference signal is determined according to predefined rules, indicating either an available or unavailable status. Thus, when the terminal device determines that paging PDCCH monitoring is required based on the indication information, it can determine the status of at least one reference signal according to the predefined rules. At this time, the indication information simultaneously indicates whether paging PDCCH monitoring is needed and the status of at least one reference signal. The predefined rules include that the reference signal is only valid for a portion of the configuration time, such as within a window or within a time interval.

[0058] Method 25: Based on the indication information, determine the status of at least one reference signal and whether to listen to the paging PDCCH. In this method, the indication information includes multiple bits. The terminal device determines the status of at least one reference signal and whether to listen to the paging PDCCH using at least one bit in the indication information. This allows for more flexible indication.

[0059] For methods 21, 23, 24, and 25, the state of at least one reference signal is determined to include any one of the following methods 210 to 216 (since the Paging Detection Occurrence (PMO) refers to the Paging Detection Occurrence (PDCCH) monitoring time, the following text does not distinguish between PMO and PDCCH):

[0060] Method 210: Determine the state of at least one reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the paging listening time PMO. Optionally, the paging listening time PMO is associated with a paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information. Optionally, the association between the paging listening time PMO and the paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information is such that the paging listening time PMO and the paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information are associated with the same synchronization signal block SSB.

[0061] Method 2101 determines the status of all reference signals corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging monitoring. The synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging monitoring may correspond to multiple reference signals. Determining the status of all corresponding reference signals by the terminal equipment can save communication system overhead.

[0062] Method 2012 determines the state of a reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging monitoring. Since the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging monitoring may only correspond to one reference signal, determining the state of that single reference signal by the terminal device allows for more targeted and accurate determination.

[0063] Method 211: Determine that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the paging listening time PMO or the paging time PO. Optionally, the paging listening time PMO is associated with a paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information. Optionally, the association between the paging listening time PMO and the paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information is such that the paging listening time PMO and the paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information are associated with the same synchronization signal block SSB. Optionally, the paging time PO is associated with the paging indication PDCCH carrying indication information.

[0064] Method 212 determines that, after the first reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state. The distance from the first reference point to the paging listening time PMO or paging time PO is a first offset.

[0065] Method 213, determining that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the second reference point. Here, the distance from the second reference point to PMO or PO is a second offset.

[0066] Method 214, determining that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the paging indication PDCCH.

[0067] Method 215, determining that after the third reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state, wherein the distance between the third reference point and the paging indicator PDCCH is a third offset.

[0068] Method 216, determining that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the fourth reference point, wherein the fourth reference point is a fourth offset from the paging indicator PDCCH.

[0069] Based on mode 210, the indication information has two configuration methods as shown in either mode 101 or mode 102:

[0070] In mode 101, the indication information is 1 bit, which indicates the status of all reference signals corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging listening. This can save communication system overhead.

[0071] Method 102 involves more than one bit of indication information, where each bit indicates the state of a reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging listening. Although this incurs overhead in the communication system, the indication information is more accurate.

[0072] Methods 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 can be implemented using any one of the following methods 221 to 224:

[0073] Mode 221: When the indication information is the first preset value, listen for the paging PDCCH within the PF. The indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0074] Mode 222: When the indication information is the first preset value, listen for the paging PDCCH within the PO. The indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0075] Method 223: When the indication information is the first preset value, listen for paging PDCCH in the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs. The indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0076] Method 224, in terms of listening timing, listens to the paging instruction PDCCH.

[0077] The timing of the monitoring can be achieved using any one of the following methods 2241 to 2251:

[0078] Method 2241 involves listening before at least one paging frame (PF). While this provides coarser granularity, it reduces system overhead.

[0079] Method 2242 involves listening before at least one PF and closest to the first PF among at least one PF. This allows listening to the Paging Direction Control (PDCCH) to begin as quickly as possible.

[0080] Method 2243 involves listening before at least one Pager (PF) and closest to the first of at least one PF, for a full duration. This allows listening to the Paging Indicator (PDCCH) to begin as quickly as possible, and the PDCCH has a full duration (improving reliability).

[0081] Method 2244 involves listening before at least one paging frame (PO). While this method incurs significant system overhead, it provides finer granularity in listening timing, prior to at least one paging frame (PF).

[0082] Method 2245 involves listening before at least one Pager (PO) and to the first PO closest to it. This allows listening to the Paging Direction (PDCCH) to begin as quickly as possible.

[0083] Method 2246 involves listening before at least one Pager (PO) and to the first PO closest to it, for a full duration. This allows listening to the Paging Indicator (PDCCH) to begin as quickly as possible, and the PDCCH has a full duration (improving reliability).

[0084] Method 2247: Listening occurs before the PF or PO that needs to be listened to.

[0085] Method 2248 involves listening before the desired PF or PO, at the configured paging PDCCH listening time. This configured paging PDCCH listening time is configured by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters. Using the configured paging PDCCH listening time as the listening time simplifies system complexity; network devices only need to configure the paging PDCCH listening time, and terminal devices can listen to the paging indication PDCCH simultaneously.

[0086] Method 2249 involves listening to the PDCCH at the time specified in the Paging Indication PDCCH configuration, prior to and closest to the PF or PO to be listened to. This PDCCH listening time is configured by higher-level parameters, such as the search space set parameter. This ensures that the terminal device begins listening to the PDCCH as soon as possible after completing the PDCCH listening, if the indication information suggests that the terminal device needs to listen to the PDCCH.

[0087] Method 2250 involves listening to the PDCCH at a time configured before the desired PF or PO and after the paging indication reference point. This PDCCH listening time is configured by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters. The paging indication reference point is defined as the paging indication offset from the desired PF or PO, and this offset is also configured by higher-layer parameters. Optionally, the paging indication offset can be a number of milliseconds, time slots, or symbols. This ensures that the PDCCH listening time is not too far from the desired PF or PO, allowing the terminal device to further synchronize time and frequency via synchronization signal blocks and / or reference signals, and successfully receive the paging PDCCH and / or PDSCH.

[0088] Method 2251 involves listening to the PDCCH at a configured timing before the desired PF or PO and after the paging indication reference point. This configured PDCCH listening timing is determined by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters. The paging indication reference point is a paging indication offset from the desired PF or PO, also configured by higher-layer parameters. The PDCCH has a complete duration. Optionally, the paging indication offset can be a number of milliseconds, time slots, or symbols. A complete duration for the PDCCH improves reliability.

[0089] Method 2252 involves listening at a PDCCH timing configured before the minimum interval reference point and after the paging indication reference point. This PDCCH listening timing is configured by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters; the minimum interval reference point is the minimum interval offset from the desired PF or PO, also configured by higher-layer parameters. Optionally, the minimum interval offset can be several milliseconds, time slots, or symbols. This ensures that the PDCCH listening timing is not too close to the desired PF or PO, allowing the terminal device to enter deep sleep mode.

[0090] Method 2253 involves listening at a PDCCH timing configured before the minimum interval reference point. This PDCCH listening timing is configured by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters; the minimum interval reference point is the minimum interval offset from the desired PF or PO, configured by higher-layer parameters; and the PDCCH has a full duration. Optionally, the minimum interval offset can be a number of milliseconds, time slots, or symbols. A full duration for the PDCCH improves reliability.

[0091] Method 2254 involves listening to the PDCCH at a time configured after the paging indication reference point and before the minimum interval reference point. This PDCCH listening time is configured by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters. The minimum interval reference point is defined as the minimum interval offset from the desired PF or PO, configured by higher-layer parameters. Alternatively, the minimum interval offset and the paging indication offset can be several milliseconds, time slots, or symbols. This ensures that the PDCCH listening time is not too far from the desired PF or PO, allowing the terminal device to further synchronize time and frequency via synchronization signal blocks and / or reference signals, and successfully receive the PDCCH and / or PDSCH. Furthermore, the PDCCH listening time is not too close to the desired PF or PO, allowing the terminal device to enter deep sleep mode.

[0092] Method 2255 involves listening to the PDCCH at a time configured after the paging indication reference point and before the minimum interval reference point. This PDCCH listening time is configured by higher-layer parameters, such as search space set parameters; the minimum interval reference point is the minimum interval offset from the desired PF or PO, configured by higher-layer parameters; the paging indication reference point is the paging indication offset from the desired PF or PO, also configured by higher-layer parameters; and the PDCCH has a full duration. Optionally, the minimum interval offset can be a number of milliseconds, time slots, or symbols, and the paging indication offset can also be a number of milliseconds, time slots, or symbols. Having a full duration for the PDCCH improves reliability.

[0093] Optionally, the indication information can also be carried by the paging indication PDCCH, or by the downlink control information (DCI) corresponding to the paging indication PDCCH. The DCI corresponding to the paging indication PDCCH can also be called the paging indication DCI. Hereinafter, it will be referred to as DCI.

[0094] For example, when the indication information is carried by the DCI, in S202, based on the above methods 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, the indication information can be obtained in the following way: determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI, the DCI being carried on the paging indication PDCCH;

[0095] Obtain indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length.

[0096] The start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI can be determined using any of the following methods: 2021 to 2025.

[0097] Method 2021 determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on higher-layer signaling. Optionally, the higher-layer signaling can be sent from the network device to the terminal device, and the higher-layer signaling configures the start position and length of the indication information in the DCI.

[0098] Method 2022, determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the paging frame PF or paging timing PO that needs to be monitored.

[0099] Method 2023 determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on higher-level signaling and the paging frame PF or paging timing PO that needs to be monitored.

[0100] Method 2024 determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PO subgroup to which the terminal device belongs.

[0101] Method 2025 involves obtaining indication information from the Media Access Control (MAC) signaling, MAC Packet Data Unit (PDU), or MAC Control Unit (CE). The indication information can utilize bits from the MAC signaling, MAC PDU, or MAC CE. When the indication information uses bits from the MAC signaling, MAC PDU, or MAC CE, the number of bits used can be relatively large, and this method is suitable for situations where there are paging messages in the physical downlink share channel (PDSCH).

[0102] In the above methods 2021 to 2024, the configuration method of the indication information in the DCI can be any one of the following methods 20111 to 20114.

[0103] In mode 20111, the indication information is carried by reserved bits in DCI or DCI format, such as DCI format 1-0.

[0104] In method 20112, when the DCI does not carry scheduling information, the indication information is carried by reserved bits in the DCI or in the fields of the corresponding DCI format. This DCI format can be DCI format 1-0, as DCI format 1-0 is more commonly used in the idle state.

[0105] In method 20113, when the frequency domain resource allocation in the DCI is invalid, the indication information is carried by the bits of the redefined field in the DCI or the corresponding DCI format. This DCI format can be DCI format 1-0, as DCI format 1-0 is more commonly used in the idle state.

[0106] In method 20114, when the DCI does not carry scheduling information and the frequency domain resource allocation in the DCI is invalid, the indication information is carried by the bits of the redefined field in the DCI or the corresponding DCI format. This DCI format can be DCI format 1-0, as DCI format 1-0 is more commonly used in the idle state.

[0107] Regarding method 24 above, any one of methods 241 to 248 can be used to determine the state of at least one reference signal according to predefined rules:

[0108] Method 241: In the window preceding the PMO (or PO), determine that the status of at least one reference information is available.

[0109] In method 242, after determining the first reference point, at least one reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the PMO (or PO) is in an available state. The distance between the first reference point and the PMO (or PO) is a first offset. This first offset can include zero and non-zero positive numbers. Optionally, the first reference point is prior to the PMO (or PO) and its distance from the PMO (or PO) is the first offset. In this case, the first offset can include non-zero positive numbers.

[0110] Method 243: Determine that within a first window, the state of at least one reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the PMO (or PO) is in an available state. The first window is a window starting from the first reference point preceding the PMO (or PO).

[0111] Method 244: Determine that, prior to the second reference point, at least one reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the PMO (or PO) is in an available state. Here, the distance between the second reference point and the PMO (or PO) is a second offset. This second offset can include zero and non-zero positive numbers. Optionally, the second reference point is prior to the PMO (or PO) and the distance between it and the PMO (or PO) is a second offset. In this case, the second offset can include non-zero positive numbers.

[0112] Method 245: Determine that within the second window, at least one reference signal corresponding to the SSB associated with the PMO (or PO) is in an available state. The second window is a window ending at the second reference point preceding the PMO (or PO).

[0113] In this application, the terminal device may simply consider the state of at least one reference signal within the window preceding the PMO (or PO) to be either available or unavailable. This can further reduce the overhead of at least one reference signal.

[0114] In this application, the terminal device can consider the state of at least one reference signal prior to the PMO (or PO) and after a first reference point at a first offset from the PMO (or PO) as an available state. This avoids the terminal device using at least one reference signal that is too far from the PMO (or PO), which would not only lack energy-saving gains but also increase the communication system overhead.

[0115] In this application, the terminal device can consider the state of at least one reference signal that is prior to the PMO (or PO) and prior to a second reference point at a second offset from the PMO (or PO) as an available state. This avoids the terminal device using at least one reference signal that is too close to the PMO (or PO). When the terminal device uses at least one reference signal that is too close to the PMO (or PO), even if the terminal device uses at least one reference signal for AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization, it cannot apply it to PDCCH reception in a timely manner.

[0116] Method 246 determines that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the Paging Indication PDCCH. That is, within the window before the Paging Indication PDCCH listening time, at least one reference information is determined to be in an available state.

[0117] Method 247: After determining the third reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state. The distance between the third reference point and the PDCCH listening time is a third offset. This third offset can include zero and non-zero positive numbers. Optionally, the third reference point is before the PDCCH listening time, and the distance between the third reference point and the PDCCH listening time is a third offset. This third offset can also include non-zero positive numbers.

[0118] Method 248: Determine that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the fourth reference point. The fourth reference point is a fourth offset from the PDCCH listening time. This fourth offset can include zero and non-zero positive numbers. Optionally, the fourth reference point is before the PDCCH listening time, and the distance from the PDCCH listening time is a fourth offset. This fourth offset can also include non-zero positive numbers.

[0119] It should be noted that for a given terminal device, the Paging Indication (PDCCH) can be sent via beam sweep, just like the SSB. The PDCCH listening time is associated with an SSB one-to-one; that is, the Kth PDCCH listening time is associated with the Kth SSB, where K ranges from 1 to X, and X is the number of PDCCH listening times within a paging indication listening cycle.

[0120] In this application, the terminal device can simply consider the state of at least one reference signal within the window prior to the PDCCH listening time as either available or unavailable. This can further reduce the overhead of at least one reference signal.

[0121] In this application, the terminal device can consider the state of at least one reference signal that is prior to the PDCCH listening time and after a third reference point that is a third offset from the PDCCH listening time as an available state. This avoids the terminal device using at least one reference signal that is too far away from the PDCCH listening time, which would neither save energy for the terminal device nor increase the communication system overhead.

[0122] In this application, the terminal device can consider the state of at least one reference signal that is available only before the PDCCH listening time and before the fourth reference point, which is a fourth offset from the PDCCH listening time. This avoids the terminal device using at least one reference signal that is too close to the PDCCH listening time. In practice, when the terminal device uses at least one reference signal that is too close to the PDCCH listening time, even if the terminal device uses at least one reference signal for AGC adjustment / time-frequency synchronization, it cannot be applied to PDCCH reception in a timely manner.

[0123] In methods 22 and 23 above, indication information can also be obtained in the DCI through methods 25 to 38 as follows:

[0124] Method 25: The start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI are directly configured via higher-layer signaling; the indication information is then retrieved from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. Optionally, the higher-layer signaling can be sent from the network device to the terminal device. For example, if the DCI length is 10 bits, the start position is the 3rd bit, and the length is 2 bits, then the 3rd and 4th bits in the DCI are the indication information.

[0125] Method 26: Based on higher-level signaling, deduce the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI; retrieve the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. For example, the terminal device can deduce its own PF or PO position among possible PFs or POs through paging configuration information, thereby deduce the start position and length of the indication information in the DCI. Here, possible PFs or POs are: possible PFs or POs within the paging cycle (where the DCI corresponds to all PFs or POs within the paging cycle); possible PFs or POs between the paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH (where the DCI corresponds to all PFs or POs between the current paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH); possible PFs or POs between the paging indication PDCCH and a termination reference point after the paging indication PDCCH (configured by the termination offset) (using the termination reference point avoids too many possible PFs or POs); or possible PFs or POs between a start reference point after the paging indication PDCCH (configured by the start offset) and the next paging indication PDCCH. Possible PFs or POs between H (using the starting reference point avoids including PFs or POs close to the current paging indication PDCCH in the possible PFs or POs counted, as the energy-saving gain is not significant if the indication information is for PFs or POs close to the current paging indication PDCCH), or possible PFs or POs between a starting reference point (configured by the starting offset) after the paging indication PDCCH and a ending reference point (configured by the ending offset) after the paging indication PDCCH (using the ending reference point and the starting reference point avoids both an excessive number of possible PFs or POs and avoids including PFs or POs close to the current paging indication PDCCH in the possible PFs or POs). Optionally, the length can also be determined by predefined rules. This simplifies higher-layer signaling. Optionally, when the indication information is not in the DCI, the terminal device does not need to listen to the PDCCH corresponding to the DCI. This reduces the complexity of the terminal device.

[0126] Method 27: Determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PF or PO that the terminal device needs to monitor; obtain the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. Optionally, the terminal device can deduce the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PF or PO it needs to monitor. For example, the terminal device can deduce the location of its own PF or PO in possible PF or PO locations, and further deduce the start position and length of the indication information in the DCI. Here, the possible PF or PO can be any PF or PO within a paging cycle, or between the paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH, or between the paging indication PDCCH and a termination reference point (configured via termination offset) after the paging indication PDCCH, or between a start reference point (configured via start offset) after the paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH, or between a start reference point (configured via start offset) after the paging indication PDCCH and a termination reference point (configured via termination offset) after the paging indication PDCCH. Optionally, the length can also be determined by predefined rules. Since higher-layer signaling is difficult to configure for a single terminal device in the idle state, derivation through the terminal device can simplify the signaling. Optionally, when the indication information is not in the DCI, the terminal device may not listen to the PDCCH corresponding to the DCI. This can reduce the complexity of the terminal device.

[0127] Method 28: Based on higher-level signaling and the PF or PO that the terminal device needs to monitor, determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI; based on the start position and / or length, retrieve the indication information from the DCI. For example, the terminal device can deduce how many possible PFs or POs correspond to the DCI through the paging configuration information, thereby deduce the position of its own PF or PO among the possible PFs or POs, and further deduce the start position and length of the indication information in the DCI. Here, the possible PF or PO can be any PF or PO within a paging cycle, or between the paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH, or between the paging indication PDCCH and a termination reference point (configured via termination offset) after the paging indication PDCCH, or between a start reference point (configured via start offset) after the paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH, or between a start reference point (configured via start offset) after the paging indication PDCCH and a termination reference point (configured via termination offset) after the paging indication PDCCH. Optionally, the length can also be determined by predefined rules. This allows for a trade-off between signaling control and simplified signaling. Optionally, when the indication information is not present in the DCI, the terminal device may not listen to the PDCCH corresponding to the DCI. This reduces the complexity of the terminal device.

[0128] Optionally, in methods 26, 27, and 28 above, the terminal device can also deduce the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on its own PO subgroup (a subgroup or subset of terminal device groups within the corresponding PO). For example, the terminal device first deduces the start position and / or length of the PO to which the indication information belongs in the DCI, and then deduces the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on its own PO subgroup. Optionally, when the indication information does not exist in the DCI, the terminal device may not need to listen to the PDCCH corresponding to the DCI. This can reduce the complexity of the terminal device.

[0129] Method 29: Based on higher-layer signaling, the terminal device derives the total length of the DCI; based on the total length, it retrieves the indication information from the DCI. Only by obtaining the total length of the DCI can the terminal device decode the DCI correctly. For example, the terminal device can derive the number of possible PFs or POs through the paging configuration information, thereby deriving the total length of the DCI. Among these, possible PFs or POs include those within the paging cycle (where the DCI corresponds to all PFs or POs within the paging cycle), or those between the paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH (where the DCI corresponds to all PFs or POs between the current paging indication PDCCH and the next paging indication PDCCH), or those between the paging indication PDCCH and a termination reference point after the paging indication PDCCH (configured via termination offset) (using termination reference points avoids having too many possible PFs or POs), or those between a starting reference point after the paging indication PDCCH (configured via starting offset) and the next paging indication PDCCH. Possible PFs or POs between H (using the starting reference point avoids including PFs or POs close to the current paging indication PDCCH in the possible PFs or POs counted, as the energy-saving gain is not significant if the indication information is for PFs or POs close to the current paging indication PDCCH), or possible PFs or POs between a starting reference point (configured by the starting offset) after the paging indication PDCCH and a ending reference point (configured by the ending offset) after the paging indication PDCCH (using the ending reference point and the starting reference point avoids both an excessive number of possible PFs or POs and avoids including PFs or POs close to the current paging indication PDCCH in the possible PFs or POs). Optionally, the length can also be determined by predefined rules. This simplifies higher-layer signaling. Optionally, when the indication information is not in the DCI, the terminal device does not need to listen to the PDCCH corresponding to the DCI. This reduces the complexity of the terminal device.

[0130] Optionally, in method 29 above, the terminal device can also deduce the total length of the DCI based on the parameters of the PO subgroup (a subgroup or subset of terminal device groups within a PO); and retrieve indication information from the DCI based on the total length. For example, the terminal device first deduces the number of possible PFs or POs, and then deduces the total length of the DCI based on the PO subgroup parameters (e.g., the number of PO subgroups within a PO). Optionally, when the indication information is not present in the DCI, the terminal device may not need to listen to the PDCCH corresponding to the DCI. This reduces the complexity of the terminal device.

[0131] In method 31, the terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PF to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI according to the start position and / or length. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PF. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PF.

[0132] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit. In another possible design, each 1 bit in the DCI corresponds to a PF. In yet another possible design, 1 bit in the DCI is retrieved, and when the 1 bit is a first preset value, the paging PDCCH is listened to within the PF corresponding to that 1 bit. Optionally, when the 1 bit is a second preset value, it is determined that the paging PDCCH is not listened to within the PF corresponding to that 1 bit. In this application, each 1 bit in the DCI corresponds to a PF, which saves bits, but the granularity of the indication is relatively coarse, at PF.

[0133] Method 32: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the paging occasion (PO) to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that the paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that the paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO.

[0134] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit. In another possible design, each 1 bit in the DCI corresponds to a PO. In yet another possible design, a 1 bit in the DCI is retrieved, and when that 1 bit is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being listened to in the PO corresponding to that 1 bit. Optionally, when that 1 bit is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being listened to in the PO corresponding to that 1 bit. In this application, each 1 bit in the DCI corresponds to a PO. Although more bits are used, the granularity of the indication is finer, being a PO.

[0135] Method 33: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI according to the PO subgroup to be monitored; based on the start position and / or length, it retrieves the indication information from the DCI. A PO subgroup is a subgroup or subset of the terminal device group within a corresponding PO. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs. In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit. In one possible design, each 1 bit in the DCI corresponds to one PO subgroup. In one possible design, 1 bit is retrieved from the DCI; when the 1 bit is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO subgroup corresponding to the 1 bit or the PO to which the corresponding PO subgroup belongs. Optionally, when the 1 bit is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO subgroup corresponding to the 1 bit or the PO to which the corresponding PO subgroup belongs. In this application, each 1 bit in the DCI corresponds to a PO subgroup. Although a large number of bits are used, the granularity of the indication is fine, which is the PO subgroup.

[0136] Optionally, the first preset value can be 1 or 0, and the second preset value can also be 1 or 0. For example, when the first preset value is 1, the second preset value is 0, and when the first preset value is 0, the second preset value is 1.

[0137] The terminal device can wake up and listen to the paging indication PDCCH before X PFs or POs, so that the terminal device can know whether it needs to wake up and listen to the paging PDCCH before the next X PFs or POs, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0138] Method 34: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PF to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PF. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PF.

[0139] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0140] In one possible design, the DCI consists of X bits, with each 1 bit corresponding to a PF.

[0141] In one possible design, one bit is obtained from X bits. When the one bit is a first preset value, the PDCCH is listened for in the PF corresponding to the one bit. Optionally, when the one bit is a second preset value, it is determined not to listen for the PDCCH in the PF corresponding to the one bit.

[0142] In this application, DCI includes X bits. Although this can save bits, the granularity of the indication is coarse, at PF.

[0143] Method 35: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PO to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO.

[0144] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0145] In one possible design, the DCI consists of Y bits, where Y is equal to the product of X and M, M is the total number of paging opportunities configured in a PF, and each 1 bit of the Y bits corresponds to a PO.

[0146] In one possible design, one bit is obtained from Y bits. When this one bit is a first preset value, the PDCCH is listened to within the PO corresponding to this one bit. Optionally, when the one bit is a second preset value, it is determined that the PDCCH is not listened to within the PO corresponding to this one bit.

[0147] In this application, DCI includes Y bits. Although a large number of bits are used, the granularity of the indication is fine, which is PO.

[0148] Method 36: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PO subgroup to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. A PO subgroup is a subgroup or subset of terminal device groups within a corresponding PO. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs.

[0149] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0150] In one possible design, the DCI consists of Z bits, where Y equals the product of X and M and L, M is the total number of POs configured in a PF, L is the total number of PO subgroups configured in a PO, and each 1 bit in the Z bits corresponds to a PO subgroup.

[0151] In one possible design, one bit is obtained from Z bits. When this one bit is a first preset value, the PDCCH is listened to and paging within the PO subgroup corresponding to the one bit or within the PO to which the corresponding PO subgroup belongs. Optionally, when the one bit is a second preset value, it is determined that the one bit is not listened to and paging within the corresponding PO subgroup or within the PO to which the corresponding PO subgroup belongs.

[0152] In this application, DCI includes Z bits. Although a large number of bits are used, the granularity of the indication is fine, which is a PO subgroup.

[0153] Method 37: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PO subgroup to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO.

[0154] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0155] In one possible design, the DCI consists of X bits, with each 1 bit corresponding to a PO.

[0156] In one possible design, one bit is obtained from X bits. When this one bit is a first preset value, it is determined that the PDCCH will be listened to within the PO corresponding to this one bit. Optionally, when the one bit is a second preset value, it is determined that the PDCCH will not be listened to within the PO corresponding to this one bit.

[0157] In this application, the DCI includes X bits, the granularity of the indication is PO, the number of bits used is small, the granularity of the indication is fine, but the number of DCI bits required is large.

[0158] Method 38: The terminal device determines the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PO subgroup to be monitored; and retrieves the indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length. A PO subgroup is a subgroup or subset of terminal device groups within a corresponding PO. When the indication information is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being monitored within the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs. Optionally, when the indication information is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being monitored within the PO subgroup or the PO to which the PO subgroup belongs.

[0159] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit. In another possible design, the DCI includes Z bits, with each 1 bit corresponding to a PO subgroup. This PO subgroup is a subgroup or subset of the terminal equipment group within the corresponding PO. In one possible design, 1 bit from the Z bits is obtained. When this 1 bit is a first preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is being listened to within the PO subgroup corresponding to the 1 bit or within the PO to which the corresponding PO subgroup belongs. Optionally, when the 1 bit is a second preset value, it is determined that paging PDCCH is not being listened to within the PO subgroup corresponding to the 1 bit or within the PO to which the corresponding PO subgroup belongs. In this application, the DCI includes Z bits, the granularity of the indication is PO subgroups, fewer bits are used, and the granularity of the indication is finer, but the required number of DCI bits is larger.

[0160] In the above method, the first preset value can be 1 or 0, and the second preset value can also be 1 or 0. For example, when the first preset value is 1, the second preset value is 0, and when the first preset value is 0, the second preset value is 1.

[0161] The communication method provided in this embodiment includes: listening to the paging indication (PDCCH), obtaining indication information, and determining the state of at least one reference signal based on the indication information. This enables the terminal device to determine the state (i.e., whether it is available) of at least one reference signal, thereby saving power consumption of the terminal device.

[0162] The communication method provided in this embodiment further includes: listening to the paging indication PDCCH and obtaining indication information; determining whether to listen to the paging PDCCH based on the indication information. This can reduce the frequency of terminal devices waking up to receive paging messages, thereby saving power consumption of the terminal devices.

[0163] Furthermore, in existing technologies, to shorten the wake-up time of terminal devices, reduce the overhead of communication systems, and increase capacity, network devices typically send reference signals intended for connected terminal devices to idle terminal devices. This results in idle terminal devices being unable to determine the availability of the reference signal upon receiving it, leading to failures in shortening the wake-up time, reducing the overhead of communication systems, and increasing the capacity of communication systems. In this application, the terminal device determines the state of at least one reference signal based on indication information, enabling it to determine the availability of the reference signal. This achieves the goals of shortening the wake-up time of terminal devices, reducing the overhead of communication systems, and increasing the capacity of communication systems, thus realizing the combined optimization of energy saving for terminal devices, reducing the overhead of communication systems, and increasing the capacity of communication systems.

[0164] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .like Figure 3As shown, the distance between the first reference point and PMO or PO is the first offset. After the first reference point, the state of at least one corresponding reference signal is available.

[0165] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the first reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 2 .like Figure 4 As shown, within the first window starting from the first reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state.

[0166] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the second reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .like Figure 5 As shown, the distance between the first reference point and PMO or PO is the second offset. After the second reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state.

[0167] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the second reference point provided for embodiments of this application. Figure 2 .like Figure 6 As shown, for the second window ending at the second reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state after the second reference point.

[0168] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a third reference point provided for an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 7 As shown, after the third reference point, at least one reference signal is determined to be in a usable state.

[0169] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth reference point provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, it is determined that at least one reference signal is in a usable state before the fourth reference point.

[0170] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 .like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 10 includes: an acquisition module 101 and a determination module 102, wherein,

[0171] The acquisition module 101 is used to listen to the paging indication physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and acquire indication information;

[0172] The determination module 102 is used to determine the status of at least one reference signal or to determine whether to listen to the paging PDCCH, and whether the status is available or unavailable, based on the indication information.

[0173] The communication device 10 provided in this application embodiment can execute the technical solution shown in the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and beneficial effects are similar, and will not be described again here.

[0174] In one possible design, the specific function of module 102 is determined as follows:

[0175] Determine the state of at least one reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging listening.

[0176] In one possible design, the indication information is 1 bit, which indicates the status of all reference signals corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging listening.

[0177] In one possible design, the indication information is more than 1 bit, where each 1 bit indicates the state of a reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging listening.

[0178] In one possible design, module 102 is specifically used for:

[0179] Determine that at least one reference signal is in an available state before the paging listening time PMO or the paging time PO.

[0180] In one possible design, module 102 is specifically used for:

[0181] After determining the first reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state. The distance from the first reference point to the paging listening time PMO or paging time PO is the first offset.

[0182] In one possible design, module 102 is specifically used for:

[0183] Before determining the second reference point, at least one reference signal must be in an available state. The second reference point is defined as the second offset from the paging listening time PMO or paging time PO.

[0184] In one possible design, module 102 is specifically used for:

[0185] Before the paging instruction PDCCH is executed, at least one reference signal is confirmed to be in an available state.

[0186] In one possible design, module 102 is specifically used for:

[0187] After determining the third reference point, at least one reference signal is in an available state, wherein the distance from the third reference point to the paging indicator PDCCH is the third offset.

[0188] In one possible design, module 102 is specifically used for:

[0189] Before the fourth reference point, at least one reference signal is determined to be in an available state, wherein the fourth reference point is a fourth offset from the paging indicator PDCCH.

[0190] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 .exist Figure 9 On the basis of, such as Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 10 includes: a monitoring module 103, wherein,

[0191] The listening module 103 is used to listen for the paging PDCCH in the PF when the indication information is the first preset value.

[0192] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0193] In one possible design, the listening module 103 is used to listen for the paging PDCCH within the PO when the indication information is a first preset value.

[0194] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0195] In one possible design, the listening module 103 is used to listen for paging PDCCH in the PO subgroup or the PO to which the subgroup belongs when the indication information is a first preset value.

[0196] In one possible design, the indication information is carried by 1 bit.

[0197] In one possible design, the acquisition module 101 is specifically used for:

[0198] Determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI, which is carried on the paging indication PDCCH;

[0199] Obtain indication information from the DCI based on the start position and / or length.

[0200] In one possible design, the acquisition module 101 is specifically used for:

[0201] Based on higher-level signaling, determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI.

[0202] In one possible design, the acquisition module 101 is specifically used for:

[0203] Determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the paging frame PF or paging timing PO that needs to be monitored.

[0204] In one possible design, the acquisition module 101 is specifically used for:

[0205] Based on higher-level signaling and the paging frame PF or paging timing PO that needs to be monitored, determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI.

[0206] In one possible design, the acquisition module 101 is specifically used for:

[0207] Determine the start position and / or length of the indication information in the DCI based on the PO subgroup to which the terminal device belongs.

[0208] In one possible design, the acquisition module 101 is also used for:

[0209] Obtain indication information from the Media Access Control (MAC) signaling, MAC Packet Data Unit (PDU), or MAC Control Unit (CE).

[0210] In one possible design, the listening module 103 is also used for:

[0211] Regarding the timing of the listening, listen to the paging instruction PDCCH.

[0212] In one possible design, the listening timing occurs before at least one paging frame (PF).

[0213] In one possible design, the listening timing is before at least one PF and closest to the first PF among at least one PF.

[0214] In one possible design, the listening timing is before at least one PF and closest to the first PF among at least one PF, and has a full duration.

[0215] In one possible design, the listening time precedes at least one paging time (PO).

[0216] In one possible design, the listening time is before at least one paging time (PO) and closest to the first of at least one PO.

[0217] In one possible design, the listening timing precedes at least one paging timing (PO) and is closest to the first of at least one PO, and has a full duration.

[0218] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 As shown, the terminal device 20 includes: a processor 201 and a memory 202.

[0219] The processor 201 and the memory 202 are connected via a bus 203.

[0220] In the specific implementation process, the processor 201 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 202, causing the processor 201 to execute the communication method in the above method embodiment.

[0221] The specific implementation process of processor 201 can be found in the above method embodiments, and its implementation principle and technical effect are similar. It will not be repeated here.

[0222] In the above Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiments, it should be understood that the processor can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0223] The memory may include high-speed RAM, or it may also include non-volatile memory (NVM), such as disk storage.

[0224] The bus can be an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, the buses shown in the accompanying drawings are not limited to a single bus or a single type of bus.

[0225] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the communication method described in the above method embodiments.

[0226] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method in the above method embodiments.

[0227] The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk. The readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0228] An exemplary readable storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the readable storage medium. Of course, the readable storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the readable storage medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Alternatively, the processor and the readable storage medium can exist as discrete components in the device.

[0229] The division of units is merely a logical functional division; in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another communication system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices, or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0230] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0231] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0232] If a function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it 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 part 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 of the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0233] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the program performs the steps of the above-described method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0234] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Regarding the timing of the listening, the listening is performed on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) of the paging indication, and the PDCCH carries downlink control information (DCI). Based on higher-level signaling, determine the start position and length of the indication information in the DCI; Based on the indicated information, the state of at least one reference signal is determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the state of at least one reference signal includes: Determine the state of at least one reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging listening.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The indication information is 1 bit, which indicates the status of all reference signals corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging and listening.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The indication information is more than 1 bit, wherein each 1 bit indicates the state of a reference signal corresponding to the synchronization signal block SSB associated with the PMO during paging and listening.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the state of at least one reference signal includes: It is determined that the state of the at least one reference signal is available before the paging listening time PMO or before the paging time PO.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the state of at least one reference signal includes: After determining the first reference point, the state of the at least one reference signal is an available state, wherein the first reference point is offset from the paging listening time PMO or paging time PO by a first offset.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Determining the state of at least one reference signal includes: Before determining the second reference point, the state of the at least one reference signal is an available state, wherein the second reference point is a second offset from the paging listening time PMO or paging time PO.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is determined that the state of at least one reference signal is available before the paging indication PDCCH.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After determining the third reference point, the state of the at least one reference signal is an available state, wherein the third reference point is a third offset from the paging indicator PDCCH.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before determining the fourth reference point, the state of the at least one reference signal is in an available state, wherein the fourth reference point is a fourth offset from the paging indicator PDCCH.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The indication information is obtained from the DCI based on the start position and / or the length.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The listening time is before at least one paging frame (PF).

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The listening time is before at least one PF and closest to the first PF among the at least one PF.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The listening timing is before at least one PF and closest to the first of the at least one PF, and has a full duration.

15. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The listening time is before at least one paging time (PO).

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The listening time is before at least one paging time (PO) and closest to the first of the at least one PO.

17. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The listening time is before at least one paging time (PO) and closest to the first of the at least one PO, and has a full duration.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to terminal devices, the device includes: an acquisition module and a determination module, wherein, The acquisition module is used to listen to the Paging Indication Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) at the listening time, wherein the Paging Indication PDCCH carries DCI; The determination mode is used to determine the start position and length of the indication information in the DCI according to the higher-level signaling; the determination module is used to determine the state of at least one reference signal, which is an available state or an unavailable state, according to the indication information.

19. A terminal device, characterized in that, include: Processor and memory; The memory stores computer-executed instructions; The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory, causing the processor to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

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