Communication method, communication device, communication system, storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication method, a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium. The method comprises: determining whether to enable a first feature, the first feature comprising at least one of: transmitting a downlink control indication (DCI) using a data channel, and transmitting a DCI of a first DCI format using a data channel; determining to enable the first feature, and performing a first operation; and determining not to enable the first feature, and performing a second operation. The method of the present disclosure can avoid the phenomenon of "transmitting DCI using a data channel for a long time", prevent the data transmission of the data channel from being affected, and improve the enabling mechanism of the first feature.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, communication devices, communication systems, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, downlink control indicators (DCIs) can be carried on data channels to achieve low-latency scheduling of DCIs, and the DCI blocking rate can be reduced, which is beneficial for terminal energy saving.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides communication methods, communication devices, communication systems, and storage media.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication method is provided, executed by a terminal, comprising:

[0006] Determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) using a data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel;

[0007] Determine whether the first feature is enabled, and execute the first operation;

[0008] If the first feature is not enabled, perform the second operation.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0010] Determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided for a communication system, the communication system including a network device and a terminal, the method comprising:

[0012] The network device determines whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel;

[0013] The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature;

[0014] Once the first feature is enabled, the terminal performs a first operation.

[0015] If the first feature is determined to be disabled, the terminal performs a second operation.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0017] The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel;

[0018] The processing module is further configured to determine whether to enable the first feature and perform the first operation;

[0019] The processing module is further configured to determine that the first feature is not enabled and then perform a second operation.

[0020] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0021] The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel.

[0022] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0023] One or more processors;

[0024] The processor is configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to execute any of the communication methods described in the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0025] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a network device and a terminal, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0026] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a communication method as described in any of the first to second aspects.

[0027] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, implements the communication methods described in the first and second aspects.

[0028] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication methods described in the first and second aspects.

[0029] It is understood that the aforementioned network devices, terminals, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of some communication systems provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0038] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0039] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0040] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0041] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0042] Determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) using a data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel;

[0043] Determine whether the first feature is enabled, and execute the first operation;

[0044] If the first feature is not enabled, perform the second operation.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the terminal determines whether the first feature is enabled. When the first feature is enabled, the terminal can perform a first operation; when the first feature is disabled, the terminal can perform a second operation. The first feature may include at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel. Therefore, this disclosure provides a method for enabling or disabling the first feature, allowing for flexible enabling or disabling at appropriate times, avoiding the phenomenon of "transmitting DCI using a data channel for an extended period," and preventing data transmission on the data channel from being affected. Furthermore, this disclosure also provides the operations that the terminal needs to perform when the first feature is enabled or disabled, improving the enabling mechanism of the first feature and enriching the comprehensiveness of the communication method.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0047] Data channels scheduled by the DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0048] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0049] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0050] In the above embodiments, it is explained which data channels may specifically include, so that the terminal can successfully determine whether these data channels are enabled or disabled for the first feature.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0052] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the network device configuration.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature based on the network device configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0054] The first feature is enabled based on the first signaling sent by the network device.

[0055] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first configuration sent by the network device, wherein the first configuration is used to configure the first feature.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0057] The step of determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first signaling sent by the network device includes:

[0058] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first configuration sent by the network device includes:

[0060] In response to the inclusion of a first parameter in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is enabled;

[0061] In response to the fact that the first parameter is not included in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is not enabled.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0063] Report first auxiliary information to the network device, the first auxiliary information indicating at least one of the following:

[0064] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0065] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0067] Receive first indication information sent by the network device, and determine whether to enable the first feature based on the first indication information; wherein

[0068] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting a DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0069] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0071] The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature based on the implementation.

[0072] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0073] Send an uplink control indication (UCI) to the network device, the UCI indicating whether the first feature is enabled.

[0074] In the above embodiments, it is explained how the terminal specifically determines whether the first feature is enabled, so that the terminal can successfully determine whether the first feature is enabled or disabled, and thus the terminal can perform corresponding operations based on the enabling state of the first feature.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0076] The terminal monitors DCI in all data channels;

[0077] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel, the first data channel is used to carry the DCI, and the first data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0078] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel, which is used to carry the DCI in the first DCI format. The second data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0079] The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels after the first duration.

[0080] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel after a first duration;

[0081] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel after a first duration.

[0082] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0083] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels;

[0084] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel;

[0085] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel;

[0086] The terminal stops monitoring the DCI in the next monitoring opportunity and all subsequent data channels.

[0087] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the first data channel thereafter.

[0088] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the subsequent second data channel;

[0089] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels after the second duration;

[0090] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel after the second duration;

[0091] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel after the second duration.

[0092] In the above embodiments, the specific operations of the terminal when the first feature is enabled and the specific operations of the terminal when the first feature is not enabled are described, thereby improving the enabling mechanism of the first feature and enriching the comprehensiveness of the communication method.

[0093] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0094] Determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel.

[0095] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0096] Data channels scheduled by DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0097] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0098] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0099] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0100] Configure the terminal to enable or disable the first feature.

[0101] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, configuring the terminal to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0102] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature via the first signaling.

[0103] The first configuration is sent to the terminal to configure whether the first feature is enabled.

[0104] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0105] The step of configuring the terminal to enable the first feature via the first signaling includes:

[0106] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature by using the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0107] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the step of sending a first configuration to the terminal to configure whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0108] In response to enabling the first feature, the first parameter is included in the first configuration;

[0109] In response to the first feature not being enabled, the first parameter is not included in the first configuration.

[0110] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0111] The receiving terminal reports first auxiliary information, which indicates at least one of the following:

[0112] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0113] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0114] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0115] The first characteristic for enabling the feature includes transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel, wherein the first DCI format includes one or more of the second DCI formats.

[0116] Determine that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0117] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0118] Send first instruction information to the terminal; wherein

[0119] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0120] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0121] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0122] The receiving terminal sends a UCI, which is used to indicate whether the first feature is enabled.

[0123] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0124] If the first feature is enabled, a third operation is performed, the third operation including at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using the data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel, transmitting DCI using the data channel after a third duration, and transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel after a third duration.

[0125] If it is determined that the first feature is not enabled, a fourth operation is performed, the fourth operation including at least one of the following: stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel after a fourth duration, and stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel after a fourth duration.

[0126] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method for a communication system, the communication system including network devices and terminals, the method comprising:

[0127] The network device determines whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel;

[0128] The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature;

[0129] Once the first feature is enabled, the terminal performs a first operation.

[0130] If the first feature is determined to be disabled, the terminal performs a second operation.

[0131] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0132] The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel;

[0133] The processing module is further configured to determine whether to enable the first feature and perform the first operation;

[0134] The processing module is further configured to determine that the first feature is not enabled and then perform a second operation.

[0135] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0136] Data channels scheduled by the DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0137] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0138] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0139] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0140] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the network device configuration.

[0141] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature based on the network device configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0142] The first feature is enabled based on the first signaling sent by the network device.

[0143] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first configuration sent by the network device, wherein the first configuration is used to configure the first feature.

[0144] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0145] The step of determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first signaling sent by the network device includes:

[0146] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0147] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first configuration sent by the network device includes:

[0148] In response to the inclusion of a first parameter in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is enabled;

[0149] In response to the fact that the first parameter is not included in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is not enabled.

[0150] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0151] Report first auxiliary information to the network device, the first auxiliary information indicating at least one of the following:

[0152] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0153] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0154] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0155] Receive first indication information sent by the network device, and determine whether to enable the first feature based on the first indication information; wherein

[0156] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0157] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0158] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0159] The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature based on the implementation.

[0160] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0161] Send an uplink control indication (UCI) to the network device, the UCI indicating whether the first feature is enabled.

[0162] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0163] The terminal monitors DCI in all data channels;

[0164] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel, the first data channel is used to carry the DCI, and the first data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0165] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel, which is used to carry the DCI in the first DCI format. The second data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0166] The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels after the first duration.

[0167] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel after a first duration;

[0168] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel after a first duration.

[0169] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0170] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels;

[0171] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel;

[0172] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel;

[0173] The terminal stops monitoring the DCI in the next monitoring opportunity and all subsequent data channels.

[0174] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the first data channel thereafter.

[0175] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the subsequent second data channel;

[0176] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels after the second duration;

[0177] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel after the second duration;

[0178] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel after the second duration.

[0179] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, comprising:

[0180] The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel.

[0181] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0182] Data channels scheduled by DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0183] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0184] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0185] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0186] Configure the terminal to enable or disable the first feature.

[0187] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, configuring the terminal to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0188] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature via the first signaling.

[0189] The first configuration is sent to the terminal to configure whether the first feature is enabled.

[0190] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0191] The step of configuring the terminal to enable the first feature via the first signaling includes:

[0192] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature by using the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0193] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the step of sending a first configuration to the terminal to configure whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0194] In response to enabling the first feature, the first parameter is included in the first configuration;

[0195] In response to the first feature not being enabled, the first parameter is not included in the first configuration.

[0196] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0197] The receiving terminal reports first auxiliary information, which indicates at least one of the following:

[0198] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0199] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0200] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0201] The first characteristic for enabling the feature includes transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel, wherein the first DCI format includes one or more of the second DCI formats.

[0202] Determine that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0203] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0204] Send first instruction information to the terminal; wherein

[0205] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0206] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0207] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0208] The receiving terminal sends a UCI, which is used to indicate whether the first feature is enabled.

[0209] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0210] If the first feature is enabled, a third operation is performed, the third operation including at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using the data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel, transmitting DCI using the data channel after a third duration, and transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel after a third duration.

[0211] If it is determined that the first feature is not enabled, a fourth operation is performed, the fourth operation including at least one of the following: stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel after a fourth duration, and stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel after a fourth duration.

[0212] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; wherein the processors are configured to invoke the instructions to cause the communication device to perform the methods described in the first aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0213] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system comprising: a network device and a terminal; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and optional implementations thereof, and the network device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect and optional implementations thereof.

[0214] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect, an optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0215] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the methods described in the first aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0216] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect, an optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and an optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0217] It is understood that the aforementioned network devices, terminals, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0218] This disclosure provides communication methods, communication devices, communication systems, and storage media. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" can be used interchangeably with "information processing method," "information sending method," and "information receiving method," and the terms "communication device" can be used interchangeably with "information processing device," "information sending device," and "information receiving device," and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," "information sending system," and "information receiving system" can be used interchangeably.

[0219] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0220] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0221] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0222] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0223] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0224] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0225] The descriptions in this disclosure, such as "at least one of A, B, C..." or "A and / or B and / or C...", include the case where any one of A, B, C... exists alone, as well as the case where any combination of any of A, B, C... exists alone. Each case can exist alone. For example, "at least one of A, B, C" includes the cases of A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B combination, A and C combination, B and C combination, and A and B and C combination. For example, A and / or B includes the cases of A alone, B alone, and A and B combination.

[0226] In some embodiments, the notation "in one case A, in another case B" or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: A is executed regardless of B, i.e., A is executed in some embodiments; B is executed regardless of A, i.e., B is executed in some embodiments; A and B are selectively executed, i.e., A and B are selected for execution in some embodiments; A and B are both executed, i.e., A and B are executed in some embodiments. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0227] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0228] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0229] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0230] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0231] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0232] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0233] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0234] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0235] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures that replace communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals with communication between multiple terminals (e.g., also referred to as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, uplink link, downlink link, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0236] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0237] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0238] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0239] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0240] The correspondences shown in the tables of this disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values; this disclosure 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 disclosure 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 headers 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. In the implementation of 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.

[0241] The predefined terms in this disclosure can be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0242] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include network devices and terminals; wherein, the network devices may include at least one of access network devices and core network devices.

[0243] In some embodiments, the terminal includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, car with communication capabilities, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0244] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), wireless backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system.

[0245] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0246] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0247] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC). Alternatively, the core network device may also be a location management function network element. Exemplarily, the location management function network element includes a location server, which may be implemented as any of the following: a Location Management Function (LMF), an Enhanced Serving Mobile Location Centre (E-SMLC), a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), and a Secure User Plane Location Platform (SUPLLP).

[0248] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0249] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0250] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0251] Optionally, both LTE and New Radio (NR) use the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to carry DCI. However, PDCCH resources are limited, and they will cause significant congestion when facing frequent multi-user scheduling in the larger-scale access of 6G. Furthermore, blind detection of terminals has always been a major issue restricting terminal energy efficiency. In NR, to support low-latency scheduling, DCI monitoring timing is configured more frequently, which is detrimental to terminal energy efficiency. Therefore, based on the fundamental design requirements of reducing terminal blind detection and lowering DCI congestion rate, one design for 6G is a data channel-based DCI carrying mechanism. The data channel can include at least one of the following: a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) channel, or a dynamically scheduled physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Optionally, the advantages of the data channel-based DCI carrying mechanism are as follows:

[0252] 1. DCI carried by PDSCH does not require blind testing by terminal equipment, fundamentally reducing the number of blind tests required by the terminal.

[0253] 2. While maintaining the existing DCI in the network, it can also reduce the number of candidate positions of DCI carried in PDCCH, further reducing the number of blind detections of PDCCH.

[0254] 3. With the number of DCIs in the network remaining unchanged, the network side can reduce the number of DCIs carried in the PDCCH, thereby reducing the probability of DCI blocking and helping to improve system throughput.

[0255] 4. Compared to the NR / LTE mechanism, it provides more flexible DCI transmission locations, which helps to enhance scheduling flexibility;

[0256] 5. Compared to PDCCH, PDSCH can be configured with more time and frequency resources, allowing for a larger DCI payload, which means that DCI can support a wider variety of functions.

[0257] Optionally, in a communication system, if the data channel is always used to carry DCI, it may affect the data transmission of the data channel. Furthermore, the network is not always in a state of DCI resource shortage. Therefore, it is not necessary to use the data channel to carry DCI continuously. An enabling mechanism needs to be introduced for "data channel carrying DCI" so that "data channel carrying DCI" can be enabled or disabled at the appropriate time. However, such an enabling mechanism does not currently exist. Moreover, for the terminal, the specific operation when "data channel carrying DCI" is enabled or disabled is not defined.

[0258] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, this embodiment of the disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system 100; the method includes:

[0259] Step 2101: The terminal and / or network device determines whether to enable the first feature.

[0260] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first feature may include at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel.

[0261] Optionally, the DCI transmitted using the data channel described above can be referred to as the first DCI. Optionally, the data channel can refer to a channel used to carry data information; for example, the data channel may include a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and / or a Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) channel. Optionally, the data channel can be used to carry both the first DCI and data information, or the data channel can be used only to carry the first DCI.

[0262] In some embodiments, the data channel may include at least one of the following: a second DCI-scheduled data channel, a semi-statically configured data channel, or a dynamically activated data channel.

[0263] In some embodiments, the aforementioned second DCI may refer to a DCI carried by a control channel (e.g., a Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH).

[0264] In some embodiments, the aforementioned “semi-statically configured data channel” may refer, for example, to a data channel configured via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0265] In some embodiments, the aforementioned “dynamically activated data channel” may refer, for example, to a data channel activated by a second DCI or a Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) signaling. Optionally, at least one alternative data channel may be pre-configured by RRC signaling, and then one or more alternative data channels may be activated by the second DCI or MAC CE signaling to carry the first DCI.

[0266] Optionally, the relevant information of the first DCI can be agreed upon by a protocol and / or configured by a network device. Optionally, the relevant information of the first DCI may include, for example, the DCI format of the first DCI, the transmission resources of the first DCI, etc. In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first DCI can be directly agreed upon by a protocol, or the relevant information of the first DCI can be configured by second signaling. The second signaling may include, for example, at least one of RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and the second DCI. Alternatively, at least one alternative relevant information can be agreed upon by a protocol, and then the second signaling activates the alternative relevant information as the relevant information of the first DCI. Or, at least one alternative relevant information can be indicated by RRC signaling, and then the MAC CE signaling or the second DCI activates the alternative relevant information as the relevant information of the first DCI.

[0267] Optionally, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned "whether to enable the first feature" can be decided by the network device, and the network device can configure the decision result to the terminal. The decision result may include, for example, enabling the first feature or disabling the first feature.

[0268] Optionally, in some embodiments, the network device can configure the decision result to the terminal via a first signaling, which may include at least one of the following: RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling, and a second DCI. Optionally, the network device can configure the decision result to the terminal via a first RRC parameter in the first signaling, for example: when the first signaling includes the first RRC parameter, it indicates that the first feature is enabled; when the first signaling does not include the first RRC parameter, it indicates that the first feature is disabled; or, when the first signaling includes the first RRC parameter, it indicates that the first feature is disabled, and when the first signaling does not include the first RRC parameter, it indicates that the first feature is enabled. Alternatively, other methods may be used, and this disclosure does not specifically limit them.

[0269] Optionally, in other embodiments, the network device can configure the above decision result to the terminal by sending a first configuration. Optionally, the first configuration can be used to configure a first feature. For example, the first configuration can be used to configure the transmission resources corresponding to the first feature. The "transmission resources corresponding to the first feature" can include the transmission resources occupied by the "data channel for carrying DCI". For another example, the first configuration can also be used to configure the data channel corresponding to the first feature. The "data channel corresponding to the first feature" can include the data channel for carrying DCI. Optionally, in some embodiments, the method of "the network device configuring the above decision result to the terminal by sending a first configuration" can include: when the first feature is enabled, the network device can include a first parameter in the first configuration; when the first feature is not enabled, the network device can not include the first parameter in the first configuration. Thus, after receiving the first configuration, the terminal can determine whether the first feature is enabled based on whether the first parameter is included in the first configuration. For example, if the first parameter is included in the first configuration, the terminal determines that the first feature is enabled; if the first parameter is not included in the first configuration, the terminal determines that the first feature is not enabled. Optionally, the first parameter can be a parameter necessary for executing the first feature. For example, the first parameter may include a bit rate offset indicator parameter, etc.

[0270] Optionally, in some other embodiments, the terminal may send first auxiliary information to the network device, and the network device may decide whether to enable the first feature based on the first auxiliary information and configure the decision result to the terminal. The decision result may include, for example, enabling the first feature or disabling the first feature.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first auxiliary information may include at least one of the following: one or more second DCI formats, and one or more first time periods. Optionally, the second DCI format may be a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted via a data channel, and the first time period may be a time period supported by the terminal for transmitting DCI via a data channel.

[0272] Optionally, in some embodiments, after receiving the first auxiliary information, the network device can determine that the enabled first feature includes: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, wherein the first DCI format may include one or more second DCI formats. Optionally, in other embodiments, after receiving the first auxiliary information, the network device can determine that the first feature is enabled in a first time period. Optionally, the network device can send first indication information to the terminal based on the first auxiliary information. The first indication information can be used to indicate the enabled first feature. The enabled first feature indicated by the first indication information may include: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, wherein the first DCI format may include one or more second DCI formats; and / or, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the first feature is enabled in a first time period. Furthermore, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal can determine the enabled first feature based on the first indication information, and / or can determine that the first feature is enabled in a first time period based on the first indication information.

[0273] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first DCI format indicated by the first indication information can be understood, for example, as a DCI format transmitted by a data channel indicated by a network device, and the second DCI format can be understood, for example, as a DCI format transmitted by a data channel supported by a terminal. In some embodiments, the first DCI format can be one or more of at least one second DCI format supported by the terminal.

[0274] Optionally, in some embodiments, the terminal may decide whether to enable the first feature and send the decision result to the network device. This decision result may include, for example, enabling the first feature or disabling the first feature. Optionally, the terminal may send an uplink control indicator (UCI) to the network device. This UCI indicates whether the first feature is enabled. For example, if the UCI format is a first UCI format, it indicates that the first feature is enabled; if the UCI format is not a first UCI format, it indicates that the first feature is disabled. Alternatively, if the UCI format is a first UCI format, it indicates that the first feature is disabled; if the UCI format is not a first UCI format, it indicates that the first feature is enabled.

[0275] Step 2102: The network device determines the first feature to be enabled and performs the third operation.

[0276] Optionally, the third operation may include at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using a data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, transmitting DCI using a data channel after a third duration, and transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel after a third duration.

[0277] Optionally, the aforementioned third duration can be the response latency of the network device, such as the preparation time of the network device for the third operation. In some embodiments, the third duration can be predefined by the protocol; in other embodiments, the third duration can be determined by the network device; and in still other embodiments, the third duration can be determined based on the capabilities of the network device, such as the responsiveness of the network device.

[0278] Step 2103: The network device determines that the first feature is not enabled and performs the fourth operation.

[0279] Optionally, the fourth operation may include at least one of the following: stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel after a fourth duration, and stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel after a fourth duration.

[0280] Optionally, the aforementioned fourth duration can be the response latency of the network device, such as the preparation time of the network device for the fourth operation. In some embodiments, the fourth duration can be predefined by the protocol; in other embodiments, the fourth duration can be determined by the network device; and in still other embodiments, the fourth duration can be determined based on the capabilities of the network device, such as the responsiveness of the network device.

[0281] Optionally, the third and fourth durations can be the same or different.

[0282] Step 2104: The terminal determines to enable the first feature and executes the first operation.

[0283] Optionally, the first operation may include at least one of the following:

[0284] The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels;

[0285] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel;

[0286] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel;

[0287] The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels after the first duration.

[0288] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel after the first duration.

[0289] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel after the first duration.

[0290] Optionally, the first data channel can be used to carry DCI, and the first data channel can be indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol; alternatively, the second data channel can be used to carry DCI in the first DCI format, and the second data channel can be indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0291] Optionally, the aforementioned first duration can be the terminal's response latency, such as the terminal's preparation time for the first operation. In some embodiments, the first duration can be predefined by a protocol; in other embodiments, the first duration can be configured by a network device; and in still other embodiments, the first duration can be determined based on the terminal's capabilities, such as its responsiveness.

[0292] Optionally, the first duration can be the same as or different from the third or fourth duration. For example, the first duration can be greater than or equal to the third duration.

[0293] Step 2105: The terminal determines that the first feature is not enabled and performs the second operation.

[0294] Optionally, the second operation may include at least one of the following:

[0295] The terminal stops listening to DCI on all data channels;

[0296] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel;

[0297] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel;

[0298] The terminal stops listening for the next listening opportunity and for all subsequent DCI data channels;

[0299] The terminal stops listening for the next listening opportunity and the DCI in the first data channel thereafter.

[0300] The terminal stops listening for the next listening opportunity and the subsequent DCI in the second data channel;

[0301] The terminal stops listening to DCI on all data channels after the second duration.

[0302] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel after the second duration.

[0303] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel after the second duration.

[0304] Optionally, the aforementioned second duration can be the terminal's response delay, such as the terminal's preparation time for the second operation. In some embodiments, the second duration can be predefined by a protocol; in other embodiments, the second duration can be configured by a network device; and in still other embodiments, the second duration can be determined based on the terminal's capabilities, such as its responsiveness.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second duration may be the same as or different from the first, third, or fourth duration. For example, the second duration may be greater than or equal to the fourth duration.

[0306] In summary, in the above embodiments, the terminal determines whether the first feature is enabled. When the first feature is enabled, the terminal can perform a first operation; when the first feature is disabled, the terminal can perform a second operation. The first feature may include at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel. Therefore, this disclosure provides a method for enabling or disabling the first feature, allowing for flexible enabling or disabling at appropriate times, avoiding the phenomenon of "transmitting DCI using a data channel for an extended period," and preventing data transmission on the data channel from being affected. Furthermore, this disclosure also provides the operations that the terminal needs to perform when the first feature is enabled or disabled, improving the enabling mechanism of the first feature and enriching the comprehensiveness of the communication method.

[0307] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 2101 to 2105. For example, step 2101 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 2102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 2103 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step 2101+S2102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0308] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0309] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the present disclosure relates to a communication method for a terminal, the method including:

[0310] Step 3101: Determine whether to enable the first characteristic.

[0311] Step 3102: Determine to enable the first characteristic and execute the first operation.

[0312] Step 3103: Determine that the first feature is not enabled, and perform the second operation.

[0313] Optionally, the first feature includes at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel;

[0314] The data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0315] Data channels scheduled by the DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0316] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0317] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0318] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0319] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the network device configuration.

[0320] Optionally, the determination of whether to enable the first feature based on the network device configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0321] The first feature is enabled based on the first signaling sent by the network device.

[0322] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first configuration sent by the network device, wherein the first configuration is used to configure the first feature.

[0323] Optionally, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0324] The step of determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first signaling sent by the network device includes:

[0325] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0326] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first configuration sent by the network device includes:

[0327] In response to the inclusion of a first parameter in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is enabled;

[0328] In response to the fact that the first parameter is not included in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is not enabled.

[0329] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0330] Report first auxiliary information to the network device, the first auxiliary information indicating at least one of the following:

[0331] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0332] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0333] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0334] Receive first indication information sent by the network device, and determine whether to enable the first feature based on the first indication information; wherein

[0335] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0336] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0337] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0338] The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature based on the implementation.

[0339] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0340] Send an uplink control indication (UCI) to the network device, the UCI indicating whether the first feature is enabled.

[0341] Optionally, the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0342] The terminal monitors DCI in all data channels;

[0343] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel, the first data channel is used to carry the DCI, and the first data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0344] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel, which is used to carry the DCI in the first DCI format. The second data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0345] The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels after the first duration.

[0346] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel after a first duration;

[0347] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel after a first duration.

[0348] Optionally, the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0349] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels;

[0350] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel;

[0351] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel;

[0352] The terminal stops monitoring the DCI in the next monitoring opportunity and all subsequent data channels.

[0353] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the first data channel thereafter.

[0354] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the subsequent second data channel;

[0355] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels after the second duration;

[0356] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel after the second duration;

[0357] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel after the second duration.

[0358] For a detailed description of steps 3101-3103, please refer to the above embodiment description.

[0359] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 3101 to 3103. For example, step 3101 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step 3102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0360] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0361] Figure 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the present disclosure relates to a communication method for a network device, the method comprising:

[0362] Step 4101: Determine whether to enable the first characteristic.

[0363] Optionally, the first feature includes at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel.

[0364] Optionally, the data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0365] Data channels scheduled by DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0366] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0367] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0368] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0369] Configure the terminal to enable or disable the first feature.

[0370] Optionally, configuring the terminal to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0371] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature via the first signaling.

[0372] The first configuration is sent to the terminal to configure whether the first feature is enabled.

[0373] Optionally, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0374] The step of configuring the terminal to enable the first feature via the first signaling includes:

[0375] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature by using the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0376] Optionally, the step of sending a first configuration to the terminal to configure whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0377] In response to enabling the first feature, the first parameter is included in the first configuration;

[0378] In response to the first feature not being enabled, the first parameter is not included in the first configuration.

[0379] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0380] The receiving terminal reports first auxiliary information, which indicates at least one of the following:

[0381] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0382] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0383] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0384] The first characteristic for enabling the feature includes transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel, wherein the first DCI format includes one or more of the second DCI formats.

[0385] Determine that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0386] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0387] Send first instruction information to the terminal; wherein

[0388] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0389] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0390] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0391] The receiving terminal sends a UCI, which is used to indicate whether the first feature is enabled.

[0392] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0393] If the first feature is enabled, a third operation is performed, the third operation including at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using the data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel, transmitting DCI using the data channel after a third duration, and transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel after a third duration.

[0394] If it is determined that the first feature is not enabled, a fourth operation is performed, the fourth operation including at least one of the following: stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel after a fourth duration, and stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel after a fourth duration.

[0395] For a detailed description of step 4101, please refer to the above embodiment description.

[0396] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0397] Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the present disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal. The method includes at least one of the following:

[0398] Step 5101: The network device determines whether to enable the first feature.

[0399] Step 5102: The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature.

[0400] Step 5103: Determine to enable the first feature, and the terminal executes the first operation.

[0401] Step 5104: Determine that the first feature is not enabled, and the terminal performs the second operation.

[0402] The optional implementation methods of steps 5101-5104 can be found in the above embodiments.

[0403] In some embodiments, the above methods may include the methods described in the embodiments of the communication system side, terminal side, network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0404] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps 5101 to 5104. For example, step 5101 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step 5102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0405] In this implementation or embodiment, unless there is contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other implementations or other embodiments.

[0406] The following is an exemplary description of the above method.

[0407] Optional embodiments

[0408] In a network, New-DCI is mapped onto a data channel. The new-DCI is control information defined by a protocol and can be carried by the data channel. The data channel refers to a channel capable of carrying data information, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: a data channel dynamically scheduled via control information (e.g., a PDSCH scheduled via legacy DCI), a semi-statically configured data channel (e.g., an SPS configured via RRC), and a semi-statically pre-configured data channel dynamically activated (e.g., an SPS pre-configured via RRC and activated by legacy DCI).

[0409] The method for enabling / disabling New-DCI mapping on the data channel based on base station decision includes at least one of the following:

[0410] Optional Example 1:

[0411] The base station enables / disables this feature via RRC signaling. Specifically, this includes at least one of the following:

[0412] The protocol predefines a first RRC parameter, which is used to indicate whether the feature is enabled / disabled.

[0413] The protocol predefines a first RRC parameter, which is used to indicate whether the DCI format of the feature is enabled or disabled.

[0414] Optional Example 2:

[0415] The base station enables / disables the feature via MAC CE. Specifically, this includes at least one of the following:

[0416] The protocol predefines a first RRC parameter, which is used to indicate whether the feature is enabled / disabled.

[0417] The protocol predefines a first RRC parameter, which is used to indicate whether the DCI format of the feature is enabled or disabled.

[0418] Optional Example 3:

[0419] The base station enables / disables the feature via DCI. Specifically, this includes at least one of the following:

[0420] The protocol predefines a first RRC parameter, which is used to indicate whether the feature is enabled / disabled.

[0421] The protocol predefines a first RRC parameter, which is used to indicate whether the DCI format of the feature is enabled or disabled.

[0422] Optional Example 4:

[0423] The base station implicitly enables / disables the feature through a first parameter. This first parameter is specific to the feature's configuration, such as a rate offset indicator parameter.

[0424] Optional embodiments

[0425] In a network, New-DCI is mapped onto a data channel. The new-DCI is control information defined by a protocol and can be carried by the data channel. The data channel refers to a channel capable of carrying data information, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: a data channel dynamically scheduled via control information (e.g., a PDSCH scheduled via legacy DCI), a semi-statically configured data channel (e.g., an SPS configured via RRC), and a semi-statically pre-configured data channel dynamically activated (e.g., an SPS pre-configured via RRC and activated by legacy DCI).

[0426] The terminal device reports first auxiliary information, and the base station enables / disables New-DCI mapping on the data channel based on the first auxiliary information reported by the terminal device. The method for determining the first auxiliary information includes at least one of the following:

[0427] Optional Example 1:

[0428] The first auxiliary information is DCI format information, which is the type of DCI format that the terminal reports supports for carrying on the data channel. The base station enables / disables one or more of these formats.

[0429] Optional Example 2:

[0430] The first auxiliary information is time information, that is, the time information reported by the terminal that supports being carried on the data channel. The base station enables / disables this feature within the time range.

[0431] Optional embodiments

[0432] In a network, New-DCI is mapped onto a data channel. The new-DCI is control information defined by a protocol and can be carried by the data channel. The data channel refers to a channel capable of carrying data information, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: a data channel dynamically scheduled via control information (e.g., a PDSCH scheduled via legacy DCI), a semi-statically configured data channel (e.g., an SPS configured via RRC), and a semi-statically pre-configured data channel dynamically activated (e.g., an SPS pre-configured via RRC and activated by legacy DCI).

[0433] The method for enabling / disabling New-DCI mapping on the data channel based on terminal device decisions includes at least one of the following:

[0434] Optional Example 1:

[0435] The terminal device enables / disables this feature via UCI. Specifically, this includes at least one of the following:

[0436] The protocol predefines a first UCI format, which is used to indicate whether the feature is enabled or disabled.

[0437] The protocol predefines a first UCI format, which is used to indicate the DCI format for enabling / disabling the feature.

[0438] Optional embodiments

[0439] In a network, New-DCI is mapped onto a data channel. The new-DCI is control information defined by a protocol and can be carried by the data channel. The data channel refers to a channel capable of carrying data information, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: a data channel dynamically scheduled via control information (e.g., a PDSCH scheduled via legacy DCI), a semi-statically configured data channel (e.g., an SPS configured via RRC), and a semi-statically pre-configured data channel dynamically activated (e.g., an SPS pre-configured via RRC and activated by legacy DCI).

[0440] After New-DCI mapping is enabled on the data channel, the UE behavior includes at least one of the following:

[0441] The UE immediately listens for new DCIs in all data channels.

[0442] The UE immediately listens for the new DCI in all data channels that are instructed to carry the new DCI.

[0443] After the first duration, the UE listens for new DCIs in all data channels. The first duration is the UE response delay, which is determined by protocol predefinition, base station configuration, or terminal capability.

[0444] After the first duration, the UE listens for the new DCI in all data channels indicated to carry the new DCI. The first duration is the UE response delay, which is determined by protocol predefined, base station configuration, or terminal capability.

[0445] After the data channel is disabled, the UE behavior following the New-DCI mapping includes at least one of the following:

[0446] The UE immediately stops listening to the new DCI on all data channels.

[0447] The UE immediately stops listening to the new DCI on all data channels that are instructed to carry the new DCI.

[0448] The UE immediately stops listening for the next listening opportunity and all subsequent new DCIs in all data channels.

[0449] The UE immediately ceases monitoring for the next monitoring opportunity and all subsequent new DCIs in data channels instructed to carry the new DCI.

[0450] After the first duration, the UE stops listening for new DCIs on all data channels. The first duration is the UE response delay, which is determined by protocol predefinition, base station configuration, or terminal capability.

[0451] After the first duration, the UE stops listening to the new DCI in all data channels that are indicated to carry the new DCI. The first duration is the UE response delay, which is determined by the protocol predefined, the base station configuration, or the terminal capability.

[0452] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0453] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0454] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0455] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, it includes:

[0456] The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel;

[0457] The processing module is further configured to determine whether to enable the first feature and perform the first operation;

[0458] The processing module is further configured to determine that the first feature is not enabled and then perform a second operation.

[0459] The data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0460] Data channels scheduled by the DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0461] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0462] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0463] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0464] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the network device configuration.

[0465] Optionally, the determination of whether to enable the first feature based on the network device configuration includes at least one of the following:

[0466] The first feature is enabled based on the first signaling sent by the network device.

[0467] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first configuration sent by the network device, wherein the first configuration is used to configure the first feature.

[0468] Optionally, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0469] The step of determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first signaling sent by the network device includes:

[0470] Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0471] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first configuration sent by the network device includes:

[0472] In response to the inclusion of a first parameter in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is enabled;

[0473] In response to the fact that the first parameter is not included in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is not enabled.

[0474] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0475] Report first auxiliary information to the network device, the first auxiliary information indicating at least one of the following:

[0476] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0477] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0478] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0479] Receive first indication information sent by the network device, and determine whether to enable the first feature based on the first indication information; wherein

[0480] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0481] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0482] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0483] The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature based on the implementation.

[0484] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0485] Send an uplink control indication (UCI) to the network device, the UCI indicating whether the first feature is enabled.

[0486] Optionally, the first operation includes at least one of the following:

[0487] The terminal monitors DCI in all data channels;

[0488] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel, the first data channel is used to carry the DCI, and the first data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0489] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel, which is used to carry the DCI in the first DCI format. The second data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol.

[0490] The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels after the first duration.

[0491] The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel after a first duration;

[0492] The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel after a first duration.

[0493] Optionally, the second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0494] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels;

[0495] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel;

[0496] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel;

[0497] The terminal stops monitoring the DCI in the next monitoring opportunity and all subsequent data channels.

[0498] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the first data channel thereafter.

[0499] The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the subsequent second data channel;

[0500] The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels after the second duration;

[0501] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel after the second duration;

[0502] The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel after the second duration.

[0503] Optionally, the processing module is used to execute the steps related to "processing" performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. The terminal further includes a transceiver module, which is used to execute the steps related to "sending and receiving" performed by the terminal in any of the above methods.

[0504] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, it includes:

[0505] The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel.

[0506] Optionally, the data channel includes at least one of the following:

[0507] Data channels scheduled by DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH);

[0508] Semi-statically configured data channels;

[0509] Dynamically activated data channels.

[0510] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0511] Configure the terminal to enable or disable the first feature.

[0512] Optionally, configuring the terminal to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0513] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature via the first signaling.

[0514] The first configuration is sent to the terminal to configure whether the first feature is enabled.

[0515] Optionally, the first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH;

[0516] The step of configuring the terminal to enable the first feature via the first signaling includes:

[0517] The terminal is configured to enable the first feature by using the first RRC parameter in the first signaling.

[0518] Optionally, the step of sending a first configuration to the terminal to configure whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0519] In response to enabling the first feature, the first parameter is included in the first configuration;

[0520] In response to the first feature not being enabled, the first parameter is not included in the first configuration.

[0521] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0522] The receiving terminal reports first auxiliary information, which indicates at least one of the following:

[0523] One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel;

[0524] One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel.

[0525] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following:

[0526] The first characteristic for enabling the feature includes transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel, wherein the first DCI format includes one or more of the second DCI formats.

[0527] Determine that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0528] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0529] Send first instruction information to the terminal; wherein

[0530] The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or

[0531] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period.

[0532] Optionally, determining whether to enable the first feature includes:

[0533] The receiving terminal sends a UCI, which is used to indicate whether the first feature is enabled.

[0534] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0535] If the first feature is enabled, a third operation is performed, the third operation including at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using the data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel, transmitting DCI using the data channel after a third duration, and transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel after a third duration.

[0536] If it is determined that the first feature is not enabled, a fourth operation is performed, the fourth operation including at least one of the following: stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel after a fourth duration, and stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel after a fourth duration.

[0537] Optionally, the processing module is used to perform the "processing" related steps executed by the network device in any of the above methods. The network device further includes a transceiver module, which is used to perform the "send and receive" related steps executed by the network device in any of the above methods.

[0538] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 7100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment or the aforementioned network device), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0539] As shown in Figure 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 7101 is used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 7100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0540] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7102 may also be located outside the communication device 7100.

[0541] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7103. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceivers 7103, and other steps are performed by the processor 7101.

[0542] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, sensing signal receiving end, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0543] Optionally, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more interface circuits 7104, which are connected to the memory 7102. The interface circuits 7104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 7102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 7102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 7104 can read instructions stored in the memory 7102 and send the instructions to the processor 7101.

[0544] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7a. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a sensing signal receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0545] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in Figure 7B can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0546] Chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201, which are used to invoke instructions to cause chip 7200 to perform any of the above methods.

[0547] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202 connected to memory 7203. Interface circuits 7202 can be used to receive signals from memory 7203 or other devices, and can also be used to send signals to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 7202 can read instructions stored in memory 7203 and send those instructions to processor 7201. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver can be used interchangeably.

[0548] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7203 may be located outside of chip 7200.

[0549] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 7100, cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0550] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0551] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0552] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0553] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units 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 disclosure.

[0554] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0555] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure 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 disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal, includes: Determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) using a data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel; Determine whether the first feature is enabled, and execute the first operation; If the first feature is not enabled, perform the second operation. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The data channel includes at least one of the following: Data channels scheduled by DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH); Semi-statically configured data channels; Dynamically activated data channels. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The determination of whether to enable the first feature includes: Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the network device configuration. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The network device-based configuration determination of whether to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following: The first feature is enabled based on the first signaling sent by the network device. Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first configuration sent by the network device, wherein the first configuration is used to configure the first feature. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH; The step of determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first signaling sent by the network device includes: Whether to enable the first feature is determined based on the first RRC parameter in the first signaling. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to enable the first feature based on the first configuration sent by the network device includes: In response to the inclusion of a first parameter in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is enabled; In response to the fact that the first parameter is not included in the first configuration, it is determined that the first feature is not enabled. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Report first auxiliary information to the network device, the first auxiliary information indicating at least one of the following: One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel; One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The determination of whether to enable the first feature includes: Receive first indication information sent by the network device, and determine whether to enable the first feature based on the first indication information; wherein The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The determination of whether to enable the first feature includes: The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature based on the implementation. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send an uplink control indication (UCI) to the network device, the UCI indicating whether the first feature is enabled. The method as described in any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first operation includes at least one of the following: The terminal monitors DCI in all data channels; The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel, the first data channel is used to carry the DCI, and the first data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol. The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel, which is used to carry the DCI in the first DCI format. The second data channel is indicated by the network device and / or agreed by the protocol. The terminal listens to the DCI in all data channels after the first duration. The terminal listens to the DCI in the first data channel after a first duration; The terminal listens to the DCI in the second data channel after a first duration. The method as described in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The second operation includes at least one of the following: The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels; The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel; The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel; The terminal stops monitoring the DCI in the next monitoring opportunity and all subsequent data channels. The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the first data channel thereafter. The terminal stops monitoring the next monitoring opportunity and the DCI in the subsequent second data channel; The terminal stops listening to DCI in all data channels after the second duration; The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the first data channel after the second duration; The terminal stops listening to the DCI in the second data channel after the second duration. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The data channel includes at least one of the following: Data channels scheduled by DCI carried in the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH); Semi-statically configured data channels; Dynamically activated data channels. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Configure the terminal to enable or disable the first feature. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The step of configuring the terminal to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following: The terminal is configured to enable the first feature via the first signaling. The first configuration is sent to the terminal to configure whether the first feature is enabled. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The first signaling includes at least one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE signaling, and DCI signaling carried in the PDCCH; The step of configuring the terminal to enable the first feature via the first signaling includes: The terminal is configured to enable the first feature by using the first RRC parameter in the first signaling. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The step of sending a first configuration to the terminal to configure whether to enable the first feature includes: In response to enabling the first feature, the first parameter is included in the first configuration; In response to the first feature not being enabled, the first parameter is not included in the first configuration. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The receiving terminal reports first auxiliary information, which indicates at least one of the following: One or more second DCI formats, wherein the second DCI format is a DCI format supported by the terminal and transmitted by the data channel; One or more first time periods, wherein the first time period is a time period during which the terminal supports the transmission of DCI via a data channel. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The determination of whether to enable the first feature includes at least one of the following: The first characteristic for enabling the feature includes transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel, wherein the first DCI format includes one or more of the second DCI formats. Determine that the first feature is enabled during the first time period. The method as described in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first instruction information to the terminal; wherein The first indication information is used to indicate an enabled first feature, the enabled first feature including: transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using a data channel, the first DCI format including one or more second DCI formats; and / or The first indication information is used to indicate that the first feature is enabled during the first time period. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The determination of whether to enable the first feature includes: The receiving terminal sends a UCI, which is used to indicate whether the first feature is enabled. The method as described in any one of claims 13-22, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first feature is enabled, a third operation is performed, the third operation including at least one of the following: transmitting DCI using the data channel, transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel, transmitting DCI using the data channel after a third duration, and transmitting DCI in a first DCI format using the data channel after a third duration. If it is determined that the first feature is not enabled, a fourth operation is performed, the fourth operation including at least one of the following: stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel, stopping the transmission of DCI using the data channel after a fourth duration, and stopping the transmission of DCI in the first DCI format using the data channel after a fourth duration. A communication method for a communication system, the communication system including a terminal and a network device, the method comprising: The network device determines whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel; The terminal determines whether to enable the first feature; Once the first feature is enabled, the terminal performs a first operation. If the first feature is determined to be disabled, the terminal performs a second operation. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel; The processing module is further configured to determine whether to enable the first feature and perform the first operation; The processing module is further configured to determine that the first feature is not enabled and then perform a second operation. A network device, characterized in that, include: The processing module is configured to determine whether to enable a first feature, the first feature including at least one of the following: transmitting downlink control indication (DCI) via a data channel, or transmitting DCI in a first DCI format via a data channel. A terminal, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The network device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A network device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23. A communication system, characterized in that, The method includes a network device and a terminal, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and the network device is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 13 to 23. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 or claims 13 to 23. A program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, implements the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 or 13 to 23.

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