Discontinuous reception control method and apparatus

Abstract

To provide a discontinuous reception (DRX) control method and an apparatus configured to allow a communication apparatus to receive data when a transmission system on a network side dynamically changes.SOLUTION: A method includes: receiving first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data transmitted in a multicast manner; and performing, by a communication apparatus, one or more of an action to start or restart a first timer, the first timer indicating duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled, an action to stop a second timer, or start or restart a second timer, the second timer indicating duration in which the communication apparatus receives retransmitted data; and an action to start or restart a third timer, the third timer indicating waiting duration before the communication apparatus receives the retransmitted data. The timers are timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a discontinuous reception (DRX) control method and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) or multicast and broadcast service (multicast / broadcast service or multicast-broadcast service, MBS) may use communication resources efficiently and provide a point-to-multipoint service in a communication network where a data source transmits data to multiple users, thereby realizing resource sharing and improving resource utilization, especially air interface resource utilization. Generally, in an MBMS or MBS scenario, information may be broadcast to all users or may be transmitted to a group of paying subscribers for viewing. This helps operators to implement multiple commercial applications such as multimedia advertising, free and pay TV channels, and multimedia message group transmission.

[0003] For multicast services, the User Equipment (UE) side needs to support a DRX mechanism to save energy. Currently, there is no effective method to ensure that the UE can receive multicast data. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of this application provide an intermittent reception control method and device, which solves the problem that a communication device cannot receive data when the transmission mode on the network side changes dynamically.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the following technical solutions are used in the embodiments of this application.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a DRX control method, comprising the steps of: receiving, by a communication device, first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data to be transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or receiving, by the communication device, first data, the first data being transmitted in a unicast manner, and performing, by the communication device, one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a first timer indicating a duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled, stopping or starting or restarting a second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data, and starting or restarting a third timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data, the first timer, the second timer and the third timer being timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0007] In this way, the communication device receives the first control information and / or data (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a unicast manner, and the network device may subsequently transmit other control information and / or data in a multicast manner or retransmit the data in a multicast manner. In order to ensure that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a multicast manner, the communication device may start a first timer (corresponding to the second HARQ process) corresponding to DRX associated with the multicast. In this way, if the network device transmits other control information and / or data in a multicast manner or retransmits data within the operation duration of the first timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0008] Alternatively, the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be running (e.g., the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be started or restarted by the communication device to ensure that the communication device can receive the retransmission data subsequently transmitted in a multicast manner (or a C+G transmission manner) by the network device since the communication device previously receives the control information and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a multicast manner or a unicast manner), and the communication device receives the control information and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the second HARQ process) transmitted in a unicast manner). In order to save the energy of the communication device, the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be stopped. It may be understood that if the data Y is a retransmission data of the data X, this indicates that the retransmission of the data X is received and the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be stopped. If the data Y is newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device will no longer retransmit the data X for the communication apparatus, and the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be stopped.

[0009] Alternatively, the communication device receives the control information and / or data transmitted in a unicast manner or receives the data transmitted in a configured transmission manner, and the network device may subsequently transmit other control information and / or data in a multicast manner (or in a unicast manner) or resend the data in a multicast manner (or in a unicast manner). To ensure that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data subsequently transmitted in a multicast manner (or in a unicast manner) by the network device, the communication device may start or resume a third timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast. Optionally, after the third timer expires, the communication device starts or resumes a second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other control information and / or data or retransmits data in a multicast manner (or a unicast manner) within the operation duration of the second timer (and / or the operation duration of the third timer), it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission. Furthermore, the communication device starts or resumes a third timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast, and starts or resumes a second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast after the third timer expires. This can also avoid listening to retransmission of data within the operation duration of the third timer, and promote energy saving of the communication device.

[0010] In a possible design, starting or restarting the first timer includes starting or restarting the first timer when the first data is newly transmitted data. Specifically, it is highly likely that the first data transmitted in a unicast manner has been previously received and the newly transmitted data continues to be received thereafter. Therefore, the first timer may be started or restarted to ensure reception of the subsequent data.

[0011] In a possible design, starting or restarting the third timer includes transmitting, by the communication device, first feedback information, where the first feedback information indicates that the communication device has successfully received or failed to receive the first data, or at a first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time, where the first feedback time is a time domain location where a first feedback resource is located, and the first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and starting or restarting, by the communication device, a third timer. In this manner, the communication device may start or restart the third timer, and after the third timer expires, the communication device may start or restart a second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. This may also avoid listening for retransmissions of data within the operation duration of the third timer, and facilitate energy conservation for the communication device.

[0012] In a possible design, the method further includes a step of performing, by the communication device, one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a fourth timer indicating a duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled; stopping or starting or restarting a fifth timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data; and starting or restarting a sixth timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data, where the fourth timer, the fifth timer and the sixth timer are all timers corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0013] For example, the communication device receives the control information and / or data transmitted in a unicast manner or receives the data transmitted in a configured transmission manner, and the network device may subsequently transmit other control information and / or data in a unicast manner or retransmit the data in a unicast manner. In order to ensure that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a unicast manner, the communication device may start a fourth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. In this way, if the network device transmits other control information and / or data or retransmits data in a unicast manner within the operation duration of the fourth timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0014] Alternatively, for example, the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be running (e.g., the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be started or restarted by the communication device to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmission data subsequently transmitted in a unicast manner by the network device since the communication device previously receives control information and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a multicast manner or a unicast manner, or receives data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission manner), and the communication device receives control information and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a unicast manner, or receives data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission manner. In order to save energy of the communication device, the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be stopped. It can be understood that if the data Y is a retransmission data of the data X, this indicates that the retransmission of the data X is received and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast may be stopped. If the data Y is a newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits the data X for the communication apparatus and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast may be stopped.

[0015] Alternatively, the communication device receives the control information and / or data transmitted in a unicast manner, and the network device may subsequently transmit other control information and / or data in a unicast manner, or may retransmit the data in a unicast manner. In order to ensure that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a unicast manner, the communication device may start or restart a sixth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast. Optionally, after the sixth timer expires, the communication device starts or restarts a fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast. In this way, if the network device transmits other control information and / or data or retransmits data in a unicast manner within the operation duration of the fifth timer (and / or the operation duration of the sixth timer), it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission. Furthermore, the communication device starts or restarts a sixth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast, and after the sixth timer expires, starts or restarts a fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast, which can also avoid listening to retransmission of data within the operation duration of the sixth timer, and promote energy saving of the communication device.

[0016] In a possible design, one or more of the first control information, the first data, the second timer, and the third timer correspond to a first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process, and / or one or more of the first control information, the first data, the fifth timer, and the sixth timer correspond to a first HARQ process.

[0017] According to a second aspect, there is provided a DRX control method, comprising: receiving, by a communication device, first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or receiving, by the communication device, first data, the first data being transmitted in a unicast manner, and performing, by the communication device, one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a fourth timer indicating a duration after a newly transmitted control channel or the newly transmitted data is scheduled, and stopping or starting or restarting a fifth timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmission data, the fourth timer and the fifth timer both being timers in DRX associated with a unicast service.

[0018] In this way, the communication device receives the control information and / or data transmitted in a multicast manner, and the network device may subsequently transmit other control information and / or data in a unicast manner or retransmit the data in a unicast manner. In order to ensure that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a unicast manner, the communication device may start a fourth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. In this way, if the network device transmits other control information and / or data or retransmits data in a unicast manner within the operation duration of the fourth timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0019] Alternatively, the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be running (e.g., the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be started or restarted by the communication device to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted data subsequently transmitted in a unicast manner by the network device since the communication device previously receives control information and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a multicast manner or a unicast manner, or receives data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission manner), and the communication device receives control information and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a unicast manner, or receives data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission manner. In order to save energy of the communication device, the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be stopped. It can be understood that if the data Y is a retransmission data of the data X, this indicates that the retransmission of the data X is received and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast may be stopped. If the data Y is a newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits the data X for the communication apparatus and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast may be stopped.

[0020] In a possible design, starting or restarting the fourth timer includes starting or restarting the fourth timer when the communications device determines that the first data is newly transmitted data.

[0021] In a possible design, the method further includes performing, by the communication device, one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a first timer indicating a duration after a newly transmitted control channel or newly transmitted data is scheduled; and stopping or starting or restarting a second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data, where the first timer and the second timer are timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. The beneficial effects here are similar to those of the first aspect. In particular, the operation of the timer in the multicast manner can be further controlled.

[0022] In a possible design, the first data and the fifth timer both correspond to the same hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process.

[0023] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data to be transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or a transceiver configured to receive first data, the first data being transmitted in a unicast manner; and a processor configured to perform one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a first timer indicating a duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled; stopping or starting or restarting a second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data; and starting or restarting a third timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data, the first timer, the second timer, and the third timer being timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. For beneficial effects of the third aspect, refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect.

[0024] In a possible design, the processor is configured to start or restart a first timer when the first data is newly transmitted data.

[0025] In a possible design, the transceiver is configured to transmit first feedback information, the first feedback information indicating that the communications device has successfully received or failed to receive the first data, or at a first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time, the first feedback time being a time domain location at which a first feedback resource is located, the first feedback resource being associated with the first data, and the processor is configured to start or restart a third timer.

[0026] In a possible design, the processor is further configured to perform one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a fourth timer indicating a duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled; stopping or starting or restarting a fifth timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data; and starting or restarting a sixth timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data, where the fourth timer, the fifth timer and the sixth timer are all timers corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0027] In a possible design, one or more of the first control information, the first data, the second timer, and the third timer correspond to a first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process, and / or one or more of the first control information, the first data, the fifth timer, and the sixth timer correspond to a first HARQ process.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data to be transmitted in a multicast manner; and / or a processor configured to perform one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a fourth timer indicating a duration after which a newly transmitted control channel or the newly transmitted data is scheduled; and stopping or starting or restarting a fifth timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data, the fourth timer and the fifth timer both being timers in DRX associated with the unicast service. For beneficial effects of the fourth aspect, refer to the beneficial effects of the second aspect.

[0029] In a possible design, the processor is configured to start or restart the fourth timer when the processor determines that the first data is newly transmitted data.

[0030] In a possible design, the transceiver is further configured to transmit first feedback information, the first feedback information indicating that the communications device has successfully received or failed to receive the first data, or at or after a first feedback time, the first feedback time being a maximum duration for which the communications device transmits data feedback to the network device, and the processor is further configured to start or restart a sixth timer.

[0031] In a possible design, the processor is further configured to perform one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a first timer indicating a duration after which a newly transmitted control channel or newly transmitted data is scheduled, and stopping or starting or restarting a second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data, where the first timer and the second timer are timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0032] In a possible design, the first data and the fifth timer both correspond to the same hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process.

[0033] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a discontinuous reception (DRX) control method, comprising the steps of: receiving, by a communication device, first control information and / or first data, the first control information being for scheduling the first data, the first data being multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner; and / or determining, by the communication device, that a first timer has expired, the first timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data; and starting or restarting, by the communication device, a second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data. Thus, in a multicast manner, regardless of whether the first data is received normally or not, the second timer is started, and the active period of a communication device that feeds back an ACK (or has successfully received) is aligned with the active period of a communication device that feeds back a NACK (or has failed to receive). In this way, if a transmitting device (e.g., a network device or a terminal device) transmits newly transmitted data within the operating duration of the retransmission timer, the communication device that feeds back the ACK (or that has successfully received it) may also receive the newly transmitted data, since the communication device that feeds back the ACK is in an active period.

[0034] In a possible design, before the communication device determines that the first timer has expired, the method further includes: successfully receiving, by the communication device, the first downlink control information or the first data, the first data being multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner, and starting, by the communication device, the first timer. In other words, in order to maintain consistency with the active time of the communication device that feeds back the NACK, the communication device that feeds back the ACK also starts the first timer, thereby improving data transmission efficiency.

[0035] In a possible design, the method further includes receiving, by the communication device, first information, the first information instructing the communication device to receive first control information and / or first data, and / or determining, by the communication device, that the first timer has expired and starting or restarting, by the communication device, a second timer. In other words, whether to start the first timer may be determined by the network device.

[0036] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a DRX control method, comprising the steps of: determining, by a network device, that a first timer on the communication device side is running, the first timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmission data, and determining, by the network device, not to transmit first control information and / or first data, the first control information being for scheduling the first data, and the first data being multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0037] The network device determines that newly transmitted multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner (e.g., PDSCH scrambled by using G-RNTI) needs to be transmitted to all communication devices in the multicast. If at least one communication device in the multicast operates under a first timer, considering that at least one communication device in the multicast may not operate under the first timer but is in a sleep period (other timers related to the active time corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast are not operating), in this case, the network device may not transmit the newly transmitted data to all communication devices in the multicast. On the contrary, if none of the communication devices in the multicast operates under RetransmissionTimer, the network device may consider that all communication devices are in an active period, i.e., the active periods of all communication devices are aligned. In this case, the network device transmits the newly transmitted data to the communication devices in the multicast only when all communication devices in the multicast are in an active period, so that all communication devices in the multicast can receive the newly transmitted data.

[0038] In a possible design, before the network device determines not to transmit new data to the communication device, the method further includes determining, by the network device, that none of a second timer, a third timer, and a fourth timer of the communication device are running, where the second timer indicates a duration for the communication device to receive retransmitted data, the third timer indicates a waiting duration before the communication device receives control information, and the fourth timer indicates a duration for the communication device to wait to receive control information after being woken up. That is, the network device does not transmit new data only when the first timer is running.

[0039] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a discontinuous reception DRX control method, which includes the steps of: determining, by the communication device, that a first downlink BWP does not include a first resource, where the first resource is a resource for transmitting control information and / or data in a multicast manner, a common frequency resource or a common frequency resource corresponding to a multicast, or a resource used for a common physical downlink control channel and a common physical downlink data channel, where the first downlink BWP is a downlink BWP activated by the communication device or the communication device will switch to the first downlink BWP; and controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be a sleep period or not listening to control information associated with the multicast, where the first DRX is associated with the multicast.

[0040] Therefore, when the communication device initiates random access, if the communication device determines that the downlink BWP to be switched or the switched downlink BWP does not include the first resource, the communication device may enter a sleep period to skip receiving the downlink control information or downlink data transmitted in a multicast manner, or may not listen to the downlink control information associated with the multicast. In this way, the communication device can be prevented from listening to unnecessary downlink control information, and power consumption is reduced by using the communication device.

[0041] In a possible design, controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be a sleep period includes stopping, by the communication device, a timer corresponding to the first DRX.

[0042] In a possible design, before the communication device determines that the first downlink BWP does not include resources for transmitting DCI or data in a multicast manner, the method further includes switching to the first downlink BWP by the communication device. In other words, when the communication device switches to the first BWP, if it is determined that the first downlink BWP does not include the first resources, the communication device controls the first DRX to be in a sleep period to reduce power consumption, or does not listen to control information associated with multicast, and the first DRX is associated with multicast.

[0043] In a possible design, the method further includes a step of initiating random access by the communications device, and a step of switching by the communications device to a first downlink BWP, where the first downlink BWP is a downlink BWP corresponding to an active uplink BWP, the first downlink BWP is an initial downlink BWP, and the first uplink BWP is an initial uplink BWP, or an identifier of the first downlink BWP is the same as an identifier of the first uplink BWP.

[0044] In a possible design, the method further includes the steps of: sending, by the communication device, a message 3 in a random access procedure, where the message 3 is used for scheduled transmission and carries an identifier of the communication device; or determining, by the communication device, that the random access is successful; or switching, by the communication device, to a second downlink BWP, where the second BWP includes the first resource; and controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be in an active period or listening, based on the first DRX, to downlink control information for scheduling multicast data. In this way, the communication device does not need to always be in a sleep period or listen to a control channel, but continues to receive downlink data based on the first DRX.

[0045] In a possible design, controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be in the active period includes starting, by the communication device, a timer corresponding to the first DRX.

[0046] In a possible design, the timers corresponding to the first DRX include one or more of the following: a first timer, a second timer, a third timer, and a fourth timer. The first timer indicates a duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled. The second timer indicates a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data. The third timer indicates a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data. The time duration of the fourth timer indicates a duration for which the communication device waits to receive control information after being woken up.

[0047] In a possible design, the downlink control information for scheduling multicast data includes one or more of the following: downlink control information transmitted in a multicast manner, downlink control information for scheduling data transmitted in a multicast manner, and downlink control information for scheduling multicast data transmitted in a unicast manner.

[0048] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a discontinuous reception DRX control method, comprising the steps of: switching, by the communication device, from a first downlink BWP to a second downlink BWP, the first BWP and the second BWP being for transmitting downlink control information or data in a unicast manner, and controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be in a sleep period or to stop receiving downlink control information for scheduling unicast data, in order to stop receiving downlink control information or downlink data transmitted in a unicast manner, the first DRX being associated with unicast.

[0049] In this way, when the communication device initiates random access, if the communication device determines a downlink BWP to be switched or a switched downlink BWP, the communication device may enter a sleep period to skip receiving downlink control information or downlink data transmitted in a unicast manner, or may not listen to downlink control information associated with unicast. This can prevent the communication device from listening to unnecessary downlink control information, which helps to reduce the power consumption of the communication device.

[0050] In a possible design, controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be a sleep period includes stopping, by the communication device, a timer corresponding to the first DRX.

[0051] In a possible design, switching from a first downlink BWP to a second downlink BWP by the communications device includes initiating a contention-based random access by the communications device, and switching from the first BWP to the second downlink BWP by the communications device, wherein the second downlink BWP is a downlink BWP corresponding to an active first uplink BWP, the second downlink BWP is an initial downlink BWP, and the first uplink BWP is an initial uplink BWP, or an identifier of the second downlink BWP is the same as an identifier of the active uplink BWP.

[0052] In a possible design, the method further includes: transmitting, by the communication device, a message 3 in a random access procedure, where the message 3 is used for scheduled transmission and carries an identifier of the communication device; and controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be in an active period or listening to downlink control information for scheduling unicast data based on the first DRX. In this way, the communication device can continue to receive downlink control information and / or data.

[0053] In a possible design, controlling, by the communication device, the first DRX to be in the active period includes starting, by the communication device, a timer corresponding to the first DRX.

[0054] In a possible design, the timers corresponding to the first DRX include one or more of the following: a first timer, a second timer, a third timer, and a fourth timer. The first timer indicates a duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled. The second timer indicates a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data. The third timer indicates a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data. The time duration of the fourth timer indicates a duration for which the communication device waits to receive control information after being woken up.

[0055] In a possible design, the downlink control information for scheduling unicast data includes one or more of the following: downlink control information transmitted in a unicast manner, downlink control information for scheduling data transmitted in a unicast manner, and downlink control information for scheduling unicast data transmitted in a unicast manner.

[0056] According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions, which, when run on an electronic device, enables the electronic device to perform a DRX control method according to any one of the above aspects and possible implementation manners.

[0057] According to a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which, when run on an electronic device, enables the electronic device to execute a DRX control method according to any one of the above aspects and possible implementation manners.

[0058] According to an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a system. The system may include a communication device and a network device according to any one of the above aspects. The communication device and the network device may execute a DRX control method according to any one of the above aspects and any one of the above aspects and possible implementations.

[0059] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a communications device including at least one processor and a memory, the at least one processor coupled to a transceiver, the at least one processor configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory to enable the device to perform a method according to the method or any possible design of the method as described above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a DRX cycle according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of random access signal interaction according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram of random access signal interaction according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a DRX control method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a DRX control method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of mismatch during an active period of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a DRX control method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a DRX control method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a DRX control method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic flowchart of a DRX control method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application; [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a UE according to an embodiment of this application; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a base station structure according to an embodiment of this application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061] For ease of understanding, exemplary illustrations of several concepts related to embodiments of this application are provided below for reference.

[0062] 1.MBS

[0063] MBS transmission mode: For MBS service / data transmission, there may be any one or more of the following transmission modes: dynamic transmission mode and / or configured transmission mode.

[0064] The dynamic transmission method includes a Point-to-Point (PTP) transmission method and / or a Point-to-Multipoint (PTM) transmission method.

[0065] PTP transmission mode: In this transmission mode, the transmitting end transmits one piece of data to the receiving end. The PTP transmission mode can be understood as scheduling (by a network device) by using a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) / downlink control information (DCI) scrambled by using a UE-specific Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) (e.g., Cell-RNTI (C-RNTI) or the first RNTI), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scrambled by using a UE-specific RNTI (e.g., C-RNTI or the first RNTI) (for a terminal device). The PTP transmission mode may also be called a C+C transmission mode.

[0066] In this application, DCI may be replaced with PDCCH and PDCCH may be replaced with DCI.

[0067] In this application, scrambling the PDCCH / DCI / control information by using the RNTI may be understood as scrambling the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the PDCCH / DCI / control information by using the RNTI, or scrambling the CRC of the PDCCH / DCI / control information by using the RNTI (PDCCH / DCI / control information with CRC scrambled by the RNTI).

[0068] PTM transmission method: In the PTM transmission method, a transmitting end may transmit one data to multiple receiving ends.

[0069] The PTM transmission scheme may include a first PTM transmission scheme and / or a second PTM transmission scheme.

[0070] The first PTM transmission scheme can be understood as scheduling (by a network device) by using a PDCCH / DCI scrambled by using a common RNTI (e.g., a group RNTI (G-RNTI) or a second RNTI), a PDSCH scrambled by using a common RNTI (e.g., a G-RNTI or a second RNTI) (for a terminal device). Alternatively, it can be understood as the network side scrambling one DCI by using a common RNTI, and the DCI is for scheduling one data scrambled by using a common RNTI. In this case, multiple communication devices receive the same one DCI, and the data received by the multiple communication devices is the same.

[0071] The first PTM transmission scheme may also be referred to as a G+G transmission scheme.

[0072] The second PTM transmission scheme can be understood as scheduling (by a network device) by using a PDCCH / DCI scrambled by using a UE-specific RNTI (e.g., C-RNTI or the first RNTI), a PDSCH scrambled by using a common RNTI (for terminal devices) (e.g., G-RNTI or the second RNTI). Alternatively, this can be understood as each of multiple communication devices receiving one DCI scrambled by using a specific RNTI, but the multiple DCIs are for scheduling the same one data. In other words, the multiple DCIs received by the communication devices are different, but the data received by the multiple communication devices is the same.

[0073] The second PTM transmission scheme may also be referred to as a C+G transmission scheme.

[0074] For example, the PDSCH may also be understood as data.

[0075] The configured transmission method may be understood as transmitting (by a network device) data / multicast data (to a terminal device) on configured resources, or receiving (by a terminal device) data / multicast data (sent by a network device) on configured resources.

[0076] The configured transmission scheme may also be referred to as a semi-persistent transmission scheme.

[0077] The configuration resources may also be referred to as Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) resources.

[0078] MB HARQ: NR MBS supports Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ).

[0079] 2. Multicast and Unicast

[0080] Multicast may include any one or more of the following: broadcast in MBMS or MBS, multicast in MBMS or MBS, multicast in MBMS or MBS, multicast in Vehicle To Everything (V2X), multicast in V2X, broadcast in V2X, multicast, broadcast, multicast, groupcast, and broadcast.

[0081] The multicast service may include / be replaced with any one or more of the following: a broadcast service, a multicast service, an MBS service, an MBS broadcast service, an MBS multicast service, a V2X multicast service, and a V2X broadcast service.

[0082] Data corresponding to a multicast service may be referred to as multicast data.

[0083] The unicast may include any one or more of the following: unicast in V2X and unicast. Optionally, the unicast may be understood as a unicast transmission.

[0084] Indicating a waiting duration before a communication device receives retransmitted data may include / be understood as any one or more of the following: indicating a waiting duration (e.g., a minimum duration) before a communication device has received / will receive retransmitted data (e.g., DL data or SL data) and indicating a waiting duration (e.g., a minimum duration) before a communication device expects / will receive retransmitted data (e.g., DL data or SL data).

[0085] Indicating the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data may include / be understood as indicating the duration (e.g., maximum duration) for which the communication device has received / will receive retransmitted data (e.g., DL data or SL data).

[0086] 3.DRX

[0087] DRX is used to control the behavior of listening to the PDCCH by the terminal device, so that the power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced and data can be transmitted effectively. When DRX is configured for a terminal device, the terminal device may be allowed to enter a sleep period at a certain time. In this case, the terminal device is in a "sleep state", and the terminal device does not need to continuously listen to the PDCCH. When the terminal device needs to listen to the PDCCH, the terminal device wakes up from the "sleep state" to enter an "active state", i.e., enters an active period. In this way, the terminal device can save power. A typical DRX cycle may be as shown in FIG. 1. One DRX cycle includes an onDuration (equivalent to an active period), a duration controlled by a timer (not shown in FIG. 1), and an Opportunity for DRX (sleep period).

[0088] onDuration: the duration that the terminal device waits to receive the PDCCH after it wakes up. If the terminal device successfully decodes the PDCCH, it stays in the wake-up state and extends the wake-up time by using a control timer (e.g., an inactivity timer, a retransmission timer or an RTT timer). Opportunity for DRX: this period is the sleep time in DRX, i.e. the time during which the terminal device enters a sleep period to save power and does not listen to the PDCCH. A longer sleep time in DRX indicates a lower power consumption of the terminal device.

[0089] DRX Cycle: A DRX cycle may be understood as a repeating cycle of onDuration. One DRX cycle consists of onDuration and possibly subsequent time portions with timer-controlled durations, and Opportunities for DRX.

[0090] DRX in Unicast

[0091] In existing DRX, timers for controlling a terminal device to be in an active state (description of the timers is described by using the following as an example) may include an OnDuration Timer, an InactivityTimer, and a RetransmissionTimer.

[0092] The RetransmissionTimer is configured for each downlink HARQ process and can be understood as the maximum duration for which the terminal device receives downlink retransmission data assumed in a retransmission scenario, i.e., the maximum duration for which the terminal device needs to listen to the PDCCH.

[0093] The HARQ-RTT-Timer is also configured per downlink HARQ process and may be understood as the minimum duration that a terminal device needs to wait before receiving a possible downlink retransmitted data.

[0094] When DRX is configured for a terminal device, in the case of static configuration (configured assignment), a specific processing procedure for the terminal device to perform DRX may be as follows.

[0095] (1) When the terminal device receives downlink data in the configured downlink allocation during the active period, the terminal device starts the HARQ-RTT-Timer after sending feedback to the network device. If the received downlink data is successfully decoded, the terminal device stops timing the drx-HARQ-RTT-Timer DL.

[0096] (2) When the HARQ-RTT-Timer expires and there is data that has not been successfully decoded in the HARQ process, the terminal device starts the RetransmissionTimerDL after the HARQ-RTT-Timer expires to receive the retransmitted data.

[0097] When DRX is configured for a terminal device, in the case of dynamic scheduling, a specific processing procedure for the terminal device to perform DRX may be as follows:

[0098] (1) The terminal device listens to the PDCCH in the active period. If the PDCCH indicates that there is a downlink transmission, the terminal device may start the HARQ-RTT-Timer after sending feedback to the network device. If the received downlink data is successfully decoded, the terminal device stops timing the drx-HARQ-RTT-Timer DL.

[0099] (2) The terminal device listens to the PDCCH in the active period. If the PDCCH indicates that there is a new transmission (a new uplink transmission or a new downlink transmission), the terminal device starts or restarts the InactivityTimer after receiving the PDCCH to receive new data within the InactivityTimer.

[0100] DRX in LTE MBMS

[0101] In LTE, SC-PTM DRX and unicast DRX are independent, and SC-PTM DRX is configured separately for each multicast. In this case, the active period of the terminal device includes the On duration and the duration of InactivityTimer. When the terminal device accesses the PDCCH corresponding to a specific G-RNTI, the terminal device starts the Inactivity Timer. Since LTE SC-PTM does not involve retransmission, SC-PTM in LTE MBMS does not involve HARQ-RTT-Timer and RetransmissionTimer.

[0102] 4.V2X

[0103] V2X is a key technology for intelligent transportation systems, and is considered one of the fields with the most industrial potential and the clearest market demand in IoT systems. Internet of Vehicles means that vehicle information is provided by using sensors, on-board terminal devices, etc. mounted on vehicles to realize communication networks for vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to network (V2N) and vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication.

[0104] Generally, in a V2X scenario, a communication link for direct communication between a terminal and another terminal may be referred to as a sidelink (sidelink SL) or side link.

[0105] Unicast, multicast and broadcast are supported in NR V2X.

[0106] 5. Bandwidth Part (BWP)

[0107] The BWP may also be referred to as a bandwidth portion.

[0108] A subset of the total cell bandwidth of a cell is called a BWP. In NR R15, a network device may configure multiple BWPs for a terminal device, but the terminal device can only operate on one BWP, i.e., the active BWP or the initial BWP.

[0109] It should be noted that although BWP is used for the purpose of explanation in this specification, the name is not necessarily BWP, but may be other names. For example, BWP may be understood as a subset of cell bandwidth. For example, BWP may be understood as a part of cell bandwidth. Alternatively, cell bandwidth includes BWP. For example, BWP may be alternatively equivalent to cell bandwidth.

[0110] 6. Random Access (RA)

[0111] An example in which the terminal device is a UE and the network device is a base station is used to explain a Contention Based Random Access (CBRA) procedure and a Contention Free Random Access procedure.

[0112] The CBRA procedure is shown in Figure 2 and includes the following steps:

[0113] (1) The UE transmits a preamble sequence (i.e., MSG (message) 1) to the base station.

[0114] (2) After receiving the preamble, the base station sends a random access response (RA response), i.e., MSG 2, to the UE.

[0115] (3) The UE sends a MSG (scheduled transmission) to the base station.

[0116] (4) After the base station successfully receives MSG 3, the base station sends a contention resolution message, i.e., MSG 4, to the UE.

[0117] The CFRA procedure is shown in Figure 3 and includes the following steps:

[0118] (1) The base station assigns a random access preamble sequence (RA preamble assignment) to the UE.

[0119] (2) The UE sends a preamble to the base station, and the preamble (MSG 1) sent by the UE to the base station is dedicated.

[0120] (3) After receiving the preamble, the base station sends a random access response (RA response), i.e., MSG 2, to the UE.

[0121] Hereinafter, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. In the description of the embodiments of this application, " / " means "or" unless otherwise specified. For example, A / B may represent A or B. In this specification, "and / or" may only describe an association relationship to describe related objects and represent that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" means two or more.

[0122] In the following, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying a relative importance or a number of the technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the embodiments, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0123] In the embodiments of this application, terms such as "example" or "for example" are used to denote giving an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design manner described as "example" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be described as being preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or design manners. Rather, the use of terms such as "example" or "for example" is intended to present relative concepts in a particular manner for ease of understanding.

[0124] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application may be used in various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, new radio (NR) systems, and future mobile communication systems.

[0125] The method provided in the embodiment of this application is applicable to the following fields: MBMS, SC-PTM, multicast broadcast service, MBSFN, Dual-channel intelligent unicast (DC-IU), Broadcast, Multicast, Multicast Broadcast, Groupcast, V2X, public safety, mission critical, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast delivery, IPTV, software delivery over wireless, group communication, Internet of things (IoT), TV Video, TV, linear TV, Live, radio service, device to device (D2D), unmanned driving, automated driving (ADS), driver assistance (ADAS), intelligent driving, connected driving, etc. The method may be applied to, but is not limited to, vehicle driving, intelligent network driving, car sharing, etc. As shown in Fig. 4, the method provided in this embodiment of the present application may be applied to communication between communication devices, or may be applied to communication between a communication device and a network device.

[0126] The network device in this embodiment of the application may be a device having a wireless transceiver function, or a chip that may be disposed in the device, and may be deployed in a wireless access network to provide wireless communication services to terminal devices. The device includes, but is not limited to, an evolved NodeB (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a NodeB (NodeB NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home NodeB (e.g., home evolved NodeB or home NodeB, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), or an access point (AP), a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission reception point (TRP or transmission point, TP) in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. Alternatively, the network device may be a gNB or a transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system such as an NR system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the network device is an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, or a future evolved network device in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

[0127] The communication device in this embodiment of this application may be a terminal device or a communication chip. For example, a terminal is an entity at a user side and configured to receive a signal, transmit a signal, or receive a signal and transmit a signal. The terminal device is configured to provide one or more of voice services and data connection services to the user. The terminal device may alternatively be called a UE, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment. Alternatively, the terminal device may be a V2X device, such as a smart car (or intelligent car), a digital car, an unmanned car (or driverless car, or pilotless car, or automobile), a self-driving car (or autonomous car), a pure electric vehicle (or battery EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range extended EV (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a new energy vehicle (new energy vehicle), or a road site unit (RSU). Alternatively, the terminal device may be a device in device to device (D2D) communication, such as an electricity meter or a water meter.Alternatively, the terminal device may be a mobile station (MS), a subscriber unit, an unmanned aerial vehicle, an internet of things (IoT) device, a station (ST) in a WLAN, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a cordless phone, a wireless data card, a tablet computer, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, or a wearable device (which may be referred to as a wearable intelligent device). Alternatively, the terminal device may be a terminal in a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal in a 5G system, a terminal in a future evolved PLMN, or a terminal in an NR system. For example, the terminal device in the embodiment of this application may alternatively be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer having a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. The application scenario is not limited to this embodiment of this application.In this application, the methods and steps implemented by the terminal device may alternatively be implemented by components (e.g., chips or circuits) that may be used in the terminal device, etc. The above terminal device and components (e.g., chips or circuits) that may be disposed in the terminal device are collectively referred to as terminal devices in this application.

[0128] In this application, a communication device and a network device are used as an example for explanation, but it should be noted that this is not limited to be applicable only to a communication device and a network device. The solution in this application may be applicable to other devices, which is not limited in this application. The communication device is replaced with a first device, and the network device is replaced with a second device. For example, the solution in this application may also be applicable to a communication device and other communication devices, and a network device and other network devices.

[0129] Introduction of the problem

[0130] For multicast services / multicast data, the network device may perform transmission in different transmission schemes (e.g., C+C transmission scheme, C+G transmission scheme, G+G transmission scheme, and configured transmission scheme), and the transmission scheme may be changed.

[0131] For example, the network device transmits multicast data 1 in the C+G transmission method, and transmits multicast data 2 in the G+G transmission method or the C+C transmission method.

[0132] Problem 1

[0133] The communication device receives DCI1 / Data1 transmitted in the C+G transmission manner. Then, the network device may transmit DCI2 / Data2 in the G+G transmission manner or the C+C transmission manner. Currently, there is no effective solution for how to ensure that the communication device can receive data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission manner or the C+C transmission manner.

[0134] In another example, the network device may transmit multicast data 1 in a C+G transmission method, and the network device may retransmit multicast data 1 in a G+G transmission method, a C+G transmission method, or a C+C transmission method.

[0135] Problem 2

[0136] The communication device receives DCI1 / Data1 transmitted in the C+G transmission mode. The network device may then retransmit Data1 in the G+G, C+G, or C+C transmission mode. Currently, there is no effective solution for how to ensure that the communication device can receive the retransmitted data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G, C+G, or C+C transmission mode.

[0137] For example, the network device transmits multicast data 1 in a configured transmission mode, and transmits multicast data 2 in a G+G transmission mode, a C+G transmission mode, or a C+C transmission mode.

[0138] Problem 3

[0139] The communication device receives data 1 transmitted in the configured transmission manner. Thereafter, the network device may transmit DCI2 / data 2 in the C+C transmission manner, the C+G transmission manner, or the G+C transmission manner. Currently, there is no effective solution for how to ensure that the communication device can receive data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission manner, the C+G transmission manner, or the C+C transmission manner.

[0140] In another example, the network device may transmit the multicast data 1 in a configured transmission manner, and the network device may retransmit the multicast data 1 in a G+G transmission manner, a configured transmission manner, or a C+C transmission manner.

[0141] Question 4

[0142] The communication device receives the data 1 transmitted in the configured transmission manner. Thereafter, the network device may retransmit the data 1 in the G+G transmission manner, the C+G transmission manner, or the C+C transmission manner. Currently, there is no effective solution for how to ensure that the communication device can receive the retransmitted data 1 subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission manner, the C+G transmission manner, or the C+C transmission manner.

[0143] Based on solving any one or more of problems 1 to 4, some problems may still exist, which may cause high power consumption of the communication device or may be detrimental to the energy saving of the communication device. For example,

[0144] Problem 5: A communication device receives DCI1 / Data1 transmitted in a C+G transmission scheme (e.g., corresponding to HARQ process 1). In order to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted Data1 subsequently transmitted by a network device in a G+G transmission scheme, a C+G transmission scheme, or a C+C transmission scheme, the communication device may start or restart a timer used for retransmission and corresponding to DRX associated with multicast (e.g., a second timer or Retransmission Timer associated with HARQ process 1) and / or a timer used for retransmission and corresponding to DRX associated with unicast (e.g., a fifth timer or Retransmission Timer associated with HARQ process 1) to listen to a PDCCH for retransmission of Data1. When the communication device receives DCI and / or data (e.g., retransmission of data 1 or other data) transmitted in the G+G transmission scheme, the C+G transmission scheme, the C+C transmission scheme, or a configured transmission scheme and associated with the same HARQ process (e.g., HARQ process 1), the communication device still listens to the PDCCH (e.g., the PDCCH for the retransmission of data 1), which increases the power consumption of the communication device.

[0145] Question 6:

[0146] The communication device receives data 1 transmitted in a configured transmission scheme (e.g., corresponding to HARQ process 1). In order to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted data 1 subsequently transmitted by the network device in a G+G transmission scheme, a C+G transmission scheme, or a C+C transmission scheme, the communication device may start or resume a timer used for retransmission and corresponding to DRX associated with multicast (e.g., a second timer or Retransmission Timer associated with HARQ process 1) and / or a timer used for retransmission and corresponding to DRX associated with unicast (e.g., a fifth timer or Retransmission Timer associated with HARQ process 1) to listen to a PDCCH for retransmission of data 1. If the communication device receives DCI and / or data (e.g., retransmitted data 1 or other data) transmitted in a G+G transmission scheme, a C+G transmission scheme, a C+C transmission scheme, or a configured transmission scheme and associated with the same HARQ process (e.g., HARQ process 1), the communication device still listens to a PDCCH (e.g., a PDCCH for retransmission of data 1). This increases the power consumption of the communication device.

[0147] Embodiment 1.1 In view of the technical problems in the above Problem 1, Problem 2, Problem 3, Problem 4, Problem 5 and Problem 6, in order to ensure that a communication device can receive multicast data (in other words, to avoid that the communication device cannot receive multicast data) and / or to save the energy of the communication device, this application provides a DRX control method. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes the following steps:

[0148] 501: A communication device receives first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives first data, the first data being transmitted in a multicast manner. Correspondingly, a network device transmits to the communication device first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling the first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the network device transmits to the communication device first data, the first data being transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0149] It should be noted that the multicast in embodiments 1.1 and 1.2 in this application may be understood as a multicast corresponding to the first data, or a multicast corresponding to the G-RNTI corresponding to the first data.

[0150] The first control information transmitted in a unicast manner may include / be understood as any one or more of the following:

[0151] (1) The first control information is transmitted on a first resource, where the first resource is a resource associated with unicast.

[0152] The first resource being a resource associated with unicast can be understood as follows: The first resource is in a BWP corresponding to unicast.

[0153] For example, the first resource may be a PDCCH resource.

[0154] (2) The first control information is scrambled by using the first RNTI.

[0155] The first RNTI may be used for any one or more of the following: unicast, scheduling dynamic resources, retransmission resources of dynamic resources, activating configuration resources, reactivating configuration resources, deactivating configuration resources, scheduling retransmission resources of configuration resources, and scrambling (e.g., scrambling the PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0156] For example, the first RNTI may be a C-RNTI or a CS-RNTI.

[0157] For example, the first control information may be understood as DCI.

[0158] In this application, DCI may be replaced with PDCCH. PDCCH may be replaced with DCI.

[0159] For example, the first control information transmitted in a unicast manner may be a PDCCH / DCI scrambled by using a C-RNTI, or a DCI transmitted on a PDCCH scrambled by using a C-RNTI.

[0160] It may be understood that "the communication device receives the first control information transmitted in a unicast manner" indicates that the first control information is specific to the communication device. In other words, the first control information is transmitted specifically to the communication device.

[0161] It should be noted that the first control information may alternatively be replaced with second information, first DCI, etc. This is not limited in this application, and the first control information is not limited to being DCI in this application.

[0162] The first data transmitted in a multicast manner, or the first data being transmitted in a multicast manner, may include / be understood as any one or more of the following:

[0163] (1) The first data is transmitted on a second resource, the second resource being a resource associated with multicasting.

[0164] The second resource being a resource associated with multicast can be understood as follows: the second resource is in a common frequency resource corresponding to multicast, or the second resource is an SPS resource corresponding to multicast.

[0165] The SPS resource corresponding to the multicast may be understood as a common SPS resource (e.g., a PDSCH resource) corresponding to the multicast. It may be understood that all communication devices receiving the multicast may receive data on the SPS resource corresponding to the multicast.

[0166] For example, the communication device may obtain the configuration of SPS resources or the correspondence between SPS resources / SPS resource configuration and multicast by using one or more of a broadcast message (e.g., system information and Multicast Control Channel (MCCH) message), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message (e.g., a dedicated RRC message), a Medium Access Control (MAC) message (e.g., a MAC Control Element (CE)), a physical layer message (e.g., DCI), or a pre-configuration.

[0167] For example, after obtaining an SPS configuration, the communication device may need to be activated to receive data by using resources (e.g., activated by using a physical layer message / DCI) or may directly receive data by using resources (i.e., no activation is required).

[0168] The common frequency resource corresponding to multicast can be understood as the BWP corresponding to multicast or the frequency range corresponding to multicast.

[0169] For example, the second resource may be a PDSCH resource.

[0170] (2) The first data is scrambled by using a second RNTI.

[0171] The second RNTI may be used for any one or more of the following, namely, multicast, scheduling dynamic resources, retransmission resources of dynamic resources, activating configured resources, re-activating configured resources, de-activating configured resources, scheduling retransmission resources of configured resources, and scrambling (for example, scrambling PDCCH or PDSCH).

[0172] For example, the second RNTI may be a G-RNTI.

[0173] For example, the first data may be multicast data.

[0174] For example, the first data transmitted in the unicast mode may be PDSCH scrambled by using a G-RNTI, or data transmitted on PDSCH scrambled by using a G-RNTI, or data scrambled by using a G-RNTI.

[0175] "Transmitting the first data in the multicast mode" can be understood to indicate that the first data may not be unique to only the communication device. In other words, the first data may not be specifically transmitted only to the communication device. For example, a plurality of communication devices may all receive the first data transmitted in the multicast mode, and the plurality of communication devices may also be UEs interested in the first data.

[0176] "The first control information is for scheduling the first data transmitted in a multicast manner" may include / may be understood to include any one or more of the following.

[0177] (1) The first control information indicates that the first data is transmitted by multicast.

[0178] The first control information indicating that the first data is transmitted by multicast includes any one or more of the following. The format of the first control information / the scrambling information of the first control information / the indication information (e.g., one or more fields) within the first control information indicates that the first data is transmitted by multicast.

[0179] The communication device receives the first control information and determines that the first data is transmitted by multicast based on the format of the first control information / the scrambling information of the first control information / the indication information (e.g., one or more fields) within the first control information.

[0180] (2) The first control information indicates that the first data is scrambled by using a second RNTI.

[0181] The first control information indicating that the first data is scrambled by using a second RNTI includes any one or more of the following. The format of the first control information / the indication information (e.g., one or more fields) within the first control information indicates that the first data is scrambled by using a second RNTI.

[0182] For example, the first control information indicates that the first data is scrambled by using G-RNTI1.

[0183] (3) The first control information indicates that the first data is data corresponding to multicast (service) 1.

[0184] The fact that the first control information indicates that the first data is data corresponding to multicast (service) 1 includes any one or more of the following. The format of the first control information / the indication information (for example, one or more fields) within the first control information indicates that the first data is data corresponding to multicast (service) 1.

[0185] It can be understood that the communication device acquires the correspondence relationship between multicast (service) 1 and G-RNTI1 and recognizes that the first data is received by using G-RNTI1.

[0186] (4) The first control information is for scheduling the first data.

[0187] The first control information indicates the resource position of the first data and / or the information necessary for decoding the first data, for example, time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), HARQ process ID, and new data indicator (NDI).

[0188] (5) The first control information indicates downlink transmission.

[0189] The downlink transmission can be understood as the first data.

[0190] Multiple communication devices may receive different PDCCH / DCI (for example, the PDCCH / DCI received by each communication device is scrambled by using the C-RNTI corresponding to each communication device), and it can be understood that different PDCCH / DCI schedule the same PDSCH / the same data.

[0191] For example, the communication device receives DCI / PDCCH scrambled by using a C-RNTI, and the DCI / PDCCH schedules PDSCH / data scrambled by using a G-RNTI.

[0192] For example, the communication device receives PDSCH / data scrambled by using a G-RNTI.

[0193] The communication device receives first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, and it can be understood that the first control information transmitted by the network device to a plurality of communication devices is different. The first control information received by each of the plurality of communication devices is different.

[0194] The communication device receives first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and it can be understood that the first data transmitted by the network device to a plurality of communication devices is the same. The first data received by each of the plurality of communication devices is the same.

[0195] In this application, the multicast manner may alternatively include or be replaced with a multicast manner or a broadcast manner. In this application, the multicast manner is used as an example for explanation.

[0196] For example, the first control information and / or the first data is associated with a first HARQ process.

[0197] 502: The communication device executes any one or more of the following steps 502-1, 502-2, 502-2A, and 502-3, and / or the communication device executes any one or more of the following steps 502-4, 502-5, 502-5A, and 502-6.

[0198] Optionally, before the communication device executes any one or more of steps 502-1, 502-2, 502-2A, and 502-3, the method includes the following. The communication device receives first indication information.

[0199] The first indication information indicates any one or more of the following. The network device retransmits the first data or transmits subsequent data in the C+G transmission mode or the G+G transmission mode, the network device does not retransmit the first data or transmit subsequent data in the C+C transmission mode, and the network device configures / indicates that the communication device may start / stop / restart a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0200] Optionally, before the communication device executes any one or more of steps 502-4, 502-5, 502-5A, and 502-6, the method further includes the following. The communication device receives second indication information.

[0201] The second indication information indicates any one or more of the following. The network device retransmits the first data or transmits subsequent data in the C+G transmission mode or the G+G transmission mode, the network device retransmits the first data or transmits subsequent data in the C+C transmission mode, and the network device configures / indicates that the communication device may start / stop / restart a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0202] For example, the first data corresponds to multicast (service) 1. For example, the first data is scrambled by using G-RNTI1. The subsequent data may be understood as data corresponding to multicast (service) 1, or may be understood as data corresponding to the service (including one or more services) corresponding to G-RNTI1.

[0203] For example, the first indication information or the second indication information may be included in the first control information, or may be included in any one or more of broadcast messages (e.g., system information or MCCH messages), RRC messages (e.g., dedicated RRC messages), MAC messages (e.g., MAC CE), physical layer messages (e.g., DCI), or pre-configurations.

[0204] 502-1: The communication device starts or resumes the first timer, and the first timer / duration of the first timer indicates the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled, and the first timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0205] Indicating the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled may include / may be understood as indicating the duration after a newly transmitted PDCCH opportunity is scheduled, or indicating the duration after a newly transmitted SCI is scheduled.

[0206] It should be noted that in this application (or the definition / function / duration of the first timer), there is no limitation on whether the first timer starts immediately after being used to schedule newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data, or starts after a certain period.

[0207] For example, the first timer may be understood as an Inactivity Timer, or an Inactivity Timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0208] For example, the DRX associated with multicast may be understood as any one or more of the following, namely, DRX corresponding to the second RNTI, DRX corresponding to the service corresponding to the second RNTI, and DRX corresponding to the service corresponding to the first data.

[0209] It should be noted that the service corresponding to the first data or the service corresponding to the second RNTI may include one or more services.

[0210] Optionally, starting or restarting the first timer includes starting or restarting the first timer when the first data is data newly transmitted, or when the first control information indicates that new transmission / the first data is newly transmitted, or when the communication device determines that the first data is data newly transmitted.

[0211] For example, the communication device determines that the first data is data newly transmitted based on the NDI in the first control information.

[0212] For example, when it is determined that the first data is data newly transmitted, the communication device starts an Inactivity Timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0213] Optionally, the communication device may start or restart the first timer after the first duration / at the first time point after receiving the first control information, or may start or restart the first timer after the first duration / at the first time point after receiving the first data.

[0214] The first time point may be the a-th symbol / slot / subframe / frame, etc. a is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The value of the first time point / the value of a / the value of the first duration may be configured or pre-configured by the network device, or may be specified in the protocol. This is not limited in this application.

[0215] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission mode, or receives data (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the configured transmission mode. The network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start a first timer (corresponding to the second HARQ process) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the first timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data. Or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0216] In a possible implementation, 502-2: The communication device stops the second timer, and the second timer / duration of the second timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives the retransmitted data. The second timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0217] Indicating the duration for which the communication device receives the retransmitted data may include / may be understood as indicating the maximum duration for which the communication device receives the retransmitted downlink data.

[0218] For example, the second timer may be understood as the Retransmission Timer or the Retransmission Timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0219] Optionally, stopping the second timer includes stopping the second timer when the first data is newly transmitted data or retransmission data, or when the first control information indicates that a new transmission or retransmission / the first data is newly transmitted or retransmitted, or when the communication device determines that the first data is newly transmitted data or retransmission data.

[0220] For example, the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be in operation (e.g., the communication device previously receives DCI and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission mode or the G+G transmission mode, or receives data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the configured transmission mode, so that the communication device can receive the retransmission data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast and corresponding to the second HARQ process may be started or restarted by the communication device), and the communication device receives DCI and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the second HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission mode, or receives data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the second HARQ process) transmitted in the configured transmission mode. To save the energy of the communication device, the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped. When data Y is the retransmission data of data X, it can be understood that this indicates that the retransmission of data X is received and the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped. When data Y is newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits data X for the communication device and the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped.

[0221] For example, the second timer is associated with the second HARQ process.

[0222] It can be understood that the first data / first control information and the second timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0223] In other possible implementation manners, step 502-2 may be replaced with 502-2A.

[0224] For example, when the DRX associated with multicast does not include the HARQ-RTT-Timer, step 502-2 may be replaced with 502-2A.

[0225] 502-2A: The communication device starts or restarts the second timer, and the second timer / duration of the second timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives the retransmitted data. The second timer is a timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast.

[0226] Optionally, starting or restarting the second timer includes the following. The communication device transmits first feedback information, and the first feedback information indicates whether the communication device has successfully received the first data or has failed to receive it, or at the first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time. The first feedback time is the time domain position where the first feedback resource is located. The first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and the second timer is started or restarted.

[0227] The first feedback information may include ACK and / or NACK.

[0228] For example, the association of the first feedback resource with the first data may be understood to include that the first feedback resource is used by the communication device to transmit the first feedback information.

[0229] For example, the first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain associated with the first data or the last feedback resource in the time domain. This is not limited in this application. For example, a plurality of communication devices receive the first data, and the feedback resources corresponding to the plurality of communication devices may be the same in the time domain (e.g., time division may be used). The first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain within the plurality of feedback resources or the last feedback resource in the time domain. In this way, the active times of different communication devices (the active times of DRX associated with multicast) can be aligned to ensure that the communication devices can receive the control information and / or data transmitted by the network device.

[0230] For example, the communication device may transmit the first feedback information on a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource.

[0231] For example, the first feedback resource may include a PUCCH resource.

[0232] Optionally, the following conditions need to be met to start or restart the second timer. The communication device fails to receive / decrypt the first data.

[0233] Optionally, the communication device may start the second timer after a second duration after the first control information is received / at a second point in time, or may start the second timer after a second duration after the first data is received / at a second point in time, or may start the second timer after a second duration after the first feedback information is transmitted / at a second point in time, or may start the second timer after a second duration after the first feedback time / at a second point in time.

[0234] The second time point may be the b-th symbol / slot / subframe / frame, etc. b is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The value of the second time point / the value of b / the value of the second duration may be configured or pre-configured by the network device, or may be specified in the protocol. This is not limited in this application.

[0235] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission mode, or receives data transmitted in the configured transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start or restart a second timer (corresponding to the second HARQ process) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the second timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0236] 502-3: The communication device starts or restarts a third timer, and the third timer / the duration of the third timer indicates the waiting duration before the communication device receives the retransmitted data. The third timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0237] For example, the third timer may be understood as the HARQ-RTT-Timer, or the HARQ-RTT-Timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0238] Optionally, starting or restarting a third timer includes the following. The communication device transmits first feedback information, where the first feedback information indicates whether the communication device has successfully received the first data or has failed to receive it, or at, after, or before the first feedback time, where the first feedback time is the time domain position where the first feedback resource is located, the first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and the third timer is started or restarted.

[0239] The first feedback information may include an ACK and / or a NACK.

[0240] For example, the first feedback resource being associated with the first data may be understood to include the first feedback resource being used by the communication device to transmit the first feedback information.

[0241] For example, the first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain associated with the first data or the last feedback resource in the time domain. This is not limited in this application. For example, multiple communication devices receive the first data, and the feedback resources corresponding to the multiple communication devices may be the same in the time domain (e.g., time division). The first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain within the multiple feedback resources or the last feedback resource in the time domain. In this way, the active times (active times of DRX associated with multicast) of different communication devices can be aligned to ensure that the communication devices can receive the control information and / or data transmitted by the network device.

[0242] For example, the communication device may transmit the first feedback information on a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource.

[0243] For example, the first feedback resource may include a PUCCH resource.

[0244] Optionally, in order to start or restart the third timer, the following conditions need to be met. The communication device fails to receive / decrypt the first data.

[0245] Optionally, the communication device may start the third timer after a third duration after the reception of the first control information / at a third point in time, or may start the third timer after a third duration after the reception of the first data / at a third point in time, or may start the third timer after a third duration after the transmission of the first feedback information / at a third point in time, or may start the third timer after a third duration after the first feedback time / at a third point in time.

[0246] The third point in time may be the c-th symbol / slot / subframe / frame, etc. c is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The value of the third point in time / the value of c / the value of the third duration may be configured or pre-configured by the network device, or may be specified in the protocol. This is not limited in this application.

[0247] Optionally, this application further includes the following. When the third timer expires, the communication device starts or restarts the second timer, or when the third timer expires and the communication device fails to receive / decrypt the first data, the communication device starts or restarts the second timer.

[0248] Optionally, the communication device may start the second timer after a second duration after the expiration of the third timer / at a second point in time.

[0249] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data transmitted in the C+G transmission mode, or receives data transmitted in the configured transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start or restart a third timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. Optionally, after the third timer expires, the communication device starts or restarts a second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operation duration of the second timer (and / or the operation duration of the third timer), it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission. Further, the communication device starts or restarts a third timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast, and after the third timer expires, starts or restarts a second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. This can also avoid listening for retransmission of data within the operation duration of the third timer and promote energy saving of the communication device.

[0250] For example, the third timer is associated with the second HARQ process.

[0251] It can be understood that the first data / first control information and the third timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0252] The first timer, the second timer, and the third timer all correspond to the second HARQ process. The first HARQ process and the second HARQ process can be understood as the same HARQ process or two associated HARQ processes.

[0253] 502-4: The communication device starts or resumes a fourth timer. The fourth timer / duration of the fourth timer indicates the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled. The fourth timer is a timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX.

[0254] It should be noted that in this application (or the definition / function / duration of the fourth timer), there is no limitation on whether the fourth timer starts immediately after being used to schedule newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data, or starts after a certain period.

[0255] For example, the fourth timer can be understood as an Inactivity Timer, or an Inactivity Timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX.

[0256] For example, the unicast-related DRX can be understood as any one or more of the DRXs corresponding to the first RNTI.

[0257] Regarding the related content of "starting or resuming the fourth timer", refer to the related content of "starting or resuming the first timer" in step 502-1. For the sake of understanding, the first timer is replaced by the fourth timer, and the details will not be explained again here.

[0258] For example, the communication device may receive DCI and / or data transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, or may receive data transmitted in a configured transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit data in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start a fourth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits data in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the fourth timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0259] 502-5: The communication device stops the fifth timer. The fifth timer / duration of the fifth timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data. The fifth timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0260] For example, the fifth timer may be understood as a Retransmission Timer, or a Retransmission Timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0261] Regarding the related content of "stopping the fifth timer", refer to the related content of "stopping the second timer" in step 502-2. For the sake of understanding, the second timer is replaced with the fifth timer, and the details will not be described again here.

[0262] For example, a fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast (e.g., corresponding to a first HARQ process) may be in operation (e.g., the communication device previously receives DCI and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, a G+G transmission mode, or a C+C transmission mode, or receives data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission mode, so that in order to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode), the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be started or restarted by the communication device), and the communication device receives DCI and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, or receives data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission mode. To save the energy of the communication device, the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be stopped. When data Y is retransmitted data of data X, it can be understood that this indicates that the retransmission of data X is received and the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be stopped. When data Y is newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits data X for the communication device and the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be stopped.

[0263] For example, the fifth timer is associated with a first HARQ process.

[0264] It can be understood that the first data / first control information and the fifth timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0265] In other possible implementation manners, step 502-5 may be replaced with 502-5A.

[0266] For example, if the DRX associated with unicast does not include the HARQ-RTT-Timer, step 502-2 may be replaced with 502-2A.

[0267] 502-5A: The communication device starts or restarts a fifth timer, and the fifth timer / duration of the fifth timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data. The fifth timer is a timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast.

[0268] Regarding the related content of "starting or restarting the fifth timer", refer to the related content of "starting or restarting the second timer" in step 502-2A. For the sake of understanding, the second timer is replaced with the fifth timer, and the details will not be described again here.

[0269] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data transmitted in the C+G transmission mode, or receives data transmitted in the configured transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start or restart the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the fifth timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0270] 502-6: The communication device starts or resumes the sixth timer, and the sixth timer / the duration of the sixth timer indicates the standby duration before the communication device receives the retransmitted data. The sixth timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0271] For example, the sixth timer can be understood as the HARQ-RTT-Timer, or the HARQ-RTT-Timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0272] Regarding the related content of "starting or resuming the sixth timer", refer to the related content of "starting or resuming the third timer" in step 502-3. For the sake of understanding, the third timer is replaced by the sixth timer, and the details will not be described again here.

[0273] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, or receives data transmitted in a configured transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start or restart a sixth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. Optionally, after the sixth timer expires, the communication device starts or restarts a fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode) within the operation duration of the fifth timer (and / or the operation duration of the sixth timer), it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in a sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission. Further, the communication device starts or restarts a sixth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast, and after the sixth timer expires, starts or restarts a fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. This can also avoid listening for retransmission of data within the operation duration of the sixth timer and promote energy saving of the communication device.

[0274] For example, the sixth timer is associated with the third HARQ process.

[0275] It can be understood that the first data / first control information and the sixth timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0276] The fourth timer, the fifth timer, and the sixth timer all correspond to the third HARQ process.

[0277] The first HARQ process and the third HARQ process can be understood as the same HARQ process or two associated HARQ processes.

[0278] In this embodiment, only the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast may be controlled, or only the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be controlled, or both the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast and the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be controlled. It should be noted that solutions for any combination of these fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0279] In Embodiment 1.1, whether to start / stop / restart the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast or the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast, or whether to control the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast or the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be configured by the network device for each multicast service, that is, may be configured by the network device for each MBS service, or may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI, that is, may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI. It should be noted.

[0280] Optionally, this embodiment further includes the following steps. 503 (not shown in the drawings): The communication device receives second control information transmitted in a unicast manner, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the second data, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the communication device receives second control information transmitted in a multicast manner, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the second data, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the communication device receives second control information transmitted in a unicast manner, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a unicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the second data, where the second data is transmitted in a single unicast manner. Correspondingly, the network device transmits the second control information transmitted in a unicast manner to the communication device, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the second data to the communication device, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the network device transmits the second control information transmitted in a multicast manner to the communication device, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the second data to the communication device, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the network device transmits the second control information transmitted in a unicast manner to the communication device, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a unicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the second data to the communication device, where the second data is transmitted in a unicast manner.

[0281] For the understanding of the "second control information transmitted in the unicast mode", refer to the description of the "first control information transmitted in the unicast mode" in step 501. For the sake of understanding, "first control information" is replaced with "second control information".

[0282] For the understanding of "transmitting the second data in the multicast mode" and "the second data is transmitted in the multicast mode", refer to the description of "transmitting the first data in the multicast mode" or "the first data is transmitted in the multicast mode" in step 501. For the sake of understanding, "first data" is replaced with "second data".

[0283] For the understanding of "the second control information is for scheduling the second data transmitted in the multicast mode", refer to the description of "the first control information is for scheduling the first data transmitted in the multicast mode" in step 501.

[0284] The second control information transmitted in the multicast mode can be understood as PDCCH / DCI scrambled by using the first RNTI, or DCI transmitted on the PDCCH scrambled by using the second RNTI.

[0285] The first RNTI may be, for example, C-RNTI, and the second RNTI may be, for example, G-RNTI.

[0286] It can be understood that "the communication device receives the second control information transmitted in the multicast mode" indicates that the second control information is unique to a plurality of communication devices. In other words, the second control information is transmitted to a plurality of communication devices within the multicast.

[0287] Transmitting the second data in the unicast mode can be understood as scrambling the PDSCH by using the first RNTI, or transmitting the second data on the PDSCH scrambled by using the first RNTI. The first RNTI may be, for example, a C-RNTI.

[0288] "The second data is transmitted in the unicast mode" can be understood to indicate that the second data is specific to a particular communication device. In other words, the second data is transmitted to a specific communication device within the multicast.

[0289] For example, the second control information and / or the second data is associated with the first HARQ process.

[0290] Optionally, this embodiment further includes the following. 504: The communication device performs the following steps 504-1 and / or 504-2.

[0291] 504-1 (not shown in the drawings): The communication device stops the second timer.

[0292] 504-2 (not shown in the drawings): The communication device stops the fifth timer.

[0293] For example, the communication device receives DCI1 / data1 (corresponding to HARQ process 1) transmitted in the C+G transmission mode, or the communication device receives data1 (for example, corresponding to HARQ process 1) transmitted in the configured transmission mode. After the communication device feeds back (for example, feeds back NACK) to the network device, the communication device starts both the second timer in DRX associated with multicast and the fifth timer in DRX associated with unicast. When the communication device receives DCI and / or data2 transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, C+G transmission mode, C+C transmission mode, or the configured transmission mode and associated with the same HARQ process (for example, HARQ process 1) again, the communication device stops the fifth timer in DRX associated with unicast and the second timer in DRX associated with multicast.

[0294] If the re-received data2 is the retransmission data of data1, it can be understood that this indicates that the retransmission of data1 is received, and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be stopped to reduce the power consumption of the communication device. Considering that the downlink control information scheduled to transmit data in the multicast mode and / or the newly transmitted data is not received, in order to further reduce the power consumption, the communication device may further stop the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast. Alternatively, the communication device may stop only the second timer to reduce the power consumption.

[0295] If Data 2 is the newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits Data 1 for the communication device, and the fifth timer corresponding to the unicast-associated DRX may be stopped to reduce the power consumption of the communication device. Considering that the downlink control information scheduled to transmit data in multicast mode and / or the newly transmitted data is not received, the communication device may further stop the second timer corresponding to the multicast-associated DRX to further reduce the power consumption. Alternatively, the communication device may only stop the second timer to reduce the power consumption.

[0296] It should be noted that Step 503 and Step 504 may be used as separate embodiments.

[0297] It can be understood that the communication device receives the second control information and / or the second data within the active time of the multicast-associated DRX or within the active time of the unicast-associated DRX.

[0298] For example, the active time of the multicast-associated DRX may include any one or more of the following: the time when the first timer corresponding to the multicast-associated DRX is operating, the time when the second timer (which may include a plurality of second timers corresponding to different HARQ processes) corresponding to the multicast-associated DRX is operating, and the time when the drx-onDurationTimer corresponding to the multicast-associated DRX is operating. For example, the start point of the drx-onDurationTimer corresponding to the multicast-associated DRX may be determined based on several parameters.

[0299] For example, the active time of DRX associated with unicast may include any one or more of the following, namely, the time when the fourth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast is in operation, the time when the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast (which may include a plurality of fifth timers corresponding to different HARQ processes) is in operation, and the time when the drx-onDurationTimer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast is in operation. For example, the start time of the drx-onDurationTimer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be determined based on several parameters.

[0300] For example, the network device transmits multicast data 1 in the G+G transmission mode, and the network device may retransmit the multicast data 1 in the G+G transmission mode, the C+G transmission mode, or the C+C transmission mode.

[0301] Problem A

[0302] The communication device receives DCI1 / data 1 transmitted in the G+G transmission mode. Thereafter, the network device may retransmit the data 1 in the G+G transmission mode, the C+G transmission mode, or the C+C transmission mode. Currently, there is no effective solution to ensure that the communication device can receive the retransmitted data 1 subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode, the C+G transmission mode, or the C+C transmission mode.

[0303] Based on solving Problem A, some problems may still exist. This may cause high power consumption of the communication device or be disadvantageous for the energy saving of the communication device. For example,

[0304] Problem B

[0305] The communication device receives DCI1 / data1 transmitted in the G+G transmission mode (for example, corresponding to HARQ process 1). To ensure that the communication device can receive retransmission data1 subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode, C+G transmission mode, or C+C transmission mode, the communication device listens for the PDCCH for retransmission of data1, and starts or resumes a timer (for example, the second timer associated with HARQ process 1 or Retransmission Timer) corresponding to DRX used for retransmission and associated with multicast, and / or a timer (for example, the fifth timer associated with HARQ process 1 or Retransmission Timer) corresponding to DRX used for retransmission and associated with unicast. When the communication device receives DCI and / or data (for example, retransmission data1 or other data) transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, C+G transmission mode, C+C transmission mode, or configured transmission mode and associated with the same HARQ process (for example, HARQ process 1), the communication device still listens for the PDCCH (for example, the PDCCH for retransmission of data1). This increases the power consumption of the communication device.

[0306] Embodiment 1.2 Similar to Embodiment 1.1, for problem A, to ensure that the communication device can receive unicast data (in other words, to avoid the situation where the communication device cannot receive unicast data), and / or to save the energy of the communication device, this application further provides a DRX control method. As shown in FIG. 6, the method includes the following steps.

[0307] 601: The communication device receives first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, where the first control information is for scheduling first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives first data transmitted in a multicast manner. Correspondingly, the network device transmits the first control information transmitted in a multicast manner to the communication device, where the first control information is for scheduling first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the first data to the communication device, where the first data is transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0308] The first control information transmitted in a multicast manner may include / be understood to include any one or more of the following.

[0309] (1) The first control information is transmitted on a first resource, where the first resource is a resource associated with multicast.

[0310] The fact that the first resource is a resource associated with multicast may be understood as follows. The first resource is in a common frequency resource corresponding to multicast.

[0311] For example, the first resource may be a PDCCH resource.

[0312] (2) The first control information is scrambled by using a second RNTI.

[0313] For example, the first control information transmitted in a multicast manner may be PDCCH / DCI scrambled by using a G-RNTI, or DCI transmitted on a PDCCH scrambled by using a G-RNTI.

[0314] "The communication device receives first control information transmitted in a multicast manner" can be understood to indicate that the first control information is unique to a plurality of communication devices. In other words, the first control information is transmitted to a plurality of communication devices within the multicast.

[0315] Regarding the understanding of "the first data transmitted in a multicast manner" or "the first data is transmitted in a multicast manner" in step 601, refer to the description in step 501.

[0316] Regarding the understanding of "the first control information is for scheduling the first data transmitted in a multicast manner" in step 601, refer to the description in step 501.

[0317] The communication device receives the first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, and it can be understood that the first control information transmitted by the network device to a plurality of communication devices is the same. The first control information received by each of the plurality of communication devices is the same.

[0318] 602: The communication device executes any one or more of the following steps 602-1, 602-2, and 602-2A, and / or the communication device executes any one or more of the following steps 602-4, 602-5, and 602-5A.

[0319] Optionally, before the communication device executes any one or more of steps 602-1, 602-2, and 602-2A, the method includes the following. The communication device receives third instruction information.

[0320] Regarding the understanding of "the third instruction information", refer to the description of "the first instruction information" in step 502. For the sake of understanding, "the first instruction information" is replaced with "the third instruction information".

[0321] Optionally, before the communication device executes any one or more of steps 602-4, 602-5, and 602-5A, the method further includes the following. The communication device receives fourth indication information.

[0322] For the understanding of the "fourth indication information", refer to the description of the "second indication information" in step 502. For the sake of understanding, the "second indication information" is replaced by the "fourth indication information".

[0323] 602-1: The communication device starts or resumes a fourth timer, and the fourth timer / duration of the fourth timer indicates the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled. The fourth timer is a timer in DRX associated with unicast.

[0324] It should be noted that in this application (or the definition / function / duration of the fourth timer), it is not limited whether the fourth timer starts immediately after being used to schedule newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data, or starts after a certain period.

[0325] For example, the fourth timer can be understood as an Inactivity Timer, or an Inactivity Timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0326] For the relevant content of "starting or resuming the fourth timer" in step 602-1, refer to the relevant content of "starting or resuming the fourth timer" in step 502-4, and the details will not be described again here. The difference is that the fourth timer in step 602-1 is associated with unicast.

[0327] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start a fourth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the fourth timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0328] 602-2: The communication device stops the fifth timer, and the fifth timer / duration of the fifth timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives the retransmitted data. The fifth timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0329] Regarding the related content of "stopping the fifth timer" in step 602-2, refer to the related content of "stopping the fifth timer" in step 502-5, and the details will not be described again here. The difference is that the fifth timer in step 602-2 is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0330] The fifth timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be in operation (e.g., the communication device previously received DCI and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, a G+G transmission mode, or a C+C transmission mode, or the communication device received data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission mode, so that in order to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a C+C transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode), the fifth timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX may be started or restarted by the communication device). The communication device receives DCI and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, or receives data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a configured transmission mode. To save the energy of the communication device, the fifth timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX may be stopped. When data Y is retransmitted data of data X, it can be understood that this indicates that the retransmission of data X is received and the fifth timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX may be stopped. When data Y is newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits data X for the communication device and the fifth timer corresponding to unicast-related DRX may be stopped.

[0331] For example, the fifth timer is associated with the first HARQ process.

[0332] It can be understood that the first data / first control information and the fifth timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0333] In other possible implementation manners, step 602-2 may be replaced with 602-2A.

[0334] For example, if the DRX associated with unicast does not include the HARQ-RTT-Timer, step 602-2 may be replaced with 602-2A.

[0335] 602-2A: The communication device starts or restarts a fifth timer, and the fifth timer / the duration of the fifth timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data. The fifth timer is a timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast.

[0336] Regarding the related content of "starting or restarting the fifth timer" in step 602-2A, refer to the related content of "starting or restarting the fifth timer" in step 502-5A. Details are not described again here.

[0337] For example, the communication device may receive DCI and / or data transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, and then the network device may transmit other DCI and / or data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start or restart the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the C+C transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the fifth timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0338] 602-3: The communication device starts or resumes a first timer, and the first timer / duration of the first timer indicates the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled. The first timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0339] For the understanding of "starting or resuming the first timer" in step 602-3, refer to the description in step 502-1.

[0340] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, and the network device may then transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), or may retransmit the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start a first timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the G+G transmission mode (or the C+G transmission mode) within the operating duration of the first timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data. Or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0341] 602-4: The communication device stops a second timer, and the second timer / duration of the second timer indicates the duration during which the communication device receives retransmitted data. The second timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. For the understanding of "stopping the second timer" in step 602-4, refer to the description in step 502-2.

[0342] For example, a second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast (e.g., corresponding to a first HARQ process) may be in operation (e.g., since the communication device has previously received DCI and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a C+G transmission mode or a G+G transmission mode, the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be started or restarted by the communication device to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted data subsequently transmitted by the network device in a G+G transmission mode (or a C+G transmission mode)), and the communication device receives DCI and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmitted data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in a C+G transmission mode. To save the energy of the communication device, the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped. When data Y is retransmitted data of data X, it can be understood that this indicates that the retransmission of data X is received and the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped. When data Y is newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits data X for the communication device and the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped.

[0343] In other possible implementation manners, step 602-4 may be replaced with 602-4A.

[0344] For example, when DRX associated with multicast does not include a HARQ-RTT-Timer, step 602-4 may be replaced with 602-4A.

[0345] 602-4A: The communication device starts or restarts a second timer, and the second timer / duration of the second timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data, and the second timer is a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0346] For the understanding of "starting or resuming the second timer" in step 602-4A, refer to the description in step 502-2A.

[0347] For example, the communication device may receive DCI and / or data transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, or receive data transmitted in the configured transmission mode, and then the network device may transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission mode (or C+G transmission mode), or retransmit the data in the G+G transmission mode (or C+G transmission mode). To ensure that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode (or C+G transmission mode), the communication device may start or resume the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits the data in the G+G transmission mode (or C+G transmission mode) within the operation duration of the second timer, it can be ensured that the communication device can receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication device is in the sleep state and cannot receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0348] In this embodiment, it should be noted that only the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be controlled, or only the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast may be controlled, or both the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast and the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be controlled. The solutions of any of these combinations fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0349] In Embodiment 1.2, whether to start / stop / restart a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast or a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast, or whether to control a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast or a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be configured by the network device for each multicast service, that is, may be configured by the network device for each MBS service, or may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI, that is, it should be noted that it may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI.

[0350] Optionally, this embodiment further includes the following steps. 603 (not shown in the drawings): The communication device receives second control information transmitted in a unicast manner, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the second data, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the communication device receives second control information transmitted in a multicast manner, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the second data, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the communication device receives second control information transmitted in a unicast manner, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a unicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the second data, where the second data is transmitted in a single unicast manner. Correspondingly, the network device transmits the second control information transmitted in a unicast manner to the communication device, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the second data to the communication device, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the network device transmits the second control information transmitted in a multicast manner to the communication device, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the second data to the communication device, where the second data is transmitted in a multicast manner. Alternatively, the network device transmits the second control information transmitted in a unicast manner to the communication device, where the second control information is for scheduling second data transmitted in a unicast manner, and / or the network device transmits the second data to the communication device, where the second data is transmitted in a unicast manner.

[0351] For the understanding of step 603, refer to the description of step 503 in the above embodiment.

[0352] Optionally, this embodiment further includes the following. 604 (not shown in the drawings): The communication device performs the following steps 604-1 and / or 604-2.

[0353] 604-1: The communication device stops the second timer.

[0354] 604-2: The communication device stops the fifth timer.

[0355] For example, the communication device receives DCI1 / data 1 (corresponding to HARQ process 1) transmitted in the G+G transmission mode. After the communication device feeds back to the network device (for example, feeds back NACK), the communication device starts both the second timer in DRX associated with multicast and the fifth timer in DRX associated with unicast. When the communication device receives DCI and / or data 2 transmitted in the G+G transmission mode, C+G transmission mode, C+C transmission mode, or configured transmission mode and associated with the same HARQ process (for example, HARQ process 1) again, the communication device stops the fifth timer in DRX associated with unicast and the second timer in DRX associated with multicast.

[0356] If the re-received data 2 is the retransmission data of data 1, it can be understood that this indicates that when the retransmission of data 1 is received, the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped to reduce the power consumption of the communication device. Considering that the downlink control information scheduled to transmit data in the unicast mode and / or newly transmitted data is not received, in order to further reduce the power consumption, the communication device may further stop the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast. Alternatively, the communication device may stop only the fifth timer to reduce the power consumption.

[0357] If Data 2 is the data newly transmitted, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits Data 1 for the communication device, and the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be stopped to reduce the power consumption of the communication device. Considering that the downlink control information scheduled to transmit data in unicast mode and / or the newly transmitted data is not received, the communication device may further stop the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast to further reduce the power consumption. Alternatively, the communication device may stop only the fifth timer to reduce the power consumption.

[0358] Embodiment 2.1 Based on the above analysis, in MBS, after a communication device receives DCI and / or data, it starts an RTT timer (HARQ-RTT-Timer). After the HARQ-RTT-Timer expires, if the communication device fails to receive the data, the communication device starts a retransmission timer (RetransmissionTimer). In this case, the active opportunities of different communication devices receiving the same MBS may not be aligned. Specifically, in MBS, different communication devices receiving the same MBS service may successfully receive the MBS service or may fail to receive the MBS service. In this case, the active times of the two communication devices may not be aligned. As a result, the communication device may fail to receive DCI and / or data. As shown in Figure 7, for example, after receiving DCI and / or data during the active period, Communication Device 1 starts the HARQ-RTT-Timer and enters the sleep period after the RTT timer expires (when other timers related to the DRX active time are not operating). After receiving DCI and / or data during the active period, Communication Device 2 starts the HARQ-RTT-Timer, starts the RetransmissionTimer after the RTT timer expires, and enters the sleep period only after the retransmission timer expires (when other timers related to the DRX active time are not operating). When the network device transmits newly transmitted data within the operating duration of the RetransmissionTimer (if, for Communication Device 1, other timers related to the DRX active time are not operating during this period, that is, Communication Device 1 is in the sleep state), Communication Device 1 may not receive the newly transmitted data during the sleep period.

[0359] The above problem also exists in V2X in the same way as in MBS. In V2X, after a communication device receives an SCI and / or data, it starts a HARQ-RTT-Timer. When the HARQ-RTT-Timer expires and the communication device fails to receive the data, the RetransmissionTimer is started only then. In this case, the active opportunities of different communication devices receiving the same V2X multicast may not be aligned. Specifically, in V2X, different communication devices receiving the same V2X multicast may successfully receive the V2X multicast or may fail to receive the V2X multicast. In this case, the active times of the two communication devices may not be aligned, and as a result, the communication device may fail to receive the SCI and / or data. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, after receiving an SCI and / or data during the active period, communication device 1 starts a HARQ-RTT-Timer and enters the sleep period after the RTT timer expires (when other timers related to the DRX active time are not operating). After receiving an SCI and / or data during the active period, communication device 2 starts a HARQ-RTT-Timer, starts a RetransmissionTimer after the RTT timer expires, and enters the sleep period only after the RetransmissionTimer expires (when other timers related to the DRX active time are not operating). When the transmitting device transmits newly transmitted data within the operating duration of the RetransmissionTimer (when, for communication device 1, other timers related to the DRX active time are not operating during this period, that is, when communication device 1 is in the sleep state), communication device 1 may not receive the newly transmitted data during the sleep period.

[0360] In this case, an embodiment of this application provides a DRX control method. In this method, for data transmitted in a multicast manner or multicast data, regardless of whether the communication device has successfully received the data, the RetransmissionTimer is started or restarted, so that the active period of the communication device that feeds back an ACK (or has successfully received the data) is aligned with the active period of the communication device that feeds back a NACK (or has failed to receive the data). In this way, within the operating duration of the retransmission timer, when the transmitting device (for example, a network device or a terminal device) transmits newly transmitted data, the communication device that feeds back an ACK (or has successfully received the data) can also receive the newly transmitted data because the communication device that feeds back an ACK is in the active period.

[0361] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the DRX control method may include the following steps.

[0362] 800: The communication device receives first control information and / or first data. The first control information is for scheduling the first data, and the first data is multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner. Correspondingly, the network device transmits the first control information and / or the first data, and / or the communication device determines that the first timer has expired. The duration of the first timer represents the waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data.

[0363] The first control information may include / and be understood to include any one or more of the following.

[0364] (1) First DCI

[0365] For example, the first DCI is for scheduling the first data, the first data is downlink data, and the first data is data transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0366] (2) The first SCI

[0367] For example, the first SCI is for scheduling the first data, the first data is SL data, and the first data is multicast data.

[0368] The fact that the first data is multicast data may include / be understood as including any one or more of the following.

[0369] (1) The first data is transmitted on a second resource, and the second resource is a resource associated with multicast.

[0370] (2) The first data is scrambled by using a second RNTI.

[0371] Regarding the related content of (1) and (2), refer to the description of the related content in Embodiment 1.1, and the details will not be described again here.

[0372] For example, the first data may be data transmitted in a C+G transmission mode, or may be data transmitted in a G+G transmission mode.

[0373] (3) The first data is multicast data transmitted in a C+C transmission mode.

[0374] (4) The first control information indicates that the first data is multicast data, or indicates that the transmission corresponding to the first control information is multicast (transmission).

[0375] For example, the first SCI indicates that the first data is multicast data, or indicates that the transmission corresponding to the first SCI is multicast (transmission).

[0376] Regarding the related content of "the first data is data transmitted in a multicast manner", refer to the understanding of the related content of "the first data transmitted in a multicast manner" or "the first data is transmitted in a multicast manner" in Embodiment 1.1, and the details will not be described again here.

[0377] For example, when the first data is downlink data, the first data is multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0378] For example, when the first data is SL data, the first data is multicast data.

[0379] The communication device receiving the first control information and / or the first data may be understood to include any one or more of the following.

[0380] (1) The communication device receives the first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, and the first control information is for scheduling the first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the first data, and the first data is transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0381] Regarding the related content of "the first control information transmitted in a unicast manner", refer to the description of the related content in Embodiment 1.1, and the details will not be described again here.

[0382] (2) The communication device receives the first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, and the first control information is for scheduling the first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and / or the communication device receives the first data, and the first data is transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0383] Regarding the related content of "the first control information transmitted in a multicast manner", refer to the description of the related content in Embodiment 1.2, and the details will not be described again here.

[0384] (3) The communication device receives first control information transmitted in the unicast mode, where the first control information is for scheduling first data transmitted in the unicast mode, and / or the communication device receives first data, where the first data is transmitted in the unicast mode.

[0385] For the understanding of the "first control information transmitted in the unicast mode" in 800, refer to the content in Embodiment 1.1.

[0386] For the understanding of "transmitting the first data in the unicast mode" in step 800, refer to the content of "transmitting the second data in the unicast mode" in Embodiment 1.1. For the purpose of understanding, "the second data" is replaced by "the first data".

[0387] For example, the first timer may be understood as a HARQ-RTT-Timer.

[0388] For example, the first timer may include a first timer associated with DRX related to multicast (e.g., HARQ-RTT-Timer), and / or a first timer associated with DRX related to unicast (e.g., HARQ-RTT-Timer).

[0389] For example, the first control information and / or the first data are associated with a first HARQ process.

[0390] For example, the first timer is associated with a second HARQ process. The first HARQ process and the second HARQ process may be understood as the same HARQ process or two associated HARQ processes.

[0391] For example, the first data / first control information and the first timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0392] 801: The communication device starts or resumes a second timer, and the second timer / the duration of the second timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data.

[0393] For example, the second timer may be understood as RetransmissionTimer.

[0394] For example, the second timer may include a second timer (e.g., RetransmissionTimer) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast and / or a second timer (e.g., RetransmissionTimer) corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0395] Optionally, before the communication device determines that the first timer has expired, the method may include the following. The communication device receives first downlink control information and / or first data, and the communication device starts the first timer.

[0396] Optionally, starting or resuming the first timer may include the following. The communication device transmits first feedback information, and the first feedback information indicates whether the communication device has successfully received the first data or has failed to receive it, or at, after, or before the first feedback time, where the first feedback time is the time domain position where the first feedback resource is located, the first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and the first timer is started or resumed.

[0397] The first feedback information may include ACK and / or NACK.

[0398] For example, the association of the first feedback resource with the first data may be understood to include / may include the use of the first feedback resource by the communication device to transmit the first feedback information.

[0399] For example, the first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain associated with the first data or the last feedback resource in the time domain. This is not limited in this application. For example, multiple communication devices receive the first data, and the feedback resources corresponding to the multiple communication devices may be the same in the time domain (e.g., time division may be used). The first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain within the multiple feedback resources or the last feedback resource in the time domain. In this way, the active times (active times of DRX associated with multicast) of different communication devices can be aligned to ensure that the communication devices can receive the control information and / or data transmitted by the network device.

[0400] For example, the communication device may transmit the first feedback information on a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource.

[0401] For example, the first feedback resource may include a PUCCH resource.

[0402] Optionally, the following conditions need to be met to start or restart the first timer. The communication device fails to receive / decrypt the first data.

[0403] Optionally, the communication device may start the first timer after a third duration after the first control information is received / at a third point in time, or may start the first timer after a third duration after the first data is received / at a third point in time, or may start the first timer after a third duration after the first feedback information is transmitted / at a third point in time, or may start the first timer after a third duration after the first feedback time / at a third point in time.

[0404] The third time point may be the c-th symbol / slot / subframe / frame, etc. c is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The value of the third time point / the value of c / the value of the third duration may be configured or pre-configured by the network device, or may be specified in the protocol. This is not limited in this application.

[0405] Optionally, the communication device starting or restarting the second timer includes the following. When the communication device has successfully received the first data or has failed to receive the first data, the communication device starts or restarts the second timer. Alternatively, optionally, the following conditions need to be met to start or restart the second timer. The communication device has successfully received / decoded the first data or has failed to receive / decoded the first data.

[0406] For example, the second timer is associated with the second HARQ process. The first HARQ process and the second HARQ process can be understood as the same HARQ process or two associated HARQ processes.

[0407] For example, the first data / first control information and the second timer correspond to the same HARQ process.

[0408] Optionally, starting or restarting the second timer may include the following. The communication device transmits first feedback information, and the first feedback information indicates whether the communication device has successfully received the first data or has failed to receive it, or at, after, or before the first feedback time. The first feedback time is the time domain position where the first feedback resource is located. The first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and the second timer is started or restarted.

[0409] The first feedback information may include ACK and / or NACK.

[0410] For example, the fact that the first feedback resource is associated with the first data may include / may be understood as being that the first feedback resource is used by the communication device to transmit the first feedback information.

[0411] For example, the first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain associated with the first data or the last feedback resource in the time domain. This is not limited in this application. For example, a plurality of communication devices receive the first data, and the feedback resources corresponding to the plurality of communication devices may be the same in the time domain (for example, time division may be used). The first feedback resource may be the first feedback resource in the time domain within the plurality of feedback resources or the last feedback resource in the time domain. In this way, the active times (the active times of DRX associated with multicast) of different communication devices can be aligned to ensure that the communication devices can receive the control information and / or data transmitted by the network device.

[0412] For example, the communication device may transmit the first feedback information on a PUCCH resource or a PUSCH resource.

[0413] For example, the first feedback resource may include a PUCCH resource.

[0414] Optionally, in order to start or restart the second timer, the following conditions need to be met. The communication device fails to receive / decode the first data.

[0415] Optionally, the communication device may start a second timer after a second duration after the first control information is received / at a second point in time, or may start a second timer after a second duration after the first data is received / at a second point in time, or may start a second timer after a second duration after the first feedback information is transmitted / at a second point in time, or may start a second timer after a second duration after the first feedback time / at a second point in time.

[0416] The second point in time may be the b-th symbol / slot / subframe / frame, etc. b is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The value of the second point in time / the value of b / the value of the second duration may be configured or pre-configured by the network device, or may be specified in the protocol. This is not limited in this application.

[0417] For example, after the communication device determines that the HARQ-RTT-Timer has expired, if the first data is multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner, the communication device starts the RetransmissionTimer, that is, when the first data is successfully received or fails to be received, the communication device starts the RetransmissionTimer in order to align the active times of multiple communication devices in the multicast manner, so that multiple communication devices can receive newly transmitted data transmitted by the network device within the timing duration of the RetransmissionTimer.

[0418] For example, after receiving the first control information and / or the first data which is multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner, a plurality of communication devices start a first timer. After the first timer expires, the communication devices start a second timer regardless of whether the communication devices have normally received the first data, in order to align the activation times of the plurality of communication devices. If a transmitting-end device (for example, a network device, another communication device, or a terminal device) transmits other control information and / or data (for example, newly transmitted data) within the operation duration of the second timer, it can be ensured that the communication devices can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication devices (for example, some communication devices) are in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0419] For example, after receiving the first control information and / or the first data which is multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner, a plurality of communication devices start a second timer regardless of whether the communication devices have normally received the first data, in order to align the activation times of the plurality of communication devices. If a transmitting-end device (for example, a network device, another communication device, or a terminal device) transmits other control information and / or data (for example, newly transmitted data) within the operation duration of the second timer, it can be ensured that the communication devices can receive the control information and / or data, or in other words, it can be avoided that the communication devices (for example, some communication devices) are in a sleep state and cannot receive the control information and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0420] Optionally, the communication device receives first information, the first information instructs the communication device to receive the first control information and / or the first data, and / or the communication device determines that the first timer has expired, and the communication device starts or restarts the second timer. For example, the first instruction may indicate whether step 801 is permitted to be executed, or whether the above solution is permitted to be executed.

[0421] In a possible solution, it can be understood that the communication device receives the first information and the communication device executes steps 800 and 801. Alternatively, in a possible solution, before executing step 801, the communication device needs to further meet the following conditions. The communication device receives the first information.

[0422] For example, the transmitting device (network device, other communication device or terminal device) or the network device may determine whether to transmit the first information for each multicast service (or MBS service) / second RNTI. Alternatively, it can be understood as follows. The transmitting device (network device, other communication device or terminal device) or the network device may configure whether to permit the communication device to execute the above solution for each multicast service / second RNTI. The configuration granularity is each multicast service / second RNTI.

[0423] Embodiment 1.2 can be understood as providing a method from the receiving side perspective for solving the problem of active time alignment. This application may also provide a method from the transmitting side for solving the problem of active time alignment on the receiving side. For details, refer to Embodiment 2.2.

[0424] It should also be noted that Embodiment 2.1 is also applicable to the scenario where multicast data is transmitted between communication devices, or data is transmitted between communication devices in a multicast manner. That is, when the communication device functioning as the receiving side determines that the first timer has expired, the communication device functioning as the receiving side starts or resumes the second timer, thereby aligning the active periods of the communication devices functioning as the receiving side within the same multicast.

[0425] Embodiment 2.2 This application provides a DRX control method. As shown in FIG. 9, the method includes the following steps.

[0426] 900: The network device determines that the first timer on the communication device side is in operation, and the first timer / the duration of the first timer indicates the duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data.

[0427] 901: The network device determines not to transmit the first control information and / or the first data, where the first control information is for scheduling the first data, and the first data is multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0428] For example, the first timer may be understood as RetransmissionTimer.

[0429] For example, the first timer may include a first timer (e.g., RetransmissionTimer) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0430] Regarding the related content of the "first control information" and the "first data", refer to the related content descriptions in Embodiment 2.1, Embodiment 1.1, and Embodiment 1.2. Details will not be elaborated here again.

[0431] For example, the first control information is transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0432] For example, the first control information may be the first DCI, where the first DCI is for scheduling the first data, the first data is downlink data, and the first data is data transmitted in a multicast manner.

[0433] For example, the first control information may be the first SCI, where the first SCI is for scheduling the first data, the first data is SL data, and the first data is multicast data.

[0434] Optionally, the first data is newly transmitted data.

[0435] Optionally, determining that the network device does not transmit new data further includes / requires the following conditions to be met. The network device determines that neither the second timer nor the third timer on the communication device side is operating.

[0436] The second timer indicates the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled.

[0437] For example, the second timer may be understood as an Inactivity Timer.

[0438] For example, the second timer may include a second timer (e.g., Inactivity Timer) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0439] The third timer indicates the duration of waiting for the communication device to receive control information (e.g., DCI or SCI) after being woken up.

[0440] For example, the third timer may be understood as an onDuration Timer.

[0441] For example, the third timer may include a third timer (e.g., onDuration Timer) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0442] Optionally, determining that the network device does not transmit new data further includes / requires the following conditions to be met. The network device determines that none of the fourth timer, the second timer, and the third timer on the communication device side is operating.

[0443] The fourth timer indicates the waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data.

[0444] For example, the fourth timer may be understood as a HARQ-RTT-Timer.

[0445] For example, the fourth timer may include a fourth timer (e.g., HARQ-RTT-Timer) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0446] Optionally, the network device's determination not to transmit new data further includes / requires the following conditions to be met. The network device determines that the first timer on the other communication device side is not operating.

[0447] Both the communication device and the other communication device receive (are interested in / assume) the first control information and / or the first data.

[0448] The second timer indicates the duration after newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled.

[0449] For example, the second timer may be understood as an Inactivity Timer.

[0450] For example, the second timer may include a second timer (e.g., Inactivity Timer) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast.

[0451] For example, the active time of DRX associated with multicast may include any one or more of the following, namely, the time when the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast is operating, and the time when the third timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast is operating.

[0452] For example, the start point of the third timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast may be determined based on several parameters.

[0453] For example, the active time of DRX associated with multicast may include any one or more of the following, that is, the time when the first timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast (which may include a plurality of first timers corresponding to different HARQ processes) is operating, the time when the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast is operating, and the time when the third timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast is operating.

[0454] For example, the active time of DRX associated with multicast may include any one or more of the following, that is, the time when the first timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast (which may include a plurality of first timers corresponding to different HARQ processes) is operating, the time when the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast is operating, the time when the third timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast is operating, and the time when the fourth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast (which may include a plurality of fourth timers corresponding to different HARQ processes) is operating.

[0455] For example, assuming that a network device transmits first control information and / or first data, the network device is one of a plurality of communication devices (communication devices assumed to receive the first data) and is associated with multicast. It is necessary to transmit the first control information and / or the first data during the active time corresponding to DRX (all of the active time corresponding to DRX associated with multicast), whereby it can be understood that it is ensured that the plurality of communication devices can receive the first control information and / or the first data. In other words, when one or more communication devices are not in the active time, or when one or more communication devices are in the inactive time (sleep state) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast, if the network device transmits the first control information and / or the first data, one or more communication devices cannot receive the first control information and / or the first data. In other words, the network device is one of all communication devices that need to receive the first data and transmits the first control information and / or the first data during the common time of the active time corresponding to DRX associated with multicast (which can be understood as the common subset of the active time corresponding to DRX associated with multicast).

[0456] For example, for multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner, different communication devices may have different reception states (possibility of success and possibility of failure). As a result, some of these communication devices start or restart the first timer, and some communication devices do not start or restart the first timer. For example, since the first timer is operating and one or more communication devices are in the active time (other timers related to the active time corresponding to DRX associated with multicast are not operating), if one or more communication devices are not in the active state, the network device cannot transmit the first control information and / or the first data.

[0457] For example, steps 900 and 901 can be alternatively understood as follows. The network device determines that newly transmitted multicast data or data transmitted in a multicast manner (e.g., PDSCH scrambled by using G-RNTI) needs to be transmitted to all communication devices within the multicast. When at least one communication device within the multicast operates under the RetransmissionTimer, although at least one communication device within the multicast may not operate under the RetransmissionTimer, considering that it is in the sleep period (and other timers related to the active time corresponding to DRX associated with the multicast are not operating), in this case, the network device may not need to transmit the newly transmitted data to all communication devices within the multicast. On the contrary, when none of the communication devices within the multicast operates under the RetransmissionTimer, the network device may consider that all communication devices are in the active period, that is, the active periods of all communication devices are aligned. In this case, the network device transmits the newly transmitted data to the communication devices within the multicast only when all communication devices within the multicast are in the active period, so that all communication devices within the multicast can receive the newly transmitted data.

[0458] For example, in step 900, the network device's determination that the first timer on the communication device side is operating can be understood as the network device's determination that only the first timer of at least one communication device within the multicast is operating, and / or the determination that the first timer of at least one communication device within the multicast is not operating and neither the second timer nor the third timer of at least one communication device is operating. In this case, the network device executes step 901.

[0459] Embodiment 2.2 should also be noted to be applicable to a scenario where multicast data is transmitted between communication devices, or where data is transmitted between communication devices in a multicast manner. For the sake of understanding, the network device in the above content is replaced with a first communication device, and the communication device is replaced with a second communication device. For example, when a communication device functioning as a transmitter determines that at least one first timer of a communication device functioning as a receiver within the multicast is in operation, and / or when it is determined that at least one first timer of a communication device functioning as a receiver within the multicast is not in operation, the communication device functioning as a transmitter determines not to transmit new data, and the new data is multicast data.

[0460] For example, it can also be understood as follows. When a communication device functioning as a transmitter needs to transmit newly transmitted multicast data, the communication device functioning as a transmitter transmits the data within the "active time" of DRX corresponding to the data. That is, when none of the other timers (OnDuration Timer, Inactivity Timer, and HARQ-RTT-Timer) of one of the communication devices within the communication device used as the receiver operates and only the RetransmissionTimer operates, the communication device used as the transmitter does not transmit newly transmitted multicast data.

[0461] Embodiment 3.1 In the current technology, when a communication device starts random access, the downlink BWP needs to be switched to the BWP corresponding to the uplink BWP. For example, when the uplink BWP is switched to the uplink initial BWP, the downlink BWP also needs to be switched to the downlink initial BWP, or the downlink BWP also needs to be switched to the downlink BWP whose identifier corresponds to the identifier of the first uplink BWP. However, in MBS, if the resources of the downlink BWP after switching do not include the MBS common frequency resource, the communication device cannot receive MBS data from the network device on the downlink BWP after switching. Furthermore, when the network device does not recognize that the communication device performs downlink BWP switching, the network device still transmits MBS data on the BWP before downlink switching, and the communication device cannot receive the MBS data.

[0462] For example, when the communication device starts CBRA, the communication device is made to perform downlink BWP switching. The network device does not recognize that the communication device is switched from downlink BWP1 to downlink BWP2, and the network device still transmits data to the communication device in the PTP transmission mode on the downlink BWP1 before switching. However, the communication device has been switched to downlink BWP2, and therefore, the communication device cannot receive the data.

[0463] Alternatively, when the communication device starts CBRA, the communication device is made to perform downlink BWP switching. The network device does not recognize that the communication device is switched from downlink BWP1 to downlink BWP2. Since downlink BWP2 does not include the MBS common frequency resource, the communication device cannot receive MBS data (for example, data transmitted in the PTM transmission mode).

[0464] Alternatively, when the communication device starts CFRA, the communication device is made to perform a downlink BWP switch from downlink BWP1 to downlink BWP2. The network device may determine the communication device that starts random access, or may determine that the communication device switches to downlink BWP2. When the network device transmits data to the communication device in the PTP mode, the communication device may receive the data transmitted in the PTP mode on downlink BWP2. When the network device transmits data to the communication device in the PTM mode, but downlink BWP2 does not include MBS common frequency resources, the communication device cannot receive the data transmitted in the PTM mode on downlink BWP2.

[0465] Alternatively, based on the above example where MBS data cannot be received, generally, when the communication device switches to a downlink BWP that does not include MBS common frequency resources, the communication device may not receive downlink data on the switched-downlink BWP.

[0466] In the above example, it can be understood that in the scenario where the communication device starts random access and cannot receive MBS data, not all downlink BWPs (downlink unicast BWPs) include MBS common frequency resources.

[0467] In the above case, if the communication device still listens for MBS data / DCI corresponding to MBS data (the listening is meaningless), the power consumption is high.

[0468] To solve the above problems, this application provides a DRX control method. When a communication device starts random access, if the communication device determines that the downlink BWP to be switched or the switched downlink BWP does not include the MBS common frequency resource, the communication device may enter the sleep period to skip receiving the downlink control information or downlink data transmitted in the multicast mode, or may not listen to the downlink control information associated with multicast. In this way, the communication device can be prevented from being blocked from listening to unnecessary downlink control information, and the power consumption is reduced by using the communication device.

[0469] Based on this, this application provides a DRX control method. As shown in FIG. 10, the method includes the following steps.

[0470] 100: The communication device determines that the first downlink BWP does not include the first resource.

[0471] The first resource may be understood as any one or more of the following, that is, the resource used for control information (for example, PDCCH, common PDCCH or group common PDCCH) and / or data (for example, PDSCH, common PSCCH or group common PDSCH) transmitted in the multicast mode, the common frequency resource or the common frequency resource corresponding to multicast, and the resource used for common PDCCH and common PDSCH, for example, the common frequency resource.

[0472] The common frequency resource or the common frequency resource corresponding to multicast may be understood as the BWP corresponding to multicast or the frequency range corresponding to multicast.

[0473] The first downlink BWP is an active downlink BWP, or the communication device will switch to the first downlink BWP.

[0474] For example, the first downlink BWP includes / is a downlink BWP corresponding to unicast or an initial downlink BWP.

[0475] For example, switching to the first downlink BWP can be understood as activating the first downlink BWP.

[0476] The fact that the first downlink BWP does not include the first resource can be understood as any one or more of the following. The first downlink BWP does not include the first resource, the first downlink BWP cannot cover the first resource, and the first resource is not entirely within the frequency range of the first downlink BWP.

[0477] When the first downlink BWP does not include the first resource, the relationship between the first downlink BWP and the first resource may include a relationship with a common part and a relationship without a common part.

[0478] The boundaries of the first downlink BWP are the first boundary and the second boundary, and the first boundary is smaller than the second boundary. The boundaries of the first resource are the third boundary and the fourth boundary, and the third boundary is smaller than the fourth boundary. Optionally, the first boundary / the third boundary may be referred to as the left boundary or the lower boundary. Optionally, the second boundary / the fourth boundary may be referred to as the right boundary or the upper boundary.

[0479] The boundary can be understood as a frequency range boundary, a frequency boundary, or a frequency start point.

[0480] (1) Relationship with a common part: There is a common part between the first downlink BWP and the first resource.

[0481] The existence of a common part between the first downlink BWP and the first resource can be understood as any one of the following.

[0482] (a) The third boundary is larger than the first boundary and smaller than the second boundary, and the fourth boundary is larger than the second boundary.

[0483] (b) The first boundary is larger than the third boundary and smaller than the fourth boundary, and the second boundary is larger than the fourth boundary.

[0484] (2) Relationship without common part: There is no common part between the first downlink BWP and the first resource.

[0485] The fact that there is no common part between the first downlink BWP and the first resource can be understood as any one of the following.

[0486] (a) The third boundary is greater than or equal to the second boundary.

[0487] (b) The first boundary is greater than or equal to the fourth boundary.

[0488] 101: The communication device controls the first DRX to enter the sleep period, or does not listen to the control information associated with the multicast, and the first DRX is associated with the multicast.

[0489] Not listening may include stopping listening.

[0490] In some embodiments, in step 100, when the communication device switches to the first downlink BWP, or when the communication device is about to switch to the first downlink BWP but has not been switched to the first downlink BWP, the communication device may determine that the first BWP does not include the first resource.

[0491] The first resource is associated with the first multicast (service) or the first RNTI (for example, a specific G-RNTI).

[0492] The first DRX is associated with a first multicast (service) or a first RNTI (e.g., a specific G-RNTI).

[0493] It can be understood that the first DRX is associated with a service corresponding to a first resource or a first RNTI.

[0494] Optionally, this application further includes the following. The communication device starts a random access (e.g., CBRA or CFRA), and the communication device will switch to / switch to a first downlink BWP.

[0495] The first downlink BWP is a downlink BWP corresponding to a first uplink BWP.

[0496] For example, the first downlink BWP is an initial downlink BWP, and the first uplink BWP is an initial uplink BWP. Alternatively, for example, the identifier of the first downlink BWP is the same as the identifier of the first uplink BWP.

[0497] For example, the communication device starts a random access. In this case, the active uplink BWP is a second uplink BWP. If the communication device determines that the second uplink BWP does not have a PRACH resource, when the communication device switches the uplink BWP to the initial uplink BWP, that is, when the first uplink BWP is the initial uplink BWP, in this case, the communication device also needs to switch from the downlink BWP to the initial downlink BWP, and the first downlink BWP is the initial downlink BWP.

[0498] The PRACH resource can be understood as a PRACH opportunity.

[0499] The fact that the second uplink BWP does not have a PRACH resource can be understood as that the PRACH resource is not configured for the second uplink BWP.

[0500] Instead, for example, the communication device starts a random access. In this case, the active uplink BWP is the first uplink BWP. If the communication device determines that the first uplink BWP has a PRACH resource, when the identifier corresponding to the active downlink BWP (for example, the active downlink BWP in this case is the third downlink BWP) is different from the identifier corresponding to the first uplink BWP (for example, BWP-ID), in this case, the communication device needs to switch from the downlink BWP to the first downlink BWP, and the identifier of the first downlink BWP is the same as the identifier of the first uplink BWP.

[0501] That the first uplink BWP has a PRACH resource can be understood as that the PRACH resource is configured for the first uplink BWP.

[0502] Optionally, controlling the first DRX so that the communication device enters a sleep period may include the following. The communication device stops the timer corresponding to the first DRX.

[0503] When the timer of the first DRX is not operating, the communication device does not need to further listen for control information associated with multicast. For example, the communication device does not need to listen for DCI scrambled by using a second RNTI (for example, G-RNTI), and / or PDCCH related to MBS and scrambled by using a first RNTI (for example, C-RNTI) (for example, some DCI formats may not need to be listened for), thereby reducing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0504] For example, the communication device starts CBRA in MBS. As a result, the communication device determines to switch to the first downlink BWP, or is already switching to the first downlink BWP. In this case, when the communication device determines that the first downlink BWP does not include MBS common frequency resources, the communication device stops all the running timers in the first DRX used for MBS. The timers may include, for example, OnDuration Timer, Inactivity Timer, HARQ-RTT-Timer, and RetransmissionTimer. In this way, the communication device enters a sleep period, equivalent to not receiving downlink control information and downlink data related to MBS.

[0505] For example, the communication device not listening to control information associated with multicast may be as follows. The communication device starts CBRA in MBS, whereby the communication device determines to switch to the first downlink BWP, or is already switching to the first downlink BWP. In this case, when the communication device determines that the first downlink BWP does not include MBS common frequency resources, the communication device does not listen to DCI scrambled by using the first RNTI (e.g., C-RNTI), and / or PDCCH related to MBS (e.g., a specific DCI format) scrambled by using the first RNTI (e.g., C-RNTI). In this case, the running timer in the first DRX may stop timing, or may continue timing, but the communication device does not listen to DCI.

[0506] Optionally, the communication device does not listen to control information associated with multicast. When the HARQ-RTT-Timer in the first DRX expires, in this case, the communication device may also control so that the RetransmissionTimer in the first DRX is not started in order to reduce the power consumption of the communication device.

[0507] In some embodiments, when the communication device starts a CFRA and as a result, when the communication device is about to switch to the first downlink BWP or has switched to the first BWP, the communication device may determine that the first downlink BWP does not include MBS common frequency resources. In this case, the communication device may control the first DRX to enter a sleep period, or may not listen for control information associated with multicast.

[0508] In some embodiments, when the communication device receives a switching instruction, the communication device may determine that the first downlink BWP does not include MBS common frequency resources, and the switching instruction instructs the communication device to switch to the first BWP. In this case, the communication device may control the first DRX to enter a sleep period, or may not listen for downlink control information associated with multicast.

[0509] The above described the process in which the communication device may enter a sleep period to reduce power consumption. The communication device may enter the active period of the first DRX, or may listen for (or start listening for) downlink control information associated with multicast in the following scenarios.

[0510] It should be noted that "the communication device controls the first DRX to enter the active period, or listens for control information associated with multicast based on the first DRX" or "enters the active period of the first DRX, or listens for (starts listening for) downlink control information associated with multicast" does not mean that the communication device is always in the active time of DRX or always listens for control information. The communication device still determines the actual DRX active time and controls listening based on the DRX parameters and reception status.

[0511] Optionally, when the communication device transmits Message 3 in the random access procedure, and Message 3 is used for scheduled transmission and carries the identifier of the communication device, the communication device controls the first DRX to enter the active period, or listens for control information associated with multicast based on the first DRX.

[0512] The identifier of the communication device may include any one or more of the following, namely, 5GS-TMSI, C-RNTI, and a random value.

[0513] This is because the network device may determine the identity of the communication device based on Message 3 and recognize which communication device performs random access. The network device may also determine the first downlink BWP after the communication device switches. In this case, when transmitting control information or data (e.g., MBS data transmitted in the PTP transmission mode) to the communication device, the network device may transmit the control information or data on the first downlink BWP, and the communication device may also receive the control information or data on the first downlink BWP.

[0514] Message 3 can be understood as the above MSG3. Message 3 can also be understood as the first scheduled transmission in the random access process.

[0515] In some embodiments, when the communication device determines that the random access is successful, the communication device may control the first DRX to enter the active period, or listen for control information associated with multicast based on the first DRX.

[0516] The communication device may alternatively fail to transmit Message 3. To more reliably determine that the network device identifies the communication device, the communication device may determine that the random access has succeeded, and then MSG3 is reliably received by the network device. In this case, the network device may determine the identity of the communication device and may determine the downlink BWP currently activated by the communication device. When the network device transmits control information or data (e.g., MBS data transmitted in the PTP transmission mode) to the communication device, the network device may transmit the control information or data on the first downlink BWP, and the communication device may also receive the control information or data on the first downlink BWP. Accordingly, the communication device may control the first DRX to be in the active period, or may listen for downlink control information associated with multicast based on the first DRX.

[0517] The communication device's determination that the random access has succeeded may include / be understood as the following. The communication device receives a fourth message in the random access procedure, and the fourth message may be understood as MSG4 above.

[0518] In some embodiments, the communication device may further switch to a second downlink BWP, the second BWP includes a first resource, and the communication device controls the first DRX to be in the active period, or listens for control information associated with multicast based on the first DRX.

[0519] The second downlink BWP including the first resource may be understood as any one or more of the following. The second downlink BWP includes the first resource, the second downlink BWP can cover the first resource, and the first resource is completely within the frequency domain range of the second downlink BWP.

[0520] The boundaries of the second downlink BWP are the fifth boundary and the sixth boundary, and the fifth boundary is smaller than the sixth boundary. The boundaries of the first resource are the third boundary and the fourth boundary, and the third boundary is smaller than the fourth boundary. Optionally, the fifth boundary / the third boundary may be referred to as the left boundary or the lower boundary. Optionally, the sixth boundary / the fourth boundary may be referred to as the right boundary or the upper boundary.

[0521] The boundaries can be understood as frequency range boundaries, frequency boundaries or frequency start points.

[0522] When the second downlink BWP includes the first resource, the relationship between the second downlink BWP and the first resource may include an inclusion relationship and an equality relationship.

[0523] (1) Inclusion relationship: The second downlink BWP includes the first resource.

[0524] That the second downlink BWP includes the first resource can be understood as follows. The third boundary is greater than or equal to the fifth boundary, and the fourth boundary is less than or equal to the sixth boundary.

[0525] (2) Equality relationship: The second downlink BWP is equal to the first resource.

[0526] That the second downlink BWP is equal to the first resource can be understood as follows. The fifth boundary is equal to the third boundary, and the sixth boundary is equal to the fourth boundary.

[0527] For example, controlling the first DRX so that the communication device enters an active period may include the following. The communication device starts a timer corresponding to the first DRX. For example, the timer corresponding to the first DRX includes one or more of an OnDuration Timer, an Inactivity Timer, a HARQ-RTT-Timer, and a RetransmissionTimer. Thus, the communication device may continue to control the timer in the first DRX based on the period condition of the first DRX and downlink reception.

[0528] Alternatively, controlling the first DRX so that the communication device enters an active period may include the following. The communication device continues to listen for a PDCCH scrambled by using a second RNTI (e.g., G-RNTI) based on the active time (active period) in the first DRX, and / or a PDCCH related to MBS and scrambled by using a first RNTI (e.g., C-RNTI).

[0529] In some embodiments, the control information associated with multicast includes any one or more of the following: control information transmitted in a multicast manner, control information transmitted in a unicast manner, control information for scheduling multicast data, control information for scheduling data transmitted in a multicast manner, control information for scheduling multicast data transmitted in a unicast manner, and control information for scheduling multicast configuration information. For a specific understanding here, refer to the descriptions in Embodiments 1.1 and 1.2 above.

[0530] For example, the multicast configuration information may be understood as an MCCH message.

[0531] For example, the control information may be understood as DCI.

[0532] In the description of step 101 above, if the communication device is receiving a plurality of MBS services (multiple multicast services) and all of the plurality of MBS services are associated with a first resource, the timer stopped by the communication device and the downlink control information not listened to by the communication device can be understood as corresponding to the plurality of MBS services. That is, it is necessary to stop all timers in DRX corresponding to the plurality of MBSs, and it is necessary to stop all behaviors of listening to downlink control information based on the DRX of the plurality of MBSs.

[0533] Embodiment 3.2 Similar to Embodiment 3.1, when the communication device starts random access, the downlink BWP needs to be switched to the BWP corresponding to the uplink BWP. For example, when the uplink BWP is switched to the uplink initial BWP, the downlink BWP also needs to be switched to the downlink initial BWP, or the downlink BWP also needs to be switched to the downlink BWP whose identifier corresponds to the identifier of the first uplink BWP. However, in the unicast service, the network device does not recognize that the communication device performs downlink BWP switching, and the network device still transmits data to the communication device on the downlink BWP before switching. In this case, the communication device cannot receive the data.

[0534] For example, when the communication device starts CBRA, the communication device is made to perform downlink BWP switching. The network device does not recognize that the communication device is switched from downlink BWP1 to downlink BWP2, and the network device still transmits data to the communication device in the PTP transmission mode on the downlink BWP1 before switching. However, the communication device has been switched to downlink BWP2, and therefore, the communication device cannot receive the data.

[0535] In the above case, if the communication device still listens to the DCI corresponding to the unicast data (the listening is meaningless), the power consumption is high.

[0536] To solve the problems in the unicast service, this application provides a DRX control method. When a communication device starts a random access, if the communication device determines a downlink BWP to be switched or a switched downlink BWP, the communication device may enter a sleep period to skip receiving downlink control information or downlink data transmitted in the unicast mode, or may not listen to the downlink control information associated with the unicast. This can prevent the communication device from listening to unnecessary downlink control information and facilitate reducing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0537] Therefore, the embodiments of this application provide a DRX control method. As shown in FIG. 11, the method includes the following steps.

[0538] 110: The communication device switches from a first downlink BWP to a second downlink BWP, and the first BWP and the second BWP are for transmitting downlink control information or data in the unicast mode.

[0539] For example, the first downlink BWP and / or the second downlink BWP includes / is a downlink BWP corresponding to the unicast or an initial downlink BWP.

[0540] For example, switching from the first downlink BWP to the second downlink BWP can be understood as deactivating the first downlink BWP and activating the second downlink BWP.

[0541] 111: The communication device controls the first DRX to enter a sleep period, or does not listen to the control information associated with the unicast. The first DRX is associated with the unicast.

[0542] Not listening may include stopping listening.

[0543] For example, the downlink BWP in step 110 may be switched in the case of CBRA. That is, when the communication device starts CBRA, the communication device switches from the first BWP to the second BWP. It can be understood that the second downlink BWP is the downlink BWP corresponding to the active first uplink BWP.

[0544] For example, the second downlink BWP is the initial downlink BWP, and the first uplink BWP is the initial uplink BWP. Alternatively, for example, the identifier of the second downlink BWP is the same as the identifier of the first uplink BWP. For specific descriptions here, refer to the above descriptions of steps 100 and 101.

[0545] For example, for the specific implementation method of controlling the first DRX so that the communication device enters the sleep period, refer to the above descriptions of steps 100 and 101. The difference is that the first DRX is associated with unicast, and all timers in the first DRX are timers in the unicast service.

[0546] This application further includes the following. The communication device starts random access (e.g., CBRA or CFRA), and the communication device will switch to the second downlink BWP.

[0547] For example, the communication device may stop listening for downlink control information for scheduling unicast data as follows. The communication device stops listening for DCI scrambled by using a unicast RNTI, and the unicast RNTI may be, for example, a C-RNTI.

[0548] Optionally, the communication device controlling the first DRX so that it enters the sleep period may include the following. The communication device stops the timer corresponding to the first DRX.

[0549] For example, when the HARQ-RTT-Timer is running when the communication device switches to the second downlink BWP, the communication device does not start the RetransmissionTimer until the HARQ-RTT-Timer expires in order to save the power consumption of the communication device.

[0550] In the above, the process in which the communication device may enter the sleep period to reduce power consumption has been described. The communication device may control the first DRX to enter the active period again in the following scenarios, or may listen (or start listening) to the downlink control information associated with unicast again based on the first DRX.

[0551] Optionally, the communication device transmits Message 3 in the CBRA procedure, and Message 3 is used for scheduled transmission. In this case, the network device determines the identity of the communication device based on Message 3, and may further determine when the communication device switches to the second downlink BWP. Therefore, the communication device may control the first DRX to enter the active period, or may listen to the control information associated with unicast based on the first DRX.

[0552] For example, the communication device starts a timer including one or more of the OnDuration Timer, Inactivity Timer, HARQ-RTT-Timer, and RetransmissionTimer in the first DRX. Alternatively, the communication device may continue to listen to the downlink control information based on the active period of the first DRX. For example, the communication device may continue to listen to the DCI scrambled by using the C-RNTI.

[0553] For example, the downlink control information for scheduling unicast data includes one or more of the following, namely, the downlink control information transmitted in the unicast mode, the downlink control information for scheduling data transmitted in the unicast mode, and the downlink control information for scheduling unicast data transmitted in the unicast mode.

[0554] Therefore, in the unicast service, when the communication device switches to the downlink BWP in the CBRA process, the communication device can prevent itself from performing unnecessary DCI listening, and in order to save power consumption, it may control the first DRX to enter the sleep period, or may stop listening for the downlink control information for scheduling unicast data.

[0555] It should be noted that the DRX control method provided in the embodiments of this application may be executed separately, or may be executed with reference to at least two of the methods. This is not limited in this application.

[0556] To implement the above functions, it can be understood that the communication device includes corresponding hardware and / or software modules for executing each function. Referring to the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the algorithm steps may be implemented in this application by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in this application. Whether the function is executed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraints. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application with reference to the embodiments, but the implementation method should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0557] In an embodiment, the communication device may be divided into functional modules based on the above example of the method. For example, each functional module may be obtained through division based on its corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware. In this embodiment, it should be noted that the division into modules is only an example and is simply a logical function division. In actual implementation methods, other division methods may be used.

[0558] When the functional module is obtained through division based on the corresponding function, FIG. 12 shows a possible schematic configuration diagram of the communication device in the above embodiment. The communication device may be the above terminal device or UE. The terminal device is used as an example. As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal device 120 may include a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202.

[0559] The transceiver unit 1201 may be configured to support the terminal device 120 when executing the above steps 501, 601, 800, etc., and / or may be configured to execute other processes of the technology described in this specification.

[0560] The processing unit 1202 may be configured to support the terminal device 170 when executing the above steps 502 (502-1, 502-2, 502-2A, 502-3, 502-4, 502-5, 502-5A, 502-6), 602 (602-1, 602-2, 602-2A, 602-4, 602-5, and 602-5A), 801, 100, 101, 110, 111, etc., and / or may be configured to execute other processes of the technology described in this specification.

[0561] It should be noted that all relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiment may be cited in the function description of the corresponding functional module. Details will not be described again here.

[0562] The terminal device 120 provided in this embodiment is configured to execute the above DRX control method, and thus can achieve the same effect as the above implementation method.

[0563] When an integrated unit is used, the terminal device may include a processing module, a memory module, and a communication module. The processing module may be configured to control and manage the actions of the terminal device. For example, the processing module may be configured to support the terminal device 120 when executing the steps executed by the processing unit 1202. The memory module may be configured to support the terminal device when storing program codes, data, etc. The communication module may be configured to support communication between the terminal device and other devices, for example, communication between the terminal device and a wireless access device.

[0564] The processing module may be a processor or a controller. The processing module may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to the content disclosed in this application. Alternatively, the processor may be a combination of processors that implement computing functions, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor. The memory module may be a memory. The communication module may specifically be a device such as a radio frequency circuit, a Bluetooth chip, or a Wi-Fi chip that interacts with other electronic devices.

[0565] In the embodiment, when the processing module is a processor, the memory module is a memory, and the transceiver module is a transceiver, the terminal device in the embodiment may be a UE having the structure shown in FIG. 13.

[0566] When obtained through division based on the functions supported by the functional modules, FIG. 14 shows a possible schematic configuration diagram of the network device in the above embodiment. The network device may be the above base station or the like. The network device is used as an example. As shown in FIG. 14, the network device 140 may include a transceiver unit 1401 and a processing unit 1402.

[0567] The transceiver unit 1401 may be configured to support the network device 140 when executing the above steps 501, 121, etc., and / or may be configured to execute other processes of the technologies described in this specification.

[0568] The processing unit 1402 may be configured to support the network device 140 when executing the above steps 900, 901, etc., and / or may be configured to execute other processes of the technologies described in this specification.

[0569] It should be noted that all relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiments may be cited in the function descriptions of the corresponding functional modules. Details will not be described again here.

[0570] The network device 140 provided in this embodiment is configured to execute the above DRX control method, and thus can achieve the same effect as the above implementation method.

[0571] When an integrated unit is used, the network device may include a processing module, a memory module, and a communication module. The processing module may be configured to control and manage actions of the terminal device. For example, the processing module may be configured to support the network device when executing steps performed by the processing unit 1402. The memory module may be configured to support the network device when storing program codes, data, etc. The communication module may be configured to support communication between the network device and other devices, for example, communication between the network device and the terminal device.

[0572] The processing module may be a processor or a controller. The processing module may implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to the content disclosed in this application. Alternatively, the processor may be a combination of processors that implement computing functions, for example, a combination of one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor. The memory module may be a memory. The communication module may specifically be a device such as a radio frequency circuit, a Bluetooth chip, or a Wi-Fi chip that interacts with other electronic devices.

[0573] In an embodiment, when the processing module is a processor and the memory module is a memory, the terminal device in the embodiment may be a base station having the structure shown in FIG. 15.

[0574] Embodiments of this application further provide an electronic device including one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories are configured to store computer program code. The computer program code includes computer instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the electronic device can execute the steps of the above related method to implement the DRX control method in the above embodiments.

[0575] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer storage medium. The computer storage medium stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are run on an electronic device, the electronic device can execute the steps of the above related method to implement the DRX control method in the above embodiments.

[0576] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer can execute the steps of the above related method to implement the DRX control method executed by the electronic device in the above embodiments.

[0577] Furthermore, embodiments of this application further provide an apparatus. The apparatus may specifically be a chip, a component or a module. The apparatus may include a connected processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus operates, the processor may execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, whereby the chip executes the DRX control method executed by the electronic device in the above method embodiments.

[0578] The electronic device, computer storage medium, computer program product, and chip provided in the embodiments are all configured to execute the method provided above. Therefore, for the beneficial effects that can be achieved, reference is made to the beneficial effects corresponding to the method provided above. Details are not described again here.

[0579] The above description of the implementation manner enables those skilled in the art to understand that, for the sake of convenience and concise description, the division into the above functional modules is made as an example for description. In actual applications, the above functions can be allocated to different modules according to requirements and realized. In other words, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to realize all or part of the above functions.

[0580] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed device and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the described embodiments of the device are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical function division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation manners. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into other devices, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or discussed may be realized through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be realized in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0581] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may be one or more physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in different places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual requirements to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

[0582] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may physically exist independently, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0583] When the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of this application is essentially, or the part that contributes to the current technology or all or part of the technical solution may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a device (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application. The above storage medium includes any medium that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0584] The above content is merely a specific implementation manner of this application, and the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any deformation or substitution that can be easily understood by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall follow the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] 1. A discontinuous reception (DRX) control method, comprising: receiving, by a communication device, first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data transmitted in a multicast manner; and / or receiving, by the communication device, the first data, the first data being transmitted in the multicast manner; The communication device performs the following actions: an action of starting or restarting a first timer indicating a duration after which newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data is scheduled; an action of stopping a second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device will receive retransmitted data or starting or restarting the second timer; starting or restarting a third timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives the retransmitted data; A step of performing one or more of the following: the first timer, the second timer, and the third timer are timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast; The method includes:

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