Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus, which can be used in the technical field of communications. In the technical solution provided in the present application, a network device sends a first synchronization signal. The network device sends an LP-WUS at at least two monitoring occasions, and a time interval between a starting moment of each monitoring occasion among the at least two monitoring occasions and an ending moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to a first duration. The network device determines not to send a synchronization signal within the first duration after the ending moment of the first synchronization signal. According to the method, the number of times a synchronization signal is sent by a network device to a terminal device can be reduced, so that the transmission overhead between the network device and the terminal device is reduced, thereby facilitating reduction of the power consumption of the terminal device.

Description

Communication method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on October 31, 2023, with application number 202311440099.2 and application name “Communication Methods and Related Devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

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

[0003] In existing mobile communication systems, before transmitting service data to a terminal device, the network device can first send a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) to the terminal device. After receiving the LP-WUS, the low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) in the terminal device can wake up the higher-power main receiver to receive the service data. However, the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR in the terminal device is generally low, resulting in a large time offset before the LP-WUS is received, affecting the reception performance of the wake-up signal.

[0004] Currently, the network device can send a synchronization signal to the terminal device, and then the terminal device can correct the time deviation generated before the LP-WUR receives the LP-WUS based on the received synchronization signal. For example, the network device can first obtain at least one paging opportunity, and the at least one paging opportunity includes the paging opportunity of at least one terminal device located in the cell of the network device, and then send a synchronization signal to each terminal device in the at least one terminal device before each paging opportunity. For another example, each terminal device in the at least one terminal device can report the period of the synchronization signal it expects to the network device. After receiving the period reported by each terminal device, the network device can periodically send a synchronization signal to each terminal device based on the minimum period.

[0005] In the prior art, when a terminal device corrects a time offset generated before an LP-WUR receives an LP-WUS based on a synchronization signal, the terminal device consumes a large amount of power.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and related devices for solving the problem in the prior art that the terminal device consumes a lot of power when correcting the time offset generated before the LP-WUR receives the LP-WUS based on the synchronization signal.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network device. Specifically, the method can be executed by the network device or by a chip applied to the network device. The method includes: sending a first synchronization signal; sending a low-power wake-up signal LP-WUS at at least two listening opportunities, where the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to a first duration; and determining not to send a synchronization signal within the first duration after the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0009] When the network device sends the first synchronization signal, it may send the first synchronization signal once. Accordingly, each of the multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the network device may receive the first synchronization signal.

[0010] The at least two monitoring opportunities may correspond one-to-one to at least two terminal devices, and the at least two terminal devices may be included in a plurality of terminal devices.

[0011] The network device sending the LP-WUS at the at least two listening opportunities means that the network device sends the LP-WUS to the terminal devices corresponding to the at least two listening opportunities respectively at the at least two listening opportunities.

[0012] As an example, it is assumed that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the network device can send LP-WUS to terminal device 1 at listening opportunity 1, and the network device can send LP-WUS to terminal device 2 at listening opportunity 2.

[0013] In this example, the network device sends a first synchronization signal before the listening opportunity 1. The first synchronization signal can be used to correct the timing offset generated before the network device sends the LP-WUS at the listening opportunity 1 and the listening opportunity 2.

[0014] In other words, a single synchronization signal can be used to correct the timing offset generated by a network device before sending an LP-WUS at multiple listening opportunities. Compared to the prior art method of using a single synchronization signal to correct the timing offset generated by a network device before sending an LP-WUS at a single listening opportunity, this application can reduce the number of synchronization signals sent by the network device to the terminal device, thereby saving transmission overhead between the network device and the terminal device, and further helping to reduce power consumption of the terminal device.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the at least two listening opportunities are used by the network device to send messages to at least two terminal devices; and the first duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

[0016] Among them, the first duration is less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to at least two terminal devices, which can be understood as: the first duration is less than or equal to the first time offset, and the first time offset can be the smallest time offset among the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

[0017] In this method, the first duration is less than or equal to the first time offset, and the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration. This ensures that each of the at least two terminal devices can correct the time offset generated before receiving the LP-WUS based on the first synchronization signal, thereby ensuring the synchronization performance of each terminal device.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the maximum time offset is associated with clock accuracy of low power wake-up receivers LP-WUR of the at least two terminal devices.

[0019] In one example, the network device may obtain a maximum time offset acceptable to each terminal device from each of a plurality of terminal devices, then determine at least two terminal devices from the plurality of terminal devices, and determine a first duration from the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

[0020] The maximum time offset that each of the multiple terminal devices can accept can be determined based on the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR of each terminal device.

[0021] In this example, the time interval between the start time of the listening opportunity of each terminal device in the at least two terminal devices and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept.

[0022] In this example, the network device can determine the first duration based on the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept and sent by each terminal device. This can avoid the situation where the network device has slow calculation speed due to an excessive number of terminal devices and limited computing power of the network device, and is conducive to reducing the delay of the network device in sending LP-WUS.

[0023] In another example, the network device can also obtain the clock accuracy of each terminal device from each terminal device among multiple terminal devices, and then determine the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept based on the clock accuracy of each terminal device, and then determine at least two terminal devices from the multiple terminal devices, and then determine the first duration based on the maximum time offset of the at least two terminal devices.

[0024] In this example, the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept is determined by the network device, which can save computing power of each terminal device.

[0025] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0026] In the method, when the network device sends the first indication information, the first indication information may be sent to at least two terminal devices. Accordingly, each of the at least two terminal devices receives the first indication information.

[0027] In this way, after receiving the first indication information, each terminal device of the at least two terminal devices can determine not to receive the synchronization signal within the first time period after the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the first indication information is further used to indicate a time interval between a start time of one or more listening opportunities of the at least two listening opportunities and an end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0029] As an example, the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device corresponding to each listening opportunity based on each of the at least two listening opportunities, and the first indication message is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0030] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the network device may send first indication information to terminal device 1, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 1 and the end time of the first synchronization signal. And the network device may send first indication information to terminal device 2, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0031] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the first indication information received by each terminal device.

[0032] As another example, the network device may send first indication information to each of at least two terminal devices, where the first indication information is the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0033] Optionally, the network device may further send a first message to each of the at least two terminal devices respectively, where the first message is used to indicate the position of the listening opportunity corresponding to each terminal device in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0034] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then the network device can send first indication information to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, and the first indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal and the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal. In addition, the network device can also send a first message to terminal device 1, and the first message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 1 in the at least two listening opportunities. And the network device can also send a first message to terminal device 2, and the first message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 2 in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0035] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the received first indication information and the first message.

[0036] In this implementation, the first duration and the time interval between the start time of one or more of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal can be sent in the same indication information, which can save the transmission overhead between the network device and the terminal device and is conducive to reducing the power consumption of the network device and the terminal device.

[0037] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity in one or more of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0038] As an example, the network device can send a second indication message to the terminal device corresponding to each listening opportunity based on each of the at least two listening opportunities, and the second indication message is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0039] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the network device may send second indication information to terminal device 1, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 1 and the end time of the first synchronization signal. And the network device may send second indication information to terminal device 2, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0040] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the second indication information received by each terminal device.

[0041] As another example, the network device may send second indication information to each of at least two terminal devices, where the second indication information is the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0042] Optionally, the network device may further send a first message to each of the at least two terminal devices respectively, where the first message is used to indicate the position of the listening opportunity corresponding to each terminal device in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0043] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then the network device can send second indication information to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, and the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal and the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal. In addition, the network device can also send a second message to terminal device 1, and the second message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 1 in the at least two listening opportunities. And the network device can also send a second message to terminal device 2, and the second message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 2 in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0044] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the received second indication information and the first message.

[0045] In this implementation, the first duration and the time interval between the start moment of one or more listening opportunities among at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal can be sent in different indication information, so that the first duration and the time interval between the start moment of one or more listening opportunities among at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal can be distinguished.

[0046] In some possible implementations, the first synchronization signal is sent periodically, or the first synchronization signal is a non-periodic synchronization signal.

[0047] In some scenarios, when the monitoring opportunities of multiple terminal devices located in a cell of the network device are distributed relatively evenly, the network device may periodically send the first synchronization signal.

[0048] 6 , the time interval between the start time of the first synchronization signal 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 1 may be equal to the time interval between the start time of the first synchronization signal 3 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 2. The first synchronization signal 1, the first synchronization signal 2, and the first synchronization signal 3 are periodic synchronization signals.

[0049] In other scenarios, the monitoring opportunities of multiple terminal devices located in a cell of the network device are relatively dispersed, and the first synchronization signal may be a non-periodic synchronization signal.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the time interval between the start time of first synchronization signal 2 and the end time of first synchronization signal 1 is not equal to the time interval between the start time of first synchronization signal 3 and the end time of first synchronization signal 2. First synchronization signal 1, first synchronization signal 2, and first synchronization signal 3 are non-periodic synchronization signals.

[0051] In some possible implementations, the method also includes: sending a second synchronization signal; sending a low-power wake-up signal LP-WUS at at least one listening opportunity, the time interval between the start moment of each listening opportunity in the at least one listening opportunity and the end moment of the second synchronization signal being less than or equal to a second duration; and sending a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal when the time interval between the end moment of the first synchronization signal and the start moment of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration.

[0052] When the network device sends the second synchronization signal, it may send the second synchronization signal once. Accordingly, each of the multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the network device may receive the second synchronization signal.

[0053] At least one monitoring opportunity may correspond one-to-one to at least one terminal device, where the at least one terminal device is included in a plurality of terminal devices, and the plurality of terminal devices are a plurality of terminal devices located in a cell of the network device.

[0054] As an example, assuming that the at least one listening opportunity includes listening opportunity 3, and listening opportunity 3 corresponds to terminal device 3, the network device may send the LP-WUS to terminal device 3 at listening opportunity 3.

[0055] In this method, the second synchronization signal is used to correct for timing offsets incurred by the network device before it transmits the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity. If the time interval between the end of the first synchronization signal and the start of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration, the network device is required to transmit a third synchronization signal between the first and second synchronization signals. This prevents situations where the second synchronization signal is unable to correct for timing offsets incurred before the network device transmits the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity due to an excessively long time interval between the end of the first synchronization signal and the start of the second synchronization signal.

[0056] In some possible implementations, the at least one listening opportunity is used by the network device to send a message to at least one terminal device, and the third duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least one terminal device.

[0057] In the method, the network device may send one or more third synchronization signals between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal based on a third duration.

[0058] When the network device sends a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal, the time interval between the third synchronization signal and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the third time length, and the time interval between the start time of the second synchronization signal and the end time of the third synchronization signal is also less than or equal to the third time length.

[0059] When the network device sends multiple third synchronization signals between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal, the time interval between the first third synchronization signal among the multiple third synchronization signals and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the third duration, the time interval between the start time of the second synchronization signal and the end time of the last third synchronization signal among the multiple third synchronization signals is also less than or equal to the third duration, and the time interval between the start time of the latter third synchronization signal and the end time of the previous third synchronization signal among each two adjacent third synchronization signals is also less than or equal to the third duration.

[0060] This ensures that each terminal device in the at least one terminal device can correct the time offset generated before each terminal device receives LP-WUS based on the second synchronization signal and the third synchronization signal, thereby ensuring the synchronization performance of each terminal device.

[0061] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device. Specifically, the method can be executed by the terminal device, or can be applied to a chip in the terminal device for execution. The method may include: receiving a first synchronization signal; receiving a low-power wake-up signal LP-WUS at a first listening opportunity, the time interval between the start moment of the first listening opportunity and the end moment of the first synchronization signal being less than or equal to a first duration, the first listening opportunity being the listening opportunity corresponding to the terminal device; and determining not to receive a synchronization signal within the first duration after the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0062] In this method, the terminal device may be any one of a plurality of terminal devices located in a cell of the terminal device.

[0063] In some possible implementations, the first listening opportunity is included in at least two listening opportunities, the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to a first duration, and the at least two listening opportunities are used for the network device to send messages to at least two terminal devices, and the at least two terminal devices include the terminal device; the first duration is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that can be accepted by the at least two terminal devices.

[0064] In some possible implementations, the maximum time offset is associated with clock accuracy of low power wake-up receivers LP-WUR of the at least two terminal devices.

[0065] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0066] In some possible implementations, the first indication information is also used to indicate the time interval between the start moment of one or more listening opportunities of at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal, and the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration.

[0067] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start moment of one or more listening opportunities of at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal, and the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration.

[0068] In some possible implementations, the first synchronization signal is sent periodically, or the first synchronization period is a non-periodic synchronization signal.

[0069] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving a second synchronization signal, the time interval between the end moment of the second synchronization signal and the start moment of each listening opportunity in at least one listening opportunity being less than or equal to a second duration; and receiving a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal when the time interval between the end moment of the first synchronization signal and the start moment of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the at least one listening opportunity is used by the network device to send a message to at least one terminal device, and the third duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least one terminal device.

[0071] It can be understood that the effects obtainable in the second aspect can be referred to the description in the first aspect and will not be elaborated here.

[0072] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device. Specifically, the method can be executed by the terminal device, or by a chip applied to the terminal device. The method may include: determining a monitoring measurement timing window PMTC, the starting moment of the PMTC is earlier than the starting moment of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the ending moment of the PMTC is not earlier than the ending moment of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device; before the starting moment of the PMTC, receiving a synchronization signal based on a first period; at the starting moment of the PMTC or after the starting moment of the PMTC, receiving a synchronization signal based on a second period, the length of the second period being less than the length of the first period.

[0073] The terminal device may be any one of multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the terminal device. One terminal device may correspond to one PMTC. The locations of monitoring opportunities of different terminal devices may be different, and the locations of PMTCs corresponding to different terminal devices may also be different.

[0074] The first period may be configured in advance by the network device to the terminal device. The length of the first period may be greater than the length of the period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0075] The second period may also be configured by the network device to the terminal device in advance. The length of the second period may be greater than or equal to the length of the period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0076] In this method, if the length of the second period is shorter than the length of the first period, it means that the terminal device receives synchronization signals more frequently based on the second period than it did based on the first period. In other words, the terminal device begins intensively receiving synchronization signals only at or after the start position of the PMTC corresponding to its monitoring opportunity. This reduces the number of synchronization signal receptions by the terminal device, thereby facilitating lower power consumption.

[0077] In some possible implementations, after receiving the synchronization signal based on the second cycle, the method further includes: receiving the synchronization signal based on the first cycle after receiving the low power wake-up signal LP-WUS; or receiving the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0078] Optionally, after receiving the LP-WUS, the terminal device further needs to determine whether the received LP-WUS is the LP-WUS required by the terminal device. If it is determined that the received LP-WUS is the LP-WUS required by the terminal device, the synchronization signal is received based on the first period.

[0079] As shown in Figure 12, the shaded area represents the time at which the synchronization signal is received, and the solid-line box represents the location of the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device. Before the start time of the PMTC, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on a first cycle. At or after the start time of the PMTC, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on a second cycle. Before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device receives an LP-WUS and determines that the received LP-WUS is the LP-WUS required by the terminal device. The terminal device can then receive the synchronization signal based on the first cycle.

[0080] Optionally, when the terminal device receives an LP-WUS before the end time of the PMTC, but determines that the received LP-WUS is not the LP-WUS required by the terminal device, it can continue to determine whether the LP-WUS required by the terminal device is received. If the terminal device does not receive the LP-WUS required by the terminal device before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0081] As shown in Figure 13, assuming that the shaded area represents the time at which the synchronization signal is received and the solid-line box represents the location of the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the first cycle before the start time of the PMTC and receives the synchronization signal based on the second cycle at or after the start time of the PMTC. Before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device receives an LP-WUS, but the received LP-WUS is not the LP-WUS required by the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0082] Optionally, when the terminal device does not receive the LP-WUS before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device may receive the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0083] In this method, the terminal device can sparsely receive the synchronization signal after receiving the wake-up signal required by the terminal device or after the terminal device's listening opportunity, which can reduce the number of times the terminal device receives the synchronization signal, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0084] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving first information, where the first information may include the first period and the second period, where the length of the second period is greater than or equal to the length of a period in which the network device sends a synchronization signal.

[0085] The first period may be configured in advance by the network device to the terminal device. The length of the first period may be greater than the length of the period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0086] As an example, each of multiple terminal devices located within a cell of the network device can report its desired synchronization signal period to the network device. The network device can select the smallest period as the synchronization signal transmission period, and then determine the first period based on the transmission period. After determining the first period, the network device can send first information to the terminal device, and the first information can include the first period.

[0087] The second period may also be configured by the network device to the terminal device in advance. The length of the second period may be greater than or equal to the length of the period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0088] Optionally, the first information may further include a second period.

[0089] In this method, after receiving the first information, the terminal device can determine the first period and the second period based on the first information, which is beneficial for the terminal device to determine the receiving period of the synchronization signal based on the position of the PMTC, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0090] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: receiving second information, where the second information includes a time interval between a start time of the PMTC and a start time of a monitoring opportunity of the terminal device.

[0091] Optionally, the second information may be sent in advance by the network device to the terminal device.

[0092] After receiving the second information, the terminal device can determine the PMTC start time based on the second information. This helps the terminal device determine the PMTC's location based on the PMTC's actual time, and further determines the synchronization signal reception period based on the PMTC's location, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption.

[0093] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method that can be applied to a network device. Specifically, the method can be executed by the network device or by a chip implemented in the network device. The method may include: determining a listening opportunity for a terminal device; determining a monitoring measurement timing window (PMTC) based on the listening opportunity, wherein the starting time of the PMTC is earlier than the starting time of the listening opportunity for the terminal device and the ending time of the PMTC is no earlier than the ending time of the listening opportunity for the terminal device; and sending the PMTC to the terminal device.

[0094] In this method, the terminal device may be any terminal device located in a cell of the network device.

[0095] The network device sends the PMTC to each terminal device, so that each terminal device can dynamically adjust the period of receiving the synchronization signal based on the PMTC. For example, it can start to intensively receive the synchronization signal at or after the starting position of the PMTC. This can reduce the number of times each terminal device receives the synchronization signal, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of each terminal device.

[0096] In some possible implementations, the method may further include: sending first information, the first information including a first period and a second period, the length of the second period being less than the length of the first period, and the length of the second period being greater than or equal to the length of the period in which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0097] In this method, the network device can send the first information to any terminal device located in the cell of the network device, so that each terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on the first period and the second period.

[0098] In this method, if the length of the second period is greater than or equal to the length of the period during which the network device transmits synchronization signals, and is less than the length of the first period, then the frequency of synchronization signals received by the terminal device based on the first period is less than the frequency of synchronization signals transmitted by the network device. Compared to the prior art, in which the terminal device receives a synchronization signal each time the network device transmits a synchronization signal, this method can reduce the number of synchronization signal receptions by the terminal device, thereby facilitating reduced power consumption of the terminal device.

[0099] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising modules or units for implementing the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0100] As an example, the communication device may include a sending module and a determining module.

[0101] The sending module can be used to send a first synchronization signal.

[0102] The sending module can also be used to send a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS at at least two listening opportunities, and the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration.

[0103] The determining module may be configured to determine not to send a synchronization signal within the first duration after an end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0104] The communication device may be a network device, or a chip used in a network device.

[0105] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising modules or units for implementing the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0106] As an example, the communication device may include a receiving module.

[0107] The receiving module may be configured to receive a first synchronization signal.

[0108] The receiving module can also be used to receive a low-power wake-up signal LP-WUS at a first listening opportunity, the time interval between the start time of the first listening opportunity and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration, and the first listening opportunity is the listening opportunity corresponding to the terminal device.

[0109] Optionally, the communication device may further include a determination module.

[0110] The determining module may be configured to determine that no synchronization signal is received within the first time period after the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0111] The communication device may be a terminal device, or a chip used in the terminal device. The terminal device may be any one of a plurality of terminal devices in a cell of the network device.

[0112] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising modules or units for implementing the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0113] As an example, the communication device may include a determination module and a receiving module.

[0114] The determining module may be configured to determine a monitoring measurement timing window PMTC, wherein the starting time of the PMTC is earlier than the starting time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the ending time of the PMTC is not earlier than the ending time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device.

[0115] The receiving module may be configured to receive a synchronization signal based on a first cycle before a start time of the PMTC.

[0116] The receiving module may be further configured to receive a synchronization signal based on a second period at or after the start time of the PMTC, where the length of the second period is shorter than the length of the first period.

[0117] The communication device may be a terminal device, or a chip used in the terminal device. The terminal device may be any one of a plurality of terminal devices in a cell of the network device.

[0118] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising modules or units for implementing the method in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0119] As an example, the communication device may include a determining module and a sending module.

[0120] The determining module may be configured to determine a monitoring timing of the terminal device.

[0121] The determination module can also be used to determine a monitoring measurement timing window PMTC based on the monitoring opportunity, where the start time of the PMTC is earlier than the start time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the end time of the PMTC is not earlier than the end time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device.

[0122] The sending module may be configured to send the PMTC to the terminal device.

[0123] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0124] The apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the methods described in the above aspects may be implemented. The apparatus may further include a communication interface for communicating between the apparatus and other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0125] In the tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program code for execution by a communication device, the program code including instructions for implementing the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation methods thereof.

[0126] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to implement the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0127] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes the device in the fifth aspect and the device in the sixth aspect, or includes the device in the seventh aspect and the device in the eighth aspect.

[0128] It can be understood that the effects that can be obtained in the fifth to twelfth aspects can be referred to the description in the first and third aspects and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0129] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a terminal device;

[0131] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of time deviation provided by this application;

[0132] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] FIG5 is a diagram showing the relationship between synchronization signals and monitoring opportunities provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0134] FIG6 is a diagram showing the relationship between synchronization signals and monitoring opportunities provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0135] FIG7 is a diagram showing the relationship between synchronization signals and monitoring opportunities provided by yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0136] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0137] FIG9 is a diagram showing the relationship between synchronization signals and monitoring opportunities provided by yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0138] FIG10 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0139] FIG11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the monitoring timing of a terminal device and PMTC according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0140] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a period of receiving a synchronization signal by a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0141] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a period of receiving a synchronization signal by a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0142] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0143] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0144] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0145] FIG17 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0146] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0147] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0148] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. For example, the first information and the second information are merely used to distinguish different information and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences.

[0149] 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 and (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.

[0150] The technical solution of the present invention can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth generation (5G) communication systems or new radio (NR), non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and future communication systems, such as sixth generation (6G) communication systems, etc., and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0151] Below, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0152] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application will be first described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes core network equipment, wireless access network equipment, and terminal equipment.

[0153] Among them, terminal devices can be connected to wireless access network devices via wireless means, and wireless access network devices can be connected to core network devices via wireless or wired means. Core network devices and wireless access network devices can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of wireless access network devices can be integrated into the same physical device, or a physical device can integrate some core network device functions and some wireless access network device functions. Terminal devices and wireless access network devices can be connected to each other via wired or wireless means. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0154] Radio access network (RAN) equipment can be a device with wireless transceiver functions. The RAN equipment can be a device that provides wireless communication service and is usually located on the network side, including but not limited to: the next-generation base station (gNodeB, gNB) in 5G communication systems, the next-generation base station in the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, the base station in the future mobile communication system, or the access node in the WiFi system, etc., the evolved node B (eNB) in the long term evolution (LTE) system, the radio network controller (RNC), the node B (NB), the base station controller (BSC), the home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), the base band unit (BBU), the transmission reception point (TRP), the transmitting point (TP), the base transceiver station (BTS), etc. In a network structure, the access network device may include at least one of a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU). The access network device provides services for a cell, and the user equipment communicates with the base station through the transmission resources used by the cell (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell may be a cell corresponding to a base station (for example, a base station), and the cell may belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cell here may include: a metro cell, a micro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services. The wireless access network device may be a satellite, a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, a device that provides wireless communication services to the user equipment, a wireless controller in the cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, a relay station, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device in a future evolution network.The access network device in this embodiment may also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) device, which may include at least one of an open distributed unit (O-DU), an open centralized unit (O-CU), and an open radio unit (O-RU).

[0155] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the wireless access network device. For ease of description, the following description uses a base station as an example of a wireless access network device.

[0156] The terminal device may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. It may be an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device includes a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, or a computing device with wireless communication capabilities. Exemplarily, the UE may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities. The terminal device may also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, and the like. The terminal can be widely used in 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, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal can be a terminal; it can also be a device that can support the terminal to implement the function, such as a chip system, or a communication module, or a modem, which can be installed in the terminal. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal is a terminal, and the terminal is a UE as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0157] In this application, the number of wireless access network devices and terminal devices may not be limited. For example, the number of wireless access network devices may be at least one, and each of the at least one wireless access network devices may be connected to at least one terminal device.

[0158] In this application, wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water; and can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0159] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to downlink signal transmission, uplink signal transmission, and device-to-device (D2D) signal transmission. For downlink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a wireless access network device, and the corresponding receiving device is a terminal device. For uplink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving device is a wireless access network device. For D2D signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving device is also a terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the direction of signal transmission.

[0160] The wireless access network device and the terminal device, as well as the terminal device and the terminal device, can communicate through the authorized spectrum, or can communicate through the unlicensed spectrum, or can communicate through both the authorized spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time. The wireless access network device and the terminal device, as well as the terminal device and the terminal device, can communicate through the spectrum below 6G, or can communicate through the spectrum above 6G, or can communicate through the spectrum below 6G and the spectrum above 6G at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used between the wireless access network device and the terminal device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the wireless access network device may also be referred to as a network device.

[0162] In existing mobile communication systems, terminal devices may require weekly or daily charging, depending on user usage. Generally, a terminal device consumes tens of milliwatts in the radio resource control (RRC) idle / inactive state and hundreds of milliwatts in the RRC connected state. This high energy consumption of terminal devices has led to a demand for improved energy efficiency.

[0163] Energy efficiency is even more critical for end devices that lack continuous power sources, such as those using small rechargeable batteries and single-coin batteries. In vertical use cases, sensors and actuators are widely deployed for monitoring, measurement, and charging, and their batteries are typically non-rechargeable, with an expected lifespan of at least several years. In some IoT scenarios, such as wearable devices including smartwatches, rings, electronic health devices, and medical monitoring equipment, maintaining a battery life of 1-2 weeks while maintaining performance at typical battery capacities is challenging.

[0164] Power consumption depends on the configured wake-up cycle length. For example, in the radio resource control idle state, power consumption depends on the configured paging cycle. A longer paging cycle means the terminal device will spend more time in sleep mode, thus saving energy. One approach to improving energy efficiency is to periodically wake up the terminal device once during the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle. This eDRX cycle can be very large, which, while achieving high energy efficiency, can also lead to higher latency, making it unsuitable for services that require both high energy efficiency and low latency. For example, in a fire detection and extinguishing use case, fire shutters should be closed and actuators should activate fire sprinklers within 1-2 seconds after a sensor detects a fire. A longer eDRX cycle cannot meet latency requirements. eDRX is clearly unsuitable for scenarios with high latency requirements. Therefore, researching technologies that can support both ultra-low power consumption mechanisms and ultra-low latency is crucial.

[0165] In addition, the terminal device can also be awakened periodically during each discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. When the terminal device is awake but no signaling or data services are transmitted during the awake period, the terminal device is in an invalid awake state, and the power consumption during this period dominates the overall power consumption of the terminal device.

[0166] Currently, as shown in Figure 2, a terminal device may include a low-power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) and a main receiver. The LP-WUR is a separate receiver with ultra-low power monitoring wake-up signal capabilities. The terminal device can receive the wake-up signal based on the LP-WUR and trigger the main receiver to receive service data, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption.

[0167] Before transmitting service data to the terminal device, the network device can first send a low power wake up signal (LP-WUS) to the terminal device. After the low power wake up receiver (LP-WUR) in the terminal device receives the LP-WUS, it can wake up the higher power main receiver to receive the service data.

[0168] However, the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR in the terminal device is usually low, resulting in a large time offset before the LP-WUR receives the LP-WUS, affecting the reception performance of the wake-up signal.

[0169] As shown in Figure 3, assume that the shaded box represents the target listening opportunity of the wake-up signal, and the blank box represents the actual listening opportunity of the wake-up signal. Assuming that the starting time of the target listening opportunity of the first wake-up signal is t0, and the starting time of the actual listening opportunity of the first wake-up signal is also t0, there is no time offset before the terminal device receives the first wake-up signal. Assuming that the starting time of the target listening opportunity of the second wake-up signal is t1, and the starting time of the actual listening opportunity of the second wake-up signal is t′1, there is a first time offset before the terminal device receives the second wake-up signal, and the first time offset is t′1-t1. Assuming that the starting time of the target listening opportunity of the third wake-up signal is t2, and the starting time of the actual listening opportunity of the third wake-up signal is t′2, there is a second time offset before the terminal device receives the third wake-up signal, and the second time offset is t′2-t2. Among them, the second time offset is greater than the first time offset.

[0170] In this example, if the first time offset is less than the time offset threshold, the terminal device can detect the second wake-up signal and can tolerate the impact of the first time offset. However, if the second time offset is greater than the time offset threshold, the terminal device may not receive the third wake-up signal, thus affecting the wake-up signal reception performance.

[0171] Currently, the network device can send a synchronization signal to the terminal device, and then the terminal device can correct the time offset generated before the LP-WUR receives the LP-WUS based on the received synchronization signal.

[0172] Among them, the synchronization signal can be the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) existing in the NR system, or it can be a redesigned synchronization signal (low power synchronous signal, LP-SS), such as a low-power synchronization signal based on on-off keying (OOK), or a low-power synchronization signal based on frequency shift keying (FSK), or a low-power synchronization signal based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), or a low-power synchronization signal based on the fusion of the above different modulation methods. The fusion scheme can include the fusion of OOK and OFDM, as well as the fusion of FSK and OFDM. OOK modulation has some symbols that send signals and some symbols that do not send signals. Among them, the fusion scheme of OOK and OFDM is: OFDM is used for modulation on the symbols that OOK signals, that is, the signal part of OOK can carry more information. A common solution is to use different sequences in the OOK signal part to distinguish different UEs, such as using the ZC sequence, so as to increase the data rate of signal transmission and improve the signal detection performance.

[0173] Currently, the terminal device can correct the time offset generated before the LP-WUR receives the LP-WUS based on the synchronization signal, which can include the following methods:

[0174] In the first method, taking the terminal device in the idle state as an example, the network device can first obtain at least one paging opportunity, which includes the paging opportunity of at least one terminal device located in the cell of the network device, and then send a synchronization signal to each terminal device in the at least one terminal device before each paging opportunity.

[0175] Optionally, the network device may obtain at least one paging occasion from at least one terminal device.

[0176] For each of the at least one terminal device, each terminal device may determine its own paging frame (PF) and paging occasion (PO), and then send the determined PF and PO to the network device. PF may indicate a system frame number in which a paging message should appear, and PO may indicate a subframe occasion in which a paging message may appear in the system frame.

[0177] A PF represents a radio frame (or system frame). A PF may include one or more POs, or the starting point of a PO. A terminal device monitors only one PO during a DRX cycle, and only monitors its own PO. Each PO is a series of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring opportunities, and each PO can contain multiple time slots, such as subframes or OFDM symbols.

[0178] In this method, the terminal device can determine the system frame number based on formula (1): (SFN+PF_offset) mod T=(T div N)*(UE_ID mod N) (1)

[0179] SFN represents the system frame number, PF_offset represents the offset when determining the paging frame, T represents the DRX cycle or paging cycle of the terminal device, N represents the total number of paging frames within T, and UE_ID represents the identifier (ID) of the terminal device.

[0180] In this method, the terminal device can determine the paging occasion based on formula (2): i_s = floor (UE_ID / N) mod Ns (2)

[0181] Among them, i_s represents the index number of the paging occasion, N s Indicates the number of paging occasions contained in each paging frame.

[0182] In the second method, each terminal device in at least one terminal device can report the period of its desired synchronization signal to the network device. After the network device receives the period reported by each terminal device, it can periodically send a synchronization signal to each terminal device based on the minimum period.

[0183] In this method, each terminal device can determine the period of its desired synchronization signal based on the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR.

[0184] In the prior art, when a terminal device corrects a time offset generated before LP-WUR receives LP-WUS based on a synchronization signal, the power consumption of the terminal device is relatively large.

[0185] For example, in the first method, each terminal device's identifier is randomly assigned, meaning that each terminal device's paging opportunity is randomly positioned in the time domain. Furthermore, the distance between any two terminal devices' paging opportunities may be significantly shorter than the synchronization period required by a particular terminal device. Consequently, the number of synchronization signals received by that terminal device far exceeds its required number, resulting in high power consumption.

[0186] For example, in the second method, different terminal devices may have different receiver architectures and clock accuracies, and therefore require different synchronization signal periods. If the synchronization signal period required by a terminal device is greater than the synchronization signal period sent by the network device, the terminal device will receive far more synchronization signals than it needs, resulting in increased power consumption.

[0187] To this end, the present application provides a communication method for solving the problem of high power consumption of terminal devices in the prior art.

[0188] In the communication method of the present application, the network device may send an LP-WUS at at least two listening opportunities after sending a first synchronization signal. The time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to a first duration. Furthermore, the network device determines not to send a synchronization signal within the first duration after the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0189] In this method, the network device may send a first synchronization signal to each of the multiple terminal devices located in a cell of the network device.

[0190] At least two monitoring opportunities may be used for the network device to send messages to at least two terminal devices, and the first duration may be less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

[0191] In this method, the time offset generated by the network device before sending the LP-WUS based on the at least two listening opportunities can be corrected by the first synchronization signal. In other words, a single synchronization signal can be used to correct the time offset generated by the network device before sending the LP-WUS at multiple listening opportunities. Compared to the prior art method in which a single synchronization signal is used to correct the time offset generated by the network device before sending the LP-WUS at a single listening opportunity, the present application can reduce the number of synchronization signals sent by the network device to the terminal device, thereby saving transmission overhead between the network device and the terminal device, and further helping to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0192] For any terminal device, the terminal device can be in an idle state, an inactive state or a connected state.

[0193] Optionally, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device may also be called a paging opportunity. Accordingly, the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device may be used by the network device to send a paging message to the terminal device.

[0194] Furthermore, the network device may also send a second synchronization signal and send an LP-WUS at at least one listening opportunity, wherein the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity in the at least one listening opportunity and the end time of the second synchronization signal is less than or equal to the second duration.

[0195] Optionally, when the time interval between the end time of the first synchronization signal and the start time of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration, the network device further sends a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0196] In this method, at least one listening opportunity can be used for a network device to send a message to at least two terminal devices, the second duration can be less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the at least one terminal device, and the third duration can also be less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the at least one terminal device.

[0197] In this method, the second synchronization signal is used to correct for timing offsets incurred by the network device before it transmits the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity. If the time interval between the end of the first synchronization signal and the start of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration, the network device is required to transmit a third synchronization signal between the first and second synchronization signals. This prevents situations where the second synchronization signal is unable to correct for timing offsets incurred before the network device transmits the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity due to an excessively long time interval between the end of the first synchronization signal and the start of the second synchronization signal.

[0198] Next, this application will provide a detailed introduction to the communication method in conjunction with Figures 4 to 9. The communication method can be executed by a terminal device and a network device, or it can be executed by a chip applied to a terminal device and a chip applied to a network device. The following description is given using the execution by a terminal device and a network device as an example. In addition, the processing described below as being performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into being performed by multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into being performed by at least one of the CU, DU, and RU.

[0199] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method may include S401 to S403.

[0200] S401: A network device sends a first synchronization signal.

[0201] In this method, the network device may be the wireless access network device shown in FIG1 .

[0202] When the network device sends the first synchronization signal, it may send the first synchronization signal once. Accordingly, each of the multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the network device may receive the first synchronization signal.

[0203] As an example, assuming that the cell of the network device includes terminal device 1, terminal device 2, and terminal device 3, terminal device 1, terminal device 2, and terminal device 3 can all receive the first synchronization signal.

[0204] Optionally, before sending the synchronization signal, the network device may also obtain the listening opportunity of each of the multiple terminal devices. The network device may send a message, such as LP-WUS, to each terminal device based on the listening opportunity of each terminal device.

[0205] For any terminal device among the multiple terminal devices, the terminal device may be in an idle state, an inactive state, or a connected state.

[0206] Optionally, when a terminal device is in an idle state, the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device may also be referred to as a paging opportunity. Accordingly, the network device may send a paging message to the terminal device based on the paging opportunity of the terminal device. An example of the paging message is LP-WUS.

[0207] In some possible implementations, each terminal device among the multiple terminal devices may determine a listening opportunity for each terminal device, and then send the listening opportunity for each terminal device to the network device.

[0208] The method for each terminal device to determine the monitoring opportunity may refer to the method for a terminal device to determine the paging opportunity in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0209] S402: The network device sends an LP-WUS in at least two listening opportunities, where a time interval between a start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and an end time of a first synchronization signal is less than or equal to a first duration.

[0210] The at least two monitoring opportunities may correspond one-to-one to at least two terminal devices, and the at least two terminal devices are included in a plurality of terminal devices, which are a plurality of terminal devices located in a cell of the network device.

[0211] The at least two listening opportunities can be used by the network device to send a message, such as an LP-WUS, to at least two terminal devices. The network device sending the LP-WUS at the at least two listening opportunities means that the network device sends the LP-WUS to the terminal devices corresponding to the at least two listening opportunities, respectively, at the at least two listening opportunities. Accordingly, each of the at least two terminal devices can receive the LP-WUS at the listening opportunity corresponding to each terminal device.

[0212] As an example, it is assumed that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, where listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1 and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the network device can send an LP-WUS to terminal device 1 at listening opportunity 1, and terminal device 1 can receive the LP-WUS at listening opportunity 1. Also, the network device can send an LP-WUS to terminal device 2 at listening opportunity 2, and terminal device 2 can receive the LP-WUS at listening opportunity 2.

[0213] In this method, for any terminal device, the monitoring opportunity corresponding to the terminal device can be called the first monitoring opportunity.

[0214] As an example, assume that at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, where listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1 and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the first listening opportunity of terminal device 1 is listening opportunity 1, and the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 1 and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration. The first listening opportunity of terminal device 2 is listening opportunity 2, and the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal is also less than or equal to the first duration.

[0215] Optionally, any one of the at least two terminal devices may be in an idle state, an inactive state, or a connected state.

[0216] For any terminal device, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the monitoring opportunity corresponding to the terminal device can also be called a paging opportunity. Accordingly, the network device can send a paging message to the terminal device during the paging opportunity of the terminal device.

[0217] In this method, the starting time of each monitoring opportunity in the at least two monitoring opportunities can be understood as the starting position of each monitoring opportunity, and the starting position of each monitoring opportunity can be the starting position of each monitoring opportunity in the system frame.

[0218] The end time of the first synchronization signal can be understood as the end position of the first synchronization signal, and the end position of the first synchronization signal can be the end position of the first synchronization signal in the system frame. Here, the end position of the first synchronization signal can also be understood as the end position of the first synchronization signal sent by the network device or the end position of the first synchronization signal received by the terminal device.

[0219] In this method, the first duration may be less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to at least two terminal devices corresponding to at least two monitoring opportunities.

[0220] In other words, the first duration may be less than or equal to the first time offset, and the first time offset may be the smallest time offset among the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

[0221] In this method, the first duration is less than or equal to the first time offset, and the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration. This ensures that each of the at least two terminal devices can correct the time offset generated before receiving the LP-WUS based on the first synchronization signal, thereby ensuring the synchronization performance of each terminal device.

[0222] The maximum time offset that a terminal device can accept can indicate the terminal device's ability to correct the time offset. The terminal device's ability to correct the time offset can be related to the terminal device's receiver architecture or the algorithm used by the terminal device to correct the time offset.

[0223] The maximum time offset acceptable to the at least two terminal devices may be associated with the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR of the at least two terminal devices. In one example, the network device may obtain the maximum time offset acceptable to each terminal device from each of the multiple terminal devices, then determine at least two terminal devices from the multiple terminal devices, and determine the first duration based on the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

[0224] In this example, the multiple terminal devices may be multiple terminal devices located in a cell of the network device. The maximum time offset acceptable to each of the multiple terminal devices may be associated with the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR of each terminal device.

[0225] Optionally, for any one of the multiple terminal devices, the terminal device may determine the maximum time offset that the terminal device can accept based on the clock accuracy of its own LP-WUR. The worse the clock accuracy of the LP-WUR of the terminal device, the smaller the maximum time offset that the terminal device can accept.

[0226] After each of the multiple terminal devices determines the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept, it can send the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device can accept the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept.

[0227] In this example, the time interval between the start time of the listening opportunity of each terminal device in the at least two terminal devices and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept.

[0228] Optionally, the network device determining the first duration from the maximum time offsets acceptable to at least two terminal devices may include: the network device determining the first time offset from the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least two terminal devices, the first time offset being the smallest of the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least two terminal devices; and determining the first duration based on the first time offset, the first duration being less than or equal to the first time offset.

[0229] In this example, each terminal device calculates and sends the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept to the network device. This can avoid the situation where the network device calculates slowly when there are too many terminal devices and the computing power of the network device is limited, and is conducive to reducing the delay of the network device in sending LP-WUS.

[0230] In another example, the network device may obtain the clock accuracy of each terminal device from each terminal device among a plurality of terminal devices, and then determine the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept based on the clock accuracy of each terminal device, and then determine at least two terminal devices from the plurality of terminal devices, and then determine the first duration based on the maximum time offset of the at least two terminal devices.

[0231] The method by which the network device determines the maximum time offset acceptable to each terminal device based on the clock accuracy of each terminal device is consistent with the method by which each terminal determines the maximum time offset acceptable to each terminal based on its own clock accuracy, and will not be repeated here.

[0232] In this example, the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept is determined by the network device, which can save computing power of each terminal device.

[0233] S403: The network device determines not to send a synchronization signal within a first time period after the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0234] As shown in Figure 5, assuming that at least two listening opportunities may include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is Δt1, Δt1 is less than the first duration, and the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is Δt2, Δt2 is also less than the first duration, the network device may not send a synchronization signal within the first duration after the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0235] Accordingly, the terminal device corresponding to each of the at least two listening opportunities can determine that it may not receive the synchronization signal within the first time period after the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0236] In this example, the network device sends a first synchronization signal before the listening opportunity 1. The first synchronization signal can be used to correct the timing offset generated before the network device sends the LP-WUS at the listening opportunity 1 and the listening opportunity 2.

[0237] In other words, a single synchronization signal can be used to correct the timing offset generated by a network device before sending an LP-WUS at multiple listening opportunities. Compared to the prior art method of using a single synchronization signal to correct the timing offset generated by a network device before sending an LP-WUS at a single listening opportunity, this application can reduce the number of synchronization signals sent by the network device to the terminal device, thereby saving transmission overhead between the network device and the terminal device, and further helping to reduce power consumption of the terminal device.

[0238] Optionally, in some embodiments, a DRX cycle may not include other monitoring opportunities except monitoring opportunity 1 and monitoring opportunity 2, and the network device only needs to send the first synchronization signal in the DRX cycle.

[0239] Optionally, the network device may further send first indication information to at least two terminal devices, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first duration. Accordingly, each of the at least two terminal devices receives the first information.

[0240] For each of the at least two terminal devices, after receiving the first time duration, each terminal device may determine not to receive a synchronization signal within the first time duration after the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0241] Optionally, in some possible implementation methods, the first indication information may also indicate the time interval between the start time of one or more listening opportunities among the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0242] As an example, the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device corresponding to each listening opportunity based on each of the at least two listening opportunities, and the first indication message is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0243] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the network device may send first indication information to terminal device 1, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 1 and the end time of the first synchronization signal. And the network device may send first indication information to terminal device 2, where the first indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0244] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the first indication information received by each terminal device.

[0245] As another example, the network device may send first indication information to each of at least two terminal devices, where the first indication information is the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0246] Optionally, the network device may further send a first message to each of the at least two terminal devices respectively, where the first message is used to indicate the position of the listening opportunity corresponding to each terminal device in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0247] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then the network device can send first indication information to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, and the first indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal and the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal. In addition, the network device can also send a first message to terminal device 1, and the first message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 1 in the at least two listening opportunities. And the network device can also send a first message to terminal device 2, and the first message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 2 in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0248] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the received first indication information and the first message.

[0249] In this implementation, the first duration and the time interval between the start time of one or more of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal can be sent in the same indication information, which can save the transmission overhead between the network device and the terminal device and is conducive to reducing the power consumption of the network device and the terminal device.

[0250] In this implementation, when the network device sends the first indication information and / or the first message to the terminal device, it can be sent based on the status of the terminal device.

[0251] As an example, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the network device may send the first indication information and / or the first message via a system information block (SIB), such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB4 or other SIB messages.

[0252] As another example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device may send a first indication information and / or a first message based on downlink control information (DCI), a media access control control element (MAC-CE) or RRC signaling.

[0253] Optionally, in some other possible implementations, the network device may also send second indication information to at least two terminal devices, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of one or more listening opportunities in at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0254] As an example, the network device can send a second indication message to the terminal device corresponding to each listening opportunity based on each of the at least two listening opportunities, and the second indication message is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0255] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then, the network device may send second indication information to terminal device 1, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 1 and the end time of the first synchronization signal. And the network device may send second indication information to terminal device 2, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal.

[0256] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the second indication information received by each terminal device.

[0257] As another example, the network device may send second indication information to each of at least two terminal devices, where the second indication information is the time interval between the start moment of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal.

[0258] Optionally, the network device may further send a first message to each of the at least two terminal devices respectively, where the first message is used to indicate the position of the listening opportunity corresponding to each terminal device in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0259] For example, assuming that the at least two listening opportunities include listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 1 corresponds to terminal device 1, and listening opportunity 2 corresponds to terminal device 2. Then the network device can send second indication information to terminal device 1 and terminal device 2, and the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal and the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal. In addition, the network device can also send a second message to terminal device 1, and the second message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 1 in the at least two listening opportunities. And the network device can also send a second message to terminal device 2, and the second message can be used to indicate the position of listening opportunity 2 in the at least two listening opportunities.

[0260] In this example, each terminal device can determine the reception time of the first synchronization signal based on the received second indication information and the first message.

[0261] In this implementation, the first duration and the time interval between the start moment of one or more listening opportunities among at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal can be sent in different indication information, so that the first duration and the time interval between the start moment of one or more listening opportunities among at least two listening opportunities and the end moment of the first synchronization signal can be distinguished.

[0262] In this implementation, when the network device sends the first indication information, the second indication information and / or the first message to the terminal device, it can be sent based on the status of the terminal device.

[0263] As an example, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the network device may send the first indication information, the second indication information and / or the first message via a system information block (SIB), such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB4 or other SIB messages.

[0264] As another example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device can send first indication information, second indication information and / or first message based on downlink control information (DCI), media access control control element (MAC-CE) or RRC signaling.

[0265] In the present application, in some embodiments, the first synchronization signal may be sent periodically.

[0266] For example, in some possible scenarios, when the monitoring opportunities of multiple terminal devices located in a cell of the network device are distributed relatively evenly, the network device may periodically send the first synchronization signal.

[0267] As shown in Figure 6, it is assumed that a DRX cycle may include six listening opportunities: listening opportunity 1, listening opportunity 2, ..., listening opportunity 6. The network device sends the first synchronization signal 1 before listening opportunity 1, sends the first synchronization signal 2 between listening opportunity 2 and listening opportunity 3, and sends the first synchronization signal 3 between listening opportunity 3 and listening opportunity 4. The time interval between the start time of the first synchronization signal 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 1 is Δt3, and the time interval between the start time of the first synchronization signal 3 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 2 is Δt4. Δt3 may be equal to Δt4.

[0268] In this example, the time interval between the start time of monitoring opportunity 1 and the end time of first synchronization signal 1 is less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the two terminal devices corresponding to monitoring opportunity 1 and monitoring opportunity 2. The time interval between the start time of monitoring opportunity 2 and the end time of first synchronization signal 1 is also less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the two terminal devices corresponding to monitoring opportunity 1 and monitoring opportunity 2.

[0269] The time interval between the start time of the monitoring opportunity 3 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 2 is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that the terminal device corresponding to the monitoring opportunity 3 can accept.

[0270] The time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 4 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 3 is less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the three terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 4, listening opportunity 5, and listening opportunity 6. The time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 5 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 3 is also less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the three terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 4, listening opportunity 5, and listening opportunity 6. The time interval between the start time of listening opportunity 6 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 3 is also less than or equal to the maximum time offset acceptable to the three terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 4, listening opportunity 5, and listening opportunity 6.

[0271] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first synchronization signal may be a non-periodic synchronization signal.

[0272] For example, in some other possible scenarios, when the monitoring opportunities of multiple terminal devices located in a cell of the network device are relatively dispersed, the first synchronization signal may be a non-periodic synchronization signal.

[0273] As shown in FIG7 , it is assumed that a DRX cycle may include four listening opportunities: listening opportunity 1, listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 3, and listening opportunity 4. The network device sends the first synchronization signal 1 before listening opportunity 1, the network device sends the first synchronization signal 2 before listening opportunity 2, and the network device sends the first synchronization signal 3 between listening opportunity 2 and listening opportunity 3. The time interval between the start time of the first synchronization signal 2 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 1 is not equal to the time interval between the start time of the first synchronization signal 3 and the end time of the first synchronization signal 2.

[0274] In this example, the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal 1 is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that the terminal device corresponding to listening opportunity 1 can accept. The time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal 2 is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that the terminal device corresponding to listening opportunity 2 can accept. The time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 3 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal 3 is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that the two terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 3 and listening opportunity 4 can accept. The time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 4 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal 3 is also less than or equal to the maximum time offset that the two terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 3 and listening opportunity 4 can accept.

[0275] In the technical solution of the present application, as shown in FIG8 , the communication method may further include S404 to S406 .

[0276] S404: The network device sends a second synchronization signal.

[0277] When the network device sends the second synchronization signal, it may send the second synchronization signal once. Accordingly, each of the multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the network device may receive the second synchronization signal.

[0278] S405: Send an LP-WUS in at least one listening opportunity, where the time interval between a start time of each listening opportunity in the at least one listening opportunity and an end time of the second synchronization signal is less than or equal to a second duration.

[0279] Among them, at least one monitoring opportunity can correspond one-to-one to at least one terminal device, and the at least one terminal device is included in a plurality of terminal devices, and the plurality of terminal devices are a plurality of terminal devices located in a cell of the network device.

[0280] The at least one listening opportunity can be used by the network device to send a message, such as an LP-WUS, to at least one terminal device. The network device sending the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity means that the network device sends the LP-WUS to the terminal device corresponding to the at least one listening opportunity at the at least one listening opportunity. Accordingly, each of the at least one terminal device can receive the LP-WUS at the listening opportunity corresponding to each terminal device.

[0281] As an example, assuming that the at least one listening opportunity includes listening opportunity 3, and listening opportunity 3 corresponds to terminal device 3, the network device may send an LP-WUS to terminal device 3 at listening opportunity 3, and terminal device 3 may receive the LP-WUS at listening opportunity 3.

[0282] Optionally, any one of the at least one terminal device may be in an idle state, an inactive state or a connected state.

[0283] For any terminal device, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the monitoring opportunity corresponding to the terminal device can also be called a paging opportunity. Accordingly, the network device can send a paging message to the terminal device during the paging opportunity of the terminal device.

[0284] In this method, the starting time of each monitoring opportunity in the at least one monitoring opportunity can be understood as the starting position of each monitoring opportunity, and the starting position of each monitoring opportunity can be the starting position of each monitoring opportunity in the system frame.

[0285] The end time of the second synchronization signal can be understood as the end position of the second synchronization signal, and the end position of the second synchronization signal can be the end position of the second synchronization signal in the system frame. Here, the end position of the second synchronization signal can also be understood as the end position of the second synchronization signal sent by the network device or the end position of the second synchronization signal received by the terminal device.

[0286] In this method, the second duration may be less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to at least one terminal device corresponding to at least one monitoring opportunity.

[0287] In other words, the second duration may be less than or equal to the second time offset, and the second time offset may be the smallest time offset among the maximum time offsets acceptable to the at least one terminal device.

[0288] The maximum time offset acceptable to the terminal device may indicate the terminal device's ability to correct the time offset. The terminal device's ability to correct the time offset may be related to the terminal device's receiver architecture or the algorithm used by the terminal device to correct the time offset.

[0289] In one possible implementation method, the network device can obtain the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept from each terminal device among multiple terminal devices, then determine at least one terminal device from the multiple terminal devices, and determine the second duration from the maximum time offset that the at least one terminal device can accept.

[0290] In another possible implementation, the network device may obtain the clock accuracy of each terminal device from each terminal device among a plurality of terminal devices, and then determine the maximum time offset that each terminal device can accept based on the clock accuracy of each terminal device, and then determine at least one terminal device from the plurality of terminal devices, and then determine the second duration based on the maximum time offset of the at least one terminal device.

[0291] In this method, the method for the network device to determine the second duration can refer to the aforementioned method for the network device to determine the first duration, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] S406: Send a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal when the time interval between the end time of the first synchronization signal and the start time of the second synchronization signal is greater than the third time duration.

[0293] In this method, the third duration may also be less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to at least one terminal device.

[0294] As shown in Figure 9, it is assumed that a DRX cycle may include four listening opportunities: listening opportunity 1, listening opportunity 2, listening opportunity 3, and listening opportunity 4. The network device may send a first synchronization signal before listening opportunity 1, and the network device may send a second synchronization signal before listening opportunity 3. Assuming that the time interval between the end time of the first synchronization signal and the start time of the second synchronization signal is Δt5, and Δt5 is greater than the third time duration, the network device may further send a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0295] In this example, the time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 1 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that can be accepted by the two terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2. The time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 2 and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is also less than or equal to the maximum time offset that can be accepted by the two terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 1 and listening opportunity 2. The time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 3 and the end moment of the second synchronization signal is less than or equal to the maximum time offset that can be accepted by the two terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 3 and listening opportunity 4. The time interval between the start moment of listening opportunity 4 and the end moment of the second synchronization signal is also less than or equal to the maximum time offset that can be accepted by the two terminal devices corresponding to listening opportunity 3 and listening opportunity 4.

[0296] Optionally, in some embodiments, the network device may send one or more third synchronization signals between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0297] For example, assuming that the time interval between the start moment of the third synchronization signal and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the third duration, and the time interval between the start moment of the second synchronization signal and the end moment of the third synchronization signal is also less than or equal to the third duration, the network device can send a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0298] In this example, the network device can send a third synchronization signal between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal, the time interval between the third synchronization signal and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the third duration, and the time interval between the start time of the second synchronization signal and the end time of the third synchronization signal is also less than or equal to the third duration.

[0299] For another example, assuming that the time interval between the start moment of the third synchronization signal and the end moment of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the third time length, but the time interval between the start moment of the second synchronization signal and the end moment of the third synchronization signal is still greater than the third time length, the network device can send one or more third synchronization signals between the third synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0300] In this example, the network device can send multiple third synchronization signals between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal. The time interval between the first third synchronization signal of these multiple third synchronization signals and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the third duration. The time interval between the start time of the second synchronization signal and the end time of the last third synchronization signal of these multiple third synchronization signals is also less than or equal to the third duration. The time interval between the start time of the latter third synchronization signal and the end time of the previous third synchronization signal of each two adjacent third synchronization signals is also less than or equal to the third duration.

[0301] This ensures that each terminal device in the at least one terminal device can correct the time offset generated before each terminal device receives LP-WUS based on the second synchronization signal and the third synchronization signal, thereby ensuring the synchronization performance of each terminal device.

[0302] In this method, the second synchronization signal is used to correct for timing offsets incurred by the network device before it transmits the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity. If the time interval between the end of the first synchronization signal and the start of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration, the network device is required to transmit a third synchronization signal between the first and second synchronization signals. This prevents situations where the second synchronization signal is unable to correct for timing offsets incurred before the network device transmits the LP-WUS at the at least one listening opportunity due to an excessively long time interval between the end of the first synchronization signal and the start of the second synchronization signal.

[0303] In addition, the present application can also provide another communication method for solving the problem of high power consumption of terminal equipment in the prior art.

[0304] In the communication method of the present application, for any terminal device, the terminal device can determine a measurement timing window (PMTC), receive synchronization signals based on a first period before the start time of the PMTC, and receive synchronization signals based on a second period at the start time of the PMTC and after the start time of the PMTC. The length of the second period is less than the length of the first period.

[0305] In this method, the starting time of the PMTC may be earlier than the starting time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the ending time of the PMTC may not be earlier than the ending time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device.

[0306] In this method, if the length of the second period is shorter than the length of the first period, it means that the terminal device receives synchronization signals more frequently based on the second period than it did based on the first period. In other words, the terminal device begins intensively receiving synchronization signals only at or after the start position of the PMTC corresponding to its monitoring opportunity. This reduces the number of synchronization signal receptions by the terminal device, thereby facilitating lower power consumption.

[0307] Further, after receiving the LP-WUS, or at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the first cycle.

[0308] That is to say, the terminal device can sparsely receive the synchronization signal after receiving the wake-up signal or after the terminal device's listening opportunity, which can reduce the number of times the terminal device receives the synchronization signal, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0309] Next, this application will provide a detailed introduction to the communication method in conjunction with Figures 10 to 13.

[0310] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication method may include S1001 to S1005.

[0311] S1001: The network device determines a monitoring timing of the terminal device.

[0312] In this method, the network device may be the wireless access network device shown in FIG1 .

[0313] The terminal device may be any one of a plurality of terminal devices located in a cell of the terminal device, and the terminal device supports the characteristics of LP-WUS.

[0314] As an example, the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device may be sent by the terminal device to the network device.

[0315] For example, after determining the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, the terminal device may send the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device to the network device. The method for determining the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device may refer to the method for determining the paging opportunity of the terminal device in the prior art, which will not be repeated here.

[0316] As another example, the network device may first determine monitoring-related information related to the terminal device, and determine the monitoring timing of the terminal device based on the monitoring-related information of the terminal device.

[0317] Among them, the monitoring-related information of the terminal device may include any one or more of the following: the data rate of LP-WUS, the number of information bits carried by LP-WUS, the clock accuracy of LP-WUR, the modulation mode of LP-WUS, coverage requirements, power consumption requirements, etc.

[0318] Optionally, the monitoring-related information prepared by the terminal may be reported by the terminal device to the network device in advance.

[0319] S1002: The network device determines a PMTC based on the monitoring opportunity. The start time of the PMTC is earlier than the start time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the end time of the PMTC is not earlier than the end time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device.

[0320] The start time of a PMTC can be understood as the starting position of the PMTC, and the end time of a PMTC can be understood as the ending position of the PMTC. Accordingly, if the start time of a PMTC is earlier than the start time of the terminal device's listening opportunity, it can be understood as: the start position of the PMTC is earlier than the starting position of the terminal device's listening opportunity. If the end time of a PMTC is not earlier than the end time of the terminal device's listening opportunity, it can be understood as: the end position of the PMTC is not earlier than the ending position of the terminal device's listening opportunity.

[0321] The length of the PMTC is greater than or equal to the length of the listening opportunity of the terminal device. The offset between the starting position of the PMTC and the starting position of the listening opportunity of the terminal device may be greater than or equal to 0.

[0322] As an example, a relationship diagram between the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device and the PMTC may be shown in FIG11 , wherein the dotted-line frame represents the position of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the solid-line frame represents the position of the PMTC.

[0323] In this method, one terminal device may correspond to one PMTC. The locations of monitoring opportunities of different terminal devices may be different, and the locations of PMTCs corresponding to different terminal devices may also be different.

[0324] S1003: The network device sends a PMTC to the terminal device, and the terminal device can receive the PMTC accordingly.

[0325] Optionally, when the network device sends the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device to the terminal device, the sending may be based on the status of the terminal device.

[0326] As an example, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the network device may send the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device via a SIB, such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB4 or other SIB messages.

[0327] As another example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device may send the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device based on DCI, MAC-CE or RRC signaling.

[0328] In this method, the terminal device may determine the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device based on the received PMTC.

[0329] S1004: Before the start time of the PMTC, the terminal device receives a synchronization signal based on the first cycle.

[0330] In the method, the first period may be configured in advance by the network device to the terminal device. The length of the first period may be greater than the length of the period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0331] As an example, each of the multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the network device can report the period of the synchronization signal it expects to the network device. The network device can select the minimum period as the sending period of the synchronization signal, and then determine the first period based on the sending period.

[0332] Optionally, each terminal device may determine the period of its desired synchronization signal based on the clock accuracy of its own LP-WUR.

[0333] In the method, after determining the first period, the network device may send first information to the terminal device, where the first information may include the first period. Correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first information.

[0334] S1005: The terminal device receives a synchronization signal based on a second period at or after the start time of the PMTC, where the length of the second period is shorter than the length of the first period.

[0335] In the method, the second period may also be configured in advance by the network device to the terminal device. The length of the second period may be greater than or equal to the length of the period during which the network device sends the synchronization signal.

[0336] As an example, each of the multiple terminal devices located in the cell of the network device can report the period of its desired synchronization signal to the network device. The network device can select the minimum period as the sending period of the synchronization signal, and then determine the second period based on the sending period.

[0337] Optionally, the first information sent by the network device to the terminal device may also include the second period.

[0338] In this method, after receiving the first information, the terminal device can determine the first period and the second period based on the first information, which is beneficial for the terminal device to determine the receiving period of the synchronization signal based on the position of the PMTC, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0339] Optionally, the network device may further send second information to the terminal device, where the second information may include the time interval between the start time of the PMTC and the start time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device.

[0340] In this method, after receiving the second information, the terminal device can determine the starting time of the PMTC based on the second information. This helps the terminal device determine the location of the PMTC based on the PMTC's actual time, and further determines the synchronization signal reception period based on the PMTC's location, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0341] Optionally, when the network device sends the first information and the second information to the terminal device, it may send them based on the status of the terminal device.

[0342] As an example, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the network device may send the first information and the second information to the terminal device via a SIB, such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB4 or other SIB messages.

[0343] As another example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device may send the first information and the second information to the terminal device based on DCI, MAC-CE or RRC signaling.

[0344] In the method, after the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the second period, the communication method may further include: after receiving the LP-WUS, receiving the synchronization signal based on the first period.

[0345] Optionally, after receiving the LP-WUS, the terminal device further needs to determine whether the received LP-WUS is the LP-WUS required by the terminal device. If it is determined that the received LP-WUS is the LP-WUS required by the terminal device, the synchronization signal is received based on the first period.

[0346] As shown in Figure 12, the shaded area represents the time at which the synchronization signal is received, and the solid-line box represents the location of the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device. Before the start time of the PMTC, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on a first cycle. At or after the start time of the PMTC, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on a second cycle. Before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device receives an LP-WUS and determines that the received LP-WUS is the LP-WUS required by the terminal device. The terminal device can then receive the synchronization signal based on the first cycle.

[0347] In the present application, after the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the second cycle, the communication method may further include: receiving the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0348] Optionally, when the terminal device receives an LP-WUS before the end time of the PMTC, but determines that the received LP-WUS is not the LP-WUS required by the terminal device, it can continue to determine whether the LP-WUS required by the terminal device is received. If the terminal device does not receive the LP-WUS required by the terminal device before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0349] As shown in Figure 13, assuming that the shaded area represents the time at which the synchronization signal is received and the solid-line box represents the location of the PMTC corresponding to the terminal device, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the first cycle before the start time of the PMTC and receives the synchronization signal based on the second cycle at or after the start time of the PMTC. Before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device receives an LP-WUS, but the received LP-WUS is not the LP-WUS required by the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0350] Optionally, when the terminal device does not receive the LP-WUS before the end time of the PMTC, the terminal device may receive the synchronization signal based on the first cycle at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC.

[0351] In some embodiments, the terminal device may also start a timer at the start time of the PMTC, and then determine a reception period of the synchronization signal based on the timer.

[0352] For example, after the timer is started, the terminal device may receive the synchronization signal based on the second period.

[0353] Optionally, before the timer expires, if the terminal device receives the LP-WUS required by the terminal device, the synchronization signal is received based on the first period.

[0354] Optionally, before the timer expires, if the terminal device receives an LP-WUS but the LP-WUS received by the terminal device is not the LP-WUS required by the terminal device, or the terminal device does not receive the LP-WUS, then at the moment the timer expires or after the timer expires, a synchronization signal is received based on the first cycle.

[0355] Optionally, in some embodiments, the network device may not directly use the minimum period as the synchronization signal transmission period, but may adaptively adjust the synchronization signal transmission period. For example, when the network device's resources are relatively limited, the network device may adjust the synchronization signal transmission period to a longer period.

[0356] If the sending period of the synchronization signal is updated, the network device may send third information based on the status of the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate the updated sending period of the synchronization signal.

[0357] As an example, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the network device may send the third information to the terminal device via the SIB, such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB4 or other SIB messages.

[0358] As another example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device may send third information to the terminal device based on DCI, MAC-CE or RRC signaling.

[0359] Accordingly, when the sending period of the synchronization signal is updated, the first period and / or the second period may be updated.

[0360] When the first cycle and / or the second cycle are updated, the network device may further send fourth information based on the status of the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate the updated first cycle and / or the updated second cycle.

[0361] As an example, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the network device may send the fourth information to the terminal device via the SIB, such as SIB1, SIB2, SIB4 or other SIB messages.

[0362] As another example, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the network device may send fourth information to the terminal device based on DCI, MAC-CE or RRC signaling.

[0363] Correspondingly, after receiving the third information and the fourth information, the terminal device can receive the synchronization signal based on the first period and the second period indicated by the fourth information.

[0364] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first period and the second period may also be integer multiples of the transmission period of the synchronization signal, such as 1 times, 2 times, 3 times, etc.

[0365] For example, the first period may be twice the period of transmitting the synchronization signal, and the second period may be once the period of transmitting the synchronization signal.

[0366] For another example, the first period may be three times the period of sending the synchronization signal, and the second period may be one or two times the period of sending the synchronization signal.

[0367] Accordingly, when the network device sends information for indicating the first period and the second period to the terminal device, it may not directly indicate the values ​​of the first period and the second period, but may indicate the multiple relationship between the first period and the sending period of the synchronization signal and the multiple relationship between the second period and the sending period of the synchronization signal.

[0368] In this method, if the length of the second period is shorter than the length of the first period, it means that the terminal device receives synchronization signals more frequently based on the second period than it did based on the first period. In other words, the terminal device begins intensively receiving synchronization signals only at or after the start position of the PMTC corresponding to its monitoring opportunity. This reduces the number of synchronization signal receptions by the terminal device, thereby facilitating lower power consumption.

[0369] In addition, the terminal device can sparsely receive the synchronization signal after receiving the wake-up signal required by the terminal device or after the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, which can reduce the number of times the terminal device receives the synchronization signal, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0370] In the present application, a monitoring opportunity may be a monitoring opportunity of a single terminal device, or a monitoring opportunity of a terminal device group, and the monitoring opportunity of each terminal device in the terminal device group is the same.

[0371] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG14 , the communication device 1400 may include a sending module 1401 and a determining module 1402 .

[0372] As an example, the communication device 1400 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The sending module 1401 may be used to execute S401 and S402, and the determining module 1402 may be used to execute S403.

[0373] As another example, the communication device 1400 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The sending module 1401 may be used to execute S401, S402, S404, S405, and S406, and the determining module 1402 may be used to execute S403.

[0374] The communication device 1400 may be a network device or a chip used in a network device.

[0375] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG15 , the communication device 1500 may include a receiving module 1501 .

[0376] As an example, the communication device 1500 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The receiving module 1501 may be used to execute S401 and S402.

[0377] As another example, the communication device 1500 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The receiving module 1501 may be used to execute S401, S402, S404, S405, and S406.

[0378] The communication device 1500 may be a terminal device or a chip used in a terminal device. The terminal device may be any one of a plurality of terminal devices in a cell of a network device.

[0379] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG16 , the communication device 1600 may include a determination module 1601 and a receiving module 1602 .

[0380] As an example, the communication device 1600 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 10. The determining module 1601 may be used to execute S1003, and the receiving module 1602 may be used to execute S1004 and S1005.

[0381] The communication device 1600 may be a terminal device or a chip used in a terminal device. The terminal device may be any one of a plurality of terminal devices in a cell of a network device.

[0382] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG17 , the communication device 1700 may include a determination module 1701 and a sending module 1702 .

[0383] As an example, the communication device 1700 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 10. The determining module 1701 may be used to execute S1001 and S1002, and the sending module 1702 may be used to execute S1003.

[0384] The communication device 1700 may be a network device or a chip used in a network device.

[0385] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 18, the communication device 1800 includes a processor 1801 and an interface circuit 1802. The processor 1801 and the interface circuit 1802 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1802 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1800 may also include a memory 1803 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1801, or storing input data required by the processor 1801 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1801 executes instructions.

[0386] As a first example, the processor 1801 may be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned determination module 1402 , and the interface circuit 1802 may be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned sending module 1401 .

[0387] In this example, the communication device 1800 may be a network device or a chip used in a network device.

[0388] As a second example, the interface circuit 1802 can be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned receiving module 1501.

[0389] In this example, the communication device 1800 may be a terminal device or a chip used in the terminal device. The terminal device may be any one of multiple terminal devices in a cell of the network device.

[0390] As a third example, the processor 1801 may be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned determination module 1601 , and the interface circuit 1802 may be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned receiving module 1602 .

[0391] In this example, the communication device 1800 may be a terminal device or a chip used in the terminal device. The terminal device may be any one of multiple terminal devices in a cell of the network device.

[0392] As a fourth example, the processor 1801 may be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned determination module 1701 , and the interface circuit 1802 may be used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned sending module 1702 .

[0393] In this example, the communication device 1800 may be a network device or a chip used in a network device.

[0394] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules 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 the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, 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 network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a network device or a terminal device as discrete components.

[0395] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive.

[0396] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0397] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a network device, the method comprises: sending a first synchronization signal; Sending a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS at at least two listening opportunities, wherein the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration; Determine not to send a synchronization signal within the first time period after the end time of the first synchronization signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least two monitoring opportunities are used by the network device to send messages to at least two terminal devices; The first duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The maximum time offset is associated with the clock accuracy of the low power wake-up receivers LP-WUR of the at least two terminal devices.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first indication information is further used to indicate the time interval between a start time of one or more listening occasions among the at least two listening occasions and an end time of the first synchronization signal.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate a time interval between a start time of each listening opportunity in one or more listening opportunities of the at least two listening opportunities and an end time of the first synchronization signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first synchronization signal is sent periodically; Or the first synchronization signal is a non-periodic synchronization signal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: sending a second synchronization signal; Sending a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS at at least one listening opportunity, wherein the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity in the at least one listening opportunity and the end time of the second synchronization signal is less than or equal to the second duration; In a case where the time interval between the end time of the first synchronization signal and the start time of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration, a third synchronization signal is sent between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The at least one listening opportunity is used by the network device to send a message to at least one terminal device, and the third duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least one terminal device.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: receiving a first synchronization signal; Receiving a low power wake-up signal LP-WUS at a first monitoring opportunity, where the time interval between the start time of the first monitoring opportunity and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to a first duration, and the first monitoring opportunity is a monitoring opportunity corresponding to the terminal device; Determine not to receive a synchronization signal within the first time period after the end time of the first synchronization signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The first listening opportunity is included in at least two listening opportunities, the time interval between the start time of each listening opportunity of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration, and the at least two listening opportunities are used by the network device to send a message to at least two terminal devices, and the at least two terminal devices include the terminal device; The first duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least two terminal devices.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The maximum time offset is associated with the clock accuracy of the low power wake-up receivers LP-WUR of the at least two terminal devices.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: First indication information is received, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first indication information is also used to indicate the time interval between the start time of one or more listening opportunities among at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal, and the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the time interval between the start time of one or more listening opportunities among at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal, and the time interval between the start time of each of the at least two listening opportunities and the end time of the first synchronization signal is less than or equal to the first duration.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that The first synchronization signal is sent periodically; Or the first synchronization period is a non-periodic synchronization signal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a second synchronization signal, wherein a time interval between an end time of the second synchronization signal and a start time of each listening opportunity in at least one listening opportunity is less than or equal to a second duration; In a case where a time interval between an end time of the first synchronization signal and a start time of the second synchronization signal is greater than a third duration, a third synchronization signal is received between the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The at least one listening opportunity is used by the network device to send a message to at least one terminal device, and the third duration is less than or equal to a maximum time offset acceptable to the at least one terminal device.

19. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: Determine a monitoring measurement timing time window PMTC, wherein the starting time of the PMTC is earlier than the starting time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the ending time of the PMTC is not earlier than the ending time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device; Before the start time of the PMTC, receiving a synchronization signal based on a first cycle; At a start time of the PMTC or after a start time of the PMTC, a synchronization signal is received based on a second cycle, wherein a length of the second cycle is shorter than a length of the first cycle.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that After receiving the synchronization signal based on the second cycle, the method further includes: After receiving the low power consumption wake-up signal LP-WUS, receiving a synchronization signal based on the first cycle; Or, at the end time of the PMTC or after the end time of the PMTC, a synchronization signal is received based on the first cycle.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: First information is received, where the first information may include the first period and the second period, where the length of the second period is greater than or equal to the length of a period in which the network device sends a synchronization signal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is received, where the second information includes a time interval between a start time of the PMTC and a start time of a listening opportunity of the terminal device.

23. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a network device, the method comprises: Determine the monitoring timing of the terminal device; Determine a monitoring measurement timing time window PMTC based on the monitoring opportunity, wherein the starting time of the PMTC is earlier than the starting time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device, and the ending time of the PMTC is not earlier than the ending time of the monitoring opportunity of the terminal device; The PMTC is sent to the terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first information, the first information including a first period and a second period, the length of the second period being shorter than the length of the first period The length of the second cycle is greater than or equal to the length of the cycle in which the network device sends a synchronization signal.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises functional modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 24.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a program code for computer execution, wherein the program code includes instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

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