Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and communication apparatus for reducing the power consumption of a terminal. The terminal receives a first wake-up signal. The first wake-up signal includes first instruction information, which indicates that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, and the at least one first target terminal subgroup includes a first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. Based on the first instruction information, the terminal decides that it should be woken up. After the terminal has determined, based on the first wake-up signal, that the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs is the terminal subgroup that needs to be woken up, the terminal is woken up. In the paging process, the terminal does not need to continuously monitor paging opportunities, but monitors associated paging opportunities after being woken up. This effectively reduces the power consumption of the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202310541373.9, titled "COMMUNICATION METHOD AND APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 12, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more particularly, to communication methods and communication devices.

Background Art

[0003] In a communication system, a network device may notify a terminal via paging in the radio resource control (RRC) idle mode or RRC inactive mode to receive a paging message.

[0004] Generally, when a network device needs to page a terminal, it sends downlink control information (DCI) at one or more paging occasions (POs). A terminal in RRC idle mode or RRC inactive mode monitors one of its POs during each paging cycle and receives the paging DCI sent by the network device. The terminal receives and decodes the paging message based on the paging DCI. After decoding the paging message, the terminal determines whether the paging message contains the terminal's terminal identification information. If the paging message contains the terminal's terminal identification information, the terminal determines its subsequent actions based on other content in the paging message. If the paging message does not contain the terminal's terminal identification information, the terminal ignores the paging message. Therefore, for terminals in RRC idle mode or RRC inactive mode, the terminal must continuously monitor paging, resulting in higher power consumption. [Overview of the project]

[0005] This application provides a communication method and communication device for reducing the power consumption of a terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a terminal or a module (e.g., a chip) used within a terminal. For example, the method is performed by a terminal. The method includes the terminal receiving a first wake-up signal, the first wake-up signal including first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, the at least one first target terminal subgroup including a first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, and the terminal deciding, based on the first instruction information, that the terminal should be woken up.

[0007] According to the method described above, after receiving a first wake-up signal and determining, based on the first instruction information within the first wake-up signal, that the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs is the terminal subgroup that needs to be woken up, the terminal is woken up. For example, in a paging process, the terminal does not need to continuously monitor paging opportunities, but monitors associated paging opportunities after being woken up. This effectively reduces the terminal's power consumption.

[0008] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. A terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on its first identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0009] According to the method described above, a terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the first identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal. This provides a solution for a terminal to determine the terminal subgroup to which it belongs in relation to the first wake-up signal. In this way, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced. By using the first wake-up signal to indicate the terminal subgroup that needs to be woken up, network devices can reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by terminals and reduce false paging alarms.

[0010] In a possible design, the first identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the first identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0011] According to the method described above, a terminal can determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on its terminal identifier, or based on the processed terminal identifier. In this way, if different subgrouping methods need to be used for different wake-up signals, different subgrouping methods can be implemented by performing different processing on the terminal identifier.

[0012] In a possible design, the terminal receives a second wake-up signal. The second wake-up signal includes second instruction information, which indicates at least one second target terminal subgroup for monitoring paging, and the at least one second target terminal subgroup includes a second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. The terminal monitors paging based on the second instruction information.

[0013] According to the method described above, a two-level wake-up mechanism may be used. After the terminal receives a first wake-up signal, the terminal is woken up. After receiving a second wake-up signal, the terminal monitors paging. The two wake-up signal mechanisms are combined for transmission, and as a result, false alarms regarding paging can be further reduced, unnecessary paging monitoring by the terminal can be reduced, and the power consumption of the terminal can be reduced.

[0014] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the terminal's second identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0015] According to the method described above, a terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the second identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal. This provides a solution for a terminal to determine the terminal subgroup to which it belongs in relation to the second wake-up signal. In this way, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced. Network devices can reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by terminals and reduce false alarms by using the second wake-up signal to indicate terminal subgroups that need to monitor paging.

[0016] In a possible design, the second identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the second identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0017] According to the method described above, a terminal can determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on its terminal identifier, or based on the processed terminal identifier. In this way, if different subgrouping methods need to be used for different wake-up signals, different subgrouping methods can be implemented by performing different processing on the terminal identifier.

[0018] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2))mod K1+M1.

[0019] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0020] The method described above provides a method for accurately determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in relation to a first wake-up signal. Based on this method, terminal subgrouping may be performed in relation to the first wake-up signal, and as a result, a terminal subgrouping mechanism can be introduced in relation to the first wake-up signal to reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by terminals and reduce false paging alarms.

[0021] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns))mod K1+M1.

[0022] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0023] According to the foregoing method, another method for accurately determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs for a first wake-up signal is provided. Based on this method, terminal subgrouping may be performed for the first wake-up signal. As a result, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced for the first wake-up signal, which can reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by the terminal and reduce paging false alarms.

[0024] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to a second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier satisfies Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns)) mod K2 + M2.

[0025] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() represents a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the paging cycle of the terminal, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0026] According to the foregoing method, a method for accurately determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs for a second wake-up signal is provided. Based on this method, terminal subgrouping may be performed for the second wake-up signal. As a result, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced for the second wake-up signal, which can reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by the terminal and reduce paging false alarms. In addition, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup in different ways. As a result, different terminal subgroupings are performed for the first wake-up signal and the second wake-up signal, achieving a two-level wake-up effect, thereby further reducing the paging false alarms and power consumption of the terminal.

[0027] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to a second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier satisfies: Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1)) mod K2 + M2

[0028] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() represents a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the paging cycle of the terminal, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal or a preset value.

[0029] According to the foregoing method, another method for accurately determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs with respect to the second wake-up signal is provided. Based on this method, terminal subgrouping may be performed with respect to the second wake-up signal. As a result, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced with respect to the second wake-up signal, reducing unnecessary paging monitoring by the terminal and reducing paging false alarms. In addition, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup in different ways. As a result, different terminal subgroupings are implemented with respect to the first wake-up signal and the second wake-up signal, achieving a two-level wake-up effect, thereby further reducing the paging false alarms and power consumption of the terminal.

[0030] In a possible design, when the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are terminal subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the first identification information is different from the second identification information.

[0031] According to the method described above, different processing may be performed on the terminal identifier of a terminal, and as a result, the first identification information will be different from the second identification information. In this way, if both the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, a two-level wake-up effect can be achieved by obtaining different terminal subgroups for different wake-up signals, thereby further reducing false alarms and power consumption of terminal paging.

[0032] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0033] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0034] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The terminal receives first configuration information, which indicates the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0035] According to the method described above, a terminal can determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on first configuration information transmitted by a network device. This provides a solution to which a terminal determines the terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on network control. In this way, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced. The network device can reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by terminals and reduce false paging alarms by using a first wake-up signal to indicate the terminal subgroup that needs to be woken up.

[0036] In a possible design, the first configuration information includes a first subgroup identifier corresponding to a first terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the first configuration information includes first attribute information of the first terminal subgroup, and the first attribute information corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0037] According to the method described above, the network device can flexibly indicate in the first configuration information, in several different ways, the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in relation to the first wake-up signal.

[0038] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The terminal receives the second configuration information, which indicates the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0039] According to the method described above, a terminal can determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on second configuration information transmitted by a network device. This provides a solution to which a terminal determines the terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on network control. In this way, a terminal subgrouping mechanism is introduced. The network device can reduce unnecessary paging monitoring by terminals and reduce false paging alarms by using a second wake-up signal to indicate the terminal subgroup that needs to be woken up.

[0040] In a possible design, the second configuration information includes a second subgroup identifier corresponding to the second terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the second configuration information includes second attribute information for the second terminal subgroup, and the second attribute information corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0041] According to the method described above, the network device can flexibly indicate in the second configuration information, in several different ways, the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs in relation to the second wake-up signal.

[0042] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through network device control subgrouping, then the first and second terminal subgroups are obtained through partitioning based on different characteristics of terminals, or based on different partitioning granularities of the same characteristics of terminals.

[0043] According to the method described above, if the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are terminal subgroups obtained by network device control subgrouping, the network device may perform different terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal and the second wake-up signal to achieve a two-level wake-up effect, thereby further reducing terminal paging false alarms and power consumption.

[0044] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup meet the following conditions, namely:

[0045] The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. A first terminal included in the first terminal subgroup is not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup, and A second terminal included in the second terminal subgroup satisfies at least one of the following conditions: it is not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0046] According to the method described above, when the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup satisfy at least one of the aforementioned conditions, and the two wake-up signaling mechanisms are combined for transmission, a two-level wake-up effect is implemented because the terminals included in the terminal subgroups corresponding to the two wake-up signals are not exactly the same, and / or there is no inclusion relationship between the terminal subgroups corresponding to the two wake-up signals, thereby further reducing terminal paging false alarms and power consumption.

[0047] In a possible design, the terminal receives the first wake-up signal by using a secondary communication module. The terminal then determines that its main communication module should be woken up.

[0048] According to the method described above, if the terminal does not receive the first wake-up signal, the terminal's main communication module may be in a sleep state. After receiving the first wake-up signal using the secondary communication module, the main communication module is woken up, reducing the terminal's power consumption.

[0049] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be performed by a network device or a module (e.g., a chip) used in a network device. For example, the method is performed by a network device. The method includes the network device generating a first wake-up signal, the first wake-up signal including first instruction information, the first instruction information indicating that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, the at least one first target terminal subgroup including a first terminal subgroup to which the terminals belong, and the network device transmitting the first wake-up signal.

[0050] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs is determined based on the terminal's third identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0051] In a possible design, the third identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the third identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0052] In a possible design, the network device generates a second wake-up signal. The second wake-up signal includes second instruction information, which indicates at least one second target terminal subgroup for monitoring paging, and the at least one second target terminal subgroup includes a second terminal subgroup to which terminals belong. The network device transmits the second wake-up signal.

[0053] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs is determined based on the terminal's fourth identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0054] In a possible design, the fourth identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the fourth identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0055] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns*K2))mod K1+M1.

[0056] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0057] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns))mod K1+M1.

[0058] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0059] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID2 satisfies f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns))mod K2+M2.

[0060] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0061] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID2 satisfies f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns*K1))mod K2+M2.

[0062] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0063] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the third identification information is different from the fourth identification information.

[0064] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0065] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0066] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The network device transmits first configuration information, which indicates the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0067] In a possible design, the first configuration information includes a first subgroup identifier corresponding to a first terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the first configuration information includes first attribute information of the first terminal subgroup, and the first attribute information corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0068] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The network device transmits second configuration information, which indicates the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0069] In a possible design, the second configuration information includes a subgroup identifier corresponding to the second terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the second configuration information includes second attribute information for the second terminal subgroup, and the second attribute information corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0070] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through network device control subgrouping, then the first and second terminal subgroups are obtained through partitioning based on different characteristics of terminals, or based on different partitioning granularities of the same characteristics of terminals.

[0071] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup meet the following conditions, namely:

[0072] The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. Terminals included in the first terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup, and Each terminal included in the second terminal subgroup satisfies at least one of the following conditions: it is not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0073] According to a third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device having the function of implementing a method according to either the first aspect or a possible design thereof. The communication device may be implemented by hardware or by running corresponding software in hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0074] In possible designs, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the terminal in the manner described above. The communication device may further include memory (or a storage medium). The memory may be coupled to the processor and stores the program instructions and data required by the communication device. Optionally, the communication device may further include an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to support communication between the communication device and a device such as a network device. Alternatively, the interface circuit may be a transceiver. The transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter and receiver may be different components or the same components, but may perform different functions.

[0075] In possible designs, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each configured to perform the steps of the method described above. The functions may be performed by hardware or by running corresponding software in hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0076] In possible designs, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing module) and a communication unit (or communication module). These units may perform the corresponding functions in the method examples described above. For details, see the description of the method according to the first embodiment, which will not be repeated here. Alternatively, the communication unit (or communication module) may be a transceiver unit (or transceiver module). The transceiver unit may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be different units or the same unit, but may perform different functions.

[0077] A communication device may be a terminal, or a chip or chip system within a terminal. If the communication device is a terminal, the transceiver may be a radio frequency transceiver component within the terminal. If the communication device is a chip or chip system located within a terminal, the transceiver may be a communication interface within the chip or chip system. The communication interface is connected to a radio frequency transceiver component within the terminal and performs information transmission and reception via the radio frequency transceiver component.

[0078] According to a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device having the function of implementing a method according to either the second aspect or a possible design thereof. The communication device may be implemented by hardware or by running corresponding software in hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0079] In possible designs, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the network device in the manner described above. The communication device may further include memory (or a storage medium). The memory may be coupled to the processor and stores the program instructions and data required by the communication device. Optionally, the communication device may further include an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to support communication between the communication device and a device such as a terminal. Alternatively, the interface circuit may be a transceiver. The transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter and receiver may be different components or the same components, but may perform different functions.

[0080] In possible designs, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each configured to perform the steps of the method described above. The functions may be performed by hardware or by running corresponding software in hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0081] In possible designs, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing module) and a communication unit (or communication module). These units may perform the corresponding functions in the method examples described above. For details, see the description of the method according to the second aspect. Details will not be repeated here. Alternatively, the communication unit (or communication module) may be a transceiver unit (or transceiver module). The transceiver unit may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be different units or the same unit, but may perform different functions.

[0082] The communication device may be a network device, or a chip or chip system within a network device. If the communication device is a network device, the transceiver may be a radio frequency transceiver component within the network device. If the communication device is a chip or chip system located within a network device, the transceiver may be a communication interface within the chip or chip system. The communication interface is connected to a radio frequency transceiver component within the network device and performs information transmission and reception via the radio frequency transceiver component.

[0083] According to the fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, a method according to the first aspect or a possible design thereof, or a method according to the second aspect or a possible design thereof, is performed.

[0084] According to the sixth aspect, a computer program product for storing instructions is provided. When an instruction is executed by a processor, a method according to the first aspect or a possible design thereof, or a method according to the second aspect or a possible design thereof, is performed.

[0085] According to the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor. The processor is configured to implement a method according to the first aspect or a possible design thereof, or a method according to the second aspect or a possible design thereof. In addition, the communication device may further include a storage medium. The storage medium stores instructions. When an instruction is executed by the processor, a method according to the first aspect or a possible design thereof, or a method according to the second aspect or a possible design thereof, is implemented. The communication device may be a chip or a chip system. The chip system may include a chip, or include a chip and another distinct component.

[0086] According to the eighth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a first terminal device according to the first aspect and a network device according to the second aspect.

[0087] For each of the third through eighth embodiments, and for the technical effects that can be achieved in those embodiments, please refer to the preceding description of the technical effects that can be achieved in the first embodiment or a possible solution of the first embodiment, or in the second embodiment or a possible solution of the second embodiment. Details will not be repeated here. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0088] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the operating principle of LP-WUS according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of a communication method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart of the reception of LP-WUS and PEI by a terminal according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0089] The technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application may be applied to fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems (e.g., 5G new radio (NR) systems), long-term evolution (LTE) systems, or next-generation mobile communication systems, e.g., 6G mobile communication systems, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems include, for example, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and narrow-band internet of things (NB-IoT) systems. IoT may be understood as a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) based IoT or wearable Wi-Fi network. A wearable Wi-Fi network may be a Wi-Fi network including terminal devices (e.g., mobile phones) used as virtual access points and associated wearable devices. In embodiments of this application, a 5G mobile communication system is used as an example for illustrative purposes. When the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are applied to another communication system, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiments may be replaced with corresponding devices, components, and modules in the other communication system. This is not limited to the above.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 1. A communication system applicable to one embodiment of this application is shown. A 5G mobile communication system is used as an example and may include a network device and at least one terminal. The network device may include a core network device and an access network device. For example, the network device includes a 5G core network (e.g., 5GC) and a 5G access network (e.g., NG-RAN) as shown in Figure 1. The access and mobility management function (AMF) and the user plane function (UPF) are two network elements in the 5GC. The gNB (i.e., 5G base station) and ng-eNB (i.e., 4G base station connected to the 5GC) are two network elements in the NG-RAN. The terminal service base station gNB is responsible for providing the terminal with user plane protocol functions and control plane protocol functions in 5G NR. The terminal service base station ng-eNB is responsible for providing the terminal with user plane protocol functions and control plane protocol functions in LTE.

[0091] In embodiments of this application, the terminal may be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving scheduling and instruction information from a network device. The terminal may also be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device having wireless connectivity, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem. In embodiments of this application, the device configured to perform the functions of the terminal may be a terminal, a module or unit that can be used with the terminal, or a device capable of supporting the terminal in performing its functions, such as a chip system. The device may be mounted on the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal.

[0092] Terminals are sometimes also called terminal devices, user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), or mobile terminals (MT). A terminal is a device that includes wireless communication capabilities (providing voice / data connectivity to the user), such as a handheld device or in-vehicle device with wireless connectivity. Some examples of terminals today include mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in the Internet of Vehicles, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. For example, a wireless terminal in a vehicle's internet may be an in-vehicle device, the entire vehicle device, an in-vehicle module, or the vehicle itself. A wireless terminal in industrial control may be a camera or a robot. A wireless terminal in a smart home may be a television, air conditioner, sweeper, speaker, set-top box, or the like.

[0093] The access network device in the embodiments of this application may be a device within a wireless network. For example, the access network device may be a device located within a radio access network that provides wireless communication functions to a terminal. For example, the access network device may be a radio access network (RAN) node that connects terminal devices to a wireless network. In the embodiments of this application, the device configured to perform the functions of the access network device may be an access network device, a module or unit that can be used with the access network device, or a device that can support the access network device when performing its functions, such as a chip system. The device may be mounted on the access network device or used in cooperation with the access network device.

[0094] Access network devices include, but are not limited to, evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., or network devices within a 5G mobile communication system, such as next generation Node B (gNB), transmission and reception point (TRP), or TP in an NR system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system. Alternatively, the network device may be a network node forming a gNB or transmission point, such as a BBU, distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0095] In some configurations, the gNB may include a central unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU performs some functions of the gNB, and the DU performs some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for handling non-real-time protocols and services and performs functions of the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for handling physical layer protocols and real-time services and performs functions of the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the MAC layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU performs some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to the active antenna. Information in the RRC layer is ultimately modified into information in the PHY layer, or modified from information in the PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC layer signaling) may be considered to be transmitted by the DU, or by the DU and AAU. It can be understood that a network device may be a device that includes one or more of CU nodes, DU nodes, and AAU nodes. In addition, a CU may be classified as a network device in a RAN, or a CU may be classified as a network device in a core network (CN). This is not limited to the present application.

[0096] In possible scenarios, multiple RAN devices (also called RAN nodes) cooperate to help terminals perform wireless access, with different RAN nodes performing several base station functions separately. For example, RAN nodes may include a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU control plane (CP), a CU user plane (UP), and a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs may be separate or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs may be included in radio frequency devices or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0097] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU may be called O-CU (open CU), DU may be called O-DU, CU-CP may be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may be called O-CU-UP, and RU may be called O-RU. For ease of explanation, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as illustrative examples in this application. Any one of CU (or CU-CP or CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented using a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0098] In the embodiments of this application, the core network device functions as an interface provided to the data network (DN) by the bearer network, providing communication connectivity, authentication, management, and policy control to terminal devices, and handling data services, etc. The core network device may include the following network elements, namely, session management function (SMF) network elements, AMF network elements, unified data management (UDM) function network elements, authentication server function (AUSF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, network slice selection function (NSSF) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, network repository function (NRF) network elements, application function (AF) network elements, etc. Note that CN may include one or more CN devices. A CN device may be a network element configured to perform a single network function as described above, or a network element configured to perform multiple network functions as described above. If a CN device is configured to perform multiple network functions, the CN device may include one or more functional modules configured to perform multiple network functions. A functional module may be a software module or a software / hardware module. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0099] In this application, “instruction” may include direct, indirect, explicit, and implicit instructions. When instructional information is described as indicating A, it may be understood that the instructional information possesses A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0100] In this application, the inclusion of indication information in a signal may mean that the signal holds the content of indication information such as information elements or fields (for example, the signal is a signal having DCI, or OOK, or FSK waveforms, and the DCI, OOK, or FSK waveforms have information bits), or that the signal itself indicates indication information (for example, the signal is a sequence, and different sequences represent different meanings and are used to transmit different information, and the current indication information may be represented based on the sequence currently appearing).

[0101] In this application, "wake up" may mean turning on the terminal's main circuit, or the main circuit that has emerged from sleep mode, or the main circuit that has entered wake-up mode. The main circuit may also be called the main link, main communication module, etc.

[0102] In this application, "preset values" may also be referred to as default values, constants, or constant values.

[0103] In this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used solely for distinction and descriptive purposes, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor as indicating or implying a sequence.

[0104] In this application, “at least one of the following” or similar expressions refers to any combination of the enumerated items. For example, “at least one of A, B, and / or C” may indicate that only A exists, only B exists, only C exists, both A and B exist, both B and C exist, or both A and C exist, where A, B, and C may each be one or more.

[0105] In a communication system, a network device may notify a terminal via paging in RRC idle mode or RRC inactive mode in order to receive a paging message. The network device may be an access network device or a core network device. For example, an access network device may initiate paging (also called RAN paging), and the access network device may initiate paging to a terminal in RRC inactive mode. In another example, a core network device may initiate paging (also called core network (CN) paging), and the core network device may initiate paging to a terminal in RRC idle mode or RRC inactive mode. During CN paging, it may be understood that the core network device instructs the access network device to initiate paging to a terminal in RRC idle mode. After receiving the instruction from the core network device, the access network device initiates CN paging to a terminal in RRC idle mode.

[0106] Terminals in RRC idle mode or RRC inactive mode monitor their PO (Point of Presence) during each paging cycle to determine whether the network device performs paging. As shown in the diagram of paging cycles and paging opportunities in Figure 1, one paging cycle contains one PO, and one PO may correspond to one or more terminals. In other words, one or more terminals may monitor the same PO. In one implementation, a terminal may calculate its PO location based on its identification information and paging-related parameters. PO locations calculated by different UEs may be the same or different.

[0107] The basic paging procedure is as follows, and network devices can select a specific paging range, i.e., the area from which paging is transmitted (also called the paging area). For example, in the case of a terminal in RRC idle mode, the network device may use the registration area to which the terminal belongs as the paging area. In the case of a terminal in RRC inactive mode, the network device may use the RAN-based notification area (RNA) to which the terminal belongs as the paging area.

[0108] Generally, when a network device needs to page a terminal, it transmits paging downlink control information (DCI) (sometimes referred to as paging instruction information in this specification) at one or more paging occasions (POs) to indicate the resource holding the paging message. The terminal receives / monitors / detects the paging DCI at one or more POs within a single paging cycle to receive the paging message and decide whether the network device should page the terminal.

[0109] The paging DCI may include scheduling information for paging messages and / or short messages (including time-frequency domain information and other scheduling information for resources used to schedule paging messages). The scheduling information is used to schedule paging messages. For example, the scheduling information may include time-frequency resource information or modulation and coding information for paging messages. Short messages may indicate system information update indicators (i.e., whether system information has changed), earthquake and tsunami warning system (ETWS) notifications, commercial mobile alert service (CMAS) notifications, etc. For example, specific examples are shown in Table 1 below.

[0110] [Table 1]

[0111] After receiving a paging DCI sent by a network device, the terminal determines its next action based on the content of the paging DCI.

[0112] For example, if the paging DCI includes scheduling information for paging messages, the terminal receives and decodes the paging messages on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) based on the scheduling information, and then determines the subsequent action based on the content of the paging messages. If the paging DCI includes a short message, the terminal receives at least one of updated system information, earthquake and tsunami warnings, and commercial mobile alerts based on the indicators in the short message. If the paging DCI includes scheduling information for both paging messages and short messages, the terminal receives the paging messages and at least one of updated system information, earthquake and tsunami warnings, and commercial mobile alerts based on the specified procedure.

[0113] A paging message contains terminal identification information and / or access type information for one or more terminals being paged by a network device. After decoding the paging message, the terminal determines whether the paging message contains the terminal identification information for the terminal. If the paging message contains the terminal identification information for the terminal, the terminal determines its subsequent action based on other content in the paging message. If the paging message does not contain the terminal identification information for the terminal, the terminal ignores the paging message, resulting in a false paging alert problem.

[0114] The paging false alarm problem in paging mechanisms occurs when a terminal, after receiving and decoding a paging message, discovers that the network device is not actually paging the terminal. The cause of the false alarm is that when multiple terminals monitor the same PO, a terminal only receives scheduling information for the paging message when it receives the paging DCI and cannot determine whether the paging message is for its terminal. Only after receiving and decoding the paging message on the PDSCH can the terminal determine whether the paging is intended for it based on the terminal identification information in the paging message. Therefore, unnecessary PDSCH reception and decoding occur for terminals that are not actually being paged, leading to unnecessary power consumption by the terminal.

[0115] Currently, terminal subgrouping is one mechanism that can reduce false paging alarms. Specifically, terminals monitoring the same PO may be subgrouped, or terminals monitoring the same PO may be divided into different terminal subgroups. Network devices may send a wake-up signal in front of or on the PO, and use the wake-up signal to indicate the terminal subgroup to which the currently paged terminal belongs. After receiving the wake-up signal, the terminal determines, based on the terminal subgroup to be woken up indicated by the wake-up signal, whether terminals in the terminal subgroup need to monitor the PO or subsequently receive paging messages, thereby avoiding unnecessary paging monitoring by the terminal. For example, if a network device is paging terminal 1 and terminal 1 belongs to terminal subgroup 2, the network device may send a wake-up signal in front of the PO to indicate that terminals in subgroup 2 need to monitor their associated PO. Upon receiving the wake-up signal, the terminal can determine, based on the wake-up signal, whether the current paging is for the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. If the current paging is for the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the terminal monitors the PO and receives and decodes the paging message based on the original mechanism. Otherwise, if the current paging is not for the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the terminal no longer monitors the PO or receives paging. Terminal subgrouping mechanisms can reduce the probability of a terminal receiving paging unnecessarily and further reduce the additional power consumption of the terminal. However, currently, there is no terminal subgrouping solution for wake-up signals.

[0116] As shown in Figure 2, the communication method provided in one embodiment of this application may specifically include the following steps.

[0117] Step 201: The network device sends the first wake-up signal.

[0118] The first wake-up signal includes first instruction information, which indicates that at least one first target terminal subgroup is to be woken up.

[0119] When a terminal needs to be woken up, the network device sends a first wake-up signal. The first wake-up signal includes a terminal subgroup (which may also be called a first target terminal subgroup) to which the terminal to be woken up belongs.

[0120] In this embodiment of the present application, the first wake-up signal may be described as a first wake-up signaling, a first wake-up information, or the like.

[0121] The first wake-up signal in this embodiment of the present application may be a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) or a paging early indication (PEI).

[0122] The operating principle of LP-WUS may be as follows, with a dedicated receiver located within the terminal to detect and process the wake-up signal. As shown in Figure 3, the terminal includes a main communication module and a secondary communication module. The secondary communication module may be a dedicated receiver for detecting and processing the wake-up signal. The secondary communication module may also be called a low-power wake-up receiver (LR or LP-WUR), low-power wake-up module, low-power wake-up circuit / link, or secondary circuit / link. When there is no data or service transmission, the terminal's main communication module (sometimes called the main circuit / link (main radio, MR)) can remain in an inactive or sleep state, significantly reducing the terminal's "standby" power consumption. The secondary communication module monitors the wake-up signal and, after receiving a wake-up instruction, wakes up the main communication module to perform data or service transmission. In addition to monitoring paging, the secondary communication module may complete or perform other operations.

[0123] When a terminal needs to be woken up, the network device sends a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) to the terminal. After detecting or receiving the LP-WUS (for the terminal), the terminal's secondary communication module wakes up the main communication module. For terminals that support both the LP-WUS and PEI mechanisms, after the main communication module is woken up, the terminal monitors the PEI and may decide whether to monitor paging based on the reception status and / or instructions of the PEI. For terminals that support only the LP-WUS mechanism, after the main communication module is woken up, the main communication module monitors paging.

[0124] In one implementation, a network device may use a first wake-up signal to indicate that at least one terminal in a first target terminal subgroup should be woken up.

[0125] Optionally, the first instruction information may include subgroup-related information, which indicates the first target terminal subgroup on which the current wake-up is performed. For example, the subgroup-related information may be a subgroup indication. The subgroup indication may be a bitmap, where each bit corresponds to one subgroup. When a terminal in a subgroup is woken up, the network device sets the bit corresponding to the subgroup to 1 and the bit corresponding to another subgroup that has not been woken up to 0. For example, the terminal subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal include terminal subgroup 1, terminal subgroup 2, terminal subgroup 3, and terminal subgroup 4. Suppose the network device determines that the woken-up terminals belong to terminal subgroups 1 and 2. In this case, the subgroup indication held in the first instruction information may be 1100. Alternatively, the subgroup indication may be a codepoint, where different subgroups correspond to different combinations of bits. For example, 00 indicates terminal subgroup 1, 01 indicates terminal subgroup 2, 10 indicates terminal subgroup 3, and 11 indicates terminal subgroup 4. If terminal subgroups 1 and 2 need to be woken up, the subgroup indication held in the first wake-up signal may be 0001.

[0126] Optionally, the first wake-up signal may be of sequence type. Different sequences represent different terminal subgroup information. For example, sequence 1 corresponds to terminal subgroup 1, and sequence 2 corresponds to terminal subgroup 2. Optionally, the first wake-up signal may also be a specific sequence, which corresponds to all terminal subgroups or a specified number of terminal subgroups. When the first wake-up signal transmitted by the network device is a specific sequence, it indicates that the network device needs to wake up all terminal subgroups or a specified number of terminal subgroups corresponding to that specific sequence.

[0127] For example, the network device in step 201 may be an access network device.

[0128] Step 202: The terminal determines that it should be woken up based on the first instruction information in the first wake-up signal.

[0129] The first target terminal subgroup, indicated by the first instruction information and to be woken up, includes the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0130] In one implementation, after receiving a first wake-up signal, the terminal determines, based on the first instruction information, whether at least one first target terminal subgroup includes the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on at least one first target terminal subgroup to which the terminal should be woken up. If at least one first target terminal subgroup includes the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the terminal determines that it needs to be woken up.

[0131] The first wake-up signal in this embodiment of the present application may be an LP-WUS. In one implementation, a terminal may receive the first wake-up signal by using a secondary communication module. The terminal's main communication module is woken up based on first instruction information in the first wake-up signal when it is determined that at least one first target terminal subgroup to be woken up, indicated by the first instruction information, includes the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0132] In possible implementations, after the terminal's main communication module is woken up, the terminal may monitor PEI or paging by using the main communication module.

[0133] In addition, the first wake-up signal in this embodiment of the present application may be of another type. After the terminal is woken up, the terminal may monitor paging, or the terminal may receive data, or perform service transmissions.

[0134] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication method. As shown in Figure 4, the method may specifically include the following steps.

[0135] Step 401: The network device sends a second wake-up signal.

[0136] The second wake-up signal includes second instruction information, which instructs at least one second target terminal subgroup to monitor paging.

[0137] When a terminal is paged, the network device sends a second wake-up signal. The second wake-up signal includes the terminal subgroup to which the terminal instructed to monitor the paging belongs.

[0138] In this embodiment of the present application, the second wake-up signal may be described as a first wake-up signaling, a second wake-up information, and so on.

[0139] The second wake-up signal in this embodiment of the present application may be PEI or LP-WUS.

[0140] In one implementation, the network device may use a second wake-up signal to instruct terminals in at least one second target terminal subgroup to monitor paging.

[0141] Optionally, the second instruction information may include subgroup-related information, which indicates the second target terminal subgroup on which the current paging is performed. For example, the subgroup-related information may be a subgroup indication. The subgroup indication may be a bitmap, where each bit corresponds to one subgroup. When a terminal in a subgroup is paged, the network device sets the bit corresponding to the subgroup to 1 and the bit corresponding to another unpaged subgroup to 0. For example, the terminal subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal include terminal subgroup 1, terminal subgroup 2, terminal subgroup 3, and terminal subgroup 4. Suppose the network device determines that the paged terminal belongs to terminal subgroup 2. In this case, the subgroup indication held in the second instruction information may be 0100. Alternatively, the subgroup indication may be a codepoint, where different subgroups correspond to different combinations of bits. For example, 00 indicates terminal subgroup 1, 01 indicates terminal subgroup 2, 10 indicates terminal subgroup 3, and 11 indicates terminal subgroup 4. If terminal subgroup 1 and terminal subgroup 2 need to be woken up, the subgroup indication held in the second wake-up signal may be 0001.

[0142] Optionally, the second wake-up signal may be of sequence type. Different sequences represent different terminal subgroup information. For example, sequence 1 corresponds to terminal subgroup 1, and sequence 2 corresponds to terminal subgroup 2. Optionally, the second wake-up signal may also be a specific sequence, which corresponds to all terminal subgroups or a specified number of terminal subgroups. When the second wake-up signal transmitted by the network device is a specific sequence, it indicates that the network device needs to wake up all terminal subgroups or a specified number of terminal subgroups corresponding to that specific sequence.

[0143] For example, the network device in step 401 may be an access network device.

[0144] Step 402: The terminal monitors paging based on the second instruction information in the second wake-up signal.

[0145] The second target terminal subgroup, indicated by the second instruction information and monitoring paging, includes the second terminal subgroup to which the terminals belong.

[0146] In one implementation, after receiving a second wake-up signal, the terminal determines, based on the second instruction information, whether at least one second target terminal subgroup includes the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on at least one second target terminal subgroup to which the terminal monitors paging. If at least one second target terminal subgroup includes the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the terminal determines that it should monitor paging.

[0147] Optionally, the second wake-up signal in this embodiment of the present application may be a PEI.

[0148] It should be noted that the communication method shown in Figure 2 and the communication method shown in Figure 4 in the embodiments of this application may be combined. An optional implementation configuration is as follows: First, the communication procedure shown in Figure 2 (steps 201 and 202) is executed to wake up the terminal; then, the communication procedure shown in Figure 4 (steps 401 and 402) is executed, and the terminal monitors paging. For example, the first wake-up signal may be LP-WUS, and the second wake-up signal may be PEI.

[0149] For terminals that support both LP-WUS and PEI mechanisms, the terminal's secondary communication module monitors the LP-WUS, as shown in Figure 5. The terminal's main communication module is woken up after detecting that the LP-WUS indicates the terminal needs to be woken up to monitor the PO. The terminal's main communication module monitors the PEI. The terminal ultimately decides whether to monitor the PO based on the reception status and / or instructions of the PEI. In one implementation, if the terminal's secondary communication module detects the LP-WUS and, based on the first instruction information in the LP-WUS, determines that the terminal should be woken up, the terminal's main communication module is woken up and monitors the PEI. If the terminal's main communication module detects the PEI and, based on the second instruction information in the PEI, determines that the terminal should monitor the PO, the terminal's main communication module monitors the paging of the associated PO.

[0150] For terminals that only support the LP-WUS mechanism, the terminal's secondary communication module monitors the LP-WUS. After the LP-WUS detects that the terminal needs to be woken up to monitor the PO, the terminal's main communication module is woken up and monitors paging on the associated PO.

[0151] For terminals that only support the PEI mechanism, the terminal monitors the PEI and, based on the PEI reception status and / or instructions, decides whether to monitor the PO.

[0152] In this embodiment of the present application, terminals may be separately subgrouped based on a first wake-up signal and a second wake-up signal. When transmitting the first wake-up signal, the network device may use the first wake-up signal to indicate a first target terminal subgroup that needs to be woken up, based on the terminal subgroup corresponding to the first wake-up signal. When transmitting the second wake-up signal, the network device may use the second wake-up signal to indicate a second target terminal subgroup that needs to be paging monitored, based on the terminal subgroup corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0153] In one implementation, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs with respect to the first wake-up signal before receiving the first wake-up signal, or it may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs with respect to the first wake-up signal after receiving the first wake-up signal. Correspondingly, the network device may determine the terminal subgroup to which it belongs with respect to the first wake-up signal before generating the first wake-up signal.

[0154] Correspondingly, on the terminal side, the terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs with respect to the second wake-up signal before receiving the second wake-up signal, or it may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs with respect to the second wake-up signal after receiving the second wake-up signal. Correspondingly, on the network device side, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which it belongs with respect to the second wake-up signal before generating the second wake-up signal.

[0155] The method for terminal subgrouping in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0156] 1. Method for terminal subgrouping of the first wake-up signal For a first wake-up signal, the terminal subgrouping mechanism may include terminal identifier-based subgrouping (UEID-based subgrouping) and network-controlled subgrouping. Network-controlled subgrouping may be CN-controlled subgrouping. The CN (e.g., AMF) is responsible for assigning subgroup identifiers to terminals, which may be called CN subgroup IDs. Terminal identifier-based terminal subgrouping may be abbreviated as UE_ID subgrouping, and CN-controlled UE subgrouping may be abbreviated as CN subgrouping.

[0157] For a first wake-up signal, a single cell may support two subgrouping mechanisms. For example, a cell may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping. Alternatively, a single cell may support only one of the two subgrouping mechanisms. A terminal may determine the current subgrouping mechanism support status in the cell based on subgroup-related parameters broadcast by the cell.

[0158] The following sections describe different subgrouping methods corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0159] (1) Subgrouping based on terminal identifiers In one implementation configuration, in this embodiment of the present application, in response to a first wake-up signal, the terminal and network device need to determine the subgrouping status of the terminal subgroups. On the terminal side, in response to the first wake-up signal, the terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs. On the network device side, in response to the first wake-up signal, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which each terminal belongs, so that the terminals included in each terminal subgroup can be further determined. Further explanations are provided below.

[0160] 1. In response to the first wake-up signal, the terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs.

[0161] Optionally, the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs is determined based on the terminal's first identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0162] The first identification information of the terminal may be the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the first identification information may be identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0163] For example, the device identifier of a terminal may be a 5G-S temporary mobile subscription identifier (5G-S-TMSI), an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), or something similar.

[0164] In one implementation, if the first identification information is obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal identifier of the terminal can be processed in several different ways to obtain the first identification information of the terminal. For example, a modulo operation may be performed on the terminal identifier of the terminal to obtain the first identification information of the terminal. For example, UE_ID1 = id mod X, where id is the terminal identifier of the terminal, e.g., 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI, and X is a constant, the value of which can be a preset value (e.g., a random value or a value set according to a specific rule). Note that X can have different values ​​in different cases. For example, if the terminal does not use an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mechanism, the value of X may be a constant 1. If the terminal uses an eDRX mechanism, the value of X may be a constant 2. This is not limited to the application.

[0165] In this embodiment of the present application, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs in one of several different ways, based on the first identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0166] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1: The terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the first identification information, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, the number of POs in one paging frame, and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal or a preset value.

[0167] In this subgrouping method, when determining the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the terminal may consider the number of subgroups of the terminal subgroup obtained by subgrouping for the second wake-up signal, or, if terminal subgrouping for the second wake-up signal is not supported in the current cell, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on a preset value.

[0168] The first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0169] For example, the first subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies Equation 1.

[0170] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0171] Note that if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the second wake-up signal, the value of K2 is a preset value, for example, K2=1. Alternatively, if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the second wake-up signal, K2 does not need to be included in Equation 1.

[0172] In Equation 1, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 1, no rounding operation is performed on UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2).

[0173] Furthermore, the offset parameter M1 in Equation 1 may be a preset value, a randomly set value, or a value set according to a specific rule. Optionally, the value of M1 may be associated with the value of K1. For example, M1 = S1 - K1, where S1 is the total number of subgroups supported by the network device corresponding to the first wake-up signal. If K1 is the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping corresponding to the first wake-up signal, then S1-K1 indicates the number of subgroups obtained by subgrouping of a type other than terminal identifier-based subgrouping corresponding to the first wake-up signal (for example, if the network device supports two subgrouping mechanisms for the first wake-up signal: terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping, then S1-K1 indicates the number of subgroups obtained by network control subgrouping corresponding to the first wake-up signal). Note that M1 may also be 0. Alternatively, M1 may not be included in Equation 1.

[0174] In this embodiment of the present application, when a terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Formula 1, the parameters used may be notified by a network device, defined by a protocol, or pre-configured by a network device. For example, the network device may notify the terminal of the parameters via broadcast, or the network device may notify the terminal of the parameters by using dedicated signaling. Dedicated signaling includes, but is not limited to, RRC signaling, DCI signaling, and MAC CE signaling.

[0175] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, for a single paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity).

[0176] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups for one paging opportunity PO, obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal).

[0177] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2: The terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the first identification information, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0178] The first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0179] For example, the first subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies Equation 2.

[0180] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0181] In Equation 2, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 2, no rounding operation may be performed on UE_ID1 / (N*Ns).

[0182] Furthermore, for the offset parameter shown by M1 in Equation 2, please refer to the above explanation of M1 in Equation 1.

[0183] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to the first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the first wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the first wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to the first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the first wake-up signal, for a single paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity).

[0184] In this embodiment of the present application, it should be noted that when a terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Formula 1 or Formula 2, the parameters used may be notified by a network device, defined by a protocol, or pre-configured by a network device. For example, a network device may notify a terminal of the parameters via broadcast, or a network device may notify a terminal of the parameters by using dedicated signaling. Dedicated signaling includes, but is not limited to, RRC signaling, DCI signaling, and MAC CE signaling.

[0185] 2. In response to the first wake-up signal, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0186] For a first wake-up signal, the network device needs to determine the subgroup to which each terminal accessing the network device belongs. Consequently, when the network device wakes up a terminal using the first wake-up signal, the network device may indicate the terminal subgroup to which the woken-up terminal belongs by using the first instruction information within the first wake-up signal.

[0187] In the following explanation, any terminal accessing a network device is used for illustrative purposes. For a first wake-up signal, the terminal subgroup determined by the network device to which the terminal belongs may be referred to as the first terminal subgroup.

[0188] Optionally, the network device determines the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on the terminal's third identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0189] The third identification information of the terminal may be the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the third identification information may be identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0190] For example, the terminal identifier of a terminal may be 5G-S-TMSI, IMSI, etc.

[0191] For one implementation configuration, the method by which the network device in this embodiment of the present application processes the terminal identifier of a terminal in order to obtain third identification information should be referred to the preceding description of the first identification information. Details will not be repeated here.

[0192] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device may determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in the following different ways, based on a third identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to a first wake-up signal.

[0193] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1: The network device determines the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs based on a third identification piece, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, the number of POs in a single paging frame, and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal or a preset value.

[0194] In this subgrouping method, when determining the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device may consider the number of subgroups of the terminal subgroup obtained by subgrouping for the second wake-up signal, or, if terminal subgrouping for the second wake-up signal is not supported in the current cell, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on a preset value.

[0195] The first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0196] For example, the first subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns*K2)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies equation 3.

[0197] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0198] Note that if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the second wake-up signal, the value of K2 is a preset value, for example, K2=1. Alternatively, if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the second wake-up signal, K2 does not need to be included in Equation 3.

[0199] In Equation 3, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 3, no rounding operation is performed on UE_ID3 / (N*Ns*K2).

[0200] Furthermore, for the offset parameter shown by M1 in Equation 3, please refer to the above explanation of M1 in Equation 1.

[0201] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, for one paging opportunity PO).

[0202] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in response to a second wake-up signal may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping in response to a second wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping in response to a second wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in response to a second wake-up signal may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping in response to a second wake-up signal for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups for one paging opportunity PO obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping in response to a second wake-up signal).

[0203] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2: The network device determines the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs based on a third identification piece, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the number of POs in a single paging frame.

[0204] The first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0205] For example, the first subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies equation 4.

[0206] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0207] In Equation 4, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 4, no rounding operation may be performed on UE_ID3 / (N*Ns).

[0208] Furthermore, for the offset parameter shown by M1 in Equation 4, please refer to the above explanation of M1 in Equation 1.

[0209] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, for one paging opportunity PO).

[0210] It should be noted that, when both the terminal and network device sides determine the subgroup of a terminal based on the terminal identifier of the first wake-up signal for the same terminal, it must be ensured that the first terminal subgroup determined by the terminal side to which the terminal belongs is the same as the first terminal subgroup determined by the network device side to which the terminal belongs. Based on this, when determining the subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device side and the terminal side must agree on a terminal identifier-based subgrouping method. For the same terminal, the network device side and the terminal side must determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs by using the same terminal identifier-based subgrouping method. For example, if a terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs using terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1 for the first wake-up signal, the network device must also determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs using terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1. The method of agreement between the network device side and the terminal side may be a method agreed upon in the protocol, or a method by which the network device delivers instructions.

[0211] (2) Subgrouping of network control Based on the network control subgrouping mechanism, when determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in response to a first wake-up signal, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which all accessed terminals belong and constitutes a terminal subgroup for each terminal.

[0212] A network device can be an access network device or a core network device.

[0213] In the following explanation, we will use the case where a network device determines the terminal subgroup to which any terminal accessing the network device belongs. The terminal subgroup determined by the network device to which a terminal belongs in response to a first wake-up signal may be called the first terminal subgroup.

[0214] In possible implementations, upon receiving a first wake-up signal, the network device determines, based on the terminal's characteristics, which first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0215] For example, terminal characteristics include, but are not limited to, the probability that the terminal will be paged, the terminal type, and the terminal's capabilities.

[0216] The types of devices may include, but are not limited to, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) UEs, reduced capability (RedCap) UEs, and IoT UEs.

[0217] Terminal capabilities may include, but are not limited to, bandwidth capabilities, processing capabilities, carrier capacity capabilities, and antenna capabilities.

[0218] For example, a network device may subgroup terminals based on the probability that a terminal will be paged. Assuming that the number of subgroups obtained by the subgrouping of network control of the first wake-up signal is 2, the network device may subgroup terminals with a paging probability of less than 50% into subgroup 1, and subgroup terminals with a paging probability of 50% or more into subgroup 2.

[0219] After determining the first terminal subgroup, the network device transmits first configuration information. This first configuration information indicates the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0220] Note that the first configuration information transmitted by the network device may explicitly indicate the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. For example, the first configuration information may include a subgroup identifier for the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. Alternatively, note that the first configuration information transmitted by the network device may implicitly indicate the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. For example, the first configuration information may include first attribute information for the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, and the first attribute information for the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier. For example, the first configuration information transmitted by the network device may include a high-paging probability subgroup. After receiving the first configuration information, the terminal device may determine that the subgroup identifier corresponding to the high-paging probability subgroup is subgroup 1.

[0221] In response to this, after receiving the first configuration information, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the first configuration information.

[0222] 2. Method for terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal For a second wake-up signal, the terminal subgrouping mechanism may include terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network-controlled subgrouping. Network-controlled subgrouping may be CN-controlled subgrouping. The CN (e.g., AMF) is responsible for assigning subgroup identifiers to terminals, which may be called CN subgroup IDs. Terminal subgrouping based on terminal identifiers may be abbreviated as UE_ID subgrouping, and UE subgrouping controlled by the CN may be abbreviated as CN subgrouping.

[0223] For the second wake-up signal, one cell may support two sub-grouping mechanisms. For example, the cell may support both terminal identifier-based sub-grouping and network-controlled sub-grouping. Alternatively, one cell may support only one of the two sub-grouping mechanisms. The terminal may determine the support status of the sub-grouping mechanism in the current cell based on the sub-group related parameters broadcast by the cell.

[0224] For example, if the cell broadcasts the total number of sub-groups N and the number of sub-groups M obtained by UE_ID-based sub-grouping, and M < N, the cell supports both CN sub-grouping and UE_ID sub-grouping. The total number of sub-groups obtained by CN sub-grouping is N - M, and the total number of sub-groups obtained by UE_ID sub-grouping is M. If the cell broadcasts the total number of sub-groups N and the number of sub-groups M obtained by UE_ID-based sub-grouping, and M = N, the cell supports only UE_ID sub-grouping, and the number of sub-groups obtained by UE_ID sub-grouping is M = N. If the cell broadcasts only the total number of sub-groups N, the cell supports only CN sub-grouping, and the total number of sub-groups obtained by CN sub-grouping is N. If the cell does not support the terminal sub-grouping mechanism, the cell broadcasts the total number of sub-groups N and the number of sub-groups M obtained by UE_ID-based sub-grouping, and M = N = 1.

[0225] In the following, different sub-grouping methods corresponding to the second wake-up signal will be described separately.

[0226] (1) Terminal identifier-based sub-grouping In one implementation, in this embodiment of the present application, in response to a second wake-up signal, the terminal and network device need to determine the subgrouping status of the terminal subgroups. On the terminal side, in response to the second wake-up signal, the terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs. On the network device side, in response to the second wake-up signal, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which each terminal belongs, so that the terminals included in each terminal subgroup can be further determined. Further explanations are provided below.

[0227] 1. In response to the second wake-up signal, the terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs.

[0228] Optionally, a terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs, based on the terminal's second identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0229] The second identification information of the terminal may be the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the second identification information may be identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0230] For example, the terminal identifier of a terminal may be 5G-S-TMSI, IMSI, etc.

[0231] In one implementation, if the second identification information is obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal identifier of the terminal can be processed in several different ways to obtain the second identification information of the terminal. For example, a modulo operation may be performed on the terminal identifier of the terminal to obtain the second identification information of the terminal. For example, UE_ID1 = id mod X, where id is the terminal identifier of the terminal, e.g., 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI, and X is a constant, the value of which can be a preset value (e.g., a random value or a value set according to a specific rule). X may have different values ​​in different cases. For example, if the terminal does not use an extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) mechanism, the value of X may be a constant 1. If the terminal uses an eDRX mechanism, the value of X may be a constant 2. This is not limited to the application. The value of X here may be the same as or different from the value of X used when processing the first identification information, or there may be a correspondence between the value of X used when processing the second identification and the value of X used when processing the first identification information.

[0232] In one embodiment of this application, a terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs in one of several different ways, based on the second identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0233] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1: The terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the second identification information, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, the number of POs in one paging frame, and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal or a preset value.

[0234] In this subgrouping method, when determining the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the terminal may consider the number of subgroups of the terminal subgroup obtained by subgrouping for the first wake-up signal, or, if terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal is not supported in the current cell, the terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on a preset value.

[0235] The second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0236] For example, the second subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies equation 5.

[0237] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0238] Note that if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal, the value of K1 is a preset value, for example, K1=1. Alternatively, if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal, K1 does not need to be included in Equation 5.

[0239] In Equation 5, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 5, no rounding operation is performed on UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1).

[0240] Furthermore, the offset parameter M2 in Equation 5 may be a preset value, a randomly set value, or a value set according to a specific rule. Optionally, the value of M2 may be associated with the value of K2. For example, M2 = S2 - K2, where S2 corresponds to the second wake-up signal and is the total number of subgroups supported by the network device. If K2 corresponds to the second wake-up signal and is the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, then S2 - K2 indicates the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by subgrouping of a type other than terminal identifier-based subgrouping (for example, if the network device supports two subgrouping mechanisms for the second wake-up signal: terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping, then S2 - K2 indicates the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by network control subgrouping). Note that M2 may also be 0. Alternatively, M2 may not be included in Equation 5.

[0241] In this embodiment of the present application, when a terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 5, the parameters used may be notified by a network device, defined by a protocol, or pre-configured by a network device. For example, the network device may notify the terminal of the parameters via broadcast, or the network device may notify the terminal of the parameters by using dedicated signaling. Dedicated signaling includes, but is not limited to, RRC signaling, DCI signaling, and MAC CE signaling.

[0242] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the second wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the second wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, for one paging opportunity PO).

[0243] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups for one paging opportunity PO, obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal).

[0244] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2: The terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the second identification information, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the number of POs in a single paging frame.

[0245] The second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0246] For example, the second subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies equation 6.

[0247] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0248] In Equation 6, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 6, no rounding operation may be performed on UE_ID2 / (N*Ns).

[0249] Furthermore, for the offset parameter shown by M2 in Equation 6, please refer to the above explanation of M2 in Equation 5.

[0250] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the second wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the second wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, for one paging opportunity PO).

[0251] In this embodiment of the present application, it should be noted that when a terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Formula 5 or Formula 6, the parameters used may be notified by a network device, defined by a protocol, or pre-configured by a network device. For example, a network device may notify a terminal of the parameters via broadcast, or a network device may notify a terminal of the parameters by using dedicated signaling. Dedicated signaling includes, but is not limited to, RRC signaling, DCI signaling, and MAC CE signaling.

[0252] 2. In response to the second wake-up signal, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0253] For the second wake-up signal, the network device needs to determine the subgroup to which each terminal accessing the network device belongs. Consequently, when the network device wakes up a terminal using the second wake-up signal, the network device may indicate the terminal subgroup to which the terminal to be woken up belongs by using the second instruction information within the second wake-up signal.

[0254] In the following explanation, any terminal accessing a network device is used for illustrative purposes. For a second wake-up signal, the terminal subgroup determined by the network device to which the terminal belongs may be referred to as the second terminal subgroup.

[0255] Optionally, the network device determines the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on the terminal's fourth identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0256] The fourth identification information of the terminal may be the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the fourth identification information may be identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0257] For example, the terminal identifier of a terminal may be 5G-S-TMSI, IMSI, etc.

[0258] For one implementation configuration, the method by which the network device in this embodiment of the present application processes the terminal identifier of a terminal in order to obtain the fourth identification information should be referred to the preceding description of the first identification information. Details will not be repeated here.

[0259] In this embodiment of the present application, the network device may determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs in the following different ways, based on the fourth identification information and the subgroup data corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0260] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1: The network device determines the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs based on the fourth identification information, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, the number of POs in a single paging frame, and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal or a preset value.

[0261] In this subgrouping method, when determining the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device may consider the number of subgroups of the terminal subgroup obtained by subgrouping for the first wake-up signal, or, if terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal is not supported in the current cell, the network device may determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs based on a preset value.

[0262] The second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0263] For example, the second subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns*K1)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies equation 7.

[0264] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0265] Note that if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal, the value of K1 is a preset value, for example, K1=1. Alternatively, if the current cell does not support terminal subgrouping for the first wake-up signal, K1 may not be included in Equation 7.

[0266] In Equation 7, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 7, no rounding operation is performed on UE_ID4 / (N*Ns*K1).

[0267] Furthermore, for the offset parameter shown by M2 in Equation 7, please refer to the above explanation of M2 in Equation 5.

[0268] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, for one paging opportunity PO).

[0269] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups for one paging opportunity PO, obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a first wake-up signal).

[0270] Terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2: The network device determines the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs based on the fourth identification information, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, the number of paging frames in the paging cycle, and the number of POs in a single paging frame.

[0271] The second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0272] For example, the second subgroup identifier is: Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies equation 8.

[0273] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0274] In Equation 4, the rounding operation represented by f() includes, but is not limited to, floor() for rounding down, cell() for rounding up, and round() for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, in Equation 4, no rounding operation may be performed on UE_ID4 / (N*Ns).

[0275] Furthermore, for the offset parameter shown by M2 in Equation 8, please refer to the above explanation of M2 in Equation 5.

[0276] Optionally, in terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal). Alternatively, the number of subgroups used by the network device to determine the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, may be the number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, corresponding to a second wake-up signal, for one paging opportunity PO (or may be called the total number of subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, for one paging opportunity PO).

[0277] It should be noted that when both the terminal-side and network-device-side subgroup terminals based on the terminal identifier of the second wake-up signal are based on the terminal identifier for the same terminal with respect to the second wake-up signal, it is necessary to ensure that the second terminal subgroup determined on the terminal side to which the terminal belongs is the same as the second terminal subgroup determined on the network-device side to which the terminal belongs. Based on this, when determining the subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the network-device side and the terminal side need to agree on a terminal-identifier-based subgrouping method. For the same terminal, the network-device side and the terminal side need to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs by using the same terminal-identifier-based subgrouping method. For example, when the terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs using the terminal-identifier-based subgrouping method 1 for the second wake-up signal, the network device also needs to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs using the terminal-identifier-based subgrouping method 1. The method of agreement between the network-device side and the terminal side may be a method agreed upon by protocol or a method by which the network device distributes instructions.

[0278] (2) Subgrouping of Network Control When determining the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs with respect to the second wake-up signal based on the network control subgrouping mechanism, the network device determines the terminal subgroup to which all accessed terminals belong and constructs the terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs for the terminal.

[0279] The network device can be an access network device or a core network device.

[0280] In the following explanation, we will use the case where a network device determines the terminal subgroup to which any terminal accessing the network device belongs. The terminal subgroup determined by the network device for a second wake-up signal, to which the terminal belongs, may also be called the second terminal subgroup.

[0281] In possible implementations, upon receiving a second wake-up signal, the network device determines the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on the terminal's characteristics.

[0282] For example, terminal characteristics include, but are not limited to, the probability that the terminal will be paged, the terminal type, and the terminal's capabilities.

[0283] Terminal types may include eMBB UE, RedCap UE, and IoT UE.

[0284] Terminal capabilities may include, but are not limited to, bandwidth capabilities, processing capabilities, carrier capacity capabilities, and antenna capabilities.

[0285] After determining the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the network device transmits second configuration information. This second configuration information indicates the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs in relation to the second wake-up signal.

[0286] Note that the second configuration information transmitted by the network device may explicitly indicate the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs in relation to the second wake-up signal. For example, the second configuration information may include the subgroup identifier of the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. Alternatively, note that the second configuration information transmitted by the network device may implicitly indicate the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. For example, the second configuration information may include the second attribute information of the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, and the second attribute information of the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier. For example, the second configuration information transmitted by the network device may include a high-paging probability subgroup. After receiving the second configuration information, the terminal device may determine that the subgroup identifier corresponding to the high-paging probability subgroup is subgroup 1.

[0287] In response to this, after receiving the second configuration information, the terminal may determine, based on the second configuration information, which second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs for the second wake-up signal.

[0288] In embodiments of this application, the above describes multiple different terminal subgrouping methods on the terminal side and network device side for a first wake-up signal, and multiple different terminal subgrouping methods on the terminal side and network device side for a second wake-up signal. The terminal subgrouping methods for the first wake-up signal and the terminal subgrouping methods for the second wake-up signal may be carried out independently. For example, for a first wake-up signal, a terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs by using one of terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2, and network control subgrouping method. For example, for a second wake-up signal, a terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs by using one of terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 1, terminal identifier-based subgrouping method 2, and network control subgrouping method. The subgrouping method used by the terminal for the first wake-up signal and the subgrouping method used for the second wake-up signal may be independent of each other.

[0289] In addition, for terminals that support both the first and second wake-up signaling mechanisms, an optional implementation is that when determining the terminal subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and the terminal subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, the terminal and network devices may consider the associations between the subgroups.

[0290] Optionally, the first terminal subgroup corresponding to the first wake-up signal and the second terminal subgroup corresponding to the second wake-up signal satisfy at least one of the following conditions:

[0291] Condition 1: The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same.

[0292] The fact that the terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same can be understood as meaning that the terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup may be partially the same or may be completely different.

[0293] For example, if the first terminal subgroup includes UE1 and UE2, and the second terminal subgroup includes UE1 and UE3, the terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. Similarly, if the first terminal subgroup includes UE1 and UE2, and the second terminal subgroup includes UE3 and UE4, the terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same.

[0294] Condition 2: The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup.

[0295] The fact that terminals included in the first terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup can be understood as meaning that there are terminals included in the first terminal subgroup but not in the second terminal subgroup.

[0296] For example, the first terminal subgroup may include UE1 and UE2, and the second terminal subgroup may include UE1, UE3, and UE4. Since UE2 is not included in the second terminal subgroup, terminals included in the first terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup.

[0297] Condition 3: The terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0298] It can be understood that the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not completely included in the first terminal subgroup, which means that there are terminals included in the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup that are not included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0299] For example, the first terminal subgroup includes UE1, UE2, and UE3, and the second terminal subgroup includes UE3 and UE4. Since UE4 is not included in the first terminal subgroup, the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not completely included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0300] When the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup satisfy at least one of the above conditions, two wake-up signaling mechanisms may be combined for transmission. Since the terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not completely the same, and / or there is no inclusion relationship between the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup, a two-level wake-up effect can be achieved. For example, the first wake-up signal indicates that the terminal subgroup to be woken up includes UE1 and UE2. If the second wake-up signal indicates that the terminal subgroup that needs to monitor paging includes UE1 and UE3, only UE1 is finally woken up to monitor paging, and UE2 and UE3 do not need to monitor paging. Thereby, paging false alarms are reduced and the power consumption of the terminals is reduced. On the contrary, if the second wake-up signal indicates that the terminal subgroup that needs to monitor paging includes UE1 and UE2, the terminals that are finally woken up to monitor paging are UE1 and UE2. Thereby, the same effect as when using one wake-up signal is obtained. However, the signaling overhead is increased and additional signaling detection operations are required.

[0301] Based on this, if a terminal supports both a first wake-up signaling mechanism and a second wake-up signaling mechanism, the terminal subgrouping method may be designed to further reduce terminal paging false alarms and power consumption.

[0302] The following description provides reference to several specific embodiments. For example, the first wake-up signal may be LP-WUS, and the second wake-up signal may be PEI.

[0303] Embodiment 1: Terminals are subgrouped by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for both a first wake-up signal and a second wake-up signal.

[0304] In Embodiment 1, terminals are subgrouped for a first wake-up signal by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the first wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 1, terminals use a terminal identifier-based subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal. Terminals are subgrouped for a second wake-up signal by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the second wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 1, terminals use a terminal identifier-based subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal.

[0305] In Embodiment 1, the current support for the subgrouping mechanism in the cell is not limited. For example, the cell may further support network control subgrouping for a first wake-up signal. The cell may further support network control subgrouping for a second wake-up signal.

[0306] In the optional implementation, different terminal identifier-based subgrouping methods are used for the first and second wake-up signals.

[0307] Note that on the terminal side, different terminal identifier-based subgrouping methods are used for the first and second wake-up signals. Correspondingly, the network side also needs to use different terminal identifier-based subgrouping methods for the first and second wake-up signals. In addition, for the same terminal, the terminal side and the network side must use the same terminal identifier-based subgrouping method to ensure that the terminal side and the network side determine the same terminal subgroup for the same terminal.

[0308] Since two different terminal identifier-based subgrouping methods are provided above for terminal identifier-based subgrouping, different terminal identifier-based subgrouping methods may be used when determining the terminal subgroup corresponding to the first wake-up signal and the terminal subgroup corresponding to the second wake-up signal. An example is provided below to illustrate this.

[0309] Case 1: In response to the first wake-up signal, the terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 1. Subgroup ID1=f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2))mod K1+M1 Formula 1

[0310] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier of the first terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0311] For example, UE_ID1 in Equation 1 may be a first identification piece obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID1 = id mod X1, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0312] In response to the second wake-up signal, the terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 6. Subgroup ID2=f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns))mod K2+M2 Equation 6

[0313] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier of the second terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0314] For example, UE_ID2 in Equation 6 may be a second piece of identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID2 = id mod X2, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0315] If, optionally, the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the first identification information is different from the second identification information.

[0316] With this in mind, X1 used to obtain the first identification information and X2 used to obtain the second identification information in this embodiment of the present application may be different values ​​(for example, the values ​​of X1 and X2 may be powers of 2). Optionally, a correspondence exists between X1 and X2. For example, multiple relationships exist between X1 and X2. Optionally, X1 = X2 * K1, where K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0317] Case 2: In response to the first wake-up signal, the terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 2. Subgroup ID1=f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns))mod K1+M1 Equation 2

[0318] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier of the first terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0319] For example, UE_ID1 in Equation 1 may be a first identification piece obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID1 = id mod X1, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0320] In response to the second wake-up signal, the terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 5. Subgroup ID2=f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1))mod K2+M2 Equation 5

[0321] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier of the second terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0322] For example, UE_ID2 in Equation 5 may be a second piece of identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID2 = id mod X2, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0323] If, optionally, the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the first identification information is different from the second identification information.

[0324] With this in mind, X1 used to obtain the first identification information and X2 used to obtain the second identification information in this embodiment of the present application may be different values ​​(for example, the values ​​of X1 and X2 may be powers of 2). Optionally, a correspondence exists between X1 and X2. For example, multiple relationships exist between X1 and X2. Optionally, X2 = X1 * K2, where K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0325] In response to this, the network device also determines, in the manner of Case 1 and Case 2, the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs and the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. Details will not be repeated here.

[0326] Embodiment 2: The terminals are subgrouped by subgrouping network control for both the first wake-up signal and the second wake-up signal.

[0327] In Embodiment 2, terminals are subgrouped for the first wake-up signal by network control subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the first wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 2, terminals use a network control subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal. Terminals are subgrouped for the second wake-up signal by network control subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the second wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 2, terminals use a network control subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal.

[0328] In Embodiment 2, the current support for the subgrouping mechanism of the cell is not limited. For example, the cell may further support terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a first wake-up signal. The cell may further support terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a second wake-up signal.

[0329] In an optional implementation, the network device separately determines, based on the characteristics of the terminal, which terminal belongs to a first terminal subgroup and which terminal belongs to a second terminal subgroup.

[0330] Optionally, the first and second terminal subgroups are obtained by partitioning based on different terminal characteristics, or by partitioning the same terminal characteristics at different granularities.

[0331] Based on the aforementioned subgrouping method, the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs and the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs may be different terminal subgroups for the same terminal.

[0332] For example, when determining the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device may determine the first terminal subgroup based on the terminal's paging probability characteristics. When determining the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device may determine the second terminal subgroup based on the terminal's terminal type characteristics.

[0333] Alternatively, a network device may determine a terminal to belong to a first terminal subgroup and a second terminal subgroup based on the same characteristics, for example, based on the terminal's paging probability characteristics. However, the granularity of the terminal's paging probability differs between the first and second wake-up signals. Assume that for the first wake-up signal, the granularity of the terminal's paging probability is 0 to 50% and 50% to 100%, and for the second wake-up signal, the granularity is 0 to 25%, 25% to 50%, 50% to 75%, and 75% to 100%.

[0334] It should be noted that the first and second terminal subgroups determined by the network device satisfy at least one of the aforementioned conditions, thus enabling a two-level wake-up effect and further reducing terminal paging false alarms and power consumption.

[0335] In one implementation, after determining the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device transmits the first configuration information to indicate the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs by using the first configuration information. After determining the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, the network device transmits the second configuration information to indicate the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs by using the second configuration information.

[0336] The network device may be an access network device or a core access network device. If the first and second wake-up signals are obtained by network control subgrouping, the subgrouping of the first and second wake-up signals may be controlled by different types of network devices. For example, the subgrouping of the first wake-up signal (e.g., the first wake-up signal is LP-WUS) may be controlled by an access network device. The subgrouping of the second wake-up signal (e.g., the second wake-up signal is PEI) may be controlled by a core network device.

[0337] In response, the terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the first configuration information it receives, and determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the second configuration information it receives.

[0338] Embodiment 3: Terminals are subgrouped by terminal identifier-based subgrouping with respect to a first wake-up signal, and terminals are subgrouped by network control subgrouping with respect to a second wake-up signal.

[0339] In Embodiment 3, terminals are subgrouped for a first wake-up signal by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the first wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 3, terminals use a terminal identifier-based subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal. Terminals are subgrouped for a second wake-up signal by network control subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the second wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 3, terminals use a network control subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal.

[0340] In Embodiment 3, the current support for the subgrouping mechanism in the cell is not limited. For example, the cell may further support network-controlled subgrouping for a first wake-up signal. The cell may further support terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a second wake-up signal.

[0341] For the first wake-up signal: In one optional implementation, a terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 1. Subgroup ID1=f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2))mod K1+M1 Formula 1

[0342] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier of the first terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0343] Optionally, if a number of subgroups corresponding to a second wake-up signal (for example, the number of subgroups corresponding to a second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping) is configured in the current cell (for example, it may be configured via broadcasting), then K2 in Equation 1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to a second wake-up signal and broadcast by the cell. If a number of subgroups corresponding to a second wake-up signal (for example, the number of subgroups corresponding to a second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping) is not configured in the current cell, the value of K2 is a preset value, for example, 1.

[0344] Optionally, the condition for a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 1 may be that the current cell also supports terminal identifier-based subgrouping for the second wake-up signal.

[0345] For example, UE_ID1 in Equation 1 may be a first identification piece obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID1 = id mod X1, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0346] In response to this, when determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs for a first wake-up signal, the network device may also use Equation 1 to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0347] Alternatively, in another optional implementation, in response to the first wake-up signal, the terminal may determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 2. Subgroup ID1=f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns))mod K1+M1 Equation 2

[0348] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier of the first terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0349] Optionally, the condition for a terminal to determine the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 2 may also be that the current cell does not support terminal identifier-based subgrouping for the second wake-up signal.

[0350] For example, UE_ID1 in Equation 1 may be a first identification piece obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID1 = id mod X1, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0351] In response to this, when determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs for a first wake-up signal, the network device may also use Equation 2 to determine the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0352] For the second wake-up signal: In one optional implementation, the network device determines the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on the terminal's characteristics.

[0353] For example, when determining the second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs in response to a second wake-up signal, the network device may determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs based on the characteristics of the terminal type of the terminal.

[0354] After determining the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the network device transmits the second configuration information to indicate the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs by using the second configuration information.

[0355] In response, the terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the second configuration information it receives.

[0356] Embodiment 4: Terminals are subgrouped by network control subgrouping with respect to a first wake-up signal, and terminals are subgrouped by identifier-based subgrouping with respect to a second wake-up signal.

[0357] In Embodiment 4, terminals are subgrouped for the first wake-up signal by network control subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the first wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 4, terminals use a network control subgrouping mechanism for the first wake-up signal. Terminals are subgrouped for the second wake-up signal by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. There is no limitation that terminals do not support another subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal in the current cell. For example, terminals may support both terminal identifier-based subgrouping and network control subgrouping for the second wake-up signal. However, in Embodiment 4, terminals use a terminal identifier-based subgrouping mechanism for the second wake-up signal.

[0358] In Embodiment 4, the current support for the subgrouping mechanism of the cell is not limited. For example, the cell may further support network control subgrouping for a first wake-up signal. The cell may further support terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a second wake-up signal.

[0359] For the first wake-up signal: In one optional implementation, the network device determines the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, based on the terminal's characteristics.

[0360] For example, a network device may determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs based on the characteristics of the terminal's capabilities.

[0361] After determining the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, the network device transmits the first configuration information to indicate the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs by using the first configuration information.

[0362] In response, the terminal determines the first terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the first configuration information it receives.

[0363] For the second wake-up signal:

[0364] In one optional implementation, a terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 5. Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1)) mod K2 + M2 Equation 5

[0365] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier of the second terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0366] Optionally, if a number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal (for example, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping) is configured in the current cell (for example, it may be configured via broadcasting), then K1 in Equation 5 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and broadcast by the cell. If a number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal (for example, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping) is not configured in the current cell, the value of K1 is a preset value, for example, 1.

[0367] Optionally, the condition for a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 5 may also be that the current cell also supports terminal identifier-based subgrouping for the first wake-up signal.

[0368] For example, UE_ID2 in Equation 5 may be a second piece of identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID2 = id mod X2, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0369] In response to this, when determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs for a second wake-up signal, the network device may also use Equation 5 to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0370] Alternatively, in another optional implementation, in response to a second wake-up signal, the terminal may determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 6. Subgroup ID2=f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns))mod K2+M2 Equation 6

[0371] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier of the second terminal subgroup, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0372] Optionally, the condition for a terminal to determine the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs according to Equation 6 may also be that the current cell does not support terminal identifier-based subgrouping for the first wake-up signal.

[0373] For example, UE_ID2 in Equation 6 may be a second piece of identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier id. For example, UE_ID2 = id mod X2, where id is the terminal's 5G-S-TMSI or IMSI.

[0374] In response to this, when determining the terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs for a second wake-up signal, the network device may also use Equation 6 to determine the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0375] Formulas 1 and 5 are derived based on the concept of normalization. In some cases, when the subgroup to which a terminal belongs is determined according to Formula 1, the value of K2 in Formula 1 may be the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal (e.g., Embodiment 1). In other cases, the value of K2 in Formula 1 may be a preset value, e.g., 1 (e.g., Embodiment 3). To cover multiple different cases, in this embodiment of the present application, Formula 1 is designed based on the concept of normalization, and K2 in Formula 1 may have different values ​​in different cases. Similarly, in some cases, when the subgroup to which a terminal belongs is determined according to Formula 5, the value of K1 in Formula 5 may be the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal (e.g., Embodiment 1). In other cases, the value of K1 in Formula 5 may be a preset value, e.g., 1 (e.g., Embodiment 4). To cover multiple different cases, in this embodiment of the present application, Formula 5 is designed based on the concept of normalization, and K1 in Formula 5 may have different values ​​in different cases.

[0376] In the embodiments described above, it should be understood that terminals and / or network devices may perform some or all of the steps of the embodiments. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or various variations of operations may be performed further. In addition, the steps may be performed in an order different from the order presented in the embodiments of this application, and not all operations in the embodiments of this application may be performed. Furthermore, the step order numbers do not imply execution order. The execution order of a process should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the process and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0377] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, one embodiment of this application provides a communication device. The structure of the communication device may be shown in Figure 6. The communication device includes a transceiver unit 601 and a processing unit 602.

[0378] In one implementation, a communication device may be used in particular to carry out a method performed by a terminal. The device may be a terminal, a chip or chipset within a terminal, or part of a chip configured to perform the function of the associated method. Transceiver unit 601 is configured to receive a first wake-up signal. The first wake-up signal includes first instruction information, which indicates that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, and the at least one first target terminal subgroup includes a first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. Processing unit 602 is configured to determine, based on the first instruction information, that the terminal should be woken up.

[0379] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The processing unit 602 is configured to determine the first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, based on the terminal's first identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0380] In a possible design, the first identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the first identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0381] In a possible design, the transceiver unit 601 is configured to receive a second wake-up signal. The second wake-up signal includes second instruction information, which indicates at least one second target terminal subgroup for monitoring paging, and the at least one second target terminal subgroup includes a second terminal subgroup to which terminals belong. The processing unit 602 is configured to monitor paging based on the second instruction information.

[0382] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The terminal determines the second terminal subgroup to which it belongs based on the terminal's second instruction information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0383] In a possible design, the second identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the second identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0384] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2))mod K1+M1.

[0385] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0386] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns))mod K1+M1.

[0387] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0388] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns)) mod K2 + M2 is satisfied.

[0389] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0390] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID2 satisfies f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1))mod K2+M2.

[0391] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0392] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the first identification information is different from the second identification information.

[0393] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0394] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0395] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The transceiver unit 601 receives first configuration information, which is configured to indicate the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0396] In a possible design, the first configuration information includes a first subgroup identifier corresponding to a first terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the first configuration information includes first attribute information of the first terminal subgroup, and the first attribute information corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0397] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The transceiver unit 601 receives second configuration information, which is configured to indicate the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0398] In a possible design, the second configuration information includes a second subgroup identifier corresponding to the second terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the second configuration information includes second attribute information for the second terminal subgroup, and the second attribute information corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0399] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through network device control subgrouping, then the first and second terminal subgroups are obtained through partitioning based on different characteristics of terminals, or based on different partitioning granularities of the same characteristics of terminals.

[0400] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup meet the following conditions, namely:

[0401] The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. A first terminal included in the first terminal subgroup is not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup, and A second terminal included in the second terminal subgroup satisfies at least one of the following conditions: it is not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0402] In a possible design, the transceiver unit 601 is configured to receive a first wake-up signal by using a secondary communication module. The processing unit 602 is configured to determine that the terminal's main communication module should be woken up.

[0403] Based on the same inventive concept as the embodiments of the method, one embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The structure of the communication device may be shown in Figure 7. The communication device includes a transceiver unit 701 and a processing unit 702. In one implementation, the communication device may be particularly configured to carry out a method performed by a network device. The device may be a network device, or a chip or chipset within a network device, or a part of a chip configured to perform the function of the associated method. The processing unit 701 is configured to generate a first wake-up signal. The first wake-up signal includes first instruction information, which indicates that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, and the at least one first target terminal subgroup includes a first terminal subgroup to which the terminals belong. The transceiver unit 702 is configured to transmit the first wake-up signal.

[0404] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs is determined based on the terminal's third identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0405] In a possible design, the third identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the third identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0406] In a possible design, the processing unit 701 is configured to generate a second wake-up signal. The second wake-up signal includes second instruction information, which indicates at least one second target terminal subgroup for monitoring paging, and the at least one second target terminal subgroup includes a second terminal subgroup to which the terminals belong. The transceiver unit 702 is configured to transmit the second wake-up signal.

[0407] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping. The second terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs, corresponding to the second wake-up signal, is determined based on the terminal's fourth identification information and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0408] In a possible design, the fourth identifier is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the fourth identifier is an identifier obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

[0409] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns*K2))mod K1+M1.

[0410] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

[0411] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID1 satisfies f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns))mod K1+M1.

[0412] Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0413] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID2 satisfies f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns))mod K2+M2.

[0414] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

[0415] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is, Subgroup ID2 satisfies f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns*K1))mod K2+M2.

[0416] Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is the offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number or preset value corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

[0417] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the third identification information is different from the fourth identification information.

[0418] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0419] In a possible design, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping. Alternatively, the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping for a single paging opportunity PO.

[0420] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping. The transceiver unit 702 transmits first configuration information, which is configured to indicate the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0421] In a possible design, the first configuration information includes a first subgroup identifier corresponding to a first terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the first configuration information includes first attribute information of the first terminal subgroup, and the first attribute information corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

[0422] In a possible design, the second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup acquired through network device control subgrouping. The transceiver unit 702 transmits second configuration information, which is configured to indicate the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

[0423] In a possible design, the second configuration information includes a subgroup identifier corresponding to the second terminal subgroup. Alternatively, the second configuration information includes second attribute information for the second terminal subgroup, and the second attribute information corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

[0424] In a possible design, if the first and second terminal subgroups are terminal subgroups obtained through network device control subgrouping, then the first and second terminal subgroups are obtained through partitioning based on different characteristics of terminals, or based on different partitioning granularities of the same characteristics of terminals.

[0425] In a possible design, the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup meet the following conditions, namely:

[0426] The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. Terminals included in the first terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup, and Each terminal included in the second terminal subgroup satisfies at least one of the following conditions: it is not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup.

[0427] In the embodiments of this application, the division into units is merely an example and represents only a logical functional division; other divisions may be used in actual implementation. In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be incorporated into a single processor, or each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be incorporated into a single unit. The integrated unit may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module. For the functions or implementation forms of the units in the embodiments of this application, further reference will be found in the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0428] In any possible way, the communication device may be shown in Figure 8. The device may be a communication device or a chip within a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal in the embodiments described above. The device includes a processor 801 and a communication interface 802, and may further include a memory 803.

[0429] The processor 801 may be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or the like. The communication interface 802 may be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, a transceiver chip, or the like. The device further includes a memory 803 configured to store a program executed by the processor 801. The memory 803 may be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM). The memory 803 may be any other medium that can hold or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0430] The processor 801 is configured to execute program code stored in memory 803 and is particularly configured to determine, based on first instruction information, that the terminal should be woken up. The communication interface 802 is particularly configured to perform the operation of the transceiver unit 601. Further details are not described again in this application.

[0431] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 802, the processor 801, and the memory 803 is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In this embodiment of this application, the memory 803, the processor 801, and the communication interface 802 are connected via a bus 804 in Figure 8. The bus is shown in bold in Figure 8. The methods of connection between other components are merely illustrative examples and are not limited thereto. Buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used to represent a bus in Figure 8, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0432] In any possible way, the communication device may be shown in Figure 9. The device may be a communication device or a chip within a communication device. The communication device may be a network device as in the embodiments described above. The device includes a processor 901 and a communication interface 902, and may further include a memory 903.

[0433] The processor 901 may be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or the like. The communication interface 902 may be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, a transceiver chip, or the like. The device further includes a memory 903 configured to store a program executed by the processor 901. The memory 903 may be non-volatile memory, such as an HDD or SSD, or volatile memory such as RAM. The memory 903 may be any other medium that can be accessed by the computer and can be configured to hold or store the expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures.

[0434] The processor 901 is configured to execute program code stored in memory 903 and is particularly configured to generate a first wake-up signal. The communication interface 902 is particularly configured to perform the operation of the transceiver unit 702. Further details are not described again in this application.

[0435] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 902, the processor 901, and the memory 903 is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In this embodiment of this application, the memory 903, the processor 901, and the communication interface 902 are connected via a bus 904 in Figure 9. The bus is shown in bold in Figure 9. The methods of connection between other components are merely illustrative examples and are not limited thereto. Buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used to represent buses in Figure 9, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0436] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication method which includes steps performed by a terminal in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 or Figure 4.

[0437] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication method which includes steps performed by a network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 or Figure 4.

[0438] One embodiment of this application further provides a communication system including a communication device configured to perform the functions of a terminal in the embodiment of Figure 2 or Figure 4, and a communication device configured to perform the functions of a network device in the embodiment of Figure 2 or Figure 4.

[0439] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium configured to store computer software instructions that need to be executed by a processor. The computer software instructions include programs that need to be executed by the processor.

[0440] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product that includes a computer program that needs to be executed by a processor.

[0441] Those skilled in the art should understand that embodiments of this application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, this application may use the form of hardware-only embodiments, software-only embodiments, or embodiments having a combination of software and hardware. In addition, this application may use the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk memory, CD-ROM, optical memory, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0442] This application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products described herein. It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, as well as combinations of processes and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer program instructions may be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or any other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, as a result of instructions executed by the processor of the computer or any other programmable data processing device, which will generate a machine that performs a particular function in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0443] These computer program instructions may be stored in computer-readable memory that can be instructed to operate in a specific manner on a computer or any other programmable data processing device, and as a result, the instructions stored in computer-readable memory generate an artifact that includes an instruction unit. The instruction unit performs a specific function in one or more processes in a flowchart and / or one or more blocks in a block diagram.

[0444] Computer program instructions may instead be loaded onto a computer or another programmable data processing device, resulting in a series of operations and steps being executed on the computer or other programmable device, thereby generating computer execution processing. Therefore, instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for performing a specific function in one or more steps within a flowchart and / or one or more blocks within a block diagram.

[0445] It is clear that a person skilled in the art can create various modifications and variations of this application without departing from the scope of protection of this application. This application is intended to encompass these modifications and variations of this application, insofar as they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalents in art. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0446] 201 Network device sends first wake-up signal 202 The terminal decides that it should be woken up based on the first instruction information in the first wake-up signal. 401 Network device sends second wake-up signal Terminal 402 monitors paging based on the second instruction information in the second wake-up signal. 601 Transceiver Unit 602 Processing Unit 701 Processing Unit 702 Transceiver Unit 801 Processor 802 Communication Interface 803 memory 804 Bus 901 Processor 902 Communication Interface 903 memory 904 Bus

Claims

1. A communication method, wherein the method is A step of receiving a first wake-up signal, wherein the first wake-up signal includes first instruction information, the first instruction information indicates that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, and the at least one first target terminal subgroup includes a first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs. A communication method comprising the step of determining that the terminal should be woken up based on the first instruction information.

2. The aforementioned first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on first identification information of the terminal and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first identification information is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the first identification information is identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

4. The method includes the step of receiving a second wake-up signal, wherein the second wake-up signal includes second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates at least one second target terminal subgroup for monitoring paging, and the at least one second target terminal subgroup includes a second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of monitoring paging based on the second instruction information.

5. The aforementioned second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of determining the second terminal subgroup based on the second identification information of the terminal and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the second identification information is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the second identification information is identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

7. The first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns*K2)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal or a preset value.

8. The first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID1 / (N*Ns)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID1 is the first identification information, K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

9. The second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies, The method according to claim 7, wherein Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the paging cycle of the terminal, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

10. The second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID2 / (N*Ns*K1)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies, The method according to claim 8, wherein Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID2 is the second identification information, K2 is the subgroup number corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the paging cycle of the terminal, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal or a preset value.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein if the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are terminal subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the first identification information is different from the second identification information.

12. The number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, or The method according to any one of claims 2, 3, 7, 8, and 10, wherein the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal for a single paging opportunity PO and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping.

13. The number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, or The method according to any one of claims 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10, wherein the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal for one paging opportunity PO and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping.

14. The first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising the step of receiving first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first configuration information includes a first subgroup identifier corresponding to the first terminal subgroup, or the first configuration information includes first attribute information of the first terminal subgroup, and the first attribute information corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

16. The second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising the step of receiving a second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the second configuration information includes a second subgroup identifier corresponding to the second terminal subgroup, or the second configuration information includes second attribute information of the second terminal subgroup, and the second attribute information corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are terminal subgroups obtained by network device control subgrouping, the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are obtained by partitioning based on different characteristics of the terminals, or by partitioning based on different granularities of the same characteristics of the terminals.

19. The first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are subject to the following conditions, namely: The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. The first terminal included in the first terminal subgroup is not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup, and A second terminal included in the second terminal subgroup is not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, which satisfies at least one of the following:

20. The step of receiving the first wake-up signal is: The process includes the step of receiving the first wake-up signal by using a secondary communication module, The step of determining whether the terminal should be woken up is: The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising the step of determining that the main communication module of the terminal should be woken up.

21. A communication method, wherein the method is A step of generating a first wake-up signal, wherein the first wake-up signal includes first instruction information, the first instruction information indicates that at least one first target terminal subgroup should be woken up, and the at least one first target terminal subgroup includes a first terminal subgroup to which a terminal belongs. A method comprising the step of transmitting the first wake-up signal.

22. The aforementioned first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of determining the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on the third identification information of the terminal and the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the third identification information is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the third identification information is identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

24. The aforementioned method, A step of generating a second wake-up signal, wherein the second wake-up signal includes a second instruction information, the second instruction information indicates at least one second target terminal subgroup for monitoring paging, and the at least one second target terminal subgroup includes a second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, further comprising the step of transmitting the second wake-up signal.

25. The aforementioned second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of determining the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs, based on the fourth identification information of the terminal and the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the fourth identification information is the terminal identifier of the terminal, or the fourth identification information is identification information obtained by processing the terminal identifier of the terminal.

27. The first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns*K2)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies, The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the subgroup number corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K2 is the subgroup number or a preset value corresponding to the second wake-up signal.

28. The first terminal subgroup corresponds to the first subgroup identifier, and the first subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID1 = f(UE_ID3 / (N*Ns)) mod K1 + M1 satisfies, The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein Subgroup ID1 is the first subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID3 is the third identification information, K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal, M1 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the terminal's paging cycle, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

29. The second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies, The method according to claim 27, wherein Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the paging cycle of the terminal, and Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame.

30. The second terminal subgroup corresponds to the second subgroup identifier, and the second subgroup identifier is Subgroup ID2 = f(UE_ID4 / (N*Ns*K1)) mod K2 + M2 satisfies, The method according to claim 28, wherein Subgroup ID2 is the second subgroup identifier, f() indicates a rounding operation, UE_ID4 is the fourth identification information, K2 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal, M2 is an offset parameter, N is the number of paging frames in the paging cycle of the terminal, Ns is the number of POs in one paging frame, and K1 is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal or a preset value.

31. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein if the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are terminal subgroups obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, the third identification information is different from the fourth identification information.

32. The number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, or The method according to any one of claims 22, 23, 27, 28, and 30, wherein the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the first wake-up signal for a single paging opportunity PO and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping.

33. The number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping, or The method according to any one of claims 25, 26, 27, 29, and 30, wherein the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal is the number of subgroups corresponding to the second wake-up signal for one paging opportunity PO and obtained by terminal identifier-based subgrouping.

34. The first terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to any one of claims 21 to 33, further comprising the step of transmitting first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information indicates the first terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the first configuration information includes a first subgroup identifier corresponding to the first terminal subgroup, or the first configuration information includes first attribute information of the first terminal subgroup, and the first attribute information corresponds to the first subgroup identifier.

36. The second terminal subgroup is a terminal subgroup obtained through network device control subgrouping, The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 34 or 35, further comprising the step of transmitting a second configuration information, wherein the second configuration information indicates the second terminal subgroup to which the terminal belongs.

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the second configuration information includes the subgroup identifier corresponding to the second terminal subgroup, or the second configuration information includes second attribute information of the second terminal subgroup, and the second attribute information corresponds to the second subgroup identifier.

38. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are terminal subgroups obtained by network device control subgrouping, the first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are obtained through subgrouping based on different characteristics of the terminals, or based on different subgrouping granularities of the same characteristics of the terminals.

39. The first terminal subgroup and the second terminal subgroup are subject to the following conditions, namely: The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup and the terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not exactly the same. The terminals included in the first terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the second terminal subgroup, and The terminals included in the second terminal subgroup are not entirely included in the first terminal subgroup. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 38, satisfying at least one of the following:

40. A communication device comprising a module configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 20, or a module configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 21 to 39.

41. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instruction, wherein when the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer-readable storage medium is made capable of carrying out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 20, or the computer-readable storage medium is made capable of carrying out the method described in any one of claims 21 to 39.

42. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 20 is carried out, or when the computer program is executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of claims 21 to 39 is carried out.

43. A communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 20, or the method described in any one of claims 21 to 39.

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