Pdcch monitoring method and related device

Abstract

A PDCCH monitoring method, used for reducing the power consumption of a terminal device. The method of the present application comprises: obtaining first DRX parameters for configuring first DRX and second DRX parameters for configuring second DRX, the starting time of a first cycle period of the first DRX being t1, the starting time of a second cycle period of the second DRX being t2, and t1 being earlier than t2; and, if the time difference between t1 and t2 is less than a first threshold value, beginning to monitor a PDCCH at time t3, t3 being not later than t2 and later than t1.

Description

Method for monitoring PDCCH and related device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202311330424.X, filed on October 12, 2023, and entitled "Method for monitoring PDCCH and related device". The entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication, in particular to a method for monitoring PDCCH and related device. BACKGROUND

[0003] In recent years, with the continuous development of communication systems, the data transmission delay is continuously reduced, the transmission capacity is increasingly large, and real-time and large data capacity services have also developed rapidly. Users can use electronic devices to carry out various services, and how to ensure the experience of various services of users has become a problem to be solved.

[0004] In one method, a terminal device is configured with multiple sets of discontinuous reception (DRX) parameters, and the DRX parameters are used to define an on duration time for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), thereby ensuring the transmission of different services.

[0005] In this method, since the monitoring occasions of PDCCH configured by different DRX parameters are different, the terminal device needs to monitor PDCCH in the monitoring occasions of multiple sets of DRX parameters, which increases the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a method for monitoring PDCCH and related device, which is used to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for monitoring PDCCH, which can be executed by a terminal device, a module (such as a chip system, etc.) of the terminal device, a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. For ease of description, the terminal device is taken as an example for description. The method comprises:

[0009] The terminal device obtains the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter from the network device, that is, the network device configures the terminal device with the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter. The first DRX parameter is used to configure the first DRX, and the second DRX parameter is used to configure the second DRX. The first DRX and the second DRX each include a cycle period, and each cycle period includes an on duration time and an off duration time, and the terminal device listens to the PDCCH in the on duration time. The start time of the cycle period is also the start time of the on duration time included in the cycle period. The start time of the first cycle period of the first DRX is t1, the start time of the second cycle period of the second DRX is t2, and t1 is earlier than t2. The terminal device can also compare the time difference between t1 and t2, and in the case where the time difference between t1 and t2 is less than a first threshold, the terminal device starts to listen to the PDCCH at t3. Wherein, t3 is not later than t2 and later than t1. That is, the start time of listening to the PDCCH is delayed from t1 to t3, and the total length of listening to the PDCCH is also shortened.

[0010] In the method for listening to the PDCCH provided in the present application, in the case where the time difference between the start time t1 of the first cycle period of the first DRX and the start time t2 of the second cycle period of the second DRX is less than a first threshold, the terminal device starts to listen to the PDCCH at t3. Wherein, t3 is not later than t2 and later than t1, that is, the terminal device delays the start time of the first cycle period, reduces the actual length of the first cycle period, and thus reduces the time of listening to the PDCCH, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0011] In some optional implementations of the first aspect, t3 can be equal to t2, that is, the start time of the first cycle period is actually delayed to t2.

[0012] In the present application, if t3 is equal to t2, the terminal device starts to listen to the PDCCH at t2 for both the first DRX and the second DRX. Since the start time of the second cycle period of the second DRX is t2, it means that the terminal device originally needs to listen to the PDCCH from t2. t3 being equal to t2 not only maximally delays the start time of listening to the PDCCH, but also ensures that the second DRX is not affected, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0013] In some optional implementations of the first aspect, t3=t1+P, and P is configured by the network device for the terminal device. P represents a delay period, that is, a period of delay in listening to the PDCCH. The value of P can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, and is related to factors such as the service cycle, the size of the data packet, the tolerance degree of the transmission delay, etc., and is not limited here.

[0014] In the present application, t3 has multiple possibilities, which can be equal to t2, or between t1 and t2, which can be flexibly selected according to the needs of actual application, enriching the implementation mode and application scene of the technical scheme of the present application.

[0015] In some optional implementation modes of the first aspect, the second period time period is a time period closest to the starting time t1 of the first period time period in the period time period of the second DRX. It should be noted that the closest here refers to the starting time of the two period time periods being closest in time.

[0016] In the present application, the starting times of the first period time period and the second period time period are closest in time, avoiding the situation that when comparing the time difference of the starting times of different periods, the time difference spans too large to cross the period time period, resulting in that the duration of the period time period being crossed does not start, that is, no longer listens to PDCCH in the duration of the period time period being crossed, causing the data corresponding to the duration to have no way to be transmitted. That is, the starting times of the first period time period and the second period time period are closest in time, which is beneficial to improve the reliability of data transmission and improve the practicability of the technical scheme of the present application.

[0017] In some optional implementation modes of the first aspect, the first threshold value can be configured by the network device for the terminal device. The value of the first threshold value can be determined by the network device according to the needs of actual application, which is related to factors such as service period, data packet size, tolerance degree of transmission delay, etc., and is not limited here.

[0018] In some optional implementation modes of the first aspect, the first threshold value can be configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter, that is, the first threshold value is included in both the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter. Alternatively, the first threshold value can be configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter.

[0019] In some optional implementation modes of the first aspect, the first threshold value can also be configured by the network device in a separate radio resource control (RRC) signaling. At this time, the first threshold value is effective for the first DRX and the second DRX configured for the terminal device, and the first threshold value is a common threshold value of the first DRX and the second DRX.

[0020] In the present application, the first threshold value is configured by the network device for the terminal device, and there are various possible implementation manners, which can be configured in separate RRC signaling or in DRX parameters. In the scheme of configuring in the DRX parameters, not only multiple sets of DRX parameters can be configured, but also the first threshold value can be configured in a set of DRX parameters, further enriching the implementation manner of the technical scheme of the present application and improving the flexibility and practicality of the technical scheme of the present application.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application provides a monitoring method of PDCCH, which is applied to a communication system including a network device and a terminal device. The part executed by the terminal device in the method can also be executed by a module (such as a chip system) of the terminal device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the terminal device. The part executed by the network device in the method can also be executed by a module (such as a chip system) of the network device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the network device. For the convenience of description, the terminal device and the network device are taken as examples for description. The method includes:

[0022] The network device sends the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter to the terminal device, the first DRX parameter is used for configuring the first DRX, and the second DRX parameter is used for configuring the second DRX. The starting time of the first cycle period of the first DRX is t1, the starting time of the second cycle period of the second DRX is t2, and t1 is earlier than t2. The terminal device acquires the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter from the network device, and starts monitoring the PDCCH at t3 in the case that the time difference between t1 and t2 is less than the first threshold value, t3 is not later than t2 and is later than t1.

[0023] In some optional implementation manners of the second aspect, the network device configures P for the terminal device, and t3=t1+P. P represents a delay period of monitoring the PDCCH.

[0024] In some optional implementation manners of the second aspect, the network device configures the first threshold value for the terminal device. The value of the first threshold value can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, which is related to factors such as the service cycle, the data packet size, the tolerance degree of transmission delay, and the like, and is not limited here.

[0025] In some optional implementation manners of the second aspect, the first threshold value can be configured in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter by the network device, that is, the first threshold value is included in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter. Alternatively, the first threshold value can be configured in the first DRX parameter by the network device.

[0026] In some optional implementation forms of the second aspect, the first threshold value can also be configured by the network device in separate RRC signaling, in which case the first threshold value is applicable to both the first DRX and the second DRX configured for the terminal device, and the first threshold value is a common threshold value of the first DRX and the second DRX.

[0027] The second aspect or the beneficial effects of any of the possible implementation forms of the second aspect are similar to the first aspect or the possible implementation forms of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0028] In a third aspect, the present application provides a PDCCH monitoring method, which can be executed by a terminal device, a module (such as a chip system) of the terminal device, a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. For ease of description, the terminal device is taken as an example for description. The method comprises:

[0029] The terminal device acquires a first DRX parameter and a second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter being used for configuring a first DRX, and the second DRX parameter being used for configuring a second DRX. Exemplarily, the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter are configured by a network device for the terminal device and sent to the terminal device. The terminal device can determine whether to monitor the PDCCH throughout a first duration of the first DRX by comparing a proportion of the first duration occupied by an overlapping duration of the first duration of the first DRX and a second duration of the second DRX with a second threshold value. Specifically, in a case where the proportion of the first duration occupied by the overlapping duration is greater than the second threshold value, the terminal device does not monitor the PDCCH in a duration of the first duration that is not overlapped with the second duration. That is, for the first duration, the terminal device actually monitors the PDCCH in the duration of the first duration that is overlapped with the second duration, rather than the entire duration of the first duration, thereby shortening the duration of monitoring the PDCCH and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0030] In the present application, in a case where the proportion of the first duration occupied by the overlapping duration of the first duration and the second duration is greater than the second threshold value, the terminal device does not monitor the PDCCH in the duration of the first duration that is not overlapped with the second duration, thereby shortening the duration of monitoring the PDCCH and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0031] In some optional implementation forms of the third aspect, the second threshold value is configured by the network device for the terminal device. Specifically, the network device can configure the second threshold value in separate RRC signaling and send the RRC signaling to the terminal device. In addition, the value of the second threshold value can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, which is related to factors such as a service period, a data packet size, a tolerance degree of transmission delay, etc., which is not limited here.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a method for monitoring PDCCH. The method is applied to a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device. The part of the method performed by the terminal device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip system) of the terminal device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the function of the terminal device. The part of the method performed by the network device can also be performed by a module (such as a chip system) of the network device, and can also be implemented by a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the function of the network device. For the convenience of description, the terminal device and the network device are taken as examples for description. The method includes the following steps.

[0033] The network device sends a first DRX parameter and a second DRX parameter to the terminal device, the first DRX parameter being used for configuring a first DRX, and the second DRX parameter being used for configuring a second DRX. The terminal device acquires the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter from the network device. In a case where a proportion of an overlapping period of a first continuous period of the first DRX and a second continuous period of the second DRX to the first continuous period is greater than a second threshold value, the terminal device does not monitor PDCCH in a period of the first continuous period which does not overlap with the second continuous period.

[0034] In some optional implementation of the fourth aspect, the network device configures the second threshold value for the terminal device. Specifically, the network device can configure the second threshold value in a separate RRC signaling and send the RRC signaling to the terminal device. In addition, the value of the second threshold value can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, which is related to factors such as service period, packet size, tolerance degree of transmission delay, and the like, and is not limited here.

[0035] The fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect has similar advantages to the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, which will not be described here.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can implement the function of the terminal device in the method of the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The apparatus includes corresponding units or modules for performing the above method. The units or modules included in the apparatus can be implemented by software and / or hardware. The apparatus can be, for example, a terminal device, a module (such as a chip) of a terminal device, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the function of the terminal device. The present aspect has similar advantages to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, which will not be described here.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can implement the functions of the terminal device in the method of the third aspect, the fourth aspect, any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect, or any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect. The apparatus includes corresponding units or modules for performing the above method. The units or modules included in the apparatus can be implemented by software and / or hardware. The apparatus can be, for example, a terminal device, or a module (such as a chip, etc.) of the terminal device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0038] The beneficial effects of the present aspect are similar to those of the third aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0039] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes a processor coupled with a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed on the processor, cause the communication apparatus to implement the method of the first aspect, the third aspect, any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect. The communication apparatus can be a terminal device, or a module (such as a chip, etc.) of the terminal device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0040] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause the method of the first aspect, the third aspect, any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect to be implemented.

[0041] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product that, when executed on a computer, causes the method of the first aspect, the third aspect, any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect to be implemented.

[0042] The beneficial effects of any one of the seventh aspect to the ninth aspect are similar to those of the first aspect, any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the third aspect, or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a DRX mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for monitoring PDCCH according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIGS. 4-6 are diagrams of DRX according to embodiments of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 7 is another flow diagram of a method for monitoring PDCCH according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams of DRX according to embodiments of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 11 is another diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Embodiments of the present application provide a method for monitoring PDCCH and related devices, which can reduce power consumption of a terminal device.

[0052] Embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the embodiments of the present application can be applied to similar technical problems as technology develops and new scenarios appear.

[0053] The terms "first", "second", and the like in the description and claims of the present application and the above drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily indicate a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchanged, which is merely a distinguishing way used in the description of the embodiments of the present application to describe the objects with the same attributes. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the processes, methods, systems, products or devices containing a series of units do not have to be limited to those units, but can include other units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. In addition, "one or more" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which means that A exists alone, A and B exist together, B exists alone, and A, B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c, can mean a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be singular or plural.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. It can be understood that FIG. 1 shows a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as 110a and 110b in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (such as 120a-120j in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can further include other RAN nodes, such as a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device (not shown in FIG. 1), etc. The terminal device 120 is connected to the RAN node 110 in a wireless manner. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the radio access network, which is not limited here.

[0056] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, such as a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolved system (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0057] The RAN node 110, which can also be referred to as an access network device, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc., forms part of the communication system, and is configured to facilitate the wireless access by the terminals. The RAN node 110 can also be referred to as a network device. In the following, the network device is used as an example of the RAN node 110, unless stated otherwise. The RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be of the same type or of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 110 and the terminal device 120 are relative, e.g., the network element 120i in FIG. 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured to be a mobile base station. For a terminal device 120j accessing the RAN 100 via the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station. But for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal device. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminal devices 120 are sometimes referred to as communication apparatuses, e.g., the network elements 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functionalities, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functionalities.

[0058] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in a vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). It should be noted that all or part of the functions of the RAN node in the present application can also be implemented by a software function running on hardware, or by a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node in the present application can also be a logic node, a logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node, and the specific implementation is not limited here.

[0059] In another possible scenario, a terminal device is assisted by multiple RAN nodes to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, for example, in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0060] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0061] The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal, and in addition, all or part of the functions of the terminal device in the present application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The terminal device in the present application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device, and the specific implementation is not limited here.

[0062] In the present application, “sending information to (for example, a terminal device)” can be understood as that the destination of the information is the terminal device. It can include directly or indirectly sending information to the terminal device. “Receiving information from (for example, a terminal device)” can be understood as that the source of the information is the terminal device, and it can include directly or indirectly receiving information from the terminal device. The information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination of the information, such as format change, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the present application can be understood similarly, and will not be repeated here.

[0063] Next, the application background of the PDCCH monitoring method provided by the embodiments of the present application is briefly described.

[0064] With the development of communication technology, the data transmission delay is continuously reduced, and the transmission capacity is also increasing, and the demand for services with strong real-time performance and large data capacity is also increasing. In addition, these services have also developed into multi-modal, that is, providing services in multiple dimensions, such as visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic dimensions. Such mode of service can provide users with all-round interactive experience and can be widely applied.

[0065] For multi-modal services, the terminal device configures multiple DRXs for power consumption, and each DRX is used to match a service of a corresponding mode. The DRX mechanism is described below in conjunction with a schematic diagram. Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of the DRX mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0066] In the DRX mechanism, the terminal device can determine a DRX cycle according to the DRX parameters configured by the network device, and periodically monitor the PDCCH. As shown in FIG. 2, in a cycle period of a DRX (such as T2 shown in FIG. 2), the user only needs to monitor the PDCCH in a part of the period (such as T1 shown in FIG. 2). In the traditional DRX mechanism, T1 shown in FIG. 2 is called an on duration, and the terminal device monitors the PDCCH in the on duration, and is in a sleep state and does not monitor the PDCCH in the off duration.

[0067] It should be noted that FIG. 2 is an example of a DRX. In the PDCCH monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the network device configures multiple DRXs for a terminal device, and each of the multiple DRXs has a different cycle period.

[0068] The PDCCH monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application is described below in conjunction with a schematic diagram.

[0069] For ease of understanding and description, the method of the present application is described below by taking the interaction between the terminal device and the network device as an example, but this should not constitute any limitation on the execution subject of the method of the present application. For example, the method executed by the terminal device can also be executed by a module (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) of the terminal device, and can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The method executed by the network device can also be executed by a module (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) of the network device, and can also be implemented by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0070] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a flowchart of the PDCCH monitoring method provided in an embodiment of the present application, including the following steps:

[0071] 301. The network device configures a first DRX parameter and a second DRX parameter for the terminal device.

[0072] The network device can configure corresponding DRX parameters for different services according to characteristics of service modes performed by the terminal device, and the DRX parameters are used to configure DRX. Specifically, the first DRX parameters include a first cycle parameter, a first duration parameter, and a first slot offset parameter. The first cycle parameter is used to represent the length of each cycle period in the first DRX, the first duration parameter is used to represent the length of each duration period in the first DRX, and the first slot offset is used to determine the starting position or starting time of the cycle period in the first DRX. In other words, each cycle period starts from the duration period.

[0073] Similarly, the second DRX parameters include a second cycle parameter, a second duration parameter, and a second slot offset parameter, which are used to represent the length of each cycle period in the second DRX, the length of each duration period in the second DRX, and the starting position of the cycle period in the second DRX, respectively. Details are not repeated here.

[0074] For example, assuming that the service performed by the terminal device includes a video service and a haptic service, the frame rate of the video service is 60 frames per second (FPS), and the packet frequency of the haptic service is 100 hertz (Hz). The network device can configure the cycle length in the first DRX parameter to be 1 / 60 s and the duration period to be 10 ms to match the aforementioned video service. The cycle length in the second DRX parameter can be configured to be 10 ms and the duration period to be 4 ms to match the aforementioned haptic service.

[0075] 302. The terminal device acquires the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter from the network device.

[0076] After the network device configures the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter, the network device can carry different DRX parameters in different RRC signaling and send them to the terminal device. For example, the first DRX parameter is carried in the first RRC signaling, and the second DRX parameter is carried in the second RRC signaling. The terminal device receives and parses the RRC signaling to acquire the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter.

[0077] The terminal device configures the first DRX according to the first DRX parameter, and the starting time of the first cycle period of the first DRX is t1, where the first cycle period refers to a certain cycle period in the first DRX. Similarly, the terminal device configures the second DRX according to the second DRX parameter, and the starting time of the second cycle period of the second DRX is t2, where the second cycle period refers to a certain cycle period in the second DRX. Wherein, t1 is earlier than t2.

[0078] In some optional embodiments, the relationship between the second cycle period and the first cycle period satisfies the following condition: the second cycle period is the cycle period in the second DRX that is closest in time to the starting time of the first cycle period. Here, closest in time means that the starting times of the two cycle periods are closest. For the sake of clarity, please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of DRX provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0079] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a cycle period is represented by a set of consecutive upward convex portions and downward concave portions. As shown in the embodiment in FIG. 4, two cycle periods of the first DRX and three cycle periods of the second DRX are shown, and the upward convex portions represent configured on durations and the downward concave portions represent configured off durations. If the first cycle period of the first DRX is TA and the starting time of the first cycle period is t1, then in the second DRX, the cycle period closest in time to t1 is TC. That is, the time difference between the starting time t2 of the cycle period TC and t1 is smaller than the time difference between the starting times of other cycle periods in the second DRX and t1. This means that the second cycle period is TC. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the starting time t1 of the first cycle period is earlier than the starting time t2 of the second cycle period.

[0080] In the present application, the starting times of the first cycle period and the second cycle period are closest in time, which avoids the situation that the time difference between the starting times of different cycles is too large to span a cycle period, thereby causing the on duration of the spanned cycle period not to be started, that is, PDCCH is no longer monitored in the on duration of the spanned cycle period, resulting in the situation that data corresponding to the on duration cannot be transmitted. That is, the starting times of the first cycle period and the second cycle period are closest in time, which is beneficial to improving the reliability of data transmission and improving the practicability of the technical solution of the present application.

[0081] 303. The terminal device starts monitoring PDCCH at t3 if the time difference between the starting time t1 of the first cycle period of the first DRX and the starting time t2 of the second cycle period of the second DRX is less than the first threshold. Here, t3 is not later than t2 and later than t1.

[0082] The terminal device can also obtain the first threshold and determine whether to delay the time of monitoring PDCCH in the first DRX by comparing the first threshold with the time difference between the starting time t1 of the first cycle period and the starting time t2 of the second cycle period of the second DRX. The first threshold is configured for the terminal device by the network device, and there are various possible specific implementation manners, which are described as follows:

[0083] I. The first threshold is a common threshold of the first DRX and the second DRX.

[0084] The shared threshold refers to a threshold that applies to both the first DRX and the second DRX. In practical applications, regardless of whether the delay is determined to be the start time of PDCCH listening in the first DRX or the second DRX (i.e., the start time of PDCCH listening), the time difference between the start times of different periodic segments is compared with the first threshold. In this case, there are several possibilities for configuring the first threshold on network devices; it can be configured in a separate RRC signaling or in the parameters of the first DRX and the second DRX. The specific method is not limited here.

[0085] In this context, "configured in a separate RRC signaling" means that the first threshold and the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter are not in the same RRC signaling field, but are carried in a separate RRC signaling field. When the network device sends this separate RRC signaling to the terminal device, it means that the first threshold carried in this RRC signaling is a shared threshold.

[0086] In addition, the configuration in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter means that the first threshold is included in both the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter, and the first threshold is effective for both the first DRX and the second DRX.

[0087] Second, the first threshold is the threshold for the first DRX.

[0088] In this scenario, the network device configures the first threshold in the first DRX parameters. This means that the start time of the periodic segment of the first DRX is earlier than the start time of the second DRX. When determining whether to delay the start time of PDCCH listening in the first DRX, the comparison is made between the time difference of the start times of the periodic segments of different DRXs and the first threshold. The first threshold is only used to determine whether to delay the start time of PDCCH listening in the first DRX, and cannot be used to determine whether to delay the start time of PDCCH listening in other DRXs.

[0089] In summary, in this embodiment, the first threshold is configured by the network device for the terminal device. There are several possible implementation methods; it can be configured in a separate RRC signaling or in the DRX parameter. In the scheme where it is configured in the DRX parameter, not only can multiple DRX parameters be configured, but it can also be configured in a single DRX parameter, further enriching the implementation methods of the technical solution of this application and improving its flexibility and practicality.

[0090] It should be further noted that, regardless of the configuration mode, the value of the first threshold can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, and is related to factors such as service period, packet size, tolerance degree of transmission delay, etc. The specific value of the first threshold is not limited here. Furthermore, in some optional embodiments, the longer the service period or the smaller the data amount of the data packet or the higher the tolerance degree of the transmission delay, the greater the value of the first threshold can be set.

[0091] For example, it is assumed that in the cloud game service, a video stream and a corresponding audio stream are included, wherein the arrival period of the video stream is 1 / 60 s, the corresponding video frame size is 500000 bits, and the tolerance delay is 15 ms. The period of the audio service is 10 ms, the audio packet size is 1000 bits, and the tolerance delay is 15 ms. At this time, the length of the periodic period in the first DRX can be configured as 10 ms, and the length of the duration period is 1 ms to correspond to the audio stream. The length of the periodic period in the second DRX is 1 / 60 s, and the length of the duration period is 5 ms to correspond to the video stream. At this time, the value of the first threshold can be set to 1 ms. That is, when the time difference between the starting time t1 of the first periodic period of the first DRX and the starting time t2 of the second periodic period of the second DRX is less than 1 ms, the listening to the audio stream can be delayed. The 1 ms delay has less impact on the experience compared to the 15 ms tolerance delay.

[0092] It should be further noted that the first threshold in the foregoing example is an example of time in ms level, and in actual application, the first threshold can also be time represented by slot level or symbol level, and the specific value of the first threshold is not limited here.

[0093] The terminal device starts to listen to the PDCCH at the time t3 when the time difference between the starting time t1 of the first periodic period of the first DRX and the starting time t2 of the second periodic period of the second DRX is less than the first threshold. Wherein, t3 is not later than t2 and later than t1. That is, the starting time of listening to the PDCCH is delayed from t1 to t3, and the total length of listening to the PDCCH is also shortened.

[0094] Next, combined with FIG. 4, how to delay the starting time of listening to the PDCCH in the embodiment of the application will be further described. As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the first periodic period of the first DRX is TA, which includes the first duration period TB. The second periodic period of the second DRX is TC, which includes the second duration period TD. t1 and t2 respectively represent the starting time of the first periodic period TA and the starting time of the second periodic period TC.

[0095] The terminal device determines a time difference between t1 and t2 as T, and in a case where T is less than a first threshold value, determines a starting moment of delaying monitoring PDCCH. That is, the terminal device originally needs to monitor PDCCH at t1, and the total duration of monitoring is TB, that is, t1 to t4; now the terminal device starts to monitor PDCCH at t3, and the total duration of monitoring is t3 to t4, and the actual duration of the continuous period is shortened compared with the configured continuous period.

[0096] wherein t3 is not later than t2 and is later than t1, meaning that the value range of t3 is (t1, t2], that is, t3 is after t1 and is before t2 or is equal to t2. That is, in the embodiment of the application, the value of t3 has multiple possibilities, which are described as follows:

[0097] In some optional embodiments, t3 is equal to t2, that is, the starting moment of the first period is actually delayed to t2. Corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device starts to monitor PDCCH at t2, which does not affect monitoring PDCCH in the second continuous period TD of the second DRX, and can minimize the duration of monitoring PDCCH of the first DRX, thereby minimizing the power consumption of the terminal device on the premise of not affecting other services.

[0098] In some optional embodiments, t3 = t1 + P, and P is configured by the network device for the terminal device. P represents a delay period, that is, a period of delaying monitoring PDCCH. The value of P can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, and is related to factors such as service period, data packet size, tolerance degree of transmission delay, and the like, and is not limited here. Further, in some optional embodiments, the longer the service period or the smaller the data amount of the data packet or the higher the tolerance degree of the transmission delay, the greater the value of P can be set.

[0099] For example, assume that in a cloud game service, a video stream and a corresponding audio stream are included, where the arrival period of the video stream is 1 / 60 s, the corresponding video frame size is 500000 bits, and the tolerable delay is 15 ms. The period of the audio service is 10 ms, the audio packet size is 1000 bits, and the tolerable delay is 15 ms. At this time, the length of the period time period in the first DRX can be configured as 10 ms, and the length of the duration time period is 1 ms, to correspond to the audio stream. The length of the period time period in the second DRX is 1 / 60 s, and the length of the duration time period is 5 ms, to correspond to the video stream. At this time, the value of P can be set to 1 ms. That is, when the time difference between the starting time t1 of the first period time period of the first DRX and the starting time t2 of the second period time period of the second DRX is less than 1 ms, the listening of the PDCCH carrying the audio stream can be delayed by 1 ms. The 1 ms delay has a relatively small impact on experience compared to the 15 ms tolerable delay.

[0100] In addition, it should be noted that P in the foregoing examples is an example of time in ms level. In actual application, P can also be time represented by slot level or symbol level, which is not limited here.

[0101] In this application, if t3 is equal to t2, the PDCCH is listened to at t2 for both the first DRX and the second DRX. Since the starting time of the second period time period of the second DRX is t2, it means that the terminal device originally needs to listen to the PDCCH from t2. t3 equal to t2 not only can delay the starting time of listening to the PDCCH to the greatest extent, but also can ensure that the second DRX is not affected, further reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. In addition, t3 can have multiple possibilities, which can be equal to t2 or between t1 and t2, and can be flexibly selected according to actual application needs, enriching the implementation mode and application scenario of the technical solution of the present application.

[0102] In addition, it should be noted that listening to the PDCCH means that the terminal device continuously receives and stores the downlink signal sent by the network device. The foregoing first DRX and second DRX are shared DRX, that is, the PDCCH listened to by the terminal device corresponds to the first DRX and the second DRX.

[0103] In the foregoing examples, the starting time of listening to the PDCCH is delayed in one period time period in the first DRX. In actual application, there are multiple period time periods in the DRX, and the starting time of listening to the PDCCH can be delayed in each period time period. The following will be briefly described in conjunction with a schematic diagram. Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a schematic diagram of the DRX provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0104] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a cycle period is represented by a set of upward convex parts and downward concave parts, the upward convex parts represent the configured duration period, and the downward concave parts represent the configured non-duration period. Both DRX-1 and DRX-2 shown in FIG. 5 include three cycle periods.

[0105] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the implementation idea of whether to delay the start time of listening to PDCCH in a cycle period is similar to the implementation manner of the foregoing embodiment. When comparing the time difference of the start time of different cycle periods with a threshold value, it can be compared with the same threshold value or different threshold values, which are described below respectively.

[0106] In some optional implementations, DRX-1 and DRX-2 correspond to the same threshold value Q. For example, the cycle period of the different DRX with the closest start time is taken as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, the time difference between the start time A of the first cycle period of DRX-1 and the start time B of the first cycle period of DRX-2 is T3. In the case where T3 is less than Q, the terminal device determines to delay the start time of actually listening to PDCCH in the first cycle period of DRX-1, that is, the start time of actually listening to PDCCH is later than time A and not later than time B. The time difference between the start time D of the second cycle period of DRX-1 and the start time C of the second cycle period of DRX-2 is T4. In the case where T4 is less than Q, the terminal device determines to delay the start time of actually listening to PDCCH in the second cycle period of DRX-2, that is, the start time of actually listening to PDCCH is later than time C and not later than time D. The time difference between the start time F of the third cycle period of DRX-1 and the start time E of the third cycle period of DRX-2 is T5. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that T5 is not less than Q, so the terminal device does not delay the start time of actually listening to PDCCH in the third cycle period of DRX-2, that is, for the third cycle period of DRX-2, the terminal device starts to listen to PDCCH based on the configuration from time E.

[0107] For example, for the scenario of delaying the start time of listening to PDCCH, taking the start time of listening to PDCCH delayed to the start time of the cycle period of another DRX as an example, in the foregoing examples of FIG. 5, the period of actually listening to PDCCH is shown as the gray upward convex part in FIG. 5.

[0108] In some optional embodiments, DRX-1 and DRX-2 correspond to different thresholds, Q1 and Q2 respectively. For example, the threshold of the first cycle period of the DRX with the earliest start time is compared with the threshold. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, when determining whether to delay the start time of monitoring PDCCH, T3 is compared with Q1, and T4 and T5 are compared with Q2. If T3 is less than Q1, the start time of monitoring PDCCH in the first cycle period of DRX-1 is delayed. If T4 is less than Q2, the start time of monitoring PDCCH in the second cycle period of DRX-2 is delayed. If T5 is less than Q2, the start time of monitoring PDCCH in the third cycle period of DRX-2 is delayed.

[0109] It should be further noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the values of the thresholds Q, Q1 and Q2 are similar to the value of the first threshold in the foregoing embodiment, and other implementation details can be referred to the related description in the foregoing embodiment, which will not be described herein.

[0110] In the foregoing examples, the terminal device is configured with two sets of DRX, and in actual application, the terminal device can also be configured with a larger number of DRX. For this scenario, whether to delay the start time of monitoring PDCCH in a cycle period is similar to the implementation manner of the foregoing embodiment. The following takes the terminal device configured with three sets of DRX as an example for a brief description.

[0111] Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a schematic diagram of DRX provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0112] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a cycle period is represented by a group of upward convex parts and downward concave parts, the upward convex part represents the configured duration period, and the downward concave part represents the configured non-duration period. DRX-3 shown in FIG. 6 includes three cycle periods, and the start times of the three cycle periods are a, b and c respectively. DRX-4 includes four cycle periods, and the start times of the four cycle periods are d, e, f and g respectively. DRX-5 includes four cycle periods, and the start times of the four cycle periods are h, i, j and k respectively.

[0113] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when comparing the time difference of the start times of different cycle periods with the threshold, it can be compared with the same threshold or different thresholds, which will be described below.

[0114] In some optional embodiments, DRX-3 to DRX-5 correspond to the same threshold Q. For example, the threshold of the first cycle period of the DRX with the earliest start time is compared with the threshold.

[0115] Assuming that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the time difference between a and d, and the time difference between a and h are both less than Q, the terminal device can determine to delay the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the first cycle period of DRX-3 and DRX-5. The start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the first cycle period of DRX-3 is later than time a and not later than time d, and the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the first cycle period of DRX-5 is later than time h and not later than time d.

[0116] Assuming that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the time difference between i and e is less than Q, but the time difference between i and b, and the time difference between e and b are both not less than Q, the terminal device can determine to delay the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the second cycle period of DRX-5, but not in the second cycle period of DRX-4. The start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the second cycle period of DRX-5 is later than time i and not later than time e.

[0117] Assuming that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the time difference between j and f is less than Q, but the time difference between b and j, and the time difference between f and c are both not less than Q, the terminal device can determine to delay the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the third cycle period of DRX-5, but not in the third cycle period of DRX-4 and the second cycle period of DRX-3. The start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the third cycle period of DRX-5 is later than time j and not later than time f.

[0118] Assuming that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, c is equal to k, and the time difference between c and g is less than Q, the terminal device can determine to delay the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in the third cycle period of DRX-3 and the fourth cycle period of DRX-5. The start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in these two cycle periods is later than time c and not later than time g.

[0119] For example, in the case that the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH can be delayed, the latest time that can be delayed is selected as the start time of actually monitoring PDCCH in each cycle period, in the foregoing examples of FIG. 6, the period of actually monitoring PDCCH is shown as the upward convex part in gray in FIG. 6.

[0120] In some optional embodiments, DRX-3, DRX-4 and DRX-5 respectively correspond to different thresholds, namely Q1, Q2 and Q3. For example, the period of the different DRXs with the closest start time is taken as an example. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when determining whether to delay the start time of listening to the PDCCH in each period of DRX-3, the time difference between the start time of each period of DRX-3 and the start time of other periods is compared with Q1, and the start time is delayed only when the time difference is less than Q1. Similarly, for DRX-4, the time difference between the start time of each period of DRX-4 and the start time of other periods is compared with Q2; and for DRX-5, the time difference between the start time of each period of DRX-5 and the start time of other periods is compared with Q3. The specific implementation is similar to the foregoing example, and thus will not be described here again.

[0121] In addition, it should be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the threshold values are similar to the values of the first threshold in the foregoing embodiment, and other implementation details can be referred to the foregoing description, and thus will not be described here again.

[0122] In the foregoing description, whether to delay the start time of listening to the PDCCH in a period is determined by comparing the time difference between the start times of different periods with the first threshold. In the method for listening to the PDCCH provided in the embodiments of the present application, whether to shorten the duration of listening to the PDCCH can also be determined according to the overlapping degree of the durations of different DRXs. The following describes this scheme.

[0123] Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart of the method for listening to the PDCCH provided in the embodiments of the present application, including the following steps:

[0124] 701. The network device configures the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter for the terminal device.

[0125] 702. The terminal device acquires the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter from the network device.

[0126] The specific implementation process of steps 701 and 702 is similar to steps 301 and 302 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 respectively, and thus is described in the foregoing description, and thus will not be described here again.

[0127] 703. In the case where the proportion of the overlapping period of the first duration of the first DRX and the second duration of the second DRX to the first duration is greater than a second threshold, the terminal device does not listen to the PDCCH in the period of the first duration that is not overlapped with the second duration.

[0128] The first duration period refers to a duration period included in the first cycle period in the first DRX, which is originally configured as a period of monitoring the PDCCH. Similarly, the second duration period refers to a duration period included in the second cycle period in the second DRX.

[0129] The terminal device can further obtain a second threshold value, and determine whether the first duration period includes a period during which the PDCCH is actually not monitored by comparing a proportion of the overlapping period in the first duration period with the second threshold value.

[0130] The second threshold value is configured by the network device for the terminal device. Specifically, the network device configures the second threshold value in a separate RRC signaling and sends it to the terminal device. The second threshold value is configured in a separate RRC signaling, which means that the second threshold value is not in the same RRC signaling as the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter, but is carried in a separate RRC signaling. The value of the second threshold value can be determined by the network device according to the actual application needs, which is related to factors such as the service cycle, the data packet size, and the tolerance degree of transmission delay, and the specific values are not limited here. Further, in some optional embodiments, the longer the service cycle or the smaller the data amount of the data packet or the higher the tolerance degree of transmission delay, the smaller the value of the second threshold value can be set.

[0131] In the case where the proportion of the overlapping period of the first duration period of the first DRX and the second duration period of the second DRX in the first duration period is greater than the second threshold value, the terminal device does not monitor the PDCCH in the period of the first duration period that is not overlapped with the second duration period.

[0132] For example, assume that in a cloud game service, a video stream and a corresponding audio stream are included, where the arrival cycle of the video stream is 1 / 60s, the corresponding video frame size is 500000 bits, and the tolerance delay is 15ms. The cycle of the audio service is 10ms, the audio data packet size is 1000 bits, and the tolerance delay is 15ms. At this time, the length of the cycle period in the first DRX can be configured as 10ms, and the length of the duration period can be configured as 1ms to correspond to the audio stream. The length of the cycle period in the second DRX can be configured as 1 / 60s, and the length of the duration period can be configured as 5ms to correspond to the video stream. At this time, the value of the second threshold value can be set as 50%. That is, when the proportion of the overlapping period of the first duration period of the first DRX and the second duration period of the second DRX in the first duration period is greater than 50%, the terminal device does not monitor the PDCCH in the period of the first duration period that is not overlapped with the second duration period. In this example, the monitoring of the audio stream is delayed by at most 1ms, and the 1ms delay has a small impact on the experience compared to the 15ms tolerance delay.

[0133] For the sake of clarity, refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, both of which are diagrams of DRX provided by embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a cycle period is represented by a set of consecutive upward convex sections and downward concave sections, the upward convex sections representing configured on durations, and the downward concave sections representing configured off durations.

[0134] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the first on duration of the first DRX is TE, the second on duration of the second DRX is TF, and it is assumed that the second threshold is 40%. The overlap period of the first on duration TE and the second on duration TF is the black upward convex region in FIG. 8, and the proportion of the overlap period in the first on duration TE is greater than 40%. Therefore, the terminal device determines not to monitor PDCCH in the period of the first on duration TE that is not overlapped with the second on duration (i.e., the white upward convex section shown in FIG. 8). Thus, the actual length of the first on duration in the first DRX is shortened, and the power consumption of the terminal device is reduced.

[0135] The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 takes the case of not monitoring PDCCH in part of an on duration as an example. In actual application, there can be cases of not monitoring PDCCH in multiple on durations in a DRX. Take FIG. 9 as an example to illustrate such a case.

[0136] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the second threshold is 50%. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the overlap period of the on duration T6.1 of DRX-6 and the on duration T7.1 of DRX-7 is the entire on duration T6.1, and the proportion of the overlap period in the on duration T6.1 is greater than the second threshold and there is no non-overlapping period. Therefore, the terminal device determines to monitor PDCCH in the entire on duration T6.1.

[0137] For example, the on duration T6.2 of DRX-6 is not overlapped with any on duration of DRX-7. Therefore, the terminal device determines to monitor PDCCH in the entire on duration T6.2.

[0138] For example, the on duration T6.3 of DRX-6 is overlapped with the on duration T7.2 of DRX-7, and the proportion of the overlap period in the on duration T6.3 is greater than the second threshold. Therefore, the terminal device determines not to monitor PDCCH in the period of the on duration T6.3 that is not overlapped with the on duration T7.2 (i.e., the white upward convex section in the on duration T6.3 shown in FIG. 9). In other words, the actual period of monitoring PDCCH in the on duration T6.3 by the terminal device is the gray upward convex section in the on duration T6.3 shown in FIG. 9, and the actual length is shorter than the length of the configured on duration T6.3. Thus, the actual length of the on duration is shortened, and the power consumption of the terminal device is reduced.

[0139] For example, the duration T6.4 of the DRX-6 overlaps with the duration T7.3 of the DRX-7, and the proportion of the overlapping period in the duration T6.4 is greater than the second threshold, so the terminal device determines not to listen to the PDCCH in the period of the duration T6.4 that does not overlap with the duration T7.3 (i.e., the white upward protruding part in the duration T6.4 shown in FIG. 9). In other words, the actual period of the terminal device listening to the PDCCH in the duration T6.4 is the gray upward protruding part in the duration T6.4 shown in FIG. 9, and the actual time length is less than the time length of the configured duration T6.4, that is, the actual time length of the duration is shortened, and the power consumption of the terminal device is reduced.

[0140] It should be noted that in each of the foregoing examples of FIG. 9, the period of actually listening to the PDCCH is shown as the gray upward protruding part in FIG. 9.

[0141] Based on the foregoing related descriptions of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-9, in the method for listening to the PDCCH provided in the embodiments of the present application, in the case where the proportion of the overlapping period of the first duration and the second duration in the first duration is greater than the second threshold, the terminal device does not listen to the PDCCH in the period of the first duration that does not overlap with the second duration, thereby shortening the time length of listening to the PDCCH and reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0142] Next, related devices provided in the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 includes an interface unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002.

[0144] In some optional embodiments, the interface unit 1001 is configured to acquire a first discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter and a second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter is used to configure a first DRX, a starting moment of a first periodic duration of the first DRX is t1, the second DRX parameter is used to configure a second DRX, a starting moment of a second periodic duration of the second DRX is t2, and t1 is earlier than t2. The processing unit 1002 is configured to start listening to a PDCCH at a moment t3 in the case where a time difference between t1 and t2 is less than a first threshold, t3 is not later than t2 and is later than t1.

[0145] In some optional embodiments, t3 is equal to t2.

[0146] In some optional embodiments, t3 = t1 + P, and P is configured by a network device.

[0147] In some optional embodiments, the second cycle period is a period closest to the starting time of the first cycle period in the cycle period of the second RDX.

[0148] In some optional embodiments, the first threshold is configured by the network device.

[0149] In some optional embodiments, the first threshold is configured by the network device, including: the first threshold is configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter; or, the first threshold is configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter.

[0150] In the foregoing optional embodiments, the communication apparatus 1000 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, which are described in detail above and will not be repeated here.

[0151] In some optional embodiments, the communication apparatus 1000 can also be configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, which generally include the following possible embodiments:

[0152] In some optional embodiments, the interface unit 1001 is configured to obtain the first discontinuous reception DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter is used to configure the first DRX, and the second DRX parameter is used to configure the second DRX. The processing unit 1002 is configured to, in the case that the proportion of the overlapping time of the first continuous period of the first DRX and the second continuous period of the second DRX to the first continuous period is greater than the second threshold, not listen to the PDCCH in the period of the first continuous period that does not overlap with the second continuous period.

[0153] In some optional embodiments, the second threshold is configured by the network device.

[0154] The specific implementation process of the foregoing embodiments can be referred to the related descriptions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, which will not be repeated here.

[0155] Please refer to FIG. 11, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 1100 includes a processor 1101 and an interface circuit 1102.

[0156] The processor 1101 and the interface circuit 1102 are coupled with each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1102 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 can also include a memory 1103 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1101 or storing input data required by the processor 1101 to run instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1101 runs instructions.

[0157] When the communication apparatus 1100 is used to implement the method shown in any one of the drawings of FIG. 1 to FIG. 9, the processor 1101 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1002 described above, and the interface circuit 1102 is configured to implement the functions of the interface unit 1001 described above.

[0158] When the communication apparatus described above is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments described above. The terminal chip receives information from a network device, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device first, and then being transmitted to the terminal chip by the modules. The terminal chip transmits information to the network device, which can be understood as the information being transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device first, and then being transmitted to the network device by the modules.

[0159] When the communication apparatus described above is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the method embodiments described above. The network device chip receives information from a terminal device, which can be understood as the information being received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device first, and then being transmitted to the network device chip by the modules. The network device chip transmits information to the terminal device, which can be understood as the information being transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device first, and then being transmitted to the terminal device by the modules.

[0160] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0161] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or the terminal.

[0162] In the above embodiments, the implementation can be entirely or partially achieved by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, the implementation can be entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are entirely or partially performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable devices. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another by wire or wirelessly. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; and a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0163] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referred to if there is no special description and no logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0164] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiment is merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner for the actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between the units can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0165] The units described as separated components can or can not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purposes of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), characterized in that, The method comprises: obtaining a first discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter and a second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter being used for configuring a first DRX, a starting moment of a first cycle period of the first DRX being t1, the second DRX parameter being used for configuring a second DRX, a starting moment of a second cycle period of the second DRX being t2, the t1 being earlier than the t2; in a case where a time difference between the t1 and the t2 is less than a first threshold value, starting to listen to a PDCCH at a t3, the t3 not being later than the t2 and being later than the t1.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The t3 is equal to the t2.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The t3 = t1 + P, the P being configured by a network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second cycle period is a period in the second cycle period of the second DRX which is closest to the starting moment of the first cycle period.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first threshold value is configured by the network device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first threshold value is configured by the network device, comprising: The first threshold value is configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter; or, The first threshold value is configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter. 7.A method for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), characterized in that, The method comprises: obtaining a first discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter and a second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter being used for configuring a first DRX, the second DRX parameter being used for configuring a second DRX; in a case where a proportion of an overlapping period of a first continuous period of the first DRX and a second continuous period of the second DRX in the first continuous period is greater than a second threshold value, not listening to a PDCCH in a period of the first continuous period which does not overlap with the second continuous period.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The second threshold value is configured by a network device.

9. A communications device, characterized by The method comprises: an interface unit, configured to obtain a first discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter and a second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter being used for configuring a first DRX, a starting moment of a first cycle period of the first DRX being t1, the second DRX parameter being used for configuring a second DRX, a starting moment of a second cycle period of the second DRX being t2, the t1 being earlier than the t2; a processing unit, configured to, in a case where a time difference between the t1 and the t2 is less than a first threshold value, start to listen to a PDCCH at a t3, the t3 not being later than the t2 and being later than the t1.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The t3 is equal to the t2.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The t3 = t1 + P, the P being configured by a network device.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-11, wherein, The second cycle period is a period in the second cycle period of the second DRX which is closest to the starting moment of the first cycle period.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 9-12, wherein, The first threshold value is configured by the network device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The first threshold value is configured by the network device, comprising: The first threshold value is configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter and the second DRX parameter; or, The first threshold value is configured by the network device in the first DRX parameter.

15. A communications device, characterized by The method comprises: an interface unit, configured to obtain a first discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter and a second DRX parameter, the first DRX parameter being used for configuring a first DRX, the second DRX parameter being used for configuring a second DRX; The processing unit is configured to, in a case that a proportion of an overlapping time of a first duration period of the first DRX and a second duration period of the second DRX to the first duration period is greater than a second threshold, not monitor PDCCH in a time period of the first duration period that is not overlapped with the second duration period.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The second threshold is configured by a network device.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores instructions which, when executed on a processor, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 to be implemented, or cause the method of any one of claims 7 to 8 to be implemented.

18. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product, when executed on a computer, causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 to be implemented, or causes the method of any one of claims 7 to 8 to be implemented.

19. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a module for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or a module for performing the method of claim 7 or 8.

20. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor coupled with a memory, and the instructions stored in the memory, when executed on the processor, cause the apparatus to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or cause the apparatus to implement the method of claim 7 or 8.

Images