Intermittent reception control method and device

Abstract

An embodiment of this application provides an intermittent reception control method and device related to the field of communication technology, for solving a problem that a communication device cannot receive data when a transmission method on a network side dynamically changes. The method is as follows: receiving first control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data to be transmitted in a multicast manner; and performing, by the communication device, one or more of the following actions: starting or restarting a first timer indicating a duration after the newly transmitted control information or the newly transmitted data is scheduled; stopping or starting or restarting a second timer indicating a duration for the communication device to receive retransmitted data; and starting or restarting a third timer indicating a waiting duration before the communication device receives retransmitted data, the timers corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. The embodiment of this application is used to process the control information and / or data based on DRX.

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0062] 1.MBS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0079] 2. Multicast and Unicast

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0086] 3.DRX

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

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

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

[0090] DRX in Unicast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0100] DRX in LTE MBMS

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

[0102] 4.V2X

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

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

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

[0106] 5. Bandwidth Part (BWP)

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

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

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

[0110] 6. Random Access (RA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0129] Introduction of the problem

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

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

[0132] Problem 1

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

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

[0135] Problem 2

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

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

[0138] Problem 3

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

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

[0141] Question 4

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

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

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

[0145] Question 6:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0168] A common frequency resource corresponding to a multicast may be understood as a BWP corresponding to a multicast or a frequency range corresponding to a multicast.

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

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

[0171] The second RNTI may be used for any one or more of the following: multicast, scheduling dynamic resources, retransmission resources of dynamic resources, activating configuration resources, reactivating configuration resources, deactivating configuration resources, scheduling retransmission resources of configuration resources, and scrambling (e.g., scrambling the PDCCH or PDSCH).

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

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

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

[0175] It may be understood that "transmitting the first data in a multicast manner" indicates that the first data may not be specific to only the communication device. In other words, the first data may not be specifically transmitted to only the communication device. For example, multiple communication devices may all receive the first data transmitted in a multicast manner, and the multiple communication devices may be UEs that are interested in the first data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0184] The first control information indicating that the first data is data corresponding to multicast (service) 1 includes any one or more of the following: The format of the first control information / indication information (e.g., one or more fields) in the first control information indicates that the first data is data corresponding to multicast (service) 1.

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

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

[0187] The first control information indicates a resource location of the first data and / or information required to decode the first data, such as a time domain resource and / or a frequency domain resource, a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), a HARQ process ID, and a New Data Indicator (NDI).

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

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

[0190] It can be understood that multiple communication devices may receive different PDCCH / DCI (e.g., the PDCCH / DCI received by each communication device is scrambled by using a C-RNTI corresponding to each communication device), and the different PDCCH / DCI schedules the same PDSCH / same data.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0206] It should be noted that this application (or the definition / function / duration of the first timer) does not limit whether the first timer is started immediately after being used to schedule newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data, or whether it is started after a certain period of time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0215] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission scheme, or receives data (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the configured transmission scheme, and the network device may subsequently transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme), or may retransmit data in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme). To ensure that the communication device can receive DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme), the communication device may start a first timer (corresponding to the second HARQ process) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits data in the G+G transmission method (or the C+G transmission method) within the operation duration of the first timer, it is possible to ensure that the communication device is able to receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it is possible to avoid the communication device being in a sleep state and being unable to receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0226] Optionally, starting or restarting the second timer includes: the communication device transmits first feedback information, the first feedback information indicating that the communication device has successfully or failed to receive the first data, or at a first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time, the first feedback time being a time domain location at which a first feedback resource is located, the first feedback resource being associated with the first data, and starting or restarting the second timer.

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

[0228] For example, the first feedback resource being associated with the first data may include / be understood as the first feedback resource being used by the communication device to transmit first feedback information.

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

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

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

[0232] Optionally, in order to start or restart the second timer, the following conditions must be met: The communication device fails to receive / decode the first data.

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

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

[0235] For example, the communication device receives DCI and / or data transmitted in the C+G transmission scheme (corresponding to a first HARQ process) or receives data transmitted in a configured transmission scheme, and the network device may subsequently transmit other DCI and / or data in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme), or may retransmit data in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme). To ensure that the communication device can receive DCI and / or data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme), the communication device may start or restart a second timer (corresponding to a second HARQ process) corresponding to DRX associated with multicast. In this way, when the network device transmits other DCI and / or data or retransmits data in the G+G transmission method (or the C+G transmission method) within the operation duration of the second timer, it is possible to ensure that the communication device is able to receive the DCI and / or data, or in other words, it is possible to avoid the communication device being in a sleep state and being unable to receive the DCI and / or data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

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

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

[0238] Optionally, starting or resuming the third timer includes: the communication device transmits first feedback information, where the first feedback information indicates that the communication device has successfully received or failed to receive the first data, or at a first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time, the first feedback time being a time domain location where a first feedback resource is located, the first feedback resource being associated with the first data, and starting or resuming the third timer.

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

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

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

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

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

[0244] Optionally, to start or restart the third timer, the following conditions must be met: The communication device fails to receive / decode the first data.

[0245] Optionally, the communication device may start a third timer after a third duration / at a third time point after the first control information is received, or may start a third timer after a third duration / at a third time point after the first data is received, or may start a third timer after a third duration / at a third time point after the first feedback information is transmitted, or may start a third timer after a third duration / at a third time point after the first feedback time.

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

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

[0248] Optionally, the communications device may start a second timer after a second duration / at a second time after the third timer expires.

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

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

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

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

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

[0254] It should be noted that this application (or the definition / function / duration of the fourth timer) does not limit whether the fourth timer is started immediately after it is used to schedule newly transmitted control information or newly transmitted data, or whether it is started after a certain period of time.

[0255] For example, the fourth timer may be understood as an Inactivity Timer, or an Inactivity Timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast.

[0256] For example, the DRX associated with unicast may be understood as any one or more of the following: a DRX corresponding to a first RNTI.

[0257] For the related content of "starting or restarting the fourth timer", please refer to the related content of "starting or restarting the first timer" in step 502-1. For the sake of understanding, the first timer is replaced with the fourth timer, and the details are not described again here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0272] For the related content of "starting or restarting the sixth timer", please refer to the related content of "starting or restarting the third timer" in step 502-3. For the sake of understanding, the third timer is replaced with the sixth timer, and the details are not described again here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0279] It should be noted that in embodiment 1.1, whether to start / stop / resume a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast or a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast, or whether to control a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast or a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast, may be configured by the network device for each multicast service, i.e., may be configured by the network device for each MBS service, or may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI, i.e., may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI.

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

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

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

[0283] For understanding of "the second control information is for scheduling the second data to be transmitted in a multicast manner", please refer to the explanation of "the first control information is for scheduling the first data to be transmitted in a multicast manner" in step 501.

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

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

[0286] It can be understood that "the communication device receives the second control information transmitted in a multicast manner" indicates that the second control information is specific to multiple communication devices. In other words, the second control information is transmitted to multiple communication devices in the multicast.

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

[0288] It can be understood that "the second data is transmitted in a unicast manner" indicates that the second data is specific to a particular communication device. In other words, the second data is transmitted to a particular communication device in a multicast.

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

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

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

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

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

[0294] If the received data 2 again is a retransmission data of data 1, it can be understood that this indicates that a retransmission of data 1 is received and the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be stopped to reduce power consumption of the communication device. In consideration of the fact that the downlink control information and / or newly transmitted data scheduled to transmit data in a multicast manner is not received, the communication device may further stop the second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast to further reduce power consumption. Alternatively, the communication device may stop only the second timer to reduce power consumption.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0301] Problem A

[0302] The communication device receives DCI1 / Data1 transmitted in the G+G transmission mode. Thereafter, the network device may retransmit Data1 in the G+G transmission mode, the C+G transmission mode, or the C+C transmission mode. Currently, there is no effective solution for how to ensure that the communication device can receive the retransmitted Data1 subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission mode, the C+G transmission mode, or the C+C transmission mode.

[0303] Based on solving problem A, some problems may still exist, which may cause high power consumption of the communication device or may be detrimental to the energy saving of the communication device. For example,

[0304] Problem B

[0305] The communication device receives DCI1 / Data1 transmitted in a G+G transmission scheme (e.g., corresponding to HARQ process 1). To ensure that the communication device can receive retransmitted Data1 subsequently transmitted by the network device in a G+G transmission scheme, a C+G transmission scheme, or a C+C transmission scheme, the communication device may start or restart a timer used for retransmission and corresponding to DRX associated with multicast (e.g., a second timer or Retransmission Timer associated with HARQ process 1) and / or a timer used for retransmission and corresponding to DRX associated with unicast (e.g., a fifth timer or Retransmission Timer associated with HARQ process 1) to listen to a PDCCH for retransmission of Data1. When the communication device receives DCI and / or data (e.g., retransmission data 1 or other data) transmitted in the G+G transmission scheme, the C+G transmission scheme, the C+C transmission scheme, or a configured transmission scheme and associated with the same HARQ process (e.g., HARQ process 1), the communication device still listens to the PDCCH (e.g., the PDCCH for the retransmission of data 1), which increases the power consumption of the communication device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0314] "The communication device receives the first control information transmitted in a multicast manner" may be understood to indicate that the first control information is specific to multiple communication devices. In other words, the first control information is transmitted to multiple communication devices in a multicast.

[0315] For the understanding of “first data transmitted in a multicast manner” or “the first data is transmitted in a multicast manner” in step 601, please refer to the explanation in step 501.

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

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

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

[0319] Optionally, before the communication device performs any one or more of steps 602-1, 602-2 and 602-2A, the method includes: the communication device receives third indication information.

[0320] For the understanding of the "third instruction information", please refer to the explanation of the "first instruction information" in step 502, and for the purpose of understanding, the "first instruction information" is replaced with the "third instruction information".

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

[0322] For understanding of the "fourth instruction information", please refer to the explanation of the "second instruction information" in step 502, and for understanding, the "second instruction information" is replaced with the "fourth instruction information".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0330] A fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be running (e.g., the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be started or restarted by the communication device to ensure that the communication device can receive retransmission data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the C+C transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme) because the communication device previously received DCI and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission scheme, the G+G transmission scheme, or the C+C transmission scheme, or receives data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the configured transmission scheme), and the communication device receives DCI and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission scheme, or receives data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the configured transmission scheme). In order to save energy of the communication device, the fifth timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast may be stopped. It can be understood that if the data Y is a retransmission data of the data X, this indicates that the retransmission of the data X is received and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast may be stopped. If the data Y is a newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device no longer retransmits the data X for the communication apparatus and the fifth timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the unicast may be stopped.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0339] For an understanding of "starting or restarting a first timer" in step 602-3, please refer to the explanation in step 502-1.

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

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

[0342] For example, the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast (e.g., corresponding to the first HARQ process) may be running (e.g., the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be started or restarted by the communication device to ensure that the communication device can receive the retransmission data subsequently transmitted by the network device in the G+G transmission scheme (or the C+G transmission scheme) since the communication device previously receives the DCI and / or data X (corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission scheme or the G+G transmission scheme), and the communication device receives the DCI and / or data Y (e.g., newly transmitted data or retransmission data corresponding to the first HARQ process) transmitted in the C+G transmission scheme). In order to save the energy of the communication device, the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be stopped. It may be understood that if the data Y is the retransmission data of the data X, this indicates that the retransmission of the data X is received and the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be stopped. If the data Y is newly transmitted data, this indicates that the network device will no longer retransmit the data X for the communication apparatus, and the second timer corresponding to the DRX associated with the multicast may be stopped.

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

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

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

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

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

[0348] It should be noted that in this embodiment, only the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be controlled, or only the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast may be controlled, or both the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with multicast and the timer corresponding to the DRX associated with unicast may be controlled. Any of these combined solutions fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0349] It should be noted that in embodiment 1.2, whether to start / stop / resume a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast or a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast, or whether to control a timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast or a timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast, may be configured by the network device for each multicast service, i.e., may be configured by the network device for each MBS service, or may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI, i.e., may be configured by the network device for each second RNTI.

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

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

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

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

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

[0355] For example, the communication device receives DCI1 / data1 (corresponding to HARQ process 1) transmitted in the G+G transmission scheme. After the communication device feeds back (e.g., feeds back a NACK) to the network device, the communication device starts both the second timer in DRX associated with multicast and the fifth timer in DRX associated with unicast. If the communication device receives again DCI and / or data2 transmitted in the G+G transmission scheme, the C+G transmission scheme, the C+C transmission scheme, or the configured transmission scheme and associated with the same HARQ process (e.g., HARQ process 1), the communication device stops the fifth timer in DRX associated with unicast and the second timer in DRX associated with multicast.

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

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

[0358] Embodiment 2.1 Based on the above analysis, in an MBS, if a communication device starts an RTT timer (HARQ-RTT-Timer) after receiving DCI and / or data, and starts a retransmission timer (RetransmissionTimer) only when the communication device fails to receive data after the HARQ-RTT-Timer expires, the active opportunities of different communication devices receiving the same MBS may not be aligned. Specifically, in an MBS, different communication devices receiving the same MBS service may successfully receive the MBS service or may fail to receive the MBS service. In this case, the active times of the two communication devices may not be aligned, and as a result, the communication device may fail to receive DCI and / or data. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, after receiving DCI and / or data within the active period, the communication device 1 starts the HARQ-RTT-Timer and enters the sleep period after the RTT timer expires (if no other timers related to the DRX active time are running), and after receiving DCI and / or data within the active period, the communication device 2 starts the HARQ-RTT-Timer and starts the RetransmissionTimer after the RTT timer expires and enters the sleep period only after the retransmission timer expires (if no other timers related to the DRX active time are running). If the network device transmits newly transmitted data within the operation duration of the RetransmissionTimer (if no other timers related to the DRX active time are running within this period for the communication device 1, i.e., if the communication device 1 is in a sleep state), the communication device 1 may not receive newly transmitted data within the sleep period.

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

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

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

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

[0363] The first control information may include / be understood as any one or more of the following:

[0364] (1) First DCI

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

[0366] (2) First SCI

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

[0368] The first data being multicast data may include / be understood as any one or more of the following:

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

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

[0371] For the relevant contents of (1) and (2), please refer to the description of the relevant contents in embodiment 1.1, and the details will not be described again here.

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

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

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

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

[0376] For the relevant content of "the first data is data transmitted by a multicast method", please refer to the understanding of the relevant content of "the first data transmitted by a multicast method" or "the first data is transmitted by a multicast method" in embodiment 1.1, and the details will not be described again here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0383] For the relevant content of the "first control information transmitted in a multicast manner", please refer to the explanation of the relevant content in embodiment 1.2, and the details will not be described again here.

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

[0385] For an understanding of the "first control information transmitted in a unicast manner" in 800, please refer to the contents in embodiment 1.1.

[0386] For understanding of “transmitting first data in a unicast manner” in step 800, please refer to the content of “transmitting second data in a unicast manner” in embodiment 1.1, and for understanding, “second data” is replaced with “first data”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0396] Optionally, starting or restarting the first timer may include: the communication device transmits first feedback information, where the first feedback information indicates that the communication device has successfully received or failed to receive the first data, or at a first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time, the first feedback time being a time domain location where a first feedback resource is located, and the first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and starting or restarting the first timer.

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

[0398] For example, the first feedback resource being associated with the first data may include / be understood as the first feedback resource being used by the communication device to transmit first feedback information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0405] Optionally, the communication device starting or restarting the second timer includes: when the communication device successfully receives the first data or fails to receive the first data, the communication device starts or restarts the second timer. Alternatively, optionally, the following conditions need to be met to start or restart the second timer: the communication device successfully receives / decodes the first data or fails to receive / decode the first data.

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

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

[0408] Optionally, starting or restarting the second timer may include: the communication device transmits first feedback information, where the first feedback information indicates that the communication device has successfully received or failed to receive the first data, or at a first feedback time, after the first feedback time, or before the first feedback time, where the first feedback time is a time domain location where a first feedback resource is located, and the first feedback resource is associated with the first data, and starts or restarts the second timer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0421] It can be seen that in a possible solution, the communication device receives the first information, and the communication device performs steps 800 and 801. Alternatively, in a possible solution, before performing step 801, the communication device needs to further satisfy the following conditions: The communication device receives the first information.

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

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

[0424] It should be noted that embodiment 2.1 is also applicable to a scenario in which multicast data is transmitted between communication devices or data is transmitted between communication devices in a multicast manner, i.e., when a communication device acting as a receiver determines that a first timer has expired, the communication device acting as a receiver starts or restarts a second timer, so that the active periods of communication devices acting as receivers in the same multicast are aligned.

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

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

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

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

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

[0430] For the contents related to the "first control information" and the "first data", please refer to the descriptions of the related contents in the embodiments 2.1, 1.1 and 1.2. The details will not be described again here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0439] The third timer indicates the duration that the communication device waits to receive control information (eg, DCI or SCI) after being woken up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0446] Optionally, the network device determining not to transmit new data further includes / the following conditions need to be met: the network device determines that a first timer on the other communication device side is not running.

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

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

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

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

[0451] For example, the active time of DRX associated with multicast may include any one or more of the following: a time during which a second timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast is running; and a time during which a third timer corresponding to DRX associated with multicast is running.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0459] It should be noted that embodiment 2.2 is also applicable to a scenario in which multicast data is transmitted between communication devices, or data is transmitted between communication devices in a multicast manner. For understanding, the network device in the above content is replaced with a first communication device, and the communication device is replaced with a second communication device. For example, when the communication device acting as a transmitting end determines that at least one first timer of the communication device acting as a receiving end in the multicast is running, and / or when the communication device acting as a receiving end in the multicast determines that at least one first timer of the communication device acting as a receiving end in the multicast is not running, the communication device acting as a transmitting end determines not to send new data, and the new data is multicast data.

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

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

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

[0463] Alternatively, when the communication device initiates CBRA, the communication device performs a down BWP switch. The network device does not recognize that the communication device switches from downlink BWP1 to downlink BWP2. Because downlink BWP2 does not include MBS common frequency resources, the communication device cannot receive MBS data (e.g., data transmitted in a PTM transmission manner).

[0464] Alternatively, when the communication device initiates CFRA, the communication device performs downlink BWP switching from downlink BWP1 to downlink BWP2. The network device may determine which communication device initiates random access, and the communication device may decide to switch to downlink BWP2. If the network device transmits data to the communication device in the PTP manner, the communication device may receive the data transmitted in the PTP manner on the downlink BWP2. If the network device transmits data to the communication device in the PTM manner but the downlink BWP2 does not include MBS common frequency resources, the communication device cannot receive the data transmitted in the PTM manner on the downlink BWP2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0471] The first resource may be / may be understood as / be used for / one or more of the following: resources used for control information (e.g., PDCCH, common PDCCH or group common PDCCH) and / or data (e.g., PDSCH, common PSCCH or group common PDSCH) transmitted in a multicast manner; common frequency resources or common frequency resources corresponding to multicast; and resources used for common PDCCH and common PDSCH, e.g. common frequency resources.

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

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

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

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

[0476] The first downlink BWP not including the first resource may be understood as any one or more of the following: the first downlink BWP does not include the first resource, the first downlink BWP cannot cover the first resource, the first resource is not completely within the frequency domain range of the first downlink BWP.

[0477] When the first downlink BWP does not include the first resource, the relationship between the first downlink BWP and the first resource may include a disjoint relationship and a disjoint relationship.

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

[0479] A boundary may be understood as a frequency range boundary, a frequency boundary or a frequency starting point.

[0480] (1) Intersecting relationship: There is an intersection between the first downlink BWP and the first resource.

[0481] The existence of an intersection between the first downlink BWP and the first resource may be understood as any one of the following:

[0482] (a) the third boundary is greater than the first boundary and less than the second boundary, and the fourth boundary is greater than the second boundary;

[0483] (b) the first boundary is greater than the third boundary and less than the fourth boundary, and the second boundary is greater than the fourth boundary;

[0484] (2) Disjoint relationship: there is no intersection between the first downlink BWP and the first resource.

[0485] The absence of intersection between the first downlink BWP and the first resource may be understood as any one of the following:

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

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

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

[0489] Not listening may include stopping listening.

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

[0491] The first resource is associated with a first multicast (service) or a first RNTI (eg, a particular G-RNTI).

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

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

[0494] Optionally, the application further includes: the communication device initiates a random access (eg, CBRA or CFRA), and the communication device switches / will switch to a first downlink BWP.

[0495] The first downlink BWP is a downlink BWP that corresponds to the first uplink BWP.

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

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

[0498] A PRACH resource may be understood as a PRACH opportunity.

[0499] The second uplink BWP not having a PRACH resource may be understood as no PRACH resource being configured for the second uplink BWP.

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

[0501] The first uplink BWP having a PRACH resource may be understood as the PRACH resource being configured for the first uplink BWP.

[0502] Optionally, controlling the first DRX to cause the communication device to be in a sleep period may include: the communication device stops a timer corresponding to the first DRX.

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

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

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

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

[0507] In some embodiments, when the communication device initiates CFRA, which results in the communication device switching to the first downlink BWP or when the communication device switches to the first BWP, the communication device may determine that the first downlink BWP does not include MBS common frequency resources. In this case, the communication device may control the first DRX to be a sleep period or may not listen to control information associated with multicast.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0516] Alternatively, the communication device may fail to send message 3. In order to more reliably determine that the network device identifies the communication device, the communication device may determine that the random access is successful, and then MSG3 is reliably received by the network device. In this case, the network device may determine the identity of the communication device and determine the downlink BWP currently activated by the communication device. When the network device transmits control information or data (e.g., MBS data transmitted in a PTP transmission manner) to the communication device, the network device may transmit the control information or data on the first downlink BWP, and the communication device may also receive the control information or data on the first downlink BWP. Therefore, the communication device may control the first DRX to be in an active period, or may listen to downlink control information associated with the multicast based on the first DRX.

[0517] The communication device determining that the random access is successful may include / may be understood as: the communication device receives a fourth message in the random access procedure, the fourth message may be understood as MSG4 above.

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

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

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

[0521] A boundary may be understood as a frequency range boundary, a frequency boundary or a frequency starting point.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0537] Therefore, an embodiment of this application provides a DRX control method. As shown in Figure 11, the method includes the following steps:

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

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

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

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

[0542] Not listening may include stopping listening.

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

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

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

[0546] This application further includes: The communication device initiates random access (eg, CBRA or CFRA), and the communication device switches / will switch to a second downlink BWP.

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

[0548] Optionally, controlling the first DRX to cause the communication device to be in a sleep period may include: the communication device stops a timer corresponding to the first DRX.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0556] It can be understood that to realize the above functions, the communication device includes corresponding hardware and / or software modules for performing each function. With reference to the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the algorithm steps may be realized in this application by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to realize the functions described for each specific application with reference to the embodiments, but the realization manner should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.

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

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

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

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

[0561] It should be noted that all the relevant contents of the steps in the above method embodiments may be cited in the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules, and the details will not be described again here.

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

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

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

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

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

[0567] The transceiver unit 1401 may be configured to support the network device 140 in performing steps 501, 121, etc. above, and / or to perform other processes of the techniques described herein.

[0568] The processing unit 1402 may be configured to support the network device 140 in performing steps 900, 901, etc. above, and / or to perform other processes of the techniques described herein.

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

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

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

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

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

[0574] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device, including one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more memories are configured to store computer program codes. The computer program codes include computer instructions. When the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the electronic device can perform the steps of the above related methods to realize the DRX control method in the above embodiment.

[0575] An embodiment of this application further provides a computer storage medium, which stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are run on an electronic device, the electronic device can execute the steps of the above related method to realize the DRX control method in the above embodiment.

[0576] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute steps of the above-mentioned related methods to realize the DRX control method performed by the electronic device in the above-mentioned embodiment.

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

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

[0579] The above description of the implementation manner allows those skilled in the art to understand that the above division into functional modules is taken as an example for explanation, for convenience and concise description. In practical application, the above functions can be allocated and realized into different modules based on requirements, in other words, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules to realize all or part of the above functions.

[0580] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be realized in other ways. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into modules or units is merely a logical division of functions, and may be divided in other ways in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into other devices, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. Furthermore, the shown or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be realized through some interfaces. Indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be realized in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

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

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

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

[0584] The above content is merely a specific implementation of this application, and the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any variation or replacement that is easily understood by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. 1. A discontinuous reception (DRX) control method, comprising: receiving first data on a second resource, the second resource being a configured resource corresponding to multicast, and the first data corresponding to a first Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process; stopping a fifth timer, the fifth timer being a retransmission timer corresponding to a DRX associated with unicast, the fifth timer corresponding to the first HARQ process, and the fifth timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data; The method includes:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: stopping a second timer, the second timer being a retransmission timer corresponding to a DRX associated with multicast, the second timer corresponding to the first HARQ process, and the second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data.

3. The DRX associated with the multicast includes a DRX corresponding to a second Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI); 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second RNTI is used for one or more of the following: multicast, scheduling of multicast dynamic resources, scheduling of retransmission resources of multicast dynamic resources, activation of multicast configured resources, reactivation of multicast configured resources, deactivation of multicast configured resources, and scheduling of retransmission resources of multicast configured resources. starting or restarting a third timer at a c-th symbol after a first feedback information is transmitted, the third timer being a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to a DRX associated with the multicast, the third timer corresponding to the first HARQ process; starting or restarting a sixth timer at the cth symbol after the first feedback information is transmitted, the sixth timer being a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to a DRX associated with the unicast, the sixth timer corresponding to the first HARQ process; Further comprising: The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the first feedback information indicates successful or unsuccessful reception of the first data, and c is an integer greater than 0.

5. when the third timer expires and the first data fails to be received or decoded, starting or restarting the second timer, the second timer being a retransmission timer corresponding to a DRX associated with the multicast, the second timer corresponding to the first HARQ process; when the sixth timer expires and the first data fails to be received or decoded, starting or restarting the fifth timer; The method of claim 4 further comprising:

6. starting the second timer at a bth symbol after the third timer expires; The method of claim 5 , wherein b is an integer greater than 0.

7. receiving third control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the third control information being for scheduling third data; and / or receiving third data, the third data being transmitted in the unicast manner; starting or restarting a sixth timer; Further comprising:

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third data corresponds to the first HARQ process, and the sixth timer is a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to DRX associated with the unicast, and the sixth timer corresponds to the first HARQ process.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of starting or restarting the fifth timer when the sixth timer expires and the third data fails to be received or decoded.

9. receiving third control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the third control information being for scheduling third data; and / or receiving third data, the third data being transmitted in the multicast manner; starting or restarting a third timer and starting or restarting a sixth timer. Further comprising:

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third data corresponds to the first HARQ process, the third timer is a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to DRX associated with the multicast, the third timer corresponds to the first HARQ process, and the sixth timer is a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to DRX associated with the unicast, and the sixth timer corresponds to the first HARQ process.

10. when the third timer expires and the third data fails to be received or decoded, starting or restarting a second timer, the second timer being a retransmission timer corresponding to a DRX associated with the multicast, the second timer corresponding to the first HARQ process, and the second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data; when the sixth timer expires and the third data fails to be received or decoded, starting or restarting the fifth timer; The method of claim 9 further comprising:

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the third control information is scrambled by using a second Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI).

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the third data is transmitted on configured resources corresponding to multicast.

13. 1. A discontinuous reception (DRX) control method, comprising: receiving first control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the first control information being for scheduling first data; stopping the fifth timer; Including, the first data corresponds to a first hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process, the fifth timer is a retransmission timer corresponding to DRX associated with unicast, the fifth timer corresponds to the first HARQ process, and the fifth timer indicates a duration for which a communication device receives retransmitted data.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of: stopping a second timer, the second timer being a retransmission timer corresponding to a DRX associated with multicast, the second timer corresponding to the first HARQ process, and the second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data.

15. The first control information is scrambled by using a second Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI); 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the second RNTI is used for one or more of the following: multicast, scheduling of multicast dynamic resources, scheduling of retransmission resources of multicast dynamic resources, activation of multicast configured resources, reactivation of multicast configured resources, deactivation of multicast configured resources, and scheduling of retransmission resources of multicast configured resources.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the DRX associated with the multicast is a DRX corresponding to the second RNTI.

17. receiving third control information transmitted in a unicast manner, the third control information being for scheduling third data; and / or receiving third data, the third data being transmitted in the unicast manner; starting or restarting a sixth timer; Further comprising:

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the third data corresponds to the first HARQ process, and the sixth timer is a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to DRX associated with the unicast, and the sixth timer corresponds to the first HARQ process.

18. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising starting or restarting the fifth timer when the sixth timer expires and the third data fails to be received or decoded.

19. receiving third control information transmitted in a multicast manner, the third control information being for scheduling third data; and / or receiving third data, the third data being transmitted in the multicast manner; starting or restarting a third timer and starting or restarting a sixth timer. Further comprising:

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the third data corresponds to the first HARQ process, the third timer is a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to DRX associated to multicast, the third timer corresponds to the first HARQ process, and the sixth timer is a HARQ RTT timer corresponding to DRX associated to the unicast, and the sixth timer corresponds to the first HARQ process.

20. when the third timer expires and the third data fails to be received or decoded, starting or restarting a second timer, the second timer being a retransmission timer corresponding to a DRX associated with the multicast, the second timer corresponding to the first HARQ process, and the second timer indicating a duration for which the communication device receives retransmitted data; when the sixth timer expires and the third data fails to be received or decoded, starting or restarting the fifth timer; 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

21. 21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the third control information is scrambled by using a second Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI).

22. 22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the third data is transmitted on configured resources corresponding to multicast.

23. A communication device including a processor, A communications device, wherein the processor is configured to execute programs or instructions stored in a memory to implement a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

24. A communication device including a processor, A communications device, wherein the processor is configured to execute programs or instructions stored in a memory to implement a method according to any one of claims 13 to 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium containing computer instructions, comprising: A computer readable storage medium, the computer instructions being executed on an electronic device, which enables the electronic device to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 22.

26. A computer program comprising instructions, A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.

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