User devices, network devices, and methods thereof

Abstract

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for communication. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal device receives a dormant transmission configuration associated with a plurality of cells serving the terminal device from a network device. The dormant transmission configuration includes timing information indicating at least one of a first period of an inactive mode of at least one cell in the plurality of cells and a second period of an active mode of the at least one cell. The terminal device receives a first indication from the network device indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in the at least one cell during an active mode. The second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in the at least one cell during an inactive mode is greater than the first period, or a transmission of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in the at least one cell during an inactive mode is disabled. The terminal device performs data communication with the network device through the plurality of cells based on the dormant transmission configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for controlling transmissions in a network device.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technologies, discontinuous transmission (DTX) and discontinuous reception (DRX) have been introduced for energy conservation of devices in a communication system. For example, in the DRX process of a terminal device, the terminal device can stop data reception during a DRX off period or perform data reception during a DRX on period. Also, in order to improve communication efficiency, a terminal device can receive services from a plurality of cells provided by a network device. With carrier aggregation (CA) technology, a terminal device can perform data communication on a bandwidth part (BWP) of a component carrier in a plurality of component carriers, and each component carrier is associated with a corresponding cell among the plurality of cells. However, existing DTX and DRX are mainly applied from the perspective of a terminal device, and energy conservation methods such as DTX and DRX for a network device have not been specifically studied, especially for the CA scenario. Also, when DTX and / or DRX are applied on the network device side, it is also an important aspect to coordinate the transmission / reception window of the terminal device and the reception / transmission window of the network device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Generally, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for controlling transmissions in a network device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] In a first embodiment, a method is provided which is implemented by a terminal device. In this method, the terminal device receives from a network device a quiescent transmission setting associated with a plurality of cells that provide services to the terminal device. The quiescent transmission setting includes timing information indicating at least one of a first period of inactive mode for at least one of the plurality of cells and a second period of active mode for the at least one cell. The terminal device receives from the network device a first instruction indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the active mode. The second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the inactive mode is greater than the first period, or the transmission of the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the inactive mode is disabled. Based on the quiescent transmission setting, the terminal device communicates data with the network device through the plurality of cells.

[0005] A second embodiment provides a method implemented by a network device, in which the network device transmits a quiescent transmission setting associated with a plurality of cells that provide services to the terminal device to the terminal device. The quiescent transmission setting includes timing information indicating a first period of inactive mode for at least one of the plurality of cells, and a second period of active mode for at least one of the cells. The network device transmits a first instruction to the terminal device indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the active mode. The second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the inactive mode is greater than the first period, or the transmission of the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the inactive mode is disabled. Based on the quiescent transmission setting, the network device communicates data with the terminal device through the plurality of cells.

[0006] In a third embodiment, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, wherein, when an instruction is executed by the processor, the terminal device causes the terminal device to perform the method of the first embodiment.

[0007] In a fourth embodiment, a network device is provided. The network device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, wherein, when an instruction is executed by the processor, the network device causes the network device to perform the method of the second embodiment.

[0008] In a fifth embodiment, a computer-readable medium for storing instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the at least one processor is caused to execute one of the methods of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0009] It should be understood that the summary of the invention does not identify any important or essential features of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, nor does it limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will be more easily understood through the detailed description below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] Several exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the figures.

[0011] [Figure 1] This disclosure provides examples of environments in which several embodiments can be implemented.

[0012] [Figure 2] This disclosure describes a signaling process for configuring a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 3] The following are examples of pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 4] The following are examples of pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 5] The following are examples of pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 6] The following are examples of pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 7] The following are examples of pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 8] The following are examples of pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 9] Shows the sleep transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 10] Shows the sleep transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 11] Shows the determination of the effective reception period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 12] Shows the determination of the effective reception period according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing an exemplary method implemented by a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] <Object [Figure 14] Shows a flowchart of a method implemented by a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 15] Shows a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] In the figures, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, the principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to some embodiments. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are intended to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing the invention, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in various ways other than the methods described below.

[0028] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this disclosure have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0029] In this specification, the term "terminal device" refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, ultra-high reliability low latency communication (URLLC) devices, IoE (Internet of Everything) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) equipment, vehicle-mounted equipment for V2X communication (where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure / network), IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul), Small Data Transmission (SDT), mobility, multicast broadcast services (MBS), positioning, dynamic / flexible duplex in commercial networks, devices for RedCap (reduced capability), spacecraft or aircraft in non-terrestrial networks (NTN) including HAP (High Altitude Platforms) and satellites, and XR (eXtended reality) including different types of reality such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and virtual reality (VR). Examples of "terminal devices" include, but are not limited to, Reality devices, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, which are aircraft that do not require a human pilot, devices on high-speed trains (HSTs), imaging devices such as digital cameras, sensors, gaming devices, music storage and playback devices, or internet devices that enable wireless / wired internet access and browsing. "Terminal devices" may also have multicast / broadcast capabilities and support public safety and mission-critical, V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast distribution, IPTV, smart TV, wireless services, wireless software distribution, group communications, and IoT applications. They may also incorporate one or more subscriber identification modules (SIMs), as is known as multi-SIM.The term "terminal equipment" can be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber equipment, mobile terminal, user terminal, or radio equipment.

[0030] The term "network device" refers to a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage from which terminal devices can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmit / receive points (TRP), remote radio units (RRU), radio heads (RH), remote radio heads (RRH), low-power nodes such as IAB nodes, femtonodes, and piconodes, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), and network-controlled repeaters.

[0031] Terminal devices or network devices may have artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning capabilities. Generally, this includes models that learn from a large amount of data collected for a specific function and can be used to predict certain information. Terminal devices or network devices may operate in multiple frequency ranges, such as FR1 (410MHz~7125MHz), FR2 (24.25GHz~71GHz), 71GHz~114GHz, higher frequency bands above 100GHz, and terahertz (THz). Furthermore, they can operate in licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. In multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) application scenarios, terminal devices may have multiple connections to network devices. Terminal devices or network devices can operate in full-duplex, flexible-duplex, and cross-division-duplex modes.

[0032] Network devices may have network energy saving and self-organizing network (SON) / drive test minimization (MDT) functions. Terminals may have power saving functions.

[0033] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented, for example, in test equipment such as signal generators, signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, test terminal devices, test network devices, and channel emulators.

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with any generation of communication protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced Network, or sixth-generation (6G) networks.

[0035] In one embodiment, the terminal device may be connected to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first and second network devices may be a master node and the other a secondary node. The first and second network devices may use different radio access technologies (RATs). In one embodiment, the first network device may be a first RAT device and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In one embodiment, the first RAT device is an eNB and the second RAT device is a gNB. Information related to different RATs is transmitted to the terminal device from at least one of the first and second network devices. In one embodiment, the first information is transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information may be transmitted from the second network device directly or via the first network device to the terminal device. In one embodiment, information regarding the configuration of the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information regarding the reconfiguration of the terminal device configured by the second network device may be transmitted to the terminal device directly from the second network device or via the first network device.

[0036] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural forms. The term “including” and its variations are read as an open term meaning “including, but not limited to.” The term “based on” is read as “based on, at least partially.” The terms “one embodiment” and “one embodiment” are read as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” is read as “at least one other embodiment.” Terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may refer to different or the same subject matter. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0037] In some examples, values, procedures, or devices are described using expressions such as "optimal," "lowest," "highest," "minimum," and "maximum." Such descriptions are possible from a selection of many functional options, and the chosen option is not necessarily superior, smaller, higher, or more desirable than the others.

[0038] As used in this disclosure, the term “circuit” may refer to a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware. As a further example, a circuit may be any part of a hardware processor with software including a digital signal processor, software, and memory, which work together to enable a device such as a terminal or network device to perform various functions. As a further example, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or a processor such as a microprocessor or a part thereof, where software / firmware is required for operation and absent when not required for operation. In this disclosure, the term “circuit” may also include simply a hardware circuit or processor, or a part of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software or firmware implementations.

[0039] As mentioned above, energy-saving methods such as DTX and DRX are mainly applied on the terminal device side. One solution for energy saving on the network device side is to deactivate, for example, a secondary cell (SCell) among the multiple cells provided by the network device. However, since the associated synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels (PBCHs) are transmitted normally in the deactivated cell, there are limits to the energy-saving efficiency of the network device. In addition, the activation procedure for this cell can cause considerable delays in the terminal device.

[0040] An exemplary embodiment of this disclosure proposes a mechanism for controlling transmissions in a network device. In this mechanism, the network device can configure a dormant transmission setting on a terminal device, which provides the terminal device with timing information related to the active and inactive modes of a cell. In inactive mode, transmission on the physical downlink channel is stopped, and the transmission period of the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in this cell increases compared to active mode. Alternatively, even the transmission of the channel reference signal or synchronization signal in this cell is disabled. When the transmission of the channel reference signal or synchronization signal is disabled, the terminal device receives the tracking reference signal and synchronization signal in another reference cell.

[0041] Specifically, the terminal device receives a hiatus transmission setting from the network device, associated with a plurality of cells that provide services to the terminal device. This hiatus transmission setting includes timing information indicating a first period of inactive mode for at least one cell in the plurality of cells, and / or a second period of active mode for this at least one cell. The terminal device receives a first instruction from the network device indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during active mode. The second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode is greater than the first period, or the transmission of a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode is disabled. The terminal device further communicates data with the network device via the plurality of cells based on the hiatus transmission setting.

[0042] In this way, the energy efficiency of network devices can be further improved (for example, cells can enter deep sleep / inactive mode / hibernation). Also, terminal devices can be anchored to a reference cell among multiple cells that can transmit tracking or synchronization signals in at least one cell, thus maintaining the continuity of terminal device traffic and radio resource control (RRC) connectivity.

[0043] Figure 1 shows an exemplary environment 100 in which several embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0044] Environment 100, which may exist as part of a communication network, includes a terminal device 110 and a network device 120. The terminal device 110 can receive services from multiple cells provided by the network device 120. Through CA technology, the terminal device 110 can communicate data with the network device 120 on the BWP of component carriers in multiple component carriers, each associated with corresponding cells in the multiple cells.

[0045] It should be understood that the number of terminal and network devices shown in environment 100 is illustrative and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments, environment 100 may include further network devices and further terminal devices for communicating information.

[0046] Communication in environment 100 may conform to any existing or future-developed appropriate communication standards or protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE (long term evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5th generation (5G) New Radio (NR), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) standards. Furthermore, appropriate communication technologies may be used, such as Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), Bluetooth, ZigBee, Machine Type Communication (MTC), eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband), mMTC (massive Machine Type Communication), Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), Carrier Aggregation (CA), Dual Connection (DC), and New Radio Unlicensed (NR-U) technology.

[0047] Figure 2 shows a signaling process 200 for configuring a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, the process 200 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0048] In the signaling process 200, the terminal device 110 receives a hiatus transmission setting from the network device 120, associated with a plurality of cells that provide services to the terminal device (210). The hiatus transmission setting includes timing information indicating at least one of a first period of inactive mode for at least one of the plurality of cells and a second period of active mode for this at least one cell.

[0049] In this disclosure, “cell inactive mode” and “cell TX off period” have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably. “Cell active mode” and “cell TX on period” have similar meanings and can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the end of inactive mode for at least one cell means the start of active mode for at least one cell, and the end of active mode also means the start of inactive mode.

[0050] In some embodiments, at least one cell includes one or more SCells. During inactive mode (or a first period), one or more SCells may not transmit physical downlink channels (e.g., Physical Downlink Control Channel: PDCCH, Physical Downlink Shared Channel: PDSCH, and Channel State Information Reference Signal: CSI-RS)) but may transmit channel reference signals (e.g., Tracking Reference Signal: TRS) and synchronization signals (e.g., Primary Synchronization Signal: PSS, Secondary Synchronization Signal: SSS, or Synchronization Signal / PBCH block, SSB) at a larger period than in active mode. In some embodiments, the TRS may include a set of CSI-RS resources used for frequency-domain and time-domain synchronization. In addition or alternatively, SCells may not transmit channel reference signals and synchronization signals during inactive mode. In some embodiments, at least one cell may include further cells within a group of cells, such as a primary cell (PCell) or a special cell (SpCell).

[0051] In some embodiments, the timing information includes the period of a first or second period, a start point, and a timer or length. For clarity of discussion, this pause transmission setting will be described with reference to Figure 3. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive this pause transmission setting via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] As shown in Figure 3, the x-axis represents the time domain and the y-axis represents the frequency domain. Also, for illustrative purposes only, CC1 is a component carrier associated with a cell other than at least one cell, and CC2 is a component carrier associated with this at least one cell. In one example, the timing information for the pause transmission setting may indicate the third period 310 of the active mode of at least one cell, the active mode timing offset 320, and the active mode timer. With this timing information, the terminal device 110 may determine the third period 310 of the second period and the start point / time / position of the second period. The terminal device 110 may further determine the length 330 of the first period based on the active mode timer. In this way, the terminal device 110 may determine each of the first periods of at least one cell. As described above, the end of the inactive mode of at least one cell also means the start of the active mode of at least one cell, and the end of the active mode also means the start of the inactive mode; therefore, the terminal device may appropriately determine the second period in each cycle.

[0054] In addition or alternatively, the timing information for the pause transmission setting may indicate a third period 310 of the inactive mode, a timing offset 340 of the inactive mode, and a timer of the inactive mode. Based on the timing information, the terminal device 110 may determine the third period 310 of the second period and the start point / time / position of the second period. The terminal device 110 may further determine the length of the second period based on the timer of the inactive mode. Similarly, the terminal device may further determine the first period in each period accordingly.

[0055] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the timing information may further indicate at least one of a third period of inactive mode for multiple cells other than at least one cell, and a fourth period of active mode for that cell. The first period and the third period do not overlap at least partially, or the second period and the fourth period do not overlap at least partially. For clarity of discussion, timing information further indicating the third and fourth periods will be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, CC3 is a component carrier associated with one cell in multiple cells, excluding at least one cell. In some embodiments, the first period and the third period do not overlap at least partially, or the second period and the fourth period do not overlap at least partially. Thus, the active mode of at least one cell and the active mode of the cells other than at least one cell are configured to be "staggered" in the time domain. In this way, even when quiescent transmission is applied to multiple cells, the terminal device can be serviced by at least one cell in the multiple cells. In some embodiments, the first period and the third period do not overlap, or the second period and the fourth period do not overlap.

[0058] In some embodiments, a plurality of cells may be divided into a first group of cells and a second group of cells. Timing information indicating a first period and a second period is set for the first group, and timing information indicating a third period and a second period is set for the second group. Then, the cells in the first group transmit based on the first and second periods, and the cells in the second group transmit based on the third and fourth periods.

[0059] Referring again to Figure 2, in addition to or instead of timing information indicating the period, the pause transmission setting may include at least one of an inactive indicator and an active indicator. The active and inactive indicators may indicate the start points of the associated first and second periods. For clarity of discussion, a pause transmission setting including at least one of an inactive and an active indicator will be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be configured to include a specific search space for active or inactive instructions. For example, the search space may include a set of resources and at least one opportunity to detect an active or inactive instruction. The terminal device 110 may accordingly detect active or inactive instructions within this search space. For example, an active or inactive instruction may include a field of Downlink Control Information (DCI) transmitted from the network device 120. In some embodiments, an active or inactive instruction may include a predefined sequence.

[0062] In some embodiments, an active instruction may indicate the start of a first period after a first gap. Alternatively, an active instruction may indicate the start of a second period after a second gap. If an inactive instruction 501 is detected in a particular search space, the terminal device 110 may assume that at least one cell transitions to inactive mode after a second gap 510 and that the inactive mode continues for a second period. On the other hand, if an active instruction 520 is detected in the search space, the terminal device 110 may assume that at least one cell transitions to active mode after a first gap 530 and that the active mode continues for a first period.

[0063] In some embodiments, the search space may be configured in a component carrier (CC1 shown in Figure 5) associated with a cell other than at least one cell. For example, the search space may be configured in a component carrier associated with a reference cell. The reference cell may include at least one of the serving cells indicated by a PCell, PSCell, or network device 120.

[0064] In addition or alternatively, the search space may be set on a component carrier (CC2) associated with at least one cell. For clarity of discussion, the search space set on a component carrier associated with at least one cell will be described with reference to Figure 6.

[0065] Figure 6 shows a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the search space is comprised of a component carrier (CC2) associated with at least one cell. If an inactive instruction 601 is detected in the search space, the terminal device 110 may assume that at least one cell transitions to inactive mode after the second gap 610 and that the inactive mode continues for a second period. On the other hand, if an active instruction 620 is detected in the search space, the terminal device 110 may assume that at least one cell transitions to active mode after the first gap 630 and that the active mode continues for a first period.

[0067] In some embodiments, timing information further indicating a third period may be used in combination with an active or inactive instruction. For example, if an inactive instruction is detected, the terminal device 110 may assume that at least one cell transitions to an inactive mode after the second gap 610, and that the inactive mode continues for a second period. Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may assume that, if there are no additional active or inactive instructions, subsequent inactive and active modes occur in the period indicated by the timing information.

[0068] Referring again to Figure 2, the terminal device 110 may be configured to have a specific hibernation state. When the terminal device 110 is set to a hibernation state, the terminal device 110 considers the active and inactive modes of at least one cell only in the hibernation state of the terminal device 110. For clarity of discussion, the hibernation state of the terminal device will be described with reference to Figure 7.

[0069] Figure 7 shows the pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, the terminal device 110 may have two states: a normal state 710 and a dormant state 720. In the normal state 710, the terminal device 110 may assume that the network device 120 is always transmitting a physical downlink channel, a tracking reference signal, or a synchronization signal, and the terminal device 110 may perform reception without considering any inactive mode of at least one cell. On the other hand, in the dormant state 720 The terminal device 110 may, in accordance with the received pause transmission setting, appropriately receive a physical downlink channel, a tracking reference signal, or a synchronization signal.

[0071] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may receive a dormancy indicator, which indicates the period of dormancy for the terminal device. The terminal device 110 may also receive a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in a second cycle in at least one cell during the inactive mode, and may not receive a physical downlink channel (230).

[0072] Referring again to Figure 2, the terminal device 110 receives a first instruction indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during active mode (220). A second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode is greater than the first period, or the transmission of a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode is disabled.

[0073] In Figure 2, the order in which steps 210 and 220 are explained is merely for the purpose of discussion; please understand that step 220 may be performed before step 210, or in parallel with step 220.

[0074] In some embodiments, the relationship between the second period and the first period is predetermined. For example, the second period may be predetermined as N times the first period, or the second period may be predetermined as the first period plus a fixed period. Thus, when the terminal device 110 receives a first instruction indicating the first period, it may determine a second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal during inactivity based on the above predetermined relationship.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second period may be dynamically indicated by the network device 120. For example, the terminal device 110 may receive a scaling parameter N from the network device 120 for receiving a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode. The terminal device 110 understands that the second period is N times the indicated first period. The terminal device 110 may then communicate with the network device 120 over multiple cells based on the hiatus transmission setting (230). For clarity of discussion, data communication based on the hiatus transmission setting will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

[0076] Figure 8 shows a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0077] As shown in Figure 8, block 810 represents a second period of the active mode of at least one cell. During the active mode of at least one cell, the terminal device 110 may receive the physical downlink channel and the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the first period in at least one cell. For example, the terminal device 110 may perform normal transmission and reception operations such as measurement, synchronization, channel state information (CSI) measurement, PDCCH monitoring, and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission.

[0078] During the inactive mode of at least one cell, the terminal device 110 may receive a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal (shaded block above block 820 shown in Figure 8) in at least one cell at a second period greater than the first period. The second period may be determined as described above. In some embodiments, the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal is also simplified during the inactive mode. For example, during the active mode, the PBCH is transmitted as part of the SSB, but during the inactive mode, the PBCH is not transmitted.

[0079] Furthermore, terminal device 110 does not need to receive physical downlink channels while in inactive mode. On the network device 120 side, network device 120 does not substantially transmit physical downlink channels 830 while in inactive mode. On the other hand, terminal device 110 may assume that network device 120 does not transmit physical downlink channels and does not need to receive them.

[0080] In addition or alternatively, the network device 120 does not have to transmit the physical downlink channel and the physical downlink channel and tracking reference signal during inactive mode.

[0081] Figure 9 shows the pause transmission settings according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] As shown in Figure 9, block 910 represents a second period of the active mode of at least one cell. During the active mode of at least one cell, the terminal device 110 may receive the physical downlink channel and tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in the at least one cell during the first period. For example, the terminal device 110 may perform normal transmission and reception operations such as measurement, synchronization, channel state information (CSI) measurement, PDCCH monitoring, and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission.

[0083] During the inactive mode of at least one cell, the terminal device 110 has a physical downlink channel and a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal (these are shown in Figure 9 (represented collectively as reference number 920 in the above context) is not received. On the network device 120 side, the network device 120 does not have to transmit the physical downlink channel and the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal while in inactive mode.

[0084] In this case, the terminal device 110 may receive a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal from at least one cell in another cell. In some embodiments, the other cell may include at least one of a predefined reference cell, PCell, PSCell, and a cell indicated by the network device 120.

[0085] In this way, at least one cell can transition to a "deep" inactive or sleep mode, thereby optimizing energy-saving efficiency. Additionally, the continuity of traffic for the terminal device 110 is maintained because the terminal device 110 can be anchored to another reference cell.

[0086] In some embodiments, a non-periodic tracking reference signal may be configured at the start of a second period to ensure time and frequency synchronization between at least one cell and the terminal device 110 in active mode. For clarity of discussion, this will be illustrated with reference to Figure 10.

[0087] Figure 10 shows a pause transmission setting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0088] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may indicate an offset value of an aperiodic tracking reference signal relative to the start time of the second period. In some embodiments, this offset value may be the number of OFDM symbols or slots. In some embodiments, the aperiodic tracking reference signal may be included in the second period. For example, the network device 120 may indicate a positive offset value with a length of 1021. In addition or alternatively, the aperiodic tracking reference signal may be placed before the second period. For example, the network device 120 may indicate a negative offset value with a length of 1022.

[0089] In the steps described above, the terminal device 110 may communicate data with the network device 120, taking into account the dormant transmission setting. Specifically, from the perspective of the terminal device 110, it is configured with a DTX setting (or dormant transmission setting) for the serving cell. During the DTX off period of the DTX setting, the terminal device 110 may determine that the serving cell is in a dormant state, for example, that the bandwidth part (BWP) associated with the serving cell is in a dormant state. In addition, during the DTX off period, a dormant BWP pre-configured by the network device 120 may be activated. The terminal device 110 does not need to perform measurement / synchronization / AGC on the dormant BWP and monitor PDCCH.

[0090] In some embodiments, during a DTX-on period, the active BWP is pre-configured by the network device 120 to be used at the start of the DTX-on period. In some embodiments, the active BWP is the most recent BWP used by the terminal device 110 during the previous DTX-on period. In another embodiment, the active BWP is the most recent BWP other than a dormant BWP.

[0091] In addition or alternatively, the terminal device 110 may be configured to have DCI-based dormant cell instructions. In this case, if the terminal device 110 receives a DCI that indicates a switch to or from inactive mode for a serving cell, the terminal device 110 should follow this instruction. If the terminal device 110 receives a DCI indicating inactive mode, the terminal device 110 should follow the above-described periodic cell active / inactive mechanism. For example, if the terminal device 110 receives a DCI (e.g., within a PCell) during a DTX off period that indicates a serving cell should enter a dormant state, the terminal device 110 should continue to consider the serving cell to be in inactive mode during the next DTX on period until it receives another DCI indicating to the terminal device 110 that the serving cell should enter active mode.

[0092] As described above, the terminal device 110 communicates data with the network device 120 via multiple cells based on the pause transmission setting.

[0093] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be pre-configured with a discontinuous reception setting. In this case, the terminal device 110 receives data only within a certain predefined reception period. In this case, the terminal device 110 should determine an effective reception period that harmonizes with the active mode of at least one cell (240) and perform data reception (250). Alternatively, the terminal device 110 may detect a wake-up signal in a search period that harmonizes with a second period (240) and decide whether or not to perform data reception based on the wake-up signal (250). For clarity of discussion, this will be illustrated with reference to Figures 11-12.

[0094] Figure 11 shows the determination of the effective reception period according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0095] As shown in Figure 11, block 1110 represents a second period of inactive mode for at least one cell, and blocks 1120, 1130, and 1140 represent reception periods in a discontinuous reception setting.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine the effective reception period for at least one cell based on the reception period of a discontinuous reception setting pre-configured in the terminal device 110 and a second period. The terminal device 110 then receives data from at least one cell during the effective reception period.

[0097] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may consider the reception period that is fully included in the second period as the valid reception period. For example, if the second period 1110 fully includes the reception period 1120, the terminal device 110 may determine the reception period 1120 as the valid reception period.

[0098] On the other hand, if the reception period is not entirely included in the second period, for example, in the case of reception periods 1130 and 1140, the terminal device does not need to determine these reception periods as valid reception periods.

[0099] After determining the valid reception period, the terminal device 110 starts up and receives data only during the determined valid reception period.

[0100] In addition or alternatively, the terminal device may determine the reception period in which the first part is included in the second period as the valid reception period.

[0101] Figure 12 shows the determination of the effective reception period according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0102] As shown in Figure 12, block 1210 represents a second period of inactive mode for at least one cell, and blocks 1220, 1230, and 1240 represent reception periods in a discontinuous reception setting.

[0103] In some embodiments, if the number of first symbols in the first part of the reception period included in the second period exceeds a first threshold, the terminal device 110 may determine that reception period as a valid reception period. In some embodiments, the first threshold may be one OFDM symbol or a specific number of OFDM symbols. Alternatively, the first threshold may be zero. In this case, if only the first symbol of the reception period is included in the second period, this reception period may also be determined as a valid reception period.

[0104] For example, terminal device 110 may determine blocks 1220 and 1230 as valid reception periods. Block 1240 does not have to be determined as a valid reception period because the first part of block 1240 is not included in the second period.

[0105] In addition or alternatively, the terminal device 110 may detect a wake-up signal during a preset search period, monitor the wake-up signal, and decide whether or not to receive data during the reception period associated with the wake-up signal. In some embodiments, the reception period associated with the wake-up signal may be a reception period following the wake-up signal. In some embodiments, the reception period associated with the wake-up signal may be indicated by the wake-up signal. In some embodiments, the reception period associated with the wake-up signal may be one or more reception periods following the wake-up signal.

[0106] In some embodiments, the wake-up signal includes two preset sequences, a first sequence and a second sequence. In one example, if the terminal device 110 detects the first sequence during a preset search period, the terminal device 110 may start up and receive data during the associated reception period. On the other hand, if the terminal device 110 detects the second sequence during a preset search period, the terminal device 110 does not need to start up to receive data during the associated reception period.

[0107] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may detect the wake-up signal only during the valid search period within a preset search period. In this case, the terminal device 110 may predetermine the valid search period for the wake-up signal based on a preset wake-up signal search period and a second period.

[0108] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine the valid search period in the same manner as the determination of the valid reception period described in Figures 11-12. For example, in some embodiments, if a preset search period is entirely contained within a second period, the preset search period is determined as the valid search period.

[0109] In addition or alternatively, if the number of second symbols in the first part of a preset search period included in the second period exceeds a second threshold, the terminal device 110 may determine the preset search period as the valid reception period.

[0110] Figure 13 shows a flowchart of a communication method 900 implemented in a fourth network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 1300 can be implemented in the terminal device 110 shown in Figure 1. Method 1300 will now be described with reference to Figure 1 for discussion purposes. Method 1300 may include additional operations not shown and / or some of the operations shown may be omitted, but it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0111] In block 1310, the terminal device 110 receives a hiatus transmission setting from the network device 120, which is associated with a plurality of cells that provide services to the terminal device. This hiatus transmission setting includes timing information indicating at least one of a first period in which at least one of the plurality of cells is in an inactive mode, and a second period in which this at least one cell is in an active mode.

[0112] In block 1320, terminal device 110 receives a first instruction from network device 120 indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during active mode. A second period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode is greater than the first period, or the transmission of a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode is disabled.

[0113] In block 1330, the terminal device 110 communicates data with the network device 120 via multiple cells based on the pause transmission setting.

[0114] In some embodiments, the timing information includes a third period of the inactive or active mode, a timing offset for the inactive or active mode, and a timer for the inactive or active mode.

[0115] In some embodiments, the pause transmission setting includes at least one inactive instruction and an active instruction, the inactive instruction indicating the start of a first period after a first gap, and the active instruction indicating the start of a second period after a second gap.

[0116] In some embodiments, receiving a pause transmission setting includes detecting at least one inactive and active instruction in a particular search space, the particular search space comprising a first component carrier associated with at least one cell, or a second component carrier associated with another cell in a plurality of cells.

[0117] In some embodiments, other cells in a plurality of cells are indicated to the terminal device by the network device, or these other cells are predefined reference cells in the plurality of cells.

[0118] In some embodiments, the timing information further indicates at least one of a third period of inactive mode for multiple cells other than at least one cell, and a fourth period of active mode for that cell. The first period and the third period do not overlap at least partially, or the second period and the fourth period do not overlap at least partially.

[0119] In some embodiments, this method further includes receiving a dormancy instruction from a terminal device indicating a dormancy period for the terminal device, and performing data communication with multiple cells based on a dormancy transmission setting during the dormancy period.

[0120] In some embodiments, data communication includes, during active mode, receiving a physical downlink channel and one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in at least one cell during a first period, and during inactive mode, receiving one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in at least one cell during a second period and not receiving a physical downlink channel.

[0121] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a scaling parameter N from a network device for receiving a tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode, and receiving the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode in a second period that is N times the first period.

[0122] In some embodiments, data communication includes, during active mode, receiving a physical downlink channel and one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in at least one cell in a first period, and, during inactive mode, not receiving a physical downlink channel and one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in at least one cell.

[0123] In some embodiments, data communication includes, during a first period, receiving one of the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal of at least one cell in another cell among a plurality of cells, other than at least one cell.

[0124] In some embodiments, the terminal device is pre-configured with a discontinuous reception setting, and data communication includes determining the effective reception period of at least one cell based on the reception period of the discontinuous reception setting and a second period, and performing data reception during the effective reception period.

[0125] In some embodiments, determining the effective reception period includes determining the reception period as the effective reception period, in accordance with the determination that the reception period is included in a second period.

[0126] In some embodiments, determining a valid reception period includes determining that a reception period is a valid reception period, based on the determination that the number of first symbols in the first part of a reception period included in a second period exceeds a first threshold.

[0127] In some embodiments, the terminal device is pre-configured with a discontinuous reception setting. Data communication also includes determining the effective search period for the wake-up signal based on a pre-configured search period for the wake-up signal and a second period; monitoring the wake-up signal during the effective search period; monitoring the wake-up signal during the effective search period; and, upon detection of the wake-up signal during the effective search period, determining, based on the wake-up signal, whether or not to perform data reception during the reception period associated with the wake-up signal, which is the reception period indicated by the discontinuous reception setting.

[0128] In some embodiments, determining the effective search period includes determining a predetermined search period as the effective search period, in accordance with the determination that the predetermined search period is included in a second period.

[0129] In some embodiments, determining the effective search period includes determining the preset search period as the effective search period, based on the determination that the number of second symbols in the first part of a preset search period included in the second period exceeds a second threshold.

[0130] Figure 14 shows a flowchart of a communication method 1400 implemented in a network device according to some embodiments of this disclosure. Method 1400 can be implemented in the network device 120 shown in Figure 1. For discussion purposes, Method 1400 will be described below with reference to Figure 1. Method 1400 may include additional operations not shown and / or omit some of the operations shown, but it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0131] In block 1410, the network device 120 transmits to the terminal device 110 a hiatus transmission setting associated with multiple cells that provide services to the terminal device 110.

[0132] block 1420 In this configuration, the network device 120 transmits a first instruction to the terminal device 110 during active mode, indicating a first period for transmitting a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in at least one cell.

[0133] block 1430 In this configuration, the network device 120 establishes data communication with the terminal device 110 via multiple cells based on the pause transmission setting.

[0134] In some embodiments, the timing information includes a third period of the inactive or active mode, a timing offset for the inactive or active mode, and a timer for the inactive or active mode.

[0135] In some embodiments, the pause transmission setting includes at least one inactive instruction and an active instruction, the inactive instruction indicating a first gap before the start of a first period, and the active instruction indicating a second gap before the start of a second period.

[0136] In some embodiments, transmitting a pause transmission setting includes transmitting at least one inactive instruction and an active instruction in a particular search space, the particular search space being comprised of a first component carrier associated with at least one cell, or a second component carrier associated with another cell in a plurality of cells.

[0137] In some embodiments, other cells in a plurality of cells are indicated to the terminal device by the network device, or these other cells are predefined reference cells in the plurality of cells.

[0138] In some embodiments, the timing information further indicates at least one of a third period of inactive mode for multiple cells other than at least one cell, and a fourth period of active mode for that cell. Furthermore, the first duration and the third duration do not overlap at least partially, or the second duration and the fourth duration do not overlap at least partially.

[0139] In some embodiments, this method further includes transmitting a terminal device dormancy indicator that indicates the duration of the terminal device's dormancy state.

[0140] In some embodiments, data communication is performed in active mode by, in at least one cell, a physical downlink channel and one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal. 1 To transmit at the following intervals, and in inactive mode, in at least one cell, Second period This includes transmitting tracking reference signals and synchronization signals, but not transmitting physical downlink channels.

[0141] In some embodiments, the method further transmits a scaling parameter N to a terminal device for receiving one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal during inactive mode, and during a first period, in at least one cell, 1 The further includes transmitting a tracking reference signal and a synchronization signal in a second period that is N times the period of the first period.

[0142] In some embodiments, data communication includes, during a second period, transmitting a physical downlink channel and one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in a first period in at least one cell, and not transmitting a physical downlink channel and one of a tracking reference signal or a synchronization signal in at least one cell during inactive mode.

[0143] In some embodiments, data communication includes, during a first period, transmitting one of the tracking reference signal or synchronization signal of at least one cell to another cell in a plurality of cells, other than at least one cell.

[0144] Figure 15 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1500 suitable for implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1500 can be considered as a further exemplary embodiment of the terminal device 110 shown in Figure 1, or the network device 120 shown in Figure 1. Thus, the device 1500 can be implemented as or as part of the above-mentioned network device or terminal device.

[0145] As shown in the figure, the device 1500 comprises a processor 1510, a memory 1520 coupled to the processor 1510, a suitable transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 1540 coupled to the processor 1510, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 1540. The memory 1520 stores at least a portion of the program 1530. The TX / RX 1540 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 1540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, although in practice the access node referred to herein may have multiple antennas. A communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements, such as the X2 interface for bidirectional communication between gNBs or eNBs, the S1 interface for communication between a Mobility Management Entity (MME) / Serving Gateway (S-GW) and a gNB or eNB, the Un interface for communication between a gNB or eNB and a relay node (RN), and the Uu interface for communication between a gNB or eNB and a terminal device.

[0146] Program 1530 is assumed to include program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 1510, cause the device 1500 to operate according to the embodiments described herein, as shown in Figures 1-14. Embodiments of the herein can be implemented by computer software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware executable by the processor 1510 of the device 1500. The processor 1510 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the herein. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 1510 and memory 1520 may form processing means 1550 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the herein.

[0147] Memory 1520 may be of any type suitable for the local technical network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology (e.g., computer-readable non-temporary storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and movable memory, etc.). Although only one memory 1520 is shown for device 1500, device 1500 may have multiple physically different memory modules. Processor 1510 may be of any type suitable for the local technical network and may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor configurations. Device 1500 may have multiple processors, for example, application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0148] In some embodiments, the terminal device includes a circuit configured to perform method 1300.

[0149] In some embodiments, the network device includes a circuit configured to perform method 1400.

[0150] The components included in the apparatus and / or devices of this disclosure may be implemented in various forms, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more units may be implemented using software and / or firmware, for example, machine-executable instructions stored on a storage medium. In addition to, or instead of, machine-executable instructions, some or all of the units of the apparatus and / or devices may be implemented at least partially by one or more hardware logic components. For example, exemplary types of usable hardware logic components include, but are not limited to, Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and the like.

[0151] Typically, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some embodiments may be implemented by hardware, while others may be implemented by firmware or software that can be implemented by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated and described in block diagrams, flowcharts, or any other pictorial representation, and it will be understood that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented by, for example, hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or any combination thereof, but are not limited thereto.

[0152] This disclosure further provides at least one computer program product stored in tangible form on a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions contained within a program module. These instructions are executed on a device on a target real or virtual processor, performing the processes or methods described above with reference to any of Figures 3-11. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules may be combined or divided among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of a program module may be executed on a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module may reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0153] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device, and when the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations defined in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams are implemented. The program code may run entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a standalone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0154] The program code described above may be implemented on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program used by an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, or a program used in conjunction with such a system or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0155] While the operations have been described in a specific order, it should not be understood that, in order to obtain the desired results, these operations must be performed in a specific order or sequence, or that all of the operations shown must be performed. In some situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, the above discussion includes details of several specific embodiments, which should be interpreted not as limitations on the scope of this disclosure, but as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Some features described in the context of individual embodiments may be implemented in combination in one embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of one embodiment may be implemented individually in multiple embodiments, or in any appropriate secondary combination.

[0156] While this disclosure has been described using terminology specific to structural features and / or methodological behavior, it should be understood that this disclosure, as defined by the attached claims, is not necessarily limited to the specific features or behaviors described above. Rather, the specific features and behaviors described above are disclosed as exemplary forms that implement the claims.

Claims

1. User device, Means for receiving settings from a network device relating to a cell serving the user device, which are for at least one of a first period of inactive mode and a second period of active mode of the cell, The system includes means for performing data communication with the network device via the cell based on the above settings, The above setting is, The period of the inactive mode or the active mode, The timing offset of the inactive mode or the active mode, Includes a timer for the inactive mode or the active mode. User device.

2. The aforementioned cell is the first cell, The above setting is for at least one of a third period of inactive mode for a second cell different from the first cell and a fourth period of active mode for the second cell. The user device according to claim 1.

3. The first period and the third period do not overlap at least partially, and the second period and the fourth period do not overlap at least partially. The user device according to claim 2.

4. When performing the aforementioned data communication, the system includes means for determining the effective reception period of the cell based on the second period and performing data reception during the effective reception period. The user device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. No signal is transmitted to the user device via the cell during the first period. The user device according to claim 1.

6. No signal is transmitted to the user device via the first cell during the first period. During the third period, no signal is transmitted to the user device via the second cell. The user device according to claim 2 or 3.

7. Means for receiving information indicating that the first period or the second period is active, The system includes means for activating the first period or the second period when the aforementioned information is received. The user device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. When the first period or the second period is activated, the device provides means for performing data communication with the network device via the cell based on the setting. The user device according to claim 7.

9. Means for transmitting to a user device a setting relating to a cell serving the user device, which is for at least one of a first period of inactive mode and a second period of active mode of the cell, Based on the above settings, means for performing data communication with the user device via the cell, Prepare, The above setting is, The period of the inactive mode or the active mode, The timing offset of the inactive mode or the active mode, Includes a timer for the inactive mode or the active mode. Network device.

10. The aforementioned cell is the first cell, The above setting is for at least one of a third period of inactive mode for a second cell different from the first cell and a fourth period of active mode for the second cell. The network device according to claim 9.

11. The first period and the third period do not overlap at least partially, and the second period and the fourth period do not overlap at least partially. The network device according to claim 10.

12. When performing the aforementioned data communication, the system includes means for performing data transmission during the validity period of the cell. The validity period of the cell is determined based on the second period. The network device according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. No signal is transmitted to the user device via the cell during the first period. The network device according to claim 9.

14. No signal is transmitted to the user device via the first cell during the first period. During the third period, no signal is transmitted to the user device via the second cell. The network device according to claim 10 or 11.

15. The system comprises means for transmitting information indicating that the first period or the second period is active. The network device according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

16. When information indicating that the first period or the second period is active is transmitted, the device provides means for performing data communication with the user device via the cell based on the setting. The network device according to claim 15.

17. A method for user devices, The network device receives a setting relating to the cell serving the user device, which is for at least one of a first period of inactive mode and a second period of active mode of the cell. Based on the above settings, data communication is performed with the network device via the cell. The above setting is, The period of the inactive mode or the active mode, The timing offset of the inactive mode or the active mode, Includes a timer for the inactive mode or the active mode. User device method.

18. The user device is sent a setting relating to the cell serving the user device, which is for at least one of a first period of inactive mode and a second period of active mode of the cell. Based on the above settings, data communication is performed with the user device via the cell. The above setting is, The period of the inactive mode or the active mode, The timing offset of the inactive mode or the active mode, Includes a timer for the inactive mode or the active mode. Methods for network devices.

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