Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which are used for solving the problem of the energy-saving effect being poor caused by a DRX terminal device detecting an SSB. The method comprises: receiving SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information comprises a cycle duration of an SMTC window and a start position of the SMTC window; and determining a cycle duration of a DRX on the basis of the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determining a start position of the DRX on the basis of the start position of the SMTC window. In the embodiments of the present application, an SMTC window and a DRX are indicated in an associated manner, such that a network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and the DRX, thereby avoiding the overheads caused by multiple times of RRC reconfiguration.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on September 25, 2023, with application number 202311250193.1 and application name “A Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Because continuously monitoring the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) increases terminal device energy consumption, the discontinuous reception (DRX) mechanism is introduced. A DRX cycle consists of an active period and a dormant period. The on-duration period is called the active period. During the active period, the terminal device is awake and monitors the PDCCH. When the terminal device enters the dormant period, it no longer monitors the PDCCH to achieve energy conservation. The longer the dormant period, the better the terminal energy conservation effect.

[0005] In satellite communication scenarios, as the satellite moves, the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) index of the terminal device will change, so that when the SSB reaches the terminal device, the terminal device is in a dormant period, resulting in poor energy saving effect of the terminal device.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for solving the problem that DRX terminal equipment detecting SSB results in poor energy saving effect.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, wherein the execution subject of the method may be a terminal device or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in the terminal device, and the method may be implemented by the following steps: receiving SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information including the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; determining the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determining the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0009] In the embodiment of the present application, by associating the SMTC window and DRX, the network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and DRX, thereby avoiding the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfigurations.

[0010] In one possible design, the DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer. The above design can associate the DRX cycle duration with the SMTC window cycle duration.

[0011] In one possible design, N is a default value or a network device configuration.

[0012] In one possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0013] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0014] Among them, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and mod operation is the remainder operation.

[0015] The above design can make the starting position of the SMTC window the same as the starting position of the DRX window.

[0016] In one possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0017] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0018] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset1 is a preset value.

[0019] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0020] In one possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0021] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0022] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset2 is a preset value.

[0023] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0024] In one possible design, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: determining the duration of the DRX duration based on the duration of the SMTC window. The above design can associate the duration of the SMTC window with the duration of the DRX duration.

[0025] In one possible design, the relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0026] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0027] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0028] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0029] Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0030] Through the above design, the SMTC window and the On Duration of DRX can be matched, so that when the SSB reaches the terminal device, the terminal device is just during the On Duration. In this way, the terminal device only needs to wake up the terminal device once to complete the PDCCH detection and SSB detection, which can reduce the energy consumption on the terminal device side.

[0031] In one possible design, the method also includes: receiving indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

[0032] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, wherein the execution subject of the method may be a network device or a chip, chip system or circuit located in the network device, and the method may be implemented by the following steps: sending SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information including the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; determining the cycle duration of DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and determining the starting position of DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0033] In the embodiment of the present application, by associating the SMTC window and DRX, the network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and DRX, thereby avoiding the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfigurations.

[0034] In one possible design, the DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer. The above design can associate the DRX cycle duration with the SMTC window cycle duration.

[0035] In one possible design, N is a default value or a network device configuration.

[0036] In one possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0037] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0038] Among them, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and mod operation is the remainder operation.

[0039] The above design can make the starting position of the SMTC window the same as the starting position of the DRX window.

[0040] In one possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0041] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0042] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset1 is a preset value.

[0043] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0044] In one possible design, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0045] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0046] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset2 is a preset value.

[0047] The above design can make the relative positions of the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window fixed.

[0048] In one possible design, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: determining the duration of the DRX duration based on the duration of the SMTC window. The above design can associate the duration of the SMTC window with the duration of the DRX duration.

[0049] In one possible design, the relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0050] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0051] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0052] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0053] Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0054] Through the above design, the SMTC window and the On Duration of DRX can be matched, so that when the SSB reaches the terminal device, the terminal device is just during the On Duration. In this way, the terminal device only needs to wake up the terminal device once to complete the PDCCH detection and SSB detection, which can reduce the energy consumption on the terminal device side.

[0055] In one possible design, the method also includes: sending indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

[0056] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method can be a terminal device or a chip, chip system or circuit located in the terminal device. The method can be implemented by the following steps: receiving a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate the starting position of DRX; and determining the starting position of DRX according to the MAC CE.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present application, the starting position of DRX or the change of the starting position is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of configuring DRX.

[0058] In one possible design, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0059] In one possible design, the n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0060] In one possible design, the n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the DRX duration relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0061] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method can be a network device or a chip, chip system or circuit located in the network device. The method can be implemented through the following steps: determining MAC CE, MAC CE is used to indicate the starting position of DRX; sending MAC CE.

[0062] In the embodiment of the present application, the starting position of DRX or the change of the starting position is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of configuring DRX.

[0063] In one possible design, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0064] In one possible design, the n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0065] In one possible design, the n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the starting position of the DRX duration relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0066] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method can be a terminal device or a chip, chip system or circuit located in the terminal device. The method can be implemented by the following steps: receiving a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate an SMTC window; and determining the SMTC window based on the MAC CE.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present application, the change of the SMTC window is indicated by the MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of the terminal device needing to continuously configure the SMTC window due to satellite movement.

[0068] In one possible design, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0069] In one possible design, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0070] In one possible design, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE is used to activate one set of SMTC configurations among multiple sets of SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple sets of SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0071] In the sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The execution subject of the method can be a network device or a chip, chip system or circuit located in the network device. The method can be implemented through the following steps: determining MAC CE, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window; sending MAC CE.

[0072] In the embodiment of the present application, the change of the SMTC window is indicated by the MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of the terminal device needing to continuously configure the SMTC window due to satellite movement.

[0073] In one possible design, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0074] In one possible design, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0075] In one possible design, MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: MAC CE is used to activate one set of SMTC configurations among multiple sets of SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple sets of SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, which is a terminal device or a chip in a terminal device. The communication device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the first, third, or fifth aspects above. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0077] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in executing the corresponding functions of the terminal device in the method described above. The communication device may also include a memory, which may be coupled to the processor and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit for supporting communication between the communication device and equipment such as a service satellite, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules for implementing the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0079] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing unit) and a communication unit (or communication unit), which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in the first aspect, the third aspect or the fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0080] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a communications device, wherein the device is a satellite or a chip in a satellite. The communications device has the function of implementing any of the methods provided in the second, fourth, or sixth aspects above. The communications device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0081] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding satellite servicing functions described in the above method. The communication device may also include a memory, which may be coupled to the processor and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit for supporting communication between the communication device and a terminal device, such as transmitting and receiving data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0082] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules for implementing the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0083] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit (or processing unit) and a communication unit (or communication unit), which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in the second aspect, fourth aspect or sixth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0084] In the ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the methods of the aforementioned first aspect, third aspect, or fifth aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0085] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being used to implement the methods of the aforementioned second aspect, fourth aspect, or sixth aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0086] In the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, it implements the method in any one of the aforementioned aspects from the first to the sixth aspect and any possible design.

[0087] In the twelfth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 6 and any possible design.

[0088] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and possibly a memory, for implementing the method of any of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 6 and any possible design. The chip system may be composed of a chip alone or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0089] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus described in the first aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus described in the second aspect (such as a network device).

[0090] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus described in the third aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus described in the fourth aspect (such as a network device).

[0091] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the device described in the fifth aspect (such as a terminal device) and the device described in the sixth aspect (such as a network device).

[0092] The technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solutions in any of the seventh to sixteenth aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solutions in the first aspect mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be repeated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0093] FIG1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a DRX system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an association relationship between DRX and SMTC windows according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of an association relationship between DRX and SMTC windows according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of an association relationship between DRX and SMTC windows according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG13 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0110] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] Below, some terms used in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0112] 1. Discontinuous Reception (DRX)

[0113] To reduce power consumption, when there is no data transmission, the terminal device can stop receiving the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) (the terminal device will stop PDCCH blind detection at this time) to reduce power consumption and thus improve battery life. Discontinuous reception (DRX) technology can help save power. The basic mechanism of DRX is to configure the DRX cycle for the terminal device. As shown in Figure 1, during the activation period (on duration), the terminal device monitors the PDCCH normally. During the sleep period (opportunity for DRX), the terminal device can enter the sleep state and not receive the PDCCH to reduce power consumption.

[0114] The parameter drx-OnDurationTimer is used to configure the length of the On Duration period in a DRX cycle.

[0115] The parameter drx-SlotOffset is used to configure the delay in starting the DRX OnDuration timer. That is, within a DRC cycle, the DRX OnDuration timer starts after the timeslot offset indicated by drx-SlotOffset has passed since the start of the On Duration subframe. drx-SlotOffset is the offset within the subframe and is less than 1ms.

[0116] Parameter drx-InactivityTimer: During the On Duration period, when the terminal device has uplink and downlink data transmission scheduling, the network device will start or restart a drx-InactivityTimer. The terminal device will remain in the active state until the timer expires. If the drx-InactivityTimer is running, even if the DRX OnDuration timer has expired, the terminal device still needs to listen to the downlink PDCCH until the drx-InactivityTimer expires.

[0117] To meet the power consumption and data latency requirements of terminal devices, two DRX cycles are introduced: the DRX short cycle and the DRX long cycle. For the DRX long cycle, the parameter drx-LongCycle indicates the period value of the DRX long cycle, and the parameter drx-StartOffset indicates the offset of the DRX long cycle. These two parameters together determine the starting subframe of the DRX long cycle. For the DRX short cycle, the parameter drx-ShortCycle indicates the period value of the DRX short cycle, and the parameter drx-ShortCycleTimer is used to configure the number of DRX short cycles.

[0118] The terminal device can be configured with a long DRX cycle by default. If the terminal device is configured with a short DRX cycle and drx-InactivityTimer is triggered, it will enter the short DRX cycle after the drx-InactivityTimer timing ends, and the drx-ShortCycleTimer will be started. If the drx-ShortCycleTimer times out without data transmission, the terminal device will switch to the long DRX cycle. For example, if drx-ShortCycleTimer is configured with 16, the short DRX cycle will be repeated 16 times. If the terminal device does not receive any uplink or downlink data transmission scheduling within these 16 short DRX cycles, the terminal device will switch to the long DRX cycle to save power. In addition, the network side can achieve switching between long and short cycles through signaling such as the DRX command and the media access control channel element (MAC CE).

[0119] 2. Synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB)-based measurement timing configuration (SMTC)

[0120] SMTC is a window for SSB measurement configured by network equipment for terminal devices. Terminal devices only need to perform SSB measurement within the SMTC window and do not need to perform SSB measurement outside the window.

[0121] 3. NTN Communication

[0122] NTN communications can also be referred to as satellite communications. Satellite communication architectures fall into two broad categories: the transparent forwarding architecture, as shown in Figure 2. In this case, the satellite acts solely as a relay or amplifier, performing RF filtering, amplification, and signal regeneration. The regenerative architecture, as shown in Figure 3, uses satellites as next-generation node Bs (gNBs), distributed units (DUs), and relays. Unlike the relays in the first category, these relays are no longer simply relays but also perform signal processing, similar to integrated access and backhaul (IAB) nodes or other relay nodes. When a satellite acts as a gNB, DU, IAB, or other relay node, its functionality is similar to that of a standard gNB, DU, IAB, or other relay node.

[0123] NTN communication provides seamless coverage for terminal devices by deploying access network equipment or part of the functions of access network equipment on non-ground equipment (such as high-altitude platforms or satellites, etc.). Since non-ground equipment is less affected by natural disasters, the reliability of the communication system can be improved. To facilitate the explanation and understanding of the solutions of the embodiments of this application, this application will later use the NTN communication system in which access network equipment is deployed on a satellite as an example. In addition, for the convenience of description, this application will later replace "access network equipment on the satellite" with "satellite" and "NTN communication" with "satellite communication". That is, the communication between the terminal equipment and the satellite involved in the subsequent application actually refers to the communication between the terminal equipment and the access network equipment on the satellite. This is explained uniformly here and will not be repeated later.

[0124] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0125] Also, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0126] It should be noted that, in this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0127] The terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof mentioned in the following description of the embodiments of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0128] The foregoing describes some of the terms involved in the embodiments of the present application. The following describes the architecture of the network system to which the method provided by the present application is applied.

[0129] The network elements involved in the embodiments of the present application include network devices and terminal devices.

[0130] A network device is an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals, such as a new generation base station (generation Node B, gNodeB). A network device can be a device for communicating with a mobile device. A network device can be an AP in a wireless local area network (WLAN), an evolutionary Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE), or a relay station or access point or integrated access and backhaul (IAB), or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device in a future 5G network or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, or a gNodeB (gNB) in an NR system, etc. In addition, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device provides services for a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) used by the cell. In addition, in other possible cases, the network device can be other devices that provide wireless communication functions for the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the network device. For the convenience of description, in the embodiments of this application, the device that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device is called a network device.

[0131] A terminal device may be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and instruction information. A wireless terminal device may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. A wireless terminal device may communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (e.g., a radio access network, RAN). A wireless terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (also known as a "cellular" phone, mobile phone), a computer, and a data card. For example, a mobile device may be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, built-in, or in-vehicle, and may exchange voice and / or data with a radio access network. Examples include personal communications service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet computers, and computers with wireless transceiver capabilities. A wireless terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a subscriber station (SS), a customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile terminal (MT), etc. A wireless terminal device may also be a wearable device and a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN network, a terminal device in a new radio (NR) communication system, etc.

[0132] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other future-oriented communication technologies. The network architecture and service scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by this application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0133] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the types and standards of the above communication systems. For example, the communication system may be a fifth generation (5G) communication system, a long term evolution (LTE) communication system, etc.

[0134] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to the fourth generation mobile communication system (4G) system, 5G system, NTN system (for example, the NTN system with the transparent forwarding architecture shown in FIG2 , or the NTN system with the regeneration architecture shown in FIG3 , or NTN system with other architectures), vehicle to everything (V2X), long-term evolution-vehicle network (LTE-vehicle, LTE-V), vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle network, machine type communication (MTC), Internet of things (IoT), long-term evolution-machine to machine (LTE-machine to machine, LTE-M), machine to machine (M2M), Internet of Things, or future mobile communication systems.

[0135] 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. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0136] The following describes the technical features involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0137] As described in the previous terminology, a terminal device is active during the On Duration period and can monitor downlink signals. It wakes up during the SMTC window to monitor SSBs. In satellite scenarios, as the satellite moves, the SSB index of the terminal device changes, causing a mismatch between the On Duration time and the SSB arrival time, causing the terminal device to wake up at multiple times for detection.

[0138] Based on this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for resolving the issue of poor energy conservation resulting from SSB detection by a DRX terminal device. The method and apparatus are based on the same concept. Since the method and apparatus solve similar problems, the implementation of the apparatus and method can refer to each other, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0139] The communication method provided in this application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0140] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application, which includes:

[0141] S401: The network device sends SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes the period length of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the SMTC configuration information.

[0142] S402: The terminal device determines DRX configuration information according to the configuration information of the SMTC window, wherein the DRX configuration information includes the DRX cycle duration and the DRX start position.

[0143] Specifically, the terminal device may determine the DRX cycle duration according to the SMTC window cycle duration, and determine the DRX start position according to the SMTC window start position.

[0144] Exemplarily, the DRX cycle duration may be N times the cycle duration of the SMTC window, where N is an integer. Here, N is a default value or a value configured by the network device. For example, the terminal device and the network device default to the value of N. For another example, the network device indicates the value of N to the terminal device. For another example, when the network device does not indicate the value of N to the terminal device, N takes the default value; when the network device indicates the value of N to the terminal device, N is the value indicated by the network device.

[0145] Exemplarily, the starting position of DRX may be determined according to the starting position of the SMTC window and the DRX cycle duration.

[0146] In Example 1, the starting position of DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0147] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0148] Where drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, and drx-Cycle is the DRX cycle duration. When the DRX long cycle is configured and activated, drx-Cycle can be the drx-LongCycle mentioned in the previous terminology introduction. When the DRX short cycle is configured and activated, drx-Cycle can be the drx-ShortCycle mentioned in the previous terminology introduction.

[0149] The mod operation is a remainder operation.

[0150] As an example, assuming that N is equal to 2, that is, the DRX cycle duration is twice the SMTC window cycle duration, the relationship between the DRX and SMTC windows can be shown in FIG5 .

[0151] Example 2: The starting position of DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0152] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0153] Here, offset1 is a bias greater than 0.

[0154] Optionally, offset1 is indicated by the network device. For example, offset1 can be indicated by an existing field or a newly added field.

[0155] Alternatively, offset1 is determined according to the period length of the SMTC window. For example, offset1 is 1 / 2 of the period length of the SMTC window, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0156] Alternatively, offset1 is determined according to the DRX cycle duration, for example, offset1 is 1 / 2 of the DRX cycle duration, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0157] Alternatively, offset1 is a preset value.

[0158] As an example, assuming that N is equal to 2, that is, the DRX cycle duration is twice the SMTC window cycle duration, and offset1 is 1 / 2 of the SMTC window cycle duration, the relationship between DRX and SMTC window can be shown in FIG6 .

[0159] Example 3: The starting position of DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0160] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0161] Here, offset2 is a bias greater than 0.

[0162] Optionally, offset2 is indicated by the network device. For example, offset2 can be indicated by an existing field or a newly added field.

[0163] Alternatively, offset2 is determined according to the period length of the SMTC window. For example, offset2 is 1 / 2 of the period length of the SMTC window, and the like. No specific limitation is given here.

[0164] Alternatively, offset2 is determined according to the DRX cycle duration, for example, offset2 is 1 / 2 of the DRX cycle duration, etc., which is not specifically limited here.

[0165] Alternatively, offset2 is a preset value.

[0166] As an example, assuming that N is equal to 2, that is, the DRX cycle duration is twice the SMTC window cycle duration, and offset2 is 1 / 2 of the SMTC window cycle duration, the relationship between DRX and SMTC window can be shown in FIG7 .

[0167] In a possible implementation, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window. The terminal device may also determine the duration of the On Duration in DRX according to the duration of the SMTC window.

[0168] For example, the relationship between the On Duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0169] The duration of the On Duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0170] Alternatively, the duration of the On Duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0171] Alternatively, the duration of the On Duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0172] Alternatively, the duration of the On Duration is offset backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0173] Optionally, the relationship between the duration of the SMTC window and the duration of the On Duration in DRX may be predefined by a protocol or indicated by a network device.

[0174] S403: The network device determines DRX configuration information according to the SMTC window configuration information, wherein the DRX configuration information includes the DRX cycle duration and the DRX start position.

[0175] Specifically, the network device can determine the DRX cycle duration according to the SMTC window cycle duration, and determine the DRX start position according to the SMTC window start position. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S402 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0176] Optionally, the network device may also determine the duration of the On Duration in DRX according to the duration of the SMTC window. Detailed descriptions can be found in the above S402 and will not be repeated here.

[0177] It should be noted that the present application does not limit the execution order of S402 and S403. S402 may be executed first and then S403, or S403 may be executed first and then S402, or S402 and S403 may be executed simultaneously.

[0178] Optionally, the network device may indicate the association between the SMTC window and DRX through downlink control information (DCI) or media access control channel element (MAC CE) or radio resource control (RRC) signaling. For example, the association between the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the cycle duration of DRX may be indicated. For another example, the association between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of DRX may be indicated. Alternatively, the association between the duration of the SMTC window and the duration of the On Duration in DRX may be indicated.

[0179] Alternatively, the network device may also indicate the association relationship between the SMTC window and DRX via a cell broadcast message. In this way, the terminal devices in the current cell may use the same association relationship.

[0180] Alternatively, the network device first indicates the association relationship between the SMTC window and DRX through a cell broadcast message. After the terminal device accesses the network device, the network device can update the association relationship between the SMTC window and DRX of the terminal device through DCI or MAC CE or RRC signaling.

[0181] It should be noted that Figure 4 only uses the example of determining the DRX configuration information based on the SMTC configuration information. In a specific implementation, the SMTC configuration information can also be determined based on the DRX configuration information. For example, the network device sends the DRX configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device and the network device determine the SMTC configuration information based on the DRX configuration information. The association relationship between the DRX and SMTC windows can be referred to in Figure 4 and will not be elaborated here.

[0182] In the embodiment of the present application, by associating the SMTC window and DRX, the On Duration of the SMTC window and DRX can be matched, so that when the SSB arrives at the terminal device, the terminal device is just during the On Duration. In this way, the terminal device only needs to wake up the terminal device once to complete PDCCH detection and SSB detection, which can reduce energy consumption on the terminal device side. In addition, through the above embodiment, the network device can use unified parameters to configure the SMTC window and DRX, avoiding the overhead caused by multiple RRC reconfigurations.

[0183] The above introduces the association between the SMTC window and DRX, and the following introduces the configuration method of the SMTC window and DRX. It should be understood that the configuration method of the SMTC window described below can be implemented separately, or it can be combined with the method described in Figure 4 to be implemented as a scheme. For example, the SMTC window can be configured by the configuration method of the SMTC window described below, and the DRX can be determined by the association between DRX and the SMTC window in the method described in Figure 4 above. The configuration method of DRX described below can be implemented separately, or it can be combined with the method described in Figure 4 to be implemented as a scheme. For example, the DRX can be configured by the configuration method of the DRX described below, and the SMTC window can be determined by the association between DRX and the SMTC window in the method described in Figure 4 above.

[0184] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application, which includes:

[0185] S801: A network device determines a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate a DRX start position.

[0186] In one example, n1 padding bytes in a MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, for example, indicating drx-LongCycleStartOffset, where drx-LongCycleStartOffset represents the starting position of the DRX long cycle, and n1 is an integer greater than 0. For example, two padding bytes in a MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX (0 to 10239 ms), as shown in Figure 9. For another example, one padding byte in a MAC CE indicates the starting position of partial DRX (0 to 256 ms), as shown in Figure 10.

[0187] In another example, n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the offset value of the start position of the DRX relative to the start position of the first DRX, where n2 is an integer greater than 0. For example, one padding byte in the MAC CE indicates an offset (-127 to 128 ms) from the current drx-LongCycleStartOffset, as shown in FIG11 .

[0188] Optionally, the n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE can also indicate the offset value of the start position of the DRX duration relative to the start position of the DRX (i.e., drx-SlotOffset), where n3 is an integer greater than 0. For illustration, referring to the example shown in Figure 9, the first two bytes of the padding field in the MAC CE represent drx-LongCycleStartOffset (0 to 10239 ms), and the last byte represents drx-SlotOffset (0 to 31), as shown in Figure 12. After receiving the MAC CE, the terminal device can calculate the start time of the On Duration based on the drx-LongCycleStartOffset and drx-SlotOffset indicated by the MAC CE.

[0189] Optionally, the MAC CE may further indicate the function of the MAC CE through n4 bytes, that is, the MAC CE indicates the DRX start position through n4 bytes. For example, the MAC CE may indicate the function of the MAC CE through a reserved byte in the logical channel identification (LCID) field or the extended LCID (eLCID) field.

[0190] S802: The network device sends the MAC CE, and the terminal device receives the MAC CE accordingly.

[0191] S803, the terminal device determines the starting position of DRX according to MAC CE.

[0192] In a possible implementation, the network device may make the SMTC window and onDuration overlap when configuring DRX.

[0193] In the embodiment of the present application, the starting position of DRX or the change of the starting position is indicated by MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of configuring DRX.

[0194] FIG13 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by the present application, which includes:

[0195] S1301: The network device determines a MAC CE, where the MAC CE is used to indicate an SMTC window.

[0196] In one example, the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: a period duration of the SMTC window, a starting position of the SMTC window, or a duration of the SMTC window.

[0197] Optionally, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0198] For example, the two padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the period duration of the SMTC window (represented as "period" in Figure 14), the starting offset of the SMTC window (represented as "offset" in Figure 14), and the duration of the SMTC window (represented as "duration" in Figure 14), as shown in Figure 14. The period duration of the SMTC window (3 bits) can indicate sf5, sf10, sf20, sf40, sf80, sf160, sf320, sf640, etc. The duration of the SMTC window (3 bits) can indicate sf1, sf2, sf2, sf3, sf4, sf4, sf5, sf6, sf7, and sf8. The starting position of the SMTC window (10 bits) can indicate an offset of 0 to 1023 sf, where sf represents a subframe.

[0199] For another example, one padding byte in the MAC CE indicates the starting position of the SMTC window, as shown in Figure 15. The starting position (8 bits) of the SMTC window can represent a starting offset of 0 to 255sf.

[0200] In another example, the MAC CE is used to activate one of multiple SMTC configurations, and any of the multiple SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0201] S1302: The network device sends a MAC CE, and the terminal device receives the MAC CE accordingly.

[0202] S1303: The terminal device determines the SMTC window according to the MAC CE.

[0203] Optionally, the MAC CE may further indicate the function of the MAC CE through n4 bytes, that is, the MAC CE may indicate that the MAC CE configures the SMTC window through n4 bytes. For example, the MAC CE may indicate the function of the MAC CE through a reserved byte in the logical channel identification (LCID) field or the extended LCID (eLCID) field.

[0204] In the embodiment of the present application, the change of the SMTC window is indicated by the MAC CE, which can reduce the overhead of the terminal device needing to continuously configure the SMTC window due to satellite movement.

[0205] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiment, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the structure of which may be as shown in FIG. 16 , including a communication unit 1601 and a processing unit 1602 .

[0206] In one embodiment, a communication device can be specifically used to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the embodiment of FIG. 4 . The device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip, chipset, or a portion of a chip in the terminal device that performs the functions of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is configured to receive SMTC configuration information, where the SMTC configuration information includes the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; the processing unit 1602 is configured to determine the cycle duration of DRX based on the cycle duration of the SMTC window; and determine the starting position of DRX based on the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0207] Exemplarily, the DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

[0208] Exemplarily, N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

[0209] Exemplarily, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0210] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0211] Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and mod operation is the remainder operation;

[0212] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0213] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0214] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset1 is a preset value;

[0215] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0216] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0217] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset2 is a preset value.

[0218] Optionally, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit 1602 is further configured to:

[0219] The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

[0220] Exemplarily, the relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0221] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0222] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0223] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0224] Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0225] Optionally, the communication unit 1601 is further configured to:

[0226] Indication information is received, where the indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a duration and a duration of the SMTC window.

[0227] In one embodiment, the communication device shown in FIG. 16 can be specifically used to implement the method performed by the network device in the embodiment of FIG. 4 . The device can be the network device itself, or a chip, chipset, or portion of a chip within the network device that performs the functions of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is configured to transmit SMTC configuration information, where the SMTC configuration information includes the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window. The processing unit 1602 is configured to determine the cycle duration of the DRX based on the cycle duration of the SMTC window, and to determine the starting position of the DRX based on the starting position of the SMTC window.

[0228] Exemplarily, the DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

[0229] Exemplarily, N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

[0230] Exemplarily, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula:

[0231] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle;

[0232] Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of DRX, periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, drx-Cycle is the cycle length of DRX, and mod operation is the remainder operation;

[0233] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0234] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1;

[0235] Wherein, offset1 is an offset greater than 0, offset1 is indicated by the network device, or offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of DRX, or offset1 is a preset value;

[0236] Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX window satisfies the following formula:

[0237] drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2;

[0238] Wherein, offset2 is an offset greater than 0, offset2 is indicated by the network device, or offset2 is determined according to the DRX cycle duration or the DRX cycle duration, or offset2 is a preset value.

[0239] Optionally, the SMTC configuration information further includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit 1602 is further configured to determine the duration of the DRX duration according to the duration of the SMTC window.

[0240] Exemplarily, the relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships:

[0241] The duration of the duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window;

[0242] Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer;

[0243] Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer;

[0244] Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

[0245] Optionally, the communication unit 1601 is further configured to:

[0246] Send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

[0247] In one embodiment, a communication device can be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the embodiment of FIG8 . The device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip, chipset, or a portion of a chip within the terminal device that performs the functions of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is configured to receive a MAC CE indicating a DRX start position; the processing unit 1602 is configured to determine the DRX start position based on the MAC CE.

[0248] Exemplarily, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0249] Exemplarily, n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0250] Exemplarily, n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the DRX duration relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0251] In one embodiment, the communication device shown in FIG16 can be used to implement the method performed by the network device in the embodiment of FIG8 . The device can be the network device itself, or a chip, chipset, or a portion of a chip within the network device that performs the functions of the related method. The processing unit 1602 is configured to determine a MAC CE, which indicates the start position of a DRX signal. The communication unit 1601 is configured to send a MAC CE.

[0252] Exemplarily, n1 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the starting position of DRX, where n1 is an integer greater than 0.

[0253] Exemplarily, n2 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the DRX relative to the starting position of the first DRX, and n2 is an integer greater than 0.

[0254] Exemplarily, n3 padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate an offset value of the starting position of the DRX duration relative to the starting position of the DRX, and n3 is an integer greater than 0.

[0255] In one embodiment, a communication device can be specifically configured to implement the method performed by the terminal device in the embodiment of FIG. 13 . The device can be the terminal device itself, or a chip, chipset, or portion of a chip within the terminal device that performs the functions of the related method. The communication unit 1601 is configured to receive a MAC CE indicating an SMTC window; the processing unit 1602 determines the SMTC window based on the MAC CE.

[0256] Exemplarily, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0257] Exemplarily, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0258] Exemplarily, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE is used to activate one SMTC configuration among multiple SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0259] In one embodiment, the communication device shown in FIG16 can be used to implement the method performed by the network device in the embodiment of FIG13 . The device can be the network device itself, or a chip, chipset, or a portion of a chip in the network device that performs the functions of the related method. The processing unit 1602 is configured to determine a MAC CE, which indicates the SMTC window; and the communication unit 1601 is configured to send the MAC CE.

[0260] Exemplarily, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE indicates at least one of the following information: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0261] Exemplarily, n padding bytes in the MAC CE indicate the SMTC window, where n is an integer greater than 0.

[0262] Exemplarily, the MAC CE is used to indicate the SMTC window, including: the MAC CE is used to activate one SMTC configuration among multiple SMTC configurations, and any SMTC configuration among the multiple SMTC configurations includes at least one of the following parameters: the period duration of the SMTC window, the starting position of the SMTC window, or the duration of the SMTC window.

[0263] The division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present application can be integrated into a processor, or can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The above-mentioned integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of the various modules in the embodiments of the present application can be further referred to the relevant description of the method embodiment.

[0264] In one possible embodiment, a communication device may be as shown in FIG17 . The device may be a communication device or a chip in a communication device, wherein the communication device may be a terminal device or a network device in the above embodiments. The device includes a processor 1701 and a communication interface 1702, and may also include a memory 1703. The processing unit 1602 may be the processor 1701. The communication unit 1601 may be the communication interface 1702. Optionally, the processor 1701 and the memory 1703 may be integrated.

[0265] The processor 1701 may be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or the like. The communication interface 1702 may be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, or the like. The device further includes: a memory 1703 for storing programs executed by the processor 1701. The memory 1703 may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory 1703 is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0266] The processor 1701 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1703, specifically to execute the actions of the processing unit 1602, which will not be described in detail in this application. The communication interface 1702 is specifically used to execute the actions of the communication unit 1601, which will not be described in detail in this application.

[0267] The specific connection medium between the communication interface 1702, processor 1701, and memory 1703 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In Figure 17, the embodiment of the present application shows that the memory 1703, processor 1701, and communication interface 1702 are connected via bus 1704. The bus is represented by a bold line in Figure 17. The connection method between other components is only for schematic illustration and is not limiting. Buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of representation, only one bold line is used in Figure 17, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0268] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to be executed by the above-mentioned processor, which includes a program required to be executed by the above-mentioned processor.

[0269] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of Figure 4 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of Figure 4.

[0270] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of Figure 8 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of Figure 8.

[0271] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a communication device for implementing the terminal device function in the embodiment of Figure 13 and a communication device for implementing the network device function in the embodiment of Figure 13.

[0272] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0273] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0274] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0275] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0276] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applicable to a terminal device, and the method comprises: Receive synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, the SMTC configuration information including the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; Determine the cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window; The starting position of the DRX is determined according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Indication information is received, where the indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a duration of the duration and a duration of the SMTC window.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applicable to a terminal device, and the method comprises: Sending synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes the cycle duration of the SMTC window and the starting position of the SMTC window; Determine the cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window; The starting position of the DRX is determined according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the DRX or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window, and the method further includes: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is applicable to a terminal device, and comprises: A communication unit, configured to receive synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes a cycle duration of the SMTC window and a starting position of the SMTC window; A processing unit, configured to determine a cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to a cycle duration of the SMTC window; And, determining the starting position of the DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

18. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

19. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit is further configured to: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

21. The device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The communication unit is further used for: Indication information is received, where the indication information is used to indicate a relationship between a duration of the duration and a duration of the SMTC window.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device is applicable to a terminal device, and comprises: A communication unit, configured to send synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block measurement timing configuration SMTC configuration information, wherein the SMTC configuration information includes a cycle duration of the SMTC window and a starting position of the SMTC window; A processing unit, configured to determine a cycle duration of discontinuous reception DRX according to a cycle duration of the SMTC window; And, determining the starting position of the DRX according to the starting position of the SMTC window.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The DRX cycle duration is N times the SMTC window cycle duration, where N is an integer.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The N is a default value or a value configured by the network device.

25. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that The relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle; Wherein, drx-StartOffset is the starting position of the DRX, the periodicityAndOffset is the starting position of the SMTC window, the drx-Cycle is the cycle length of the DRX, and the mod operation is a remainder operation; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle+offset1; The offset1 is a bias greater than 0, the offset1 is indicated by a network device, or the offset1 is determined according to the cycle duration of the SMTC window or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset1 is a preset value; Alternatively, the relationship between the starting position of the SMTC window and the starting position of the DRX satisfies the following formula: drx-StartOffset=periodicityAndOffset mod drx-Cycle-offset2; The offset2 is a bias greater than 0, the offset2 is indicated by the network device, or the offset2 is determined according to the cycle duration of the DRX or the cycle duration of the DRX, or the offset2 is a preset value.

26. The device according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The SMTC configuration information also includes the duration of the SMTC window. The processing unit is further configured to: The duration of the DRX duration is determined according to the duration of the SMTC window.

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that The relationship between the duration and the SMTC window satisfies one of the following relationships: The duration is the same as the duration of the SMTC window; Alternatively, the duration is M times the duration of the SMTC window, where M is an integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted forward by X1 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X1 is a positive integer; Alternatively, the duration is shifted backward by X2 compared to the duration of the SMTC window, where X2 is a positive integer.

28. The device according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that The communication unit is further used for: Send indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the relationship between the duration and the duration of the SMTC window.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer storage medium stores computer-readable instructions, and when the computer-readable instructions are executed on the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is executed.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is run on a device, the device is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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