Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and provides a communication method and an apparatus. The present application can reduce the situation of a terminal apparatus staying in a first link for a long time, so that the terminal apparatus receives scheduling information of a network apparatus in a timely manner, thereby facilitating reduction of a service delay. The method comprises: by means of a first link, a terminal apparatus monitors a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) from a network apparatus; and under a first condition, by means of a second link, the terminal apparatus monitors a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) from the network apparatus. The first condition comprises at least one of the following: having arrived at a first moment, the first moment being one of periodic moments; or the first link failing to monitor the LP-WUS within a first duration. The power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link. For example, the first link may be a secondary link, and the second link may be a primary link.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 31, 2023, with application number 202311133859.5 and application name “Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In a communication system, a terminal device configured for a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) switches from the auxiliary link to the main link only when the auxiliary link detects LP-WUS, receiving scheduling information from the network device via the main link. If the channel quality is poor, the auxiliary link cannot detect LP-WUS, causing the terminal device to operate on the auxiliary link for a long time and unable to receive scheduling information from the network device in a timely manner, resulting in unnecessary service delays.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, this application provides a communication method and device that can reduce the situation where the terminal device stays in the auxiliary link for a long time, which helps to reduce service latency. To achieve the above purpose, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a terminal device, which may be a terminal equipment, or a component applied to the terminal equipment (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal equipment. The following description is made by taking the execution subject as the terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device monitors a low-power wake-up signal LP-WUS from a network device through a first link, and under a first condition, monitors a physical downlink control channel PDCCH from the network device through a second link. The first condition includes at least one of the following: a first moment arrives, the first moment is one of the periodic moments; or, the first link does not monitor LP-WUS within a first time period. The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0007] For example, the first link is a secondary link, and the second link is a primary link.

[0008] That is to say, when the terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link, the terminal device periodically performs link switching. For example, when one of the periodic moments arrives, such as the first moment arrives, it switches to the second link and monitors PDCCH through the second link, thereby reducing the situation where the terminal device stays in the first link for a long time, and further enabling the terminal device to receive the scheduling information of the network device in a timely manner, which helps to reduce service delay.

[0009] Alternatively, when the terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link, if the duration for which LP-WUS is not monitored reaches a certain duration, such as the first duration, it switches to the second link and monitors PDCCH through the second link, thereby reducing the situation where the terminal device stays on the first link for a long time, and enabling the terminal device to receive the scheduling information of the network device in a timely manner, which helps to reduce service delay and ensure normal service reception behavior on the terminal device side.

[0010] In one possible design, the first moment is configured by the network device so that the terminal device initiates link switching when the first moment arrives.

[0011] In one possible design, the first duration is configured by the network device so that the terminal device initiates link switching when the duration during which the terminal device fails to detect the LP-WUS reaches the first duration.

[0012] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first information from the network device, where the first information is used to indicate the start of a first timer.

[0013] The terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link, including: monitoring the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link while the first timer is running.

[0014] The first condition wherein the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link includes: when the first timer times out, monitoring the PDCCH from the network device through the second link, wherein the running duration of the first timer is the first duration.

[0015] That is, initiated by the network device, if the terminal device does not detect LP-WUS within the first time period after the network device configures the first timer for the terminal device, it switches to the second link, thereby reducing the situation where the terminal device stays in the first link for a long time.

[0016] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a terminal device, which may be a terminal device, or a component applied to the terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The following description is taken as an example in which the execution subject is the terminal device. The method includes: the terminal device receives a first signal from a network device through a first link, determines that a radio link failure RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the first signal, and sends first information to the network device through a second link. The first information is used to indicate the occurrence of the RLF, and the power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0017] For example, the first link is a secondary link, and the second link is a primary link.

[0018] That is to say, the terminal device determines whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the first signal received by the first link. When RLF occurs, the second link is opened and the occurrence of RLF is reported to the network device through the second link. Conversely, when RLF does not occur, there is no need to open the second link, thereby reducing the frequency of opening the second link. Since the power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link, compared to frequently opening the second link and determining whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the signal received by the second link, the present application uses the first link with lower power consumption to receive the first signal, and determines whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the first signal, thereby achieving the effect of reducing power consumption.

[0019] In one possible design, after the terminal device determines that an RLF has occurred and before sending the first information to the network device through the second link, the method further includes: the terminal device receives a second signal from the network device through the second link, and determines that the RLF has occurred based on the signal quality of the second signal.

[0020] That is, the terminal device verifies whether RLF occurs by measuring the signal quality of the second signal received through the second link, thereby reducing misjudgment of the first link.

[0021] In one possible design, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first information from the network device, where the first information is used to determine a first threshold.

[0022] The terminal device determines, based on the signal quality of the first signal, that an RLF occurs, including: determining, based on the signal quality of the first signal and the first threshold, that the RLF occurs.

[0023] That is, the network device further provides the terminal device with the first information, so that the terminal device determines the first threshold according to the first information, and further determines whether to send an RLF according to the first threshold and the signal quality of the first signal.

[0024] In one possible design, the first information includes the first threshold.

[0025] In one possible design, the first information includes a first offset, where the first offset is an offset between the first threshold and a second threshold, where the second threshold is used by the terminal device to determine whether RLF occurs based on signal quality of the second signal, and the method is applied to the terminal device.

[0026] In one possible design, the method also includes: the terminal device receives second information from the network device, the second information is used to configure a first measurement gap, the first measurement gap is used to indicate a time period during which the second link is in a closed state, and the first measurement gap includes a time period during which the first link monitors the first signal.

[0027] That is, during the time period corresponding to the first measurement gap, the first link of the terminal device is turned on and the second link is turned off, that is, the second link stops working during the operation of the first link. In other words, in a scenario where the first link and the second link cannot work at the same time, the present application can make the time period when the second link is turned off cover the time period when the first link is turned on to perform measurements, thereby flexibly and reasonably configuring the measurement time of the first link and the second link.

[0028] In a possible design, the second information includes the first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify the first measurement gap.

[0029] That is, the network device configures the first measurement gap for the terminal device through the first identifier.

[0030] In one possible design, the second information is also used to configure a second measurement gap, where the second measurement gap is used to indicate a time period during which the first link is in a closed state, and the second measurement gap includes a time period during which the second link monitors the second signal.

[0031] That is, during the time period corresponding to the second measurement gap, the second link of the terminal device is turned on and the first link is turned off, that is, the first link stops working during the operation of the second link. In other words, in a scenario where the first link and the second link cannot work at the same time, the present application can make the time period when the first link is turned off cover the time period when the second link is turned on to perform measurement, thereby flexibly and reasonably configuring the measurement time of the first link and the second link.

[0032] In one possible design, the second information includes the second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the second measurement gap.

[0033] That is, the network device configures the second measurement gap for the terminal device through the second identifier.

[0034] In one possible design, the second information is further used to indicate a first type of terminal device, and the measurement gap configured by the second information is configured by the network device for the first type of terminal device, and the first type of terminal device includes the terminal device to which the method is applied.

[0035] That is, the measurement gaps configured for different terminal types are also different. For example, if the first type of terminal device is a terminal device configured with LP-WUS, the terminal device configured with LP-WUS can be configured with the measurement gap indicated by the second information. Conversely, if there is no terminal device configured with LP-WUS, there is no need to configure the measurement gap indicated by the second information. In this way, the network device indicates the first type of terminal device through the second information, so that the terminal device knows which type of terminal device the measurement gap indicated by the second information is configured for.

[0036] In one possible design, the first signal includes at least one of the following: a low-power channel state information reference signal LP-CSI-RS, a low-power reference signal LP-RS, a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, a reference signal RS, or a synchronization signal.

[0037] In one possible design, the second signal includes at least one of the following: LP-CSI-RS, LP-RS, CSI-RS, RS, or a synchronization signal.

[0038] On the third aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a terminal device, which may be a terminal equipment, or a component applied to the terminal equipment (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal equipment functions. The following description is made by taking the execution subject as the terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device monitors a low-power wake-up signal LP-WUS from a network device through a first link within a first time period of a first search space set group SSSG, and the first time period is a time period in which the physical downlink control channel PDCCH is not monitored through the second link. If the terminal device detects the LP-WUS, it monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link within the second SSSG, and the power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0039] For example, the first link is a secondary link, and the second link is a primary link.

[0040] That is to say, the terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link during the period when the first SSSG does not monitor PDCCH (i.e., the first period). If LP-WUS is monitored, it means that the network device is very likely to have a service scheduling the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device performs SSSG switching to monitor PDCCH in the switched SSSG, and there is no need to perform SSSG switching after monitoring PDCCH at a fixed PDCCH monitoring time. That is, the present application provides a method for triggering SSSG switching, thereby improving the flexibility of SSSG switching, helping to meet service needs and reduce service latency.

[0041] In one possible design, the PDCCH monitoring period in the first SSSG is greater than the PDCCH monitoring period in the second SSSG.

[0042] That is, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the first SSSG are relatively sparse, while the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the second SSSG are relatively dense. Since the network device is very likely to schedule services for the terminal device, the terminal device operating in the second SSSG, where the PDCCH monitoring opportunities are denser, helps the terminal device successfully monitor the PDCCH and reduces service latency.

[0043] In one possible design, the moment when the terminal device switches from the first SSSG to the second SSSG is determined based on the moment when the LP-WUS is monitored.

[0044] For example, the SSSG switching moment (ie, the moment of switching from the first SSSG to the second SSSG) is the moment of monitoring the LP-WUS.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a terminal device, which may be a terminal device, or a component applied to the terminal device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal device functions. The following description is made by taking the execution subject as the terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device monitors the physical downlink control channel PDCCH from the network device through the second link in a third search space set group SSSG, and the third SSSG is one of at least two pre-configured SSSGs. Under a second condition, the terminal device monitors the low power wake-up signal LP-WUS from the network device through the first link. The second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration of monitoring the PDCCH in the third SSSG reaches a first duration; or, indication information is received from the network device, the indication information includes an SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to indicate monitoring LP-WUS through the first link. The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0046] For example, the first link is a secondary link, and the second link is a primary link.

[0047] That is, when the terminal device monitors the PDCCH through the second link in the third SSSG, if the duration of monitoring the PDCCH reaches a certain duration, such as the first duration, it switches to the first link and monitors the LP-WUS through the first link. Since the terminal device has most likely completed the service within the first duration, the terminal device can enter the LP-WUS working mode, thereby achieving the effect of saving power consumption while taking into account service needs.

[0048] Alternatively, when the terminal device monitors PDCCH through the second link within the third SSSG, if it receives the indication information of the network device, and the indication information includes the SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to indicate that the terminal device can switch the first link and monitor LP-WUS through the first link, then the terminal device can enter the LP-WUS working mode according to the indication information, thereby achieving the effect of saving power consumption while taking into account business needs.

[0049] In one possible design, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link under the second condition, including: when the second timer times out, monitoring the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link; the start time of the second timer is the time of switching to the third SSSG, and the running time of the second timer is the first time length.

[0050] That is, the terminal device may use the second timer to record the duration of monitoring the PDCCH, and use the expiration of the second timer to indicate that the terminal device enters the LP-WUS working mode.

[0051] In one possible design, the SSSG index includes an index of a fourth SSSG, and the PDCCH monitoring period in the fourth SSSG is greater than the PDCCH monitoring period in the third SSSG.

[0052] That is, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities within the fourth SSSG are relatively sparse, while the PDCCH monitoring opportunities within the third SSSG are relatively dense. In this application, the terminal device adopts the LP-WUS working mode to replace the fourth SSSG (i.e., the SSSG with relatively sparse PDCCH monitoring opportunities), thereby achieving a power saving effect.

[0053] In one possible design, the method further includes: if the terminal device detects the LP-WUS, then, within the third SSSG, monitoring the PDCCH from the network device through the second link.

[0054] In other words, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS via the first link. If an LP-WUS is detected, it means that the network device is very likely scheduling a service for the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device again monitors the PDCCH via the second link within the third SSSG to monitor scheduling information from the network device, thereby reducing power consumption while also completing service transmission in a timely manner.

[0055] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a network device, which may be a network device, or a component applied to the network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. The following description is taken as an example that the execution subject is the network device. The method includes: the network device sends a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS to the terminal device. The network device sends a physical downlink control channel PDCCH to the terminal device, and the moment of sending the PDCCH includes a first moment, which is one of the periodic moments.

[0056] In one possible design, the first moment is configured by the network device.

[0057] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fifth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a network device, which may be a network device, or a component applied to the network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. The following description is taken as an example in which the execution subject is the network device. The method includes: the network device sends a first information to the terminal device. The first information is used to indicate the start of a first timer, and the operating status of the first timer is used to indicate whether to monitor the low power wake-up signal LP-WUS through the first link, and to indicate whether to monitor the physical downlink control channel PDCCH through the second link.

[0059] In one possible design, the running duration of the first timer is configured by the network device.

[0060] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the sixth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0061] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a network device, which may be a network device, or a component applied to the network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. The following description is taken as an example in which the execution subject is the network device. The method includes: the network device sends second information to the terminal device. The second information is used to configure a first measurement gap, the first measurement gap is used to indicate a time period when the second link is in a closed state, and the first measurement gap includes a time period when the first link monitors the first signal. The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0062] In a possible design, the second information includes the first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify the first measurement gap.

[0063] In one possible design, the second information is also used to configure a second measurement gap, where the second measurement gap is used to indicate a time period during which the first link is in a closed state, and the second measurement gap includes a time period during which the second link monitors a second signal.

[0064] In one possible design, the second information includes the second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the second measurement gap.

[0065] In one possible design, the second information is further used to indicate a first type of terminal device, and the measurement gap indicated by the second information is configured for the first type of terminal device, and the first type of terminal device includes the terminal device.

[0066] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the seventh aspect can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a network device, which may be a network device, or a component applied to the network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. The following description is made by taking the execution subject as the network device as an example. The method includes: the network device sends a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS to the terminal device within a first time period of the first search space set group SSSG, and sends a PDCCH to the terminal device within a second SSSG.

[0068] In one possible design, the PDCCH monitoring period in the first SSSG is greater than the PDCCH monitoring period in the second SSSG.

[0069] In one possible design, the moment of switching from the first SSSG to the second SSSG is determined according to the moment of sending the LP-WUS.

[0070] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the eighth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0071] In the ninth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method may be a network device, which may be a network device, or a component applied to the network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. The following description is made by taking the execution subject as the network device as an example. The method includes: the network device sends a physical downlink control channel PDCCH to the terminal device within a third search space set group SSSG, and the third SSSG is one of at least two pre-configured SSSGs. Under a second condition, the network device sends a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS to the terminal device. The second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration of sending the PDCCH within the third SSSG reaches a first duration; or, sending indication information to the terminal device, the indication information includes an SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to instruct the terminal device to monitor LP-WUS.

[0072] In one possible design, the SSSG index includes an index of a fourth SSSG, and the PDCCH monitoring period in the fourth SSSG is greater than the PDCCH monitoring period in the third SSSG.

[0073] In one possible design, after sending the LP-WUS to the terminal device, the method further includes: the network device sending a PDCCH to the terminal device within the third SSSG.

[0074] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the ninth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0075] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the implementation methods. The modules, units, or means can be implemented through hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions.

[0076] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0077] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and / or a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

[0078] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory, wherein the processor and the memory are coupled, and the memory stores program instructions. When the program instructions stored in the memory are executed by the processor, the communication device executes a method as in any one of the above aspects or any possible design of any one of the aspects.

[0079] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the aspects.

[0080] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, which may be coupled to the processor, or may exist independently of the processor, for example, the memory and the processor are two independent modules. The memory may be located outside the communication device or inside the communication device.

[0081] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute the method described in any one of the aspects.

[0082] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method described in any one of the aspects.

[0083] The communication device provided in any of the tenth to fourteenth aspects may be the terminal device in the first aspect, the terminal device in the second aspect, the terminal device in the third aspect, or the terminal device in the fourth aspect, such as a chip or a chip system; or the communication device may be the network device in the fifth aspect, the network device in the sixth aspect, the network device in the seventh aspect, the network device in the eighth aspect, or the network device in the ninth aspect, such as a chip or a chip system. When the device is a chip system, it may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0084] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the tenth to fourteenth aspects is a chip, the sending action / function of the communication device can be understood as output information, and the receiving action / function of the communication device can be understood as input information.

[0085] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is used to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the network device is used to execute the method in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect, or the network device is used to execute the method in the sixth aspect or any possible design of the sixth aspect. Alternatively, the terminal device is used to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, and the network device is used to execute the method in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect. Alternatively, the terminal device is used to execute the method in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, and the network device is used to execute the method in the eighth aspect or any possible design of the eighth aspect. Alternatively, the terminal device is used to execute the method in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, and the network device is used to execute the method in the ninth aspect or any possible design of the ninth aspect.

[0086] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the tenth to fifteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by different design methods in the first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0087] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0088] FIG2 is a diagram showing the working principle of a low-power wake-up signal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0089] FIG3 is a diagram showing the working principle of another low-power wake-up signal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] FIG4 is a diagram showing a wireless link failure determination principle according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the working status of a search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0092] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0094] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0095] FIG9 a is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0096] FIG9 b is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0097] FIG10 a is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0098] FIG10 b is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0099] FIG11 a is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0100] FIG11 b is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0101] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a working state provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0102] FIG13a is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0103] Figure 13b is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0104] FIG14 is a diagram showing another wireless link failure determination principle provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0105] FIG15 a is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0106] Figure 15b is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0107] FIG16 a is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0108] Figure 16b is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0109] FIG17 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0110] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0111] FIG19 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0112] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0113] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0114] FIG22 a is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0115] Figure 22b is a schematic diagram of the working status of another search space set provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0116] Figure 23 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0117] FIG24 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0118] FIG25 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] Throughout this application, the term "system" and "network" are interchangeable. This application presents various aspects, embodiments, or features centered around a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, and the like. It should be understood that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, and the like, and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, and the like discussed in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Furthermore, combinations of these aspects may also be used.

[0121] Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as an "example" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present application, “of”, “corresponding”, “relevant” and “corresponding” may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction between them is not emphasized, the meanings they intend to express are consistent.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, "A and / or B" can represent the following situations: A exists alone; B exists alone; A and B exist at the same time; wherein A and B can be singular or plural. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions is used to represent any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B and (or) C" can represent the following situations: A exists alone; B exists alone; C exists alone; A and B exist at the same time; A and C exist at the same time; B and C exist at the same time; A, B and C exist at the same time; wherein A, B, C can be singular or plural.

[0124] In addition, in this application, various embodiments can be combined with each other, even if these embodiments address different technical problems. For example, the technical solutions provided by various implementation methods of the embodiments of this application can be combined to form a new technical solution based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0125] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0126] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system 1000 includes at least one network device (such as 110a and 110b in FIG1 ) and at least one terminal device (such as 120a-120j in FIG1 ). The terminal device can communicate with the network device wirelessly. Alternatively, different network devices can communicate with each other. Alternatively, different terminal devices can communicate with each other.

[0127] It should be pointed out that Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram. Although not shown, the communication system 1000 may also include other network devices. For example, the communication system 1000 may also include one or more core network (CN) devices, wireless relay devices, and wireless backhaul devices, which are not specifically limited here.

[0128] The network device may be connected to the core network device via a wireless or wired connection. The core network device and the network device may be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device may be integrated into the same physical device, or the functions of some core network devices and some network devices may be integrated into one physical device. This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0129] Optionally, the network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver functions. The network device may be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for a terminal device, referred to as a RAN device. The RAN may be an access network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), for example, 4G, 5G, or the future-oriented 6G network. The RAN may also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network of two or more of the above networks. The RAN device may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation base station (next generation nodeB, gNB) in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a long-range radio (LoRa) system, or an access node in a vehicle networking system. RAN equipment can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU here performs the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU performs the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU).The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, for example, a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, and RU may also be called O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. The radio access network device may be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), a relay node, a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the radio access network device. For ease of description, network device is referred to as the abbreviation of radio access network device, and base station is used as an example of radio access network device.

[0130] Optionally, the terminal device accesses the core network via a network device. The terminal device includes a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to the user. Specifically, it includes a device that provides voice to the user, a device that provides data connectivity to the user, or a device that provides both voice and data connectivity to the user. For example, it may include a handheld device with wireless connectivity or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with the core network via the radio access network, exchange voice or data with the RAN, or exchange voice and data with the RAN. The terminal device may include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal device, mobile terminal device, D2D terminal device, V2X terminal device, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal device, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. For example, it may include a mobile phone (or so-called "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-built-in mobile device, etc. Examples include personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Also included are limited devices, such as those with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. Examples include information sensing devices such as barcode scanners, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), and laser scanners.

[0131] The various terminal devices introduced above, if located on a vehicle (eg, placed in or installed in a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also called on-board units (OBUs).

[0132] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may further include a relay. Alternatively, it can be understood that anything that can communicate data with a base station can be considered a terminal device.

[0133] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device, or a device that can support the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal is a terminal device as an example for description.

[0134] It should be understood that network devices and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of network devices and terminal devices.

[0135] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. To terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network via 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device; however, to network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that communication between 110a and 120i occurs via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i can also occur via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, 120i is also a network device relative to 110a. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with network device functionality, while 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be referred to as communication devices with terminal device functionality.

[0136] Communication between network devices and terminal devices, between network devices, and between terminal devices can be carried out through authorized spectrum, unauthorized spectrum, or both; communication can be carried out through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0137] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the network device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the network device functions. The control subsystem that includes the network device functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the terminal device functions.

[0138] In an embodiment of the present application, a network device sends a downlink signal or downlink information to a terminal device, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel; the terminal device sends an uplink signal or uplink information to the network device, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel. In order to communicate with the network device, the terminal device needs to establish a wireless connection with the cell controlled by the network device. The cell with which the terminal device has established a wireless connection is called the serving cell of the terminal device. When the terminal device communicates with the serving cell, it will also be interfered with by signals from neighboring cells.

[0139] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can also be replaced by the names of corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0140] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly describes the terms used in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that these descriptions are only for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present application and should not constitute any limitation on the present application.

[0141] 1. Radio resource control (RRC) status

[0142] There are three RRC states for a terminal device: RRC connected state, RRC idle state, and RRC inactive state.

[0143] The RRC connection state means that the terminal device has established an RRC connection with the network device, and data can be transmitted through the RRC connection. In addition, the RRC connection state can also be simply referred to as the connection state. In the embodiments of the present application, "connection state" and "RRC connection state" are the same concept and can be used interchangeably.

[0144] Among them, the RRC idle state means that the terminal device has not established an RRC connection with the network device, and the network device (such as a base station) has not stored the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to enter the RRC connected state from the RRC idle state, it is necessary to initiate the RRC connection establishment process. In addition, the RRC idle state can also be referred to as the idle state. In the embodiments of the present application, "idle state" and "RRC idle state" are the same concept and can be replaced with each other.

[0145] The RRC inactive state means that the terminal device previously entered the RRC connected state at the anchor base station, and then the anchor base station released the RRC connection, but the anchor base station saved the context of the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to enter the RRC connected state again from the RRC inactive state, it needs to initiate the RRC connection recovery process (or RRC connection re-establishment process) at the currently stationed base station.

[0146] It should be understood that since the terminal device may be in a mobile state, the base station where the terminal device is currently stationed and the anchor base station of the terminal device may be the same base station or different base stations. The RRC recovery process has a shorter delay and smaller signaling overhead than the RRC establishment process. However, the anchor base station needs to save the context of the terminal device, which will occupy the storage overhead of the anchor base station. In addition, the RRC inactive state can also be referred to as the inactive state. In the embodiments of the present application, "inactive state" and "RRC inactive state" are the same concept and can be replaced with each other.

[0147] In the embodiments of the present application, the following five concepts have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably: inactive state, deactivated state, inactive state, deactivated state, or deactivated state. For example, RRC inactive state can also be described as RRC inactive state, referred to as inactive state for short.

[0148] 2. The terminal device includes two circuits:

[0149] The terminal device includes a main circuit and a wake-up circuit, as shown in FIG2 .

[0150] 2-1. Main circuit of terminal device:

[0151] When in the IDLE / INACTIVE state, a terminal device uses its identifier (e.g., UE ID) to determine the location of a paging frame (PF) and a paging occasion (PO) within the PF, and then receives a page within the PO. Whether receiving a page in the IDLE / INACTIVE state or receiving data in the CONNECTED state, the terminal device uses its main circuitry to perform these functions.

[0152] The main circuit may also be described in other ways, such as a main receiver or a main link receiver (MR). In the embodiments of the present application, the MR is used as an example for description, which should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

[0153] In the embodiments of the present application, the following descriptions have the same meaning and can be replaced with each other:

[0154] The terminal device operates through the main circuit; the terminal device operates on the main circuit; the terminal device receives or sends signals through the main circuit; or, the main circuit of the terminal device is in an operating / open state.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, the main circuit can also be replaced by the main link. Among them, the main link represents a connection relationship between the terminal device and the network device. It is a logical concept rather than a physical entity. Taking the 5G NR system as an example, the main link can also be described as the NR main link.

[0156] Accordingly, the following descriptions have the same meaning and can be replaced with each other:

[0157] The terminal device operates via the (NR) main link; the terminal device operates on the (NR) main link; the terminal device receives or sends signals via the (NR) main link; or the (NR) main link of the terminal device is in an active / on state.

[0158] In the embodiments of the present application, the working status of the terminal device is introduced by taking the main link as an example, which should not be understood as a limitation of the embodiments of the present application.

[0159] 2-2. Wake-up circuit of terminal device:

[0160] To further reduce the power consumption of the terminal device, the terminal device can also receive signals by using a separate low-power circuit. This low-power circuit can be implemented using a simple, small circuit or chip with low power consumption. This low-power circuit can be called a wake-up circuit.

[0161] Among them, the wake-up circuit can also be described in other ways, such as a wake-up radio (WUR) circuit, a low-power circuit, a low-power wake-up radio (LP-WUR) circuit, a wake-up receiver (WUR) module, an auxiliary link / low-power receiver (LR), etc. In the embodiments of the present application, LR is used as an example for introduction, which should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

[0162] In the embodiments of the present application, the following descriptions have the same meaning and can be replaced with each other:

[0163] The terminal device operates through the wake-up circuit; the terminal device operates on the wake-up circuit; the terminal device monitors or receives a low power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) through the wake-up circuit; or, the wake-up circuit of the terminal device is in an operating state.

[0164] In the embodiment of the present application, the wake-up circuit can also be replaced by an auxiliary link. The auxiliary link represents a connection relationship between the terminal device and the network device, which is a logical concept rather than a physical entity.

[0165] Accordingly, the following descriptions have the same meaning and can be replaced with each other:

[0166] The terminal device operates via the auxiliary link; the terminal device operates on the auxiliary link; the terminal device monitors or receives LP-WUS via the auxiliary link; or, the auxiliary link of the terminal device is in an active state.

[0167] In the embodiments of the present application, the following descriptions have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably: monitoring, or detection. In the embodiments of the present application, monitoring is taken as an example for introduction.

[0168] In the embodiments of the present application, the auxiliary link is taken as an example to introduce the working status of the terminal device, which should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

[0169] For example, FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal device using a wake-up circuit to receive LP-WUS.

[0170] As shown in Figure 2, for a terminal device in the IDLE / INACTIVE state, the device monitors the LP-WUS through the wake-up circuit. If the wake-up circuit does not detect the LP-WUS, the main circuit is controlled to be in the off state (or sleep state). If the wake-up circuit detects the LP-WUS, it triggers the main circuit to wake up, that is, control the main circuit to be in the on state or active state. After the main circuit wakes up, the terminal device can perform the paging reception process.

[0171] For another example, FIG3 shows a schematic diagram of a terminal device receiving LP-WUS using an auxiliary link.

[0172] As shown in Figure 3, for a terminal device in the IDLE / INACTIVE state, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS via the auxiliary link. If the auxiliary link does not detect the LP-WUS, the main link is controlled to be in a closed state (also called a sleep state or a stopped state). If the auxiliary link detects the LP-WUS, it triggers the awakening of the main link, that is, the main link is controlled to be in an open state or an active state. After the main link is awakened, the terminal device can perform the paging reception process.

[0173] It should be understood that in Figures 2 and 3, the LP-WUS is mainly used as an example to indicate partial paging-related information, and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application. Of course, the LP-WUS can also be used to indicate all paging-related information. In this case, random access, etc. can be performed after the main link is awakened.

[0174] 3. Radio link failure (RLF) judgment mechanism

[0175] Currently, in the RLF judgment mechanism, the terminal device measures the downlink radio link quality based on the cell-specific reference signal. Among them, the cell-specific reference signal includes the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), etc. The measurement quantity of the cell-specific reference signal is mapped to the assumed physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) block error rate (BLER), which is compared with the threshold. Among them, the threshold includes Qout and Qin, Qout corresponds to a 10% BLER of the assumed PDCCH transmission, and Qin corresponds to a 2% BLER of the assumed PDCCH transmission, as shown in Figure 4.

[0176] As shown in Figure 4 , when a terminal device receives a continuous number of Qout (i.e., the measurement result of the cell-specific reference signal exceeds 10% of the PDCCH BLER), timer T310 is started. If the terminal device does not receive a continuous number of Qin (i.e., the measurement result of the cell-specific reference signal is less than 2% of the PDCCH BLER) until timer T310 times out, it means that RLF has occurred, there is a quality problem with the radio link, and the RRC re-establishment process is triggered, as shown by the solid curve in Figure 4 . Conversely, if the terminal device receives a continuous number of Qin (i.e., the measurement result of the cell-specific reference signal is less than 2% of the PDCCH BLER) during the running of timer T310, the radio link quality has recovered (recovered), RLF has not occurred, and there is no need to trigger the RRC re-establishment process, as shown by the dotted curve in Figure 4 .

[0177] In some embodiments, the terminal device performs RLF determination at a certain period.

[0178] 4. Measurement configuration information is issued

[0179] Typically, measurement configuration information is transmitted via an RRC Reconfiguration message from a network device (e.g., a gNodeB) to a terminal device. The terminal device performs measurements based on the measurement configuration information and reports the measurement results to the network device via a measurement report. This measurement configuration information primarily includes the measurement object, measurement gap, report configuration, trigger quantity, and measurement identity (ID). For details, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications and are omitted here.

[0180] In the embodiment of the present application, the measurement gap can be understood as the time period for the terminal device to leave the current frequency point to measure at other frequencies, which is involved in the scenarios of inter-frequency measurement and inter-system measurement. In the configuration of the measurement gap, the gap offset (gapOffset) is the offset of the measurement gap repetition period (mgrp), mgl is the measurement gap length, mgrp is the measurement gap repetition period, and mgta is the measurement gap time advance. The GAP duration configured by the above parameters covers the time period from the terminal device leaving the current frequency point to measuring at other frequencies.

[0181] In addition, the R17 standard introduces a gap identity (GAPId), which is used to identify a measurement gap configuration, such as a measurement gap configuration configured according to a terminal device or according to a frequency range (FR).

[0182] 5. Search space set group (SSSG) technology

[0183] In the SSSG switching mechanism, the PDCCH monitoring density in the main bandwidth part (BWP) can be configured with two or three groups of SSSGs, and the PDCCH monitoring density in different SSSGs is different.

[0184] As shown in Figure 5, if the PDCCH monitoring density in the master BWP can be configured as two groups, such as SSSG0 and SSSG1, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH during the time of the square filled with diagonal lines or the square filled with grid lines, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0185] In Figure 5, first, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG1. When the monitored DCI indicates '0', it can be understood that the DCI indicates the index of SSSG0. After a period of application delay, the terminal device switches to SSSG0, where the monitoring opportunity is more frequent. Then, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG0. When the monitored DCI indicates '1', it can be understood that the DCI indicates the index of SSSG1. After a period of application delay, the terminal device switches back to SSSG1 and monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG1.

[0186] As shown in Figure 6, if the PDCCH monitoring density in the master BWP can be configured into three groups, such as SSSG0, SSSG1, and SSSG2, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH during the time in the square filled with diagonal lines, the square filled with grid lines, or the square filled with horizontal lines, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0187] In Figure 6, first, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG1. When the monitored DCI indicates '00', it can be understood that the DCI indicates the index of SSSG0. After a period of application delay, the terminal device switches to SSSG0 with a denser monitoring opportunity. Then, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG0. When the monitored DCI indicates '10', it can be understood that the DCI indicates the index of SSSG2. After a period of application delay, the terminal device switches to SSSG2 with a sparser monitoring opportunity than SSSG1. Then, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG2. When the monitored DCI indicates '01', it can be understood that the DCI indicates the index of SSSG1. After a period of application delay, the terminal device switches to SSSG1. Then, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG1.

[0188] In addition, '11' in DCI is a reserved bit.

[0189] In addition to the above-mentioned indication of SSSG switching via bits in the DCI, the network device may configure a timer for the terminal device, such as a search space switch timer (searchSpaceSwitchTimer). After the timer expires and a switching delay period passes, the terminal device may switch to another SSSG with a different degree of sparseness.

[0190] As shown in Figure 7, if the PDCCH monitoring density in the main BWP can be configured into two groups, such as SSSG0 and SSSG1, the terminal device starts a timer (such as the searchSpaceSwitchTimer mentioned above) at the start moment of SSSG1. After the timer expires, the terminal device switches SSSG, such as switching to SSSG0, and monitors PDCCH in the search space of SSSG0.

[0191] Technical Question 1

[0192] As can be seen from Figure 2 or Figure 3, for terminal devices configured with LP-WUS, the terminal device switches from the auxiliary link to the main link only when the auxiliary link detects LP-WUS. It can be understood that the terminal device only relies on the LP-WUS detected by the auxiliary link to trigger the main link to work, and receives the scheduling information sent by the network device through the main link. If the channel quality is poor, the auxiliary link cannot detect LP-WUS, causing the terminal device to work on the auxiliary link for a long time. If the network device has a service scheduling for the terminal device, but the terminal device still stays on the auxiliary link, the terminal device cannot receive the scheduling information sent by the network device in a timely manner, resulting in unnecessary service delays.

[0193] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link. Under a first condition, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link. The first condition includes at least one of the following: the first moment arrives, the first moment is one of the periodic moments; or the first link does not monitor the LP-WUS within the first time period. The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0194] That is to say, when the terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link, the terminal device periodically performs link switching. For example, when one of the periodic moments arrives, such as the first moment arrives, it switches to the second link and monitors PDCCH through the second link, thereby reducing the situation where the terminal device stays in the first link for a long time, and then enables the terminal device to receive the scheduling information of the network device in a timely manner, which helps to reduce service delay.

[0195] Alternatively, when the terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link, if the duration of time for which LP-WUS is not detected reaches a certain duration, such as the first duration, it switches to the second link and monitors PDCCH through the second link, thereby reducing the situation where the terminal device stays in the first link for a long time, and enabling the terminal device to receive scheduling information of the network device in a timely manner, which helps to reduce service delay and ensure normal service reception behavior on the terminal device side.

[0196] It should be understood that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0197] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 12. The communication method 800 proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes the following operations:

[0198] S801: The network device sends an LP-WUS to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device via a first link.

[0199] Exemplarily, the network device is introduced as follows:

[0200] The network device can be a network device, or a component used in a network device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. Among them, the network device can refer to the introduction of Figure 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0201] For example, the terminal device is described as follows:

[0202] The terminal device can be a terminal device, or a component used in the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal device functions, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, the terminal device can refer to the introduction of Figure 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0203] In the communication method 800 of the present application, the terminal device can be in an RRC connected state or an RRC idle state, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0204] For example, the first link is described as follows:

[0205] The first link may be an auxiliary link, as described in detail in FIG2 or FIG3. That is, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device via the auxiliary link.

[0206] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the first link is in operation and the second link is inoperative. For example, while the terminal device is monitoring the LP-WUS from the network device via the first link, the second link stops monitoring the PDCCH. The second link can be the primary link, as described in Figures 2 or 3 for details.

[0207] For the terminal device, the terminal device may detect LP-WUS or may not detect LP-WUS by executing S801. In the case of detecting LP-WUS, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link. For details, please refer to the relevant technical introduction and will not be repeated here. In the case of not detecting LP-WUS, execute S802:

[0208] S802: Under a first condition, the terminal device monitors a PDCCH from the network device through a second link.

[0209] The second link is described as follows: the second link may be a primary link, as described in detail in FIG2 or FIG3. That is, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device via the primary link.

[0210] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link. The first link is an auxiliary link and the second link is a primary link for the purpose of illustration, which should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0211] The first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0212] Condition 1: The first moment arrives.

[0213] The first moment is one of the periodic moments. For example, if a reference point is set to 0 ms and the interval between periodic moments is 5 ms, the periodic moments include the 0th ms, the 5th ms, the 10th ms, the 15th ms, the 20th ms, ..., the 100th ms, and so on. The first moment can be one of the above moments, such as the 5th ms.

[0214] In condition 1, the periodic time may be configured by the network device or may be predefined, which is not limited in this application.

[0215] Alternatively, in condition 1, the period length corresponding to the periodic moment may be configured by the network device or may be predefined, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0216] Under condition 1, it can be understood that the terminal device acts as the action initiator, and the terminal device periodically monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link at periodic times, as shown in FIG. 9 a or FIG. 9 b .

[0217] It is easy to understand that, in the present application, the network device sends the PDCCH to the terminal device, wherein the time of sending the PDCCH may include the first time mentioned above.

[0218] Condition 2: The first link does not detect LP-WUS within the first time period.

[0219] In condition 2, the first duration may be configured by the network device or may be predefined, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0220] Under condition 2, it can be understood that the terminal device fails to monitor LP-WUS for a first duration, and then the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link, as shown in Figure 10a or Figure 10b.

[0221] It is easy to understand that, in the present application, the first condition includes at least one of condition 1 and condition 2. Under the first condition, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link, which can be understood as, under condition 1, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link, and / or, under condition 2, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link.

[0222] In condition 2, as a possible implementation method, the terminal device acts as the initiator of the behavior, that is, the terminal device determines that the duration of not monitoring LP-WUS reaches a first duration, and autonomously switches from the first link to the second link, and monitors PDCCH through the second link.

[0223] In condition 2, as another possible implementation, the network device acts as the action initiator, as shown in FIG. 11 a or FIG. 11 b , that is, the network device further executes S803:

[0224] S803: The network device sends first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0225] As a possible example, the terminal device receives first information from the network device through the second link.

[0226] The first information is used to instruct to start a first timer.

[0227] For example, the first timer may be recorded as a LP-WUS working mode timer (LP-WUS mode timer). Of course, the first timer may also have other names, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0228] It is easy to understand that, for the terminal device, after receiving the first information, the terminal device starts the first timer in response to the first information.

[0229] When the terminal device executes S803 , S801 includes: during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link.

[0230] It can be understood that, during the running of the first timer, the terminal device continuously monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link.

[0231] When the terminal device executes S803 , S802 includes: when the first timer expires, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link.

[0232] The running time of the first timer is the first time length.

[0233] It can be understood that the terminal device continuously monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link, and until the first timer expires and the terminal device fails to detect the LP-WUS, the terminal device switches from the first link to the second link and monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link, as shown in the box where the letter a is located in Figure 12.

[0234] It is easy to understand that the terminal device continuously monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link. If the terminal device detects the LP-WUS during the operation of the first timer, the terminal device switches from the first link to the second link and monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link, as shown in the box where the letter b is located in Figure 12. Please refer to the introduction of related technologies and will not repeat them here.

[0235] Technical Issue 2

[0236] Currently, in the RLF judgment mechanism, a terminal device in a connected state needs to frequently perform RLF judgment, such as periodically. Furthermore, if the terminal device is a terminal device configured with LP-WUS, the terminal device needs to frequently wake up the main link to perform RLF judgment through the main link, which consumes a lot of power.

[0237] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. In the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application, a terminal device receives a first signal from a network device via a first link and determines, based on the signal quality of the first signal, that an RLF has occurred. The terminal device then sends first information to the network device via a second link, the first information indicating that an RLF has occurred, and the power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link.

[0238] That is to say, the terminal device determines whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the first signal received by the first link. When RLF occurs, the second link is opened and the occurrence of RLF is reported to the network device through the second link. Conversely, when RLF does not occur, there is no need to open the second link, thereby reducing the frequency of opening the second link. Since the power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link, compared to frequently opening the second link and determining whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the signal received by the second link, the present application adopts a first link with lower power consumption to receive the first signal, and determines whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the first signal, thereby achieving the effect of reducing power consumption.

[0239] It should be understood that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0240] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 13a to FIG. 15b. The communication method 1300 proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes the following operations:

[0241] S1301: The network device sends a signal to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the signal from the network device.

[0242] For example, the terminal device receives a signal from the network device via a first link, wherein the signal received via the first link is recorded as a first signal, as shown in FIG13a or FIG13b.

[0243] For example, the network device can refer to the introduction of S801 and will not be described in detail.

[0244] For example, the terminal device and the first link can be described in S801 and will not be described in detail.

[0245] In the communication method 1300 of the present application, the terminal device may be in an RRC connected state.

[0246] Exemplarily, the first signal can be used to judge the quality of the wireless channel. For example, the first signal includes at least one of the following: a low power channel state information reference signal (LP-CSI-RS), a low power reference signal (LP-RS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a reference signal (RS), or a synchronization signal. Among them, the synchronization signal can be an SSB. Of course, the first signal can also be other signals, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the first signal.

[0247] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the first link is in operation and the second link is inoperative. For example, while the terminal device receives a first signal from the network device via the first link, the second link is inoperative, such as stopping monitoring the PDCCH.

[0248] For the terminal device, after receiving the first signal, the terminal device executes S1302:

[0249] S1302: The terminal device determines whether RLF occurs according to the signal quality of the first signal.

[0250] Exemplarily, the signal quality of the first signal may include at least one of the following: a reference signal received power (RSRP) of the first signal, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the first signal, or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ) of the first signal.

[0251] Exemplarily, the signal quality of the first signal includes signal quality of a portion of the first signal. The portion of the first signal includes at least one of the following: LP-CSI-RS, LP-RS, etc. It can be understood that the terminal device determines whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the portion of the first signal.

[0252] Exemplarily, the implementation process of S1302 includes: the terminal device determines whether RLF occurs according to the signal quality of the first signal and the first threshold.

[0253] Taking FIG14 as an example, the signal quality of the first signal is mapped to an assumed PDCCH block error rate (PDCCH BLER), which is compared with a first threshold. The first threshold includes Q1 and Q2, where Q1 corresponds to an assumed x% BLER of PDCCH transmission and Q2 corresponds to an assumed y% BLER of PDCCH transmission, where x>0 and y>0, as shown in FIG14.

[0254] In Figure 14, when the terminal device receives a continuous number of Q1s (i.e., the signal quality of the first signal exceeds PDCCH BLER x%), timer T310 is started. If the terminal device does not receive a continuous number of Q2s (i.e., the signal quality of the first signal is lower than PDCCH BLER y%) until timer T310 times out, it means that RLF has occurred, as shown by the solid curve in Figure 14. Conversely, if the terminal device receives a continuous number of Q2s (i.e., the signal quality of the first signal is lower than PDCCH BLER y%) during the running of timer T310, the radio link quality has recovered and RLF has not occurred, as shown by the dotted curve in Figure 14.

[0255] In the embodiment of the present application, the first threshold may be predefined or configured by the network device. For example, before the terminal device executes S1302, the following operation is further performed: the network device sends the first information to the terminal device. In response, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0256] As a possible example, the terminal device receives first information from the network device through the second link.

[0257] The first information is used to determine a first threshold.

[0258] For example, the first information includes a first threshold, such as the first information includes a threshold Q1 (such as the aforementioned x% BLER) and a threshold Q2 (such as the aforementioned y% BLER).

[0259] For another example, the first information includes a first offset. The first offset is the offset between a first threshold and a second threshold, where the second threshold is used by the terminal device to determine whether RLF has occurred based on the signal quality of the second signal. In this case, the terminal device can determine the second threshold based on the first threshold and the first offset.

[0260] Taking Figure 14 as an example, the second threshold includes threshold Qout (such as the 10% BLER described above) and threshold Qin (such as the 2% BLER described above). The first offset is a. Accordingly, threshold Q1 in the first threshold can be understood as: x% = (10±a)%. Threshold Q2 in the first threshold can be understood as: y% = (2±a)%.

[0261] Exemplarily, the first information is carried in an RRC message, or the first information is carried in other messages, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0262] It should be pointed out that, in the present application, the first threshold and the second threshold are different thresholds. The first threshold is used for the first link to determine whether RLF occurs. The second threshold is used for the second link to determine whether RLF occurs. Since the measurement capabilities of the first link and the second link are different, the first link and the second link determine whether RLF occurs based on different thresholds. As a possible example, the present application directly introduces a new threshold suitable for the first link (i.e., the auxiliary link) to determine whether RLF occurs, namely, the first threshold. For details, see the introduction of 'the first information includes the first threshold', which will not be repeated here. As a possible example, the present application introduces a first offset, so that the measurement results of the first link (i.e., the auxiliary link) are equivalently mapped to the measurement results of the second link (i.e., the main link). For details, see the introduction of 'the first information includes the first offset', which will not be repeated here.

[0263] For the terminal device, if RLF occurs, the terminal device executes S1303; otherwise, if RLF does not occur, the terminal device does not execute S1303 and can continue to monitor the first signal from the network device through the first link. S1303 is described as follows:

[0264] S1303: The terminal device sends the first information to the network device via the second link. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information from the terminal device.

[0265] The first information is used to indicate the occurrence of RLF. It can be understood that the terminal device reports the occurrence of RLF to the network device via the second link, so that the network device is informed of the quality of the wireless channel in a timely manner, effectively reducing the problem of resource waste caused by the network device repeatedly sending scheduling information without knowing the poor quality of the wireless channel.

[0266] The second link is described as follows: the second link may be a main link, as described in detail in FIG2 or FIG3. That is, the terminal device sends the first information to the network device via the main link.

[0267] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link. The first link is an auxiliary link and the second link is a primary link for the purpose of illustration, which should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0268] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15a or FIG. 15b , after the terminal device executes S1302 and determines that an RLF occurs, before executing S1303 , the terminal device further executes the following operations:

[0269] S1304: The network device sends a signal to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the signal from the network device.

[0270] For example, the terminal device receives a signal from the network device via the second link, wherein the signal received via the second link is recorded as the second signal, as shown in FIG15 a or FIG15 b.

[0271] Exemplarily, the second signal can be used to determine wireless channel quality. For example, the second signal includes at least one of the following: LP-CSI-RS, LP-RS, CSI-RS, RS, or a synchronization signal. The synchronization signal can be SSB. Of course, the second signal can also be other signals, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the second signal.

[0272] S1305: The terminal device determines whether RLF occurs according to the signal quality of the second signal.

[0273] Exemplarily, the signal quality of the second signal may include at least one of the following: RSRP of the second signal, RSSI of the second signal, or RSRQ of the second signal.

[0274] Exemplarily, the signal quality of the second signal includes signal quality of a portion of the second signal. The portion of the second signal includes at least one of the following: a CSI-RS, an RS, or a synchronization signal. It can be understood that the terminal device determines whether RLF occurs based on the signal quality of the portion of the second signal.

[0275] Exemplarily, the terminal device determines whether RLF occurs according to the signal quality of the second signal and the second threshold.

[0276] Taking FIG4 as an example, the signal quality of the second signal is mapped to an assumed PDCCH block error rate (PDCCH BLER), which is compared with a second threshold value. The second threshold value includes Qout and Qin, where Qout corresponds to a 10% BLER of the assumed PDCCH transmission and Qin corresponds to a 2% BLER of the assumed PDCCH transmission.

[0277] In Figure 4 , when the terminal device receives a continuous number of Qout (i.e., the signal quality of the second signal exceeds 10% of the PDCCH BLER), timer T310 is started. If the terminal device does not receive a continuous number of Qin (i.e., the signal quality of the second signal is less than 2% of the PDCCH BLER) until timer T310 times out, an RLF has occurred, as shown by the solid curve in Figure 4 . Conversely, if the terminal device receives a continuous number of Qin (i.e., the signal quality of the second signal is less than 2% of the PDCCH BLER) during the running of timer T310, the radio link quality has recovered and no RLF has occurred, as shown by the dashed curve in Figure 4 .

[0278] For the terminal device, if it is still determined that RLF occurs after executing S1305, the terminal device executes S1303; conversely, if it is determined that RLF does not occur after executing S1305, the terminal device does not execute S1303, thereby reducing misjudgment.

[0279] In some embodiments, after receiving the first information, the network device performs an RRC reestablishment process based on the first information to restore the wireless channel quality. Optionally, when the wireless channel quality returns to normal, the terminal device sends information to the network device to indicate that the wireless channel quality has recovered, so that the network device can promptly learn the wireless channel status.

[0280] Technical Question 3

[0281] Currently, the primary and secondary links of a terminal device may share some hardware, and accordingly, the primary and secondary links may not be able to operate simultaneously. In this case, how to flexibly configure the measurement time of the primary and secondary links is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0282] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. In the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application, a terminal device receives second information from a network device. The second information is used to configure a first measurement gap, which indicates a time period during which the second link is in a down state, and includes a time period during which the first link monitors the first signal.

[0283] That is to say, an embodiment of the present application provides a configuration method for the first measurement gap. During the time period corresponding to the first measurement gap, the first link of the terminal device is turned on and the second link is turned off. Therefore, in a scenario where the first link and the second link cannot work at the same time, the time period when the second link is turned off covers the time period when the first link is turned on to perform measurement, thereby flexibly and reasonably configuring the measurement time of the first link and the second link.

[0284] It should be understood that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0285] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to FIG16a. The communication method 1600 proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes the following operations:

[0286] S1601: The network device sends second information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

[0287] For example, the network device and the terminal device can be referred to the introduction of S801 and will not be described in detail.

[0288] In the communication method 1600 of the present application, the terminal device may be in an RRC connected state.

[0289] As a possible example, the terminal device receives second information from the network device through the second link.

[0290] The second information is used to configure a first measurement gap. The first measurement gap is used to indicate the time period during which the second link is in a closed state. The first measurement gap includes the time period during which the first link monitors the first signal, as shown in Figure 16b. It can be understood that the first measurement gap covers the time period during which the first link monitors the first signal.

[0291] For example, the first link can refer to the introduction of S801, and the second link can refer to the introduction of S802, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] Exemplarily, the first measurement gap includes the 5th to 8th subframes in each radio frame.

[0293] Exemplarily, the second information includes the following parameters: gapOffset, mgl, mgrp, mgta, etc. For details, see the introduction of the measurement configuration information. The above parameters add new values, so that the network device configures the first measurement gap for the terminal device.

[0294] It is easy to understand that the first measurement gap may include one or more time periods. Each time period in the first measurement gap may be a time period during which the first link monitors the first signal and a time period during which the second link is in a closed state.

[0295] It is easy to understand that in the embodiment of the present application, the first measurement gap may also have other names, such as the first window, the first interruption, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the first measurement gap is taken as an example for introduction, which should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiment of the present application.

[0296] It is easy to understand that the first signal may include at least one of the following: LP-CSI-RS, LP-RS, CSI-RS, RS, or synchronization signal, etc., please refer to the introduction of S1301 and will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the first signal can be used for radio link monitoring (RLM) / radio resource management (RRM) measurement, please refer to the introduction of S1302 and will not be repeated here. In other embodiments, the first signal can be used for other measurements, such as cell selection or cell reselection, etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the use of the first signal.

[0297] Exemplarily, the second information is carried in an RRC message, or the second information is carried in other messages, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0298] Exemplarily, different measurement gaps correspond to different identifiers. As a possible implementation, the second information includes a first identifier, where the first identifier is used to identify the first measurement gap. For example, the first identifier is the MeasGapId corresponding to the first measurement gap. In this case, the network device configures the first measurement gap for the terminal device using the first identifier. Accordingly, the terminal device can determine, based on the received first identifier, that the measurement gap configured by the network device is the first measurement gap.

[0299] In some embodiments, the second information is also used to configure a second measurement gap. The second measurement gap is used to indicate the time period when the first link is in a closed state, and the second measurement gap includes the time period when the second link monitors the second signal, as shown in Figure 16b. It can be understood that the second measurement gap covers the time period when the second link monitors the second signal. In other words, the present application can make the time period when the first link is closed cover the time period when the second link is turned on to perform measurements in a scenario where the first link and the second link cannot work at the same time, thereby flexibly and reasonably configuring the measurement time of the first link and the second link.

[0300] For example, the second measurement gap includes the 1st to 4th subframes in each radio frame.

[0301] It is easy to understand that the second measurement gap may include one or more time periods. Each time period in the second measurement gap may be a time period during which the second link monitors the second signal and a time period during which the first link is shut down.

[0302] It is easy to understand that in the embodiment of the present application, the second measurement gap may also have other names, such as the second window, the second interruption, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the second measurement gap is taken as an example for introduction, which should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiment of the present application.

[0303] Exemplarily, different measurement gaps correspond to different identifiers. As a possible implementation, the second information includes a second identifier, which is used to identify the second measurement gap. For example, the second identifier is MeasGapId corresponding to the second measurement gap. In this case, the network device configures the second measurement gap for the terminal device using the second identifier. Accordingly, the terminal device can determine, based on the received second identifier, that the measurement gap configured by the network device is the aforementioned second measurement gap.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second information is further used to indicate a first type of terminal device. The measurement gap configured by the second information is configured by the network device for the first type of terminal device, and the first type of terminal device includes the above-mentioned terminal device.

[0305] Exemplarily, the first type of terminal device may be a terminal device of LP-WUS configuration.

[0306] Exemplarily, the second information may include a measurement gap identifier information element (MeasGapId information element), which may reuse MeasGapId-r17 and add a new indication bit. Alternatively, the second information may include new indication information, such as MeasGapId-r18 or MeasGapId-LPWUS, etc., which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0307] That is, different types of terminal devices configure different measurement gaps. For example, for terminal devices configured with LP-WUS, i.e., the first type of terminal devices described above, the network device may configure the first measurement gap and / or the second measurement gap. Conversely, for terminal devices not configured with LP-WUS, the network device does not need to configure the measurement gaps.

[0308] Technical Question 4

[0309] Currently, the relevant technologies do not provide a method for combining the LP-WUS mechanism with the SSSG technology, and thus cannot achieve the effect of both taking into account business needs and reducing power consumption.

[0310] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, a terminal device monitors LP-WUS from a network device via a first link during a first time period of a first SSSG, where the first time period is a time period during which PDCCH is not monitored via a second link. If the terminal device detects LP-WUS, it monitors PDCCH from the network device via a second link within a second SSSG. The power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link.

[0311] That is to say, the terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link during the period when the PDCCH is not monitored in the first SSSG (i.e., the first period mentioned above). If LP-WUS is detected, it means that the network device is very likely to have a service scheduling for the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device performs SSSG switching to monitor PDCCH in the switched SSSG. There is no need to perform SSSG switching after monitoring PDCCH at a fixed PDCCH monitoring opportunity, which provides a way to trigger SSSG switching, thereby improving the flexibility of SSSG switching, helping to meet service needs and reduce service latency.

[0312] For example, in some scenarios, for example, the PDCCH monitoring timing is after LP-WUS. According to relevant technologies, the terminal device must monitor PDCCH at the PDCCH monitoring timing after LP-WUS, and only perform SSSG switching after monitoring PDCCH. The terminal device of the present application can perform SSSG switching after monitoring LP-WUS. Therefore, the present application can enable the terminal device to perform SSSG switching as early as possible, and perform services in the SSSG after switching, so as to meet the needs of service transmission, and reduce service delay while saving energy.

[0313] It should be understood that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0314] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 17 and 18. The communication method 1700 proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes the following operations:

[0315] S1701: The network device sends an LP-WUS to the terminal device during a first period of the first SSSG. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device via a first link during the first period of the first SSSG.

[0316] For example, the network device and the terminal device can be referred to the introduction of S801 and will not be described in detail.

[0317] In the communication method 1700 of the present application, the terminal device may be in an RRC connected state.

[0318] Exemplarily, the first link may be an auxiliary link. For details, see the introduction of S801 and will not be repeated here.

[0319] Exemplarily, the second link may be a main link, and the power consumption of the first link is less than that of the second link. For details, see the introduction of S802 and will not be repeated here.

[0320] The first period is introduced as follows:

[0321] For the terminal device, the first period is a time period during which the PDCCH is not monitored via the second link.

[0322] In the present application, the first period may include one or more time periods, such as a time period in the first SSSG excluding the PDCCH monitoring opportunity.

[0323] Taking Figure 18 as an example, the first SSSG is SSSG1. In SSSG1, the period during which the terminal device monitors the PDCCH is shown in the box filled with diagonal lines. In SSSG1, the period during which the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS belongs to the first period, shown in the box filled with vertical lines.

[0324] For the terminal device, if the terminal device does not detect LP-WUS, it can continue to monitor LP-WUS during the time period in the first SSSG when it does not need to monitor PDCCH. Otherwise, if the terminal device detects LP-WUS, it executes S1702:

[0325] S1702: The network device sends a PDCCH to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device via the second link within the second SSSG.

[0326] It can be understood that the monitored LP-WUS implicitly instructs the terminal device to perform SSSG switching.

[0327] Taking Figure 18 as an example, the first SSSG is SSSG1 and the second SSSG is SSSG0. During the first period of SSSG1, if the terminal device detects an LP-WUS, the terminal device switches from SSSG1 to SSSG0. In SSSG0, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH. The PDCCH monitoring timings of SSSG0 are shown as the grid-filled boxes.

[0328] Optionally, the PDCCH monitoring period in the first SSSG is greater than the PDCCH monitoring period in the second SSSG.

[0329] Taking Figure 18 as an example, the first SSSG is SSSG1 and the second SSSG is SSSG0. In SSSG1, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities are shown as the boxes filled with diagonal lines. In SSSG0, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities are shown as the boxes filled with grid lines.

[0330] In other words, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the first SSSG are relatively sparse, while the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in the second SSSG are relatively dense. Since the network device is very likely to schedule services for the terminal device, the terminal device operates in the second SSSG with more dense PDCCH monitoring opportunities, which helps the terminal device successfully monitor the PDCCH and reduce service latency.

[0331] Optionally, the time when the terminal device switches from the first SSSG to the second SSSG is determined based on the time when the LP-WUS is detected. For example, when the terminal device detects the LP-WUS, the terminal device performs SSSG switching and switches from the first SSSG to the second SSSG after an application delay.

[0332] Taking Figure 18 as an example, in SSSG1, when the terminal device detects LP-WUS, it can perform SSSG switching without waiting until the PDCCH monitoring opportunity in the thick box filled with slashes detects PDCCH to perform SSSG switching, which helps to reduce service delay.

[0333] In some embodiments, as a possible alternative, the terminal device executes S1701, i.e., monitors for an LP-WUS from the network device via the first link during a first period of the first SSSG. If the terminal device detects an LP-WUS, it does not perform an SSSG handover, but instead terminates the SSSG and resumes normal PDCCH monitoring. This means that if the terminal device detects an LP-WUS, it bypasses the SSSG technique and can continue monitoring the PDCCH, thereby facilitating successful monitoring of scheduling information from the network device.

[0334] An embodiment of the present application also provides another communication method, which can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1. In the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link in the third SSSG, and the third SSSG is one of at least two pre-configured SSSGs. Under the second condition, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link. The second condition includes at least one of the following: the duration of monitoring the PDCCH in the third SSSG reaches the first duration; or, indication information is received from the network device, the indication information includes an SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to indicate monitoring of the LP-WUS through the first link. The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

[0335] That is, when the terminal device monitors the PDCCH via the second link within the third SSSG, if the duration of monitoring the PDCCH reaches a certain duration, such as the first duration, the terminal device switches to the first link and monitors the LP-WUS via the first link. Since the terminal device has most likely completed the service within the first duration, the terminal device can enter the LP-WUS working mode, thereby achieving the effect of saving power consumption while taking into account service needs.

[0336] Alternatively, when the terminal device monitors PDCCH through the second link within the third SSSG, if it receives indication information from the network device, and the indication information includes an SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to indicate that the terminal device can switch to the first link and monitor LP-WUS through the first link, then the terminal device can enter the LP-WUS working mode according to the indication information, thereby achieving the effect of saving power consumption while taking into account business needs.

[0337] It should be understood that the message names between the devices or the names of the parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0338] The communication method proposed in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 19 to 22b. The communication method 1900 proposed in the embodiment of the present application includes the following operations:

[0339] S1901: The network device sends a PDCCH to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device via the second link within the third SSSG.

[0340] The third SSSG is one of the at least two pre-configured SSSGs.

[0341] For example, the network device and the terminal device can be referred to the introduction of S801 and will not be described in detail.

[0342] In the communication method 1900 of the present application, the terminal device may be in an RRC connected state.

[0343] Exemplarily, the second link may be a main link. For details, see the introduction of S802 and will not be repeated here.

[0344] Taking Figures 20, 21, 22a, or 22b as an example, the third SSSG is SSSG0. In SSSG0, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities are indicated by the grid-line filled boxes. The terminal device monitors the PDCCH on the resources corresponding to the grid-line filled boxes.

[0345] S1902: The network device sends an LP-WUS to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link under the second condition.

[0346] Exemplarily, the first link may be an auxiliary link, and the power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link. For details, see the introduction of S801 and will not be repeated here.

[0347] The second condition includes at least one of the following:

[0348] Condition 3: The duration of monitoring the PDCCH in the third SSSG reaches the first duration.

[0349] In condition 3, if the terminal device monitors the PDCCH for a first duration in the third SSSG, the service is likely to have been completed. Accordingly, the terminal device may enter the LP-WUS mode, thereby achieving power saving.

[0350] Under condition 3, as a possible example, S1902 includes: when the second timer expires, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link.

[0351] The start time of the second timer is the time of switching to the third SSSG, and the running time of the second timer is the first time.

[0352] It can be understood that by defining the second timer, the second timer times out and indicates that the terminal device enters the LP-WUS working mode.

[0353] Taking Figure 20 as an example, the third SSSG is SSSG0. When the terminal device switches from other SSSGs, such as SSSG1, to SSSG0, the second timer is started. During the operation of the second timer, the terminal device monitors PDCCH at the PDCCH monitoring opportunity of SSSG0 until the second timer times out. Among them, SSSG0 and SSSG1 are different SSSGs. When the second timer times out, it means that the duration of the terminal device monitoring PDCCH in the third SSSG reaches the first duration, and the service is likely to be completed. Accordingly, the terminal device enters the LP-WUS mode and monitors LP-WUS through the first link, thereby achieving the effect of power saving.

[0354] Condition 4: receiving instruction information from the network device.

[0355] The indication information includes an SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to indicate monitoring of the LP-WUS through the first link.

[0356] As a possible alternative description, the SSSG index is used to indicate the start of the first link, or the SSSG index is used to indicate the start of the LP-WUS working mode, or the SSSG index is used to indicate the start of monitoring the LP-WUS.

[0357] It is easy to understand that in condition 4, the terminal device starts the first link, which means that the terminal device needs to close the second link. It can be understood that the SSSG index implicitly indicates closing the second link, or the SSSG index implicitly indicates stopping monitoring of the PDCCH.

[0358] In condition 4, by multiplexing the SSSG index, the SSSG index is used to instruct the terminal device to start the first link and access the LP-WUS working mode, thereby achieving a power saving effect.

[0359] Under condition 4, as a possible example, the SSSG index includes the index of the fourth SSSG. The PDCCH monitoring period in the fourth SSSG is greater than the PDCCH monitoring period in the third SSSG. In this case, if the description of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 is used, the terminal device performs SSSG switching and switches to the fourth SSSG indicated by the SSSG index. In the present application, the LP-WUS working mode is used to replace the SSSG with relatively sparse PDCCH monitoring opportunities, thereby achieving a power saving effect.

[0360] For example, taking Figure 21 as an example, the SSSG index is 1, and accordingly, the fourth SSSG is SSSG 1. In Figure 21, the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in SSSG0 are relatively dense, while the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in SSSG1 are relatively sparse.

[0361] In this case, if the terminal device is not configured with the LP-WUS mechanism, the terminal device switches from SSSG0 to SSSG1, as shown in FIG5 .

[0362] In this application, the terminal device is configured with the LP-WUS mechanism, and the terminal device uses the LP-WUS working mode to replace the SSSG1 with relatively sparse PDCCH monitoring opportunities, that is, the terminal device does not switch to SSSG1, but enters the LP-WUS mode, as shown in Figure 21.

[0363] For example, taking the dashed box in 'Case 1' in Figure 22a as an example, the SSSG index is 10, and accordingly, the fourth SSSG is SSSG2. The PDCCH monitoring opportunities in SSSG0 are relatively dense, while the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in SSSG2 are relatively sparse.

[0364] In this case, if the terminal device is not configured with the LP-WUS mechanism, the terminal device switches from SSSG0 to SSSG2, as shown in FIG6 .

[0365] In the present application, the terminal device is configured with the LP-WUS mechanism, and the terminal device adopts the LP-WUS working mode to replace the SSSG2 with relatively sparse PDCCH monitoring opportunities, that is, the terminal device does not switch to SSSG2, but enters the LP-WUS mode, as shown in the dotted box where 'Case 1' is located in Figure 22a.

[0366] For example, taking the dashed box in 'Case 2' in Figure 22a as an example, the SSSG index is 01, and accordingly, the fourth SSSG is SSSG1. The PDCCH monitoring opportunities in SSSG0 are relatively dense, while the PDCCH monitoring opportunities in SSSG1 are relatively sparse.

[0367] In this case, if the terminal device is not configured with the LP-WUS mechanism, the terminal device switches to SSSG1, as shown in FIG6 .

[0368] In the present application, the terminal device is configured with the LP-WUS mechanism, and the terminal device adopts the LP-WUS working mode to replace the SSSG1 with relatively sparse PDCCH monitoring opportunities, that is, the terminal device does not switch to SSSG1, but enters the LP-WUS mode, as shown in the dotted box where 'Case 2' is located in Figure 22a.

[0369] As a possible alternative, the indication information does not include the above-mentioned SSSG index, but includes a reserved bit. For example, when the PDCCH monitoring density is configured as 3 groups, the index of SSSG0 corresponds to bit '00', the index of SSSG1 corresponds to bit '01', the index of SSSG2 corresponds to bit '10', and bit '11' is a reserved bit. In this case, the indication information includes the reserved bit '11'. The indication information carrying the reserved bit is used to instruct the first link to monitor LP-WUS. The terminal device monitors LP-WUS through the first link according to the indication information and enters the LP-WUS working mode, which will not be repeated.

[0370] For example, in the dashed box in Figure 22b , where "Case 1" or "Case 2" is located, the indication information includes a reserved bit of '11'. The terminal device monitors the PDCCH within SSSG0. The terminal device receives the indication information including the reserved bit of '11' and, in response to the indication information including the reserved bit of '11', enters the LP-WUS mode, as shown in the dashed box in Figure 22b , where "Case 1" or "Case 2" is located.

[0371] It should be noted that the related art does not describe the purpose of the reserved bit '11'. For example, the processing operations performed by the terminal device based on the reserved bit '11' are not shown, that is, SSSG switching is not involved. It can be understood that this application provides a method for using the reserved bit '11', that is, the indication information carrying the reserved bit is used to instruct the first link to monitor LP-WUS. The terminal device can enter the LP-WUS mode based on the indication information carrying the reserved bit '11', thereby achieving power saving.

[0372] It should be noted that, in this application, the second condition includes condition 3 and / or condition 4. Under the second condition, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link. This can be understood as the terminal device monitoring the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link under condition 3, and / or the terminal device monitoring the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link under condition 4.

[0373] It should be noted that in the present application, while the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link, the second link stops working, eg, there is no need to monitor the PDCCH from the network device through the second link.

[0374] In some embodiments, if the terminal device detects the LP-WUS, the terminal device monitors the PDCCH from the network device through the second link within the third SSSG.

[0375] Taking the dashed box in 'Case 3' in Figure 22a (or 'Case 3' in Figure 22b) as an example, the third SSSG is SSSG0. While the terminal device is in LP-WUS mode, if the terminal device detects LP-WUS, the terminal device switches to SSSG0 and monitors the PDCCH in the search space of SSSG0.

[0376] In other words, the terminal device monitors the LP-WUS over the first link. If it detects an LP-WUS, it means that the network device is highly likely scheduling a service for the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device re-monitors the PDCCH over the second link within the third SSSG to monitor scheduling information from the network device, thus enabling timely service transmission while reducing power consumption.

[0377] In some embodiments, as a possible alternative, if the terminal device detects an LP-WUS, it does not switch from the LP-WUS mode to the third SSSG described above, but instead suspends the SSSG and resumes normal PDCCH monitoring. This means that if the terminal device detects an LP-WUS, it exits the SSSG mode and continues monitoring the PDCCH, thereby facilitating successful monitoring of scheduling information from the network device.

[0378] It is understood that in each of the above embodiments, the methods and / or steps implemented by the terminal device may also be implemented by components applicable to the terminal device (e.g., processor, chip, chip system, circuit, logic module, or software); the methods and / or steps implemented by the network device may also be implemented by components applicable to the network device (e.g., processor, chip, chip system, circuit, logic module, or software). The chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0379] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0380] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be pointed out that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0381] Figure 23 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2300. The communication device 2300 includes a processing module 2301 and a transceiver module 2302. The communication device 2300 can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device described above. Alternatively, the communication device 2300 can be used to implement the functions of the network device described above.

[0382] In some embodiments, the communication device 2300 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 23 ) for storing program instructions and data.

[0383] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2302, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is configured to implement a transmitting and / or receiving function. The transceiver module 2302 may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver, or a communication interface.

[0384] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 2302 may include a receiving module and a sending module, which are respectively used to execute the transceiver-type (such as receiving and / or sending) steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein; the processing module 2301 may be used to execute the processing-type (such as determination, etc.) steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and / or used to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0385] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module and will not be repeated here.

[0386] Optionally, in this application, "the transceiver module receives / sends information" can also be understood as the processing module receiving / sending information via the transceiver module. "The processing module receives / sends information via the transceiver module" can also be understood as the processing module controlling the transceiver module to receive / send information. Alternatively, "the processing module sends information via the transceiver module" can be understood as the processing module outputs information to the transceiver module, which then sends the information; "the processing module receives information via the transceiver module" can be understood as the transceiver module receiving the information and inputting the information to the processing module.

[0387] In the present application, the communication device 2300 may be presented in the form of functional modules divided in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to a specific application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0388] In some embodiments, when the communication device 2300 in Figure 23 is a chip or a chip system, the function / implementation process of the transceiver module 2302 can be implemented through the input and output interface (or communication interface) of the chip or chip system, and the function / implementation process of the processing module 2301 can be implemented through the processor (or processing circuit) of the chip or chip system.

[0389] Since the communication device 2300 provided in this embodiment can execute the above method, the technical effects that can be obtained can refer to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0390] As a possible product form, the terminal device or network device described in the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented using the following: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware components, any other suitable circuits, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described throughout this application.

[0391] As another possible product form, the terminal device or network device described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 24, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 2400 provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication device 2400 includes a processor 2401 and a transceiver 2402. The communication device 2400 can be a terminal device, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 2400 can be a network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 24 only shows the main components of the communication device 2400. In addition to the processor 2401 and the transceiver 2402, the communication device 2400 can further include a memory 2403, and an input and output device (not shown).

[0392] Optionally, processor 2401 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, as well as control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 2403 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 2402 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0393] Optionally, the processor 2401, the transceiver 2402, and the memory 2403 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0394] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 2401 can read the software program in the memory 2403, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 2401 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 2401. The processor 2401 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0395] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be provided independently of the communication device and may be remotely arranged.

[0396] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the above-mentioned communication device 2300 may take the form of the communication device 2400 shown in FIG. 24 .

[0397] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 2301 in FIG23 can be implemented by the processor 2401 in the communication device 2400 shown in FIG24 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 2403. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 2302 in FIG23 can be implemented by the transceiver 2402 in the communication device 2400 shown in FIG24.

[0398] As another possible product form, the terminal device or network device in the present application may adopt the structure shown in Figure 25, or include the components shown in Figure 25. Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2500 provided in the present application.

[0399] As shown in FIG25 , a communication device 2500 includes at least one processor 2501. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface 2502.

[0400] When the program instructions are executed in the at least one processor 2501, the apparatus 2500 can implement the method provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible designs thereof. Alternatively, the processor 2501 implements the method provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible designs thereof through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0401] The communication interface 2502 can be used to receive program instructions and transmit them to the processor. Alternatively, the communication interface 2502 can be used for the communication device 2500 to communicate with other communication devices, such as exchanging control signaling and / or service data. Exemplarily, the communication interface 2502 can be used to receive signals from devices other than the communication device 2500 and transmit them to the processor 2501, or to send signals from the processor 2501 to other communication devices other than the communication device 2500.

[0402] Optionally, the communication interface 2502 may be a code and / or data read and write interface circuit, or the communication interface 2502 may be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver, or a pin of a chip.

[0403] Optionally, the communication device 2500 may further include at least one memory 2503, which may be used to store required program instructions and / or data. It should be noted that the memory 2503 may exist independently of the processor 2501 or may be integrated with the processor 2501. The memory 2503 may be located within the communication device 2500 or outside the communication device 2500, without limitation.

[0404] Optionally, the communication device 2500 may further include a power supply circuit 2504, which may be used to supply power to the processor 2501. The power supply circuit 2504 may be located in the same chip as the processor 2501, or in another chip other than the chip where the processor 2501 is located.

[0405] Optionally, the communication device 2500 may further include a bus 2505 , and various parts of the communication device 2500 may be interconnected via the bus 2505 .

[0406] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the communication device 2300 shown in FIG. 23 may take the form of the communication device 2500 shown in FIG. 25 .

[0407] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing module 2301 in FIG23 can be implemented by the processor 2501 in the communication device 2500 shown in FIG25 calling the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 2503. The functions / implementation process of the transceiver module 2302 in FIG23 can be implemented by the communication interface 2502 in the communication device 2500 shown in FIG25.

[0408] It should be noted that the structure shown in FIG25 does not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal device or network device. For example, in other embodiments of the present application, the terminal device or network device may include more or fewer components than shown, or may combine or separate certain components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0409] Optionally, the processor in the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0410] Optionally, the memory in the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), or direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0411] Optionally, the power supply circuit described in the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: a power supply line, a power supply subsystem, a power management chip, a power consumption management processor, or a power consumption management control circuit.

[0412] In some embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, which includes a processor for implementing the method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0413] As a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary computer programs and data. The computer program may include instructions, and the processor may invoke the instructions in the computer program stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to perform any of the above-described method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be located in the communication device.

[0414] As another possible implementation, the communication device also includes an interface circuit, which is a code / data read / write interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions (computer execution instructions are stored in a memory, may be read directly from the memory, or may pass through other devices) and transmit them to the processor.

[0415] As another possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, where the communication interface is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device.

[0416] It can be understood that the communication device can be a chip or a chip system. When the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete devices. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0417] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instruction stored thereon, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0418] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0419] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0420] It is understood that the systems, devices, and methods described in this application may also be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0421] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, i.e., they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Components shown as units may or may not be physical units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the objectives of this embodiment as needed.

[0422] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0423] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state drive (SSD)). In the embodiment of the present application, the computer may include the aforementioned device.

[0424] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0425] Although the present application has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined by the appended claims and are deemed to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Monitoring a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS from a network device via a first link; Under a first condition, monitoring a physical downlink control channel PDCCH from the network device through a second link; The first condition includes at least one of the following: A first moment arrives, the first moment being one of the periodic moments; or, The first link does not detect LP-WUS within a first time period; The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first time is configured by the network device; or the first duration is configured by the network device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving first information from the network device, where the first information is used to instruct to start a first timer; The monitoring of the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link includes: During the operation of the first timer, monitoring the LP-WUS from the network device through the first link; The monitoring of the PDCCH from the network device through the second link under the first condition includes: When the first timer times out, a PDCCH from the network device is monitored through the second link, and the running time of the first timer is the first time length.

4. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving a first signal from a network device via a first link; Determining, according to the signal quality of the first signal, that a radio link failure RLF occurs; First information is sent to the network device through a second link, where the first information is used to indicate that the RLF occurs, and power consumption of the first link is less than power consumption of the second link.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that After determining that the RLF occurs, and before sending the first information to the network device through the second link, the method further includes: receiving a second signal from the network device via the second link; The occurrence of the RLF is determined according to a signal quality of the second signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first information from the network device, wherein the first information is used to determine a first threshold; Determining, according to the signal quality of the first signal, that an RLF occurs includes: The occurrence of the RLF is determined according to the signal quality of the first signal and the first threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first information includes the first threshold; or, The first information includes a first offset, which is an offset between the first threshold and a second threshold, the second threshold being used by the terminal device to determine whether RLF occurs according to the signal quality of the second signal, and the method is applied to the terminal device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Second information is received from the network device, where the second information is used to configure a first measurement gap, where the first measurement gap is used to indicate a time period when the second link is in a closed state, and where the first measurement gap includes a time period when the first link monitors the first signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The second information is further used to configure a second measurement gap, where the second measurement gap is used to indicate a time period during which the first link is in a closed state, and the second measurement gap includes a time period during which the second link monitors the second signal.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The second information is also used to indicate a first type of terminal device, and the measurement gap configured by the second information is configured by the network device for the first type of terminal device, and the first type of terminal device includes the terminal device to which the method is applied.

11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that: The first signal includes at least one of the following: a low power channel state information reference signal LP-CSI-RS, a low power reference signal LP-RS, channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, reference signal RS, or synchronization signal; and / or, The second signal includes at least one of the following: LP-CSI-RS, LP-RS, CSI-RS, RS, or a synchronization signal.

12. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: In a first time period of the first search space set group SSSG, a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS from a network device is monitored through a first link, wherein the first time period is a time period in which a physical downlink control channel PDCCH is not monitored through a second link; If the LP-WUS is detected, then In a second SSSG, a PDCCH from the network device is monitored through the second link, and power consumption of the first link is less than power consumption of the second link.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: In a third search space set group SSSG, monitoring a physical downlink control channel PDCCH from a network device through a second link, wherein the third SSSG is one of at least two pre-configured SSSGs; Under a second condition, monitoring a low power consumption wake-up signal LP-WUS from the network device through the first link; The second condition includes at least one of the following: The duration of monitoring the PDCCH in the third SSSG reaches a first duration; or, receiving indication information from the network device, the indication information including an SSSG index, the SSSG index being used to indicate monitoring of the LP-WUS through the first link; The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

14. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS to the terminal device; A physical downlink control channel PDCCH is sent to the terminal device, and the time of sending the PDCCH includes a first time, and the first time is one of the periodic times.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The first moment is configured by a network device, and the method is applied to the network device.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending first information to a terminal device; The first information is used to indicate starting a first timer, and the running state of the first timer is used to indicate whether to monitor a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS through a first link, and is used to indicate whether to monitor a physical downlink control channel PDCCH through a second link.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The running time of the first timer is configured by a network device, and the method is applied to the network device.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: sending second information to the terminal device; The second information is used to configure a first measurement gap, the first measurement gap is used to indicate a time period during which the second link is in a closed state, and the first measurement gap includes a time period during which the first link monitors the first signal; The power consumption of the first link is less than the power consumption of the second link.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second information is further used to configure a second measurement gap, where the second measurement gap is used to indicate a time period during which the first link is in a closed state, and the second measurement gap includes a time period during which the second link monitors a second signal.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The second information is further used to indicate a first type of terminal device, and the measurement gap indicated by the second information is configured for the first type of terminal device, and the first type of terminal device includes the terminal device.

21. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS to the terminal device within a first time period of the first search space set group SSSG; In the second SSSG, a PDCCH is sent to the terminal device.

22. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Sending a physical downlink control channel PDCCH to a terminal device in a third search space set group SSSG, wherein the third SSSG is one of at least two pre-configured SSSGs; Under the second condition, sending a low power consumption wake-up signal LP-WUS to the terminal device; The second condition includes at least one of the following: The duration of sending the PDCCH in the third SSSG reaches the first duration; or, Indication information is sent to the terminal device, where the indication information includes an SSSG index, and the SSSG index is used to instruct the terminal device to monitor the LP-WUS.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a module for executing the method of any one of claims 1-3; or, includes a module for executing the method of any one of claims 4-11; or, includes a module for executing the method of claim 12; or, includes a module for executing the method of claim 13; or, includes a module for executing the method of any one of claims 14-15; or, includes a module for executing the method of any one of claims 16-17; or, includes a module for executing the method of any one of claims 18-20; or, includes a module for executing the method of claim 21; or, includes a module for executing the method of claim 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes a processor, and the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 3; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of claims 4 to 11; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in claim 12; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in claim 13; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of claims 14 to 15; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of claims 16 to 17; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in any one of claims 18 to 20; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in claim 21; or, the processor is configured to execute the method described in claim 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions, which, when executed, implement the method of any one of claims 1-3; or, implement the method of any one of claims 4-11; or, implement the method of claim 12; or, implement the method of claim 13; or, implement the method of any one of claims 14-15; or, implement the method of any one of claims 16-17; or, implement the method of any one of claims 18-20; or, implement the method of claim 21; or, implement the method of claim 22.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes instructions, which, when executed, implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 3; or, implement the method of any one of claims 4 to 11; or, implement the method of claim 12; or, implement the method of claim 13; or, implement the method of any one of claims 14 to 15; or, implement the method of any one of claims 16 to 17; or, implement the method of any one of claims 18 to 20; or, implement the method of claim 21; or, implement the method of claim 22.

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