Communication method, terminal, network device, communication system, and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The method is executed by a terminal, and comprises: determining that the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of a first cell; and executing a first operation or a second operation, wherein the first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device, the second operation is an operation of sending first information to a second network device, a cell of the first network device is the first cell, a cell of the second network device is a second cell, the first cell is a cell in a sleeping state, the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell, the first signal is used for waking up the first cell, and the first information is used for triggering the second network device to send to the first network device the signal for waking up the first cell. In the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication mechanism can be applied to wireless communication of a sleeping cell.

Description

Communication method, terminal, network device, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In the field of communications technology, network energy-saving mechanisms have been introduced to reduce network energy consumption. When a network implements this mechanism, it may not send or receive signals for a specific period of time. Related technologies include energy-saving cells. With the introduction of energy-saving cells, the corresponding wireless communication mechanisms need to be considered.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] After the introduction of energy-saving cells, the communication mechanism needs to be adjusted.

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, terminal, network device, communication system, and storage medium. The embodiments of the present disclosure at least solve the technical problem of how to wake up a first cell after it is in a dormant state. After determining that the terminal is close to or within the signal coverage range of the first cell, the first cell can be woken up by performing a first operation or a second operation. This can adapt to scenarios where the first cell supports the first signal or does not support the first signal, providing a reliable wake-up mechanism for waking up the first cell, and the wake-up method is flexible and highly adaptable.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a terminal and includes:

[0007] Determining that the terminal is close to or within a signal coverage range of a first cell;

[0008] Execute the first operation or the second operation;

[0009] The first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first message to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is a first cell; the cell of the second network device is a second cell;

[0010] The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell.

[0011] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a second cell and includes:

[0012] receiving first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device;

[0013] A second signal is sent to the first network device, where the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

[0014] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a first cell and includes:

[0015] receiving a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device;

[0016] The first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a communication system, and the method includes:

[0018] The terminal determines that the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of a first cell, where the first cell is a cell of a first network device;

[0019] The terminal sends a first signal to the first network device or sends first information to the second network device, where the cell of the second network device is a second cell;

[0020] The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0022] a processing module, configured to determine that the terminal is close to or is within a signal coverage range of a first cell;

[0023] Perform a first operation or a second operation; wherein the first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first message to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is the first cell; the cell of the second network device is the second cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

[0024] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network device is provided, wherein the first network device includes:

[0025] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device; a second signal is sent to the first network device, and the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

[0026] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, wherein the second network device includes:

[0027] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device; wherein the first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

[0028] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, which includes a terminal, a first network device and a second network device, the terminal is configured to implement the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second network device is configured to implement the communication method provided by the second aspect, and the first network device is configured to implement the communication method provided by the third aspect.

[0029] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0030] one or more processors;

[0031] The terminal is used to execute the communication method described in the first aspect.

[0032] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, the first network device including:

[0033] one or more processors;

[0034] Wherein, the first network device is used to execute the communication method described in the third aspect.

[0035] According to a twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network device is provided, the second network device including:

[0036] one or more processors;

[0037] The second network device is used to execute the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0038] According to the thirteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

[0039] The communication mechanism of the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can be adapted to the introduced energy-saving cells.

[0040] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0043] FIG2a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0044] FIG2b is a schematic diagram of a cell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0045] FIG2c is a schematic diagram of a cell according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0046] FIG3a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0047] FIG3 b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0048] FIG4a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0049] FIG4b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0050] FIG5a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] FIG5 b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0052] FIG6a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0053] FIG7a is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0054] FIG7b is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0055] FIG7c is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0056] FIG8a is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0057] Fig. 8b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and apparatus, network equipment, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0059] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a terminal and includes:

[0060] Determining that the terminal is close to or within a signal coverage range of a first cell;

[0061] Execute the first operation or the second operation;

[0062] The first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first message to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is a first cell; the cell of the second network device is a second cell;

[0063] The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell.

[0064] In the above embodiment, after determining that the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage range of the first cell, a first signal can be sent to the first network device to wake up the first cell, and a first message can be sent to the second network device to wake up the first cell through the second network device, providing different ways to wake up the first cell.

[0065] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing the first operation includes:

[0066] The first operation or the second operation is performed based on first requirement information.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the first operation or the second operation may be performed based on the needs of the terminal.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first operation is: determining that the first cell supports the first signal, and sending the first signal to the first network device; the second operation is: determining that the first cell does not support the first signal, and sending the first information to the second network device.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the first signal can be sent to the first cell or the first information can be sent to the second cell based on whether the first cell supports the first signal. This can adapt to the scenario where the first cell supports the first signal or does not support the first signal.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0071] receiving first configuration information sent by the second network device;

[0072] The first configuration information is at least used to determine the signal coverage range and / or to wake up the first cell.

[0073] In the above embodiment, after the terminal receives the first configuration information, it can determine the signal coverage range and / or wake up the first cell based on the first configuration information.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0075] an identifier of the first cell;

[0076] a transmission mode of the beam of the first cell;

[0077] the frequency of the first cell;

[0078] a slice list supported by the first cell;

[0079] public configuration information of the first cell;

[0080] Preamble resources and / or random access channel opportunity (RO, RACH Occasion) resources reserved for the terminal to send the first information to the second network device;

[0081] Configuration information of the uplink UL wake-up signal WUS;

[0082] Configuration information of a synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or a system information block (SIB) of the first cell;

[0083] a downlink (DL) timing offset between the first cell and the second cell;

[0084] a DL signal set indicating a signal coverage range of the first cell;

[0085] configuration information of a discovery reference signal (DRS) of the first cell;

[0086] Condition configuration information for determining whether the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell;

[0087] Determine, based on DRS measurement, indication information that the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell.

[0088] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, receiving the first configuration information sent by the second network device includes:

[0089] The first configuration information sent by the second network device is received through a system information block SIB.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the terminal can receive the first configuration information through the existing SIB, which can improve the utilization rate of signaling resources.

[0091] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0092] Determine whether the first cell supports DRS, and determine whether to start detection and / or measurement of the DRS based on the indication information of the DL signal set.

[0093] In the above embodiment, when the first cell supports DRS, the detection and / or measurement of DRS can be initiated based on the indication information of the DL signal set. Compared with the method of arbitrarily initiating the detection and measurement of DRS, the situation where the terminal performs detection and / or measurement before approaching the first cell can be reduced, thereby reducing resource consumption.

[0094] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0095] Based on the first configuration information, it is determined whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the terminal may determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell based on the indication of the first configuration information.

[0097] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell based on the first configuration information includes one of the following:

[0098] Determining that the first cell does not support DRS, and determining, based on the indication information of the DL signal set in the first configuration information, whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell;

[0099] Determine whether the first cell supports DRS, and determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell based on the configuration information of the DRS and the measurement result of the DRS in the first configuration information.

[0100] In the above embodiment, regardless of whether the first cell supports DRS, the terminal can determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell in the above manner, thereby ensuring the reliability of the wireless communication mechanism.

[0101] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first signal to the first network device includes:

[0102] Sending the first signal to the first network device based on a first time interval;

[0103] The first time interval includes at least one of the following:

[0104] Periodic time intervals;

[0105] a one-time interval;

[0106] Time-triggered intervals;

[0107] The time interval at which the terminal requests to obtain data.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the first signal may be sent to the first network device based on different time intervals, and the sending method is more flexible.

[0109] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending the first information to the second network device includes one of the following:

[0110] The terminal in the RRC unconnected state sends a reserved preamble code to the second network device during a random access process;

[0111] The terminal in the RRC non-connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device during a random access process;

[0112] The terminal in the RRC connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the first information may be sent to the second network device in different ways, and the sending method is more flexible.

[0114] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one of the following:

[0115] In response to receiving the random access response message carrying the preamble, determining that the second network device has received the first information;

[0116] In response to random access conflict resolution, determining that the second network device receives the first information;

[0117] In response to receiving the second information sent by the second network device, it is determined that the second network device has received the first information.

[0118] In the above embodiment, whether the second network device has received the first information may be determined in different ways, and the determination method is more flexible.

[0119] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0120] receiving third information sent by the first network device;

[0121] The third information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

[0122] In the above embodiment, after receiving the third information, the terminal can determine the change status of the first configuration information based on the third information.

[0123] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first signal is UL WUS.

[0124] In the above embodiment, in the second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a second network device, and the method includes: receiving first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device; sending a second signal to the first network device, and the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

[0125] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information sent by the receiving terminal includes one of the following:

[0126] During a random access process, receiving a reserved preamble sent by the terminal;

[0127] During a random access process, receiving an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information about the first cell;

[0128] Receive an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information about the first cell.

[0129] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one of the following:

[0130] Upon receiving the first information, sending a random access response message carrying the preamble to the terminal;

[0131] After receiving the first information, second information is sent to the terminal.

[0132] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0133] Receive fourth information sent by the first network device; wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

[0134] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0135] Delete the first configuration information stored locally.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first signal is a UL WUS.

[0137] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first network device and includes:

[0138] receiving a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device;

[0139] The first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

[0140] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0141] It is determined that the first cell is awakened, and fourth information is sent to the second network device and / or third information is sent to the terminal.

[0142] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first signal is UL WUS.

[0143] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a communication system and includes:

[0144] The terminal determines that the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of a first cell, where the first cell is a cell of a first network device;

[0145] The terminal sends a first signal to the first network device or sends first information to the second network device, where the cell of the second network device is a second cell;

[0146] The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell.

[0147] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, the terminal including:

[0148] a processing module, configured to determine that the terminal is close to or is within a signal coverage range of a first cell;

[0149] Execute the first operation or the second operation;

[0150] The first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first message to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is the first cell; the cell of the second network device is the second cell;

[0151] The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell.

[0152] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network device, wherein the first network device includes:

[0153] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device; a second signal is sent to the first network device, and the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

[0154] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network device, wherein the second network device includes:

[0155] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device; wherein the first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

[0156] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information indication system, wherein the communication system includes a terminal, a first network device, and a second network device, the terminal is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second network device is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, and the first network device is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0157] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, the terminal including:

[0158] one or more processors;

[0159] The terminal is used to execute the communication method provided by the first aspect.

[0160] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network device, the second network device including:

[0161] one or more processors;

[0162] The second network device is used to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect.

[0163] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network device, the first network device including:

[0164] one or more processors;

[0165] Among them, the first network device is used to execute the communication method provided by the third aspect.

[0166] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect.

[0167] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0168] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0169] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second, and third aspects above.

[0170] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0171] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information processing method, information transmission method, etc. are interchangeable, and the terms communication system, information processing system, etc. are interchangeable.

[0172] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0173] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0174] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0175] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0176] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0177] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0178] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0179] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0180] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0181] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0182] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0183] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0184] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0185] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0186] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0187] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

[0188] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0189] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0190] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0191] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 , a first network device 102 , and a second network device 103 .

[0193] In some embodiments, the terminal is in a cell of a second network device. Exemplarily, a network connection is established between the terminal and the second network device.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first network device and the second network device are adjacent network devices. Exemplarily, a cell of the first network device overlaps with a cell of the second network device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the network device may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0197] In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0198] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0199] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0200] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0201] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0202] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1a are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or a portion of the entities shown in FIG1a, or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1a. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0203] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0204] With people's pursuit of speed, latency, high-speed mobility, energy efficiency and the diversity and complexity of services in future life, the International Standards Organization has begun to develop the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G, 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology).

[0205] The main application scenarios for 5G are: enhanced mobile ultra-broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). eMBB continues to focus on enabling users to access multimedia content, services, and data, and demand for it is growing rapidly. Furthermore, since eMBB can be deployed in diverse scenarios, such as indoors, in urban areas, and in rural areas, its capabilities and requirements vary significantly, making a generalized approach difficult and requiring detailed analysis based on specific deployment scenarios. Typical applications of URLLC include industrial automation, power automation, remote medical operations (surgery), and traffic safety. mMTC's key features include high connection density, low data volumes, latency-insensitive services, low module costs, and long module lifespans.

[0206] 5G base stations consume four times more energy than Long Term Evolution (LTE) base stations, so network energy conservation is an important means for operators to reduce the cost of operating 5G systems.

[0207] In some embodiments, a wake-up signal (WUS) is introduced to save energy for terminals in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state (RRC_CONNECTED). A duration for sending the WUS signal is defined by an offset before the activation phase (on duration) of the UE C-DRX. During the WUS duration, the WUS signal, i.e., DCI 2-6, is sent and scrambled by the Power Saving Radio Network Temporary Indentifier (PS-RNTI) to indicate whether the terminal wakes up to monitor the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) or wakes up during the next UE C-DRX onduration.

[0208] In some embodiments, a paging WUS is introduced to save energy for terminals in RRC idle or inactive states. This WUS, also known as a paging early indication (PEI), is sent sometime before a paging occasion (PO) to indicate whether the terminal is monitoring paging scheduling information at that PO. PEI is downlink control information (DCI) 2-7, scrambled using the PEI-RNTI.

[0209] In some embodiments, in order to reduce network energy consumption, a network energy saving project is initiated. When the network enters energy-saving mode, namely Network Energy Saving (NES) mode, the cell periodically stops sending and / or receives at certain intervals, namely, the cell discontinuous receiving or transmitting (DTX / DRX). In related technologies, the following can be sent and received: Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB), paging message (paging) and Random Access Channel (RACH). The four currently supported NES functions are as follows, and are separately specified in the standard: SSB-less Scell; cell DTX / DRX; Antenna port adaptation; PDSCH transmission power adaptation.

[0210] In some embodiments, a concept of a sleeping cell is proposed. The sleeping cell can be woken up by the UE as needed to provide services to the terminal.

[0211] In some embodiments, cells are always in an on state after network planning, actual network deployment, and network-side testing and verification. This fails to enable cells on demand, wasting resources and network operation power.

[0212] In some embodiments, triggering the activation of a sleeping cell on demand based on the UE sending an uplink (UL) WUS can maximize network energy savings while also increasing the flexibility of network deployment and operations. However, how the UE detects that it is approaching a sleeping cell or is already within the coverage of a sleeping cell and then sends an UL WUS to wake up the cell remains uncertain.

[0213] FIG2a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0214] Step S2101: The second network device sends first configuration information to the terminal.

[0215] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first configuration information sent by the second network device.

[0216] In some embodiments, the second cell may be a cell of a second network device.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first cell may be a cell of a first network device.

[0219] In some embodiments, the second cell may be a neighboring cell of the first cell. For example, the first cell and the second cell have overlapping signal coverage or adjacent signal coverage.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first cell may be a sleeping cell.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is at least used by the terminal to determine the signal coverage range and / or to wake up the first cell.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second network device broadcasts the first configuration information to the terminal.

[0223] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first configuration information sent by the second cell via a system information block (SIB), wherein the first configuration information is carried in the SIB. Exemplarily, the SIB may be SIB1 of the second cell or a newly defined SIB.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes an identifier of the first cell.

[0225] Illustratively, the identifier includes at least one of the following:

[0226] Physical Cell Identifier (PCI);

[0227] cell identity;

[0228] RAN-Based Notification Area (RNAC);

[0229] Tracking Area Code (TAC).

[0230] In some embodiments, the beam of the first cell is sent in a manner.

[0231] Exemplarily, the sending mode may be indicated by at least one of the following information:

[0232] Sending cycle;

[0233] The number of beams (e.g., the maximum number of beams);

[0234] The direction of the beam.

[0235] In some embodiments, the beam transmission method can be used for transmitting SSB and / or SIB1, and can also be used for transmitting a discovery reference signal (DRS) (if DRS exists).

[0236] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes a frequency of the first cell.

[0237] Exemplarily, the frequency point may be a frequency point of a frequency layer, for example, a frequency point of SSB and / or a frequency point of UL WUS.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes a list of slices supported by the first cell.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes public configuration information of the first cell.

[0240] Exemplarily, the common configuration information may be RACH-related configuration information.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes preamble resources and / or random access channel opportunity (RO) resources reserved for the terminal to send the first information to the second cell.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes configuration information of an uplink UL wake-up signal WUS.

[0243] Exemplarily, the configuration information of the UL WUS includes at least one of the following:

[0244] Preamble index or sequence reserved for UL WUS;

[0245] Configuration information of RO resources.

[0246] In some embodiments, the RO resource is used to send a WUS, illustratively, for calculating a parameter for sending an initial power of a UL WUS or directly the initial power of sending a UL WUS.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes configuration information of a synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or a system information block (SIB) of the first cell. Exemplarily, the first configuration information may include all or part of the configuration information of the SSB and / or SIB1 of the first cell.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes a downlink (DL) timing offset between the first cell and the second cell. The DL timing offset is used for communication synchronization.

[0249] In some embodiments, a DL signal set indicates a signal coverage range of the first cell.

[0250] Exemplarily, the DL signal set may include one of the following:

[0251] Channel-State Information reference Signal (CSI-RS) set;

[0252] SSB collection;

[0253] Contains a set of CSI-RS and SSB.

[0254] In some embodiments, the DL signal set is used by a terminal to determine whether the terminal is close to or already within the signal coverage of a first cell. Exemplarily, this determination can be based on the radio transmission quality value of a reference signal in the DL signal set. If the radio transmission quality value is greater than a certain threshold, it can be determined that the terminal is close to or already within the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0255] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is configuration information of a discovery reference signal DRS of the first cell.

[0256] Exemplarily, the configuration information of the DRS may include at least one of the following:

[0257] The cycle of DRS;

[0258] Frequency domain resources;

[0259] Sequence generation related configuration;

[0260] A threshold configuration based on whether the DRS measurement is close to the first cell; for example, if the DRS measurement value is greater than the threshold, it is determined to be close to the first cell;

[0261] Measurement quantity configuration.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes conditional configuration information for determining whether the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell.

[0263] Exemplarily, the conditional configuration information may include a threshold value, which is used to determine whether the measured value of the target reference signal is greater than or less than the threshold value. The threshold value may be configured on a per-beam basis (i.e., one threshold value per beam) or on a per-beam group basis (i.e., one threshold value per beam).

[0264] Exemplarily, the beam may be a CSI-RS or SSB beam.

[0265] For example, the measurement quantity for the target reference signal may be Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), or Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR). Here, the measurement quantity may be network-configured.

[0266] Exemplarily, this threshold value can also be configured based on each CSI-RS (per CSI-RS, one threshold value corresponds to one CSI-RS), each CSI-RS group (CSI-RS group, multiple CSI-RSs in the group correspond to one threshold value), each SSB index (per SSB index, one SSB corresponds to one threshold value) or each SSB index group (SSB index group, multiple SSBs in the group correspond to one threshold value).

[0267] Exemplarily, the threshold value may also be configured based on the CSI-RS and SSB index group. That is, the CSI-RS and SSB index may jointly correspond to one threshold value.

[0268] In some embodiments, the evaluated measurement value may be determined on a per-beam basis, for example, on a per-CSI-RS or per-SSB basis.

[0269] In some embodiments, the evaluated measurement value may also be determined based on a linear average of at least one beam, for example, based on a linear average of measurement values ​​of a group of CSI-RSs or a group of SSBs.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes indication information determining, based on DRS measurement, that the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell.

[0271] Exemplarily, if there is a DRS in the first cell, it can be determined based on DRS measurement whether the cell is close to the first cell or is already within the coverage of the first cell.

[0272] In some embodiments, in response to the first cell supporting DRS, whether to start detection and / or measurement of the DRS is determined based on indication information of the DL signal set.

[0273] In combination with the foregoing embodiments, in some embodiments, referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG2b , the embodiment includes:

[0274] Step b1: The first network device and the second network device perform network energy saving (NES) status interaction;

[0275] Step b2: The second network device sends the cell configuration of the sleeping cell to the terminal;

[0276] Step b3: The terminal sends an uplink wake-up signal to the first network device;

[0277] Step b4: The first network device sends SSB, SIB1 or other SIBs to the terminal.

[0278] In combination with the foregoing embodiments, in some embodiments, referring to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG2c , the embodiment includes:

[0279] Step c0: The first network device and the second network device perform network energy saving (NES) state interaction;

[0280] Step c1: The second network device sends the cell configuration of the sleeping cell to the terminal;

[0281] Step c2: The first network device sends a downlink DRS to the terminal;

[0282] Step c3: The terminal sends an uplink wake-up signal to the first network device;

[0283] Step c4: The first network device sends SSB, SIB1 or other SIBs to the terminal.

[0284] Please refer to FIG. 2 b and FIG. 2 c . This step S2010 may correspond to step b2 in FIG. 2 b and step c1 in FIG. 2 c .

[0285] Step S2102: The terminal determines that the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0286] In some embodiments, based on the first configuration information, it is determined whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0287] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first cell does not support DRS, and based on the indication information of the DL signal set in the first configuration information, it is determined whether the terminal is close to or within the signal coverage of the first cell. Exemplarily, if the wireless transmission quality of the corresponding signal is determined to be within a predetermined range based on the signal in the DL signal set, it is determined that the terminal is within the signal coverage of the first cell; otherwise, the terminal is not within the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0288] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first cell supports DRS, and based on the configuration information of the DRS in the first configuration information and the measurement result of the DRS, it is determined whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage range of the first cell. Exemplarily, if the measured wireless transmission quality of the DRS is within a predetermined range, it is determined that the terminal is in the signal coverage range of the first cell; otherwise, the terminal is not in the signal coverage range of the first cell.

[0289] Step S2103: The terminal sends a first signal to the first network device or sends first information to the second network device.

[0290] In some embodiments, it is determined that the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell, and the first operation or the second operation is performed.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first operation is sending a first signal to the first network device. Please refer to Figures 2b and 2c, which may correspond to step b3 in Figure 2b and step c3 in Figure 2c.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first signal is a UL WUS.

[0293] In some embodiments, the second operation is sending the first information to the second network device.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first signal is used to wake up the first cell.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

[0296] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, the second network device sends a second signal to the first network device to wake up the first cell.

[0297] In some embodiments, the terminal performs the first operation or the second operation based on the first requirement information.

[0298] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first cell supports a first signal, and the terminal sends the first signal to the first network device.

[0299] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first cell does not support the first signal, and the terminal sends the first information to the second network device.

[0300] In some embodiments, based on a first time interval, sending the first signal to the first network device;

[0301] The first time interval (Gap) includes at least one of the following:

[0302] Periodic time intervals;

[0303] One shot time interval;

[0304] Time-triggered intervals;

[0305] The time interval at which the terminal requests to obtain data.

[0306] In some embodiments, the terminal in the RRC non-connected state sends a reserved preamble code to the second network device during a random access process.

[0307] In some embodiments, the terminal in the RRC non-connected state sends an RRC message carrying information about the first cell to the second network device during a random access process. The RRC message may be an RRCSystemInfoRequest or a newly defined RRC message.

[0308] In some embodiments, the terminal in the RRC connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device.

[0309] In some embodiments, it is determined that a random access response message carrying the preamble (eg, preamble ID) is received, and it is determined that the second network device has received the first information.

[0310] In some embodiments, determining that the random access conflict is resolved determines that the second network device receives the first information.

[0311] In some embodiments, it is determined that the second information sent by the second network device is received, and it is determined that the second network device receives the first information.

[0312] In some embodiments, after the first cell is awakened, it can send SSB, SIB1 and / or paging normally, and can also receive random access normally.

[0313] In some embodiments, the terminal receives third information sent by the first network device; wherein the third information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

[0314] In some embodiments, a second network device receives first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; a second signal is sent to the first cell, and the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

[0315] In some embodiments, during the random access process, the second network device receives a reserved preamble code sent by the terminal.

[0316] In some embodiments, during the random access process, the second network device receives an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information about the first cell.

[0317] In some embodiments, after determining that the first information is received, the second network device sends a random access response message carrying the preamble code to the terminal.

[0318] In some embodiments, upon determining that the first information is received, the second network device sends second information to the terminal.

[0319] In some embodiments, the second network device receives fourth information sent by the first network device; wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

[0320] In some embodiments, upon determining that the fourth information is received, the second network device deletes the first configuration information stored locally.

[0321] In some embodiments, a first network device receives a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device; wherein the first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell.

[0322] In some embodiments, it is determined that the first cell is awakened, and fourth information is sent to the second network device and / or third information is sent to the terminal.

[0323] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

[0324] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

[0325] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2103. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101 combined with step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2102 combined with step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0326] FIG3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0327] Step S3101: Obtain first configuration information.

[0328] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0329] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first configuration information sent by the second network device, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the first signal sent by other entities.

[0330] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains first configuration information specified by a protocol.

[0331] In some embodiments, the terminal performs processing to obtain the first configuration information.

[0332] Step S3102: Determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0333] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0334] Step S3103: Send a first signal to the first network device or send first information to the second network device.

[0335] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0336] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3103. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 combined with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3102 combined with step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0337] FIG3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3b, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by terminal 101 and includes:

[0338] Step S3201: Determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell;

[0339] Step S3202: Execute the first operation or the second operation;

[0340] In one embodiment, the first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first information to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is a first cell; the cell of the second network device is a second cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell.

[0341] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0342] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0343] In some embodiments, performing the first operation or the second operation includes:

[0344] The first operation or the second operation is performed based on the first requirement information.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first operation is:

[0346] determining that the first cell supports a first signal, and sending the first signal to the first network device;

[0347] The second operation is: determining that the first cell does not support the first signal, and sending the first information to the second network device.

[0348] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0349] receiving first configuration information sent by the second network device;

[0350] The first configuration information is at least used to determine the signal coverage range and / or to wake up the first cell.

[0351] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0352] an identifier of the first cell;

[0353] a transmission mode of the beam of the first cell;

[0354] the frequency of the first cell;

[0355] a slice list supported by the first cell;

[0356] public configuration information of the first cell;

[0357] Preamble code resources and / or random access channel opportunity RO resources reserved for the terminal to send the first information to the second network device;

[0358] Configuration information of the uplink UL wake-up signal WUS;

[0359] Configuration information of a synchronization signal block (SSB) and / or a system information block (SIB) of the first cell;

[0360] a downlink (DL) timing offset between the first cell and the second cell;

[0361] a DL signal set indicating a signal coverage range of the first cell;

[0362] configuration information of a discovery reference signal (DRS) of the first cell;

[0363] Condition configuration information for determining whether the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell;

[0364] Determine, based on DRS measurement, indication information that the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell.

[0365] In some embodiments, the receiving the first configuration information sent by the second network device includes:

[0366] The first configuration information sent by the second network device is received through a system information block SIB.

[0367] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0368] Determine whether the first cell supports DRS, and determine whether to start detection and / or measurement of the DRS based on the indication information of the DL signal set.

[0369] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0370] Based on the first configuration information, it is determined whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0371] In some embodiments, determining whether the terminal is close to or within the signal coverage of the first cell based on the first configuration information includes one of the following:

[0372] Determining that the first cell does not support DRS, and determining, based on the indication information of the DL signal set in the first configuration information, whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell;

[0373] Determine whether the first cell supports DRS, and determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell based on the configuration information of the DRS and the measurement result of the DRS in the first configuration information.

[0374] In some embodiments, sending the first signal to the first network device includes:

[0375] Sending the first signal to the first network device based on a first time interval;

[0376] The first time interval includes at least one of the following:

[0377] Periodic time intervals;

[0378] a one-time interval;

[0379] Time-triggered intervals;

[0380] The time interval at which the terminal requests to obtain data.

[0381] In some embodiments, sending the first information to the second network device includes one of the following:

[0382] The terminal in the RRC unconnected state sends a reserved preamble code to the second network device during a random access process;

[0383] The terminal in the RRC non-connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device during a random access process;

[0384] The terminal in the RRC connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device.

[0385] In some embodiments, the method further comprises one of the following:

[0386] receiving a random access response message carrying the preamble, and determining that the second network device has received the first information;

[0387] determining that a random access conflict is resolved and determining that the second network device receives the first information;

[0388] The second information sent by the second network device is received, and it is determined that the second network device has received the first information.

[0389] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0390] receiving third information sent by the first network device;

[0391] The third information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first signal is a UL WUS.

[0393] FIG4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the second network device 102 (corresponding to the second cell), and the method includes:

[0394] Step S4101: Send first configuration information.

[0395] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] Step S4102: Obtain first information.

[0397] In some embodiments, the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

[0398] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0399] In some embodiments, the first network device receives the first information sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0400] In some embodiments, the first network device obtains first information specified by a protocol.

[0401] In some embodiments, the first network device obtains the first information from an upper layer(s).

[0402] In some embodiments, the first network device performs processing to obtain the first information.

[0403] In some embodiments, step S4102 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or by default.

[0404] Step S4103: Send a second signal.

[0405] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0406] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4103. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0407] FIG4b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4b, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by the second network device 102, and the method includes:

[0408] Step S4201: receiving first information;

[0409] In some embodiments, the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is the cell of the first network device, and the second cell is the cell of the second network device.

[0410] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0411] Step S4201: Send a second signal;

[0412] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0413] In some embodiments, the first information sent by the receiving terminal includes one of the following:

[0414] During a random access process, receiving a reserved preamble sent by the terminal;

[0415] During a random access process, receiving an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information about the first cell;

[0416] Receive an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information about the first cell.

[0417] In one embodiment, the method further comprises one of the following:

[0418] Upon receiving the first information, sending a random access response message carrying the preamble to the terminal;

[0419] After receiving the first information, second information is sent to the terminal.

[0420] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0421] Receive fourth information sent by the first network device; wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

[0422] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0423] Delete the first configuration information stored locally.

[0424] In one embodiment, the first signal is UL WUS.

[0425] FIG5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the first network device 103 (corresponding to the first cell), and the method includes:

[0426] Step S5101: Receive a first signal or a second signal.

[0427] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0428] FIG5b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the first network device 102 (corresponding to the first cell), and the method includes:

[0429] Step S5201: Receive a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device.

[0430] In some embodiments, the first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

[0431] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0432] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0433] It is determined that the first cell is awakened, and fourth information is sent to the second network device and / or third information is sent to the terminal.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first signal is a UL WUS.

[0435] FIG6a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, and the method includes one of the following steps:

[0436] Step S6101: The terminal determines that the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

[0437] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0438] Step S6102: The terminal sends a first signal to the first network device.

[0439] Step S6103: Send the first information to the second network device. It should be noted that only one of step S6102 and step S6103 can be performed;

[0440] In some embodiments, the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal to the first network device for waking up the first cell; the first cell is the cell of the first network device; and the cell of the second network device is the second cell.

[0441] Optional implementations of step S6102 and step S6103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in FIG2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0442] In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above-mentioned communication system side, terminal side, network device side, etc. embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0443] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solution of the present disclosure is further described below through three exemplary embodiments:

[0444] Example 1:

[0445] In some embodiments, a technical solution 1 is provided: determining whether the cell is close to a sleeping cell (corresponding to the first cell) based on pre-configured CSI-RS detection and measurement.

[0446] In some embodiments, the sleeping cell may have a DL discovery signal, ie, a DRS (Discovery Reference Signal), or may not have a DRS.

[0447] In some embodiments, a cell in a normal operation state broadcasts configuration information related to a sleeping cell. The sleeping cell and the cell in a normal operation state (corresponding to the second cell) have overlapping coverage or adjacent coverage, that is, the sleeping cell and the cell in a normal operation state are in a neighboring cell relationship. The configuration information related to the sleeping cell (corresponding to the first configuration information) can be configured in the SIB1 of the normal operation cell or in a newly defined SIB.

[0448] In some embodiments, the configuration information related to the sleeping cell includes at least one of the following:

[0449] Identification information of the sleeping cell, such as at least one of: PCI, cell identity, RNAC, TAC, etc.;

[0450] The beam transmission method of the sleeping cell, such as the period, maximum number of beams, and the directions in which beams are sent. This configuration is used not only for SSB and SIB1, but also for DRS if available;

[0451] Frequency information of the sleeping cell, such as frequency layer, SSB frequency, UL WUS frequency, etc.

[0452] The slice list supported by the Sleeping cell;

[0453] Public configuration information of the sleeping cell, such as RACH-related configuration information;

[0454] UL WUS configuration information, such as the preamble index or sequence reserved for UL WUS, and / or the configuration information of the random access channel opportunity RO resource. The RO resource is used to send the WUS. Parameters used to calculate the initial power for sending the UL WUS, or directly the initial power for sending the UL WUS;

[0455] All or part of the configuration information of the SSB and / or SIB1 of the Sleeping cell;

[0456] DL timing deviation between the sleeping cell and the currently operating cell;

[0457] A DL signal set indicating the coverage of a sleeping cell. The DL signal set includes a CSI-RS set, an SSB set, or a set containing both CSI-RS and SSB. The DL signal set is used by the UE to assess whether the UE is close to or already within the coverage of a sleeping cell.

[0458] Sleeping cell DRS configuration, such as DRS period, frequency domain resources, sequence generation configuration, etc. DRS measurement based on whether the threshold is close to the sleeping cell, measurement quantity configuration, etc. (Similar to the following, but based on DRS measurement);

[0459] Condition configuration information used to evaluate whether the UE is close to a sleeping cell or is already within the coverage of a sleeping cell, such as whether the measured target signal is greater than or less than the threshold configured on the network side. Whether it is greater than or less than can be configured per beam (this beam can be CSI-RS or SSB) or per beam group. The measurement quantity is RSRP or RSRQ or SINR, depending on the network side configuration. This threshold configuration can be per CSI-RS or CSI-RS group, or per SSB index, or SSB index group, or CSI-RS and SSB index group. The measurement value used for evaluation can be per beam, that is, per CSI-RS or SSB. It can be a linear average based on at least one beam, such as a group of CSI-RS or a group of SSB;

[0460] If a DRS exists in the sleeping cell, it can be determined based on the DRS measurement whether it is close to the sleeping cell or is already within the coverage of the sleeping cell;

[0461] In some embodiments, if it is a sleeping cell with DRS, the measurement and evaluation of the above-mentioned DL signal set can be used to indicate whether to start the detection and measurement of DRS.

[0462] In some embodiments, the terminal determines whether it is near a sleeping cell based on the above configuration. If so, it can send an UL WUS to wake up the sleeping cell as needed. For RRC_CONNECTED UEs, to send UL WUS, the network configures a gap for sending UL WUS. The gap can be periodic or a one-shot gap. The gap can be an event-triggered gap or a UE-requested gap.

[0463] In some embodiments, after the sleeping cell wakes up, it sends SSB, SIB1, paging if any, and receives the random access process normally.

[0464] Example 2:

[0465] In some embodiments, a technical solution 2 is provided: a UL WUS without a sleeping cell sends a wake-up request signal to a normally operating cell.

[0466] In some embodiments, a cell in a normal operating state broadcasts configuration information related to a sleeping cell. The sleeping cell and the cell in a normal operating state have overlapping coverage or adjacent coverage, that is, the sleeping cell and the cell in a normal operating state are in a neighboring cell relationship. The configuration information related to the sleeping cell can be configured in the SIB1 of the normal operating cell or in a newly defined SIB.

[0467] In some embodiments, the configuration information related to the sleeping cell includes at least one of the following:

[0468] Identification information of the sleeping cell, such as at least one of: PCI, cell identity, RNAC, TAC, etc.;

[0469] The beam transmission method of the sleeping cell, such as the period, maximum number of beams, and the directions in which beams are sent. This configuration is used not only for SSB and SIB1, but also for DRS if available;

[0470] Frequency information of the sleeping cell, such as frequency layer, SSB frequency, UL WUS frequency, etc.

[0471] The slice list supported by the Sleeping cell;

[0472] Public configuration information of the sleeping cell, such as RACH-related configuration information;

[0473] Preamble resources and / or RO resources reserved in the currently operating cell for the UE to send wake-up signals to the currently operating cell;

[0474] All or part of the configuration information of the SSB and / or SIB1 of the Sleeping cell;

[0475] DL timing deviation between the sleeping cell and the currently operating cell;

[0476] A DL signal set indicating the coverage of a sleeping cell. The DL signal set includes a CSI-RS set, an SSB set, or a set containing both CSI-RS and SSB. The DL signal set is used by the UE to assess whether the UE is close to or already within the coverage of a sleeping cell.

[0477] Sleeping cell DRS configuration, such as DRS period, frequency domain resources, sequence generation configuration, etc. DRS measurement based on whether the threshold is close to the sleeping cell, measurement quantity configuration, etc. (Similar to the following, but based on DRS measurement);

[0478] Condition configuration information used to evaluate whether the UE is close to a sleeping cell or is already within the coverage of a sleeping cell, such as whether the measured target signal is greater than or less than the threshold configured on the network side. Whether it is greater than or less than can be configured per beam (this beam can be CSI-RS or SSB) or per beam group. The measurement quantity is RSRP or RSRQ or SINR, depending on the network side configuration. This threshold configuration can be per CSI-RS or CSI-RS group, or per SSB index, or SSB index group, or CSI-RS and SSB index group. The measurement value used for evaluation can be per beam, that is, per CSI-RS or SSB. It can be a linear average based on at least one beam, such as a group of CSI-RS or a group of SSB;

[0479] If a DRS exists in the sleeping cell, it can be determined based on the DRS measurement whether it is close to the sleeping cell or is already within the coverage of the sleeping cell;

[0480] In some embodiments, if it is a sleeping cell with DRS, the measurement and evaluation of the above-mentioned DL signal set can be used to indicate whether to start the detection and measurement of DRS.

[0481] In some embodiments, the terminal determines whether it is close to a sleeping cell based on the above configuration. If so, it can send a request to wake up the sleeping cell to the normally operating cell as needed:

[0482] In some embodiments, for RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE UE, the UE sends a reserved preamble to the normal operation cell. If a RAR containing the preamble ID is received, it is considered that a request command is received, and the normal operation cell notifies the sleeping cell to wake up.

[0483] In some embodiments, for RRC_IDLE / INACTIVE UE, the UE sends a random access process to the normally operating cell, and requests to wake up the target sleeping cell through an RRC message (the RRC message may be an RRCSystemInfoRequest or a newly defined RRC message). The RRC message carries the target cell requested to be woken up. If the conflict is successfully resolved, it is considered that the request command has been received, and the normally operating cell notifies the sleeping cell to wake up.

[0484] In some embodiments, for an RRC_CONNECTED UE, an RRC dedicated signaling is sent to a normally operating cell, where the RRC dedicated signaling carries a target cell requested to be woken up. After receiving the command, the normally operating cell notifies the sleeping cell to wake up.

[0485] In some embodiments, after the sleeping cell wakes up, it sends SSB, SIB1, paging if any, and receives the random access process normally.

[0486] Example 3:

[0487] In some embodiments, a technical solution 3 is provided: based on the change of the sleeping cell state, the system broadcast of the normally operating cell is changed.

[0488] In some embodiments, when the sleeping cell is in the awake state, the broadcast determines whether the relevant configuration information in the normally operating cell needs to be reconfigured, and whether the terminal needs to be notified in time to receive the changed configuration if a change is required.

[0489] In some embodiments, when a sleeping cell is in the awake state and wakes up from the sleeping state, it notifies the normal operating cell of the state change. At this time, the normal operating cell removes the configuration related to the sleeping cell. However, it does not notify the terminals in the local cell of the configuration change, that is, it does not send a paging message.

[0490] In some embodiments, when a sleeping cell is awakened from the sleeping state, it notifies the normal operating cell of the state change. The normal operating cell then removes the configuration related to the sleeping cell and notifies the terminals in the local cell of the configuration change by sending a paging message. In this case, the system broadcast information change indication in the paging DCI is reused, or a new indication message is defined in the paging DCI specifically to indicate the change of the sleeping cell-related configuration.

[0491] In some embodiments, when a sleeping cell is in an awake state and wakes up from the sleeping state, the normally operating cell is not notified of the state change, and the normally operating cell does not remove the configuration of the sleeping cell.

[0492] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0493] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0494] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0495] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7a, the terminal 7100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7101, a processing module 7102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive the first information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, step S2101, but not limited to this) executed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102) executed by the terminal 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0496] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7b, the first network device 7200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7201, a processing module 7202, etc. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to send the first information. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver. Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0497] Figure 7c is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7c, the second network device 7300 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7301, a processing module 7302, etc. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to send the first information. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network device 103 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be interchangeable with the transceiver. Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second network device 103 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0498] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0499] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0500] As shown in Figure 8a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0501] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0502] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101 and step S2102, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102).

[0503] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0504] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuit 8104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 may read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0505] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0506] FIG8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8b, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0507] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0508] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0509] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited to this), and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2101, step S2102, but not limited to this).

[0510] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0511] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0512] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0513] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0514] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is executed by a terminal, and includes: Determining that the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of a first cell; Performing a first operation or a second operation; The first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first message to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is a first cell; the cell of the second network device is a second cell; The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The performing of the first operation or the second operation includes: The first operation or the second operation is performed based on the first requirement information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first operation is: Determine that the first cell supports a first signal, and send the first signal to the first network device; The second operation is: determining that the first cell does not support the first signal, and sending the first information to the second network device.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving first configuration information sent by the second network device; The first configuration information is at least used to determine the signal coverage range and / or to wake up the first cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first cell; a transmission method of the beam of the first cell; a frequency of the first cell; a list of slices supported by the first cell; public configuration information of the first cell; A preamble code resource and / or a random access channel opportunity RO resource reserved for the terminal to send the first information to the second network device; Configuration information of uplink UL wake-up signal WUS; Configuration information of a synchronization signal block SSB and / or a system information block SIB of the first cell; a downlink DL timing deviation between the first cell and the second cell; a DL signal set, where the DL signal set indicates a signal coverage range of the first cell; configuration information of a discovery reference signal DRS of the first cell; Condition configuration information used to determine whether the terminal is close to or within the coverage of the first cell; Determine, based on DRS measurement, indication information that the terminal is close to or in the coverage of the first cell.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The receiving first configuration information sent by the second network device includes: The first configuration information sent by the second network device is received through a system information block SIB.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine that the first cell supports DRS, and determine whether to start detection and / or measurement of the DRS based on the indication information of the DL signal set.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Based on the first configuration information, determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The determining, based on the first configuration information, whether the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of the first cell includes one of the following: Determine that the first cell does not support DRS, and determine whether the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of the first cell based on the indication information of the DL signal set in the first configuration information; Determine that the first cell supports DRS, and determine whether the terminal is close to or in the signal coverage of the first cell based on the configuration information of the DRS in the first configuration information and the measurement result of the DRS.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sending a first signal to the first network device includes: Based on a first time interval, sending the first signal to the first network device; The first time interval includes at least one of the following: Periodic time intervals; One-time interval; Time-based triggering of intervals; The time interval at which the terminal requests to obtain.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sending the first information to the second network device includes one of the following: The terminal in the RRC non-connected state sends a reserved preamble code to the second network device during a random access process; The terminal in the RRC non-connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device during a random access process; The terminal in the RRC connected state sends an RRC message carrying information of the first cell to the second network device.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises one of the following: receiving a random access response message carrying the preamble code, and determining that the second network device has received the first information; Determine that a random access conflict is resolved, and determine that the second network device receives the first information; The second information sent by the second network device is received, and it is determined that the second network device has received the first information.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third information sent by the first network device; The third information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The first signal is UL WUS.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second network device, and the method includes: receiving first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device; A second signal is sent to the first network device, where the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first information sent by the receiving terminal includes one of the following: During the random access process, receiving a reserved preamble code sent by the terminal; During the random access process, receiving an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information of the first cell; Receive an RRC message sent by the terminal and carrying information about the first cell.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises one of the following: After receiving the first information, sending a random access response message carrying the preamble code to the terminal; After receiving the first information, second information is sent to the terminal.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive fourth information sent by the first network device; wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the first configuration information has changed.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: Delete the first configuration information stored locally.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that: The first signal is UL WUS.

21. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first network device, and the method includes: receiving a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device; The first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: It is determined that the first cell is awakened, and fourth information is sent to the second network device and / or third information is sent to the terminal.

23. The method according to any one of claims 21-22, characterized in that: The first signal is UL WUS.

24. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is performed by a communication system, and the method includes: The terminal determines that the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of a first cell, where the first cell is a cell of a first network device; The terminal sends a first signal to the first network device or sends first information to the second network device, and the cell of the second network device is a second cell; The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

25. A terminal, characterized in that: The terminal comprises: A processing module is configured to determine that the terminal is close to or in a signal coverage range of a first cell; Performing a first operation or a second operation; The first operation is an operation of sending a first signal to a first network device; the second operation is an operation of sending a first message to a second network device; the cell of the first network device is the first cell; the cell of the second network device is the second cell; The first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first signal is used to wake up the first cell; and the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device.

26. A second network device, characterized in that: The first network device comprises: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a terminal; wherein the first information is used to trigger the second network device to send a signal for waking up the first cell to the first network device; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of a second network device; a second signal is sent to the first network device, and the second signal is used to wake up the first cell.

27. A first network device, characterized in that: The second network device comprises: The transceiver module is configured to receive a first signal sent by a terminal or a second signal sent by a second network device; wherein the first signal and the second signal are used to wake up the first cell; the first cell is a cell in a dormant state, and the second cell is a cell associated with the first cell; the first cell is a cell of the first network device, and the second cell is a cell of the second network device.

28. A communication system, characterized in that: The information indication system includes a terminal, a first network device and a second network device; the terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 14, the second network device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of claims 15 to 20, and the first network device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of claims 21 to 23.

29. A terminal, wherein: The terminal comprises: memory, including executable instructions; one or more processors; When the executable instructions are executed by the processor, the terminal executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

30. A second network device, characterized in that: The second network device comprises: memory, including executable instructions; one or more processors; When the executable instructions are executed by the processor, the second network device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 15 to 20.

31. A first network device, characterized in that: The first network device comprises: memory, including executable instructions; one or more processors; When the executable instructions are executed by the processor, the first network device executes the communication method described in any one of claims 21 to 23.

32. A storage medium, wherein: The storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, claims 15 to 20, or claims 21 to 23.

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